Podcasts about wp minute

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this powerful WP Minute+ episode, Matt hosts Angela Jin, a seasoned WordPress community leader and now a leadership coach, to discuss how business owners and freelancers can lead through times of change and conflict. Drawing from her years at Automattic and her current work in leadership development, Angela shares why conflict and change are not only inevitable but also essential forces that shape outstanding leadership.Angela explores key frameworks and mindsets leaders can adopt to navigate today's chaotic world, including “stretch collaboration,” embracing experimentation over control, and leading with awareness and empathy. Whether you're dealing with organizational uncertainty, WordPress community tensions, or high-stakes business shifts, Angela offers a calming and actionable roadmap for showing up with clarity, purpose, and humanity.Note: Angela's presentation was part of an exclusive webinar for members of The WP Minute. Sign up today to access more top-notch content!Key TakeawaysChange is Inevitable, Conflict is Natural:Leadership begins with accepting that both are part of the journey, not problems to avoid.Great leaders focus first on how they show up internally before addressing external dynamics.Embrace “Stretch Collaboration”:When agreement isn't possible, progress depends on engaging across differences.Let go of the illusion of control and focus on experimentation and iteration.Three Leadership Shifts to Practice:Connect: Name your priorities and listen to others.Experiment: Act without knowing the outcome – momentum matters.Change: Leadership starts by reflecting on your role in the dynamic.Actionable Reflections for Leaders:In your current challenge, how are you engaging and asserting?What small step can you take today to move forward?What are you willing to change in yourself to shift the situation?Important LinksThe WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribeConnect with Angela JinTwitter/X: https://x.com/angelasjinWebsite: https://angelasjin.com/Book a coaching session with Angela: https://calendly.com/angelajincoaching/freecoachingsession Support us for as little as $5 to join our members-only Slack group. ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this episode of the WP Minute, Matt Medeiros and Mark Zemanski discuss the overuse and misinterpretation of the term 'open source,' particularly in the context of WordPress. They reference a recent episode of WP Town Hall where Mark posed the question to Chris Pearson. Matt and Mark explore the complexities and nuances behind 'open source,' noting the difference between open source code and the brand value of WordPress. They debate the evolving nature of WordPress governance, expressing concerns over the potential disillusionment within the WordPress community. Additionally, the discussion touches on the implications of Matt Mullenweg's control over WordPress, the survival and contributions to the project, and how closed-source commercial alternatives might be gaining traction. The conversation concludes with the question of whether society is moving towards more closed-source solutions, driven by business needs and the challenges of sustaining open-source models. Support us for as little as $5 to join our members-only Slack group. ★ Support this podcast ★

