Post Status Podcasts

In this podcast episode of the Post Status Happiness Hour, Michelle Frechette is joined by her friend and WordPress security expert, Kathy Zant. They delve into various aspects of website security, focusing on WordPress. Kathy discusses her recent security courses aimed at demystifying WordPress for beginners and emphasizes the importance of proactive security measures. They highlight the critical role of regular backups and the potential risks of automated updates. Kathy shares practical security tips, such as using strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication. The episode is both informative and engaging, filled with personal anecdotes and humor, making it a valuable resource for listeners.Top Takeaways: Importance of Security: Both Michelle and Kathy emphasize the importance of understanding and implementing robust security measures to protect websites from hacks.Criminal Behavior: Kathy highlights that criminals (including hackers) often look for the easiest targets. If a website or home has visible security measures, they are more likely to move on to an easier target. However, if a determined attacker sees something of value, they might still find a way in despite the security measures.Auto Updates: Kathy advises against relying solely on automated updates, especially for websites that are crucial for business. She recommends a process of updating on a staging environment first, ensuring everything works, and then updating the production site. She highlights real-world scenarios where automated updates have caused issues, leading to downtime and confusion over whether a site was hacked or simply experiencing an update-related error.Content Creation and Community Engagement:Kathy discusses her responsibilities at Motivation Code, including managing content across different platforms and facilitating challenges to foster community interaction. Despite facing technical challenges with platforms like LinkedIn, she remains committed to creating engaging content and moving activities to more effective platforms like Facebook.Mentioned In The Show:ShopifyWixSquarespaceMotivation Code CrowdStrike StellarWPWordCamp USNathan IngramMark WestguardKathy’s website🙏 Sponsor: WordPress.comBuild 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:Kathy Zant (CEO, Zantastic 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. 🎧

In this podcast episode, Michelle Frechette and Drew Griswold discuss the upcoming Stellar Spark event, a free gathering featuring 15 speakers on various WordPress-related topics. Highlighted speakers include Josepha Haden, Tammy Grant, and Nestor Angulo, covering subjects like WordPress security, SEO, and content creation. The event will have two tracks, with all sessions recorded for later access. Michelle and Drew emphasize the importance of registration for accessing recordings and networking opportunities. They also announce a 40% off sale on Stellar products for registrants. The episode reflects their enthusiasm for connecting with the WordPress community through this event.Top Takeaways: Stellar Spark details: The event is completely free.Videos will be recorded and available for viewing after the event.Registration encouraged for easy access to post-event materials.Networking Opportunities: Hallway track Zoom room staffed by the Customer Success team for networking and speaker interactions.Mentioned In The Show:StellarWPStellar Spark ConferenceJosepha Haden ChomphosyTammie ListerNestor AnguloYoastXaver BirsakLana Rafaela CindricIvailo HristovAlex StandifordBud KrausLindsay Miller David WolfpawAdam WeeksDavid AfolabiCorey MassBet HannanWordCampFiverrWordPressLearnDashGiveWPRCPThe Events CalendarSolidKadence🙏 Sponsor: A2HostingA2 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:Drew Griswold (Director of Outbound Marketing, Stellar WP)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. 🎧

In this podcast episode, host Corey Maass and Michelle Frechette discuss a variety of topics, focusing on their recent travel experiences, encounters at the Canada border, and interactions with the WordPress community. The guest shares insights into their work with WordPress, including creating open graph images and developing tools for image cropping and batch multi-image generation. They also introduce Open Graph Online, a tool for archiving open graph data. The episode highlights the importance of user-friendly tools and previews an upcoming online conference where the guest will present on maximizing image engagement in WordPress.Top Takeaways: Use of Tools: Both Michelle and Corey emphasized the importance of using specialized tools like character counters and image generators to enhance efficiency and quality in their work processes.Product Development Insights: Corey discussed his approach to product development, highlighting the shift towards user-friendly features based on user feedback, rather than focusing solely on technical capabilities.Event Promotion: Michelle promoted Corey's upcoming presentation at the Stellar Sparks event, showcasing their collaborative effort in preparing for and marketing the event.Casual and Engaging Communication: The conversation between Michelle and Corey was informal and engaging, incorporating humor and personal anecdotes to maintain interest and connection with their audience.Continuous Learning and Improvement: Corey's ongoing refinement of his presentation content for the event demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning and improvement in their respective fields.Mentioned In The Show:Word CounterGrammarlyOMGIMG.coYoastOpen Graph OnlineCrop ExpressBasil HaydenUnderrepresented in TechStellar WPStellar SparkBlossom🙏 Sponsor: WordPress.comBuild 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:Corey MaassMichelle 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. 🎧

