1. Hosting for your blog
Your first blog will need a hosting account. The one I use and have been recommended for years is the following. Make sure to pick the baby account when just getting started. You can always upgrade the account later if needed.

2. High Quality WordPress Themes
This site has the highest quality WordPress themes and the biggest bang for your buck. When just starting out you may want to go with free. The following site has a few of those too.
Click here to have a look.

3. Auto Responder
If you’ve studied anything related to blogs, marketing your blog, building a following, etc… you may of heard about how important list building is. Here’s the tool I use and recommend. Click Here to test drive it.