NAME: Liza Cowan
BLOG: SeeSaw
TYPEPAD MEMBER SINCE: 2007
WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT: Veteran blogger Liza Cowan is an artist, graphic designer, collector, curator, seller of cool products and part time rabble rouser. Her blog, SeeSaw, is a splendidly candid reflection of all these things and more.
A question we often receive from potential customers is, "Can I blog in a language other than English on Typepad?" The answer is, yes, you can. In this post, we will walk you through creating a blog in a non-English language. We'll also showcase a couple of Typepad blogs in different languages.
The first thing to do is to go through all the areas in Typepad where you can customize the text that appears on your blog. Start on the Settings > Basics page for your blog and enter the blog title and blog description in your desired language. Next, head over to Design > Content. You'll want to be sure that you update both the navigation bar and blog footer modules so that the links use your preferred language. On the Settings > Categories page, you can delete or rename the default categories and add new categories. This allows you to set up all your blog categories in your desired language.
There are a few other places you might not have thought to update the language. Both posts and comments can be paginated (spread across multiple pages) and you can customize the links that allow readers to navigate across the different pages. To customize the comment pagination links, go to Settings > Comments and look for the Navigation Links section. For the post pagination links, go to Settings > Posts and again look for Navigation Links.
While you're on the Settings > Posts page, you can make the next important change: configure the Post Display Language.
The results of changing the Post Display Language depend on what language you choose. For all of the languages on the list, the dates that appear in the date-based archives and the side calendar will be updated. For Japanese and the larger European languages such as French, Italian, Spanish, German, Dutch, and Finnish, the post footer and much of the automatically generated sidebar content will be updated. The automatically generated sidebar content includes the About Page Link, Post Feed, Archive lists, Recent Posts, and Recent Comments.
If your language uses a different date or time format than is common in the U.S., you can also configure the Post Date Format and Post Time format on the Settings > Posts page to use this format.
Now it's time to set up your blog's content. You can create TypeLists and photo albums in your own language. Many sidebar content modules are also highly customizable, including the Copyright module, Embed Your Own HTML (you can type text in this module, not just HTML code), and the Introduction module, among others. If you want to add a signature or a welcome message in your own language, you can do that as well.
If you're good at making graphics, you can also create a custom banner that displays your blog title and description in your preferred language. Sidebar header images are a great way to add impact to your blog's design - and you can also use them if your language isn't fully supported as a Post Display Language.
Once your blog design and settings are configured as much as possible in your desired language, it's time to get posting. You can type any language that you want for your blog posts - if your computer's keyboard supports it, you can use it.
Looking for inspiration? Check out HarpBlog. Besides their main blog in English, they have French and Spanish language blogs.
The Japanese-language blog, 小鳥ピヨピヨ, has a cute design with lots of graphics, and is also a good example of language customization using Typepad's default settings for a fully-supported language.
There's a final option that you may want to use if you're experienced in coding in HTML. Advanced Templates allow you total control over every aspect of your blog's design. This may be a good choice for you if you're comfortable with HTML and if the language you want to use is not fully supported.
Are you blogging in a language other than English? Share a link to your blog in the comments so that everybody can check it out!
Facebook's current API is being retired, so as of today, Typepad is using its most current version.
This will be a seamless change for most of you, so you don't need to worry about anything. However, if you experienced an issue where you received a message about your account being invalid, we think the new changes should stop this from occurring. If you continue to see this, please open a help ticket.
Most importantly, though, we now have integrated Facebook Page sharing!
If you've posted to your fan or business Facebook Page through Typepad before, you know that this meant using a third-party platform like IFTTT or RSS Graffiti. Now, you can do this all through Typepad!
To get started, go to Settings > Sharing and click the "Connect your blog to Facebook" link. Once you do that, you'll see the following:
Click the Connect button and you'll see a blue Like box that you need to check. (If this button already shows a check mark, click the check mark to uncheck the button.) Once you do that, this will initiate the integration process. You can select an existing Page you manage from the drop down that loads or create a new Page on Facebook.
