Welcome to our first giveaway!

July 27th, 2008

So….maybe you’re a new blogger and just don’t know what to do about all this stuff… or maybe you have a blogger blog, or wordpress.com blog or even a typepad blog that you don’t want to pay for anymore.

Regardless, if you’re looking to either start or move your blog, this is for you.

Included in this package is:

  • Domain registration for 1 year. (Domain name after that will be approx. $9.95 a year)
  • Assistance in choosing and purchasing the domain name
  • 1 Year of free hosting (hosting after that will be $15 a year)
  • Installation of Wordpress on your domain name
  • Installation of a theme with a custom header design by a new designer- Healing Designs.
  • Installation of 10 plugins of your choice
  • 2 hours of Q&A/training for your new blog (i wouldn’t just feed ya to the wolves ya know?)
  • Transfer of posts from blogger or typepad to the new blog

If I were still running my business and offered this package to a client, I would charge them $400. There are some more nitty gritty details that I’ll have to go over with the winner, but they aren’t that hard.

So here’s what you need to do.

  • Leave a comment on this post before the clock strikes midnight on Friday (EST) and let me know what you hate about your current blogging platform.
  • Links back to this contest will grant you an additional entry… so link away!

I’ll tell you why I’m an avid WP fan…

  • it’s mine. Period. If blogger or typepad go belly up, you’re going to lose all your stuff. You don’t control it, and yes, I’m a control freak.
  • You can do much much more with it. Seriously. There are so many cool things you can do that you just can’t do with blogger or the WP.com versions…
  • It’s so easy… not only is there more power with WP, but it’s so simple to use. My 11 year old has been using it since he was 9. And he’s fine with it.
  • With the exception of the domain name and hosting (about $25 a year) it’s free. Free is good

Now the fine print…

  • Contest is open to anyone regardless of where you are geographically sit-chi-ated
  • You must leave your comment by Friday at Midnight EST
  • Only one comment per person…
  • Winner will be notified on Monday and will have 3 days to respond.
  • Winner must abide by the guidelines set forth by me when installing the blogs. Let’s face it, as cool as WP is… there are somethings that you shouldn’t do in the long run… and if i say that it’s not a good idea, it’s not… and i know this from experience only.
  • Technical support is NOT included in this package after the installation is complete, however, I am a pushover and more often that not will help when asked… and then I’ll call Lisa B. in a panic and make her help me.

Ready? Leave your comment… and make sure you hit up all the other ones this week!

And after you’ve left your comment, check out all the other giveaways at Bloggy Giveaways!

Until next time…

Filed under announcements |

82 Responses to “Welcome to our first giveaway!”

  1. Tabitha on July 27, 2008 8:38 pm

    I’m not entering the giveaway…I just wanted to say that I LOVE wordpress. Love it. Love it. Love it.

    I originally started on wordpress.com but moved to my own domain and use wordpress on it. I love it.

  2. Michelle Rosborough on July 27, 2008 9:09 pm

    I just have a page so I need all the help I can get

  3. Courtney on July 28, 2008 7:29 am

    I love wordpress too and recommend it to everyone I know. Besides being free and you having your own control over it, it is just so customizable too.

  4. Tracee Sioux on July 28, 2008 10:38 am

    You just don’t know how grateful I would be if I won this. I am on blogspot and you bring up a great point about not owning it and losing it. I also blog on wordpress and I’d prefer uniformity. I just don’t have time or skills to transition my blog myself. Please God lot me win this one . .. find me at Empowering Girls: So Sioux Me, http://www.sosiouxme.com and/or traceesioux at yahoo.com

    Tracee Siouxs last blog post..You’re Amazing! Giveaway

  5. Monkey Giggles on July 28, 2008 10:40 am

    I have been wanting to make to move from blogger to wordpress.

    Monkey Giggless last blog post..Bloggy Giveaway

  6. Evan Pangburn on July 28, 2008 11:08 am

    I love wordpress! This would be so awesome!!

    Thanks again so much,

    Evan Pangbun
    http://www.evanpangburn.com

  7. Lesha on July 28, 2008 1:50 pm

    I know there are cooler things I could do with a blog if I had the head start…this would be so cool to win.

    Thanks for the chance.

  8. jenni on July 28, 2008 1:56 pm

    I HATE BLOGGER! It’s not very flexible, and I want to be more creative with what I have in my site.

    I hate my current template too, simply because it’s NOT ME. I need something more hip, more colorful, more FUN!

    Count me in!

