WordPress Market Opportunities: Upmarket Edition Post Status Podcasts podcast

47:14

In this episode of the Post Status Happiness Hour, host Michelle Frechette interviews Roger Williams from Kinsta. Who serves as the Partnerships and Community Manager for North America. They discuss various topics including the WordPress community, Kinsta's new affiliate program, and their global sponsorship of WordCamps. The episode also highlights the creation of collaborative music playlists within the Post Status Slack community and the importance of concise, engaging content. Additionally, the guest shares insights on supporting WordPress contributors and the launch of Kinsta's new automatic updates feature for themes and plugins. Top Takeaways: The Importance of Thorough Testing in Software Development and Releases: Michelle emphasized the critical role of testing and feedback during the release cycle of WordPress 6.8, particularly as they approach its official launch. Despite having a dedicated testing community, the need for more testers is constant to ensure compatibility with a wide range of plugins and themes. The takeaway is that comprehensive testing is vital for minimizing issues at launch, and encouraging more community involvement can help ensure smoother releases. The Value of Consistent Community Contribution and Support for Open Source Projects: Roger highlighted the importance of documentation in open-source projects like WordPress, noting that it's often underappreciated until something goes wrong. He also spoke about Kinsta’s involvement in supporting the community through contributions, such as sponsoring WordCamp and supporting documentation initiatives. The takeaway is that consistent, behind-the-scenes contributions, like documentation and community support, are crucial for the sustainability and success of open-source projects, even though they are often taken for granted. Kinsta’s Automatic Updates Feature Enhances Site Reliability: Roger introduced Kinsta’s new Automatic Updates feature, which ensures WordPress sites remain updated while minimizing risks. The system takes a before-and-after screenshot during updates and automatically reverts changes if visual differences are detected, helping prevent website issues that could impact business operations. Mentioned In The Show: Kinsta Linux container project LinkedIn WordCamp US Sevalla Cloudflare Enterprise StackOverflow Meetup.com WordPress Foundation EsoTerra Cidery Kinsta Automatic Updates 🙏 Sponsor: WordPress.com Build and manage professional sites with secure managed hosting on WordPress.com. Beautiful themes, built-in SEO, and payment tools, and access to over 50,000 plugins. Everything you need for your business, plus 24/7 support from WordPress experts. 🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on Twitter: Roger Williams (Community Manager, Kinsta ) Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status ) Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status ) The Post Status podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝 Browse our archives , and don’t forget to subscribe via iTunes , Google Podcasts , YouTube , Stitcher , Simplecast , or RSS . 🎧…

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Post Status Happiness Hour | Session Twenty Three 44:53

4 days ago44:53

44:53

In this episode of the Post Status Happiness Hour, host Michelle Frechette interviews Cami MacNamara a seasoned web designer and solopreneur. Cami shares insights into her business, Web Cam LLC, and her new initiative, "Web Designer Habits," which aims to help web designers develop productive habits. They discuss the importance of accountability, time management techniques like time blocking and the Pomodoro technique, and the benefits of joining online and local networking groups. The episode also teases a collaborative project between Michelle and Cammy involving a planner designed to support web designers in maintaining their habits. Top Takeaways: Small Changes Lead to Big Improvements – Cami emphasized the power of incremental progress, whether in business, design, or personal productivity. Tackling tasks in small steps can make overwhelming projects more manageable and sustainable. Be Prepared for the Unexpected – Michelle shared practical travel and everyday preparedness tips, from keeping essential items in the car to ensuring that your luggage complies with airline regulations. Thinking ahead can save time, stress, and even money. Documenting Processes is Key – The discussion touched on the importance of writing down systems and workflows, especially for solopreneurs. Whether through standard operating procedures (SOPs) or simple notes, having a record helps maintain efficiency and organization. Community and Support Matter – Both Michelle and Cami highlighted the value of connection in professional spaces, particularly within the WordPress and web design communities. Engaging with peers through newsletters, Facebook groups, and live discussions fosters learning, growth, and mutual encouragement. Mentioned In The Show: Web Cami, LLC webdesignerhabits.com StreamYard WebCamiCafe GoDaddy Shein Pomodoro Technique WordPress TV Managed WP Admin Bar Beaver Builder Calendly WPCoffeeTalk 🙏 Sponsor: A2Hosting A2 Hosting offers solutions for WordPress and WooCommerce that are both blazing fast and ultra-reliable. WordPress can be used on ANY Web Hosting plan from A2. You can deploy WordPress easily on Shared, VPS, or Dedicated Hosting plans. A2 also offers Managed WordPress and WooCommerce Hosting. Take a look at a2hosting.com today! 🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on Twitter: Cami MacNamara (Owner & Designer, WebCami LLC ) Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status ) Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status ) The Post Status podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝 Browse our archives , and don’t forget to subscribe via iTunes , Google Podcasts , YouTube , Stitcher , Simplecast , or RSS . 🎧…