In this podcast episode, Michelle Frechette and Corey Maass delve into their product's development and marketing strategies. They discuss the technical challenges of image management, including resizing and the potential for automated featured and open graph image placement. The conversation also explores the idea of creating media kits and the integration of their product with platforms like WordPress. The speakers consider customer-driven feature prioritization and the importance of aligning marketing and development efforts. Additionally, they mention using an app for plant identification, highlighting the diverse applications of their product and the continuous pursuit of enhancing user experience.Top Takeaways: Value of Customer Feedback: Recording all ideas, even seemingly insignificant ones, can lead to valuable insights and features that resonate with customers. Customer demand should guide product development.Importance of Collaboration: Collaboration between development and marketing teams is crucial for creating products that meet customer needs effectively. Both teams bring unique perspectives that contribute to product success.Content Repurposing: Creating comprehensive onboarding materials, such as videos, can enhance user education and promote the product. Snippets from these materials can be repurposed for social media and documentation.Continuous Improvement: Regular updates, planning, and communication ensure alignment between team members and facilitate ongoing product improvements. Iterative development allows for flexibility and adaptation to evolving user needs.Customer-Centric Approach:Prioritizing features based on user feedback and demand ensures that the product remains relevant and valuable to its target audience. Keeping the customer at the center of decision-making drives product success and growth.Mentioned In The Show:UnsplashPictureThis appDiviCadenceInstagramWP SpeakersUnderrepresented in techWP Wonder WomanDerek AshauerAdobe LightroomWP WorldFaizan🙏 Sponsor: WordPress.comBuild 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:Corey MaassMichelle 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. 🎧

In this podcast episode, MIchelle Frenchette and Corey Maas discuss the plugin's features and user experience. They address user feedback, particularly issues with the onboarding process and interface design. The host demonstrates how to create a site and install the plugin, emphasizing the importance of template creation for image generation. They also consider improvements to the plugin's UI/UX and integration with WordPress, including the management of admin settings.Top Takeaways: Importance of Understanding User Experience: Corey emphasizes the significance of understanding how users interact with a product, especially for someone like Michelle, who is new to using it. This helps in refining the product's usability and functionality.User Feedback Drives Product Development: The conversation highlights the iterative nature of product development based on user feedback. Corey listens to Michelle's questions and feedback to better understand areas where the product can be improved or clarified.Clarity in Product Communication: Corey recognizes the value of clear communication in explaining the product's features and functionality. He uses the conversation as an opportunity to articulate how the product works, helping Michelle and potentially other users understand it better.Productivity Enhancement: The conversation underscores how the product aims to streamline repetitive tasks and enhance productivity. By automating image generation and template usage, users like Michelle can save time and effort in creating visual content for their websites or social media platforms.Mentioned In The Show:CanvaPhotoshopBeaver BuilderYoast Squirrly SEOWooCommerceAdmin Menu Editor Pro🙏 Sponsor: A2HostingA2 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:Corey MaassMichelle 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. 🎧

