Not every WordPress agency owner starts with a computer science degree. Laurie Barron's journey from accountant to agency co-founder proves that sometimes the most unexpected backgrounds create the strongest businesses. With degrees in accounting, computer information systems, and human-computer interaction, Laurie brings a unique perspective to web development: one that values both the numbers and the user experience.
In this episode, Laurie shares how she built not one, but two successful companies: Pursu Agency (with co-founder Betsy) and Simply Styled Sites. After 15 years in WordPress, she's learned that the real value isn't just in building websites. It's in the strategy, automation, and business systems that make those websites work harder for clients. She discusses why AI and page builders haven't replaced the need for expert developers, how to scope projects profitably, and why knowing your "zone of genius" is critical to sustainable growth.
For Gravity Forms users, this conversation is packed with practical ideas. Laurie reveals how she's transformed Gravity Forms from a simple contact form plugin into a complete business automation tool. From content gathering systems that feed into ChatGPT, to support ticketing workflows connected via Zapier, to survey fields that help clients make data-driven decisions.
In This Episode
Connect with Laurie Barron
Resources Mentioned
Standout Moments
"I feel like knowing how to use Gravity Forms and becoming an expert at it, I can do anything. But I also think I could do anything anyways, so Gravity Forms just helps." - Laurie Barron
"This happened when page builders came out. Everybody said 'anybody can do it.' But there's always gonna be people that don't want to do it. And there's the education piece: do people know how to do it properly?" - Laurie Barron
"You can create a website in minutes with AI, but it's gonna look like everybody else's. It's not gonna stand out from the competition. It might not reflect your voice. What you don't get is the strategy behind it." - Laurie Barron
In this episode of Breakdown, Matt Medeiros sits down with Dave Smith, CEO of Gravity Wiz, to talk about a product that has a lot of WordPress builders buzzing: API Alchemist. If you’ve ever wanted Gravity Forms to talk directly to other apps and data sources, this is your new best friend. Dave walks us through how API Alchemist lets you send form data to any REST API and bring the response back into your entries. Pair it with Populate Anything and you can even pull data into the form before submission for smart validation and slick UX.
We also touch on GP Bookings, Gravity Wiz’s flexible booking platform for appointments and rentals that works beautifully with Gravity Forms and, via Product Configurator, with WooCommerce. Dave shares how AI is accelerating development behind the scenes while still requiring human review, and why the “WordPress-as-a-platform” mindset gives agencies and site owners a durable edge.
Curious how this all plays out in real life? Think VIN lookups that auto-fill make and model, higher-ed networks standardizing data across hundreds of sites, or internal tools that read a PDF, extract data, and feed it straight back into Gravity Forms. If you care about owning your data, building faster, and keeping clients out of SaaS lock-in, this one’s worth a listen.
Takeaways
Important links
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration API: https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/api/
Coming October 14, 2025- Crew Collective, a podcast from Rocketgenius
Crew Collective is a podcast dedicated to the art of storytelling. Hosted by Stuart Barefoot, each episode will explore the stories that help shape us—books, movies, songs, video games—nothing is off limits. We’ll talk to creators of all stripes about their process, their craft, and the worlds they build.
On this episode of Breakdown, I’m joined by Blake Whittle, founder of ClikIt and new owner of Infinite Uploads. Blake has been running a successful WordPress agency for years, but he’s now steering his business toward the world of WordPress products.
We cover his journey from launching websites as a college freshman, to managing 200+ client sites, to acquiring Infinite Uploads and rolling out new plugins that make WordPress media management easier. Blake shares his long-term vision of moving fully into software and explains why the Gravity Forms ecosystem is a key part of that future.
He also opens up about the challenges of agency life versus product life, how AI is shaping opportunities for developers and site owners, and why he thinks WordPress still offers huge potential for the next generation of builders.
If you’ve ever thought about transitioning from client services into products—or you just want to know how to handle big file uploads through Gravity Forms—you won’t want to miss this conversation.
Takeaways
Important links
In this episode of Breakdown, Matt is joined by Sam Texas—a serial founder, Django developer, and self-described "vibe coder"—who’s found his way back to WordPress through the doors of AI automation and Gravity Forms.
Sam shares how a casual client call with Trooper Dev led him down a rabbit hole of connecting Gravity Forms to an MCP (Modular Command Protocol) server and Claude AI, enabling non-technical sales teams to spin up customized forms in minutes without touching the WordPress admin. It’s a real-world example of AI empowering teams to build faster, smarter workflows—and Gravity Forms being the foundation that makes it possible.
