5 Lessons I learned
As I posted on social media recently, I attend the Brisbane WordCamp – a two-day conference of all things WordPress related. As someone who has a website built on this platform and who works with clients who also utilise this platform, it looked like a great affordable (only $50 for two days!) opportunity to go along and increase my knowledge.
What is WordCamp?
WordCamp is a two-day community organised conference that focusses on everything WordPress. It covered topics to suit anyone from casual end-users through to advanced developers. And they reckon “it’ll be the best $50 you spend this year on your online presence”.
And honestly, it was the best $50 I have spent on my learning and development! Not only did you get a large variety of presenters across two rooms (don’t stress, they are also recorded so if there are two on at the same time you want to see, you can always watch one later!). Then there was the SWAG! I loved the pens, t ’shirts, socks (!) USB chargers (love these!) and even bottle opener that the sponsors provided. My kids loved the stress balls and soft toy! Plus, there was an amazing morning tea, lunch and 3 coffees/teas (or in my case, hot chocolates) each day and an after party on the Saturday night.
Hosted at QUT Gardens Point (Z Block), this was my VERY FIRST WordCamp and I highly recommend anyone attends it. Parking was really easy (only cost me $10 each day…or if you car pool, then only $10!) and right next door with a couple minute walk. Even if you don’t use this platform, there are a variety of sessions that can be applied to any website like Kate Toon’s ‘Why No One Is Reading Your Blog Posts (And How to Change That)’ and Stephen Rees-Carter presentation ‘Think Like a Hacker and Secure WordPress in 30 minutes, Live on Stage’.
So, what were my 5 top key takeaways?
- Value – WordCamp is exceptional value for money – just $50 for the entire two-day conference (9am to 4.30pm approx.) with morning/afternoon tea, lunch, tea/coffee or hot chocolate (and special diets catered for) and as I stated above, I highly recommend going along. The best thing is, you don’t have to stay for the entire sessions – just pick and choose the ones you want.
- Sponsors – along with their free great swag (thanks guys!), they were also there to discuss their products and provide support and assistance. They were also the ones who enable WordCamp to keep the attendance fee as low as it is!
- Lock picking – after Stephen’s presentation, he then did lock picking in the Hallway Track where you could try your hand at it. He also provided a kit that you could take away and do. I missed out on this one but perhaps next time!
- You’ll learn things you didn’t know – the presenters are like you and me…small business owners and came from all over Australia speaking on a huge range of topics such as the ones above and more (check out the recorded sessions here)
- You will improve your website – Since coming back from WordCamp, I have undertaken a review of my own site and will be:
- Implementing some of the apps that Paul Luxford shared in his presentation ’10 Things WordPress Can Do That You May Not Know It Could’.
- Improving my infrequent (!) blog posts with the tips by Kate Toon.
- Improving my site speed performance – it was suggested that your site should load within 2-3 seconds!
To sum up…
Small business owners can learn a lot from attending a WordCamp, namely:
- Improving your website
- Improving your marketing
- Meet some interesting people
- And of course – learn how to get more value out using the WordPress platform
So if you are interested in attending WordCamp in 2020 – sign up below for all the latest and greatest news…and the next WordCamp.
Until next time (and perhaps at WordCamp 2020!)
Jo
