Blog Starter Kit
Ready to start blogging, but don’t know where to, well, start? Do you wish you had someone who could just set up a professional-looking blog for you so you can get to writing? Or maybe you’re just tired of having an amateur wordpress.com or blogspot.com address and ready to move on up with your own domain? If any of these apply to you, I can help! Introducing the Blog Starter Kit, a new service that will hook you up with a brand new blog in just 72 hours. That’s right, you can have a professional blog presence in just three days from today.
The Blog Starter Kit is for you if:
- You’re a first-time blogger who needs little technical help to get started on the road to a brand new blog
- You want to move your blog from a wordpress.com or blogspot.com to your own domain
- You’ve been blogging for a while and now it’s time to refresh or improve your blog layout or design with the blog specs or even just some of the add-ons listed below
- You’re not much of a “techie” person and just want a simple, clean, professional-looking blog that you can maintain yourself
Here’s how the Blog Starter Kit works:
- You buy a hosting package if you don’t already have one (I will walk you through how to do this using my preferred hosting provider)
- You buy a domain name if you don’t already have one (I will walk you through how to do this using my preferred hosting provider but FYI – I do NOT transfer domains)
- I install WordPress which basically gives you an instant blog
- You choose either 1) a free professional-looking theme of your choice or 2) a premium theme from my demo list below
- You give me access to your account
- I set up your blog within 72 hours!
- BONUS: We even get to talk on the phone for a little bit afterwards to make sure you know how to log-in and start posting, etc.
What’s included:
Basic Without Host $99 
(Note: This price applies only if you don’t have a web hosting provider yet. The reason why this package is so affordable is because you will use my promo code to buy your hosting and I will receive a commission.)
- WordPress installation, the best blog software there is!
- A free, professional-looking theme of your choice
- Google Analytics integration
- A set of fancy schmancy icons linking to your social networks on the sidebar
- Twitter widget installation (if applicable)
- Retweet button (using Tweetmeme)
- Activation of the best anti-spam plugin there is
- Installation of the ShareThis or AddtoAny plugin to encourage sharing of your content
- Installation and configuration of the Disqus commenting system (includes creating the account)
- BONUS: 1/2 hour blog coaching call with me to make sure you know everything you need to know to start blogging!
Basic With Host $149
- Everything included in the basic option I will implement using the web host you already have
Add-Ons ($50 each)
- Installation and activation of a premium theme of your choice (cost of theme not included)
- Blog migration: If you already have a blog on Blogger, WordPress.com (the free version of WordPress) or another service, I can move the posts and comments over for you. Please note that your old posts won’t automatically redirect to your new site, and you’ll probably want to let your old blog readers know you’ve moved to a new address.
- Blog Coaching beyond your initial 1/2 hour: If you’d like more blog coaching on technical aspects or strategy, you can contract with me for additional time in 1/2 hour increments.
- Adsense set-up: I can help you set up a Google Adsense account and install a plugin that will place up to 3 ads on your site
- RSS and email subscription set-up: I can help you set up a Feedburner account that will allow your readers to subscribe to your blog by email or RSS. I will also place the code on your site so you can start getting subscribers right away!
If you’d like add-ons, email me at rosetta (at) rosettathurman (dot) com for a customized invoice.
What’s Not Included
- The cost of hosting (if you use my preferred hosting provider, it will run you about $84 for an annual plan that includes 12 months of hosting and unlimited phone support)
- The cost of your theme, if you choose a premium one (my recommended premium themes cost $32-$87)
- Tech support from me: I will help you get started in our 1/2 hour of coaching that’s included with your package, but for all other questions, you can contract with me for additional coaching time. The great thing is that if your site “breaks” you can call your hosting company!
Recommended Free Themes
- Twenty-Ten | Demo
- Paperpunch | Demo
- More free themes available at WordPress.org
Recommended Premium Themes
- Headway Themes ($87, this is the most customizable theme on the market and their support forums are top-notch)
- WooThemes – Premium WordPress Templates ($70 buys you 3 themes for the price of one and a great support forum)
- Big Feature ($32 and a good support forum)
- More premium themes available at:
- Elegant Themes ($39 for unlimited access to all their themes)
- Themeforest (themes range from $27 to $37)
- Web Design Lessons ($35 for most themes; some of them are also available for FREE)
Demos of Sites I’ve Created
- http://www.bpallianceblog.org (Headway)
- http://www.rosettathurman.com (Big Feature)
- http://bloggingforbranding.com (Big Feature)
- http://diaryofahappyblackwoman.com (Big Feature)
- I know how to use FTP, HTML and CSS, so virtually any theme you choose I can install and customize for you
What happens after you pay me via Paypal?
I ask you a few basic questions and walk you through the hosting process. You choose a theme, give me access to your hosting account and then I get started! 72 hours from the time you give me all your info, you’ll have a brand new blog. Promise.