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Post Status Happiness Hour | Session Twenty Two 57:12

15 days ago57:12

57:12

In this episode of the Post Status Happiness Hour, host Michelle Frechette interviews Gen Herres from Easy A11y Guide to discuss web accessibility. Jen shares her background as a developer and her journey in understanding and implementing accessibility standards. She emphasizes the importance of simplifying complex accessibility concepts for clients and offers strategies for agencies to sell accessibility services. Jen introduces a five-day challenge to help agencies qualify potential clients and sell their first accessibility package. The conversation highlights the significance of making websites accessible to a broader audience and the various reasons why accessibility is essential for businesses. Top Takeaways: Accessibility Doesn’t Have to Be Scary: Many people find web accessibility intimidating, but experts like Gen Herres help simplify the process. There are resources available to make accessibility more approachable. Planning for Accessibility Takes Time: Implementing accessibility properly requires time for strategy, testing, and client approvals. Starting now helps businesses integrate it seamlessly into their workflow instead of rushing later. Accessibility Can Help Generate More Revenue: Learning how to sell accessibility services effectively can help web professionals increase their income by offering more value to clients. Mentioned In The Show: Easy A11y Guide WCAG Mozilla 17 Hats Equalize Digital Wacom New York E-Z Pass Apple VoiceOver Deque JAWS Cloudflare WPAccessibility.day Cami MacNamara 5-Day Accessibility Selling Challenge Agency Accessibility System Guidebook for Accessibility at Your Agency 🙏 Sponsor: WordPress.com Build and manage professional sites with secure managed hosting on WordPress.com. Beautiful themes, built-in SEO, and payment tools, and access to over 50,000 plugins. Everything you need for your business, plus 24/7 support from WordPress experts. 🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on Twitter: Gen Herres (Web Accessibility Specialist, Easy A11y Guide ) Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status ) Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status ) The Post Status podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝 Browse our archives , and don’t forget to subscribe via iTunes , Google Podcasts , YouTube , Stitcher , Simplecast , or RSS . 🎧…

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Post Status Get Hired Podcast 2025, Episode 2 45:00

7 weeks ago45:00

45:00

In this special edition of the "Get Hired" podcast, the hosts, including Nicky Bulmer , co-host Misty Combs , and guest Michelle Frechette , answer listener-submitted questions on job seeking. They discuss how to address job hopping by providing context on resumes, the pros and cons of functional versus chronological resume formats, and strategies for explaining employment gaps. The episode also covers handling common interview questions, the importance of being honest about salary expectations, and the role of social media in hiring. The speakers offer practical advice to empower job seekers in their application process Top Takeaways: Job Interviews Are a Two-Way Street: Candidates should ask insightful questions, such as how salary ranges are determined and what differentiates top earners from lower earners.It’s important for job seekers to showcase their skills and experience even if the interviewer doesn’t directly ask about them. Thinking Beyond Standard Questions: Candidates should anticipate questions beyond their resumes and prepare to discuss communication tools, remote work habits, and problem-solving approaches. Tailor Your Resume to the Job You're Applying For: It’s important to customize your resume for each job application. Highlight relevant skills, experiences, and achievements that directly relate to the position. A generic resume may not stand out as much, while one that speaks to the specific needs of the company and role shows that you've taken the time to understand what they’re looking for, making you a more appealing candidate Mentioned In The Show: Liquid Web Get Hired Podcast 🙏 Sponsor: Omnisend All-in-one marketing for WordPress - From popups to email & SMS, automation & more, Omnisend helps you turn first-time visitors into lifelong subscribers. Spend less on ads, connect more with your audience. 🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on Twitter: Misty Combs (Human Resource Director, Liquid Web) Nicky Bulmer (Technical Hiring Coordinator, Liquid Web) Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status ) Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status ) The Post Status podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝…

