🇺🇸 WordCamp Rochester 2023

I’ve almost always worked for someone. Contracts mostly, but I’ve always thrived in this environment. When the pandemic hit, I found myself running my own company. I felt like I was drowning, thinking about all the pieces that had to go into this. I was running thin.

In our environment today, there are a number of freelancers and it is touted as the best way to work in WordPress by many. But what about those of us that don’t? We aren’t all made out to be freelancers and that’s okay! It’s not for everyone and I’m going to give you some pointers that might help you determine if you are right for not being a freelancer.

We’ll take a look at multiple ways to use ChatGPT and BARD to speed up your WordPress builds, from using it to give you content that looks better than “Lorem Ipsum” to helping you with your CSS and coding. Then we’ll take a look at AI generated images, and how to structure prompts to get both images and background images. Lastly, we’ll look at a few other AI tools that might help you speed up your website workflow.

Have you ever wondered why your sales page doesn’t convert to sales? It’s probably because of a little known secret that marketers call “it sucks”. In this session, Nick is going to share some of the most common mistakes that people make with their sales pages and offer simple solutions and tips for a page that really converts.

Join Michelle Frechette as she leads the conversation about what the Open Source Community means to three different members of the community. Where have we come from? How do we navigate where we are? What does the future hold? And how do we define success as both individuals and as a global community?

And what does this mean for WordPress?

In our increasingly digital world, remote work has become a mainstay, especially in the dynamic and fast-paced WordPress domain. Whether you’re a coder, a content writer, or anywhere in-between, maintaining mental health while working remotely can be a unique challenge. Join Matt, someone who’s spent many years in the WordPress space, as he delves deep into personal experiences, learnings, and insights garnered over 5 years of remote work while navigating the complexities of mental health.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, goes the Chinese proverb. This is to be true when you want to become a WordPress developer. You have to begin somehow.

In this session, we will discuss the things you need to know, in order to become a WordPress developer. From specific parts of WordPress from a coding perspective, to technologies to acronyms that you need to learn along the way.

We may code. We may not. The important takeaway is that you understand the concepts so you can go on your own and thrive.

Your site has been running on auto-pilot for years. Its theme has been retired, the site looks dated, and it’s impossible to navigate on mobile. You want to switch the theme… but new themes use excerpts, featured images, and blocks, none of which your old posts do. Never fear — with the tools and strategies outlined in this talk, you can quickly and easily give your old content everything it needs to look modern and slick.

Newsletters have made a resurgence in the past few years, thanks in large part to renewed focus on reaching subscribers outside of social media, and a slew of new tools that make it easier than ever to get started.

In the past there were fewer options for building your own newsletters. Platforms like Constant Contact and Mailchimp have been around for a long time for business, but newer tools like Substack and Revue have been getting a lot of attention for empowering writers. And if you want to make newsletters in WordPress along with the rest of your website, there are some great tools available for that as well.

You’ve heard the advice to start your own email list countless times, but what do you do after collecting emails? How do you ask for them ethically in the first place? What type of content should you be sharing to your mailing list and how often?

I’ve written newsletters for myself and clients for years on a variety of platforms. I currently write for personal enrichment, as well as to promote business offerings. I think that anyone who has something that interests themselves to write about has something of interest to share.

In this presentation I’d like to share with you:

– Why you might want to start a newsletter
– What you should write about
– How to setup a WordPress based newsletter
– Where to find subscribers
– When to send your newsletter
– Who to talk to about building it up

WordPress 6.4 is targeted to be released in early November 2023, and should be full of a plethora of exciting new features and enhancements. Let’s dive in and explore the first Beta of WordPress 6.4 and all that it has to offer.

Join us to discuss the immense potential of AI technology and reveal how you can reshape your relationship with WordPress to make the most of this powerful new tool.

The talk will discuss plugins and add-ons, as well as popular websites and how to integrate time-saving techniques into your blog.

