Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this episode of the WP Minute+, Matt chats with Katie Keith, co-founder of Barn2 Plugins, about her decision to diversify her WordPress-focused business by introducing Shopify apps. Katie shares insights into the challenges and opportunities of the WordPress ecosystem, touching on the increasing uncertainties surrounding WooCommerce and WordPress leadership. While Barn2 remains committed to its existing WordPress products, Katie discusses the strategic importance of venturing into Shopify to safeguard the future of her business.In addition, Katie shares the thought process behind expanding to Shopify, including her team's excitement about the technical challenges and opportunities. She highlights how leveraging her WooCommerce knowledge helps identify gaps in the Shopify app market. Katie emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach to diversification while continuing to deliver quality in both the WordPress and Shopify ecosystems.## Key Takeaways### Marketing & Content Strategy- Barn2's primary sales channels remain blog SEO and YouTube content.- Diversification in content platforms (e.g., live streams and videos) is critical for adapting to algorithm changes.- AI tools like ChatGPT are driving product awareness, with customers reporting purchases based on AI recommendations. ### The Decision to Diversify- Increasing uncertainty in WordPress, especially with WooCommerce's "more in core" policy, prompted Barn2 to explore Shopify.- Expanding to Shopify allows for greater business stability without compromising WordPress operations.### Challenges of Diversification- The Shopify ecosystem offers its own risks, including potential competition from core features.- Team enthusiasm and readiness for technical challenges were key factors in the decision to expand.### Community Insights- Katie appreciates the collaborative and welcoming nature of both WordPress and Shopify communities.- Leveraging networks on platforms like Twitter and insights from peers in both ecosystems have been vital for her business growth.## Important Links- *The WP Minute+* Podcast: [thewpminute.com/subscribe](thewpminute.com/subscribe)- Connect with Katie Keith on Twitter/X: [twitter.com/KatieKeithBarn2](twitter.com/KatieKeithBarn2)- Learn more about Barn2 Plugins: [barn2.com](barn2.com) Support us for as little as $5 to join our members-only Slack group. ★ Support this podcast ★

Cory Miller, a key player in the WordPress community, shares insights from recent acquisitions at Post Status and A2 Hosting. He discusses the transition of ownership and the new nonprofit direction for Post Status, emphasizing the importance of trust and community engagement. Cory highlights that the recent acquisition by World Host Group aims for investment rather than cost-cutting, ensuring a stable experience for customers. With an experienced leadership team in place, he reassures the community about the future of their services and support.

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this episode of *The WP Minute+*, Matt chats with Ariele Krantzow, the Marketing Lead at Pressable, a Managed WordPress Host. Ariele shares her journey from a design-focused background to a thriving career in content and marketing. She highlights her experience as a long-time WordPress user, the community's influence, and the rapid learning curve she faced when she joined Pressable just in time for her first WordCamp.The conversation covers the value of quality hosting, customer education, and marketing strategies tailored to the needs of WordPress users. Ariele describes how Pressable balances startup agility within the larger Automatic ecosystem and focuses on creating a superior user experience. The discussion also focuses on the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in marketing and the WordPress ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of creativity, human connection, and innovation in a fast-evolving digital landscape.## Key Takeaways### Ariele's Journey to Marketing:- Started in design and community roles before transitioning into content marketing.- Values combining creativity and strategy to drive impactful results.### Marketing at Pressable:- Focus on customer education and simplifying the hosting experience.- Pressable is positioned as a premium, quality-driven host with a user-friendly dashboard and top-notch support.### WordPress Community Insights:- Ariele emphasized the value of WordPress in enabling diverse careers, from content marketers to developers.- Engaging with the community at WordCamps has been a cornerstone for learning and growth.### AI in Marketing:- AI is an assistant, not a replacement, for creativity in marketing.- Marketers must focus on producing unique, human-centric content to stand out amidst AI-generated content.### Video Strategy:- Pressable is expanding into video content to complement its robust blog and knowledge base.- Emphasis on relatability and authenticity in video production.### Important Links- *The WP Minute+* Podcast: [thewpminute.com/subscribe](https://thewpminute.com/subscribe)  - Connect with Ariele Krantzow: LinkedIn [linkedin.com/in/akrantzow/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/akrantzow/)- Learn more about Pressable: Pressable Website [pressable.com](https://pressable.com/)For more insights and updates, don’t forget to subscribe to *The WP Minute+*! Support us for as little as $5 to join our members-only Slack group. ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this episode of *The WP Minute+*, Matt sits down with recurring guest Mark Szymanski to discuss the evolving role of AI in their daily workflows. From creating content and writing code to experimenting with tools like Claude and Cursor, they explore both the promises and frustrations of AI-powered solutions. Matt shares his journey of using AI for coding a personal project, detailing the challenges of token limits, tooling decisions, and bridging gaps in technical knowledge. Mark highlights his experience creating WordPress plugins with AI assistance and provides insights into how AI has revolutionized his content creation process.  