Matt and Sam explore the strengths of WordPress as an application platform, how AI will reshape plugin discovery and form creation, and why open standards like REST APIs and MCPs might signal the next era of low-code/no-code development. Along the way, they talk about the surprising value of WordPress authentication, owning your own content in the age of LLM scraping, and how vibe coding is changing the shape of small software projects.
If you’re building modern workflows on WordPress, or just wondering what it means to mix AI with forms, plugins, and automation—you’ll want to hear this one.
Takeaways
Important links
In this episode of Breakdown, Matt Medeiros welcomes back Cole Fraser from Gravity Wiz to give us the latest updates from their camp—and there’s a lot to catch up on. Cole breaks down how Gravity Wiz is evolving from a plugin company into a full product ecosystem, with updates that will have Gravity Forms customers rethinking how they build and manage forms.
One of the biggest changes? The launch of Spellbook, a new centralized plugin interface that consolidates the management of all Gravity Wiz products right inside the WordPress dashboard. It’s a cleaner, more powerful way to handle plugin discovery, licensing, and updates—plus it opens the door for more free offerings.
Cole and Matt also dive into how AI is actually being used today in the WordPress and forms space. Spoiler: it’s still early days. While everyone’s rushing to ship AI features, many end users are just starting to explore the possibilities. The conversation gets philosophical, touching on form-building, data ownership, and how open source tools like WordPress and Gravity Forms may offer a more stable future as AI ecosystems start to get fragmented and commercialized.
It’s a must-listen for anyone building with Gravity Forms—or wondering how the AI wave is truly reshaping workflows.
Takeaways
Important links
On this episode of Breakdown, Matt Medeiros sits down with Liam Dempsey, founder of LBDesign, a boutique digital agency based outside Philadelphia. Liam walks us through the ethos of his client work, how his team approaches website builds for nonprofits and socially responsible businesses, and where Gravity Forms fits into his workflow.
From building reliable donation forms to simplifying newsletter signups and contact pages, Liam emphasizes how Gravity Forms provides flexibility and trust for both him and his clients. He also shares practical insights on building long-term relationships with clients and why clear communication is key to delivering results that last.
Whether you're an agency owner, freelancer, or a marketer working with WordPress, this episode offers a grounded perspective on client services and smart form strategies.
Takeaways
Important links
In this episode of Breakdown, Matt Medeiros welcomes Joe Casabona back to the WordPress podcasting scene—not as a developer or educator in the WordPress space per se, but as a solopreneur helping busy professionals reclaim their time through automation. Joe opens up about his quiet exit from WordPress, what he's learned about niching down, and why having a clear personal brand matters more than ever when you step outside the WordPress bubble.
The conversation ranges from automation tools like Zapier and Make.com to the philosophical (and practical) differences between automation and AI. Joe shares his real-world workflows for podcast guest management using Gravity Forms and Notion—including clever conditional logic and URL parameters to streamline the guest experience. And yes, minivans, overpriced dealership diagnostics, and AI-generated podcast headshots even make their way into the mix. It’s an episode that blends WordPress roots, marketing tech stacks, and a healthy dose of northeast dad energy.
Takeaways:
Important links:
Want to run a tighter ship in your WordPress-powered business? This episode might just inspire your next automation breakthrough.
On this episode of Breakdown, Matt sits down with Casey and Zack from GravityKit so that they can explore the new changes coming to their range of products. Evolving products, new add-ons and all the fun stuff that comes out of GravityKit for the Gravity Forms ecosystem.
Matt and Casey dive deep into talking about marketing. Some of the challenges, some of the fun parts of marketing a WordPress product in today's climate. Especially facing things like AI and the ever changing landscape of attention in marketing. And then Matt and Zack go deeper on the launches of GravityKit's new products, why GravityKit is building these products and ultimately how it helps customers in the Gravity Forms ecosystem.
In this episode of Breakdown, Matt welcomes Owen Stone, the new Head of Marketing at Cosmic Giant. Just a few weeks into his role, Owen shares his extensive background in podcasting, marketing, and his early encounters with WordPress. The conversation explores how Owen balances traditional methods (like using pen and paper for notes) with embracing new technologies, reflecting his pragmatic approach to the tech world.
The discussion centers around Cosmic Giant's Entry Automation 6.0, which just launched as the company celebrates its 8th anniversary. Owen highlights the event registration and data management features that help prevent form abuse and streamline data collection. Matt and Owen also dive into the importance of trusted software in the WordPress ecosystem, especially for agencies and freelancers who rely on dependable tools rather than short-term AI solutions for mission-critical functions like form handling, legal compliance, and data management.
