WordPress As A World-Class Publishing Platform, With Brad Williams The PublishPress podcast

50:16

In this episode of the PublishPress Podcast, we interview Pete Ericson, the founder of Leaky Paywall. He has many years of experience building paywalls for publishers. Pete says that publishers are still nervous about paywalls, but increasingly see how valuable they can be. We talk a lot about the importance of newsletters in building audience engagement. Once you have the customer's email address, then you can start building a real relationship with them. The conversation also delves into the impact of AI on content management, innovative subscription models, and the future of advertising in publishing. Find out more: https://leakypaywall.com Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Leaky Paywall 02:57 The Philosophy Behind Paywalls 05:52 Changing Attitudes Towards Paywalls 08:50 Building Audience and Email Lists 11:52 The Role of Newsletters in Publishing 14:43 Frequency and Strategy of Newsletters 17:43 Navigating AI and Content Discovery 20:48 The Future of Paywalls and Content Monetization 24:26 Leveraging AI for Archiving and Real Estate Insights 26:47 The Value of Digitizing Archives 30:24 Challenges in Content Digitization 32:06 Niche Magazines Thriving Online 34:10 Monetizing Historical Archives 35:36 The Evolution of Advertising Strategies 38:59 The Future of Subscription Models 45:10 Innovative Paywall Strategies 46:24 Spotlight on Effective Local News Models Topics covered in this episode: Leaky Paywall allows publishers to engage audiences by leaking content. Publishers often feel nervous about implementing paywalls due to customer relationship concerns. The philosophy of one free article followed by registration is effective for audience growth. AI can help publishers manage and monetize their content more effectively. Newsletters are crucial for driving traffic and building subscriber lists. Frequency of newsletters correlates with subscriber conversion rates. Archives of old content can be valuable for driving traffic and subscriptions. Publishers should leverage AI to enhance their content management strategies. Digital advertising is evolving towards sponsorships and direct sales. Niche publications are finding success by focusing on targeted audiences.…

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How Native Advertising Can Drive Revenue for Publishers, With Matt Hoy 45:51

20 days ago45:51

45:51

Matt Hoy is the Chief Revenue Officer of Revcontent which provides native advertising for publishers. In this episode of the PublishPress Podcast, Matt talks about how publishers can drive revenue despite the challenges posed by changes in Google search and the rise of AI. Matt believes the key to success is trust. The advertising landscape is shifting away from low-quality ads. There needs to be trust between publishers, advertisers, platforms, and visitors. We dive into Revcontent's partnership with Apple News where high-quality , family-friendly ads benefit everyone involved. Find out more: https://revcontent.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the PublishPress Podcast 01:09 Revcontent's Role in the Publishing Landscape 02:49 Understanding Revcontent's Monetization Strategy 05:08 Building Trust with Publishers and Advertisers 08:14 Navigating the Challenges of Third-Party Cookies 11:21 Impact of Google Search Changes on Publishers 13:20 Adapting to Shifts in User Behavior 16:29 Verticals Affected by Current Trends 19:51 The Rise of AI and Its Impact on Content 21:03 Working with Apple News and Newsletters 28:56 Connection Issues and Clientele Overview 31:01 Scaling for All: Big and Small Publishers 33:16 Understanding the Advertising Side 35:03 Diverse Advertiser Landscape 39:20 The Importance of Diversification in Publishing 47:06 Exploring International Expansion and New Avenues 52:45 Admiring Innovative Publishers Show notes Revcontent operates in a smaller ad tech market in Florida. Matt has been with Revcontent for nearly 10 years. Revcontent focuses on monetizing below-the-fold content. The company aims to build trust with publishers and advertisers. Changes in Google search are impacting publisher traffic. Revcontent is adapting to shifts in user behavior and preferences. The rise of AI is affecting non-controversial content traffic. Revcontent is an official reseller for Apple News. The company aims to provide a publisher-friendly approach to monetization. Email newsletters are a developing market for ad monetization. Revcontent offers a white glove service to all publishers. Smaller publishers are crucial for the ecosystem. Compliance and quality are top priorities in advertising. Diversification is essential for modern publishers. International expansion is a future goal for Revcontent. Innovative publishers are finding success in niche markets. The advertising landscape is shifting away from low-quality ads. Podcasts and events are becoming significant revenue sources. Quality user experience is vital for advertiser satisfaction. Revcontent is committed to maintaining high standards in ad partnerships.…

