TypePad's New Head Module!

Unlike Blogger and WordPress, it has always been more difficult in TypePad to customize your blog design unless using Advanced Templages (which is NOT advisable for those not comfortable with coding!).  Yes, their CSS module is a nice feature, however, still no where near the flexibility and customization available in Blogger and WordPress. 

In Blogger and WordPress, you can quickly access the site's main templates (CSS and HTML) and make your changes.  

• In Blogger, go to Template from your Dashboard and click Edit HTML and you have immediate access to CSS and HTML code.  You may also instead click Customize to use the built-in Template Designer.
• In WordPress, from the left side Dashboard, you can click on Editor, normally under Appearance.  This again gives you direct access to your Style Sheets and other areas such as Main, Footer, Header templates.

Of course, you need CSS and HTML knowledge to start working with code yourself. I would suggest going to W3Schools.com as they have great tutorials and FREE!

The Head Module

However, TypePad is making it a little easier now by adding a Head Module. It is only in BETA and NOT available for everyone yet! 

This specifically helps when you find tutorials that say "add ***this code**** before the </head> closing Head tag", things like installing Sliders (like the new Wow Slider) and other cool tools and gadgets.

However, it is only available for those with the Unlimited package ($14.95) or higher. And again, it is only in Beta and not available to everyone yet!

So TypePad continues to make progress, but still no direct access to the site's main templates unless you redesign your blog using Advanced Templates, whch again I would not advise in most cases.  TypePad does have a Theme Builder though - a visual interface in helping you customize your site's appearance. That, with the added CSS and HEAD modules, some customization can be done without having to switch to Advanced Templates, and is suitable for most bloggers!

Are you having trouble uploading images to TypePad?

Does this look and feel familiar?  

It's Not You!

In the past I have been contacted by followers having trouble uploading images to TypePad, and I had experienced the problem myself at one point. Back then, I created this article on fixing the problem - basically to first save the post as a Draft, then continue with your image uploading - and it worked.

Trouble Uploading Images?

However, yesterday a reader and long time customer contacted me saying the solution wasn't working and she just couldn't upload not matter what she tried - rebooting, clearing cache, saving as draft, trying and trying again and again.  So then I told her to try and contact TypePad support.

The solution is to use a different web browser.  

And I commonly tell people to use FireFox as Internet Explorer normally is the culprit like it was in this case.  TypePad is not compatible with Internet Explorer 10 at the moment!  Here is a link to their supported browsers: http://help.typepad.com/browsers_supported.html.

Thanks for visitng today and have a great weekend!

Heather :D

New Video Tutorials: How to install Feedburner in your blog

Yea! The day has finally come where I am ready to begin delivering video tutorials!  This first one is dedicated to those WordPress users having trouble with the WP Feedburner plugin. It demonstrates how to install it manually.

Whether you have Blogger, TypePad, or WordPress, when I do a setup I always manually install Feedburner. I never have used the plugin option. And never have had a problem. 

This video uses my new WordPress blog, however don't worry if you have Blogger or TypePad. You can watch it all anyway as the majority of the video focuses on Feedburner, not on WordPress. 

You may also click here to watch it on YouTube! 

Now with some written instructions as well for WordPress, TypePad and Blogger. Enjoy!

If you are using WordPress (self-hosted WordPress blog):

• Follow the video instructions for Feedburner, activating the Email Subscriptions (in the Publicize tab), selecting and copying the code in the large text box.
• Go to Dashboard, Appearance, and then Widgets.
• Then drag a Text widget to one of your sidebars (wich should be towards the right of your screen).
• Enter "Subscribe to My Blog" as the Title and paste in the code in the larger text box.
• Go back to Feedburner, go to the Chicklet Chooser, choose an option (I use the small orange RSS button-subscribe in a reader), and then scroll down to the bottom to select and copy the code.
• Go back to WordPress, the Text widget already opened and then paste in the code at the bottom of the large text box.
• Save.
• Click Close.
• You're done :D

If you are using the FREE WordPress.com site, you can only install the Chicklet Chooser part as the free WordPress does not allow the use of JavaScript and other code in the sidebar.

