TypePad for Dummies
March 23, 2010
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.
Happiness for Dummies!
Posted by: ChristianB | March 24, 2010 at 02:35 PM
What a great idea! I am going to a Pet Bloggers conference in Ohio in a couple of week (www.Blogpaws.com) and I'll be sure to tell people about it. Love to win a copy in time to take it and show it off!
All Spam Dinner Parties for Dummies
Posted by: The Pet Blog Lady | March 24, 2010 at 02:37 PM
Fly Fishing In Your Head for Dummies
Posted by: Morry Campbell | March 24, 2010 at 02:38 PM
Being Polite in Public for Dummies (w/ companion "do's and don'ts" dvd)
Posted by: shannon | March 24, 2010 at 02:41 PM
How to wear heels and not show your pain For Dummies
Posted by: Sasha | March 24, 2010 at 02:41 PM
Decorating the Hole You are in for Dummies
Posted by: Account Deleted | March 24, 2010 at 02:43 PM
Navigating The World With Nine Toes For Dummies
Posted by: The Sweet Diabetic | March 24, 2010 at 02:44 PM
"How to Find the 'Any Key' on a Keyboard for Dummies"
Posted by: Stampin' Dymonz | March 24, 2010 at 02:45 PM
I would write "Dickens for Dummies"! My TypePad blog is about Charles Dickens, but a "For Dummies" book would be even better. It would be my chance to explain to the world that no, Dickens was NOT paid by the word, and yes, he wrote some other good quotations besides just "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." :-)
Posted by: Gina Dalfonzo | March 24, 2010 at 02:46 PM
Being a single mom with a 3-month-old baby for Dummies
or just
Being a single mom for Dummies
Someone needs to write that...
Posted by: Account Deleted | March 24, 2010 at 02:47 PM
"Starting Your Own Small Craft Business for Dummies"
Posted by: Debbie | March 24, 2010 at 02:48 PM
Surviving the Sixties...again
Posted by: Barney Davey | March 24, 2010 at 02:48 PM
"Ending Extreme Poverty and Saving Lives for Dummies"
Posted by: Woody M. Collins | March 24, 2010 at 02:49 PM
Hmmmm...how about:
"How to Hold Yourself Accountable for your Actions for Dummies"
Posted by: LandColt Trading | March 24, 2010 at 02:55 PM
Managing your love - hate relationship with America for Dummies
Posted by: Andrew B | March 24, 2010 at 02:59 PM
How to pretend like you care - a guidebook for dealing with the egomaniac in your life.
Egomaniac Survival for Dummies
:) I feel like I have almost reached expert status for this one.
Posted by: Melissa Hourigan | March 24, 2010 at 03:02 PM
see above! LOL
Posted by: Kathleen | March 24, 2010 at 03:06 PM
How to Design cool HTML5 websites for Dummies
Posted by: Account Deleted | March 24, 2010 at 03:12 PM
"How to Think for Yourself for dummies"
Posted by: Account Deleted | March 24, 2010 at 03:12 PM
Applying for SSDI for Dummies
Rubber Stamping for Dummies
Minimalism for Dummies
Living in Arizona for Dummies
Living with Chronic Pain for Dummies
I could go on but won't.
Posted by: Account Deleted | March 24, 2010 at 03:22 PM
Hipster Bacon Worship for Dummies!
Posted by: Thatcher | March 24, 2010 at 03:23 PM
'Using Leftovers for Dummies' sounds yummy, no?
Posted by: brittbreu | March 24, 2010 at 03:26 PM
How to Govern the State of Illinois for Dummies.
Posted by: kapgar | March 24, 2010 at 03:32 PM
Driving on the Highway for Dummies.
Posted by: Account Deleted | March 24, 2010 at 03:33 PM
Chicken Soup for the Soul for Dummies.
Posted by: Skye | March 24, 2010 at 03:34 PM
Buying and Using Ephemera for Dummies.
Posted by: Karla Nathan | March 24, 2010 at 03:35 PM
Loving Kindness & How Not to Terrorise other Nations for Dummies.
Posted by: Obaitori | March 24, 2010 at 03:36 PM
Gummies for Dummies: Your gums and you.