In this podcast episode, Corey Maass and Michelle Frechette, co-hosts of a live marketing session, delve into the nuances of marketing a WordPress product. They explore the creation of customer personas, the differentiation between various customer types, and the importance of tailored marketing strategies. The discussion covers the challenges of targeting decision makers and users, the role of agencies, and the significance of language in marketing to diverse customers. They also emphasize the need for understanding the product's benefits from each persona's perspective and adjusting marketing efforts to effectively engage with each group.Top Takeaways:Understanding Customer Personas: Corey and Michelle emphasize the importance of understanding and defining different customer personas based on their roles and decision-making processes.Tailoring Marketing Language: They discuss the need to tailor marketing language and messaging to resonate with each customer persona, highlighting their unique motivations and pain points.Identifying Benefits and Features: Corey suggests creating a matrix or spreadsheet to map out the benefits and features of the product across different customer personas, helping to identify areas of overlap and nuances specific to each persona.Speaking Each Persona's Language: They stress the importance of speaking each persona's language, focusing on what resonates with them and addressing their specific needs and concerns.Iterative Marketing Strategy: Corey and Michelle acknowledge the iterative nature of marketing strategy development, expressing their willingness to adapt and refine their approach based on feedback and new insights.Mentioned In The Show:Coca ColaBeaver BuilderHubSpotChatGPTCanvaPhotoshopContent JourneyLindsey MillerStellar WPFreemius🙏 Sponsor: WordPress.comBuild 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:Corey MaassMichelle 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. 🎧

In this podcast episode, Michelle Frechette and Corey Maass delve into their experiences with design and technical challenges. They discuss the intricacies of using Beaver Builder for creating a 404 page, with Corey expressing frustration over camera issues and a desire to enhance brand representation. Michelle brings up an accessibility oversight in a newsletter and the necessity of attention to detail, exemplified by Google's logo updates. The conversation highlights the significance of accessibility and meticulous design in creating content that resonates with and is accessible to all users.Top Takeaways:Transparency in Business: Corey discusses how transparency has become more prevalent in the startup world, particularly with the rise of platforms like WordPress. He reflects on the value of transparency, even if he doesn't always agree with or fully understand its implications, suggesting that it fosters relatability and authenticity in business interactions.Continuous Improvement: Throughout the conversation, Corey and Michelle emphasize the importance of continuous improvement and learning. They discuss how podcasts, businesses, and individuals evolve over time, highlighting the value of feedback, reflection, and adaptation in achieving growth and success.Collaboration and Support: Corey and Michelle express gratitude for the support they receive from their audience, as well as from other podcast hosts within the community. They highlight the collaborative nature of the WordPress community and the willingness to help each other succeed in their respective projects.Mentioned In The Show:Beaver BuilderBalsamiqJoel SpolskyPeldiAdobePippin WilliamsonBen Laird WPSeriously, Bud? podcastWP Coffee TalkThe Tipping PointDrunk Tank PinkWP MotivateKathy Zant🙏 Sponsor: A2HostingA2 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:Corey MaassMichelle 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. 🎧

In this podcast episode, Michelle Frechette and Corey Maass dive into the intricacies of optimizing their website's homepage and refining their pricing strategy for their product, OMGIMG. They discuss the importance of incorporating captivating images above the fold to enhance user engagement and consider the visibility of pricing information in the website navigation menu. The conversation also delves into the value of lifetime deals and the potential for a secondary market. Throughout the discussion, they emphasize the iterative nature of website development and the collaborative effort required to continuously improve user experience and drive conversions. Tune in for insights into effective homepage design and pricing strategies for online products.Top TakeawaysImportance of Homepage Optimization: They recognize the significance of having a captivating image above the fold on their website's homepage. Michelle suggests adding an image to make the page more visually appealing and engaging for visitors.Consideration of Pricing Visibility: Michelle points out the absence of a pricing link in the website navigation menu. They discuss the importance of prominently displaying pricing information for potential customers, as it's often one of the first things visitors look for on a website.Value of Lifetime Deals: Corey mentions the success they had with offering lifetime deals during Black Friday sales. They discuss how some customers prefer lifetime deals and how others may collect them without immediate use, indicating potential interest in a secondary market for such deals.Continuous Iteration and Collaboration: Michelle and Corey plan to collaborate on optimizing the homepage together. They emphasize the importance of treating the homepage as a living document that requires regular updates and refinements based on feedback, observations, and evolving business needs.Mentioned LinksMatt CromwellZoomStreamYardWP Builds WP Coffee TalkWP ConstellationsGive WPPost StatusWordCampAppsumo🙏 Sponsor: WordPress.comBuild 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:Corey MaassMichelle 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. 🎧

