WP Review
113 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago -WP Review is a weekly podcast that focuses on growing a business in the WordPress space. Host Joe Casabona provides his analysis on what's happening in WordPress, and what it means for users and business owners in the ecosystem. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro
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Episodes
Why an apartment is better than a house for most creators
September 21, 2022 07:42 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBThe hosted versus self-hosted being renting an apartment vs. owning a home analogy has been done to death. But it’s the perfect framing for creators. And that’s what we’re going to talk about today. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all show notes and a written to be read article over at https://wpreview.io/55
WordPress Site Draft: Building a Membership Site with Kim Coleman
September 14, 2022 06:29 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBToday's episode is a little bit different: I have a guest, Kim Coleman, and we're going to build a WordPress Membership site. But instead of just picking plugins, we're doing to do it as a draft. That means we each take turns selecting a plugin or tool, and we cannot choose anything previously selected. It should be a lot of fun! You can see all of the selections and get links at https://wpreview.io/membership-draft Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro
Introducing Make Money Podcasting
August 10, 2022 08:53 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBInterested in starting or growing a podcast that actually generates revenue? Check out my new show, Make Money Podcasting! Listen to all of the episodes and subscribe at https://makemoneypod.com/
Introducing Make Money Podcasting
August 10, 2022 08:53 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBInterested in starting or growing a podcast that actually generates revenue? Check out my new show, Make Money Podcasting! Listen to all of the episodes and subscribe at https://makemoneypod.com/
Are Creators Free Riders? Plus, Building Your Mailing List With and Without WordPress
August 05, 2022 17:52 - 20 minutes - 23.6 MB m4aAre creators (and anyone who doesn't contribute to WordPress) free riders? I look at that question and wonder why there's such hostility towards non-contributors, even though they are essential in the march towards that mother of all vanity metrics: 50% market share. Plus, A bit of news about an upcoming series on this show, and a deep cut from an old podcast I used to host about why you need to build your mailing list. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show no...
Are Creators Free Riders? Plus, Building Your Mailing List With and Without WordPress
August 05, 2022 17:52 - 20 minutes - 23.6 MB m4aAre creators (and anyone who doesn't contribute to WordPress) free riders? I look at that question and wonder why there's such hostility towards non-contributors, even though they are essential in the march towards that mother of all vanity metrics: 50% market share. Plus, A bit of news about an upcoming series on this show, and a deep cut from an old podcast I used to host about why you need to build your mailing list. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show notes, and a writte...
Are Content Products “Real” Products to WordPress Developers?
July 15, 2022 19:34 - 13 minutes - 15.7 MB m4aI've been a developer for 20 years. I've been a content creator for almost as long...but it wasn't until a few years ago that I started making more money from my content than from my development work. Both are crucial for a growing, vibrant WordPress community. But to some, it seems the job of development is more important than the job of content creation. Here's why those people are wrong. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show notes, and a written to-be-read article over at...
Are Content Products “Real” Products to WordPress Developers?
July 15, 2022 19:34 - 13 minutes - 15.7 MB m4aI've been a developer for 20 years. I've been a content creator for almost as long...but it wasn't until a few years ago that I started making more money from my content than from my development work. Both are crucial for a growing, vibrant WordPress community. But to some, it seems the job of development is more important than the job of content creation. Here's why those people are wrong. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show notes, and a written to-be-rea...
A Tale of Two Keynotes
July 07, 2022 20:16 - 14 minutes - 16.4 MB m4aThe last conference I went to before the pandemic was WordCamp US 2019. After that, the pandemic struck and there was no travel for me for nearly 2 years. During that time, I also made the decision to pivot, and focus less on WordPress and more on Podcasters and Creators. So in my first Creator-focused, non-WordPress event, I noticed a stark difference between the keynotes: one asked us repeatedly to give our time. One reinforced a different idea: that it's OK to make money. Brought to you...