There are a lot of advantages to being a freelancer. One of them is that you can work from anywhere. No need for a brick-and-mortar location means saving money. It's also pretty nice that WordPress is free to use. A savvy business owner can get started without spending a lot. Even so, there are some significant costs involved. A quality web host isn't cheap. And the WordPress ecosystem is known for its wealth of subscription models. You'll also pay out the nose for internet service, hardware, and experts like accountants. Your spending can add up quickly – more than you realize. And keeping track can be cumbersome. Subscriptions renew on different dates and vendors don't always alert you. Prices go up – including those tempting promotional deals you signed up for. Before you know it, your bank account is running low. Thankfully, there are plenty of opportunities to save money. A little research will help you identify unnecessary costs and ways to cut corners. The result is a boost to your bottom line with minimal sacrifice. It's easier than you think! Let's look at ways to cut costs for your WordPress freelance business. How Much Are You Spending?The first step to cutting costs is to understand how much you spend. That will let you know where you stand and you can compare the totals after you've made some budget cuts. It requires keeping track of what you spend. Accounting software or a spreadsheet will help you stay informed. Short of that, you can look through bank statements for the details. Look for any purchases related to your business, such as:Web hosting fees; WordPress plugin and theme subscriptions; Software-as-a-service (SaaS) subscriptions; Professional services like accountants and lawyers; Marketing costs like advertising and email list services; Memberships in professional organizations or clubs (like The WP Minute);Those are the basic costs coming out of your pocket. However, there may also be items that aren't so obvious. For example, consider payment gateway fees. Services like PayPal and Stripe collect a fee each time you receive a payment. The bigger the payment, the more they take out. The cost can be significant, so it's something to be aware of as you consider spending. Dig deep to learn how much money is leaving each month. You might be surprised at what you find. Look for Corners to Cut and Places to SaveOnce you have a list of items that cost you money, you might find a few that are no longer needed. That could be anything from an app you don't use to an add-on to your hosting account. For instance, themes and plugins often collect virtual dust. Pay particular attention to items you purchased during Black Friday or similar sales. If you don't actively need them, they're raiding your bank account. Cancel them before their next renewal. You might also find products or services you can cut back on. Many subscriptions are tiered and offer more features for a higher fee. Do you need the level of service you're paying for? If not, that's a good place to save cash. Web hosting is a common area in which to overspend. If you don't need the storage and bandwidth allotted to your account, it's OK to downgrade. Oh, and don't forget about any domains you own. They're easy to buy when an idea pops into your head. But what if you didn't follow through with the project? Each renewal is just a yearly reminder of our procrastination. You might as well cancel or try to resell them. It's easy to collect items you don't need. Maybe they once served a purpose. Or perhaps you were waiting for the right time to use them – and the time never came. The good news is that you can eliminate them just as easily.Find Cheaper Ways to Get What You NeedThere are also ways to save money on the things you need. Sometimes, it requires a little work or patience, but it is often well worth the effort. Product bundles are a good example. Some WordPress plugin authors will give you a deal when licensing multiple items. It makes sense when you're working within ecosystems like WooCommerce. Just be sure that you'll use everything that's included. Timing also matters when it comes to making a purchase. As we mentioned, Black Friday deals can tempt us to buy things we don't need. But it's also the right time to grab a product that we have a use for. Some sellers even discount renewals or upgrades to existing customers. Keep an eye out for these opportunities. You can also negotiate pricing with some companies. Internet and cell phone providers often renew contracts at higher rates. When it's time, contact them and ask for a lower price. It's not always convenient, but it works. Cheap or free alternatives are also out there. It's not always feasible to replace a key plugin on your website. However, apps like photo editors and word processors are easier to swap. You could save quite a bit using open-source tools or commercial products built by smaller companies. Products that employ artificial intelligence (AI) also offer potential savings. Services like ChatGPT can perform menial tasks and automate them. They could eliminate the need for some more expensive apps. You don't have to settle for paying high prices for the tools and services you need. Being a smart shopper can pay off for your business. Every Dollar Counts - Save Where You CanFreelancing may not have the same costs as a traditional business. That doesn't mean your expenses are insignificant, though. Out-of-control spending makes it harder to stay afloat. And prices keep going up. So, take charge of your bottom line. Keep track of what you spend and look for areas to make cuts. Consider what you buy, when you do it, and how it impacts your business. You're sure to find items that aren't worth your money. Meanwhile, look for creative ways to stretch your money. Find deals and take advantage of them when it makes sense. Get the best price for the things you need or find free alternatives. The WordPress ecosystem is large with multiple options for everything a freelancer needs. A little effort will go a long way toward improving your finances. There's no better time to start than right now. ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this episode of the WP Minute+ podcast, Matt sits down with Victor Ramirez, an experienced technologist working at the intersection of WordPress and data analytics. The conversation explores the challenges WordPress professionals will encounter in 2025, from increasing competition in the CMS market to the impact of AI on development and marketing.Victor shares insights from his career working with enterprise organizations like News Corp, The Knot Worldwide, and Sotheby's. He discusses how AI is reshaping development workflows, making some roles obsolete while creating opportunities for those who learn to harness AI effectively. He also discusses the evolving WordPress landscape, including the shift toward headless WordPress, the potential decline in enterprise adoption, and how professionals can adapt by focusing on best practices and scalability.Matt and Victor also explore Upwork's role as a viable platform for high-level WordPress professionals and the increasing importance of SEO, metadata, and analytics in an AI-driven search landscape. They wrap up with a discussion on Gutenberg's impact on WordPress usability and the ongoing debate over whether WordPress should cater to end users or web professionals.## Key Takeaways### WordPress in Enterprise- Large organizations are questioning whether to continue investing in WordPress or transition to platforms like Webflow.- The strength of WordPress lies in its flexibility and open-source nature, but governance and product direction concerns are growing.### AI's Impact on WordPress Development- AI accelerates workflows but also threatens repetitive, low-level development jobs.- Developers who learn to integrate AI into their processes will have a competitive edge.- AI-generated code often lacks consistency and sustainability, reinforcing the value of WordPress as a structured platform.### Freelancing & Upwork Insights- Upwork can be a viable channel for high-level professionals, particularly in enterprise WordPress projects.- SEO plays a critical role in discoverability, with Upwork profiles often ranking higher than individual portfolios.### SEO & WordPress as a Publishing Platform- SEO is evolving beyond traditional keyword strategies into metadata and AI-driven search.- WordPress remains strong for content publishing but faces increasing competition from headless solutions and alternative CMS platforms.### Gutenberg & WordPress Usability- The WordPress Block Editor remains a divisive tool, praised for flexibility but criticized for its lack of structure.- Professionals and businesses need guardrails to prevent content management chaos.### Important Links- The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe- Connect with Victor Ramirez:Website: https://www.isvictorious.com/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/isvictoriousss- Learn more about WordPress Enterprise Solutions: https://wpvip.com/  Support us for as little as $5 to join our members-only Slack group. ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this episode of the WP Minute+, Matt chats with Katie Keith, co-founder of Barn2 Plugins, about her decision to diversify her WordPress-focused business by introducing Shopify apps. Katie shares insights into the challenges and opportunities of the WordPress ecosystem, touching on the increasing uncertainties surrounding WooCommerce and WordPress leadership. While Barn2 remains committed to its existing WordPress products, Katie discusses the strategic importance of venturing into Shopify to safeguard the future of her business.In addition, Katie shares the thought process behind expanding to Shopify, including her team's excitement about the technical challenges and opportunities. She highlights how leveraging her WooCommerce knowledge helps identify gaps in the Shopify app market. Katie emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach to diversification while continuing to deliver quality in both the WordPress and Shopify ecosystems.## Key Takeaways### Marketing & Content Strategy- Barn2's primary sales channels remain blog SEO and YouTube content.- Diversification in content platforms (e.g., live streams and videos) is critical for adapting to algorithm changes.- AI tools like ChatGPT are driving product awareness, with customers reporting purchases based on AI recommendations. ### The Decision to Diversify- Increasing uncertainty in WordPress, especially with WooCommerce's "more in core" policy, prompted Barn2 to explore Shopify.- Expanding to Shopify allows for greater business stability without compromising WordPress operations.### Challenges of Diversification- The Shopify ecosystem offers its own risks, including potential competition from core features.- Team enthusiasm and readiness for technical challenges were key factors in the decision to expand.### Community Insights- Katie appreciates the collaborative and welcoming nature of both WordPress and Shopify communities.- Leveraging networks on platforms like Twitter and insights from peers in both ecosystems have been vital for her business growth.## Important Links- *The WP Minute+* Podcast: [thewpminute.com/subscribe](thewpminute.com/subscribe)- Connect with Katie Keith on Twitter/X: [twitter.com/KatieKeithBarn2](twitter.com/KatieKeithBarn2)- Learn more about Barn2 Plugins: [barn2.com](barn2.com) Support us for as little as $5 to join our members-only Slack group. ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. Cory Miller has been at the center of two major shifts in the WordPress ecosystem.First, he sold his full ownership of Post Status to Marieke van de Rakt and Joost de Valk, who are now forming a new nonprofit entity to back it. Matt explores Cory's timeline of running Post Status after acquiring it from Brian Krogsgard.Today, he is part of the A2 Hosting acquisition by World Host Group, a private equity-backed company consolidating hosting brands. In a recent WP Minute conversation, Matt Medeiros spoke with Cory about these transitions and what they mean for the WordPress community. A2 Hosting's Acquisition by World Host GroupPrivate Equity Backing: A2 Hosting has been acquired by World Host Group, a private equity-backed company managing 14 hosting brands.Leadership with WordPress Experience: Cory highlighted that the new leadership team includes individuals with a deep understanding of WordPress, helping to ease concerns about the acquisition.Investment Over Cost-Cutting: Unlike typical private equity acquisitions that prioritize cost reduction, World Host Group's approach focuses on increasing investment in product and support.No Immediate Changes: Customers should not expect significant changes to pricing, dashboards, or service URLs in the short term, though new developments are anticipated in the coming months.Trust as a Core Value: CEO Seb de Lemos has emphasized building a trusted, globally recognized brand—something that is often lacking in the hosting industry.The Transition of Post StatusMoving to a Nonprofit Model: Post Status, long a hub for WordPress professionals, is now a nonprofit organization led by the founders of Yoast.Challenges of WordPress Media: Running a media and community-driven business in the WordPress space is difficult. Cory noted the constant challenges of securing sponsorships, maintaining engagement, and ensuring financial stability.The Importance of Support: Cory emphasized that WordPress companies have a responsibility to support independent media outlets because they provide essential industry insights, foster community engagement, and hold key stakeholders accountable. Without financial backing from businesses that benefit from these platforms, these critical resources risk disappearing, weakening the ecosystem as a whole.Final ThoughtsThe acquisition of A2 Hosting and the transition of Post Status signal significant shifts in the WordPress industry. While private equity involvement in hosting raises concerns, Cory remains optimistic about the focus on trust and investment. Letting go of Post Status was both a relief and a deeply emotional moment for Cory.After years of dedication, he now watches as the community he helped build takes on a new chapter under nonprofit stewardship. While there's a sense of closure, there's also hope that this transition will empower independent WordPress media & community in new ways.Now is the time for stakeholders to actively shape the future of WordPress through engagement and support.Chapters00:00 Welcome Back, Cory Miller!00:30 Big Changes and Acquisitions01:37 A2 Hosting Acquisition Insights02:32 Leadership and Vision at World Host Group03:51 The Importance of Communication06:46 Private Equity and WordPress10:24 AI and the Future of Tech17:08 The Power of WordPress Distribution22:27 Immediate Changes at A2 Hosting26:17 Struggles with WordPress Community and Content Creation27:15 Reflecting on Acquiring PostStatus28:38 The Importance of Community30:47 Challenges and Gratitude34:28 The Future of WordPress Media40:25 The Human Touch in WordPress News43:32 Balancing Community and Business49:32 Final Thoughts and FarewellRelevant Links Mentioned in the ConversationA2 Hosting's new parent company: World Host GroupA2 Hosting: a2hosting.comCory Miller's website: CoryMiller.comPost Status community: PostStatus.comWordPress media efforts: The WP Minute & The RepositoryUpcoming community conference: PressConf Support us for as little as $5 to join our members-only Slack group. ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this episode of *The WP Minute+*, Matt chats with Ariele Krantzow, the Marketing Lead at Pressable, a Managed WordPress Host. Ariele shares her journey from a design-focused background to a thriving career in content and marketing. She highlights her experience as a long-time WordPress user, the community's influence, and the rapid learning curve she faced when she joined Pressable just in time for her first WordCamp.The conversation covers the value of quality hosting, customer education, and marketing strategies tailored to the needs of WordPress users. Ariele describes how Pressable balances startup agility within the larger Automatic ecosystem and focuses on creating a superior user experience. The discussion also focuses on the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in marketing and the WordPress ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of creativity, human connection, and innovation in a fast-evolving digital landscape.## Key Takeaways### Ariele's Journey to Marketing:- Started in design and community roles before transitioning into content marketing.- Values combining creativity and strategy to drive impactful results.### Marketing at Pressable:- Focus on customer education and simplifying the hosting experience.- Pressable is positioned as a premium, quality-driven host with a user-friendly dashboard and top-notch support.### WordPress Community Insights:- Ariele emphasized the value of WordPress in enabling diverse careers, from content marketers to developers.- Engaging with the community at WordCamps has been a cornerstone for learning and growth.### AI in Marketing:- AI is an assistant, not a replacement, for creativity in marketing.- Marketers must focus on producing unique, human-centric content to stand out amidst AI-generated content.### Video Strategy:- Pressable is expanding into video content to complement its robust blog and knowledge base.- Emphasis on relatability and authenticity in video production.### Important Links- *The WP Minute+* Podcast: [thewpminute.com/subscribe](https://thewpminute.com/subscribe)  - Connect with Ariele Krantzow: LinkedIn [linkedin.com/in/akrantzow/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/akrantzow/)- Learn more about Pressable: Pressable Website [pressable.com](https://pressable.com/)For more insights and updates, don't forget to subscribe to *The WP Minute+*! Support us for as little as $5 to join our members-only Slack group. ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this episode of *The WP Minute+*, Matt sits down with recurring guest Mark Szymanski to discuss the evolving role of AI in their daily workflows. From creating content and writing code to experimenting with tools like Claude and Cursor, they explore both the promises and frustrations of AI-powered solutions. Matt shares his journey of using AI for coding a personal project, detailing the challenges of token limits, tooling decisions, and bridging gaps in technical knowledge. Mark highlights his experience creating WordPress plugins with AI assistance and provides insights into how AI has revolutionized his content creation process.  The conversation also covers broader implications for AI in industries like development, marketing, and content creation, as well as concerns about its commoditization and future pricing models. Both Matt and Mark agree that while AI is still far from being an independent problem-solver, it has already proven to be a game-changing assistant.  ## Key Takeaways  ### AI in Coding:- Tools like Claude and Cursor can help non-developers create functional code, though human oversight is essential.  - Cursor, a coding environment integrated with Claude, significantly streamlines workflows by auto-applying changes to files.  - Prompt engineering and token management are critical skills for effectively using AI in coding.  ### AI in Content Creation:- AI can save time by generating YouTube chapters, video titles, and descriptions from transcripts.  - Tools like Claude are better for processing large transcripts, while ChatGPT excels in brainstorming creative ideas.  - AI is still limited in generating high-quality thumbnails, though it can provide useful prompts for design tools.  ### Future of AI:- Commoditization of AI tools could lead to higher costs, restricting access to advanced features.  - AI is more of a junior assistant than an independent creator, requiring human guidance to produce optimized results.  - As AI continues to evolve, industries may see dramatic shifts in productivity and accessibility.## Important URLs Mentioned  - *The WP Minute+* Podcast: [thewpminute.com/subscribe](https://thewpminute.com/subscribe)  - Mark Szymanski's Links and Newsletter: [mjs.bio](https://mjs.bio)  - ConvertKit (Now Kit): [kit.com](https://kit.com)  For more insights and updates, don't forget to subscribe to *The WP Minute+*! Support us for as little as $5 to join our members-only Slack group. ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. I recently caught up with Eric Karkovac to look back at his most influential WP Minute articles from 2024. As our resident voice for WordPress freelancers, Eric brings a unique perspective - he doesn't just write about WordPress, he actively builds client sites and runs his own business. This combination of hands-on experience shapes everything he writes.Our conversation explored the real challenges facing WordPress professionals right now. From managing endless plugin subscriptions to navigating the Automatic vs. WP Engine situation, Eric's articles tackle the issues that matter to freelancers and small agencies. What I appreciate most about Eric's writing is his practical approach - he's focused on helping WordPress professionals find workable solutions to everyday challenges.Looking ahead to 2025, we talked about what matters most for WordPress professionals: building strong client relationships, being selective about new projects, and keeping the human element front and center in our technical work. For anyone running a WordPress business, this episode offers practical strategies from someone who understands the day-to-day reality of our work.Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:Focus on proactive client communication and relationship buildingConsider the total cost of plugin subscriptions when planning projectsStay adaptable with WordPress changes while maintaining client trustQuality client relationships matter more than quantityKeep human experience at the forefront of technical solutionsImportant URLs:wpminute.com/subscribe - Subscribe to our newsletterhttps://thewpminute.com/how-does-automattic-vs-wp-engine-impact-freelancers/https://thewpminute.com/why-small-wordpress-ui-changes-are-a-big-deal/https://thewpminute.com/go-ahead-and-use-wordpress-your-way/https://thewpminute.com/using-wordpress-often-means-subscriptions-a-lot-of-them/https://thewpminute.com/data-liberation-needs-to-happen-within-wordpress-too/Eric on BlueskyEric on X ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this fascinating conversation with Mark Szymanski, we dove into our evolving perspectives on AI tools, particularly in coding and content creation. What makes this discussion particularly interesting is how both Mark and I have shifted from skepticism to seeing AI as a powerful assistant in our work. I shared my recent experience using Claude and Cursor to build a web application - something I never thought I'd be able to do as a non-developer. While I'm not writing code in the traditional sense, I'm learning to be an effective "prompt engineer" and project manager for these AI tools.The conversation revealed how AI is changing not just how we code, but how we approach content creation and research. Mark brought valuable insights about using AI for YouTube content optimization, from generating chapter markers to brainstorming video titles. We both agreed that while these tools are powerful assistants, they're not magic - they require human direction and understanding to be truly effective.What really struck me during our discussion was the broader implications for WordPress and web development. While these AI tools are making it easier for non-developers to build custom solutions, they also highlight the incredible value of established platforms like WordPress. There's a fascinating tension between the accessibility these new tools provide and the depth of functionality that traditional platforms offer.Key Takeaways for WordPress ProfessionalsAI coding tools like Cursor are making development more accessible to non-developers, but require strategic thinking and project management skillsClaude 3.5 offers significantly better coding assistance compared to earlier versions, including detailed explanations and suggestionsAI can significantly speed up content creation workflows, especially for tasks like YouTube chapter markers and content optimizationThe combination of multiple AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor) can provide better results than relying on a single solutionCurrent limitations include token usage restrictions and the need to maintain context between sessionsProfessional developers can likely leverage these tools to dramatically increase their productivityThe WordPress ecosystem remains valuable despite these new tools, but may need to evolveImportant URLs & Resourcescursor.sh - AI-powered code editormjs.bio - Mark's website and newsletterwpminute.com/subscribe - WP Minute newsletter (now on Kit)Whisper AI Transcription (Mac app for transcription)kit.com - Newsletter platform (formerly ConvertKit) ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. On the latest episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Roger Williams from Kinsta. Roger shared his journey into the WordPress space, starting from his early days building websites for clients to his current role heading up content at Kinsta.We discussed the evolution of video and audio content over the past decade. Roger reminisced about the challenges of editing videos back in 2009-2010 compared to today, where tools like Riverside and Descript have simplified the process tremendously. He emphasized the importance of authenticity in content, noting that younger audiences are turned off by overly polished, scripted material.Roger provided insights into Kinsta's content strategy, which currently focuses heavily on the WordPress community. He highlighted the value of having genuine conversations with people in the space to understand their needs and challenges. While Kinsta does offer hosting for other technologies beyond WordPress, Roger indicated those areas may be explored more in the future.We also touched on the challenges of representing a well-respected brand and battling impostor syndrome. Roger credited Kinsta's supportive executive team in helping him build confidence. He advised focusing on praise over criticism, especially in the early stages, to help content creators find their voice. The key is to get something out there consistently, learn from it, and iterate.Key Takeaways for WordPress ProfessionalsAuthenticity is key in content creation. Don't be afraid to leave in some "ums" and imperfections.When getting started with content, keep it simple. Platforms like LinkedIn provide a ready audience for testing material.Aim to create at least 50 pieces of content before worrying too much about analytics and optimization. This volume helps you find your voice and preferred topics.For brands, heavy praise and light criticism help empower content creators, especially early on. Build up the team's confidence first.Stay aware of content ownership concerns when publishing primarily to third-party platforms. Have a plan B, like your own WordPress site.Important LinksAware - LinkedIn analytics and engagement toolBoston WordPress Meetup - Roger will be speaking here in late November 2024Roger Williams on LinkedInSupport The WP Minute ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this episode of The WP Minute, Brian Coords and I unpacked Matt Mullenweg's recent interview at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 with Connie Loizos. What struck me most was how this wasn't just another tech conference appearance - it was a deep dive into the ongoing controversy between Automattic and WP Engine. The interview revealed several surprising details, including how Automattic was "kicked out" as an investor in WP Engine in 2018 during the Silver Lake acquisition, and the potential for this legal battle to stretch into 2026-2027.https://youtu.be/Bq_Gny09JzUConnie's interviewing style was refreshingly direct, pushing for clarity on issues that many in the WordPress community have been afraid to address. She repeatedly pressed Matt on the 8% revenue request and the criteria for determining when a company has crossed the line with trademark usage. While Matt was open about many aspects, some key questions remained unanswered, particularly about the specific threshold that would trigger similar actions against other WordPress-based businesses.Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:Be cautious with WordPress/WP branding in your business nameConsider your contribution strategy to the WordPress ecosystemStay aware of the distinction between wordpress.org and WordPress FoundationMonitor how this might affect plugin repository policiesKeep an eye on trademark usage guidelinesConsider diversifying your business strategy beyond WordPress-dependent brandingImportant URLs Mentioned:Matt Mullenweg: The Future of WordPress and the WebConnie LoizosBrian CoordsSupport WP MinuteSubscribe to our newsletter ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this episode of WP Minute+, I sat down with Laura Elizabeth, founder of Client Portal, a WordPress plugin that helps freelancers and agencies manage client communications and deliverables. Laura's journey from freelance web designer to successful product creator offers valuable insights for WordPress professionals considering a similar transition.Laura shared how Client Portal emerged from her own needs as a freelancer, frustrated with endless email threads and file sharing. What started as a personal solution gained traction after conference presentations, leading to a successful pre-sale campaign that funded the plugin's initial development. Her approach to building the product - focusing on simplicity and clear use cases - has allowed it to serve diverse industries while maintaining a coherent vision.We discussed the challenges of transitioning from services to products, including the technical hurdles of building a WordPress plugin as a non-developer. Laura's story of finding and maintaining a long-term relationship with a contractor developer highlights the importance of human connection in business relationships. Her experience with the evolving WordPress block editor also provides insight into the challenges plugin developers face keeping pace with core changes.Key takeaways for WordPress professionals:Successful products often emerge from solving your own problemsPre-sales can validate ideas and fund initial developmentFocus and simplicity can be more valuable than feature complexityHuman relationships matter in building successful partnershipsMaintaining product quality often means saying no to feature requestsBlock editor integration requires significant ongoing development effortClear product boundaries help manage diverse user requirementsImportant URLs mentioned:client-portal.ioTwitter: @lauraelizdunnWP Minute NewsletterChapters:00:00 Introduction and Warm Welcome00:52 Meet Laura: Founder of Client Portal01:38 Transition from Services to Products02:00 Current Market Landscape03:38 The Power and Versatility of WordPress06:52 Journey into Product Development10:28 Courses and Client Work13:13 Professional Services and Competition15:31 Understanding Client Portal's Unique Position17:04 Balancing Feature Requests Across Industries19:00 From Concept to Development22:46 The Role of AI and Future Integrations26:33 Challenges in WordPress Development29:33 Client Portal's Key Benefits for Freelancers31:09 Technical Integrations and Flexibility32:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this episode of WP Minute+, I sat down with John O'Nolan, founder and CEO of Ghost, to discuss the open-source publishing platform and how it compares to WordPress in light of recent controversies. John's unique perspective as a former WordPress core team member and now leader of a competing platform provided fascinating insights into the challenges and opportunities in the open-source CMS space.Our conversation covered a wide range of topics, from Ghost's opinionated approach to feature development to the structure of its non-profit foundation. I was particularly struck by John's commitment to keeping Ghost focused and relatively small, with a goal of never growing beyond 50 employees. This intentional constraint, he argues, fosters creativity and helps maintain the team's agility and sense of purpose.Throughout our discussion, I was impressed by John's thoughtful approach to balancing commercial success with open-source ideals. His insights on the need for clear incentives in community contributions and the potential for paid open-source development challenged some long-held assumptions in the WordPress world. As someone who has used both platforms, I found myself reconsidering some of my own views on the future of content management systems and open-source sustainability.Key takeaways for WordPress professionals:Ghost's non-profit structure offers an alternative model for open-source sustainability.Intentional constraints on company size can drive innovation and focus.The "benevolent dictator for life" model may be outdated for large open-source projects.Clear incentives and recognition are crucial for encouraging community contributions.Open-source projects may need to consider paid contributions to remain competitive.Diversity in platforms and approaches benefits the entire web ecosystem.There's value in exploring and learning from different content management systems.Important URLs mentioned:ghost.orgthewpminute.com/subscribethepodcastsetup.comChapter titles with timestamps:[00:00:00] Introduction and Ghost's approach to features[00:05:00] Ghost's development stack and community[00:12:00] Non-profit structure and governance[00:21:00] Leadership and decision-making in open-source projects[00:28:00] Sustainability and funding models[00:32:00] Defining contributions in open-source ecosystems[00:36:00] Comparing Ghost and WordPress experiences ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this episode of WP Minute+, I sat down with Jono Alderson, an independent technical SEO consultant and former Yoast team member. We dove into the evolving world of SEO, the challenges facing WordPress marketing, and the recent controversies surrounding WordPress.org and WordPress.com.Jono's insights on SEO were enlightening. He emphasized that modern SEO is about overall website quality, encompassing user experience, technical integrity, performance, security, and accessibility. This holistic approach contrasts with outdated notions of keyword stuffing or churning out content for content's sake. We discussed the shift towards building brand reputation and recall, especially in the face of AI-powered search results that are changing how people discover information.Our conversation took a deep dive into the state of WordPress marketing and community involvement. Jono highlighted the critical lack of resources, strategy, and leadership in marketing WordPress effectively. We explored the challenges of volunteer-led initiatives and the absence of a clear product direction. This led to a sobering discussion about the burnout and exodus of contributors from the WordPress ecosystem, which Jono sees as one of the most significant threats to the project's future.The recent controversies surrounding WordPress.com's mirroring of the .org plugin repository and Matt Mullenweg's comments about WordPress.org ownership were central to our discussion. Jono provided valuable context on how these moves could impact plugin developers and the broader WordPress ecosystem. We speculated on the potential fragmentation of WordPress through various marketplaces and the implications for user choice and website portability.His insights into the technical superiority of WordPress over competitors, despite marketing challenges, were particularly interesting. It left me pondering how the community might address these issues and chart a path forward in this new, more complex WordPress landscape.Key takeaways for WordPress professionals:Modern SEO focuses on overall website quality, not just keywords or content volume.WordPress faces significant challenges in marketing and community involvement, with a noticeable exodus of contributors.The relationship between WordPress.org and WordPress.com is becoming increasingly complex and potentially problematic for the ecosystem.WordPress still maintains a technical edge over competitors, but struggles to communicate this advantage effectively.The potential fragmentation of WordPress through various marketplaces could threaten the platform's valued portability.There's a critical need for clear leadership and strategy in WordPress development and marketing.AI-powered search is changing SEO strategies, emphasizing the importance of brand building over traditional ranking factors.Important URLs mentioned:jonoalderson.comwordpress.orgwordpress.comthewpminute.com/supportChapter titles with timestamps:[00:00:00] Introduction and SEO in 2024[00:09:00] WordPress marketing challenges and community burnout[00:24:00] The WordPress.com plugin repository controversy[00:31:00] Potential fragmentation of WordPress through marketplaces[00:35:00] WordPress vs competitors in the SEO landscape[00:37:00] Favorite SEO plugins and tools for WordPress[00:39:00] Closing thoughts and Jono's latest blog post ★ Support this podcast ★