The conversation also covers broader implications for AI in industries like development, marketing, and content creation, as well as concerns about its commoditization and future pricing models. Both Matt and Mark agree that while AI is still far from being an independent problem-solver, it has already proven to be a game-changing assistant.  ## Key Takeaways  ### AI in Coding:- Tools like Claude and Cursor can help non-developers create functional code, though human oversight is essential.  - Cursor, a coding environment integrated with Claude, significantly streamlines workflows by auto-applying changes to files.  - Prompt engineering and token management are critical skills for effectively using AI in coding.  ### AI in Content Creation:- AI can save time by generating YouTube chapters, video titles, and descriptions from transcripts.  - Tools like Claude are better for processing large transcripts, while ChatGPT excels in brainstorming creative ideas.  - AI is still limited in generating high-quality thumbnails, though it can provide useful prompts for design tools.  ### Future of AI:- Commoditization of AI tools could lead to higher costs, restricting access to advanced features.  - AI is more of a junior assistant than an independent creator, requiring human guidance to produce optimized results.  - As AI continues to evolve, industries may see dramatic shifts in productivity and accessibility.## Important URLs Mentioned  - *The WP Minute+* Podcast: [thewpminute.com/subscribe](https://thewpminute.com/subscribe)  - Mark Szymanski’s Links and Newsletter: [mjs.bio](https://mjs.bio)  - ConvertKit (Now Kit): [kit.com](https://kit.com)  For more insights and updates, don’t forget to subscribe to *The WP Minute+*! Support us for as little as $5 to join our members-only Slack group. ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. I’m sure we’re all glad that year of WordPress is behind us.WordCamp US 2024 marked the start of a transformative era for the culture of WordPressers—a situation that thrust the community and the greater ecosystem into a tailspin with widespread uncertainty and instability across various sectors.As of this writing, we’re still unsure how the lawsuit between Matt Mullenweg/Automattic vs WP Engine will fully play out. While we witness the dust settle and find our new normal, here are the ways I think WordPress will change over the year 2025.1. Automattic continues to rip off the band-aidI think we can all agree that since the inception of Gutenberg, there hasn’t been a major “Wow!” moment for WordPress.Usability has improved, and some cool concepts have shipped, but nothing showstopping has graced our wp-admin dashboards. It’s a two-sided coin, really:A stable tool for publishing? Yep.Buzzworthy or exciting for the outside world—including our closed-source competitors? Nope.Automattic needs to stay relevant, charm investors, and keep building cool stuff.That’s hard enough for any product company—let alone an open-source product company. It boils down to marketing and awareness, which WordPress has always struggled with.Even if Gutenberg was welcomed with open arms, excitement for building with blocks and using WordPress for your next website project was still necessary.I believe that for Matt/Automattic to steer the ship back to relevancy, he needed to pull this entire operation back under full control. Lines needed to be drawn—and they certainly were in 2024.I noticed a “different” tone when Mullenweg appeared on WP Product Talk earlier in 2024. The change was coming back then. Did I think it would be the ‘scorched Earth nuclear‘ approach we witnessed? No.You wouldn’t be wrong if you argued that Mullenweg has been trending in this direction for years, but it seemed like 2024 was filled with far too many distractions: a flailing Tumblr acquisition or spending tens of millions on messenger apps.What about focusing on WordPress?I’ve predicted that, in the future, we’ll visit WordPress.org and find: “The best way to experience WordPress is at WordPress.com or by hosting WordPress powered by Jetpack.” And then somewhere far below that H1, you’ll find in small text: “Click here to download WordPress for free.”In the short term, ripping off the band-aid to let the world know Matt’s in charge is one step closer to that reality. One step closer and fewer distractions for Mullenweg—perhaps less community involvement, and much more of the mothership in control in 2025.2. Community -> CommunitiesThe WordPress community as we knew it is not coming back.You’re either for or against Automattic, using the project or spinning up your own fork, meme’ing us on X, or you’ve already quit the whole thing and are riding off into the sunset on a new CMS.I’m still left wondering: What Would Josepha Do?There have been two public opportunities for Mary Hubbard, the new Executive Director of WordPress, to share her plans for the community. Both appearances that left me with more questions than answers.On a live stream with Mullenweg, Hubbard mentioned not wanting to be a “Josepha 2.0.” Totally understandable! No one wants to be a 2.0 of their predecessor. However, the North Star held by the previous ED was shining bright with the desire to help WordPress thrive.