If you are using Blogger:

• Follow the video instructions for Feedburner, activating the Email Subscriptions (in the Publicize tab), selecting and copying the code in the large text box.
• Go to Blogger, Dashboard and Page Elements if using the Old Blogger Interface or Layout if using the New Blogger Interface.
• Then click Add a Gadget.
• Choose the HTML/JavaScript gadget.
• Enter "Subscribe to My Blog" as the Title and paste in the code in the larger text box.
• Go back to Feedburner, go to the Chicklet Chooser, choose an option (I use the small orange RSS button-subscribe in a reader), and then scroll down to the bottom to select and copy the code.
• Go back to Blogger, to the Configure HTML/JavaScript already opened and then paste in the code at the bottom of the large text box.
• Save.
• Drag and drop the new gadget to the desired location in your blog layout.
• Save Changes.
• You're done :D

If you are using TypePad:

• Follow the video instructions for Feedburner, activating the Email Subscriptions (in the Publicize tab), selecting and copying the code in the large text box.
• Go to TypePad, then to Design and Content.
• Then at the top in the middle box, click Embed Your Own HTML.
• You can enter a title but it will not show in the sidebar. 
• You must then enter a title in larger text box and format if you'd like such as <h2>Subscribe To My Blog</h2>.
• Then paste in the code.
• Go back to Feedburner, go to the Chicklet Chooser, choose an option (I use the small orange RSS button-subscribe in a reader), and then scroll down to the bottom to select and copy the code.
• Go back to TypePad, paste in the code at the bottom of the large text box (you are already working on).
• Save.
• Drag and drop the new gadget to the desired location in your blog layout.
• Save Changes.
• You're done :D

I hope you enjoyed my first, live video! I am still mastering it all - recording, adding the front cover, back cover, annotaions, the works - and will now be sure I am in my office when recording...(LOL)...you'll see what I mean....but I think I am off to a great start and am learning alot :D

Happy blogging!

Heather :D
Heather Wright-Porto
www.BlogsByHeather.com 

 

TypePad HELP: Trouble Inserting Images (Blogs By Heather SOLUTION)

Many of my customers are TypePad users and were struggling with inserting images.  The solution that worked for me and worked for customers experiencing that problem was this:

1. Begin a post and write content as you normally would.
2. Set the Status to Draft.
   
3. Then click Save.
4. After the post has been "saved", you can then now insert an image without any problems (hopefully). 

That's a solution that has now worked for many, many customers having a problem inserting images into TypePad.  

Hope that helps you :D
Heather

P.S. If you are interested in learning about the new Image Editing Tool by Typepad, click here for my step by step tutorial!

Yes, Google+ Available in TypePad Post Footer Settings

Yesterday I reviewed the new Google+ gadgets available in Blogger and very important Google+ articles by Social Media Examiner (click here to view).

Today I want to drop a quick note to say "yes", you can do this in TypePad as well.  

• If you go to Design, 
• Content (where you see a layout of your blog) and then 
• Edit the Post Footer settings. 

 

There you will have the choice to add many social networking icons to the bottom of each of your TypePad blog posts!

• Then click the Ok button to save the changes.
• Then click the Save Changes button in the Content area (as you are in Design->Content).
• Then you're done!

Happy Blogging!

Heather :D

Are you a TypePad fan? If so, view these recent articles!

• Using TypePad's new Image Editor!
• Adding Pin-It to your Post Footer.
• Adding Pin-It to your sidebar.
• Adding it to your Nav Bar (important notes)!
• Google Web Fonts for TypePad!

TypePad Has a New Image Editor!

As promised, here is a tutorial on TypePad's new image editor. I didn't experiment with all of the available tools but those I though you'd enjoy and have fun with, and those most desired - such as Rotating and Adding Text.

You can use the Text Tool as a way of Watermarking your images!
 

Insert An Image

First, it is important to note that you do NOT see the image editing tools right away. You MUST first INSERT the image into the post (page). THEN double-click on the image to open the Editing Tools!