  9. Patti on July 28, 2008 1:56 pm

    I’m a blogger girl, but I could make the change…lord knows my blog needs some help!

  10. Karen on July 28, 2008 2:55 pm

    Would LOVE this!!

  11. Rebecca on July 28, 2008 3:21 pm

    I just have a pre-made page right now and would love something customized.

    Rebeccas last blog post..All packed up and ready to go . . .

  12. Christi on July 28, 2008 3:27 pm

    Well I went from blogger to WP, but really want to upgrade. I hate not having things my way. I’m not hard to please, but I feel like my hands are tied with everything now. Now I’m going to browse your services….Great Giveaway!!

    Christis last blog post..100 Things I believe In

  13. Christi on July 28, 2008 3:34 pm

    The thing I hate about my blog is I simply don’t have one! I haven’t a clue where to start.

  14. Katrina on July 28, 2008 4:17 pm

    I have Blogger, and I like it, but I don’t like that I have to look each time to see if there are new comments. I would love something to tell me when I get new comments.

    Katrinas last blog post..Giveaway!

  15. citystreams on July 28, 2008 4:49 pm

    I love wordpress too! But I haven’t decided whether or not to purchase the domain, etc. This would be such a perfect gift for me. So far this is the one that I want the most!

    I’m definitely linking to you. So count me TWICE!

    citystreamss last blog post..Bloggy Giveaway Carnival

  16. Cris on July 28, 2008 7:05 pm

    I realy like most everything about my wordpress blog…except as it is now, on WP.com, it won’t accept Java text so that I can add stuff like my Librarything. icon. I would SO love to win this prize! Thanks for having such a gnerous offer!

    Criss last blog post..Batshit crazy

  17. Heather Triplett on July 28, 2008 7:09 pm

    I’m getting ready to start my blog and would LOVE to win this and have a little help from an expert, like yourself! And plus, I think it would just be common courtesy from one Heather to another and all! ;)

  18. Someone Being Me on July 28, 2008 9:05 pm

    I would love to win this. I hate that blogger inserts pictures at the top of the post so if you are posting multiple pictures you have to move each one to where you want it. All platforms may be like this but it bugs me.

    Someone Being Mes last blog post..Bloggy Giveaways Carnivals

  19. Ginny on July 28, 2008 9:54 pm

    I’d love to win this! I use blogger & I do really love it. However, I like your reasons especially if the blogger goes belly up which is a fear of mine!

    Ginnys last blog post..Bloggy Giveaways Carnival ~ $50 Target GC

  20. Lydia on July 28, 2008 10:33 pm

    I hate that I don’t know html and have a hard time changing anything.

  21. Wendy on July 28, 2008 11:08 pm

    What a wonderful giveaway! Perfect for me. I would like to get my own domain and switch to Wordpress because I don’t like having blogspot in my domain and I would like to be able to password protect certain posts and just generally do more with my blog. Would love to be the recipient of your expertise!

  22. Jennifer B. on July 28, 2008 11:22 pm

    I would love to win this. Love. Love. Love.

    tigerjennv(at)yahoo(dot)com

  23. CanCan (Mom Most Traveled) on July 28, 2008 11:56 pm

    I just bought a new domain (three days ago) and now I have no idea how to install all of the stuff! Oh PLEASE PLEASE let me win this! I’m so desperate! (Desperately ignorant about HTML, JAVA, and transfering my stuff from blogger without losing it all!)

    onlycancan at hotmail dot com

  24. scrappysue on July 29, 2008 12:30 am

    it would be easier to tell you what i LIKE about blogger, which isn’t very much! their lack of funky templates, the scary way you nearly lose all your widgets when u attempt to change template. it’s all about the template for me! and the lame way it loads photos in a post.

    thanks for hosting - i’m having a giveaway too!

  25. Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommy on July 29, 2008 12:56 am

    I really want to “get serious” with my blog. The name change and new design were a great start, but I think my own domain and all the features of Wordpress would be a step in the right direction. Thanks, Heather!

    Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommys last blog post..It’s Carnival Time! Giveaway Day 1

  26. Mamacita on July 29, 2008 2:00 am

    would love to win this - thanks!

    Mamacitas last blog post..Bloggy Giveways - Style Your Home!

  27. Alina on July 29, 2008 5:22 am

    Sounds great! I’ve been pondering to make the move to self-hosting but have been hesitating to take the leap. I totally will with your help :D
    Alinas last blog post..My eco-nightmare

  28. Kathie Borders on July 29, 2008 7:23 am

    I could so use this. Thanks for the chance. Visit me at http://www.mypreppypurse.blogspot.com

    Kathie Borderss last blog post..Design Your Own Mug!