“Help WordPress thrive.” A call to action we could all rally around.In the State of the Word 2024, Hubbard opened with: “I am deeply passionate about defending and celebrating WordPress.” And this is where—I believe—the community begins to fracture.Is WordPress truly under attack from external forces (specifically private equity), or is it just suffocating from within?On paper, PE consuming more of WordPress isn’t a good thing. From what I’ve witnessed in the traditional tech space, they don’t care much for community investment either. The playbook is to grow the asset, sell the asset, and keep the revolving door of the portfolio moving.However, I don’t agree with Matt/Automattic turning the community into cannon fodder—something that has done more damage in a fiscal quarter than if Silver Lake sold WP Engine to Wix.We, the community, could have been the biggest advocates for Mullenweg’s change, but instead, we were tossed aside (and continued to be badgered) regardless of tenure or contribution.This is why we’ll see more micro-communities pop up around WordPress through 2025. People fall out of love with WordPress as a “place to be,” and WordPress just gets tossed into the toolbox alongside Mailchimp and Google Apps.Transforming the experience from an open-source project backed by a global community into a free website builder by Automattic.Over 2025, WordPress will go from one big community to a decentralized collection of users who care less about the mission of open source and more about building their websites.3. Playground is the future for WordPressAs sure as the iPhone gets 10% better year after year, so does the software of WordPress.So yes, that’s part of this prediction: WordPress, the software, does get better—but probably not by all that much.Playground will start to set an important stage for WordPress—one that I think is needed for the long-term survivability (and interest) of the project. To stay competitive, relevant, and easily accessible, the Playground will take center stage. Here’s why:As I explored other software in 2024, specifically other CMS apps, no other website allowed me to try their software hands-on in the browser without installing or registering, like WordPress can.Even if you argue that WordPress is monolithic, uses old technologies, and generally can’t get out of its own way, I don’t see any other tech stack solving the complete stack like WordPress does—website builder, theme layer, drag-and-drop design, publishing, plugins, an ecosystem, etc.It’s a real lightbulb moment when you put that power instantly into the hands of someone looking to learn, build, or publish online without friction.Playground allows you to build out a custom WordPress instance, save the blueprint...

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. I recently caught up with Eric Karkovac to look back at his most influential WP Minute articles from 2024. As our resident voice for WordPress freelancers, Eric brings a unique perspective - he doesn't just write about WordPress, he actively builds client sites and runs his own business. This combination of hands-on experience shapes everything he writes.Our conversation explored the real challenges facing WordPress professionals right now. From managing endless plugin subscriptions to navigating the Automatic vs. WP Engine situation, Eric's articles tackle the issues that matter to freelancers and small agencies. What I appreciate most about Eric's writing is his practical approach - he's focused on helping WordPress professionals find workable solutions to everyday challenges.Looking ahead to 2025, we talked about what matters most for WordPress professionals: building strong client relationships, being selective about new projects, and keeping the human element front and center in our technical work. For anyone running a WordPress business, this episode offers practical strategies from someone who understands the day-to-day reality of our work.Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:Focus on proactive client communication and relationship buildingConsider the total cost of plugin subscriptions when planning projectsStay adaptable with WordPress changes while maintaining client trustQuality client relationships matter more than quantityKeep human experience at the forefront of technical solutionsImportant URLs:wpminute.com/subscribe - Subscribe to our newsletterhttps://thewpminute.com/how-does-automattic-vs-wp-engine-impact-freelancers/https://thewpminute.com/why-small-wordpress-ui-changes-are-a-big-deal/https://thewpminute.com/go-ahead-and-use-wordpress-your-way/https://thewpminute.com/using-wordpress-often-means-subscriptions-a-lot-of-them/https://thewpminute.com/data-liberation-needs-to-happen-within-wordpress-too/Eric on BlueskyEric on X Support us for as little as $5 to join our members-only Slack group. ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. I recently sat down with Jason Resnick, founder of NurtureKit.co, to explore the changing landscape of email marketing as we head into 2024. The timing couldn't be better - with major shifts happening at Gmail, Yahoo, and Apple, WordPress professionals need to understand how these changes impact their email strategies.Jason shared fascinating insights about how email platforms are pushing us toward more authentic engagement. Gone are the days of simple broadcast newsletters. Success now depends on creating genuine two-way conversations with subscribers and adapting to new authentication requirements. For WordPress professionals managing client relationships or running product businesses, these changes are particularly relevant.This episode dives deep into practical strategies for improving deliverability and engagement, including innovative approaches like incorporating audio messages in email sequences. Whether you're running an agency, selling WordPress products, or building a community, you'll find actionable advice to make your email marketing more effective in today's evolving landscape.Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:Email remains the highest-converting marketing channelFocus on creating genuine conversations with subscribers, not just broadcastingMajor email providers now require stricter authentication and engagement metricsList maintenance and segmentation are crucial for deliverabilityConsider incorporating audio elements to build trust and engagementImportant URLs:NurtureKit.co - Email marketing consultancyyoutube.com/nurturekit - Educational contentrezzz.com - Jason's website Support us for as little as $5 to join our members-only Slack group. ★ Support this podcast ★

