TypePad for Dummies

In 2008 we were approached by some TypePad bloggers about the possibility of writing a "For Dummies" book for TypePad. Naturally we said - YES! Absolutely. If they were prepared to take on the gargantuan task of capturing all the secrets of this little application onto the printed page then who were we to stop them? We were pleased to offer the technical (and moral) support.

To our delight Shannon Lowe and Melanie Nelson announced the arrival of the book on Amazon a few weeks ago. TypePad for Dummies is a comprehensive, up to the minute run through of all the great functionality TypePad offers.

The book also covers some of the practical blogging strategies that have served the authors so well, and some fine examples that will inspire even the most seasoned blogger. I enjoyed reading this book, and I confess to learning a trick or two myself.

So, if...

1) You are thinking about starting a blog

2) You know someone else who is starting a blog who might feel more comfortable with the instruction manual in their hand or

3) You have a nagging feeling your blog is not benefiting from everything TypePad has to offer

...then you can go here to buy this book.

Giveaway Time!

Alternatively, tell us what you would write your own "For Dummies" book about in the comments and we'll send our favorite responses a FREE COPY of TypePad for Dummies in the mail! We have 5 to give away.

Inspiration

Yes - if you spotted this contest on Facebook a few weeks - this is a re-run. It was so fun seeing everyone's ideas we decided to run it on Everything TypePad as well. Here are some of our favorites for inspiration

• Driving for Dummies from Isabel Ginsberg of xoisabel
• Cocktail Party Conversation for Dummies and the socially awkward from Karen Richter of the big 3 blog
• Being a Superstar Mom and Still Looking Hot for Dummies from Keri Ann Berga of OutNumberedmomma
• Building groovy sandcastles from Angela Walters. 

We'll announce the winners on Friday.

Comments

[Karen Kurz]

How about Divorce for Dummies ...

[Stephanie, Principal Paper Addict]

How to market your blog, for Dummies :) If I don't win the book, I'll definitely buy it! Have been wishing for this book for a long time! Glad to see typepad supporting it -- hoping that means BETTER WIDGETS, capabilities and support for typepad bloggers!

[Megan Cooley]

"How to Write a Smart-but-Biting Response to Friends on Facebook with Whom You Don't Agree Politically and Then Erase It Because You Have Better Things to Do With Your Time Than Waste Energy on Those Idiots From College."
Sequel: "How to Do That Five Times in a Row, Convince Yourself You Still Haven't Wasted Your Time, and Then Go Eat a Donut to Let Off Some Steam."

[The Diet Guy]

How Not To Pull A Muscle At A Seafood Disco For Dummies...

[Liz@ThisFullHouse]

Don't Call Me Dummy For Dummies -- How Some of Us Prefer To Be Referred to As Challenged Or Can't Come Up With Any Clever Titles, Just Send Me a Danged Book, Already.

[A Twitter User]

"How to be a Lesbian WITHOUT Drama for Dummies"

[The Diet Guy]

How Do You Get Someone To Pay 10 Dollars For A Book For Dummies...

[Mindy]

How to Navigate the Little League, Swim Team, Soccer Camp, Ballet Classes, Music Lessons, Hebrew School, and All the Other After School Stuff that Kids Do Nowadays for Dummies. (Boy, I wish I'd had this book ten years ago!)

[Macroscope]

For those moving from the UK to the US, and then having children:

"Pacifiers for Dummies"

[The Diet Guy]

Why Faxes Don't Need Stamps For Dummies

[kmkat]

Existentialism, Quantum Physics, and Programming Your VCR for Dummies.

[Eric Schumacher-Rasmussen]

Online Video for Dummies

[The Diet Guy]

How Not To Finish A Book Title For Dumm

[Account Deleted]

Match.com for Dummies. (Oh, yes it is.)

[Lisa Guidarini]

How to Raise Teenagers Without Resorting to Violence for Dummies

[Chris Radford]

Negotiating with customer service agents - for Dummies

How to get the customer service agent from a call centre to respond like a human being and say something that is not in their script or do something different from what they first suggested

[Sascha Schmidt]

again and again, I meet parents of children who can cope better with computers than they can.
How do I tell my parents what a blog is for dummies!

[Gila (11m2)]

Losing 50 pounds while still eating chocolate and fries - for Dummies.

[Account Deleted]

Or an Espresso even...

[The Diet Guy]

Why Three Is Not As Good As Four Dummies

[Rachel Carlson]

How NOT to leave your online social media networking profiles on at work for Dummies. OY VEY. enough said.

[NPeden]

Beginner's Mind for Blogging: Enlightenment and Prosperity at your Fingertips

[The Diet Guy]

Cole's Law: Thinly sliced cabbage for Dummies

[Aesthete]

Crash testing for dummies

[The Diet Guy]

Love it ;-)

[Elizabeth Buckley, Ph.D.]

Stylin' Gray Hair for Dummies.