Posted by: Girl About Town | March 24, 2010 at 03:38 PM
Understanding Political Double-speak for Dummies
Posted by: Stephen Prendergast | March 24, 2010 at 03:42 PM
Commenting on Blogs for Dummies
Posted by: SelahV Today by Hariette Petersen | March 24, 2010 at 04:03 PM
How to Find the Comment Box for the Typepad for Dummies Post for Dummies
Posted by: Vicki Nelson | March 24, 2010 at 04:08 PM
Video Game Reviewing for Dummies
Be a video game critic without coming off as biased or paid off by publishers.
Posted by: Tony Alvino | March 24, 2010 at 04:08 PM
Being Happy for Dummies
Posted by: Vicki Nelson | March 24, 2010 at 04:10 PM
Test Taking for Dummies
Social Media for Dummies
Maintaining a Clean & Organized Desk for Dummies
Balancing Work Life and Family Life for Dummies
Posted by: NCBTMB | March 24, 2010 at 04:10 PM
Being Goofy for Dummies
Posted by: Vicki Nelson | March 24, 2010 at 04:10 PM
Laughing for No Reason for Dummies
Posted by: Vicki Nelson | March 24, 2010 at 04:11 PM
Cloud Watching for Dummies
or
Identifying Stupid People for Dummies
Posted by: Diana Bogan | March 24, 2010 at 04:11 PM
Bike riding for dummies?
Posted by: Mark Simmons | March 24, 2010 at 04:11 PM
Just Because It Feels Good for Dummies
Posted by: Vicki Nelson | March 24, 2010 at 04:11 PM
Happiness for Dummies
Posted by: Vicki Nelson | March 24, 2010 at 04:12 PM
Getting the Joke for Dummies
Posted by: Vicki Nelson | March 24, 2010 at 04:13 PM
Ho about 'Global Warming for Dummies' we need that here in Australia!
Posted by: Rebecca | March 24, 2010 at 04:13 PM
Stopping Mid-Sentence for Dummies: The Guide to Authentic Relationships
Posted by: Vicki Nelson | March 24, 2010 at 04:14 PM
How to TypePad without being a dummy for Dummies...
Posted by: Arturo Sayegh | March 24, 2010 at 04:14 PM
"HOw to build a spaceship and travel to alien worlds for Dummies"
Posted by: Account Deleted | March 24, 2010 at 04:15 PM
"Open-Heart Surgery for Dummies" - see inside back cover for CD and scalpel.
Posted by: Ray Eisenberg | March 24, 2010 at 04:16 PM
Stopping Mid-Sentence for Dummies: Accommodating Our Learning Curves
Posted by: Vicki Nelson | March 24, 2010 at 04:17 PM
How to Leave a Comment on a Book Give Away Contest in under Ten Minutes for Dummies.
Posted by: Kathy @ Bliss Beyond Naptime | March 24, 2010 at 04:24 PM
Witty Facebook Status Updates For Dummies
Posted by: Mr.Bigfoot | March 24, 2010 at 04:30 PM
"How to get on with your In-Laws for Dummies"
Posted by: Miriam R Kaye | March 24, 2010 at 04:33 PM
Rocket Science for Dummies
Posted by: Michael V Marcotte | March 24, 2010 at 04:34 PM
How to use the office kitchen and clean up after yourself for Dummies
Posted by: Veronica Thomas | March 24, 2010 at 04:35 PM
Gartenzwerge for Dummies
To help explain:
http://www.google.com/search?q=gartenzwerge&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
Posted by: Flexible Thoughts | March 24, 2010 at 04:35 PM
"How to be YOU for Dummies"
Posted by: Miriam R Kaye | March 24, 2010 at 04:37 PM
oh no! I just came on to put Crash Testing For Dummies, and two posts from the bottom I saw yours lol, will have to think of something else now.
Posted by: Sarah | March 24, 2010 at 04:51 PM
How to Understand your Wife for Dummies
Posted by: Beth | March 24, 2010 at 04:53 PM
I would write a book called 'The art of Extraordinary living for ordinary people for dummies" In it I would cover easy concepts to get us to live life to the fullest, with more joy and fulfillment in the every day things we do.