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Post Status Happiness Hour | Session Twenty One 45:50

7 weeks ago45:50

45:50

In this episode of the Post Status Happiness Hour, host Michelle Frechette interviews Jono Alderson , an independent technical SEO consultant and WordPress advocate. Jono shares his journey of creating and submitting his first plugin to the WordPress repository, focusing on image optimization for website performance. They discuss the complexities of managing multiple image sizes in WordPress and how Jono's plugin generates images on-the-fly using services like Cloudflare, reducing server load and improving performance. The conversation also covers the environmental impact of web hosting, Jono's background, and his experience with AI-assisted coding. Top Takeaways: Image Optimization Plugin for WordPress:Jono Alderson’s plugin focuses on solving WordPress image optimization issues by addressing the inefficiencies in how images are handled. WordPress often generates unnecessary image sizes, which leads to slower load times and inefficient storage use. His plugin dynamically generates the appropriately sized images for each device, improving both website performance and storage efficiency. By eliminating the need for WordPress to create multiple versions of images, the plugin optimizes the backend and frontend performance of a website. Environmental Impact of Image Management: The discussion highlights the environmental impact of inefficient image management. Storing and serving large or redundant images increases the carbon footprint due to the energy used in data centers and transmission networks. Optimizing images and reducing excess storage can help lower this impact, making even small changes in image management significant for sustainability. Jono Alderson’s Plugin Submission Experience: Jono Alderson shared his experience submitting a plugin to WordPress, noting initial nervousness due to his self-taught background. After carefully following guidelines, the submission went smoothly, with only minor issues to address. Once live, Jono quickly fixed bugs and found updating easier with practice. Mentioned In The Show: Yoast Cloudflare WooCommerce Gravity Forms Slack WhatsApp Facebook Google Discover Fortnite Hello Beautiful GitHub Cursor JonoAlderson.com 🙏 Sponsor: A2Hosting A2 Hosting offers solutions for WordPress and WooCommerce that are both blazing fast and ultra-reliable. WordPress can be used on ANY Web Hosting plan from A2. You can deploy WordPress easily on Shared, VPS, or Dedicated Hosting plans. A2 also offers Managed WordPress and WooCommerce Hosting. Take a look at a2hosting.com today! 🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on Twitter: Jono Alderson (Founder, Edge Images ) Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status ) Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status ) The Post Status podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝 Browse our archives , and don’t forget to subscribe via iTunes , Google Podcasts , YouTube , Stitcher , Simplecast , or RSS . 🎧…

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Post Status Cache Up With Mary Hubbard 43:48