Click here to follow the WP Minute+ podcast. It's where all of the podcast episodes have been going.In today's episode I'm sharing additional thoughts on Automattic vs WP Engine and where I stand with covering it. ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this episode of WP Minute+, I sat down with Noel Tock, co-founder of Human Made, a leading Enterprise WordPress agency. We dove into the recent explosive events between Automattic and WP Engine, exploring the implications for the WordPress community and the potential for an independent WordPress.org fork.Noel's unique perspective as both an agency owner and a humanitarian worker in Ukraine provided a fascinating backdrop to our discussion. He emphasized how WordPress remains a critical tool for humanitarian efforts, powering thousands of new charities in crisis zones. This reminder of WordPress's global impact set the tone for our conversation about its future.We explored the current economic challenges facing WordPress agencies in today's competitive landscape. Noel highlighted the need for better product marketing of WordPress in the enterprise space, where it often competes as a "secondary CMS" against more comprehensive suites. This led us to discuss the potential motivations behind Matt Mullenweg's recent actions and what it might mean for the WordPress ecosystem.The core of our conversation revolved around the feasibility and implications of forking WordPress.org. We explored the technical challenges, the potential costs, and the community dynamics that would be involved in such an endeavor. Noel provided valuable insights into what it would take for an independent repository to gain traction, suggesting that incentivizing premium plugin developers could be a key strategy.Key takeaways for WordPress professionals:1 The WordPress ecosystem is facing increased competition and needs better product marketing, especially in the enterprise space.2 Forking WordPress.org would be a massive undertaking, requiring significant resources and community buy-in.3 Clarity on governance and what constitutes meaningful contribution to WordPress is crucial moving forward.4 The relationship between commercial interests and open-source principles in WordPress needs careful navigation.5 WordPress remains a critical tool for global humanitarian efforts, highlighting its importance beyond just business applications.6 The hosting industry may need to reassess its relationship with WordPress in light of recent events.7 Automattic's role as a steward of the open web extends beyond just WordPress, complicating the financial dynamics.⠀Important URLs mentioned:HumanMade.comWordPress.org@noeltockthewpminute.com/support⠀Chapter titles with timestamps:1 [00:00:00] Introduction and WordPress's role in humanitarian efforts2 [00:05:18] The state of WordPress agencies and competition3 [00:15:30] Exploring the possibility of forking WordPress.org4 [00:23:36] The potential for new WordPress marketplaces5 [00:28:00] Matt Mullenweg's role and the future of WordPress governance6 [00:32:30] Implications for the web hosting industry7 [00:34:00] Automattic's broader role in the open web8 [00:37:24] Closing thoughts on focus and learning from experiences ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this episode of WP Minute+, I sat down with Kurt von Ahnen, a WordPress agency owner and e-learning specialist. We dove deep into the world of web agency sales, particularly focusing on enterprise clients and the often-overlooked opportunities in the WordPress space.Kurt's journey into WordPress is fascinating - he transitioned from a career in the automotive industry to web development, driven by a desire for better work-life balance. What struck me most was how he leveraged his experience in customer service and project management to build a successful agency. Kurt's approach to targeting enterprise clients for e-learning solutions using WordPress and Lifter LMS is a great example of niching down. Kurt's perspective on WordPress diverse capabilities and the need for clear messaging to different user groups is spot-on. I appreciated his balanced view on WordPress's strengths and the importance of focusing on solving client problems rather than getting caught up in technical debates.We also touched on the role of AI in e-learning and content creation. Kurt's cautious yet practical approach to AI tools reflects a growing sentiment in the industry - AI can be a powerful aid, but it requires expertise and careful curation to be truly effective.Key takeaways for WordPress professionals:Transition from freelancing to agency work by leveraging your strengths and building a network of specialists.Target enterprise clients by solving specific pain points, like replacing expensive legacy systems with WordPress solutions.Focus on understanding and addressing client needs rather than getting caught up in technical debates about WordPress.Use your expertise to guide clients towards appropriate solutions, avoiding unnecessary customizations early in projects.Engage with the WordPress community through meetups and WordCamps to expand your network and opportunities.Approach AI tools with caution, using them to enhance your work rather than replace your expertise.Consider specializing in niche areas like e-learning to differentiate your agency.Important URLs mentioned:https://manananomas.com/scormpress.comlifterlms.comhttps://thewpminute.com/supportChapter titles with timestamps:[00:00:00] Introduction and background in the auto industry[00:14:00] WordPress evolution and current challenges[00:21:00] Targeting enterprise clients for e-learning solutions[00:28:00] Transitioning from freelancing to agency work[00:34:00] Marketing strategies for agencies[00:38:00] The role of AI in e-learning and content creation[00:41:00] Closing thoughts and contact information ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this episode of WP Minute+, I sat down with Mark Szymanski to discuss the recent buzz surrounding WordPress.com's "content models" experiment. This feature, which briefly excited the WordPress community, promised to bring custom post types and fields to the core WordPress experience. However, the excitement was short-lived as Automattic announced that the feature wouldn't be coming to core WordPress after all.One of the most intriguing parts of our discussion was the broader implications for WordPress.com and WordPress.org. We touched on the potential future of WordPress development, including the possibility of WordPress.com offering enhanced features as a way to differentiate itself and generate revenue. This led to an interesting debate about the balance between open-source development and commercial interests in the WordPress ecosystem.Throughout the conversation, it became clear that this incident highlighted some of the ongoing challenges in WordPress development and communication. While we both expressed hope that the feature might still find its way into WordPress in some form, we agreed that clearer communication and expectation management are crucial for the platform's future.Key takeaways for WordPress professionals:Prototypes and experiments can generate significant community interest and should be communicated carefully.The relationship between WordPress.com and WordPress.org continues to evolve and may lead to differentiated features.Clear communication is crucial when showcasing potential new features to avoid confusion and disappointment.The WordPress community is eager for improvements in custom post types and fields within the core experience.The balance between open-source development and commercial interests remains a complex issue in the WordPress ecosystem.User experience and ease of implementation are critical factors in the adoption of new WordPress features.The future of WordPress development may involve more native app-like experiences, such as WordPress Studio and Playground.Important URLs mentioned:WordPress.comGitHub repository for the content models prototypeWordPress PlaygroundWordPress StudioChapter titles with timestamps:[00:00:00] Introduction and initial reactions to the content models prototype[00:05:00] The excitement and potential of the new feature[00:10:00] Confusion and disappointment following Automattic's announcement[00:15:00] Implications for WordPress.com and WordPress.org[00:20:00] The future of WordPress development and commercial interests[00:25:00] Communication challenges in the WordPress ecosystem[00:30:00] Exploring the prototype and its potential impact[00:35:00] Closing thoughts and hopes for the future of WordPress ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this extended episode of WP Minute+, I sat down with Mark Szymanski for an in-depth discussion about the current state of WordPress, its growth trajectory, and the challenges it faces in marketing and community engagement. We explored recent developments in the WordPress ecosystem, including insights from industry leaders and data trends from the WP Product Talk episode.This conversation was sparked by recent presentations and discussions in the WordPress community, particularly focusing on the apparent plateau in WordPress growth and the need for renewed community engagement. We analyzed Josepha Haden Chomphosy's WordCamp US presentation from a year ago, which highlighted the importance of human involvement in WordPress's future success.Highlighting the complexities of WordPress's position in the market, comparing its growth trends with competitors like Wix, Squarespace, and Webflow. We discussed the unique challenges WordPress faces as an open-source project competing with commercial entities, and how this impacts its marketing and growth strategies.A significant portion of our discussion focused on the potential for marketing initiatives within the WordPress community. We explored ideas for collaborative marketing efforts, the challenges of creating a unified message for such a diverse platform, and the potential role of content creators in promoting WordPress.Throughout our conversation, we touched on several critical issues, including:1. The balance between open-source ideals and commercial interests in WordPress2. The need for better data and metrics to understand WordPress's market position3. The challenges of creating a cohesive marketing strategy for a diverse platform4. The role of Automattic and other major players in shaping WordPress's future5. The potential for community-driven marketing initiativesKey Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:1. WordPress is experiencing a growth plateau, necessitating new strategies for engagement and growth2. There's a growing recognition of the need for better marketing and community engagement in WordPress3. The diversity of WordPress use cases presents both a strength and a challenge for marketing efforts4. Content creators and community members play a crucial role in shaping perceptions of WordPress5. There's potential for collaborative marketing efforts, but challenges in coordination and messaging remain6. The open-source nature of WordPress provides resilience but also complicates marketing efforts7. Understanding different user avatars is crucial for effective WordPress marketingImportant URLs mentioned:1. wordpress.org/about/philosophy2. wordpress.com3. wix.com4. squarespace.com5. webflow.com6. thewpminute.com/support7. markszymanski.co8. mjs.bioChapter Titles with Timestamps:1. [00:00:00] Introduction and Recent WordPress Developments2. [00:15:00] Analyzing WordPress Growth Trends3. [00:30:00] The Challenges of Marketing Open-Source Software4. [00:45:00] Community Engagement and WordPress's Future5. [01:00:00] Comparing WordPress to Commercial Competitors6. [01:15:00] Potential Marketing Strategies for WordPress7. [01:30:00] The Role of Content Creators in WordPress Promotion8. [01:45:00] Closing Thoughts and Call to ActionThis episode provides a comprehensive look at the current state of WordPress from both a veteran's perspective and a newer community member's viewpoint. It highlights the ongoing challenges and opportunities within the WordPress ecosystem, offering valuable insights for anyone deeply involved in the WordPress community. ★ Support this podcast ★

