Giveaway with Lisa Boyd :-) (Also Known as The Tech Dudette)
MONDAY MORNING NOTE:I am going to need to ask for patience and grace from you all. I am still reading and praying through the She Speaks scholarship finalist’s entries that my panel of judges has chosen. I’m headed to Detroit for the day where part of the time I’ll be at a coffee shop finishing up this difficult task and then announcing the selection. Look for it between 1:00-2:00 pm EST. :-)
In the mean time, make sure if you’d like to win a free website set-up package or cool laptop bag that you read the post below. I am extending that giveaway until Wednesday.
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Could I ask you to pray for me this weekend? I’m headed to speak in Georgia alongside my fabulous and talented friend Cheri Keaggy.
I also, along with some of my P31 speaker team buddies, am still reading (and crying) through the entries for the Cecil Murphy speaker scholarship to She Speaks. You aren’t making this easy girls!!! Winner will be announced Monday.
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Have we got a FABULOUS giveaway this weekend!!!! (Especially if you’ve ever dreamed of writing a blog and have simply no clue where to begin!)
Around Proverbs 31, we have many women who use their God-given talents to further His kingdom.
Some speak.
Some write.
Some work use their administrative gifts in the office.
Some pray with women on the phone or answer emails from those who are lonely, hurting and in need.
And some lend their expertise at all things techy.
Today the P31 Queen of techy is joining us with a seriously INCREDIBLE giveaway for one of you. Read on:
Lisa Boyd started her love affair with computers in the early 80s. Upon receiving a Commodore 64, she proceeded to sit down and read the manual cover to cover.
No longer reading printed manuals, she devours digital manuals instead. Clients rely on Lisa for all their technical needs including training them on software (computer-based or web-based) and recommending and implementing technical solutions tailored to their needs.
Since 2003, she’s been setting up and customizing sites using WordPress. Her business site is http://lisaboyd.com
She is a child of God who hates titles and all the preconceptions that come with those titles; a stay-at-home mom who takes her only daughter to public school; the tuneless wife of a man who sings boldly for God; a tech geek who has been accused of having an affair with her laptop; a home executive who doesn’t have a cooking or decorating bone in her body.
Her hospitality includes a big “hey ya’ll” at the door, lots of hugs, and a cold can of Coke. Most days you can find her in old softball t-shirts, hair scrunchies and no makeup or she might be out riding her Harley. Occasionally she blogs at simply His [http://simplyhis.org]
Lisa, how did you first become interested in techy-things like websites and such?
My Dad brought a Commodore 64 home one day in the early 80s. I was so fascinated with the machine, I sat down and read the manual cover to cover.
I wrote my first script that made a message repeat down the screen and then quit. There was no hard drive saving the script. No pretty graphics and such. My love affair with computers began.
I can’t remember exactly when I first got into websites and all things Internet related. I think it’s just become so integrated in my life, it’s hard to remember a time when I wasn’t on the internet.
In 2000, I got started with blogs learning Greymatter software. In 2003, I switched to WordPress and haven’t looked back. Of course I tend to get caught up in the code and how things are setup. Most of the time I forget to just sit and write!
Let’s say a woman out there is interested is beginning a blog but has no clue where to start. What advice would you give her?
If you are not sure you are going to stick with this blogging thing or want to test it out before you put a little money behind it, I recommend setting up a free blog at WordPress.com. You’ll get a url that looks like yourname.wordpress.com and it’s a good place to start.
You can get used to using the WordPress software and when you are ready for more, you can get a hosting package.WordPress can do much more than just blogging – it can control your whole website.
You can change text around without having to know html (html is the code that makes a website display in your browser all pretty). It gives you a great foundation to build your website should you want to add things later, like a contact form or a forum.
When you are ready for more customization and ready to grow, you can get a hosting account for about $5/month, free WordPress.org software, and a custom domain name for about $10/year.
Here around Proverbs 31, you are known as the Tech Dudette. What are the main ways you help people with their cyber needs?
I do all my work based on WordPress. I help people transfer all their posts and comments from Blogger into WordPress. I also develop custom themes.
Themes are the files that make WordPress display your site the way you want it – 1 sidebar over here, content there, custom header graphic at the top, special header graphics in the sidebar, etc.