A Tale of Two Keynotes
July 07, 2022 20:16 - 14 minutes - 16.4 MB m4aThe last conference I went to before the pandemic was WordCamp US 2019. After that, the pandemic struck and there was no travel for me for nearly 2 years. During that time, I also made the decision to pivot, and focus less on WordPress and more on Podcasters and Creators. So in my first Creator-focused, non-WordPress event, I noticed a stark difference between the keynotes: one asked us repeatedly to give our time. One reinforced a different idea: that it's OK to make money....
What Does WordPress Have to Do with the Creator Economy?
June 17, 2022 19:19 - 20 minutes - 18.3 MBThe Creator Economy is in full swing thanks to a number of tools and platforms that have made it incredibly easy to get paid by creating content. It almost feels like table stakes at this point. Sign up for a platform, and in a few clicks you're ready to make money And while WordPress has enabled developers to implement payment options for websites easily, the ease of use for creators is a different story. So it’s time to explore the question: where does WordPress fit into t...
What Does WordPress Have to Do with the Creator Economy?
June 17, 2022 19:19 - 20 minutes - 18.3 MBThe Creator Economy is in full swing thanks to a number of tools and platforms that have made it incredibly easy to get paid by creating content. It almost feels like table stakes at this point. Sign up for a platform, and in a few clicks you're ready to make money And while WordPress has enabled developers to implement payment options for websites easily, the ease of use for creators is a different story. So it’s time to explore the question: where does WordPress fit into the Creator Econom...
The WordPress Podcast Website Toolkit
June 12, 2022 22:33 - 21 minutes - 24.3 MB m4aThis episode marks the start of an important shift in the content here at WP Review — something I’ll dive more into after ConvertKit’s Craft + Commerce conference at the end of June. But suffice to say, creators, are growing wary of WordPress. I personally think that WordPress is the perfect tool for the growing creator economy, so here at WP Review, we’re going to spend many of the next episodes talking to creators about how WordPress can help them more than any other platform. And we’re go...
The WordPress Podcast Website Toolkit
June 12, 2022 22:33 - 21 minutes - 24.3 MB m4aThis episode marks the start of an important shift in the content here at WP Review — something I’ll dive more into after ConvertKit’s Craft + Commerce conference at the end of June. But suffice to say, creators, are growing wary of WordPress. I personally think that WordPress is the perfect tool for the growing creator economy, so here at WP Review, we’re going to spend many of the next episodes talking to creators about how WordPress can help them more than any other platf...
What WordPress has to do with the Discontinued iPod
May 12, 2022 05:26 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MBApple has discontinued the iPod. When the iPod came out in 2001, it literally changed the world. And I don't mean literally like figuratively. I mean, it shifted how people consumed music on the go. Another thing that happened recently was WordPress lost a market share for the first time. How are these two events related? They both happened this week, of course, but what does one have to do with the other? What does this mean for freelancers? There are a lot of similarities ...
What WordPress has to do with the Discontinued iPod
May 12, 2022 05:26 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MBApple has discontinued the iPod. When the iPod came out in 2001, it literally changed the world. And I don't mean literally like figuratively. I mean, it shifted how people consumed music on the go. Another thing that happened recently was WordPress lost a market share for the first time. How are these two events related? They both happened this week, of course, but what does one have to do with the other? What does this mean for freelancers? There are a lot of similarities between the iPod ...
Is My Disdain for Jetpack Unfounded?
May 06, 2022 03:02 - 19 minutes - 22.3 MB m4aI've had a love-hate relationship with Jetpack. Actually, it has been more hate than love. Actually, it has been just pretty much hate. But today I set out to answer the question: Is my disdain for Jetpack unfounded? Today, I set out to answer that question. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show notes, and a written to be read article over at https://wpreview.io/48
Is My Disdain for Jetpack Unfounded?