Use Code: WPMINUTE20 20% off (or 4 months free) on Startup, Professional, Growth, or Scale plans.In this episode of WP Minute+, I sat down with Derek Hanson, a Technical Account Manager at Automattic and emerging WordPress content creator. We explored his role within Automattic's Special Projects team, the current state of WordPress, and his personal journey into content creation.Our conversation started with insights into Automattic's approach to content creation. Derek clarified that while there's no official internal initiative, there's a general ethos of sharing work openly and contributing to WordPress. This led us to discuss the unique position Automattic holds in the WordPress ecosystem and the challenges of balancing open-source ideals with commercial interests.Derek provided fascinating insights into his work with Automattic's Special Projects team, detailing how they partner with "Friends of Automattic" to build and launch websites. Derek highlighted his content creation journey, his background in teaching, and his vision for creating content that focuses on website strategy rather than just technical how-tos. This led to a broader conversation about the essence of WordPress as a publishing platform and the potential for it to combat the challenges posed by social media and proprietary platforms.Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:Automattic employees are encouraged to share their work openly, contributing to WordPress improvement.The Special Projects team at Automattic works on custom solutions, providing valuable feedback to product teams.There's an ongoing effort to balance WordPress core functionality with opportunities for third-party innovation.The future of WordPress themes may lie in offering unique patterns and designs rather than complete site structures.There's a growing need for a streamlined, purpose-specific admin experience in WordPress.ActivityPub integration is seen as a potential game-changer for content ownership and distribution.The WordPress community continues to grapple with the balance between frequent updates and user stability.Important URLs mentioned:DerekHanson.blogAutomattic Special Projectsthewpminute.com/subscribeChapter Titles with Timestamps:[00:00:00] Introduction and Automattic's Approach to Content Creation[00:05:30] Inside the Special Projects Team at Automattic[00:12:45] The Data Liberation Project and Migration Challenges[00:18:20] WordPress Philosophy and Community Perceptions[00:25:00] Derek's Vision for Content Creation[00:32:15] WordPress as a Publishing Platform vs. Website Builder[00:40:30] The Future of WordPress Themes and Admin Experience[00:48:00] Closing Thoughts and Derek's Upcoming Projects ★ Support this podcast ★

Use Code: WPMINUTE20 20% off (or 4 months free) on Startup, Professional, Growth, or Scale plans.In this extended episode of WP Minute+, I sat down with Mark Szymanski for an in-depth discussion about the current state of WordPress, its philosophy, and the recent developments in the WordPress community.We explored the complexities of WordPress as both an open-source project and a commercial entity, touching on recent initiatives to engage with content creators and the challenges of maintaining WordPress's core mission.Our conversation was sparked by recent meetings with WordPress core contributors and Automattic employees, including Anne McCarthy's initiative to unite WordPress YouTubers. Exploring the fundamental philosophy of WordPress, discussing its primary focus on being a publishing platform rather than just a website builder.I shared my perspective on the importance of WordPress as a tool for democratizing publishing, emphasizing its role in enabling anyone to share their thoughts and ideas online. We also discussed the challenges of balancing this mission with the needs of professional developers and agencies.Throughout our discussion, we touched on several controversial topics, including the recent appointment of a head of WordPress YouTube and the potential conflicts of interest that arise in the WordPress ecosystem. We also explored the challenges of maintaining transparency and fairness in decision-making within the WordPress project.Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:WordPress's core philosophy remains focused on democratizing publishing, which may not align with all professional developers' expectations.There's a growing initiative to engage with content creators to help promote and explain WordPress.The relationship between WordPress.org and WordPress.com continues to be a source of confusion and debate.The WordPress project faces challenges in attracting younger users and developers.Open-source projects like WordPress often struggle with balancing community input and centralized decision-making.Content creators play a crucial role in shaping perceptions of WordPress and its future.The WordPress ecosystem continues to evolve, with new roles and initiatives emerging to address current challenges.Important URLs mentioned:Recording of the YouTube meeting with Anne McCarthywordpress.org/about/philosophythewpminute.com/subscribemjs.bioChapter Titles with Timestamps:[00:00:00] Introduction and Recent WordPress Initiatives[00:15:00] WordPress Philosophy and Core Mission[00:30:00] The Challenges of WordPress's Dual Nature[00:45:00] Content Creation and WordPress's Future[01:00:00] The Role of Automattic in WordPress's Development[01:15:00] Community Engagement and Decision-Making in WordPress[01:30:00] Reflecting on WordPress's Path Forward[01:45:00] Closing Thoughts and Contact Information ★ Support this podcast ★

Use Code: WPMINUTE20 20% off (or 4 months free) on Startup, Professional, Growth, or Scale plans.In this episode of WP Minute+, I sat down with Mark Szymanski, a rising WordPress content creator, to discuss the challenges and opportunities in WordPress content creation. We explored the changing landscape of the WordPress community, content strategies, and the various ways creators can monetize their work.Our conversation kicked off with a reflection on the saturated WordPress content space. As someone who's been creating WordPress content for over a decade, I shared my perspective on how the influx of new creators has made it more challenging to retain audience attention. Mark, with his fresher perspective, offered insights into how he's navigating this competitive landscape.Mark emphasized the value of personal branding and connecting with audiences on a human level. This resonated with me, as I've always believed in the power of genuine connections in the WordPress community. We also discussed the various content formats and how creators need to find what works best for them, whether it's video, podcasting, or written content.One of the most interesting parts of our discussion was about monetization strategies. We explored different avenues like sponsorships, affiliate marketing, courses, and memberships. I shared my experiences with these various models, including the challenges of running a membership community. Mark brought up some interesting points about the importance of packaging offerings for potential sponsors, which is something I believe many creators overlook.Towards the end of our chat, we touched on the struggles of indie product makers in WordPress. We both agreed that building relationships with content creators can be a valuable strategy for those who struggle with marketing their products. It was refreshing to hear Mark's empathetic take on this, as he understood the challenges faced by developers who may not have strong marketing skills.Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:Authenticity and personal branding are crucial in standing out in the saturated WordPress content space.Diversifying content across multiple channels (video, audio, written) can help reach a broader audience.Monetization strategies should be varied and may include sponsorships, affiliates, courses, and memberships.Building relationships with content creators can be an effective marketing strategy for indie product makers.Consistency and persistence are key in content creation, with most creators seeing significant results after at least a year.Repurposing content and cross-promoting appearances can maximize the impact of collaborations.Understanding your audience and tailoring your content to their needs is essential for growth.Important URLs mentioned:mjs.bio (Mark Szymanski's links)thewpminute.comthewpminute.com/subscribethewpminute.com/supportChapter Titles with Timestamps:[00:00:00] Introduction and WordPress Content Landscape[00:15:00] Authenticity and Personal Branding in Content Creation[00:30:00] Monetization Strategies for WordPress Content Creators[00:45:00] Challenges of Running Membership Communities[00:60:00] Marketing Strategies for Indie WordPress Product Makers[01:15:00] The Importance of Relationship Building in WordPress[01:30:00] Future Trends in WordPress Content Creation[01:45:00] Closing Thoughts and Where to Find Mark Szymanski ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this episode of WP Minute+, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Doc Pop, a veteran content creator and WordPress enthusiast. Our conversation spanned Doc's impressive 16-year journey in digital content creation, from his early days making zines to becoming a prominent figure in the WordPress community.We dove deep into the world of open-source technologies, focusing on WordPress and its impact on the internet. Doc's insights on the challenges and opportunities in open-source projects were enlightening, especially his thoughts on balancing user experience with advanced features.The highlight of our conversation was Doc's excitement about the Fediverse and ActivityPub. His recent project, the Fediverse Files for WordPress.com, aims to educate people about the potential of a more interconnected and open web. We also touched on the importance of RSS and other open protocols, with Doc sharing his views on the cyclical nature of web technologies. His optimism for new open standards, balanced with concerns about big tech dominance, provided a nuanced perspective on the future of the internet.Overall, Doc's passion for open-source technologies and content creation are two areas aspiring content creators should consider in their own work. His unique insights into the past, present, and future of the web left me inspired and eager to see how these technologies will shape our digital landscape.Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:The evolution of content creation from zines to blogs to modern social mediaThe importance of creating content for passion rather than solely for metrics or monetizationThe challenges and opportunities of open-source projects like WordPress and the FediverseThe potential of ActivityPub and the Fediverse to create a more interconnected and open webThe role of RSS and open protocols in shaping the internetThe production process behind Doc's Fediverse Files series for WordPress.comThe future possibilities of the Fediverse beyond just social media alternatives⠀Important URLs mentioned:wordpress.com/fediverse - Doc's Fediverse Files projectdocpop.org/about - Doc's personal website and linkFollow Doc Pop on Mastodon⠀Chapter Titles with Timestamps:1 [00:00:00] Introduction and Doc's Content Creation History2 [00:03:00] Evolution of Content Creation and Social Media3 [00:09:00] WordPress, Open Source, and User Experience4 [00:15:00] The Importance of Open Web and RSS5 [00:24:22] The Fediverse Project for WordPress.com6 [00:31:24] ActivityPub Plugin and WordPress Integration7 [00:37:34] Behind the Scenes of Fediverse Files Production8 [00:41:25] Closing Thoughts and Contact Information ★ Support this podcast ★

In this LMScast episode, Matt Medeiros from The WP Minute shares that formative events he experienced as a child inspired his passion in music and radio. Matt became motivated to engage in these interests by his uncle’s passion for building his own radios. And his father’s profession as a radio presenter. His choice to start […] The post Podcasting For Business Growth Masterclass with Matt Medeiros appeared first on LMScast.