Key Takeaways:
Mentioned URLs:
In this episode, host Matt Medeiros sits down with Jonathan Jernigan to discuss the critical role of client services in building a successful business—and how that focus supports content creation and product development. Jonathan shares his journey from creating WordPress tutorials and coaching content to launching his own digital products, including premium courses and his popular calendar plugin, PyCalendar.
Throughout the conversation, Jonathan explains how being selective with projects and smartly managing his time (especially now as a parent) has helped him serve clients better while simultaneously nurturing his content and product offerings. He also discusses the evolution of his agency work—from using Gravity Forms for transforming traditional paper forms into digital solutions to setting pricing milestones that recognized his true value.
Additionally, the episode touches on his early experiments with YouTube, the importance of building trust through authentic, personal content, and his thoughts on the current AI hype in the WordPress ecosystem.
In this episode, host Matt Medeiros sits down with WordPress developer Jonathan Williams to explore how artificial intelligence has reshaped his work. Jonathan explains his evolving workflow—from using traditional coding environments to integrating AI-powered tools like TypingMind and Cursor into his development process.
The discussion covers the benefits of conversational code-generation, the importance of using direct API access over standard chat apps for improved performance, and the broader implications of AI on the future of programming and WordPress development.
Jonathan shares insights on how AI not only speeds up the creation of robust plugins (such as his latest release, Quick Link Pro, which streamlines external link management in the block editor) but also raises questions about the long-term role of human developers. They weigh the potential economic disruption in the industry against the opportunity for more accessible and affordable software development—even for beginners, provided they are patient and literate in the necessary technical language.
The conversation wraps up with a thoughtful look at the future of WordPress, the challenges it faces from emerging platforms, and the evolving job roles that may bridge human expertise with AI capabilities.
Important Takeaways
Important Links & URLs
In this episode of Breakdown with host Matt Medeiros, we’re joined by Cole Fraser, the Marketing Expert at Gravity Wiz—a company that extends and enhances Gravity Forms with their suite of tools. Cole shares insights into Gravity Wiz’s approach to marketing, bridging founder vision with brand voice, and how AI is reshaping the way we build with WordPress. From practical AI use cases to new plugins like Gravity Connect Airtable and Notion, this conversation explores the intersection of efficiency, innovation, and customization for WordPress form builders.
## Chapters & Timestamps
### [00:00:00] Introduction & Guest Background
Cole explains his role at Gravity Wiz and shares his background in tech, software marketing, and WordPress.
### [00:04:26] Championing Founder Vision & Brand Identity
They discuss aligning core values between Dave’s product vision and Cole’s marketing approach.
### [00:08:18] AI’s Role in WordPress & Marketing
Cole and Matt explore how AI boosts productivity but remains limited in tackling ultra-custom projects.
### [00:16:45] Gravity Connect & AI Integrations
Cole highlights new Gravity Connect integrations with Notion, Airtable, and OpenAI for streamlined automation.
### [00:20:00] Navigating the Gravity Wiz Product Suite
They address the challenge of guiding users through over 50 Gravity Perks, snippets, and free plugins.
### [00:24:00] Real-World Examples & Future Outlook
Cole shares creative user stories where Gravity Forms, AI, and Gravity Wiz perks deliver unique solutions.
### [00:27:23] Final Notes & Where to Find Gravity Wiz
Matt wraps up with upcoming webinars and pointers to Gravity Wiz’s social media and support resources.
## Key Takeaways
- **Founder Vision Meets Marketing:** Clear core values guide consistent brand voice and product messaging.
- **AI Accelerates Development:** AI boosts speed and output but relies on human oversight for complex tasks.
- **Gravity Connect Expansion:** New integrations like Notion and Airtable open powerful no-code possibilities.
- **Managing a Large Product Suite:** Comprehensive documentation and stellar support help users pick the right tools.
