On the weekend, I went to my first WordCamp on the Sunshine Coast.
It’s my First WordCamp Experience!
WordCamp promised to take my WordPress skills to the next level … and it was only fifty bucks for a two day conference. I wanted to find out more, even though the event was on the Mother’s Day weekend (turns out that didn’t matter anyway, both my kids were working!).
Now perhaps you are wondering: what is WordPress? Well, this here blog has been built on it π .
But more than that – it is quite possibly the easiest, most powerful and popular blogging/website builder in the world today.
In addition to my blog, I use WordPress everyday with my work at Front Page Web Writing.
Heading to my first WordCamp, I wasn’t sure what to expect, and was a bit worried it would be way over my head. But having browsed the program, I felt confident there were quite a few sessions that I could benefit from. Turns out I was right!
What I Learned at My First WordCamp
There is so much info spinning round in my head, and so many notes on my iPad! Sometimes it’s just good to be exposed to new stuff, and to find out the things you didn’t know you didn’t know, if that makes sense. For example:
- I need to investigate a number of plugins, apps or tools – Stream, Zapier, Schema, Facebook Instant Articles – and websites, like www.answerthepublic.com.
Slide from The Freelancer’s Toolbox by Rob Stinson
- The importance of determining your audience/target market by research (and not just imagining!), and how creating brief characterisations of each, or maybe even a visual board on Pinterest can assist in that process. That way, I can market to my ideal client and repel the ones I don’t want!
- How to create an email newsletter in 17 minutes!
- How to attract and grow an audience using a specific Facebook advertising strategy.
My Favourite Sessions
I got something out of every session, even the odd one full of tech stuff and geek-speak (aimed more at developers, than users like me). But these were my favourite sessions:
- How We Disrupted the Way the Industry Makes Websites – Yvette Adams. Yvette has a truly inspirational and amazing story (she is a serial entrepreneur, having launched her first business at the tender age of 17), and gave lots of practical tips on how I can streamline the process when it comes to creating websites for clients.
- Finding Your Online Voice – Talia Carbis. I’m pretty happy with how my online voice has developed over the past three years, but loved the topic so much I just had to attend. And I *did* pick up some great new tips!
Talia Carbis talking about how to find your online voice
- How to Create an Email Newsletter in Just 17 Minutes – Nik Cree. Although I probably won’t use the exact process Nik shared, I gleaned lots of useful information which I am looking forward to utilising both here on my blog, and with various clients.
Nik in action
- How To Speed Up Your Website – Luke Humble. After Luke’s talk, I tested my website and discovered it takes several seconds to load – long enough to make a casual visitor click away! Now I just need to put all the tools he recommended, in place, so I can improve it.
But the best part about my first WordCamp (and I suspect any conference)? The networking! I met some lovely people, including some I will definitely be referring to in future with WordPress queries, design etc; while others were happy to meet a professional SEO copywriter (that’d be me!) for the same reason.
In fact, to prove how valuable networking can be – I nearly skipped the final session on Saturday as I was pretty exhausted. But I’m so glad I stayed, because it was at that session I met Tan from the Aussie Bloggers Podcast, and she is keen to have me on an upcoming program! π
All this to say, it may have been my first WordCamp, but I’m pretty sure it won’t be my last!
Are you a WordPress fan? What was the last conference you attended?
Kathy Marris says
Yes I use WordPress and find it very user friendly. That would have been a great workshop to attend, although I wouldn’t have been able to attend on Sunday. There is so much we can learn and so little time to implement all the latest in technology. Sometimes I feel like my head is in a spin!
Janet Camilleri says
Around 200 people attended – some of the people I spoke to only came for one day, but with a price like that, it didn’t matter!
Ingrid @ Fabulous and Fun Life says
What a worthwhile course! You’ve motivated me to look into what blogging courses they have in my area that I could attend.
Janet Camilleri says
Ingrid, I was surprised there weren’t more bloggers there. I only met one or two!
Min@WriteoftheMiddle says
Sounds like a very interesting conference Janet. Bonus that it was affordable! There is LOTS I need to learn about WordPress and loads of other stuff – the learning never ends! lol The last conference I went to was Problogger last year. I’m not going this year.
Janet Camilleri says
Oh shame – coz having missed PBEvent last year, I decided that I couldn’t miss out 2 years in a row!
Bec @ The Plumbette says
I’ve never heard about this conference but it sounds really worthwhile! I wouldn’t mind knowing some of the stuff you learned. X
Janet Camilleri says
I’d never heard of it before either Bec but apparently WordCamps are a “thing” and I’m sure you will find there is another one in our neck of the woods within the next 12 months.