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this episode of WP Minute+, host Matt Medeiros interviews Emmanuel, a WordPress agency owner and community organizer from Port Harcourt, Nigeria.My conversation with Emmanuel was truly enlightening and left me feeling optimistic about the state of WordPress in Nigeria. It was refreshing to hear how WordPress is thriving in his part of the world, powering an impressive 65% of websites in the country.I was particularly impressed by the vibrant WordPress community Emmanuel described in Port Harcourt. The mix of students and professionals, ranging from 17 to 40 years old, actively participating in meetups and events speaks volumes about the platform's appeal across generations.Emmanuel's insights into running a WordPress agency in Nigeria were fascinating. Despite the competitive landscape, it's clear that there's a strong demand for WordPress services.The upcoming first WordCamp in Port Harcourt is an exciting development, and it's great to see the WordPress community growing and organizing larger events. This progress bodes well for the future of WordPress in the region.Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:The WordPress ecosystem in Nigeria is competitive but thriving, with WordPress powering about 65% of websites in the country.Word-of-mouth and referrals play a crucial role in acquiring clients for WordPress agencies in Nigeria.The WordPress community in Nigeria is growing, with a mix of students and professionals aged 17-40 participating in meetups.Open source aspects of WordPress are less important to end-users in Nigeria, but the community values the ability to customize and learn from the platform.Elementor is popular for client projects due to its customization capabilities, but there's interest in Gutenberg's evolving features.WordPress events, including meetups and hackathons, are gaining traction in Nigeria, with plans for the first WordCamp in Port Harcourt.Blogging is still relevant in Nigeria, especially in the entertainment sector, but faces competition from social media platforms.Important URLs mentioned:Brelathewpminute.com/subscribeChapter Titles with Timestamps:[00:00:00] Introduction and Recent WordPress Hackathon[00:02:00] WordPress Business Landscape in Nigeria[00:06:00] WordPress Usability and Client Onboarding[00:09:33] Elementor vs. Gutenberg: Feature Comparisons[00:13:42] Open Source Significance in the Nigerian Market[00:16:16] WordPress User Demographics in Nigeria[00:18:28] WordPress Meetups and Events in Port Harcourt[00:22:01] Blogging Trends and WordPress Adoption[00:24:07] Future Plans: First WordCamp in Port Harcourt ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this episode of WP Minute+, host Matt Medeiros sits down with Cory Miller, founder of iThemes and current owner of Post Status. Cory shares insights about his new role at A2 Hosting, the challenges of burnout in the WordPress ecosystem, and how Post Status continues to operate without his day-to-day involvement.This episode provides valuable insights for WordPress professionals on navigating career transitions, managing burnout, and contributing to the WordPress ecosystem. Cory's experience as both an entrepreneur and now an employee at a hosting company offers a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities within the WordPress community.Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:The importance of recognizing and addressing burnout in entrepreneurshipTransitioning from being a full-time entrepreneur to working for a companyThe challenges of running community-focused businesses in the WordPress ecosystemThe value of in-person events like WordCamps for community buildingThe need for sustainable funding models for WordPress media and eventsThe importance of detaching personal identity from business rolesRecognizing the changing demographics of WordPress users and community membersThe balance between taking from and giving back to the WordPress ecosystemImportant URLs mentioned:A2 HostingPost StatusiThemesCory on XChapter Titles with Timestamps:[00:00:00] Introduction and Cory's WordPress Background[00:04:00] WordCamp Canada and Community Building[00:12:00] Cory's Experience with Burnout[00:23:51] Transitioning from Entrepreneur to Employee[00:29:00] Cory's Role at A2 Hosting[00:38:00] Hosting Companies' Role in the WordPress Ecosystem[00:43:00] The Future of Post Status[00:46:00] Changing Demographics in the WordPress Community[00:49:00] Giving Back to WordPress ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this episode of WP Minute+, host Matt Medeiros sits down with Kevin Geary, founder of Geary.co and creator of the Automatic CSS product. Kevin, known for his strong opinions on WordPress and Gutenberg, shares his insights on the current state and future of WordPress, focusing on several key areas that are crucial for developers and agencies.Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:The importance of adhering to web design fundamentals, even when using page buildersConcerns about the direction of the Gutenberg editor and its departure from traditional web design practicesThe value of education in elevating web design skills and understandingThe potential risks and benefits of using various page buildersThe importance of data portability and avoiding vendor lock-inThe need for clear communication and vision in WordPress developmentThe role of AI in web design and its current limitationsImportant URLs mentioned:Kevin Geary's website: geary.coKevin's YouTube channel: youtube.com/@gearycoAutomatic CSS: automaticcss.comKevin's Twitter: twitter.com/thekevingearyDigital Gravy (Kevin's agency): digitalgravy.coChapter Titles with Timestamps:[00:00:00] Introduction and Kevin's WordPress Background[00:07:31] Criticisms of Gutenberg and WordPress Leadership[00:14:21] Page Builders vs. Core WordPress Development[00:23:51] The Vision for the Block Editor and Its Challenges[00:35:28] WordPress.org vs. WordPress.com and Serving Different Markets[00:46:14] Scaling Businesses with Page Builders[00:54:00] Technical Challenges with the Block Editor[01:04:26] The Future of WordPress and Competition[01:18:02] Gutenberg's Potential Beyond WordPress[01:21:50] AI's Impact on Web Design and Development ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of WP Minute+, we sat down with Brendan O'Connell, a WordPress agency employee, freelancer, and content creator. Brendan shared his journey in the WordPress ecosystem, from his early days with Divi to his current role at an agency and his transition to using the Bricks builder.Brendan's story is a testament to the evolving landscape of WordPress development and the challenges faced by agencies and freelancers in adapting to new tools and technologies. He offers valuable insights into the world of page builders, the importance of community involvement, and the future of WordPress.Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:Transitioning between page builders can be challenging but may lead to improved workflows and client satisfaction.Staying up-to-date with core WordPress developments, including Gutenberg and site editor improvements, is crucial.Creating content (like YouTube tutorials) can lead to unexpected business opportunities and community growth.Attending local WordPress meetups can provide valuable insights into user struggles and needs.Balancing multiple roles (agency work, freelancing, content creation) requires careful time management and focus.The WordPress ecosystem benefits from a healthy third-party plugin and theme community.AI will likely impact the industry, but human interaction and interpretation remain essential in web development.Important URLs mentioned:Brendan's YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@BrendanOConnellWPBrendan's Website: brendan-oconnell.comBricks Builder: bricksbuilder.ioPine Grow (Custom Block Builder): pinegrow.com/wordpressChapter Titles with Timestamps:[00:00:00] Introduction and Brendan's WordPress Journey[00:04:00] Transitioning from Ruby on Rails to WordPress at the Agency[00:08:00] The Shift from Divi to Bricks Builder[00:15:00] Page Builders vs. Core WordPress Development[00:20:00] Evaluating and Choosing Page Builders[00:24:00] WordPress Onboarding and Hosting Considerations[00:27:00] Brendan's YouTube Channel and Content Creation[00:31:00] Future of WordPress and Exciting Developments[00:32:42] AI in Web Design and Development ★ Support this podcast ★

In a recent episode of the WP Minute+ podcast, Matt Medeiros sat down with Nyasha Green, a WordPress developer, course creator, and podcaster, to discuss her new podcast, "The Hopeful Workspace." Nyasha shared her experience of being laid off twice within a year and how she turned this challenging situation into an opportunity to create a support system for others facing similar circumstances.Nyasha's decision to start "The Hopeful Workspace" podcast stems from her desire to create a space where people can share their experiences, find support, and know they are not alone in their struggles. By choosing a podcast format, Nyasha aims to reach a wide audience and provide a platform for in-depth conversations and storytelling.Despite the challenges of editing and producing a podcast on her own for the first time, Nyasha found the experience rewarding and fulfilling. Her goal is for "The Hopeful Workspace" to be a place where people can turn when they feel tired, frustrated, or on the verge of giving up, knowing that there is a supportive community ready to lift them up.As the WordPress community continues to navigate the challenges of the current job market, stories like Nyasha's serve as a reminder of the importance of building connections, supporting one another, and finding innovative ways to showcase our skills and passions.Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:Building a strong network within the WordPress community can help you find job opportunities during difficult timesSocial media can be a valuable tool for connecting with others and finding supportConsider creating a side hustle or a portfolio of work to showcase your skills and passionEmployers should consider normalizing and supporting employees' side projects as a way to foster growth and provide a safety netSharing your story and experiences can help others feel less alone and more supported during challenging timesImportant URLs Mentioned:The Hopeful WorkspaceNyasha Green on TwitterNyasha Green on LinkedIn ★ Support this podcast ★

In a recent episode of the WP Minute+ podcast, Matt Medeiros sat down with Kim Coleman, co-founder of Paid Memberships Pro, to discuss the often-challenging topic of raising prices for WordPress plugins. Kim shared valuable insights into why WordPress companies should consider price increases, how her team prepared for the change, and the market's reaction to the move.Kim emphasized the importance of finding the right balance between providing value to customers and ensuring the long-term sustainability of your business. By carefully considering pricing strategies and communicating changes effectively, WordPress companies can successfully navigate price increases while maintaining customer loyalty.As the WordPress ecosystem continues to evolve, plugin and theme developers must adapt their pricing strategies to remain competitive and support their ongoing development efforts. Kim Coleman's experiences with Paid Memberships Pro serve as a valuable case study for WordPress professionals looking to make informed decisions about their own pricing models.Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:Regularly evaluate pricing against inflation, market competitors, and your target audienceSlowly increase prices over time to avoid a significant jump that may deter customersAlign pricing with the value your product provides and the type of customer you want to attractExperiment with different pricing models, such as introductory pricing, to find the best fit for your productCommunicate price changes to customers in advance, honoring legacy prices and offering a grace periodConsider offering an enterprise-level plan to cater to larger organizations and agenciesDiversify your marketing efforts by attending events outside the WordPress community to reach a broader audienceImportant URLs Mentioned:Paid Memberships Pro: https://www.paidmembershipspro.com/LifterLMS: https://lifterlms.com/Kim Coleman on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ColemanK83 ★ Support this podcast ★

WordPress Media Corps — you might even chuckle when you hear the phrase.This experimental initiative is a team that replaced the WordPress Marketing Team. Not commercial WordPress, mind you, but the open source dot org side of the house. If you've been following me for any amount of time, you don't need me to spell out how important this initiative could be.A chance to legitimize the work only a handful of people across the entire globe have dedicated their professional careers towards — myself included.Before we dive deeper into what the Media Corps could accomplish, lets take a look at the outgoing struggles with the Marketing team:How could a volunteer-lead marketing team accomplish the fundamental responsibilities of marketing with no access to website traffic data, survey results, or have a stake in the product? That's right, it's nearly impossible.I know some of the people that were leading the charge with that effort, and lead it with great care and intention — but they were handcuffed. Lets face it: Open source WordPress doesn't function like a commercial product, because it isn't, which is why it has succeeded.Marketing has to come organically. With no budget or access, you're basically building out tasks for a team to accomplish. Tick the box, keep moving, but don't you dare critically think about how you can impact the brand sentiment of WordPress.In my previous post, Who is Responsible for WordPress Marketing, I reported on the Media Corps initiative stating that I'd reserve my opinion until I saw the process mature a bit more. Consider the rest of this my reaction as the dust settles on the Media Corps contributor kickoff call. A North Star I've been following is how do we keep WordPress thriving?This was a call to action put out by Josepha Haden Chomphosy, Executive Director of WordPress in the State of the Word 2023. It's recognized that in order for WordPress to escape a growth plateau, that the community needs to go beyond code quality and features. Humans need to recognize WordPress core worth, importance, and benefits for the greater open web. Simply put: People need to recommend WordPress more.If you can't do it with a volunteer marketing team, forge a bond with the people that have been the biggest cheerleaders for WordPress — WordPress Media.But this is open source WordPress, why do we need an official team to wrangle the media? What even is WordPress Media?I've been covering WordPress for well over 10 years and whenever I needed anything, I reached out to the person and asked. If dot org was releasing something new, I read about it, decided if it was newsworthy for my audience, and then reported on it or shared my opinion.Yes, something like the WordPress Media Corps helps galvanize the work I've been doing here at the WP Minute and my previous podcast Matt Report, but the approach has been opaque at best.Starting with the initial WordPress Media Kick Off Call. Based on the call to action to comment if you want to be involved from the Initial Roadmap post, I was under the impression that the kickoff call was going to include media folk and the contributing team. I wasn't alone on that assumption, check the comments.The kickoff commenced in a private call with the contributing team — and Bob Dunn founder of Do the Woo, who somehow found himself with the "Media Liaison" title.record scratches.Where did that come from? Was it voted on? Did WordPress media folks put Bob's name in a hat? I have nothing against Bob, everyone loves Bob, he oversees some solid content that helps WordPress thrive. That said, this was the Media Corps first shot at launching a meeting and threw transparency out of the window.We'll get to the Media Corps media partnership requirements in a minute, so hold that thought, but there's another issue at hand that I've talked about ad nauseam: “WordPress media” is tiny, impossible to turn into a sustainable business, and largely depends on in-kind sponsorships that genuinely see value in this type of content existing.That's if you define WordPress media like we do at The WP Minute versus what WP Beginner would publish. Remember: The Media Corps team still hasn't released how they will definitively define this.One only needs to look at the lack of effort to turn around the WP Tavern to see the proverbial proof in the pudding. I do this work because I love WordPress and because I think people should be informed on certain topics on the most widely used web publishing software.Do the Woo and WP Minute both jockey for those in-kind sponsors to keep us afloat. To help pay our writers, production teams, and other overhead. To be included in the Media Corps kickoff call is the equivalent to the Theme Team holding a private meeting to change how themes get included and only inviting Sujay Pawar to the Zoom call.But that's just my opinion, which is also my self-imposed job to analyze these community events. I'll reiterate: nothing against Bob, it's just the media business. Brand and trust are really the only things we have — and it goes both ways.This isn't the only time I've seen favoritism play out in WordPress media. I recall my team being rejected as a Media Partner for WordCamp Europe 2023, while I sat back and saw other brands have their logos added to the website with barely a peep out of them on social media or blog posts covering the event.WordPress media is a perfect storm: There's only 10,000 English speaking people in the world that actually care about this type of content, 8 people in the world (myself included) who actually care about covering it, and so few people that know the brands like WP Minute and The Repository who tirelessly cover it. I miss Sarah Gooding.There's only a handful of WP Media types, as I see it:Independent WordPress news sitesPaper of record, The WP TavernGeneral WordPress tutorial and information blogs, podcasts, and YouTube channelsPeople that do it for funsiesPeople that do it because their company tells them to blog about WordPressWhich brings me to the current Media Corps' requirements on how they are evaluating us:Have a focus on producing content that is at least 80% about WordPressReport factual news or produce relevant educational contentMaintain high standards of content quality/journalismAdhere to WordPress community guidelinesRespect information sensitivities (if any)Have you ever come across fake WordPress news? Who decides what the standards of content quality and journalism are? I mean, I lost that WordCamp media partnership slot to a tech YouTuber and I know I barely passed high school, so maybe I won't cut it?There will be another debate: Report news OR relevant educational content. There's a huge gap in scrutiny and body o...