  29. Dani' on July 29, 2008 7:29 am

    I’d like to have my own domain name.

    Dani’s last blog post..Great contests are all over right now

  30. World's Greatest Mommy on July 29, 2008 9:00 am

    The best part about this, is the personal touch and help you’re willing to provide. Trying to do this on my own would be nearly impossible…if not imposibble…really really impossible. :)
    World’s Greatest Mommys last blog post..Life Is Like a Snow Cone Stand

  31. Brianna @ Heart(h) Managment on July 29, 2008 9:52 am

    I, too, hate the way Blogger enters pics and they have to be moved around.

  32. hazel on July 29, 2008 10:15 am

    My current blogging platform is livejournal and I hate how it’s a bit hard to customize, at least for me.

  33. Sonya on July 29, 2008 10:38 am

    Um, Wow, I can’t believe there are only 27 comments so far! This is a SUPER giveaway!!!

    I don’t necessarily *hate* my Blogger platform. But I’ve read that WP is superior. This is just an amazing prize!!!

    Sonyas last blog post..Scour - earn a Visa Gift card from the searches you already make

  34. Erin on July 29, 2008 10:56 am

    What a great giveaway - I would love to win! :)

  35. mc on July 29, 2008 12:03 pm

    My blogger site is so visually boring. A nice makeover from someone with skills would do it a world of good.

  36. Ashley on July 29, 2008 12:52 pm

    I actually use WP now, and I do love it! But I need some help with plug-ins and so forth, so I’d love to win this giveaway. Thank you!

  37. Colleen on July 29, 2008 1:14 pm

    I love WP too. I plan on moving to self-hosted soon. Even if I don’t win, I’m coming back here for help.

    Colleens last blog post..Summer Chillers: Blueberry Torte

  38. Kathy on July 29, 2008 1:54 pm

    I have a Xanga site now and I’ve been wanting to move for quite some time. I don’t like Xanga because I feel so alone over there. I’d rather be on Blogger or Wordpress where everyone else is.

  39. Kate Saltfleet on July 29, 2008 2:34 pm

    Oooh, please enter me for your competition. I am on a hosted wordpress blog and it’s about time I went independent!

    Kate Saltfleets last blog post..Competition Time

  40. Alyce on July 29, 2008 2:38 pm

    I just started blogging on blogger this week. So finding something that has more options sounds great - especially since I’m new to this.

    Alyces last blog post..What’s on Your Nightstand?

  41. abrianna on July 29, 2008 4:38 pm

    it would be nice to move to my own domain so I could have more design freedom.

    abriannas last blog post..Locked Up For Life In Mental Asylum

  42. Caryn B on July 29, 2008 6:48 pm

    I just switched to Wordpress and I am just getting used to it. It’s so different from Blogger although I think there is more versatility and freedom

    Caryn Bs last blog post..All Locked Up!

  43. Frugal Vet Tech on July 29, 2008 9:19 pm

    I’ve recently started my blog, but want to get it hosted elsewhere so I can have more control over what it looks like. I also want my very own header, but coming up with things like that is just not my forte. This would be fabulous.

    Frugal Vet Techs last blog post..Weekly Links: Visiting Father-in-Law Edition

  44. Charlotte on July 29, 2008 9:51 pm

    I always have trouble with the spacing on my blog. I make line breaks, but they don’t want to show up when I publish my post. It’s frustrating!

    Charlottes last blog post..2 New Bible Studies

  45. Audrey on July 29, 2008 9:58 pm

    I think this is such an awesome offer. Wow!! Here’s hoping my comment is the one chosen. Thanks for making this offer :)
    Audreys last blog post..Free Tupperware Deep Rock N Serve Bowl

  46. MaryBeth I on July 29, 2008 10:18 pm

    I am new to all this but do want a blog that I can organize. Cannot do that with my current blog / template

    MaryBeth Is last blog post..all good things must end

  47. Storm on July 29, 2008 10:25 pm

    I just hate how UGLY it is! I’d love to go primetime with a real looking one!

    Storms last blog post..Printable Arbor Mist Coupon!

  48. Christina on July 29, 2008 11:01 pm

    This is cool i really need help with my blog!