8 weeks ago43:48

43:48

In this podcast episode, host Michelle Frechette interviews Mary Hubbard , the newly appointed Executive Director of WordPress. They discuss Mary’s professional journey, including her roles at Automattic and TikTok, and her recent move to the Pacific Northwest. The conversation covers her experiences with e-commerce, technology, and parenting. Mary shares her excitement about the WordPress community and her vision for its future. The episode also touches on the evolution of technology, the importance of adaptability, and personal anecdotes, creating a lively and insightful dialogue about leadership and innovation in the tech world. Top Takeaways The Power of Context in Leadership: Mary emphasizes the importance of understanding context in leadership and decision-making. By knowing the "why" behind decisions, team members can navigate challenges more effectively, even if they don't always agree with the direction. This context-sharing fosters trust and clarity, making everyday tasks easier and enabling better decision-making. Being a Supportive and Approachable Leader: Mary shows the value of being available and responsive to her team. She is proactive in offering help, as shown when she reached out to Michelle during the co-release coordinator role process. This type of outreach helps people feel seen and supported, contributing to a positive team dynamic. Being Comfortable with the Unknown and Seeking Help: Mary highlights that it's okay not to have all the answers. She encourages others to reach out when they don’t know something, emphasizing that asking questions is an important part of learning and improving. This openness to seeking help fosters a growth-oriented environment, where curiosity and learning are welcomed. Mentioned in the Show: TikTok Automattic WordPress WooCommerce WordPress.com TikTok shop eBay Motors Walmart Instagram Saved by the Bell StellarWP Built With Granola Roblox Kadence Mark Westergaard WS Form Zoom State of the Word Press Conf CloudFest DeLonghi Nespresso 🙏 Sponsor: WordPress.com Build and manage professional sites with secure managed hosting on WordPress.com. Beautiful themes, built-in SEO, and payment tools, and access to over 50,000 plugins. Everything you need for your business, plus 24/7 support from WordPress experts. 🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on Twitter: Mary Hubbard (Executive Director, WordPress, Automattic ) Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status ) Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status ) The Post Status podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝 Browse our archives , and don’t forget to subscribe via iTunes , Google Podcasts , YouTube , Stitcher , Simplecast , or RSS . 🎧…

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Post Status Cache Up With Tamara Niesen and Beau Lebens 37:07

8 weeks ago37:07

37:07

In this podcast episode, host Michelle Frechette and guests Tamara Niesen and Beau Lebens . They discuss WooCommerce's recent rebranding, emphasizing the distinction between "Woo" and "WooCommerce." Tamara highlights the importance of community and customer focus in their marketing strategy. Beau outlines the roadmap for WooCommerce, including improvements in core features, payment solutions, and shipping integrations. The episode underscores WooCommerce's commitment to evolving its platform to meet diverse business needs while maintaining strong community engagement and support. Top Takeaways Marketing Focus on Community-Driven Development: WooCommerce's marketing approach emphasizes listening to merchants and the community. By integrating feedback into product development, they ensure their solutions address real user needs. This transparency strengthens trust and engagement with the ecosystem. Collaboration and Ecosystem Strength Matter: WooCommerce sees the entire ecosystem as interconnected—whether it's developers, merchants, or marketers. By improving core functionality and providing better tools, they aim to ensure that all WooCommerce-based businesses thrive, as their success reflects on the entire platform. Community Feedback is Essential: WooCommerce’s marketing and product teams are committed to keeping the feedback loop open. They encourage users and developers to share their thoughts on new features, usability, and how the company can better support merchants and builders in the ecosystem. Mentioned in the Show: Woo Automattic StellarWP Iconic Orderable Somewhere Warm Elementor Kadence 🙏 Sponsor: A2Hosting A2 Hosting offers solutions for WordPress and WooCommerce that are both blazing fast and ultra-reliable. WordPress can be used on ANY Web Hosting plan from A2. You can deploy WordPress easily on Shared, VPS, or Dedicated Hosting plans. A2 also offers Managed WordPress and WooCommerce Hosting. Take a look at a2hosting.com today! 🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on socials: Tamara Niesen (CMO, WooCommerce ) Beau Lebens (Artistic Director, WooCommerce ) Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status ) Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status ) The Post Status podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝 Browse our archives , and don’t forget to subscribe via iTunes , Google Podcasts , YouTube , Stitcher , Simplecast , or RSS . 🎧…

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Post Status Get Hired Podcast With Guest Tatiane Pires 45:57