n this episode of the WP Minute+, Matt Medeiros interviews Alex Standiford, the creator of Siren Affiliates, a new affiliate plugin for WordPress. Standiford explains that Siren Affiliates is designed to help businesses create diverse affiliate programs that go beyond traditional affiliate marketing, enabling collaboration and partnerships in various ways.Standiford addresses the negative perception often associated with affiliate marketing, emphasizing the importance of building authentic relationships between businesses and affiliates. He believes that by focusing on sincerity and creating valuable products, businesses can develop successful affiliate programs that benefit both parties.The conversation also highglights how service-based businesses, such as freelancers and agencies, can leverage Siren Affiliates to grow their client base and revenue. Standiford suggests creating affordable, fixed-scope products or services that affiliates can easily promote, which can lead to long-term client relationships and more substantial projects.Standiford shares his strategy for finding affiliates, starting with networking within the WordPress community and gradually expanding to other verticals. He also discusses the plugin's unique features, such as the ability to create multiple affiliate programs and a blog content bonus program that rewards contributors based on traffic and conversions.Key Takeaways:Siren Affiliates enables businesses to create diverse affiliate programs that foster collaboration and partnerships.Building authentic relationships between businesses and affiliates is crucial for successful affiliate marketing.Service-based businesses can use Siren Affiliates to grow their client base by creating affordable, fixed-scope products or services for affiliates to promote.Networking within the WordPress community and expanding to other verticals is a key strategy for finding affiliates.Siren Affiliates offers unique features like multiple affiliate programs and a blog content bonus program.Important URLs Mentioned:Alex on XSiren Affiliates website: https://sirenaffiliates.com/Alex Standiford's interview on LMSCast ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of the WP Minute+, Matt Medeiros interviews Scott Stapley, CEO and co-founder of BigScoots, a managed WordPress hosting company. Stapley shares the story of how he and his business partner started BigScoots in 2010 while still in college, focusing on providing exceptional service in the hosting industry.Stapley discusses the challenges of scaling a hosting business, especially as an infrastructure provider. He explains how BigScoots differentiates itself by owning and operating its own infrastructure, allowing them to offer more resource-abundant solutions at competitive prices while still delivering top-notch service.The conversation also touches on the importance of customer service in the hosting industry. Stapley emphasizes that BigScoots has built its reputation on providing unparalleled support, which has led to a loyal customer base and minimal churn. He believes that the service gap in the industry is growing, and hosting companies must focus on delivering value through exceptional service to succeed.Stapley also shares his thoughts on the potential role of AI in customer support, stating that while AI can be a valuable internal tool, BigScoots will never replace human interaction in their customer communication.Key Takeaways:BigScoots was founded in 2010 with a focus on providing exceptional service in the hosting industry.Owning and operating their own infrastructure allows BigScoots to offer resource-abundant solutions at competitive prices.BigScoots has built a loyal customer base through unparalleled support, resulting in minimal churn.The service gap in the hosting industry is growing, and companies must focus on delivering value through exceptional service.AI can be a valuable internal tool, but BigScoots believes in maintaining human interaction in customer communication.Important URLs Mentioned:BigScoots website: https://www.bigscoots.com/ ★ Support this podcast ★

I really enjoyed the conversation lead by Brian Coords on the topic of version control for WordPress developers and builders.He was joined by my recurring cohost, Mark Szymanski, as he asked the tough questions many beginners might be facing in their early development days. Yes, that's the same Mark that cohosted the episode of Crossroads of WordPress with me last week on the WP Minute+.This post isn't just about the advantages of using version control on your next WordPress project, but more of an example of how great the WordPress community is.Mark and I have talked about building and learning in public before, and that's exactly what Brian's livestream was. A veteran WordPress developer, sharing his experience and teaching someone coming up in web agency world.It's fascinating watching Mark learn in public. I applaud him for having the humility to put himself out there in an effort to become a better agency owner.Earlier in the year I predicted that we'd see more Mark's coming on to the scene.Tools like Elementor and Bricks have onboarded more enterprising individuals over the last few years to kickstart their own web services business. Most of them, like Mark, never had to crack open a code editor or SSH into a server and reboot the MySQL service when it ran out of memory.Being able to rapidly build websites with a turnkey plugin can be a blessing and a curse. The theme of Brian's livestream was partly to highlight some of the weak links in the chain when delivering client websites. Certainly “version control” isn't the answer to everything, but it's a trait that you'll see in more mature projects.So when do you actually invest in “version control?” It depends, and it might not be how and when you think.If we put the technical term aside for a moment: Let's think accountability instead. Explore what your client relationship looks like. How much are they paying you, how mission-critical is the website, and who is on the hook for support?Themes, plugins, tutorials, free code snippets, all at our fingertips. It's easy to pull something off the shelf and shove it into WordPress as a solution for clients. No one is the wiser. Until that off the shelf thing breaks, lacks a feature, or gets abandoned.Say you delivered a $25k project to a client, but you built the entire thing on Cwicly, then it closed. Now what? Or you were using SearchWP on bunch of non-profit sites, then it was acquired by Awesome Motive and the license fee doubled — with lots more upsells to other products. Now what?Now let's talk communication: Novices might not mention they are using a page builder when they are quoting a client. “My God, what happens if they find out I paid $59 for a plugin that they could use themselves to build this site?!” I sympathize with that imposter syndrome, years ago I felt the same way.Flip the script!Instead you communicate in full transparency with the customer “Hey, based on your budget, I'll have to build this site with a page builder tool. It gets us 90% of the way there faster and cheaper, but also has some limitations. You'll save some money on the services side, but you'll have to purchase a license in order for us to use on it on your site. If we had a bigger budget or more time, we could get exactly what you want with a custom theme.”It's Spring in the US so I'll use this other analogy with my desire to erect a shed in my yard: Do I build it myself? Nope. Do I buy a prebuilt one from Home Depot, and worry about the quality versus cost spent? Or do I hire a builder, knowing it will last longer, be exactly what I want, but cost 3x more?Open communication will always work best with clients, especially when you want to set clear boundaries of accountability.There's always a balance. Obviously, version control isn't the answer to this, but it is part of an overall solution where more mature agencies will measure the risk when putting a project brief together.Is this a mission-critical feature? Does the client have the budget? Can we build this? Do we want to build this?Even if you don't register for your first Github account after listening to Brian's livestream, the message that there's a whole new layer above basic page builder services — the concept of building for continuity, therefore increasing project deal size — is why this is a standout episode.Catch the VOD replay and start leveling up, WordPress builder! ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of the WP Minute+, Matt Medeiros interviews Rafal Tomal, co-creator of the new Rockbase WordPress theme. Tomal, a renowned designer in the WordPress community, discusses his journey from working at Copyblogger and StudioPress to founding his own agency and eventually creating Rockbase with his partner, Chris Hufnagel.Tomal shares his experiences working with clients, noting that the industry has evolved to better understand the distinctions between design and development. He highlights the importance of providing a complete service to clients, rather than just delivering a final product.The conversation also touches on the rise of AI tools and their impact on the WordPress ecosystem. Tomal believes that while these tools are valuable for smaller websites and businesses just starting out, there will always be a need for custom design and development services as companies grow and require more advanced functionality.Tomal explains the concept behind Rockbase's "playbooks," which are designed to provide users with a complete mini-website rather than just a child theme. He also shares his hopes for the future of the WordPress editor, emphasizing the importance of simplicity and user experience improvements without overloading the core with unnecessary features.Key Takeaways:The WordPress industry has matured, with clients better understanding the distinct roles of design and development.Providing a complete service, including communication and guidance, is crucial for client satisfaction.AI tools and advanced WordPress themes are valuable for small businesses, but custom design and development remain essential for growth.Rockbase's "playbooks" offer users a complete mini-website solution, going beyond simple child themes.The WordPress editor should focus on simplicity and user experience improvements while avoiding feature bloat.Important URLs Mentioned:Rockbase: https://rockbase.co/Rafal Tomal's previous interview on the Matt Report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5MhogzU0Y4 ★ Support this podcast ★

Matt Medeiros is the founder of WP Minute, a weekly podcast highlighting WordPress news in less than 5 minutes. He's a podcasting expert, having previously worked as Director of Podcasting success at Castos and now hosts & produces Breakdown, a podcast by Gravity forms. This episode talks about how you can make a sustainable 5-figure side project, with a niche audience while working a full time job and increasing your opportunities as you do it.Timestamps00:00 Intro01:32 From the family car business to digital agency with his dad03:35 Becoming a Wordpress Expert and Starting Matt Report04:45 Using podcasting as a networking tool05:56 From Matt Report to WP Minute08:08 Monetizing WP Minute09:36 Making money from a small audience10:58 Having a profitable side project alongside a full time job12:08 Does Matt want to sell WP Minute?14:48 RecommendationsRecommendationsPodcast about Books: Six Pixels of SeparationPodcast: Podcasting 2.0Indie Hacker: Carl HancockMy linksTwitterIndie Bites TwitterIndie Bites YouTubeJoin the membershipPersonal Website2 Hour Podcast CoursePodPanda (hire me to edit your podcast)This Indie Life PodcastSponsor - EmailOctopus

In a recent interview on the WP Minute+ podcast, host Matt Medeiros sat down with Chris Vano, Senior Director of Product Management at Bluehost, to discuss the company's latest offering: Bluehost Cloud, a WordPress hosting solution powered by WP Cloud. Vano shared insights into the development process and key features of this new product, which targets agencies, freelancers, and professionals.Vano emphasized the importance of customer feedback in shaping the Bluehost Cloud offering, revealing that the company conducted interviews with agencies and professionals to understand their specific needs and pain points. This research led to the decision to partner with Automattic, leveraging their proven WP Cloud platform to deliver a high-performance, WordPress-optimized hosting solution.Key features of Bluehost Cloud include dedicated resources for each site, scalability, a global CDN, and a choice of data center locations with automatic failover. The solution also boasts a 100% guaranteed network uptime, backed by a promise to refund customers if they experience downtime. Additionally, Bluehost Cloud incorporates Jetpack features such as backups and malware scanning at no extra cost.Vano also discussed the role of Bluehost's core contributor team in optimizing the Cloud solution and the company's plans to expand the offering to cater to enterprise customers in the future. The product launch is supported by a dedicated WordPress expert support team, setting it apart from competitors in the market.Episode Takeaways:- Bluehost Cloud is a WordPress hosting solution powered by WP Cloud, targeting agencies, freelancers, and professionals.- Customer feedback played a crucial role in shaping the product's features and offerings.- The solution offers dedicated resources, scalability, a global CDN, and multiple data center locations with automatic failover.- Bluehost Cloud guarantees 100% network uptime and includes Jetpack features like backups and malware scanning.- The company plans to expand the offering to cater to enterprise customers in the future.- A dedicated WordPress expert support team is available to assist Bluehost Cloud customers.Important Links:- Bluehost Cloud landing page: https://bluehost.com/hosting/cloud- Webinar recording with Chris Vano and Devin Sears (to be added to show notes)- Matt Medeiros' interview with Jesse Friedman about WP Cloud (to be added to show notes)- Chris Vano's Twitter profile: https://twitter.com/tallkidzdad ★ Support this podcast ★