May 06, 2022 03:02 - 19 minutes - 22.3 MB m4aI've had a love-hate relationship with Jetpack. Actually, it has been more hate than love. Actually, it has been just pretty much hate. But today I set out to answer the question: Is my disdain for Jetpack unfounded? Today, I set out to answer that question. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show notes, and a written to be read article over at https://wpreview.io/48
MemberPress and Asking: Is the WordPress Way the Right Way?
April 28, 2022 02:47 - 16 minutes - 19.1 MB m4aMemberPress made some waves this week when it was discovered that they were completely locking out users who had expired license keys. The WordPress way is you get access to the plugin, which you get to keep because it's open source, whether or not you keep paying for the license. Generally, support and updates are the things that you keep paying for. But why is this the case when virtually every other piece of software we use today is based on, "a keep paying for access" mo...
MemberPress and Asking: Is the WordPress Way the Right Way?
April 28, 2022 02:47 - 16 minutes - 19.1 MB m4aMemberPress made some waves this week when it was discovered that they were completely locking out users who had expired license keys. The WordPress way is you get access to the plugin, which you get to keep because it's open source, whether or not you keep paying for the license. Generally, support and updates are the things that you keep paying for. But why is this the case when virtually every other piece of software we use today is based on, "a keep paying for access" model? Brought to ...
Other Helpful Tools for Freelancers (WordPress Toolkit Part 2)
April 21, 2022 01:07 - 24 minutes - 22.1 MBLast week I told you about my must-use tools for my WordPress freelance toolkit. But that's not the end of the WordPress toolkit story. There are thousands, maybe millions, of plugins and features out there. And today I want to give you the rest of the best, as well as some honorable mentions for tools to add to your WordPress freelance toolkit. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show notes, and a written to be read article over at https://wpreview.io/46
Other Helpful Tools for Freelancers (WordPress Toolkit Part 2)
April 21, 2022 01:07 - 24 minutes - 22.1 MBLast week I told you about my must-use tools for my WordPress freelance toolkit. But that's not the end of the WordPress toolkit story. There are thousands, maybe millions, of plugins and features out there. And today I want to give you the rest of the best, as well as some honorable mentions for tools to add to your WordPress freelance toolkit. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show notes, and a written to be read article over at https://wpreview.io/46 ...
Must-Use WordPress Tools for Freelancers (Part 1)
April 14, 2022 11:42 - 22 minutes - 20.4 MBNiching down doesn’t just need to be about the customers you serve. It can also be about the tools you use. Deeply understanding the tools you use allows you to work more quickly and efficiently because there’s not a constant learning curve. Putting together the perfect WordPress toolkit is important for any freelancer. In Part 1 of this series, we'll cover my must-have tools. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show notes, and a written to be read article over at https://wprevie...
Must-Use WordPress Tools for Freelancers (Part 1)
April 14, 2022 11:42 - 22 minutes - 20.4 MBNiching down doesn’t just need to be about the customers you serve. It can also be about the tools you use. Deeply understanding the tools you use allows you to work more quickly and efficiently because there’s not a constant learning curve. Putting together the perfect WordPress toolkit is important for any freelancer. In Part 1 of this series, we'll cover my must-have tools. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show notes, and a written to be read article over a...
Your Pricing Should Communicate Your Value
April 08, 2022 02:35 - 15 minutes - 17.7 MB m4aThe WordPress space is cheap! But that shouldn't let you keep your prices down. Is that a fair assessment? Maybe I'm being too harsh, but anecdotally it's true. I suffer from not charging enough, in part due to being in the WordPress space too long. And I know other freelancers who have the same feelings. But that's why I'm grateful that I have good mentors in my life. And pricing what you're worth – that's what we're going to talk about today. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of th...
Your Pricing Should Communicate Your Value
April 08, 2022 02:35 - 15 minutes - 17.7 MB m4aThe WordPress space is cheap! But that shouldn't let you keep your prices down. Is that a fair assessment? Maybe I'm being too harsh, but anecdotally it's true. I suffer from not charging enough, in part due to being in the WordPress space too long. And I know other freelancers who have the same feelings. But that's why I'm grateful that I have good mentors in my life. And pricing what you're worth – that's what we're going to talk about today. Brought to you by GoDaddy P...
