Way back when I announced the Blogwild book deal, I’d written an ezine called ‘How Blogging Changed My Life’ where I detailed the myriad ways this simple online format had shaped my life and business and allowed me to reach out to people all over the world to share what I know in a voice that was immediate, intimate and distinctly mine even if sometimes it ended up in a run-on sentence. Since then I’ve been featured in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune Small Business, The Chicago Tribune, Inc. many other national and global media publications. I’ve received email from Blogwild readers all over the world ecstatic to find a book that breaks down blogging in language everyone can understand and access.
Well, my friends, blogging has changed my life. Again.
Back at the BlogWorld conference in Vegas, Anil Dash, the VP of Six Apart (makers of TypePad, Vox and Movable Type) introduced himself before my presentation. Anil is one of the Old Guard of the blogosphere – a bad-ass blogger with a penchant for understated wit trimmed with purple accents (and involved in the recent 6A vs WP dust-up that ricocheted through the blogosphere a few days ago). I remember reading his posts on the Movable Type support forums as I tried to figure out what the heck chmod 777 meant and why a database abstraction layer had anything to do with anything. He is somebody I respect hugely (big-ly?) = a lot. We’ve kept in touch since then and I finally got a chance to go onsite and do some interviewing a while ago.
Remember that scene in the Willy Wonka movie where the kids and parents first enter the room landscaped with candy – a land of pure imagination? (I’m referring to the Gene Wilder movie, not the Depp/Burton second-rate) That sense of wonder at seeing the guts of something you’ve enjoyed and admired for a long time? That’s kinda how I felt. High ceilings, open air cubicles, even a few workers brought their dogs to work. Got to meet a ton of Six Apart-ers and lots of folks on the TypePad team. A day-long blitz and I got to learn of the REALLY cool stuff Six Apart is working on.
Last week the planets finally aligned and I am pleased as punch to announce that I’ve joined Six Apart. What will I be working on? I can’t really disclose yet but it’s gonna great fun and built around giving the best possible services and attention to bloggers – the customers that form the core of the Six Apart fanbase. It is all part of the maturing and shift of Six Apart from a software company to a services company to something even greater. I’m totally excited about it.
Yes, Ron is coming with me.
Usually the second thing people always ask is: ‘So what about… (uncomfortable pause) I mean are you both…?” Yes. Ron is coming. Actually he was already kinda there – he got impatient with me and had already transferred. When the interview process started it took him just a few hours to scope out out living spaces near 6A – carefully triangulating between train stops, groceries and the gym. We hope to be completely moved in by the first of April. Basically we’re donating and giving away everything except the essentials: cats and hard drives.
What about Blogwild?
I remain devoted to my Blogwild readers and am prepping an enhanced online resource to continue to assist and update as blogging evolves.
I the meantime we’re flying back to San Francisco early tomorrow morning to get the move-in process underway. People keep asking me if I’m overwhelmed or stressed out and I guess I’ve decided it doesn’t matter if I’m stressed out or not – the same amount of things need to get done.
Thanks everyone for your kudos and tidings so far!
Andy Joins Six Apart!
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32 responses to “Andy Joins Six Apart!”
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having met and chatted with Anil last week I’m excited for you and 6A – sounds like some exciting things are coming up!
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ConGRATS Andy!!!
Loved meeting you at Blog World Expo – you’re SO very entertaining!
And now I look forward to hearing more about all the exciting things you’ll be doing with Six Apart! Brava! -
Fantastic news, congratulations and good luck on all the logistics 🙂
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Congrats, Andy. I’ve only been a reader of your blog for a short while, but I appreciate your work. Look forward to following your transition to Six Apart and tapping you as a resource as I ramp up the PRS blog.
Best of luck! -
Congratz Andy. Good luck with Six Apart!
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Don’t eat too much chocolate in SF
Hope you enjoy your new role -
The best for you and yours with your new work, Andy. Having read your book and blog for years, I am happy to hear you are still getting paid to do work that you love while helping other people more effectively communicate and manage their online presence.
I am looking forward to reading about your new life. -
Congrats. Enjoy San Fran.
I’ll keep an eye out for the updates and details. -
Congratulations Andy!