Posted by: Charlie | March 24, 2010 at 04:56 PM
Nutrition for Dummies
Posted by: Health Is A Skill | March 24, 2010 at 05:03 PM
Buying a Cafe For Dummies
Posted by: The Cafe Ninja | March 24, 2010 at 05:06 PM
Speeches that Rock for Dummies
Posted by: tosca zraikat | March 24, 2010 at 05:13 PM
I love reading all of these hilarious ideas. I was lucky enough to win & I can't wait to receive my copy. My typepad blog link is http://www.outnumberedmomma.com
The link listed above isn't working & as a new blogger & typepad user I'd love to have feedback from some pros (or dummies!) TY!
Posted by: Keri-Ann | March 24, 2010 at 05:17 PM
"quit being dummy" for dummies
Posted by: Shahab | March 24, 2010 at 05:20 PM
Health without doctors for dummies!
Posted by: Lavinia Weissman | March 24, 2010 at 05:21 PM
Teach Yourself to Read for Dummies
Posted by: Naomi | March 24, 2010 at 05:28 PM
Momma K - Congrats on winning this in our Facebook contest. I am so sorry about that link in the post. I have corrected it. I hope your copy arrives soon. We sent it last week. Let me know if it doesn't appear. Aren't these suggestions awesome!?
Posted by: Claire Alcock | March 24, 2010 at 05:37 PM
We'll have one of those TypePad HQ! Thanks Veronica
Posted by: Claire Alcock | March 24, 2010 at 05:38 PM
I'd write a book about managing the multitude of social media options based on goals, lifestyle, business type and anal retentivness. Natually, writing a TypePad hosted blog would be the basic "have to do" and then we'd put the rest of the social media options in their respective places.
Posted by: Gene Urban - the Urban Team | March 24, 2010 at 05:40 PM
How to Not make a fool of yourself while not figuring out how to enter TypePad contests and avoiding other potential embarassing moments on-line for dummies.
Help!!!! I need this book. Thank you, Kathy
Posted by: Kathleen Crellin | March 24, 2010 at 05:52 PM
I think men across the world who have naturally scruffy facial hair (like me) could benefit from "Beard Management for Dummies"
Posted by: Neil J Lloyd | March 24, 2010 at 06:04 PM
How about ... Running Competitions for Dummies and I am not being rude.
Posted by: Paul Clegg | March 24, 2010 at 06:06 PM
"Retirement for Dummies" because it's not as easy as it sounds to retire from someone else driving you hard at a million miles an hour to driving yourself in a meaningful direction without getting totally lost!
Posted by: Bookmarked Typepad | March 24, 2010 at 06:15 PM
Knitwear design for dummies
Posted by: J K | March 24, 2010 at 06:18 PM
Witty Retorts for Dummies
Posted by: Jolie | March 24, 2010 at 06:19 PM
funny :)
Posted by: This Eclectic Life | March 24, 2010 at 06:40 PM
I would write "Bi-partisan Politics for Dummies" -- because I know this book would sell well (at least in one particular market).
Posted by: Issues Man | March 24, 2010 at 06:40 PM
mastering the remote control for dummies, iPod for dummies, getting rid of rodents for dummies, driving a stick for dummies, balancing your checkbook for dummies, winterizing your RV for dummies, using grocery coupons to save money for dummies.... how is that for some ideas!!!! Pick me, I really want to win this book!
Posted by: Scrappinshannon | March 24, 2010 at 06:41 PM
My book would be "Cube Farm Etiquette for Dummies" since most of us unlucky folks are subjected to them every day!
Yes folks - we can hear that snort, slurp, burp, hock, spit, and any other bodily function you pretend wasn't you.
Same with the cell phone ringer that goes off while you're not at your desk.
Oh, yeah - and the speaker phone...and the...
I think you get it...
Posted by: Jamie Pappas | March 24, 2010 at 06:44 PM
Title: "First Time Mommy Madness for Dummies"
Subtitle: "How to survive your first child while staying sane enough to master the skill of tequila shots in between explosive diarrhea full body diaper changes"
That would be mine and I have so many stories i could tell....oh god....I'd need another shot just to start writing them lol.