After you've completed this process, you can now choose to always publish your posts to Facebook automatically. This means that any posts sent by a mobile device, the Compose editor, or e-mail will show up on your Facebook Page without you needing to do anything else. If you would prefer to choose on a post-by-post basis whether to share it or not, leave this box unchecked.
Now when you Compose a new post, you'll see the option to share your post to your Page!
We hope you're as excited as we are about sharing your posts to your Facebook Page!
Did you know Typepad is on Pinterest? It's true! We love pinning and repinning great content from Typepad blogs in every genre, and we're always looking for great, inspirational content. Are you on Pinterest? Drop your link in the comments, and don't forget to follow Typepad right here! If you're not on Pinterest yet, check it out - it's a great way to promote your blog and connect with others!
Want some inspiration? Check out our featured pinner, SnapShots & WhatNots
Martina is an expat from Ireland settling in South Carolina where she shares her challenging transitions, encouraging creativity (ie: craft, knitting, sewing), her adorable puppy, and connecting with others.
Want to promote your pinterest account on your Typepad blog? Just go to Blogs > Content and add the Pinterest Widget to your Sidebar via the center menu. While you're there, make your blog posts "pinable" by adding the Pin It button to your post footers.
Want even more? Learn how to promote your blog on Pinterest and follow Typepad at www.pinterest.com/typepad.
Welcome to our series on making small changes that are guaranteed to help level up your blog's look. Every other week we’ll debut a new post, profiling some great blogs for inspiration that employ Typepad's built-in features. We'll also offer up tips and tricks that can help improve your blog's appeal, gain new readers, and build a more engaged community. Check out our other posts in the series here!
Over the last several months we've been giving you information on how you can make on small changes to your blog that can have a big impact. Let's recap what we've talked about to help make your blog really stand out!
To start, we highlighted two bloggers who take advantage of Typepad's built-in design features by using the Theme Builder, custom banners, and Sidebar elements in creative ways.
Second Story Window is a brightly designed blog by Heidi and Emily that really showcases their love of teaching. Leigh-Ann is the blogger behind Freckled Nest, which is a clean, modern design.
Next up, we discussed how sidebar header images can really take your blog to the next level. For example check out how Violet Short's blog Blythe Ponytail Parades makes stunning use of these images.
Navigation bars are often overlooked, but since they're at the top of your blog, they provide an immediate way of grabbing your readers' attention. Imagine Childhood knocks this out of the park with their amazing welcome banner design.
Landing pages were the next topic we covered. If you choose to use one of these, this is the first thing that your readers will see, allowing you to give them important information like a special message for them, store hours, a way to contact you, and more. It can be an incredibly useful - and easy - way to get vital information out there first thing.
Triline Sports is a great example of how to create a bold, compelling landing page.
Finally, we covered Responsive design, specifically three designs using the Snap theme that we worked on through our Typepad Blog Services. In case you're wondering what we mean by a Responsive design, this simply means that your blog will look good on all devices, whether this is a traditional computer or laptop or a mobile device like an iPhone or an iPad.
Just look how great Diane Sammat's site looks on the Responsive Snap theme:
If you've recently received an email from Google about their policies mobile-friendly designs, our responsive design offerings can have a huge impact on the look of your blog while meeting those mobile requirements at the same time. That's two birds with one stone!
As you can see, Typepad offers a large number of features that are simple to use but pay off hugely on your blog. Have you implemented any of these suggestions? We'd love to see what your blog looks like! Leave your URL in the comments!
NAME: Jill McDowell
BLOG: Bittersweet Apothecary
TYPEPAD MEMBER SINCE: 2006
WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT: The Bittersweet blog is full of inspirational ideas and creative endeavors, brought to you by a small cottage business entrepreneur who has spent the past sixteen years manufacturing and creating artisan soaps and sundries in Liberty, Missouri.
Do you have a tour coming up? Appearance dates to promote your new book? Or upcoming yoga workshops you're teaching?
A quick way to share your upcoming dates with your readers is by including a Google Events Calendar either in your sidebar or as a link to a separate page. (This is not the same as the Calendar module included in Typepad which helps readers look up blog posts by date.)
If you have a Google account, you can get the embed code to display your Google Calendar on your blog. Open your Google Calendar and look for "My Calendars" on the left. Click the drop-down button next to “My calendars” and click “Settings. If you have more than one calendar, click the link of the calendar you want to share.
