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Take a look at our editor's new book

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Published: January 15, 2013 at 11:51 AM
Thousands of readers have downloaded or ordered our book, Stories from a Theme Park Insider, since it debuted in 2011. Now, I'd like to let you know about my new book, which I released just last month.

Robert's new bookA warning, though: This isn't another theme park book, nor is it a collection of stories. But Theme Park Insider does play an important role within the book, and I'm mentioning it to you today because there's much in this volume that might help some Theme Park Insider readers in their "day jobs," away from visiting theme parks.

Some of you might remember that I've worked at several newspapers and taught journalism in the past, in addition to running Theme Park Insider. Thanks to my experience here at TPI, as well as our sister website, Violinist.com, I've become a bit of an expert in how lowly news reporters can become publishers, running their own website publishing businesses.

My new book, How to Make Money Publishing Community News Online, is a guidebook for doing that. And more, really. It's a practical guide for anyone who wants or needs to use the Internet to communicate better and connect with customers, clients, or an audience. Though I'm pitching the book for use in journalism schools, I didn't write it just for journalism students. I wanted it to be a useful guide for anyone who wanted to start a website, or even just to use online communication tools to help improve your career.

In the book, I detail seven steps that readers can use to connect with and organize a community around any project. I also include tips for writing online, shooting photos and video, engaging readers with interactivity, using social media without embarrassing yourself or your company, and even offer a tutorial in basic math skills that are helpful in business and reporting.

No, I don't have any funny stories about getting fired at the Haunted Mansion. But I believe that some of you will find the book useful, so I'm taking a few moments to mention it here. I hope that you'll take a look, and perhaps become a fan of the book on Facebook, too. If you're so inclined, "liking" the book on Amazon and leave a favorable review also can help promote the book to more readers, so I'd be ever grateful to anyone who helped by doing those things, too. (I've been running excerpts over on my Sensible Talk blog, too.)

Thanks for taking a look at the book, and now we resume our never-quite-normal theme park coverage.

Readers' Opinions

From Brian Emery on January 15, 2013 at 12:48 PM
Oh Great – Now that I just ordered Stories from TPI and I was anxiously awaiting for it from Amazon – you go and blab the ending by telling me how you got fired at the Hunted Mansion… Now the ending is ruined for me… Thanks Roberto!!!! Oh the Pain!!!
From Robert Niles on January 15, 2013 at 7:31 PM
Actually, it's not me who got sacked... ;-)
From TH Creative on January 16, 2013 at 3:02 AM
An extraordinarily helpful book. It reads like an on-line/e-publishing edition of Strunk and White's 'The Elements of Style.' Well organized. Clearly written. Chapter 6 ("Action Plan: Your StartUp Checklist") is worth the cover price.

I read through the entire book a couple of weeks ago. I am now re-reading it with a highlighter and pencil (notes in the margin).

By the way: This would be a PERFECT gift for a graduating high school student. Arming a student with the basic skills required to create and manage their own on-line community site is a great idea for a student entering either college or the professional world.

From Brian Emery on January 16, 2013 at 11:10 AM
While we are promoting Robert's works - Also check out

Robert Niles Dot Com

From Mike Gallagher on January 16, 2013 at 11:03 AM
Brian, that link would be even better if you spelled "Robert" correctly. :)
From Brian Emery on January 16, 2013 at 11:12 AM
Thanks Mike – I fat fingered it… All better now..
From Daniel Etcheberry on January 17, 2013 at 5:14 AM
I went to journalism school with high hopes of writing about fun subjects just like you Robert, but the experience was not fun. I hated to do interviews because people were busy and not interested.

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