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Why the Most Successful Media Companies Use WordPress, With Ben May 49:46

4 weeks ago49:46

49:46

Ben May runs The Code Company, one of the most successful WordPress agencies in Australia. In this episode of the PublishPress Podcast, we discuss Ben's journey in the Australian publishing industry, the evolution of WordPress, and the importance of community engagement. Ben has tons of experience with scaling WordPress sites, particularly with comment and community systems. He believes we're seeing a shift from social media to owning community interactions. Ben's agency: https://thecode.co Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Ben May and Code Company 02:50 The Evolution of WordPress and High-Traffic Sites 05:57 Community Engagement and Comment Systems 08:55 The Shift from Social Media to Community Ownership 12:09 Working with Established Publishers and Creators 15:13 Headless WordPress: Pros and Cons 17:54 Case Studies: Media Operator and Substack Migrations 20:48 Building a Business Around a Platform 24:40 The Value of Ownership in Technology 25:31 Niche Success in Publishing 28:40 Innovative Media Strategies for Growth 30:57 Community Engagement and Passion Projects 34:07 The Future of Multilingual Content 38:20 Technical Approaches to Multilingual WordPress 46:04 Improving WordPress for Competitive Edge 48:08 Admired Publishers and Their Impact Topics we covered in this episode: - Scaling WordPress for high traffic events was a major challenge. - Community engagement through comments can drive traffic and loyalty. - Publishers are moving away from social media to own their communities. - Established publishers often have a better foundation for community building. - Headless WordPress can add complexity without solving core problems. - Successful migrations from Substack to WordPress are on the rise. - Building a business around a platform is crucial for long-term success. - Publishers must be wary of relying on third-party platforms for their business. - Ownership of technology allows for flexibility and control. - Niche markets can lead to significant success in publishing. - B2B media can effectively serve specific audience needs. - Community engagement is crucial for media success. - Innovative media strategies can drive growth and revenue. - Multilingual content requires more than just translation. - Technical challenges exist in implementing multilingual solutions in WordPress. - Improving basic functionalities in WordPress can enhance its competitiveness. - Specialty media can foster strong community connections. - Passion-driven content can create highly engaged audiences.…

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WordPress is the Ultimate Platform for Food and Travel Blogging, With Andrew Wilder 45:16

6 weeks ago45:16

45:16

In this episode of the PublishPress Podcast, we talk with Andrew Wilder from NerdPress. His team specializes in WordPress support and maintenance for independent publishers, particularly in the food and travel blogging niches. Because he works with very high-traffic websites, Andrew and his team do things differently. For example, their plugin updates are always done manually, with very careful roll-outs that can take a week or more. They also spend a lot of time testing and optimizing for site speed. If there's something Andrew doesn't know about Google's Core Web Vitals, it's not worth knowing. Andrew talks about the supportive community among food bloggers. The conversation also touches on the competitive landscape of blogging, the significance of niche marketing, and various revenue models that successful bloggers employ. Oh, and Andrew has some excellent recommendations for where to get the best food recipes! Links for this show: https://www.nerdpress.net/ https://tastemakerconference.com/ https://travelcon.org https://www.facebook.com/groups/2582456548748766/ https://unchartedterritories.tomaspueyo.com/ https://hot-thai-kitchen.com/ https://www.shockinglydelicious.com/ https://cookingontheweekends.com/ Key points from the episode: NerdPress focuses on manual updates for WordPress sites. Building long-term relationships with clients is crucial. Food bloggers often support each other despite competition Email marketing remains a vital tool for publishers. Niche marketing can lead to clearer audience engagement. Display advertising is a primary revenue source for bloggers. Community events foster collaboration among blogger Successful bloggers often diversify their income streams. Maintaining a personal touch in client interactions is key. The blogging landscape is competitive but rewarding. Diversification in revenue streams is essential for sustainability. Finding joy in publishing on specific platforms is crucial. Google's Core Web Vitals are a significant ranking factor. AI can assist in content creation but should not replace human input. Authenticity resonates with audiences and builds trust. Travel blogging has faced challenges due to the pandemic. WordPress remains the dominant platform for food bloggers. Technical support can enhance the performance of blogs. Community building is key to successful blogging. Engagement with audiences through social media is vital.…