There is a section titled “Embed This Calendar” which will allow you to customize how you want the calendar to appear on your blog. You can change the “width=800px” size to cater to the size of your column.
Like adding other custom sidebar content, you can also paste this code into an “Embed Your Own HTML” module at Design > Content, so it can appear in your sidebar as shown above.
To display a larger calendar on your blog, you can create a Page to display a larger version of the same calendar. Simply paste the same embed code using the HTML editor tab of the page.
Another free calendar you can embed to your blog if you choose not to use Google is UpTo which also provides you with HTML to add to your blog. Once you get their embed code, you can follow the same steps shared here on how to share it on your blog.
Do you have an event calendar on your blog? Do you use something else besides Google and UpTo? Let us know in the comments!
NAME: Amy Karol
BLOG: Angry Chicken
TYPEPAD MEMBER SINCE: 2005
WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT: Amy Karol makes stuff. She writes books, draws, paints, cooks, teaches crafting classes online, sews, parents young children, and uses her creativity to express herself. She documents everything on her blog, accompanied by fantastic photos and engaging anecdotes.
Did you know Typepad is on Pinterest? It's true! We love pinning and repinning great content from Typepad blogs in every genre, and we're always looking for great, inspirational content. Are you on Pinterest? Drop your link in the comments, and don't forget to follow Typepad right here! If you're not on Pinterest yet, check it out - it's a great way to promote your blog and connect with others!
Want some inspiration? Check out our featured pinner - Stop Staring, Start Sewing
If working with and going through fabric is a constant in your life, then check out Stop Staring, Start Sewing. It is full of How To's and sewing projects.
Want to promote your pinterest account on your Typepad blog? Just go to Blogs > Content and add the Pinterest Widget to your Sidebar via the center menu. While you're there, make your blog posts "pinable" by adding the Pin It button to your post footers.
Want even more? Learn how to promote your blog on Pinterest and follow Typepad at www.pinterest.com/typepad.
Welcome to our series on making small changes that are guaranteed to help level up your blog's look. Every other week we’ll debut a new post, profiling some great blogs for inspiration that employ Typepad's built-in features. We'll also offer up tips and tricks that can help improve your blog's appeal, gain new readers, and build a more engaged community. Check out our other posts in the series here!
Today, we continue our series on small changes to your blog that can make a big impact. Previously, we've talked about landing pages, custom banners, sidebar headers, and navigation. Today we're going to discuss how you can use a base responsive design with small touches to make it your very own.
We've been talking about responsive design a lot around here lately and we've been hard at work creating new responsive designs and the Nimble Design Lab for the past year. We know you want your blog to look great on any device a reader might use and responsive design is the best, most modern solution for that.
But maybe you're a little hesitant to make the switch. Perhaps you like your current design the way it is or maybe you're a little afraid of the work involved with creating a new blog design.
We want to encourage you to make the leap - you'll find that readers will adapt to a new blog design quickly and the rewards far outweigh the bit of work you'll need to invest.
To that end, we want to revisit the very first responsive design we made available called Snap. The design looks simple but that was our intention. You can use it right out of the box or you can use bits of Custom CSS to enhance it and add your own flair.
Remember: CSS is nothing to be afraid of. If you add some code and it doesn't work the way you're expecting, just remove it and save on the Custom CSS page. No harm, no foul.
We've recently worked with three Typepad Blog Services customers on creating blog designs with Snap as the base. You'll notice that while these blog designs look somewhat similar, they are all unique to the blog owner and their content.
First, we have Allergy & Asthma Care Center of Fairfield County. We created a simple but eye-catching banner and used CSS to add that to the blog's design.
Next we have Denim & Damask. We used the same banner image method with a background image for the body of the blog. We also created a sidebar photo grid for featuring the author's favorite posts.
Finally, we have Diane Sammet's site. We used the CSS for a custom banner, as well as code for custom colors and fonts. You will also notice photo grids for showcasing artwork.
Are you using Snap? Leave a comment with your URL so other Typepad subscribers can see how it looks on a real, active blog.