There are several things that you may want to tie into your WordPress site as well. I help set those things up as well from setting up a subscription box for people to subscribe to your updates, to adding a Facebook updates box in the sidebar. I also help setup forums, directories, and shopping carts so you can sell things through your site.
You are offering two wonderful giveaways to our cyber sisters out there. Tell us about them!
For first place, I’m giving away a hosting package. :-)
I’ll register a domain name for you (if available) or use one you have now. I’ll host your web site for 1 year and get you setup with a basic WordPress install so you can play around with the awesomeness that is WordPress.
I’ll also provide you with a copy of Genesis + Prose. Don’t worry if you don’t know what that means right now. It’s a really cool premium theme package that will allow you to change colors, fonts and sizes as well as other customizations.
The value of all this is about $250.
As a second prize, I’m giving away a laptop bag [http://www.shopgussy.com/category/laptop-work-bags] from one of my clients[http://www.gussysews.com/].
Last year I virtually met Gussy as we were going to be roommates at a blogging conference for women. I didn’t make it to the conference, but we kept in touch and Gussy is now one of my clients!
Wow Lisa!!! Thanks so much for the generous prizes!!!
Okay gals, if you’d like to have your name thrown into the hat for either one of these prizes, leave a comment on this post. Let us know why you’d like the hosting package or the laptop bag. If time is tight, simply say I’m in. (But please let us know which prize you are interested in.)
Oh, and if you have never blogged and want to get started, tell us, what would your blog be about?
Have a great weekend. See you back here on Monday when I’ll have lots of winners to announce!
Blessings,
I am in! I would love the blog hosting prize – I have recently started my blog and am still in search of a great theme. :) Thanks for the chance!
wow!! This is crazy. I’ve always wanted to start a blog, even mentioned to my husband recently that I wanted to be a “blogger”. Today, I was checking out my facebook updates and saw this awesome contest!!! I do have a very special dream that God put into my heart a little over 2 years ago. I really want to open a small preschool that specializes in helping children with Autism. I do not have a child with Autism, but the rise in statistics just blows me away. So, I guess my blog would be about Autism. I guess God will guide me through that step. I’d really love to win the host package.
God Bless.
:)
I would love to win the blog hosting prize! I love, love, love to write, but I struggle to blog consistently. I would love a little help and motivation.
I am disappointed this is a “throw your name in the hat” giveaway because I am desperate for Lisa’s help, and I’m one of those “never win anything” girls. I’m in for the hosting package, but what I really need is a coaching package to help me manage the blog my 27-yr old son set up for me using Word Press tutorials in early Jan. He walked me through some very basic training about blogging and I published my first post on Jan. 9th. fully expecting my readers to be family, friends, & my community group from church.
I have been absolutely blown away, actually kind of panic-stricken at times, by the reach of the blogosphere – this is one huge mission field with amazing possibilities for influencing others for the Kingdom. I just checked the counter on my “Claim God’s Best” blog … in only 2 months & 9 days, I have had 6,008 hits on my blog. I have had comments from Poland, Romania, England, Germany, India … some just grateful they came across my blog, or that someone recommended it to them, some passing along “kudos” or compliments about the content, what they relate to on the posts; others that suggest things I should do, like make money using Ad sense or create a Facebook fan page or put a Donate button on my site. Some ask me to guest post on their blog or to trackback to their site, and some make comments about the technical side of things – like the RSS feed is hard to find, or images load slowly, or they want to know what theme I’m using because they want to use it for their business site. I even had some obscene comments posted – great material for a blog post about how good things can be used for evil, but that was part of the learning curve – I now have to approve all comments before they’re posted to the blog. I have been overwhelmed with the power and reach of blogging, but I definitely need to find someone to help me manage my blog, teach me so much I don’t know, learn when to respond or act on some of these comments, understand how to maximize the full power of Word Press features. I need Next Step Blogging Services, seriously! If you take the time to read all of these instead of just tossing entries in a hat for random drawing, would you please have Lisa email me (or post on my blog – haha)to let me know if she does any blog coaching? That would be awesome!
I’m in! :-)
I would consider a blog change over if I can have it similar to what I have now on blogger. It might be a nice change.
I would love the hosting package. After reading some of the other posts though, I don’t feel I would deserve to win it. I do not have a blog but am drawn to writing. I would love to write about the growing process God is taking me through now. He has impressed me to write about it but I don’t know if it is for a book or just something for my own record.