- **Creative Use Cases Galore:** Conferences, curriculum, and even pet adoption benefit from Gravity Forms + AI combos
## Important URLs
- **Gravity Wiz Website:** [https://gravitywiz.com](https://gravitywiz.com)
- **Gravity Forms Learn Page:** [https://learn.gravity.com](https://learn.gravity.com)
- **Gravity Wiz on X (Twitter):** [https://x.com/gravitywiz](https://x.com/gravitywiz)
- **Gravity Connect OpenAI:** [https://gravitywiz.com/documentation/gravity-connect-openai/](https://gravitywiz.com/documentation/gravity-connect-openai/)
- **Gravity Connect Notion:** [https://gravitywiz.com/documentation/gravity-connect-notion/](https://gravitywiz.com/documentation/gravity-connect-notion/)
- **Gravity Connect Airtable:** [https://gravitywiz.com/documentation/gravity-connect-airtable/](https://gravitywiz.com/documentation/gravity-connect-airtable/)
- **Gravity Shop:** [https://gravitywiz.com/documentation/gravity-shop/](https://gravitywiz.com/documentation/gravity-shop/)
- **Email Validator Perk:** [https://gravitywiz.com/documentation/gp-email-validator/](https://gravitywiz.com/documentation/gp-email-validator/)
In this episode of The Breakdown Podcast by Gravity Forms, host Matt Mederios chats with David Ries, Account Director at Vaulted Oak, about agency life, managing WordPress and Shopify projects, and the challenges and opportunities in the nonprofit space. David shares his insights on balancing long-term client relationships, the evolution of web technologies, and how Vaulted Oak has positioned itself uniquely within the agency world.
David brings us into the unique structure of Barrel Holdings, the parent company of Vaulted Oak, and explains how their network of sibling agencies specializes in different platforms like WordPress, Shopify, Webflow, and Framer. This specialization ensures that clients are matched with the right team and technology for their needs, rather than trying to fit every project into one model. Vaulted Oak stands out as the agency focused on ongoing support and maintenance, providing a critical service for clients after their websites are launched.
The conversation also highlights the pros and cons of working with WordPress versus Shopify. David explains that while Shopify offers seamless out-of-the-box solutions for e-commerce, WordPress excels in flexibility and customization, especially for nonprofits. Nonprofit clients often leverage Gravity Forms for essential functionalities like donation pages, user registration, and volunteer management. David emphasizes how Gravity Forms provides a reliable, cost-effective solution compared to the high fees associated with many other platforms targeting nonprofits.
The discussion concludes with insights into Vaulted Oak’s quarterly pricing model, which encourages long-term relationships and better planning for clients. David also shares advice for freelancers and boutique agencies, stressing the importance of valuing time, setting boundaries, and building sustainable business models.
Chapter Markers
Important Links Mentioned
This episode is packed with actionable advice for agency owners, freelancers, and anyone navigating the worlds of WordPress, Shopify, and nonprofit digital strategy. Don’t miss it!
In this episode of The Breakdown Podcast by Gravity Forms, host Matt Mederios dives deep into the intersection of WordPress, AI, and innovation with guest Tom Whittaker, a seasoned entrepreneur and developer in the WordPress ecosystem. Tom shares his journey from building a health and safety management application using Gravity Forms to scaling it into a leading solution for the construction industry before successfully exiting the company.
The conversation then shifts to Tom's latest venture, GravityBuilder.ai, a premium AI-powered add-on for Gravity Forms that revolutionizes form building. Tom explains how the tool leverages AI to streamline the creation of complex forms, using prompts or documents, while also integrating multi-language support and conditional logic. Together, they discuss the challenges and opportunities AI presents, the evolution of WordPress and Gravity Forms, and how the WordPress ecosystem continues to drive innovation.
Listeners will gain insights into:
Chapter Markers:
Important Links Mentioned:
For anyone passionate about WordPress, Gravity Forms, or the role of AI in shaping the future of development, this episode is a must-listen.
In the latest episode of Breakdown, host Matt Medeiros sits down with Megan Jones to discuss Gravity Forms' Black Friday plans and share insights from prominent WordPress product owners about their holiday marketing strategies.
Gravity Forms Black Friday Details
Gravity Forms will offer its biggest discount of the year - 50% off all licenses (Basic, Pro, and Elite) from November 25th through December 3rd, 2024. The sale includes Gravity Flow licenses and promotes exclusive deals from certified developers through a dedicated landing page.
Industry Expert Insights
We published a few industry experts as guests this week. Hear what they had to share about their Black Friday promos and be sure to check out their products.
Katie Keith - Barn2 Plugins
Katie shared her experience managing sales across 19 WordPress plugins. Her key strategy involves encouraging higher-value purchases during the sale period. Despite offering significant discounts, Barn2 maintains or increases their average order value by promoting premium license options.
Cole Fraser - Gravity Wiz
Cole emphasized simplification in their Black Friday approach. While email marketing remains crucial, Cole advised against over-segmentation during busy sales periods. Black Friday shoppers typically seek straightforward messaging about deals rather than complex, personalized communications.
