The document provides an introduction to WordPress, a popular tool for building websites. It discusses that WordPress allows users to easily create, manage, and update a website, and can be used to write blog posts, share media, and sell products. Many large websites use WordPress due to its ease of use, customizability through themes and plugins, and ability to achieve good results. The document concludes by stating that it will demonstrate how to make a WordPress site either through a free WordPress.com account or by installing the free WordPress software.

1. Getting Started with WordPress by brett bumeter @brettbum

2. Who am I? • I am a WordPress Web developer for Softduit Media. • I also help people find fast themes and hosts at wpthemespeed.com. • I was a finance/accounting geek, but I was spun off to the mob, • became a corporate whistleblower & found something better to do! • I've served in the military & lived all over the US.

3. What Will We do today? • Learn what WordPress is • Learn how WordPress is used • Learn the benefits of WordPress • Play with WordPress

4. Ok, so what is it? WordPress is simply a tool for making websites. Easy(ier)

5. Its a tool that helps you create, manage & update a website.

6. You can easily write blog articles, share pictures, videos, sell things, and more.

7. Websites powered by Wordpress • CNN, The Huffington Post, Blondie • Best Buy, Vogue, The Smithsonian • The New Yorker, Time, NASA • But not healthcare.gov! • More @ wordpress.org/showcase/archives/

8. If it can be on the Web It can probably be put there with WordPress.

9. WordPress is used by 23.2% of all websites http://bit.ly/w3techs-wp-study

10. What makes it so popular • Easy to learn to use • Easy to customize with themes • Easy to add plugins ('the apps of the WP system') • Gets good results! People & $$$

11. How do I make a WordPress site? • 2 Options • Go to Wordpress.com for a free account, or • Install free software directly from WordPress.org

12. Let's Play!