I would love to start a blog and have been thinking about it for a while!! It would be photography and life experiences…
Thanks,
Susanna
I’m relatively new to this blog thing… I’ve had a blog (sort of) on easysite.com and just recently moved it all to blogspot.com. It desperately needs a make over… I want to share this incredible journey with Him… The ride is amazing!!! Thank you for the opportunity!!! God Bless!
Lisa, your bio is awesome!
My bio? I am first and foremost a follower of Christ. I am also a homemaker and have been married to my wonderful, comedic first husband (I call him that to keep him in line! :O)) for almost 20 years. He is also a vocalist for Christ whereas I cannot carry a tune in a buck… well, you know. My three blessings have been home-schooled as I felt God’s leading in that area. In my BC years (before children), I was able to attend college for over four years majoring in switching majors. I still think that when I grow up, I can make a difference in the world for Christ’s sake. I have already made a little dent by raising my three wonderful children in the ways of Christ. My oldest daughter is married (they have one dog and one cat) and attends a Christian college; my middle child wants to be a housewife, so she is presently a nanny. My boy is sixteen and just purchased his first vehicle ~ a red jeep with a removable soft top – yikes!
It is so exciting to think that lil’ ole me could have the means to encourage so many folks throughout the world; therefore, I would seriously love to be the recipient of your hosting package. God’s will be done!
In His Hands,
Tanya
I would ADORE the hosting package! I want to start a money-saving blog that is Christ-centered. I live in New England (Yes, I’m one of the FROZEN CHOSEN:) and there are very few that specifically pertain to this area of the country! THRIFTY ME…is what I’m hoping for!
Thanks for your time~
Mary
I would love a chance to win the hosting package. I have just recently started blogging, and I would love to be able to transform my blog appearance into something that reflects more of my own personality.
Oh I would so so love the the opportunity to win the first prize. I have been considering a blog for quite some time, but have been intimidated about how to get it started. I would love to blog about my daughter. She is ill and I want to tell people how God is working in our lives. I also love to write. I haven’t any training, but I used to love to craft letters and what not, just loving words in general. It has been so long, but since we have been so limited in what we can now do as a family I am looking for an outlet of sorts. I am fascinated by the creativity and the eloquence so many incredible women share. I don’t think that any life has to be particular extraordinary, I find the blogs highlight how wonderful and meaningful every day life truly is. Count me in, pretty please.
I would love to win either prize. I’ve been wanting to start a blog, but have no idea how to begin. Also, as my husband and I just recently started a business and are in the process of getting a laptop, the laptop bag would be something we could also use. Thank you for the chance to win of these great prizes. God bless!
[email protected]
I’m definitely in; I’m a “writer” and currently studying at the Institute of Children’s Literature in order to get my advanced degree there. My number one goal being to influence the younger generations for Him in hopes of building up the Kingdom of Christ. I want everything I write to God inspired and heart desired. The Hosting package would be amazing for me to be able to chronicle about my writing journey.
Thanks for this opportunity, <3 Ashley
HEY! I would love the blog package, I’m a single 51 year old woman with WAY too much time on my hands and More LOVE than I know what to do with! I have been on disability for almost 2 years, and I am basically on Facebook (which my youngest son) set up for me. I don’t even know how blogging works, I have one friend who blogs and I read hers regularly. I have in the past 6 months been seeking and finding God, with ALL my HEART and MIND and SOUL and STRENGTH and I, like others, have many life experiences in which God has led me away from myself and into His green pastures. Away from the world and into His love is mostly what I would blog about. Sadly I must confess that the majority of my life I have turned away from God and found what is there….NOTHING! I have found EVERYTHING in Him! I have 3 sons, was married 20 years and have been divorced for 14 years. My ex has since passed on and thanks to our sons we are certain he is in heaven! My youngest is a missionary in Milwaukee,WI my oldest lives in Iowa far from family but near in Spirit, his wife left him before 2 years of marriage…through that he has had the lie of Satan lifted that he had been walking with God, he now loves the homeless and reaches out to them with God’s love. My middle son is in and out of institutions and hospitals and group homes, he is diagnosed as borderline schizophrenic, That is a story in itself, much heartache and little joy, for he is my son and I cannot help him…Anyway thanks for listening and maybe, just maybe this could open a door in my life that is unknown to me. In Christ’s love, Diane
Would love to try my hand at blogging! Never blogged but have often considered such! I am a Christ-Follower in my mid 50’s who has grown a lot in the Lord thru out the years. My husband and I are “partial” empty-nesters, grandparent’s, still working full-time and enjoying each day that the good Lord has provided us, all the while dealing with the changes of getting older. My husband is very close to retirement!!! I am also not understanding but trying to understand some of the “new” things the younger generation understand very well! I deal with a lot of laughter from my kids and grandkids due to my trying to understand things! Haven’t I been there and heard this before with another generation called “my parents”. Does this just scream, technically and brain challenged to you!!! Hope each and everyone has a great weekend! Looking forward to Spring here in the Midwest! Thank you for the opportunity to be considered!