Corey Maass - OMGIMG
Corey highlighted the importance of listing products in Black Friday directories and roundups. While direct attribution proves challenging, these listings contribute to overall brand visibility during the sale period.
Zack Katz - GravityKit
Zack stressed the value of email subject line testing, noting that different subject lines not only affect open rates but also influence click-through behavior within the emails.
Key Takeaways
* 50% off has become the standard discount expectation for WordPress Black Friday deals
* Simplify marketing messages during Black Friday to cut through inbox noise
* Focus on growing email lists before the sale period
* Consider bundling products or encouraging higher-tier purchases
* List products in WordPress Black Friday directories for increased visibility
* Test email subject lines when possible
* Balance email frequency to maintain engagement without overwhelming subscribers
Important URLs
* Gravity Forms Black Friday: gravityforms.com/black-friday
* Gravity Flow Black Friday: gravityflow.io/black-friday
* Gravity Forms YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@gravitywp
* Podcast: gravityforms.com/breakdown
In this episode of Breakdown, we dive into exciting updates from Gravity Forms, including the release of Gravity Forms 2.9 Release Candidate and the new Gravity SMTP 1.4.2. We also welcome Timothy Wood, founder of Always Curious, who shares his insights on using Gravity Forms for advanced applications, including a unique Magic Link login solution. Timothy discusses his agency's approach to leveraging Gravity Forms for data management and client solutions, as well as his commitment to giving back to the WordPress community.
Key Takeaways:
- Gravity Forms 2.9 introduces new features that enhance user experience and customization.
- Gravity SMTP offers a cost-effective solution for sending transactional emails, especially for agencies.
- Timothy Wood emphasizes the versatility of Gravity Forms for complex data management and client solutions.
- The Magic Link plugin provides a modern alternative to traditional login methods, improving user experience.
- Timothy's agency focuses on building applications within the WordPress ecosystem, showcasing the potential of Gravity Forms for advanced projects.
- Community engagement and contributions are vital for the growth and improvement of the WordPress ecosystem.
Connect with Timothy Wood:
- Twitter: @codearachnid
- Agency Website: alwayscurious.co
Support the Podcast:
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it on social media or your favorite community platforms. Don't forget to subscribe to Breakdown at gravityforms.com/breakdown for more insights every two weeks!
In this episode of Breakdown, Matt Medeiros sits down with Gil Amminadav from BrightLeaf Consulting to explore the innovative ways they're leveraging Gravity Forms in their business. Gil shares his "Gravity Forms First" approach, demonstrating how this powerful WordPress plugin can be used to create complex, custom solutions for clients. From building messaging systems to managing finances, Gil reveals how Gravity Forms has become the backbone of their operations, offering efficiency, scalability, and robust functionality.
Key Takeaways:
Important URLs mentioned:
Gil's interview showcases the versatility of Gravity Forms beyond simple contact forms, highlighting its potential as a powerful tool for building custom web applications and streamlining business processes. This episode offers valuable insights for WordPress professionals looking to maximize their use of Gravity Forms and create efficient, scalable solutions for their clients.
Today’s episode is a mix of interviews and highlights throughout the Gravity Forms universe.
Matt interviews Ryan Sullivan from Sitecare, discussing the current temperature in the WordPress client support space. Ryan started Sitecare as “WP Sitecare” over a decade ago, pioneering the “care plan” as it’s known today. Southern Web acquired WP Sitecare roughly 4 years ago, and firmly planted on Sitecare as the longterm brand name.
The duo discussed simplifying your client offerings to not only streamline the delivery of projects, but to also maximize your profit potential in the back of the house.
The second half of the show is joined by Gravity Forms Content Marketing Lead, Megan Jones, to discuss her takeaways from WordCamp Europe where she spent some time with the team connecting with the WordPress community.
Top takeaways for WordPress professionals:
* WordPress 6.6 is set to release soon, featuring updates to the admin UI, grid layout improvements, and synced pattern overrides.
* Gravity SMTP released version 1.1.0 with new integrations (Microsoft, Google) and the ability to set primary and backup connections.
* Gravity SMTP version 1.2.0 added re-send email functionality and migration from WP Mail SMTP.
* Site Care offers a 10% flat rate referral program for agencies partnering with them for WordPress maintenance services.
* Gravity Forms is widely used for various purposes, including spam moderation, simple checkouts, and complex systems like classifieds.