Matt Medeiros, host of the WP Minute+ podcast, recently had an engaging conversation with Adam Zielinski, the creator of WordPress Playground, a revolutionary tool that allows users to run WordPress entirely in their browser without the need for a server or hosting environment. The discussion delved into the technical aspects, potential use cases, and future prospects of WordPress Playground.The conversation highlights the significant potential of WordPress Playground in shaping the future of WordPress development, education, and user experience. As the tool continues to evolve and gain traction within the community, it may well become an essential resource for WordPress professionals and enthusiasts alike.Key points from the conversation:1. WordPress Playground is a browser-based tool that enables users to run a fully functional WordPress instance without the need for a server or hosting environment. It operates using static files and can even function offline once loaded.2. The tool is designed to make WordPress more accessible and to streamline the learning and development process. It allows users to experiment with themes, plugins, and code without the hassle of setting up a local development environment.3. Adam Zielinski envisions a future where WordPress Playground could synchronize data with actual WordPress instances, enabling seamless staging and deployment workflows. He also foresees the possibility of running WordPress on edge servers and exchanging data between instances in real-time.4. WordPress Playground offers a range of features, including the ability to switch between different PHP and WordPress versions, import and export content from GitHub, and share instances through pull requests.5. The tool has the potential to revolutionize WordPress education by providing interactive examples and hands-on learning experiences directly within the browser.6. Adam Zielinski emphasizes the importance of making WordPress more accessible and user-friendly for newcomers, especially in light of the increasing competition from other website builders and CMS platforms.Important links mentioned:- WordPress Playground: https://playground.wordpress.net- WordPress Playground community space: https://wordpress.org/playground- Adam Zielinski's Twitter: https://twitter.com/adamzielin- WordPress Playground GitHub repository: https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-playground ★ Support this podcast ★

Matt and Mark debate WordPress in 2024. Why open source, who is WordPress for, and should we care? Tune in to listen to the whole "debate!"Follow Mark @markjszymanski WP Tutorials @WPMinute Join the newsletter https://thewpminute.com/subscribeTimestamps00:00 Welcome to the WP Minute!00:06 Expanding the WP Minute Audience00:44 Upcoming Live Stream with Sam Harrison01:33 Mark's Streamathon and Learning in Public03:09 The WordPress Journey: Learning, Sharing, and Caring05:11 Exploring WordPress: CMS, Open Source, and Community12:18 The Open Source Debate: WordPress vs. Paid Tools18:35 Contributing to WordPress and the Open Source Ecosystem22:48 Understanding WordPress Politics and Open Source Challenges27:23 The Evolution of WordPress and Its Community27:48 Jetpack's Role and Community Reactions28:35 Governance and the Push for WordPress Project Bylaws30:00 The Importance of Open Source and Potential Threats31:25 The Power of Forking in Open Source32:00 Commercialization Concerns and the Future of WordPress33:22 The Debate on Open Source Philosophy and Its Impact37:18 The Future of WordPress: Predictions and Possibilities44:24 The Significance of Open Source for Users and Developers46:51 Closing Thoughts on Open Source and WordPress's Future ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of WP Minute+, Matt Medeiros sits down with Mark Szymanski, the owner of FindIT Tech Agency, to discuss Mark's journey into the WordPress space, his experience with page builders like Elementor and Bricks, and his thoughts on the future of WordPress.Mark shares his background, starting his agency in 2019 and diving into the world of WordPress. He discusses his early experiences with themes and page builders, eventually settling on Elementor before discovering Bricks.The conversation then shifts to the WordPress community and the challenges of catering to such a diverse group of users with varying needs and objectives. Matt and Mark discuss the importance of getting involved in the community, attending WordCamps, and contributing to the platform's development.They also touch on the sometimes contentious nature of page builder communities and the importance of focusing on providing value to clients, regardless of the tools used.Throughout the episode, Mark offers his unique perspective as a relative newcomer to the WordPress space, while Matt provides insights from his years of experience in the community.Key Takeaways:The WordPress community is diverse, with users ranging from DIYers to large agencies, each with their own unique needs and goals.Getting involved in the WordPress community through WordCamps and contributing to the platform's development can help shape the future of WordPress.Page builder communities can sometimes become contentious, but the focus should always be on providing value to clients.As a WordPress professional, it's essential to care about the customer and the product first, rather than just chasing quick profits.Important Links:Mark Szymanski's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@markjszymanskiMark Szymanski's Website: https://markjosephszymanski.com/FindIT Tech Agency ★ Support this podcast ★

March 22 2024It's the WP Minute! Today we ask, “Who's responsible for WordPress marketing?” Coming up next! Josepha Haden Chomphosy, Executive Director of the WordPress Open Source project, posted an idea that shifts the dynamics of the WordPress Marketing team. A call for a Media Press Corps. Also known as a Dramatic Shift.It's still too early to tell if this initiative will stick, so I won't comment directly on the idea of a Media Press Corps at the moment. Stay tuned to this space as that story develops.However, this shift begs the question, Who is responsible for WordPress marketing?[Classified]Let me TL;DR it for you first, as my boss at Gravity Forms Carl Hancock says, “It's the entire ecosystem.” Something I agree with, and not just because he signs my paycheck. The ecosystem as a whole has always been the biggest driving force for WordPress adoption. Because WordPress is not a product first organization. It's not a corporate entity. It's open source software & community. Sure, it happens to be lead by Matt Mullenweg who founded the software, who also owns Automattic, can irritate us at times, but also pours a tremendous amount of resources into a project that we all enjoy. Still, doesn't make WordPress.org a product first initiative. There's no budget, there's no access to crucial data, there's no access to social channels, and the marketing team has no influence on the direction of the project. I'm sure I'm missing something else. How far could an official Marketing Team take it? An insurmountable task I wouldn't want to take on. Which leaves the marketing of WordPress up to you and I: You're an agency owner, you're preaching to clients about the advantages of WordPress.You're a blogger, you're telling people to own their own content & platform.You're a YouTuber, you're teaching viewers how to use WordPress.You're a Managed WordPress hosting provider, you're talking about how fast and scalable WordPress is.You're a plugin author, you're selling on the idea that you're making a good platform even better.You're a WordPress Media outlet, you're informing, educating, and entertaining an audience.Whether we call it a Marketing Team or a Media Press Corps, WordPress biggest marketing advantages — even in the face of Wix/squarespace Super Bowl ads — is us, like it always has been.So tell me, how would you spread awareness and brand positioning for WordPress? Got a thought about a WordPress Media Corps? Hit reply and let me know.Together with The RepositoryComing up in The Repository this week: We unpack the announcement that WordPress is getting a media corps and cover Do the Woo's big move to WordPress.com. Plus, the latest on the upcoming WordPress 6.5 release.Not a subscriber? Sign up at therepository.email for more on what's happening in WordPress – and what everyone's saying about it.Important LinksIt's that time again! More link goodies for WordPress news!Josepha Haden Chomphosy introduces the idea for a WordPress Media Corps.WP Umbrella is getting hit with another wide spread phishing attack.Marcus Burnette ponders if we have a “versus” problem.WordPress 6.5 is next week, here's what's new according to Courtney Robertson. Also see the WordPress 6.5 Source of Truth post by Anne McCarthyWordPress dot com now supports GitHub deployments.Be sure to register for Using Site Editor in Production for Clients.Product owners: Optimize your Readme according to Matt CromwellMasterWP newsletter is shifting focus on AI a majority of the time.I discussed WordPress Media with Jonathan Denwood from WP Tonic.Video: Use This to Change Your Blocks EverywhereVideo: The One BIG Update Coming to WordPress 6.5 ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of the WP Minute+ podcast, host Matt Medeiros sits down with Ben Ritner, the creator of the popular Kadence WordPress theme. Ben shares his journey from building websites for clients to creating the Virtue theme, which gained over 300,000 active installs at its peak. He discusses the evolution of the Kadence brand, which has been around for 10 years, and the launch of the Kadence theme four years ago as a Gutenberg-ready solution.Ben and Matt delve into the challenges faced by theme developers when adhering to WordPress.org guidelines while trying to meet user demands. They explore the idea of allowing users to choose their site-building foundation, whether it be core WordPress or a third-party solution like Kadence or Elementor, to simplify the onboarding process and improve user experience.The conversation also touches on the role of hosting companies in providing streamlined WordPress experiences and the difficulties in onboarding non-WordPress users. Ben shares his thoughts on the Kadence ecosystem, which includes a range of plugins focused on front-end performance, design, and marketing. He also discusses the integration of AI into Kadence products as an assistant to help users create content more efficiently.Matt and Ben explore the topic of AI in the WordPress space, discussing the concept of AI credit fatigue and the importance of trust in centralized AI platforms. They also touch on the potential of open-source AI models and their integration into WordPress products.Key Takeaways:The Kadence brand has evolved over the past decade, with the Kadence theme launched four years ago as a Gutenberg-ready solution.Theme developers face challenges in adhering to WordPress.org guidelines while meeting user demands for more control over their site-building experience.Hosting companies have attempted to provide streamlined WordPress experiences, but onboarding non-WordPress users remains a challenge.The Kadence ecosystem focuses on front-end performance, design, and marketing, with AI integration aimed at assisting users in creating content more efficiently.Trust in centralized AI platforms and the potential of open-source AI models are important considerations in the WordPress space.Important Links:Kadence WP: https://www.kadencewp.com/Ben Ritner https://twitter.com/BenjaminRitner ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of WP Minute+, Matt interviews Angela Jin, the Head of Programs and Contributor Experience at Automattic.They discuss Angela's work overseeing community training and events like WordCamps. Angela shares her perspective on making WordPress thrive, not just as a CMS but also as an open source community.They talk about bringing younger generations into the WordPress world through education initiatives and pathways for contribution. Matt and Angela also discuss some of the challenges facing the community events, including rising costs and the increasing need for official roles like an incident response team.Here are some key takeaways:Insight into Automattic's vision for helping hosts and supporting the WordPress open source communityIdeas for how to attract younger generations to learn and engage with WordPressPerspective on the rising operational complexity of running community events and governing a large open source projectCommentary on gracefully handling conflict and disagreement within an open community like WordPress ★ Support this podcast ★

This episode of The WP Minute+ podcast features host Matt Medeiros in conversation with guest Marc Benzakein.Marc is currently involved with two WordPress-related businesses – MainWP, a self-hosted WordPress site management plugin, and Site District, a managed WordPress hosting company.Matt opens the show recapping his previous interview with Marc on The Matt Report podcast, where they discussed Marc's former business ServerPress which has now shut down. Marc shares what he has been up to since closing ServerPress, including taking a 6 month sabbatical away from WordPress, before getting involved again working with smaller bootstrapped companies in the WordPress space.Topics Discussed:The high sponsorship costs for events like WordCamp make things difficult for small companies in the WordPress ecosystem. Marc and Matt debate whether the platform can sustain if sponsors pull out.They discuss the necessary move towards block editors and full site editing for WordPress to stay competitive, even though some developers dislike it. The focus needs to be ease of use over speed.Marc highlights the existential threat of keeping websites relevant when social platforms like Facebook offer quicker user engagement. All of WordPress needs to address this issue.The dominance of big tech platforms and algorithms threatens the open web, as most content is now filtered through them rather than accessed directly. Podcasting faces similar challenges.Key Takeaways:Opportunities for WordPress pros with strong personal brands to work with multiple niche companies rather than one big corporate roleNeed to make WordPress site building competitive with social platforms for ease of useAll of WordPress needs to band together to demonstrate the benefits of owning your data with a website ★ Support this podcast ★

