State of the Word 2023 Recap

WordPress

The WordPress community was abuzz with excitement as Matt Mullenweg, WordPress' illustrious co-founder, took to the international stage to deliver the first non-North-American "State of the Word", live from Spain. While there was some retrospection, the theme of the event was definitively looking forward as Matt (and Matias ventura, WordPress' lead architect) teased new features and directions for the WordPress CMS. https://youtu.be/1MwT9EEkguE A Look…

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Making The Most Out of a 1:1

Management

One of the most meaningful things that a manager can do with their direct reports is a one-on-one (typically written as 1:1). These meetings provide a valuable opportunity to establish open lines of communication, build trust, and address concerns or issues before they become bigger problems. But there are a lot of misconceptions about what a 1:1 should be, and even what you should…

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One Block to Another: A Guide To The Block Transform API

Tutorial

The introduction of Gutenberg in WordPress has revolutionized the way we create and design content. With Gutenberg's popularity on the rise, content creators are on the hunt for ways to make their content easier and more effective to write. As more and more blocks are added to the repository, it becomes increasingly important to allow a sort of interoperability to them - allowing blocks…

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From Engineer To Manager: Lessons Learned Along The Way

Management

Engineering Manager

To say the last few years have been a whirlwind would be a bit of an understatement. In March 2022, I was back on my job market as a result of a layoff. While this isn't necessarily a unique story in today's time, the following year would be a critical time in my career. I stepped out of the engineering world into a product…

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Know Your Role: The Ultimate Guide to WordPress User Roles

WordPress

WordPress user roles play a critical role in managing access and permissions on a WordPress site. By assigning specific roles to a user, site owners can control what actions each user can perform on the site. WordPress User Roles There are six main roles included with any WordPress installation: Super Administrator: Usually a Super Admin is only found on a WordPress multisite installation, but…

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Let it Flow: The Secret Sauce of Content Creation

Content Creator

Creating content that stands out in a crowded online space can be a daunting task. One of the most effective ways to do so is to find your niche and develop a unique style that resonates with your audience. This is where the state of Flow can come in handy. The flow state, also known as "being in the zone," is a mental state…

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The Secret Life of a Developer Advocate

Development

As the tech industry continues to evolve and grow, the role of developer advocates has become increasingly important. These tech superheroes are the glue that holds the developer community and the companies they work for together, bridging the gap and ensuring that developers have the resources and support they need to be successful. But what exactly does a Developer Advocate do, and why are…

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How Can I Monetize My Blog?

Blogging, Content Creator

How Can I Monetize My Blog?

So, you have a blog. Maybe it's been around for years and receives hundreds of thousands of views per month. Or maybe it's brand new and still building up its audience. Regardless, one question likely pops into your mind: how can I monetize my blog? The answer may seem straightforward, but there are many ways to go about making money from your site. In…

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Should I Start A Blog in 2022?

Blogging, Content Creator

Should I Start a Blog in 2022?

I remember my first blog. My first real blog, that is - my Xanga and LiveJournal sites didn't count, as much as I loved them. Now, 17 years later, what started as a college hobby has turned into part of a multi-million dollar industry. If you're new to the whole "blogging" thing, you may feel like it's too late. Rest assured: if you are…

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Fight For The User

Product Management

Every year, 30,000 new products hit the marketplace. Products that have been properly researched, documented, engineered, and marketing. Products that every CEO and product manager will swear up and down is "the big one". 95% of those products, by statistic, are destined to fail. It's scary, as a product manager, to know that you are up against incredible odds in launching a successful product.…

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