[Melissa Burford]

There are some pretty good titles going on here. This is mine: Driving for Dummies: How to Traverse Everything From the Amazon to the Urban Jungle!

[Rodale]

"Building a Web Site for Your Church for Dummies"

[Account Deleted]

maximum multitasking for dummies!

[The Diet Guy]

The idiots guide for dummies

[The Diet Guy]

Breathing for dummies...

[The Diet Guy]

Why 93% of statistics are made up for Dummies

[Sunfell]

Geek Culture For Dummies

Sample chapters include:

Geek, Nerd, or Dork: take the test!
Real life Geeks
Understanding all the In-jokes on "The Big Bang Theory"
Deciphering obscure T-shirts: What does it REALLY say?
Yes, there are Geek Girls
Types of Geeks

[Michelle L. LeBlanc]

Commuting for Dummies. I have commuted 100 miles a day for the past seven years and commuting is much different from normal driving.

[Michelle L. LeBlanc]

Scamming Days Off of Work for Dummies -- I'd confess my expertise here, but I don't want to get fired.

[Account Deleted]

How to Go Green without Breaking the Bank for Dummies.

[queenjane]

Texting while driving (is) for DUMMIES!

[Account Deleted]

"Dummies for Dummies - A guide to pacifier choice for babies."

[Account Deleted]

I would love to have a "Guidebook for Everything You Never Knew You Never Knew for Dummies!"

[Lisa]

"Self Esteem for Dummies"

[The Diet Guy]

sǝıɯɯnp ɹoɟ uʍop ǝpısdn ƃuıʇıɹʍ

[Eliza]

How to Choose a Public Magnet School for Dummies.

[Account Deleted]

Speling for Dumies

[Tonya]

I purchased Typepad for Dummies and I am soooo! happy I did. Typepad is very personalized with their help ticket system and have answered each time I filed a ticket. I also wanted to have a additonal resourse for my questions. Typed for Dummies Book is an excellent source for Beginner Bloggers.

[Guthrie Sayen]

Practical Jokes for Dummnies

[lex]

"how to photograph food in restaurants and still convince them you are not a professional food critic, when you are, for dummies"
Or, alternatively,

"how to cook nearly anything over a wood fire and have most of it still be edible for Dummies"

[Ronald Rubin]

I would like to see a "Home Office for Dummies" book.

[Mockazine]

It sounds like a great idea, but how will you get them to read the book if they don't even read the bills they pass?

[Ribsy the Whippet]

How to Be Yourself for Dummies

[Michael John Ray]

"Singing in the Rain for Dummies."

[Kim]

How to Enjoy Long Road Trips with Young Children for Dummies

[Mockazine]

In some parts of the country, you could market, "Keeping your pecker in your pants for adult Dummies"

[Ed.]

Photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence studies of stoichiometric and oxygen-deficient ZnO films for Dummies

[Sarah]

How to be the President For Dummies - USA market

How to be the Prime Minister For Dummies - UK market

[Lynn Dye]

Driving Without Texting For Dummies. (Oh, wait, they're all Dummies!)

[Julie]

Rain Dancing for Dummies
Sometimes we really need rain here in the Plains.

[Melinda]

"Plain Old Common Sense for Dummies". It should be a best seller, so many people seem to be lacking it these days.

I actually saw "Sex for Dummies" in a bookstore once. Wonder how that one sold?

[btn]

WordPress For Dummies, Pocket Edition - Switch To TypePad

[Nidia]

GoalSetting For Dummies
Getting the maximum from your life

[Laurel]

How to share but not over-share on the Internet for Dummies.

(Geared towards a younger audience it could also be titled: How not to let what you put on your blog/Facebook page ruin your future employment and relationship options for Dummies.)

[Dawn Hunt]

"How to be GREEN for Dummies" A step by step guide to saving your corner of the planet whether or not you believe that global warming is actually happening.

[Victoria]

Neurobiology for Dummies

[Wayne Senville, Editor, Planning Comm'rs Journal]

TGIF for Dummies

[Elizabeth Durgin]

Dummies Guide to Hiring Freelancers! (hint .. hint!)

Elizabeth

[Richard L. Brandt]

Creating an Ethical Business for Dummies

[Morag]

"Airport & Airplane Etiquette for Dummies" Being rude doesn't get you there faster - the check-in clerk does not fly the plane, actual instances where you can speed up your arrival and get in shape at the same time (avoid walking side walks at the arrival end), how to prepare for going through security (yes they still want you to remove belts, put change and other metallic items in the tray, take out your computer... try doing that a little in advance and the person behind you will smile), on the plane ask if you can help someone struggling to stuff their suitcase two feet above their heads.

[I M Perfect]

How to be in reality for Dummies.

[Mockazine]

I would start with: "Driving WITHOUT a cell phone" for Dummies.

Then I would write: "Asking SMART questions" for Dummies.

