Six Apart Launches TypePad Micro

I've been hearing hints and murmurs about something new coming from TypePad for quite some time. Finally I got a sneak peak yesterday...TypePad Micro which launches today at noon Pacific Time.

TypePad Micro, according to Chris Alden, CEO of Six Apart is...

...a new, completely free level of TypePad that is streamlined for microblogging. We see this new form of blogging emerging -- living between the short status updates of Facebook and Twitter and the full-length posts of classic blogs -- and we want to make that easy and fun with TypePad Micro.  

TypePad Micro is free, and comes with...

• A blog with our new Chroma theme
• Easy cross-posting of new posts to Twitter and Facebook
• Friends can comment with their TypePad, Twitter, Facebook or any OpenID-enabled account
• Simple reblogging for readers
• Easy tools for posting to your blog, including post-by-email, a one-click magic bookmarklet and our iPhone application

Having been a TypePad user for over 5 years, I was curious to see how it's different from the original platform. In fact it's the same platform, just a simplified template designed for quick, easy set up. I quickly set up a new Micro blog (Online Visibility Tips) and found that it's not as customizable as I'm used to. But then again for someone just starting out, that can be a good thing. Streamlined options means you can get your micro blog up and running fast.

The new Chroma theme "suggests" a color palette for you based on the colors in the image you select for your banner. That's pretty cool. And hey, it's free (it's included with my Pro account) and the goal is to make it a no-brainer for new bloggers or bloggers who want an simple way to post stuff that may not fit on their primary blog.

Here's more of what Chris Alden has to say about TypePad Micro:

TypePad Micro is the culmination of a huge year of investment in TypePad, in which we’ve put in place many of the building blocks of social blogging, such as:

• Writer and reader profiles
• Following and a follow widget
• A dashboard with activity streams of the people you follow
• Sign-in and cross posting to Facebook and Twitter
• Easy posting by email and a snazzy bookmarklet
• Favoriting and a favorite button for post footers

We even released an entirely new open source application, TypePad Motion, for building custom microblog communities tapping into the power of TypePad. And now with TypePad Micro we're making it easy for anyone to get started with TypePad. No other blog platform combines these great microblogging capabilities – easy posting, profiles, following, an activity dashboard, etc. – with the full capabilities of a world class, full-featured blogging platform.

Considering it's free, I can't see any reason why you wouldn't want to check out the new TypePad Micro. And if you don't have a blog yet, this is a GREAT way to start. Really, super simple to set up and start blogging immediately. When you're ready to add more bells and whistles to your blog, it's will be a snap to upgrade for a few dollars and get access to dozens of designs and all the tools TypePad provides.

Thanks to Andy Wibbels and Ginevra Kirkland for keeping me in the loop on the big launch.

Comments

[Meg Montford]

Have used TypePad for 4 years and have built a content-rich blog. Not sure how this new TypePad Micro can be used to enhance my brand. One idea: if the Micro will fit bettr on a smartphone's screen, then could be used as a "driver of traffic" to my main blog. What do you think?

[Denise Wakeman]

Hi Meg, the TypePad platform is getting more and more sophisticated and more community oriented. As for Micro, I see this as an option for segmenting your content. Is there a segment of your audience that wants very specific information? Maybe a super niche site would be helpful for them. Or, perhaps there's info you find in your travels on the web that doesn't really fit in long form on your blog, but that you'd like to share and post. Like I've set up a micro site that focuses ONLY on boosting online visibility. While that fits in on my other blogs, I want to use it to focus on just that one topic.

http://OnlineVisibilityTips.com

Maybe you want to only post videos on a certain subject or, or, or...

[Jillporternz]

Hi Denise
I currently use Worpress.com and want to get more bells and whistles. Should I try this Micro platform and if I like it, switch to the whole TypePad platform? Your opinion would be appreciated.
Thanks
Jill
PS I have just attended your SMMU session

[Jonathan Brown]

Hi Chris thanks a lot for your great posting . I am using Typepad blog since 2 years and really it is a great site to share our views .

Thanks !!!
Keep blogging
:-)

[search domain names available]

Hi Meg, the TypePad platform is getting more and more sophisticated and more community oriented. As for Micro, I see this as an option for segmenting your content. Is there a segment of your audience that wants very specific information? Maybe a super niche site would be helpful for them. Or, perhaps there's info you find in your travels on the web that doesn't really fit in long form on your blog, but that you'd like to share and post. Like I've set up a micro site that focuses ONLY on boosting online visibility. While that fits in on my other blogs, I want to use it to focus on just that one topic.

http://OnlineVisibilityTips.com

Maybe you want to only post videos on a certain subject or, or, or...
+1

[article writing service]

typepad platform is sophisticated than many others..i really bother that y i havn't heard about such blog engine. and now from the past 4 years am using this platform.... and now typepad micro is more sophisticated than typepad. keep blogging in typepad micro.. thank u

[article writing service]

typepad platform is sophisticated than many others..i really bother that y i havn't heard about such blog engine. and now from the past 4 years am using this platform.... and now typepad micro is more sophisticated than typepad. keep blogging in typepad micro.. thank u

[article writing service]

typepad platform is sophisticated than many others..i really bother that y i havn't heard about such blog engine. and now from the past 4 years am using this platform.... and now typepad micro is more sophisticated than typepad. keep blogging in typepad micro..
thank u