8 weeks ago45:57

45:57

In this episode of the "Get Hired" podcast, host Nicky Bulmer and co-host Michelle Frechette interview Tatiane, an experienced WordPress developer. Tatiane shares her journey in WordPress development, emphasizing her skills in creating and customizing themes and plugins. The discussion covers Tatiane’s approach to handling feedback, collaborating with teams, and optimizing WordPress sites. Nicky and Michelle provide Tatiane with resume and interview tips, highlighting the importance of clear communication and showcasing both technical and soft skills. The episode concludes with practical advice for job seekers, reinforcing the podcast’s mission to enhance job application materials and interview skills. Top Takeaways: Cover Letters Should Be Concise & Tailored – A strong cover letter shouldn’t just repeat the resume. Instead, it should highlight why your skills and experience are a great fit for the specific role and company. Less is often more—focusing on one key project or skill that directly relates to the job can make a stronger impact than listing everything. Confidence & Clarity Matter in Interviews – Candidates should confidently communicate their skills, especially when discussing technical expertise. Using specific language, such as naming programming languages or frameworks, helps interviewers understand the depth of knowledge. Additionally, if an interviewer has an accent or uses unfamiliar words, repeating for clarification or asking them to rephrase is a good strategy. Continuous Improvement & Adaptability Lead to Success – Surrounding yourself with the language, culture, and best practices of your industry (as Tatiane did with English) makes growth easier. Being open to feedback, refining application materials, and improving communication skills over time can significantly increase job prospects. Mentioned In The Show: The Events Calendar Liquid Web Dungeons and Dragons GitHub WPIncludes.me 🙏 Sponsor: Omnisend All-in-one marketing for WordPress - From popups to email & SMS, automation & more, Omnisend helps you turn first-time visitors into lifelong subscribers. Spend less on ads, connect more with your audience. 🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on Twitter: Tatiane Pires (Founder and Software Developer, SmartCoding.dev ) Nicky Bulmer (Technical Hiring Coordinator, Liquid Web) Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status ) Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status ) The Post Status podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝 Browse our archives , and don’t forget to subscribe via iTunes , Google Podcasts , YouTube , Stitcher , Simplecast , or RSS . 🎧…

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Post Status Happiness Hour | Session Twenty 47:02

9 weeks ago47:02

47:02

In this episode of the Post Status Happiness Hour, host Michelle Frechette interviews Stephanie Hudson from StellarWP about Stellar Pay, a new payment gateway plugin for WordPress users. Stephanie, the Product Marketing Manager, discusses her background in web development and marketing. They explore Stellar Pay's features, including its integration with Stripe, subscription management, and no additional fees for essential features. They also address e-commerce challenges like shipping and taxes and future plans for Stellar Pay, including potential PayPal integration. Additionally, Stephanie teases the upcoming launch of Stellar Sites, a new website solution combining the best features of popular platforms with WordPress's power. Top Takeaways: Stellar Pay Simplifies E-Commerce: Stellar Pay is designed for those who either actively run e-commerce businesses or avoid it because they find it difficult. The tool aims to make the process easier and more accessible. Free and Easy to Get Started: Users can download Stellar Pay for free from the website. Signing up directly on the site comes with added benefits like onboarding tips and extra resources to help users get started. Stellar Pay Provides E-Commerce Tips: The team behind Stellar Pay offers a newsletter that provides useful insights and strategies for running an online store successfully. Michelle encouraged users to subscribe for ongoing guidance. Mentioned In The Show: StellarWP Stellar Pay Liquid Web Give WP The Event Calendar SolidWP Learndash Restrict Content Pro Devin Walker Stripe Joel Butler PayPal Poodle Press Ben Ritner WP Accessibility Day Solid Academy Jono Alderson 🙏 Sponsor: WordPress.com Build and manage professional sites with secure managed hosting on WordPress.com. Beautiful themes, built-in SEO, and payment tools, and access to over 50,000 plugins. Everything you need for your business, plus 24/7 support from WordPress experts. 🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on Twitter: Stephanie Hudson (Product Marketing Manager, StellarWP ) Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status ) Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status ) The Post Status podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝 Browse our archives , and don’t forget to subscribe via iTunes , Google Podcasts , YouTube , Stitcher , Simplecast , or RSS . 🎧…