Posted by: Anita Hamilton | March 24, 2010 at 06:54 PM
And perhaps after that one is published, I'll move on to "Your Mother Doesn't Work Here for Dummies"
For those folks who seems to forget that nobody's sweeping up behind them in conference rooms, kitchens, restrooms, and any other common areas at work!
Posted by: Jamie Pappas | March 24, 2010 at 06:57 PM
Good excuses for persuading the family you need more computer time...for dummies
Posted by: Harriet Wakelam | March 24, 2010 at 07:43 PM
An oxymoron if there ever was one.
Posted by: H. Mark Delman | March 24, 2010 at 08:02 PM
Here's my submission for the ultimate in serialized books...
"Chicken Soup for Dummies", a book which brings hope, courage and inspiration to those who are generally to stupid to know they need it.
Posted by: H. Mark Delman | March 24, 2010 at 08:06 PM
Could not decide between Grandparenting for Dummies (being a first timer this past year, and it was a little more of an emotional minefield than I thought) and Cell phone etiquette - lots of chapter options- how to turn your phone to silent/off when in a restaurant/conference/meetings, convesation loudness when on public transport, Driving while talking or messaging. There is some much to cover in this edition, it may have to be done in two parts!
Posted by: Scrapbook Central | March 24, 2010 at 08:08 PM
I'd love to know how to make pictures in a blog post on Typepad be the sharpest, clearest, most beautiful ever! I use a great camera, my daughter is a photographer, and still the pictures seem lacking...not quite the pizazz that I want. I'm wondering if the Dummies book would cover EXACTLY the steps to take to insure clear photos. Thanks!
Posted by: Mountain Musings | March 24, 2010 at 08:13 PM
"Computer Solitare for Dummy"
Posted by: Rita Schwab | March 24, 2010 at 08:14 PM
Okay, I didn't mean to be quite so literal - I would plan to spell Solitaire correctly -
"Computer Solitaire for Dummy" !!
Posted by: Rita Schwab | March 24, 2010 at 08:18 PM
Tokyo for Dummies
Posted by: Joe Peters | March 24, 2010 at 08:29 PM
"Training Your Spouse for Dummies" she writes while her husband is doing laundry and she is tapping away on the keyboard trying to win a book for dummies
Posted by: Nicole Viars | March 24, 2010 at 08:47 PM
May be a litte bit corny but here goes "How to "fully utilize" all those airline/hotel/restaurant "freebies" (ie. toothepaste, combs, shampoo, soap) when you get back home" for Dummies"
Posted by: Eyecatchers & Wind In The Willow | March 24, 2010 at 08:50 PM
"How to chew your food when in public for dummies" Er, no lip smakin', mouth closed please, no sucking the stuck food from your teeth with your tongue, ..... and you know who you are !! ;)
Posted by: 'eye see' Linda | March 24, 2010 at 08:51 PM
Freud's cigar for dummies ...
Posted by: talkingcure | March 24, 2010 at 08:55 PM
Me too!
Posted by: talkingcure | March 24, 2010 at 08:55 PM
Fathering for dummies ...
Posted by: talkingcure | March 24, 2010 at 08:58 PM
Euphemisms for dummies ...
Posted by: talkingcure | March 24, 2010 at 09:05 PM
Leaving "comments" for dummies! I just put a five day contest on my blog and it amazes me how many of my customers can't figure out the correct place to leave a comment or how to leave a comment!!!! Also "subscribing to a blog" for dummies...they can't figure out how to put their email address in the subscribe box either - LOL!
Posted by: Stampin' Up!|Kelly Acheson | March 24, 2010 at 09:18 PM
"How To Write a Dummies Book for Dummies" But I need help. Please send book.
Posted by: Account Deleted | March 24, 2010 at 09:20 PM
Dating for Women over 40: CougarTown for Dummies
Posted by: Maile Keone | March 24, 2010 at 09:20 PM
How about..Garage Saling for Dummies--Help For Those Hosting and Hunting?
Posted by: Hannah | March 24, 2010 at 09:31 PM
"Parenting Teenagers without Hurting Someone for Dummies"
Posted by: Vicki O'Dell...TheCreativeGoddess | March 24, 2010 at 09:37 PM
The mummies guide to me time and no guilt!!
I wish!
Posted by: Rubyru | March 24, 2010 at 09:48 PM