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Congratulations, Andy! That is awesome. I heart Six Apart, as I’m a TypePad blogger…w00t!
Plus, the Left Coast rocks. 🙂 -
Awwww, Andy you deserve this soooo much!
This is so exciting 🙂 Can’t wait to hear more about this. Here’s to your new job and your new life in San Fran! -
(**sniff**) My Andy is moving so far away from me?
Despite the fact that you’re no longer a car drive away, I’m happy for you. It just makes darn sense – a blogging expert working for a blogging company.
Have fun! Remember me 😉 And now I have a place to crash when I visit San Fran. -
Welcome aboard! So glad to have you as part of the team. 🙂
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Well done Andy, looking forward to seeing what is coming.
And a move to one of my favorite cities -
congrats andy! sounds like a super cool opp, cant wait to find out what fun stuff you are working on… does this mean I can’t use wordpress anymore? 😉
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CONGRATULATIONS!
Don’t overdose on the candy!
I know you will have FUN!
And, SF has got to way warmer in Winter than Chicago!
Keep on blogging, Lyle -
That sounds incredible. May your impact be large and San Fran be kind to you.
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Andy,
Just heard the news. Mazel Tov! -
Congratulations. Wonderful news, good luck, have fun, we’ll all stay tuned to hear about whatever exciting things are ahead. It’s always exciting to say “Yes!” to great opportunity and doors that swing wide open to something brand new.
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Leesa B. wrote: “(**sniff**) My Andy is moving so far away from me?”
Ja, but MY Andy is moving CLOSE to me! Muahahahah! Let the Photoshop sessions and theatre outings and play dates between the mitties begin…
Congrats, my savvy brother! You deserves it in spades. -
Rock on Andy, you deserve every great thing that comes your way, now and forever.
I am just a bit confused by the chocolate comments however… as a native San Franciscan, are they referring to Ghirardelli? If so, sorry, but it ain’t that great. Swiss chocolate kills it by a mile. Sorry, big G, just the truth.
What will make you (happily) fat in San Francisco, is a new, great restaurant to eat in every night for the rest of your life. There are just too many to count. Sushi (the no-name place on Carl — ask me), Tacos (La Taqueria on Mission/25th), Thai (Khan Toke in the Avenues) and I could go on and on.
San Francisco will be so pleased to get you and Ron as new residents.
And thank god you are going to 6A — this way when I have a massive tech support problem like I did about a year ago, I can call you personally to bitch about it (you will now block my # I am sure). Whatever else you do, please fix their tech support model. In addition to doing cool stuff, of course. 🙂 -
Wow, great move!
Congratulations.
Easy on the candy 😉 -
Congratulations! It sounds like a dream come true and I hope both of you enjoy yourselves and get some great work done in that environment.
Lynda -
Hey you terrific Smart Man Online – big hug and congrats! I always knew you were meant for big…really big, things. Stay in touch, ya hear?
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Congrats Andy!! (AND Ron!) Sad to see you leave ChiTown, but from the conversations we have had, this sounds like the *perfect* move for you. Glad to see the stars have totally aligned for you!
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Great news, Andy. I always thought Anil was pretty smart – more evidence now. Great that Six Apart have big plans to engage your marvellous creativity and communication skills. I love San Francisco (every Sydney native I’ve ever met loves San Francisco!) and it seems very right. You star, you.
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Change is good…right? That’s what I always say, and I’m often right. 🙂
Glad to have you out here on the West/Best Coast. I pass through SF every August, perhaps we can meet for tea and cookies?
Congrats! -
Welcome aboard, Andy, we’re lucky to have you!
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Cool! Congratulations!
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WordPress will reign number one. 🙂
Funny. Your blog is done with wordpress. WordPress remains (truly) free and the innovative platform.
Cool. Congrats my friend. -
Yup. I’ll probably move over to Movable Type when I can. Or not. Or keep put my personal blog in MT and my business on in WP so I can run both systems. We’ll see.
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Oh, my gosh, Andy! Congratulations! I can’t wait to hear your groovy rants from a truly cool place – in San Francisco at 6 Apart!. Rock on, you blogwild guy!
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