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Post Status Cache Up With Marcus Burnette 35:37

9 weeks ago35:37

35:37

In this podcast episode, host Michelle Frechette and guest Marcus Burnette discuss the importance of contributing to the WordPress community. Michelle highlights updating WordPress.org profiles and the " Five for the Future " initiative. Marcus introduces his project, The WP World which connects WordPress users by aggregating profile information and event details. They explore features like business directories, user ratings, and privacy options. The episode emphasizes the value of community engagement, showcasing contributions, and leveraging tools like The WP World to foster connections and enhance the WordPress ecosystem. Top Takeaways: WP World Enhances WordPress Community Connections – WP World is a platform that helps WordPress professionals showcase their contributions, connect with others, and enhance their visibility in the WordPress ecosystem. It complements WordPress.org profiles by allowing users to add more details and interact with community members. Community Engagement is a Priority – Beyond just networking, WP World fosters deeper engagement through features like WP Speakers, interactive maps, and a focus on celebrating community members. The discussion highlighted the value of making meaningful connections in the WordPress space and how WP World serves as a tool to strengthen those relationships. WP World Encourages Contribution Tracking – The platform makes it easier for WordPress professionals to log and showcase their contributions within the ecosystem. By maintaining an updated profile, users can highlight their involvement in various WordPress-related projects, events, and communities. Mentioned In The Show: Five for the Future WP World wordpress.org Bluehost Bluehost Cloud GitHub Slack Gravatar StellarWP WP Speakers Hero Press Press Conf Stellar Spark 🙏 Sponsor: WordPress.com Build and manage professional sites with secure managed hosting on WordPress.com. Beautiful themes, built-in SEO, and payment tools, and access to over 50,000 plugins. Everything you need for your business, plus 24/7 support from WordPress experts. 🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on Twitter: Marcus Burnette (Founder, The WP World ) Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status ) Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status ) The Post Status podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝 Browse our archives , and don’t forget to subscribe via iTunes , Google Podcasts , YouTube , Stitcher , Simplecast , or RSS . 🎧…

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Post Status Get Hired Podcast With Guest Corey Maass 1:16:23

10 weeks ago1:16:23

1:16:23

In this episode of the "Get Hired" podcast, Nicky Bulmer and Misty Combs interview Corey Maass , a WordPress developer, discuss the hiring process for WordPress developers. Corey shares his extensive experience in WordPress development, emphasizing the importance of community, communication, and continuous improvement. The conversation covers optimizing WordPress sites, handling client feedback, and the significance of authenticity in interviews. Nicky and Misty provide feedback on Corey's resume and portfolio, highlighting the need for clarity and measurable achievements. The episode offers valuable insights into job seeking, negotiation, and presenting oneself effectively in the tech industry. Top Takeaways: The Importance of Staying True to Yourself in Job Searches: The panel emphasizes that not every job or company is a good fit for everyone. It's more important to be authentic and align with roles that reflect your values and personality rather than trying to conform to something you're not. However, desperation during challenging times can complicate this, making it harder to prioritize alignment over necessity. Every Job is a Learning Experience: Even if you accept a role that isn't ideal, you can use it as a stepping stone. Challenging or mismatched experiences still offer valuable lessons about what to look for (or avoid) in the future, help grow your skillset, and shape your career trajectory. Shifting Hiring Trends and Perceptions: The job market's expectations are constantly changing. For example, job-hopping is more accepted in tech compared to other industries, and long tenures at one company are sometimes viewed as stagnation. Different generations and industries value different qualities, making it crucial to stay adaptable and aware of trends in your field. Mentioned In The Show: Liquid Web Omnisend Corey Maass’ Portfolio 🙏 Sponsor: Omnisend All-in-one marketing for WordPress - From popups to email & SMS, automation & more, Omnisend helps you turn first-time visitors into lifelong subscribers. Spend less on ads, connect more with your audience. 🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on Twitter: Nicky Bulmer (Technical Hiring Coordinator, Liquid Web) Misty Combs (Human Resource Director, Liquid Web) Corey Maass (Founder, OMGIMG ) Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status ) The Post Status podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝 Browse our archives , and don’t forget to subscribe via iTunes , Google Podcasts , YouTube , Stitcher , Simplecast , or RSS . 🎧…