If the books take off, maybe: "At home plastic surgery" for Dummies to kick off a series of do it yourself, at-home medical procedures like heart surgery, brain surgery, transplants, and vasectomies.

[Mockazine]

You should probably start with a smaller volume, like:

"The US Constitution" for Dummies.

[Angie]

"Weight Watchers" for Dummies....their point system drives me crazy!

[Sunny Smith]

How to Speak & Understand Sarcasm For Dummies

[Sandi M]

"Don't Wit Me Down When I Need You For Dummies," - Your guide to the perfect comeback each and every time!

[Dan Baldwin]

"Getting Raw for Dummies: How to change over to a mostly raw, organic and sustainable food diet without risking divorce or family revolt"

I've started my own journey to better health over the past six months. I've lost over 20 pounds, feel a lot better and my hair and finger nails look like I'm 20 years old again!

The only problem with "switching to raw" is I'm married with three teenage kids and I'm the primary meal preparer. There's plenty of books that show how to go raw if you live alone - but I don't live alone. I've had to read a great many books to piece together what I've learned so far.

A single book that includes all the basics like what I've learned in Michael Polan's "Omnivore's Dilemma" and Paul Nison's "Raw Food Formula for Health" would be great if written by someone who's a real person with a real family (where the family is fine going healthy so long as it means they can still eat whatever they want).

[Finola's LIttle Blog]

"How to Identify, Prepare & Eat Unprocessed Vegetables for Dummies" because apparently too few people know how to do this anymore and, well, that's just sad.

[Sarah]

Merging into Traffic for Dummies

[Created Reflections]

Technology for Dummies over 50 who need the new techno-brain their kids got.

[Terry Parkhurst]

Collector Car Auctions for Dummies (have 13,000 words towards this project, with an archive of over 20 years of photos)

[Celeste]

Where was this book two years and 12 blogs ago!!! I want a free copy. I love Typepad and continue to sell my clients on using Typepad... How about "Divorcing in South Carolina - Your Better Off Moving to Georgia for Dummies.

[Krista Kaulfus]

Not sure if you've already received some of these, or if they already exist:
"Motherhood for Dummies"
"iPhone for Dummies"
"Facebook for Dummies"
"Using and Integrating Social Media for Dummies aka Post it Once for Dummies"

[Melissa in SC]

"Getting the Most Out of Your Public Library" for Dummies with chapters like: Ask a Librarian (That's what they're here for) ; Storytime, or, Getting Your Child Ready to Read 101 ; The Web Library, or Getting your Child's Project Research Done from Home--in Your Jammies ; It's not Just Books, or, DVDs, CDs, and Wiis, Oh My!

[Melody Park-Shin]

"How a two year old can navigate the iPhone better than me for Dummies"

[julia]

awesome!

[Terrie Hall]

How to Talk to a Man and Get Results Without Being a Nag for Dummies

[Michelle Yard]

I would write "50-plus and fabulous for dummies." If it's true that age is only a number, why can't tech-savvy, enterprising, energetic people over 50 find great jobs. Then I'd write "Marketing to the 50+ generation ... Why the group with the most disposable income is the most ignored by marketers." Yeah, that's what I'd do.

[Melody Park-Shin]

Twitter addiction for Dummies
Facebook addiction for Dummies

[Chipsalz]

"PHP Is For Dummies"

[julia]

"Locating and using your turn signal for Dummies"

[Michelle]

How to deal with insane inlaws and make them think you like them for dummies

[Jeff Ebbing]

How to shamelessy win giveaways for Dummies

Of course I'd have to actually win the contest before I can start writing it.

[Karen McMillan,ACC,]

"Managing Like a Mom" for Dummies: running your life or business like a women, a.k.a. the art of multi-tasking, team management and creativity for success

[Kurt Hein]

Getting to know our global family face-to-face!

[The Diet Guy]

Why Did The Chicken Cross The Road For Dummies

[The Diet Guy]

Why Too Many People All Stirring The Soup May Cause A Problem For Dummies

[Sweet Spirit Productions]

"Haute and Spicy Roadkill Epicurean Cooking for Dummies"

[Robin]

my book would be: How to deal with Idiots for Dummies since there seem to be so many around these days.

I need the book Typepad for Dummies because I'm so very frustrated with the new version that I'm thinking of stopping my blog.

[The Diet Guy]

Why the severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the ability to reach it for Dummies

[The Diet Guy]

Why life is definitely too short to argue for dummies...

[Account Deleted]

I'd write "Dying for Dummies." There's so much the public doesn't know...like how you can get a great deal on a coffin at Costco. Or rent one for the day of the funeral service, then be cremated in a cardboard box. There'd be a chapter entitled "You Don't Have to Be a Member of the Mob to Swim with the Fishes" to explore the many ways and geography of being buried at sea. Where to find the best make up artists. How much to tip. So much to know.

[lisa mitchell]

"Rocket Science for Dummies"

[ann kent]

"Re-Launching Your Career After Staying Home" for Dummies!