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this fascinating conversation with Mark Szymanski, we dove into our evolving perspectives on AI tools, particularly in coding and content creation. What makes this discussion particularly interesting is how both Mark and I have shifted from skepticism to seeing AI as a powerful assistant in our work. I shared my recent experience using Claude and Cursor to build a web application - something I never thought I'd be able to do as a non-developer. While I'm not writing code in the traditional sense, I'm learning to be an effective "prompt engineer" and project manager for these AI tools.The conversation revealed how AI is changing not just how we code, but how we approach content creation and research. Mark brought valuable insights about using AI for YouTube content optimization, from generating chapter markers to brainstorming video titles. We both agreed that while these tools are powerful assistants, they're not magic - they require human direction and understanding to be truly effective.What really struck me during our discussion was the broader implications for WordPress and web development. While these AI tools are making it easier for non-developers to build custom solutions, they also highlight the incredible value of established platforms like WordPress. There's a fascinating tension between the accessibility these new tools provide and the depth of functionality that traditional platforms offer.Key Takeaways for WordPress ProfessionalsAI coding tools like Cursor are making development more accessible to non-developers, but require strategic thinking and project management skillsClaude 3.5 offers significantly better coding assistance compared to earlier versions, including detailed explanations and suggestionsAI can significantly speed up content creation workflows, especially for tasks like YouTube chapter markers and content optimizationThe combination of multiple AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor) can provide better results than relying on a single solutionCurrent limitations include token usage restrictions and the need to maintain context between sessionsProfessional developers can likely leverage these tools to dramatically increase their productivityThe WordPress ecosystem remains valuable despite these new tools, but may need to evolveImportant URLs & Resourcescursor.sh - AI-powered code editormjs.bio - Mark's website and newsletterwpminute.com/subscribe - WP Minute newsletter (now on Kit)Whisper AI Transcription (Mac app for transcription)kit.com - Newsletter platform (formerly ConvertKit) Support us for as little as $5 to join our members-only Slack group. ★ Support this podcast ★

Brian Coords, a WordPress expert, joins to discuss the nuances of WordPress 6.7 and its new Twenty Twenty-Five theme. They highlight the significance of block bindings and how these features enhance the block editor. The conversation shifts to AI's transformative impact on web development, emphasizing that it's streamlining the process from idea to MVP. Finally, they touch on the future of social media, the relevance of owning your content, and how WordPress can adapt to these evolving trends.

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. In this episode, I sat down with Raquel Manriquez, Community Manager at Elegant Themes, to discuss her exciting new venture - PressConf. This event is a spiritual successor to the legendary Pressnomics conference, which was a cornerstone event for WordPress business professionals. Raquel shares her journey of launching her own business, Wonderland Curious, and how the idea to revive this beloved conference came from a genuine need in the WordPress community for a dedicated business-focused event. What makes this particularly special is that Raquel secured the blessing from Pressnomics founders Josh and Sally Strebel before moving forward with this new iteration.What really struck me during our conversation was Raquel's authentic approach to honoring the legacy of Pressnomics while bringing her own vision to PressConf. The event will maintain key elements that made Pressnomics special - like hosting it at the Mission Palms Resort in Tempe and keeping presentations exclusive to in-person attendees (no recordings). But she's also adding her own touch with structured networking time to maximize the valuable connections made at these events.The WordPress business community has been missing a flagship event focused purely on the business side of WordPress, and PressConf aims to fill that void. Hearing Raquel's passion and seeing the talented team she's assembled gives me confidence that this will be a must-attend event for WordPress professionals in 2024.Key Takeaways for WordPress ProfessionalsPressConf will be a single-track, business-focused WordPress event with no recordings - you must be present to experience the contentThe event features invite-first speakers, targeting industry leaders and known names in WordPressUnlike WordCamps, this is specifically designed for "hallway trackers" - people who value high-level business networkingThe venue (Mission Palms Resort in Tempe) is specifically chosen to create an intimate setting that encourages networkingThere will be structured networking time built into the schedule, separate from talks and social eventsThe event runs April 23-26, 2024, with two full days of talks and one day for activitiesImportant URLs & ResourcesPressConf website: https://pressconf.eventsTwitter: @Press__confInstagram: @pressconfEarly bird tickets available at $680 for VIP access and $580 for general admission Support us for as little as $5 to join our members-only Slack group. ★ Support this podcast ★