  49. Tara Hill on July 29, 2008 11:44 pm

    Wow, I really need this…I have tried a few times to get a blog rolling, but I just don’t get it. I have a registered name and a blogger…Thanks so much for the chance, this is HUGE!

  50. Chrysa on July 30, 2008 12:03 am

    I currently use Blogger and hate that it is so restrictive as far as what I can do. It is also hard for me to get my posts to look “nice” because of the restrictions! I would looooooooove to win this prize!

    Chrysas last blog post..Get FREE Pizza for Shopping at Office Depot

  51. Cheril on July 30, 2008 1:48 am

    I currently use Blogger on a personal blog and would love to move it to Wordpress! What I hate about Blogger are the templates. I want something more like your page, more individual, not boring and dull like mine currently.

  52. bunny on July 30, 2008 4:14 am

    Well, as you know, blogspot doesn’t have cool blog stats like WP has! :(

  53. Liz on July 30, 2008 10:26 am

    What I hate about my current blog….I DON’T HAVE ONE YET!!! I would love to win this one. Thanks for the chance.
    fivewinks (at) cox (dot) net

  54. Christina on July 30, 2008 10:46 am

    I’ve been trying to move my blog to wordpress and its own domain for six months now, and failed miserably. I thought I could figure out customizing it, but realized I was in over my head.

    So this contest sounds perfect for me! Thanks!

  55. Nancy @ Homemade Blessings on July 30, 2008 10:46 am

    I’ve been thinking about going with my own domain on Wordpress - this may be just what I need to make the jump!

    Thanks so much!

    Nancy @ Homemade Blessingss last blog post..Crockpot Tortellini Soup

  56. Lisa on July 30, 2008 1:46 pm

    I’d love to win this! I have a blog on Blogger, and I’m always a bit wary of it - I’ve lost a whole blog there before. I’m a bit of a control freak, too, and I’d love to be able to have more control over my blog’s appearance. And I’m considering a blog for my little business, so I may be starting a whole new one and I’d like for that to look nice if it comes to pass!

    Lisas last blog post..And just to share the Bloggy Carnival love….

  57. Coco on July 30, 2008 2:40 pm

    Oooh! Oooh! I’m currently using WP and I do love it, but the free blog limitations at Wordpress.com have begun to grind on me now that I’m a bit more advanced. I’d LOVE to win a blog makeover/upgrade/support package like this!

    Cocos last blog post..My Own Private Kafka-Esque Hell

  58. Kara on July 30, 2008 3:43 pm

    I, too worry about losing all my posts and I’d be so sad!!

  59. EG on July 30, 2008 3:47 pm

    Great giveaway, I could use the blog help!

    EGs last blog post..A Giveaway: Pet Carrier

  60. Jackie @ Family Daze on July 30, 2008 4:38 pm

    O Random Generator, please have mercy on this poor blogspot person!

    Jackie @ Family Dazes last blog post..Walking, walking, walking

  61. misty on July 30, 2008 4:45 pm

    I am completely blog illiterate. I have blogger cause it was free. I paid for someone to design it, and now when I want to change it I do not know how. lol. I wanted wp initially but I could not figure it out. Thanks so much for the opportunity.

    mistys last blog post..Wordless Wednesday - Can you get any dirtier?

  62. debbie on July 30, 2008 7:50 pm

    I am very new to the whole blogging thing but I recognize the creative limitations of blogger and I also am a control freak:) I’ll keep my fingers crossed that I win because I don’t think at this point I could make the switch on my own. Thanks!

  63. Tiffany Rosson on July 30, 2008 9:12 pm

    I had a typepad blog for a while but didn’t like using it much. I cancelled it because I was so uninspired. However, I would like a fresh start at blogging.

    Thank you for hosting this giveaway
    tiffanyannrosson at yahoo dot com

  64. Belinda A. on July 30, 2008 11:04 pm

    This is fantastic, I’m shocked there aren’t more participants! I’m new to the bloggy world and kind of stumbling along, I hate that my blogging platform doesn’t have more flexibility when it comes to customizing templates.
    belinda_streak(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Belinda A.s last blog post..The Party Is Starting Early!

  65. Sharon Fairclough on July 30, 2008 11:26 pm

    I am just starting out and I need all the help I can get you want to be able to do it the right way. Thanks for the contest

  66. Lucie on July 31, 2008 1:46 am

    I love to blog - I just started this year because I started a new book club/review.