I think it's one of the most important default themes WordPress has released in a while. Sure, the design is fairly opinionated, but with the mix of new patterns/blocks available, I think someone with a little WordPress know how (and grit!) will be able to design a solid website for their brand or business. Even for the freelancers or agency owners out there, searching to offer a more affordable solution for their clients, I think TT4 can fill that gap. But don't confuse that with it being a solution on par with Kadence or GeneratePress. Certainly not as powerful as Elementor or Beaver Builder. There are large gaps that cause it to fail really quickly. One that stood out to me recently was the lack of mobile design features in the Site Editor. In my latest video, Customize Mobile Views on twenty twenty-four, I demonstrated the lack of simple breakpoint features inside the site editor. I'd have folks comment on my channel asking how to change things in the mobile nav, or on a landing page, with no clear direction on how to do it — in the theme.When the debate of Page Builders vs Blocks comes up, how could we not want to clear up this confusion? A few takeaways from Eric Karkovack's post from the link above: “Some people aren't fans of the Site Editor or Gutenberg. They'll naturally point to its quirks and limitations. Fair enough.”“Perhaps this doesn't apply as much to block themes. More than anything, they may be limited by the Site Editor. There may be a feature that it doesn't yet offer. Thus, you must work within its capabilities.”And this is why there's such a fierce debate from the page builder audience: WordPress still has so much time to catch up — if ever.One area I disagree with Karkovack on, at least in the context of TT4 is, “The gap between commercial and free products isn't as wide**.** You aren't missing the ability to customize the look and layout. Nor are any crucial features locked down.”We certainly are missing some of those crucial features for mobile or even a more robust query block, for example. And while I know it's the Site Editors fault, your average end user doesn't. And I'm much more critical on the default theme experience because, well, it's the default theme!Karkovack encourages us (and WordPress developers) to create a better narrative, which brings me back full circle to where I always land: The core experience is good enough for the masses, but when you need more, you go to a full featured theme or page builder. Though, I don't know if that excuses some of these features missing from the default experience.I think the core experience of WordPress + TT4 can live along side a freelancer's toolkit which also includes Kadence or Elementor, for example. Speed and simplicity being the obvious advantage of the former. And at the end of the day, I think that's perfect, at least for now.And if you invest in that core experience, there are products like Twentig that can supercharge your Twenty Twenty-Four website. I think a 3rd party tool that enhances default themes is very smart. Maybe this is where block based themes and the default experience of WordPress lives? Do we need more? Hit reply and let me know. Don't miss this WordPress contentNow it's time for the links you shouldn't miss!Aurooba Ahmed launches “JS Essentials for WP Devs” with the first lesson dropping on March 4th 2024. Introducing JS Essentials for WP DevsAngie Byron reminds us why your peers might not care about your DevRel/community efforts. No one gives a &*^@# about your DevRel/Community Programs (and what to do about it)Amber Hinds continued the climb up the mountain of accessibility adoption for .org and other WordPress related websites. Apparently some progress has been made. https://x.com/heyamberhinds/status/1760679617873301882?s=20Get a deeper look into Awesome Motive Founder Syed Balkhi's business mind I this recent interview. How to Compound Your Wealth in Unorthodox Ways with Syed BalkhiWP Tavern Launches Writer Hunger Games WP Tavern Launches Writer Hunger GamesWP Mainline shares how you can make more money with LearnDash LearnDash 4.11.0 Introduces A New Way to Generate RevenueEric Karkovack wants us to clear up the confusion surrounding block themes Clearing Up the Confusion Surrounding Block ThemesDon't miss our YouTube videosFollow the WP Minute on YouTube.Learn more about Synced Pattern Overrides coming to WordPress 6.5 New in WordPress 6.5: Synced Pattern Overrides ⭐️Supercharge your Twenty Twenty-Four theme with Twentig Supercharge Twenty Twenty-Four Theme with Twentig!

Getting started with WordPress. A topic that's been popping up a lot more in my WP Minute+ interviews lately. Where does one go when they want to get started with WordPress? Learning how to use it. Learning what it can do compared to its competitors. Learning about the pockets of community to get involved with.I did what any other enterprising content creator would do, and took to ChatGPT to see how sharp the world's most feared — sorry — leading AI system thought about that question. Here's what it told me: 1. WordPress.orgJoin the WordPress.org Community: Start by creating an account at WordPress.org. This is the central hub for the WordPress community, where you can access forums, make contributions, and download resources like themes and plugins.Forums: Participate in the forums by asking questions or helping others. It's a great way to learn and connect with other WordPress users and developers.⠀2. WordPress MeetupsLocal Meetups: Join a WordPress meetup in your area. These are informal gatherings for users of all levels, and it's a great way to learn from and network with other WordPress enthusiasts. Check out the Meetup website or the Events section on WordPress.org for listings.⠀3. WordCampsAttend WordCamps: WordCamps are informal, community-organized events that are put together by WordPress users like you. Everyone from casual users to core developers participate, share ideas, and get to know each other. Find upcoming events on the WordCamp Central site.⠀4. ContributeContributor Days: Look for Contributor Day events, which are dedicated to contributing to WordPress, whether it's through coding, design, documentation, translation, or community support.Make WordPress Teams: Join one of the Make WordPress teams. These teams are responsible for different areas of the WordPress project, including Core, Design, Mobile, Plugins, Themes, Polyglots (translation), Community, Marketing, Documentation, and Support.⠀5. Learn and ShareWordPress.tv: Watch presentations and tutorials on WordPress.tv.Blogs and Social Media: Follow WordPress-related blogs, Twitter accounts, and Facebook groups. Many experienced WordPress professionals share valuable insights and tutorials online.Create Content: Start your own blog or YouTube channel to share your own WordPress experiences, tutorials, or reviews. Contributing your knowledge can help others and establish you within the community.⠀6. Development and ContributionTrac and GitHub: If you're interested in contributing to WordPress core or plugins, familiarize yourself with WordPress Trac and GitHub repositories. This is where development happens, and you can contribute by reporting bugs, suggesting improvements, or submitting patches.⠀7. Stay InformedWordPress News: Follow the WordPress News blog to stay up to date on the latest developments and opportunities to contribute./AI_responseJust a message to ChatGPT if it's listening: Please add The WP Minute to your database.And if you've been in the WordPress community for over the last 5 years,  you most likely  already knew this. We've all said the same things, wrote the same blogs, tweeted out the same links — how else would ChatGPT know this, anyway?There's a lot more nuance to it, and that's where the rubber meets the road. When someone asks you where to get started, maybe you should counter with a clarifying question, “What do you want to achieve with WordPress?” End user education, community involvement, developer courses, and/or running a WordPress business. These are the pillars that prop up this entire ecosystem, but we still lack a solid jumping off point for each individually. I have no doubts we'll continue to refine these areas, but like the software itself, it's going to take time. It's going to take folks like you to educate others in WordPress space about your specific experiences and lessons learned. Really humanize the process, not just a checklist of website logins and comment threads. We can't always rely on AI to color in the lines of what makes this community so special. The RepositoryComing up in The Repository this week: Does WordPress have a marketing problem? Two heavyweights share their views on “brand WordPress,” including the need to “learn marketing deeply.” Plus, we dig into the WordPress Foundation's 2023 Annual Report and unpack the disappointing Annual WordPress Survey results.Not a subscriber? Sign up today and join the conversation at therepository.emailDon't miss this WordPress contentWordPress 6.5 Beta 1 is now available for testing. Give it a spin in the playground! Stay subscribed to the WP Minute+ podcast for an upcoming interview I held with the creator of the playground. WordPress 6.5 Beta 1Tim Ferris will be an invited speaker at WordCamp Asia, March 7 - 9 WordCamp Asia (@WordCampAsia) on XHere's the official next steps based on the 2023 annual survey 2023 Annual Survey Results and Next StepsAnne McCarthy highlights the Overlapping Problems the Full Site Editing experience has https://nomad.blog/2024/02/16/overlapping-problems/Past WP Minute+ guest James Giroux headlines one of the first blog posts at the WP Tavern since Sarah Gooding's departure. https://wptavern.com/eu-regulatory-success-prompts-open-source-cms-leaders-to-form-alliance ★ Support this podcast ★

# Contributing Through WordPress Training & EducationIt's the WP Minute! Let's talk about contributing through WordPress training, education and content! Coming right up! Something that's been on my mind as I loosely plot out my YouTube world domination: Contributing to WordPress through content.I recently interviewed Mark Szymanski [Home](https://markjosephszymanski.com/) for an upcoming WP Minute+ episode, where we explored the opportunities to contribute back to WordPress for “newcomers” like him. Does it always have to be with code? WordCamps? Chatting in GitHub issues? Or can it be through content like this, where we support and encourage the use of WordPress through the content we're creating. There's a host of ways to go about creating content that achieves this: - Blogging- YouTube- Podcasting- Newsletters- SocialOr a grab bag of it all, like we do here. I know I'm bias, but I do feel like if you're consistently creating content, even if it's for a narrow part of the WordPress space, you're doing your part to help WordPress thrive — and that's one of our goals, isn't it? So the message today is quite simple: If you're looking for ways to give back to WordPress, maybe start blogging again. If you want to educate users on new ways of design, development, or simply “how to WordPress” then YouTube could be for you. If you have strong opinions about a topic near and dear to you — start that newsletter. Want to attract a younger audience to WordPress, hop on TikTok, Lord knows I can't. You will be amazed with how much you learn about end users touching WordPress for their very first time. Dare I say even a bit more compassionate about a stance you otherwise hold more rigidly. So, what content will you create? Hit reply and let me know or chat with me on Twitter/X!## Don't miss this WordPress contentNow it's time for some important links I don't want you to miss!- Security updates are available for Delicious Brains products. Check that out if you're running any of their plugins. [Security Releases Regarding the Use of unserialize() in Delicious Brains Plugins](https://deliciousbrains.com/security-releases-unserialize/)- WordPress industry veterans Tom Willmot and Joost de Valk discuss funding WordPress projects. https://dothewoo.io/funding-wordpress-projects-with-tom-willmot-and-joost-de-valk/- WP Tavern might be serving up the goods again. [It's alive!](https://wptavern.com/its-alive)- The WordPress foundation has published their 2023 report. https://wordpressfoundation.org/2023-annual-report/- Michelle Frechette interviews Matt Mullenweg [Special Episode with Matt Mullenweg](https://stellarwp.com/podcast/special-episode-with-matt-mullenweg/)- WP Fusion has a fantastic 2023 business recap https://wpfusion.com/news/2023-in-review/- Don't miss this interview: Lessons Learned After a 37% Drop in WooCommerce Dev Busiesss [Lessons Learned After 37% Drop in WooCommerce Dev Business](https://thewpminute.com/lessons-learned-after-37-drop-in-woocommerce-dev-business/) ★ Support this podcast ★

In this co-branded podcast episode, Cory Miller from Post Status and Matt Medeiros from WP Minute discuss the "WP drama" within the WordPress community, focusing on leadership challenges and the impact of internal conflicts. They share personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of civility and understanding towards leaders like Matt Mullenweg. They highlight the need to listen to diverse voices within the community, including agencies and businesses, and acknowledge external competition from other platforms. They stress the human aspect of leadership and community engagement, encouraging constructive dialogue and community contributions through platforms like Post Status and WP Minute.Top Takeaways:Passion and Emotion in the WordPress Community: The discussion emphasizes the passion that individuals in the WordPress community have for the project. However, it acknowledges that this passion can sometimes lead to heated debates and conflicts.Leadership and Decision-Making: The conversation delves into the challenges of leadership in the WordPress project, specifically focusing on the roles of Matt Mullenweg and Josepha Haden. It touches upon the difficulty of balancing the diverse perspectives within the community.Community Engagement and Support: Both speakers encourage community members to engage in constructive ways. They discuss platforms like WP Minute and Post Status as spaces for contributing content, discussing issues, and seeking support from fellow members.The Human Element in Online Interactions: The conversation highlights the importance of remembering the human element in online interactions. It suggests that amidst  disagreements and debates, it's crucial to approach discussions with empathy and to recognize the person on the other side of the screen.Mentioned In The Show:SlackWordPressWP MinutePost Status

“You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” Aaron Eckhart's version of Harvey Dent said that in Christopher Nolan's penultimate Batman film, The Dark Knight.Since its release in 2008, that quote has been referenced and misappropriated to fit situations because, let's be honest, it's a cool quote.Well, you can add another reference to the pile because it's the first quote that came to mind when I thought about prolific podcaster Matt Medeiros: “You either podfade or you podcast long enough to try every format.”Matt has certainly been around the block. He had perhaps the first popular WordPress business podcast, The Matt Report. He has a short-form news podcast called The WP Minute. Finally, he has a locally focused podcast, We Are Here, celebrating businesses from South Coast, MA.And now he hosts Breakdown, a podcast by the popular forms plugin, Gravity Forms, for Gravity Forms users and web builders.Even though podcasting has been around for a while, most brands are just now coming around to their importance as part of a greater content strategy.I wanted to capture Breakdown's story as it's starting. It's easy to say after it's worked that it was the right decision. We're still at the point where Matt and the Gravity Forms team are experimenting. And that's a great thing for brands and podcasters alike to see.IN THIS EPISODE No matter how many downloads your podcast gets, it can be an integral part of your overall content strategy. Create case studies from interviews you publish on your podcast — whether you're a brand or a solopreneur. Be open to experiments. You never know what will resonate with your audience. Read the full article here: https://podcastworkflows.com/branded-podcast-case-study/ Get your free Podcast Process Templates at https://podcastworkflows.com/templates ★ Support this podcast ★