About Beth

  • Beth Hayden is a social media specialist and technology trainer. She has provided training, consulting, blog coaching and development services for New York Times bestselling authors, political commentators, personal development coaches and university professors; she is also the creator of the popular “Basics of Blogging” workshops.

What People Are Saying

  • "I took [Basics of Blogging] and it was fabulous. I left with all of the tools to get my own business blog running immediately; worth every cent!"

    Corinne McKay, ThoughtsOnTranslation.com

  • "What I love about working with Beth is that no idea is too far out. Whatever I can think up, she'll ponder and support online. She takes everything in stride."

    -- Rebecca L. Self, Ph.D, author, XPat Adventures

  • "Beth is a blogging wiz! She is an expert at the technical side of things (making sure that everything works!) and also has a great eye for content and the sort of writing that will connect with the reader. Beth is also a fantastic teacher--she got my site up quickly and also taught me the basics of blogging so that I could take it from there."

    --Toby Rogers, Webmaster, Drjackrogers.com

Kiva Projects

Blogging Services

Workshop Links

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February 27, 2008

Typepad Announces New Templates

My favorite blogging tool, Typepad, has announced that they've recently made fifteen gorgeous new templates available.   Now it's even easier (and it was easy before!) to find a template that represents exactly what you want to say with your blog.

I especially like the fact that two weeks ago Typepad ran a survey regarding templates among all of their customers.  They compiled the results and then used the customer responses to develop and publish all the new template choices.  Great customer service is one of the reasons I don't mind buying Typepad's low monthly fee for my blogs.  They answer my questions and listen to my suggestions - gotta love that. 

February 05, 2008

New Website for "The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw"

In January, Outside magazine contributing editor Bruce Barcott took my basics of blogging class.  He already had a traditional HTML-based website, but he wanted a site that he could update himself without having to learn a complicated computer language. Later I provided a few hours of one-on-one coaching to help him implement his vision for the site using Typepad.com. 

I'm delighted to announce that Bruce's site is now live and I think he's done a tremendous job.  What's more, Bruce's new book "The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw: One Woman’s Fight to Save the World’s Most Beautiful Bird" is available in stores today.  Brucebarcott.com features all of his upcoming speaking events and additional background info on his work!  You can subscribe to Bruce’s site to get updates about readings, seminars, Belize travel information, and more!

February 03, 2008

Jump Start Your Blog!

Outside the Boulder area?  Looking for a way to study blogging with Beth?  You can take this course from ANYWHERE!

The "Jump Start Your Blog" course will give you everything you need to feel comfortable in the blogging world and start your own BLOG! When the course is complete, you’ll have the beginnings of a new blog using Typepad, Blogger or Wordpress (I will discuss the merits of all three hosted services in the course, and you’ll choose which service you’d like to use for your blog).  You'll also learn how to find great blogs on particular topics, post comments to other blogs and and follow your favorite blogs using RSS feeds and feedreaders.

In this course, we’ll discuss:

  • What's a blog?  What blogging is (and isn't) and why it's a GREAT marketing tool for any business
  • The parts of a blog post and why they're important
  • How to find blogs you'll like to read
  • How to use feeds to easily read and keep up with blogs and other sites
  • How to get started with building your own blog
  1. Choosing a blogging platform based on your blogging goals
  2. Setting up the initial design of your blog
  3. Add posts and other content
  • What commenting is, why it's important for getting involved in the blog world, and how to develop a commenting strategy
  • How to write effective content and add photos to your posts

“Jump Start Your Blog” is a five-week online course, and the course registration is $250.  Register here for the course session beginning April 14, 2008.

You will be working individually during this course and completing course assignments on your own time.  Every week, I'll e-mail you a PDF of that week's information module, based on the topics listed above. You'll also receive practice exercises, some of which you can e-mail to me for feedback. For example, one of your exercises will be to write a sample blog post, and you'll send it to me for review and suggestions.

Throughout the five weeks, you'll be able to discuss your questions with the course's other students on an online discussion board.  Course tuition includes one hour-long consultation with me, so you get to ask questions and we can address your specific blogging questions.  I will also look over your blog at the end of the course and give you a one-page summary of my suggestions for possible next steps. 

About the course:

The "Jump Start Your Blog" course will begin on Monday, April 14, 2008. Each Monday, you will receive a PDF file of the week's information module and practice exercises. The course will run for 5 weeks. Your course fee of $250 includes the 5 PDF lessons, feedback on your practice exercises, access to the course's online discussion board and a one-hour consultation phone call with Beth Hayden.

If after the first lesson, you feel that the course isn't for you, $200 of the registration fee is refundable. Space in this course is limited.  To hold your spot in this class, I need to have your full registration fee at least one week prior to class.   

If you'd like to register for “Jump Start Your Blog”, you’ll need to pay for the course (see options below) and return the course registration form.

1.  Paying for the course

There are two ways to pay - 

  • You can submit your payment via Paypal using any of the "Pay Now" buttons you see on this page (this is the easiest option – you can use your credit card to pay via Paypal). 
  • You can mail a check (made out to Beth Hayden) to Beth Hayden, 4845 Pearl East Circle, Suite 101, Boulder, CO 80301. If you mail a check, please include your email address with the payment.

2.  Downloading and returning the registration form
Click here to download the registration form.  You will need to complete this form in Word and return it to me (bethhayden@mac.com) before the course begins.

Once you've paid and returned your registration form, just look for a confirmation from me and then get ready to receive your first lesson on April 14, 2008!

 

A Few Disclaimers

This course covers the basics of blogging and how to start your own blog.  It is assumed that all students have a working knowledge of computer basics and how to use the Internet, and that they have access to the Internet for completing class assignments. Students should know how to use their computers to browse the Internet, send and receive e-mail (including sending and receiving attachments) and save documents on their hard disks for assignments.  Course instructor is not responsible for computer problems nor will she provide technical support for hardware or software issues.  It is recommended that all students utilize the Firefox browser for using the Internet (download available here).

All course materials are copyrighted by Beth Hayden, and may be used only by students who have paid the course fee. Students may save and print the course lessons, but may not redistribute or reprint them.

There is a monthly fee for Typepad blogging services, which is not included in the cost of this course.  Domain registration fees are not included in the cost of this class. There may also be fees involved in mapping your domain (www.example.com) to your blog (www.example.wordpress.com), if you choose to do so. 

Cancellation Policy

Any course that does not have a minimum of 5 students enrolled may be cancelled and students will receive a full refund. If a student withdraws from the course before the first lesson is e-mailed, a refund of $200 will be given. If a student withdraws from the course after the first lesson is e-mailed but before the second lesson is e-mailed, a refund of $250 will be given. After the second lesson is e-mailed, no refunds will be given.

By paying for the course and returning the registration fee, the student agrees to abide by the information and conditions above.

If you have further questions, please contact me at bethhayden@mac.com.  Hope to see you in class!

Register now via Paypal!