    Thing is that I would like something more personalized and I would like to have something let me know when I get comments, ect…

    Also, I am starting a new blog that would need areas to show my art work (more columns ect…)

    Thank you for this offer. By far this is the best giveaway I’ve entered (and I’ve entered over 100 in the last two days LOL!

    Blessings,
    Lucie

    Lucies last blog post..Summer Reads

  67. Lucie on July 31, 2008 2:17 am

    Hello again! I placed a button which links you to my blog so please enter me in the drawing one more time! Thank you.

    Blessings,
    Lucie

    Lucies last blog post..Summer Reads

  68. Adena on July 31, 2008 4:36 am

    I really need this for my new blog. Trying to do it myself and Im clueless.

    Adenas last blog post..Bloggy Giveaway: Cooking With Kids For Dummies Book

  69. Julie on July 31, 2008 5:59 am

    This is a great giveaway! Well, I’ve tried blogger and typepad and I’m frustrated about the limited template options. Also, I wish I had more options with picture sizing and placement.

    Julies last blog post..Friendship Day

  70. tricia everetts on July 31, 2008 10:01 am

    Just a newb that needs all the help she can get

  71. Lesley on July 31, 2008 1:31 pm

    I’m on blogspot, and I’m not very ‘technical’. I’ve just stuck with the template and would love a new start. Please Help Me!

  72. Erin on July 31, 2008 1:36 pm

    Hey! I was just nosing around your blog and found this - this site is so cool! I love my blog, but I could always use an update with a new look… you know winter/summer kind of thing :)

    Now I’m going to go read your posts - I swear to god, and I even put this in my blog today, I’m clueless when it comes to WordPress… and I love it so! But I can’t figure out how to do things and the girl who so graciously gave me a spot on her server isn’t as willing to help as I would like (not blaming, she’s super busy) but I’m left unable to get my plug-ins in and that bugs me, so I’m trying to work it out on my own, lol.

    Whew, okay, I’m rambling now… anyhow, great blog!!

    Erins last blog post..Random Facts and Thoughts

  73. ali on July 31, 2008 2:45 pm

    I cannot figure out how to make the banner I made not fuzzy, and I want commentluv on my blog and it’s not an option as far as i can tell.

    alis last blog post..more sick kids

  74. michelle b. on July 31, 2008 3:58 pm

    I have wanted to try wordpress to move to my own domain but can’t find a design I like

    michelle b.s last blog post..Bow Giveaway!

  75. Julie Donahue on July 31, 2008 5:20 pm

    I’d love to just be Mom2Ways.com or something equally easy to type!

    Julie Donahues last blog post..Peer Pressure

  76. Vicki Arnold on July 31, 2008 6:56 pm

    Oh, this would be perfect! I have a new blog I was wanting to start, but for some reason I can’t find a designer who will return my emails, crazy. Thank you for the chance!!

    vicki (at) simplyvicki (dot) com

  77. Sheila on July 31, 2008 8:30 pm

    Oh could I use this! I’m so green at this blogging thing and this kind of help would be spectacular. Thanks for the chance to win. :)

  78. Mara B. on July 31, 2008 10:13 pm

    I have a new blog I’m trying to start. I have a domain name but don’t have any ideas what to do with it. I could use some help. My personal blog is http://www.hisfave.com, but this one will be for ghostwriting.

    Mara B.s last blog post..I just found out about this

  79. Wendy on July 31, 2008 10:19 pm

    Why am I unhappy with Blogger? Oh gee, let’s see…maybe because after being with them for four years, they’ve suddenly decided to LOCK my blog as a suspected SPAM BLOG?!?! As insulting as that is, the fact that someone else has the power to bar me from writing on MY OWN blog has driven me over the edge!

    Deep breaths….calming down….

    Seriously, I’m beyond frustrated. I’ve been thinking about moving to my own domain before this, but I’m a total chicken when it comes to making a change like this. I would be so grateful, words cannot even express.

    And thanks for letting me vent. Whew!

    Wendys last blog post..Birthday Week

  80. Jo on July 31, 2008 10:58 pm

    I have a blogger blog and bought a domain name but I’m scared to death to do anything after that. lol. So I’m still sitting at blogger wishing I had the guts to move to wordpress. Sad I know. lol. Therefore, this would be a great prize to win. ;)
    Jos last blog post..Finally Facing The Facts

  81. Peggy Gorman on August 1, 2008 2:07 am

    Amazing giveaway, count me in!! This would get me off and running.

  82. Katherine Frazier on August 1, 2008 7:42 am

    I don’t currently have a blog but would like to start one and this would be a great start.

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