Hi!
I would love the first prize, but would be grateful for either! I am a 29 year old wife and stay at home mom of 3 girls. I am also a hairstylist who works out of my home. My business is called “Crown of Beauty” based on Isaiah 61:3…”to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes..” I started blogging a couple years…I have recently revamped my blog on blogger and renamed it to “For the Sake of a Greater YES”. It has basically become a journal/catalog of all the things God is doing in my life and the amazing journeys He is taking me on. I was editor of my journalism class in high school and college (for a short time)and used to write constantly. With life’s craziness and marriage and 3 kids later, I got out of the habit of writing. Lately God has kind of ignited my passion for writing again. I am not the most technically savvy person, and not but it is a dream of mine to have a blog someday that several people can read…and only because my heart is for other people to see God’s greatness through my weaknesses!
Thanks for this awesome opportunity! Even if it’s just for fun, you are welcome to check out my blog. http://[email protected]
Hugs and blessings,
Jen
I’m in for the hosting package! I simply love turning life’s everyday challenges, blessings, and odd occurences into stories for all to enjoy! I’m a single mom, who works for a crisis pregnancy center and have found that life’s stories are usually the ones that resinate best with the people in my life. I have felt God leading me to start a blog and ministry called ‘The Beautiful Mess’ because some where along my journey God began turning my mess into beauty and really in all our journies we all bring our messes to God and He adds the Beautiful!! Blessings Abounding to all the contestants!! :)
I work 3 part-time jobs and have other interests I haven’t really tapped yet, so you could say I’m entreprenurial. I still consider myself a “stay at home mom” because I do all my work when my kids are at school or asleep, so I am there for them before and after school. I have wanted to start blogging/or have a website for a LONG time to encourage other moms who wish they could be home with their kids, but who don’t think they can afford to be. I believe every mom CAN afford to be at home if they follow their passions, develop their own unique gifts and have an entreprenurial spirit. It takes encouragement, so that’s what my site would be about ~ encouraging moms to pursue their own dreams while spending more time with their kids, and feeling better about BOTH!
I would love the hosting package! I have a blog but cant figure it all out, I just love writing it! :) Please enter me! Thanks!
I’m a 46 year old mother of 3 grown children, 1 granddaughter and another grandchild on the way. My life has been filled with “You aren’t going to believe THIS!” moments; some very difficult and some glorious. However, all of them have been touched by God’s hand and have shown a directional path for my life. I’m still trying to figure out where God is leading me but feel it is in some sort of women’s ministry area. It may be blogging, speaking or leading. I’m excited and anxious to see what God has planned!
I am interested in the blog package. I’ve not blogged, but have felt called to it for the past year or so, just not sure where to start. I’m a 40 yr old mom of 2. DD #1, 9 yrs old, was well planned and DD #2 was a complete suprise and unexpected. I’m guessing my blog would focus on being an army wife, entering the tween years and 2nd mommy-hood, and quilting and the role of God in all of this.
I’m in! :)
And I would love either prize, but I’ll go for the laptop bag! Thanks!
Oh my word, I would love, love, love to win the hosting package! I have been scouring the internet for about a week to learn how to set up a blog and I am so confused!!! With help, I have no doubt I could do this. I really want to blog about Christian woman who deal with anxiety. There are so many people who deal with anxiety and not a lot talk about it. When I was going through anxiety, I felt so alone. I do not want anyone to feel this way. So, I want to blog about hope and healing and life!! Thanks…