In this podcast episode, Michelle Frechette and Corey Maass explore the intricacies of managing online communities within the WordPress ecosystem. Michelle shares insights from their involvement with a Mastermind group and moderating a Facebook group for LearnDash, emphasizing the importance of nurturing community connections. Corey discusses their experiences with various online platforms, including email groups, and the pursuit of the most effective platforms for WordPress community engagement, such as Twitter and Reddit. Together, they delve into the challenges of maintaining active and engaging communities, highlighting the significance of platform choice and community care in fostering a thriving WordPress network. Top Takeaways:Embrace Growth and Change: Corey and Michelle discuss how their approaches to work and life have evolved over time. They acknowledge that as they grow older, they become more selective about where they invest their time and energy, focusing on what feels right for them personally and professionally.Authentic Engagement: They emphasize the importance of authentic engagement on social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit. Rather than adhering to rigid posting schedules or following trends blindly, they advocate for genuine interaction and contribution within communities that align with their interests and values.Community Support: Both Corey and Michelle highlight the supportive and inclusive nature of the WordPress community. They contrast this with negative experiences they've had in other professional settings, emphasizing the value of finding a supportive network of peers.Balancing Work and Enjoyment: Despite their professional responsibilities, Corey and Michelle prioritize enjoying life and having fun. They acknowledge the importance of self-care and finding moments of joy, whether it's attending a party or indulging in a favorite beverage, even while maintaining a busy schedule.Mentioned In The Show:FacebookDiscordSlackTwitterRedditLinkedInBeaver BuilderWordCampsWP Accessibility DayWP Coffee TalkWP MotivateBen LayerAsana ZoomWP Speakers10UpCory Miller🙏 Sponsor: A2HostingA2 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:Corey MaassMichelle 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. 🎧

In this podcast episode, Michelle Frechette and Corey Maass discuss their experiences at a WordPress Rochester April Meetup. Michelle recounts giving a talk on WordPress and image optimization, focusing on audience engagement and technical challenges. Corey reflects on the presentation's success and its technical and engagement aspects. They also explore broader topics like content management, SEO, accessibility, and the balance between technical and non-technical content. Additionally, they address the difficulties of organizing Meetups, the need for engaging content, and the nuances of marketing and self-promotion for introverts and small businesses. The conversation highlights the importance of community knowledge-sharing and the journey of building an online presence.Top Takeaways: Value of Incremental Growth: The participants recognize the importance of celebrating even small victories in their online presence, such as an increase in views on tweets or website traffic. They understand that consistent efforts over time lead to gradual growth and are encouraged by the progress they observe.Engagement with Community: Michelle emphasizes the significance of community engagement, not just content marketing, in building their online presence. They discuss strategies for interacting with their audience, participating in Meetups, and leveraging social media to foster connections and expand their reach.Adapting Marketing Strategies: Corey acknowledges the need to adapt marketing strategies based on their current resources and audience size. They discuss the challenges of scaling efforts and recognize the importance of starting where they are, rather than aiming for strategies designed for larger organizations.Balancing Work and Marketing: Corey reflects on the challenge of balancing work responsibilities with marketing efforts. He highlights the need to prioritize tasks and allocate time effectively, recognizing that while marketing is essential, it cannot consume all his resources. They discuss strategies for maintaining a sustainable marketing effort while managing other responsibilities.Mentioned In The Show:WordPress Rochester's April MeetupYoastWordPress TVWordPress eventsGive WPStellar WPWordCamps MeetupsGraham LawlorGary VaynerchukTwitter Post Status🙏 Sponsor: WordPress.comBuild 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:Corey MaassMichelle 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. 🎧