In the ever changing world of technology, understanding your users isn’t just a strategy; it’s a vital ingredient for growth and relevance. With over 8 years of WordPress expertise, Amanda brings forth a wealth of knowledge in transforming user feedback into tangible product enhancements through the lens of Customer Success.

Amanda’s perspective extends beyond conventional customer interactions. With a profound emphasis on empathy and connection, she has mastered the art of listening to user voices, translating their needs, and collaborating across teams to sculpt innovative solutions.

From uncovering pain points to seizing opportunities, Amanda will guide you through the process of transforming raw feedback into a catalyst for innovation. Drawing from her vast experience working with nonprofits and diverse businesses, she’ll showcase real-world examples of how strategic customer insights can breathe new life into WordPress products.

This session is a must-attend for WordPress enthusiasts, developers, marketers, and entrepreneurs seeking to harness the power of user-centric innovation. Discover how to turn feedback into the driving force behind the evolution of WordPress offerings, and leave with actionable insights to revolutionize your approach to product enhancement.

Are you ready to embark on a journey of innovation fueled by user voices? Join Amanda Gorman and StellarWP in this enlightening talk that promises to reshape your perspective on the intersection of customer success and WordPress innovation.

I could do either of these, depending on which sounds more engaging and/or where you want to add more specific content:

That age-old question: Should designers know how to code? While the answer is still a subject of hot debate, pursuing a “no-code” development approach has been my main focus since I’ve been working with WordPress’ default block editor, AKA Gutenberg.

In this talk, I’ll share my experiences and provide insights that will help others who are new to Gutenberg, or considering it as their primary tool for building sites. The audience will be better prepared to make workflow decisions crucial to their productivity.

At the heart of the WordPress code base sits the API responsible for it’s incredible flexibility: the Hooks API. Action and Filter hooks can be used to execute additional code or modify values at specific points in the lifecycle of a request in a safe and future proof way, preventing a number of headaches down the road.

Come learn about this API and how to make use of it in your own projects, plugins, and themes. Your future self will thank you!

In this talk, we’ll delve into the principles and practical applications of using Page Builders to create stunning websites and the pros and cons of various popular tools.

Page Builders have revolutionized the way we design and build websites, offering users a drag-and-drop interface that simplifies the process of crafting visually captivating web pages. However, with a myriad of options available, it can be challenging to navigate the landscape and find the right fit for your projects.

Ron will guide you through an in-depth comparison of notable Page Builders like Divi, Elementor, Beaver Builder, and the native WordPress block editor. Discover their unique features, strengths, and limitations, as well as practical use cases for each.

Learn how Page Builders can help you streamline your workflow and enhance your design capabilities, empowering you to create pixel-perfect layouts without extensive coding knowledge. We’ll also address potential downsides and challenges associated with certain Page Builders, ensuring you make informed decisions for your specific projects.

Whether you’re a WordPress enthusiast, developer, or business owner, this talk will provide you with valuable insights to make the most out of Page Builders for your website development needs. Come prepared to explore the good, the bad, and the ugly of Page Builders and leave with actionable takeaways to elevate your WordPress projects.

Don’t miss this opportunity to unlock the full potential of Page Builders and revolutionize the way you build and design in WordPress. Secure your spot and join us for an engaging session packed with practical knowledge and real-world examples.

Join us for a welcome from our organizing team followed by opening remarks from Senator Jeremy A. Cooney as he welcomes WordCamp to Rochester.

The essence of any community lies in its diversity, its ability to embrace different perspectives, and its commitment to inclusivity. The WordPress ecosystem is no exception.

In this talk, we will delve deep into the myriad ways the WordPress community thrives by welcoming individuals from all over the world. Through stories and examples, attendees will discover the immeasurable value that comes from extending compassion, fostering open communication, and ensuring that every member feels at home. Just as charity begins at home, so does the strength of a community.

Join me as we explore the power of unity in diversity and discuss actionable steps to make the WordPress community even more welcoming, supportive, and united.