Haidee@Maybe Baby Brothers says
I’m a huge WordPress fan! I was on Blogger for years with my first blog and OMG, WordPress is a million times easier to use and it looks better too, more streamlined. That sounds like an interesting conference. #TeamIBOT
Janet Camilleri says
I’ve never used Blogger but from what I hear, WordPress is the best π
Renee Wilson says
Sounds like a fab little conference, Janet. And such a bargain too.
Janet Camilleri says
I know right! There is a really great WordPress community, which I love. Just like the blogging community π . And some great sponsors helped to keep the cost so low.
Bec @ Seeing the Lighter Side says
Oh wow! $50 for 2 days of WP! Where do I sign me up for a Melbourne course? I really need to get on top of those FB Instant Articles too. Sigh. Thanks for the wrap up.
Janet Camilleri says
There’s one in Sydney in September; you can go to https://central.wordcamp.org/schedule/ to find out about upcoming WordCamps, or to sign up to be updated π
Kathie Thomas says
Gee, I’d be keen on one in Melbourne too – preferably on dates I’m available!
Janet Camilleri says
Sorry, none planned for Melbourne at this point. Maybe you could organise one?!!!
EssentiallyJess says
That sounds great! I hope you’ll share some of your tips with us. I’m keen to know how to speed my website up.
Janet Camilleri says
Hi Jess, I definitely want to share some more. Just can’t decide whether to have the posts here, or on my business website! What do you think?
Kirsty @ My Home Truths says
I hope you can write some more articles about what you learned there – for instance the best plugins they recommend, etc. Sounds like a very worthwhile networking and learning even for you Janet!
Janet Camilleri says
Noted π . Just can’t decide whether to share them here or on my business website … decisions, decisions …
Yvette says
Chuffed you enjoyed my session! I only wish I could have spent more time at the conference. I had been on the road with speaking gigs for two weeks and was desperate for some time with my family. Eagerly awaiting video recordings to come out! Stay in touch!
Janet Camilleri says
It was awesome – thanks Yvette!
Luke says
Glad you enjoyed WordCamp!
Janet Camilleri says
It was awesome!
Sarah @sarahdipity says
I didn’t even know there was such a thing as wordcamp! Sounds like it would be a really interesting and useful conference to go to.
Janet Camilleri says
Me either Sarah, until about 2 weeks ago when I saw this one pop up on my Facebook feed. They are held all over the world – you can check out the schedule here for one near you: https://central.wordcamp.org/schedule/.
Melinda says
I wish I’d known about this! I’ve been blogging for just over a year and whilst I love it, I recognise that I need a hand with getting my blog out there (just Mum and a few FB readers at the moment)… Sounds like it was really worthwhile. Thanks for sharing!
Janet Camilleri says
I only found out about it 2 weeks ago myself, when it popped up on my Facebook feed. You can keep an eye out to see if there are any coming to your area, here: https://central.wordcamp.org/schedule/
Ashlea | Glamour Coastal Living | says
I am on Blogger and need to get over to WordPress I think – I have been putting it off though, It is a big move! Looks like a wonderful weekend! x
Janet Camilleri says
I’ve never used Blogger but I do see a lot of bloggers making the leap. I think it pays to get professional help, like my mate Anne at http://www.domesblissity.com did.
Lyndall @ SeizeTheDayProject says
I use WordPress just about every day too Janet – love it! I’d also be interested in attending a WordCamp in SEQ! I LOVE AskThePublic too – an awesome tool.
Janet Camilleri says
There’s one coming up in Sydney in September … if we’re lucky we might get another one in SEQ next year!
Leonie Easterbrook says
What theme are you using for this blog?
Janet Camilleri says
Hi Leonie, I’m using a StudioPress theme called the Daily Dish, which I have tweaked a bit π
Vanessa says
Ah, this was smack bang in the middle of my busy period at work…I decided not to go because I needed the downtime!
I’ve heard of zapier thanks to some online commerce tools I used, but feel it’s a bit more than anything I need right now.
The ideal client by research is one that bugs me – so many people put it as “just think about them”…that’s not helpful. Actual research is, though I must admit I haven’t exactly done that…
It looks like it was a good conference – if it’s held nearby again I’m going to go!
Janet Camilleri says
Yes definitely worthwhile and I’m sure there will be more near us in the future. I’m only just going through my notes now though – have been too busy til now! Looking forward to playing with some new plugins etc. π