* Gravity Forms integrations (e.g., HubSpot, Salesforce) can help agencies target higher-tier clients with more complex needs.
* WordCamp Europe in Turin was well-attended and considered a success by attendees.
* There's a push to revive WordCamp London, with local meetups gaining traction.
* WordPress event organizers may need to consider how to attract and cater to newer WordPress users at major events.
Important URLs mentioned in the episode:
If you’re listening to this on your way to WordCamp Europe, or you’re just watching the livestreams from the comfort of your home, I wanted to let you know that our team is back supporting yet another WordCamp.
Find us in our booth located in the Sponsors section of the venue and say “hi!”
There’s lots to learn about Gravity Forms’ latest add-ons, features, new products like Gravity SMTP and what that means to you and your WordPress business. Come check out a demo of Gravity Flow our systems automation product that helps customers automate actions after forms get submitted into your WordPress database.
Oh, we can’t forget our awesome new t-shirts — a whole new version is out! Customers say we have the best tee’s in the biz, come grab one before they’re all out!
We also are giving away some cool stuff in the booth including:
There’s one stipulation, you have to be present at the booth on Saturday the 15th at 215PM where we’ll announce the winners. If you’re not there, you won’t be able to grab your prize.
It’s come to the attention of the WordPress Community that attendance for new participants at WordPress events are down.
Obviously COVID and the a global pandemic shifted how events are accepted throughout the world, and while we’ve seen a bounce back in participation, it isn’t nearly as high as it once was.
So I wanted to take a moment to share my experiences with WordCamps and advocate for you to attend the next one in your area. By the way, the next major WordCamp I’ll be at, along with the team from Gravity Forms is WordCamp US in Portland Oregon on September 17th - 20th.
Here are my top 3 reasons for attending a WordCamp:
One: The best bang for your buck event in our space
Even with the price point of major WordCamp tickets rising to the $50 level, and general WordCamps hovering around $30 for access — you simply can’t beat this deal.
Another hot event I know many other WordPressers attending, Cloudfest, comes with a general admission price tag of around $525 US dollars for standard access, which ramp up to well over $2,000 if you want access to everything.
When you match the low cost of access to the high value of being in a venue filed with other WordPress users to talk, train, and collaborate with — that $30-50 is going a long way to helping you with your WordPress business or acumen.
Two: All things WordPress
Even if you’re not running a WordPress business, but you’re part of a team tasked with maintaining a WordPress site, WordCamps are a fantastic place to have that aha! Moment.
When I started attending and speaking at WordCamps around 2015, it was the place to learn the software.
Heck, maybe the only place aside from WordPress.org.
Tutorials and blog posts were no where near as accessible as they are today. And as a content creator, there’s nothing more I want than someone listening to my podcast or watching my videos, but that in-person learning is much more magical.
At WordCamps you can show up and learn more about using the software, attend a hyper specific talk ranging from how to blog with our favorite CMS or learn the latest and greatest development standards.
There’s a healthy mix of content available to help elevate your WordPress game!
Three: Community
At the end of the day one of the most valuable aspects of WordPress the software, is the community behind it.
If you’re new to WordPress and WordCamps, getting into the community should be a welcoming experience. Simply being with others on the early start of their WordPress journey can help you break the ice and feel less stressed — as if you’re the only one missing the bigger picture.
As time marches on and you become more involved in the community, you enter the next phase where connections with others can ramp up your professional life within WordPress.
That could be finding other freelancers or agencies to parter with, finding a full-time job in the space, or making connections with potential customers. WordPress has a massive footprint across many digital businesses, sometimes you’ll find WordPress living in the most unique environments — not just a blog or marketing website.
Being involved in any of these phases helps WordPress thrive.
At first you’re a little lost, then you meet your tribe, fully grasping what open source WordPress can for you and for others. A year later, you too are advocating for your friends and colleagues to take part in their local WordCamp too.
Heck, maybe you even apply to speak at your first WordCamp. But, that’s a topic for another podcast.
If you’re interested in learning more about WordCamps and where the next one is in your area, head to wordcamp.org and join the mailing list.
WordCamp Central will list out all upcoming events, and if there’s not one in your area, you can reach out to the organizing team to see if there’s opportunity to start one in your city. At the very least, you could start with a local meetup to get the ball rolling.
WordCamps are one of the best places to experience WordPress and truly grasp the value of open source within this thriving digital landscape.
It’s why we at Rocketgenius and our family of products continue to support them every year. We hope to see you in our booth in Torino this weekend and in Portland Oregon at WordCamp US this September.