A Story is Worth More Than Your Prototype (Building a Better Business Part 3)
March 23, 2022 02:26 - 13 minutes - 15.4 MB m4aFor many in the WordPress space, when an idea strikes it's easy to drop what you're doing and spend a couple of days building a prototype or MVP. But if you’re actually going to try to build a business off of this idea, should you whimsically work on it and release it to the world? I would argue no. In fact, crafting a story is more important than crafting a product at first. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show notes, and a written to be read article over at https://wpreview....
A Story is Worth More Than Your Prototype (Building a Better Business Part 3)
March 23, 2022 02:26 - 13 minutes - 15.4 MB m4aFor many in the WordPress space, when an idea strikes it's easy to drop what you're doing and spend a couple of days building a prototype or MVP. But if you’re actually going to try to build a business off of this idea, should you whimsically work on it and release it to the world? I would argue no. In fact, crafting a story is more important than crafting a product at first. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show notes, and a written to be read article over at ...
Building a Better Business Part 2: Being Prepared Will Land You More Clients
March 22, 2022 04:13 - 14 minutes - 13 MBIn part one of this series, I talked about the importance of understanding your customer through a somewhat drawn-out example using baby clothes. But the point remains! Today I want to tell you two other stories about my experience with prepared vs. unprepared people in different industries. You see, being prepared is the next step in understanding your customers. Knowing, and anticipating, their needs will help you get more clients. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show notes...
Building a Better Business Part 2: Being Prepared Will Land You More Clients
March 22, 2022 04:13 - 14 minutes - 13 MBIn part one of this series, I talked about the importance of understanding your customer through a somewhat drawn-out example using baby clothes. But the point remains! Today I want to tell you two other stories about my experience with prepared vs. unprepared people in different industries. You see, being prepared is the next step in understanding your customers. Knowing, and anticipating, their needs will help you get more clients. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show notes...
Analysis: State of WordPress Security in 2021
March 10, 2022 05:25 - 22 minutes - 26.4 MB m4aIn a bit of serendipity, the same week I finished recording my next LinkedIn Learning course, Troubleshooting and Repairing Your WordPress Website, Patchstack has published its State of WordPress Security in 2021 white paper. I’ll go through some of the highlights from the white paper, and give you my analysis. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show notes, and a written to be read article over at https://wpreview.io/41 Show Notes State Of WordPress Security In...
Analysis: State of WordPress Security in 2021
March 10, 2022 05:25 - 22 minutes - 26.4 MB m4aIn a bit of serendipity, the same week I finished recording my next LinkedIn Learning course, Troubleshooting and Repairing Your WordPress Website, Patchstack has published its State of WordPress Security in 2021 white paper. I’ll go through some of the highlights from the white paper, and give you my analysis. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show notes, and a written to be read article over at https://wpreview.io/41 Show Notes State Of WordPress Security In 2021 - Patchstac...
Building a Better Business Part 1: Understanding Your Customers
March 03, 2022 08:20 - 15 minutes - 14.6 MBWelcome to Building a Better Business: Part One. This series will be 3 parts, all designed to help you build and launch a better product, service or business. Part One is all about understanding your customers. I'm excited to share it with you, so let's get into it! Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show notes, and a written to be read article over at https://wpreview.io/40 Want an easier way to build websites? Check out the Creator Toolkits over at https://creatorcourses.com/...
Building a Better Business Part 1: Understanding Your Customers
March 03, 2022 08:20 - 15 minutes - 14.6 MBWelcome to Building a Better Business: Part One. This series will be 3 parts, all designed to help you build and launch a better product, service or business. Part One is all about understanding your customers. I'm excited to share it with you, so let's get into it! Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show notes, and a written to be read article over at https://wpreview.io/40 Want an easier way to build websites? Check out the Creator Toolkits over at https://cr...