• Click to insert the image (see image button on toolbar).

• Next, click Choose File to select and image from you computer.

 

• Once you find the file, choose the image and it will load into the Insert Images window as shown below.
• Then click on Insert Image (bottom right).

• Then it is inserted into your post (or page).

Here is my darling Michaela on her first day of school, September 2011.  It inserted this way - sideways.

TypePad's Image Editor

• Then I double-clicked the image to get started and open the image editor. Here is what you will see when it first opens.

 

• For me, I obviously have to Rotate it (LOL). So I clicked on the Rotate button and it did prompt me about resizing the image (to be able to use the tools as the image was too large). I said OK. 
• Then it brought me to the Rotate tool screen.

 

 

• I will choose the one on the bottom, right. 
• Then click the Tools button to go back to the other Tools available.

 

• Then click on click on Old Photo from the bottom right which makes it look vintage. It's a cool tool!

• For me, I then click the Undo to experiment more.
• There are a lot of tools to play with like Red Eye, Contrast, Brightness, etc.
• I then clicked Toy Camera and love the look of it for my Michaela picture.

 

 

• Next, click the Text button to add some text.  This can be used for a way of "watermarking" your images!
• In the text box to the right, add your text and click a color. I used White for my first box. You WILL be able to resize the box and drag it where you want on the picture!

 

 

• Click OK and it's added to the picture. Centered. You may want to leave it there for watermarking purposes but I moved mine.

 

 

• I dragged on the box, bottom left, to resize and drag to upper left corner.

 

 

• Then I added another text box and moved it to the bottom right and vertical.

 

 

• To continue editing, click the Tools button again to use other tools.
• Remember you can use the UNDO.
• When you're finished, click the Update Image button in the bottom right.

Here is the image updated after I added all the customizations I wanted for my dear Michaela.

 

Important Notes

• Ordering does matter.  If I added the text, then the Toy Camera tool, it would cover/over some of the text. So in this picture, the Toy Camera was applied first, then the text added.
• Once the image is inserted and you clicked "Update Image", if you then double-click on it again to open the Image Editor, it will continuing editing the "edited" image, not the original. So you may have to simply delete and start over.
• When editing your image it may ask you about resizing to use the editor, that is OK and click to Resize.
• In the upper right corner there are UNDO and REDO buttons you can do when applying tools and experimenting! 
• Read more about it here on the Everything Typepad Blog.

 

Happy blogging!
Heather Wright-Porto
www.BlogsByHeather.com 

TypePad has a Pin-It Button now in the Post Footer!

In continuing our discussion on Pinterest, this article is the next in the series of Pinterest how-to articles here on Blogs By Heather.  We will be discussing the new Pinterest button in TypePad's post footer settings!

Yes,  in TypePad now you can add the Pin-It button to your post footer - under EACH blog post!

Oh and it is so simply to install! Yes, we love that!

• Go to your blog's dashboard and then Design.
• Click on Content to get to the visual layout of your blog.
• From the middle area, you will find Post Footer and to the right a Pencil icon.
• Click that to open the setting and edit.

• Then from within the Post Foote settings, check off all the social networking icons you would like at the bottom of each blog post...and especially the new Pinterest!

• Then click the Ok button to save the changes.
• Then click the Save Changes button in the Content area (as you are in Design->Content).
• Then you're done!
• Go view your blog and you'll see something like this at the bottom of all your posts!

Happy blogging and pinning!

Heather :D
www.BlogsByHeather.com 

Google Web Fonts: Using Custom Fonts in TypePad

Check this out!

Click here to view the tutorial on how to use Google Web Fonts with your TypePad blog.  You do need to be at the Pro or Unlimited level ($14.95 a month or up) so you can customize the CSS code.

So yes, this method requires customizing CSS code, but this tutorial is really good in illustrating what needs to be done!  

Give it a try!

You can also you TypeKit! Click here to read more on using TypeKit to customize the fonts in your TypePad blog.