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Post Status Happiness Hour | Session Nineteen 32:02

10 weeks ago32:02

32:02

In this episode of the Post Status Happiness Hour, host Michelle Frechette interviews Taco Verdonschot from Progress Planner, a tool designed to gamify WordPress website maintenance. They highlight the tool's features, including its free and upcoming pro versions, and emphasize its role in making website upkeep engaging and fun. Taco announces a limited-time pre-launch sale, offering the planner at a discounted rate. They also discuss the importance of user feedback and community engagement, and preview upcoming content, including a discussion with Stephanie Hudson about Stellar Pay. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to try the Progress Planner. Top Takeaways: Gamification for Website Management: Progress Planner uses a gamified approach to motivate users to maintain and improve their websites. By assigning points for tasks like updating content, writing new posts, or fixing technical SEO issues, the plugin makes website management engaging and enjoyable. This concept mirrors successful apps like Duolingo, which transform routine tasks into rewarding challenges. Practical Features with Growth Potential: The plugin focuses on high-impact tasks that enhance website performance, such as setting up foundational site elements or optimizing content. It also plans to introduce integrations with third-party tools like JIRA and onboarding wizards, offering users more flexibility. Future features may include personalized task recommendations, progress tracking for agencies managing multiple sites, and expanded customization options, making it even more versatile. Community Feedback and Accessibility:User feedback is central to the development of Progress Planner. The team actively invites suggestions and critiques to refine the tool and better address user needs. Additionally, its pricing model—offering a pre-launch discount and a free tier—makes it accessible to a wide audience. With its colorful bird-themed branding, the plugin presents an approachable and motivating experience for website owners. Mentioned In The Show Progress Planner Joost van Valk Marieke van de Rakt Fitbit Duolingo WordCamp Asia Marcus Burnette TheWPWorld wordpress.org Gravatar WPSpeakers.com Hero Press Stephanie Hudson StellarWP StellarPay 🙏 Sponsor: A2Hosting A2 Hosting offers solutions for WordPress and WooCommerce that are both blazing fast and ultra-reliable. WordPress can be used on ANY Web Hosting plan from A2. You can deploy WordPress easily on Shared, VPS, or Dedicated Hosting plans. A2 also offers Managed WordPress and WooCommerce Hosting. Take a look at a2hosting.com today! 🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on Twitter: Taco Verdonschot (Founder, Progress Planner ) Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status ) Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status ) The Post Status podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝 Browse our archives , and don’t forget to subscribe via iTunes , Google Podcasts , YouTube , Stitcher , Simplecast , or RSS . 🎧…

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Post Status Happiness Hour | Session Eighteen 37:17