How Can You Be a WordPress Freelancer in 2022?
February 25, 2022 03:56 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MBIn 2022, we’re at an inflection point for WordPress — one even bigger than Gutenberg and 5.0. WordPress has been marching steadily on, to become a good no-code solution for people who have some technical proficiency. And Full Site Editing is likely going to speed that along…once it matures a little. So you might be wondering…how can you be a WordPress freelancer in 2022? That’s the question I intend to answer today. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show notes, and a written to ...
How Can You Be a WordPress Freelancer in 2022?
February 25, 2022 03:56 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MBIn 2022, we’re at an inflection point for WordPress — one even bigger than Gutenberg and 5.0. WordPress has been marching steadily on, to become a good no-code solution for people who have some technical proficiency. And Full Site Editing is likely going to speed that along…once it matures a little. So you might be wondering…how can you be a WordPress freelancer in 2022? That’s the question I intend to answer today. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show notes, ...
Your Virtual Event is not a WordCamp
February 18, 2022 02:03 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MBA topic that’s come up for me multiple times over the last six months iswhether or not speakers should be paid. I had a debate with Nathan Wrigley about it at the end of last year. That debate was based on an article I wrote back in October called, “We need to talk about speakers and virtual events.” But beyond paying speakers, we need to treat them with decency. We need to value their time and not treat them like they are just here to serve us and our cause. And that’s what we’re talking ab...
Your Virtual Event is not a WordCamp
February 18, 2022 02:03 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MBA topic that’s come up for me multiple times over the last six months iswhether or not speakers should be paid. I had a debate with Nathan Wrigley about it at the end of last year. That debate was based on an article I wrote back in October called, “We need to talk about speakers and virtual events.” But beyond paying speakers, we need to treat them with decency. We need to value their time and not treat them like they are just here to serve us and our cause. And that’s what...
WordPress' Seat at the Table
February 10, 2022 11:01 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBAfter 2021 ended with a call from Matt Mullenweg to contribute more to open source (specifically WordPress), 2022 began with a less rosy picture of the open source space. Some of the biggest names in tech met at the White House to discuss how to identify critical open source projects. surreptitiously missing from this meeting was representation for WordPress. But that's because we need to answer an important question: Who? Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show notes, and a writ...
WordPress' Seat at the Table
February 10, 2022 11:01 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBAfter 2021 ended with a call from Matt Mullenweg to contribute more to open source (specifically WordPress), 2022 began with a less rosy picture of the open source space. Some of the biggest names in tech met at the White House to discuss how to identify critical open source projects. surreptitiously missing from this meeting was representation for WordPress. But that's because we need to answer an important question: Who? Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show ...
Who is Full Site Editing For?
February 03, 2022 04:23 - 15 minutes - 18.4 MB m4aWhen WordPress 5.0 and the block editor came out, though it was off to a rocky start, the value proposition was clear: THIS is a better experience for content creation than the Classic Editor. After all, that experience was largely unchanged for 15 years. But now that 5.9 is out, we need to ask: is the value proposition for Full Site Editing as clear? Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show notes, and a written to be read article over at https://wpreview.io/36 Show Notes The ...
Who is Full Site Editing For?
February 03, 2022 04:23 - 15 minutes - 18.4 MB m4aWhen WordPress 5.0 and the block editor came out, though it was off to a rocky start, the value proposition was clear: THIS is a better experience for content creation than the Classic Editor. After all, that experience was largely unchanged for 15 years. But now that 5.9 is out, we need to ask: is the value proposition for Full Site Editing as clear? Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Get all of the show notes, and a written to be read article over at https://wpreview.io/36 ...
Long Live Full Site Editing
January 27, 2022 04:59 - 19 minutes - 18 MBAfter being delayed for more than a month, WordPress 5.9 is here as the first major release of 2022, and it’s a big one that ushers in the era of Full Site Editing. There’s also a new theme, a Block Patterns directory, and lots of features, so let’s dive in! Of-course, you'll also get lots of opinion from me about the direction of WordPress, and a first look at what 6.0 has in store! Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro Get all of the show notes, and a written to be read article over at https://w...
