What kind of workshop?

How does the workshop work?

It’s a small (5-10 people) workshop, bring-your-own-laptop. Small enough for individual attention, large enough for a few people to go through the same steps.

You’ll receive handout materials to help you remember the important stuff.

It lasts all day (or two half-days). See the Workshop Calendar at left for upcoming workshops.

During the workshop, you will

• Create your web hosting account and install WordPress
• Learn your way around WordPress
• Work with posts (short, time-stamped style posts), pages (you’re on one right now!), and comments (try it out, ask a question at the bottom of page!).
• Learn how to upload photos to your site
• Work with changing themes; upload a theme and switch to it
• Work with other administration features of WordPress; learn how to back up your site
• Point your domain name to your new web site

Who’s leading the workshop?

I’m Susan A. Kitchens, digital renaissance woman. I write, design and illustrate for print, web and new media. I’m an award-winning computer how-to book author. I’ve created instructional materials. I’ve done classroom how-to instruction. (A past instructional speaking gig was liveblogged at Huffington Post) I even dreamed up and produced a week-long conference/workshop about Bryce. One person who attended it said, “this is the best workshop I’ve ever attended.”

I created my first website in 1995. (Is internet website time measured the same as dog years?) I’ve been blogging and using content management systems since Y2K. I’ve been using WordPress since 2004.

The domain registration and hosting fees are payable by credit card to other vendors: one ahead of time, and one during the workshop. The workshop fee is payable by check to Susan A. Kitchens ahead of time in order to reserve your spot at the workshop.

Wow. How is it possible to get a website for that price?

Very low overhead. We’ll be working in a small group (minimum 5, maximum 10) around a dining table. You’re primarily paying for my time as a consultant/instructor, and not for facilities.

Low overhead #2. You bring your own laptop computer. Hopefully, it’s outfitted for wireless internet access. (I can provide 1 spare laptop and limited ethernet access, available on a first-come, first-served basis.)

You’ve done your homework beforehand. The workshop is a no-nonsense roll-up-the-sleeves and get to work session.

Everyone is going through identical steps to set up the site. You benefit from small economies of scale.

You’re not getting a custom web design. You’re selecting your site’s appearance from among hundreds of already-created themes and appearances. (If you need additional customization, I am happy to talk with you about customizing a theme, or creating a new one from scratch.)

And finally, a bit of disclosure. It’s true, I get a referral fee from the hosting provider when you sign up with them. But before I ever made arrangements for referral fees, the first thing I did was call up their support line to see how fast they answered the phone. (nice and fast!) I’ve had quick resolution of problem issues. Please know that I didn’t choose them just because I get a referral fee.