Don't worry, Blogger and WordPress users an customize their fonts too!!!! Visit:

• Google Web Fonts
• TypeKit
• Kevin and Amanda

Blog Cleanse: 3 "Must-do" House Cleaning Tips for a More Productive 2012

Let's face it, we all need to "clean up" and reorganize our blogs from time to time. And in doing so you will become more productive and improve your site's functionality and ease of use at the same time! This is not a bad thing, it is a good thing.

Become more focused and neat ===>
more productive and successful.

I am going through these house cleaning tips myself, so you will see some restructuring of my site over the next month..just a heads up :D

1. FOCUS AND REDIRECT

What is your most profitable service? Or What are your hottest topics?

Focus on those services that are most profitable or most popular amongst your customers and followers, and weed out those that are not, are too time consuming. Not that you can't offer them if someone asks, but don't promote them. Find those that are desired, most popular and profitable.

If you don't offer services but instead write on a bunch of topics, find those that are most popular. Listen to your customers and followers...what are they asking? Those are the ones your customers want and want to learn more about. That's where your time and effort should be directed to keep your popularity and continue to draw their interest.

2. BE AN EXPERT

Choose one or two services that you rock! Where you are superior in that field or service. Promote those services heavily.  

If writing about topics, offer expert advice or your personal experience or expertise on what you know best. Your readers will appreciate that and come to you as their "go to" person on that topic(s).

3. REORGANIZE YOUR BLOG.

Let's do some more house cleaning here. Clean up your sidebars and remove ads that are no long relevant, those promotions that have expired or are not profitable. 

Clean up your categories. Combine similar categories. Yes, this may mean that you need to go through some of your posts and assign a new category to them...but try cleaning up your list and make less categories.  If it is essential you have a long list, then create drop-down boxes for them. This will help users find what they need quickly.

Further clean up your sidebars by creating pages and using a dropdown navigation bar (menu bar).  I am in the process of doing this myself :D

 

In following these three blog cleansing, house cleaning tips you should be more driven to work, more focused, more productive, and hopefully therefore more successful.  Here's to a bright and successful 2012! Cheers! Get ready now...it will be here before you know it!

Heather :D
www.BlogsByHeather.com
Reorganize and clean up your blog, if not now, make it a New Year's resolution! 

 

Q&A: How do you change "Comments" to read "Testimonials"

Bloggers welcome comments and I'm sure as a blogger you leave comments on other blogs. Typically, you find the word "Comments" in the post footer area and click on it to then enter a comment form area.  In Typepad, in the Post Footer area you see "Comments(29)" for example; which means 29 people have commented on that given post.  So, can you change that word "Comments" to "Testimonials"?

NOTE: Although this is a TypePad question, in the resolution area of this post I will also discuss Blogger and WordPress solutions as well.

Question: 

Hi! In the comment link of a typepad blog, I would like to change the word 'comment' to 'testimonies'. Is that something you can do?

Answer: 

In TypePad:

If you go to Settings and then Comments you will find many settings regarding your comments, such as setting comment moderation. However, there is no place to change the label for leaving comments.  The only way you would be able to do this is if you converted you blog to use Advanced Templates. Click here to learn more about Advanced Templates.  I normally do not recommend people convert to Advanced Templates unless there is an absolute, real need for something with high importance and/or specific functionality, as it is heavily based on writing HTML and CSS code.

In Blogger:

Go to your blog, then Design, then Page Elements.  And click Edit in the middle or wherever your Blog Posts section is. If you are using the new Blogger Dashboard, then go to your blog, then Layout and click the Edit for the Blog Posts area.

Then, you will see this screen where you can change the word "Comments" to "Testimonials" if you wanted.

In WordPress:

You would go to your Dashboard, then Settings, then Discussion.  In there, go to the bottom and you can modify the text "Leave a Reply" to "I would love your testimonial" for example.

Hope this helps!

Up next...more great blogging fun and how to use a free program like Paint.net to resize photos and create your own watermark!

Heather Wright-Porto
www.BlogsByHeather.com