Long Live Full Site Editing
January 27, 2022 04:59 - 19 minutes - 18 MBAfter being delayed for more than a month, WordPress 5.9 is here as the first major release of 2022, and it’s a big one that ushers in the era of Full Site Editing. There’s also a new theme, a Block Patterns directory, and lots of features, so let’s dive in! Of-course, you'll also get lots of opinion from me about the direction of WordPress, and a first look at what 6.0 has in store! Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro Get all of the show notes, and a written to be read article ...
Are WordPress-Specific Platforms Viable Products?
January 20, 2022 07:45 - 21 minutes - 25.2 MB m4aTalk to any business owner worth their salt and they'll likely tell you that you need to pick a niche. This can be a niche in a product, like ConvertKit. It could be a niche in a market, like serving single parents who work from home. But lately I've been wondering if a niche near and dear to my heart is a actually a good one, and that's WordPress. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro Get all of the show notes and a transcript at https://wpreview.io/34. Subscribe at https://wprev...
Are WordPress-Specific Platforms Viable Products?
January 20, 2022 07:45 - 21 minutes - 25.2 MB m4aTalk to any business owner worth their salt and they'll likely tell you that you need to pick a niche. This can be a niche in a product, like ConvertKit. It could be a niche in a market, like serving single parents who work from home. But lately I've been wondering if a niche near and dear to my heart is a actually a good one, and that's WordPress. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro Get all of the show notes and a transcript at https://wpreview.io/34. Subscribe at https://wpreview.io/subscribe ...
How Should the WordPress Open Source Project Support Contributors?
January 13, 2022 07:29 - 20 minutes - 23.2 MB m4aThey say no good deed goes unpunished. Recently in the WordPress space, perhaps even the wider open source space, there's been a lot of discussion about that. Is contributing to WordPress worth it? In December Matt Mullenweg asked us to give Five for the Future. He talked about the Tragedy of the Commons. But who is really contributing to open source? And how do we make sure people who do contribute don't feel like their good deed results in punishment? Brought to you by Go...
How Should the WordPress Open Source Project Support Contributors?
January 13, 2022 07:29 - 20 minutes - 23.2 MB m4aThey say no good deed goes unpunished. Recently in the WordPress space, perhaps even the wider open source space, there's been a lot of discussion about that. Is contributing to WordPress worth it? In December Matt Mullenweg asked us to give Five for the Future. He talked about the Tragedy of the Commons. But who is really contributing to open source? And how do we make sure people who do contribute don't feel like their good deed results in punishment? Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro. Read ...
Want to Grow Your Business in 2022? Don't Target WordPress People
January 06, 2022 09:04 - 16 minutes - 18.5 MB m4aLast week I asked you how you will use WordPress in 2022…as in, how will WordPress serve you? This week I want to talk about what you can do to grow your WordPress business. If you’ve read the title of this episode, you already know what I’m going to say: don’t target WordPress people…or put differently, don’t target people just like you. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro Show Notes The WP Minute 5.9 RC 1 Out WordPress 5.9 to Fix Lazy Loading Performance Regression, Resulting in 30% Faster ...
Want to Grow Your Business in 2022? Don't Target WordPress People
January 06, 2022 09:04 - 16 minutes - 18.5 MB m4aLast week I asked you how you will use WordPress in 2022…as in, how will WordPress serve you? This week I want to talk about what you can do to grow your WordPress business. If you’ve read the title of this episode, you already know what I’m going to say: don’t target WordPress people…or put differently, don’t target people just like you. Brought to you by GoDaddy Pro Show Notes The WP Minute 5.9 RC 1 Out WordPress 5.9 to Fix Lazy Loading Performance Regression, Resulti...