11 weeks ago37:17

37:17

In this episode of the Post Status Happiness Hour, host Michelle Frechette interviews Ian Stewart , a seasoned WordPress enthusiast and lead at WordPress.com. They discuss Ian's journey with WordPress since 2006 and his role at Automattic. The focus shifts to "Studio," a local development environment for WordPress. Ian highlights Studio's features, including ephemeral sites and an AI assistant, which simplify development and enhance learning. They also discuss the educational potential of Studio and its future developments. The episode underscores the importance of community feedback and continuous improvement in the WordPress ecosystem. Top Takeaways Focus on Data Liberation: Ian emphasizes the importance of making it easy for users to export data and move away from WordPress.com if they choose. This includes offering flexibility in database options and ensuring there are clear workflows for migrating data from Studio. Encouragement for Open-Source Contributions: Ian highlights that Studio is open-source and encourages users to contribute by reporting issues, suggesting features, or even forking the repository to experiment with new ideas. WordPress.com’s Growing Feature Set: Ian addresses the misconception that WordPress.com doesn’t support plugins or themes. He encourages users to explore the pro-level tools available on WordPress.com, such as Studio, which help users manage and customize their sites more effectively. Mentioned In The Show Blogger Drupal ThemeShaper.com Corey Miller Automattic WordPress.com Jamie Marsland Studio Steve Jobs WP Environment Docker Composer GitHub SQLite Suno AI Taco Verdo Progress Planner 🙏 Sponsor: WordPress.com Build and manage professional sites with secure managed hosting on WordPress.com. Beautiful themes, built-in SEO, and payment tools, and access to over 50,000 plugins. Everything you need for your business, plus 24/7 support from WordPress experts. 🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on Twitter: Ian Stewart (Lead, WordPress.com ) Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status ) Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status ) The Post Status podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝 Browse our archives , and don’t forget to subscribe via iTunes , Google Podcasts , YouTube , Stitcher , Simplecast , or RSS . 🎧…

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Post Status Cache Up With Bernard Meyer 28:06

11 weeks ago28:06

28:06

In this episode, Michelle Frechette chats with Bernard Mayer , the Senior Director of Communications and Creative at Omnisend . Bernard, based in Vilnius, Lithuania, shares his diverse background and insights into Omnisend's innovative marketing strategies, focusing on email and SMS marketing. The discussion highlights the importance of effective customer engagement and the significant impact of automated emails. Bernard also delves into his involvement with the WordPress community, particularly through WordCamps, and emphasizes the value of creativity and community in marketing. The episode concludes with excitement for the upcoming WordCamp Asia and its enriching experiences. Top Takeaways The Value of Organizing and Attending WordCamps: Both Bernard Meyer and Michelle Frechette emphasized the benefits of organizing and attending WordCamps. While it's a lot of hard work, the sense of accomplishment, networking opportunities, and camaraderie with other organizers make it a fulfilling experience. Bernard highlighted how it allows remote collaborators to meet in person, which adds an exciting dimension to professional relationships. Creative Marketing Through Humor and Engagement: Bernard discussed Omnisend’s approach to marketing, which involves using humor, music videos, mockumentaries, and playful storytelling. These creative strategies make their marketing campaigns memorable and engaging, showing that a bit of fun can effectively capture an audience's attention. The Accelerated Nature of Event Preparation: Both speakers noted how quickly time seems to pass when preparing for large events like WordCamp Asia. Bernard highlighted the rapid pace from early-year planning to the event date, while Michelle described it as a snowball effect that builds momentum. This reflects the importance of staying organized and proactive during event planning. Mentioned In The Show: Omnisend StellarWP Rytis Lauris WPCoffeeTalk WordCamp Asia WordCamp Germany WordCamp US Suno AI The PIC 🙏 Sponsor: A2Hosting A2 Hosting offers solutions for WordPress and WooCommerce that are both blazing fast and ultra-reliable. WordPress can be used on ANY Web Hosting plan from A2. You can deploy WordPress easily on Shared, VPS, or Dedicated Hosting plans. A2 also offers Managed WordPress and WooCommerce Hosting. Take a look at a2hosting.com today! 🐦 You can follow Post Status and our guests on Twitter: Bernard Mayer (Sr. Director of Communications & Creative, Omnisend ) Michelle Frechette (Director of Community Relations, Post Status ) Olivia Bisset (Intern, Post Status ) The Post Status podcast is geared toward WordPress professionals, with interviews, news, and deep analysis. 📝 Browse our archives , and don’t forget to subscribe via iTunes , Google Podcasts , YouTube , Stitcher , Simplecast , or RSS . 🎧…

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Post Status Happiness Hour | Session Seventeen 42:06

12 weeks ago42:06