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Teaching Web Design to Everyone from Harvard to Human Trafficking Survivors, With Jen Kramer 47:34

7 weeks ago47:34

47:34

Jen Kramer has taught web design for decades. Her career spans Harvard, community colleges, LinkedIn, Frontend Masters and now Annie Cannons, a nonprofit boot camp for human trafficking survivors. In this episode of the PublishPress Podcast, Jen talks about her career and how web design teaching has changes over the years. Jen believes that good teaching requires the same skills, no matter where the students are. Jen believes that students need to know the foundational skills in web development: HTML, CSS, and Javascript. Everything else should build on that base. Key Links: https://anniecannons.org https://www.jenkramer.org We touched on these topics in this episode: Jen is currently the director of learning design and technology for Annie Cannons. The bootcamp teaches job skills to human trafficking survivors. Students are paid to attend classes, allowing them to focus on learning. The course lasts a little over a year and includes various programming languages. Graduates are prepared for junior developer roles, but the job market is tough. Teaching requires a solid understanding of educational principles. Effective teaching involves chunking information and allowing for reflection. The transition to online learning has changed the landscape of education. Video learning has become the preferred method for many learners. Fundamentals like HTML and CSS remain crucial in web development. Coding is often seen as entertainment rather than a learning process. Tools like Duolingo provide fast but not always effective learning. Effective teaching requires a focus on what students will remember long-term. AI is changing the landscape of coding education and job opportunities but junior developers need to develop real problem-solving skills. Structured learning helps students understand the order of concepts. The basics of web development remain crucial despite technological changes.…

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Building a Community on Authentic Content, With Kyle Van Deusen 41:00

8 weeks ago41:00

41:00

Kyle Van Deusen runs the popular The Admin Bar community, a platform for WordPress agency owners and freelancers. He's been able to grow the community to over 12,000 people because he's still an agency owner and is constantly dealing with the same problems as his members. Find out more: - https://theadminbar.com - https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadminbar/ Kyle talks about community management and the unique culture he has developed at the Admin Bar. We discuss strategies for content creation and engagement. He emphasizes the importance of identifying common problems faced by agency owners and how sharing personal experiences can lead to valuable content. The discussion also covers the shift towards recurring revenue models, the impact of AI on the industry, and the tools and processes used for efficient content creation.…

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Blogging is Still Very Big Business, With Colin Devroe 47:55

10 weeks ago47:55

47:55

Colin Devroe has been a blogger since the 1990's. He currently runs Hubbub, a social sharing and website growth plugin for WordPress. He is passionate about helping bloggers succeed. And in 2025, that means owning your audience. On this episode of the PublishPress Podcast, Colin shares his vast experience in the blogging industry. He talks about how social networks are swinging back towards with human curation with bloggers seeing a lot of success on platforms like Flipboard. And to really own your audience, you need them to follow you on a platform you control. That can be a newsletter, or a decentralized social platform, but you need a direct connection to your fans. Find out more: https://morehubbub.com https://cdevroe.com https://www.nerdpress.net Colin's recommended links: Bartosz Ciechanowski – https://ciechanow.ski/archives/ Julia Evans – https://jvns.ca Molly White – https://www.mollywhite.net Simon Collison – https://colly.com Simon Willison – https://simonwillison.net Topics we covered in this episode: Blogging has evolved into a significant industry with professional media organizations. Successful blogs often have dedicated teams for content creation and management. Revenue for bloggers comes from diverse sources including ads, partnerships, and merchandise. Social media plays a crucial role in driving traffic to blogs. Flipboard offers a unique magazine-like experience for content sharing. Human curation on platforms like Flipboard enhances content visibility. The blogging landscape is more competitive than ever with numerous active blogs. Content diversification is key for successful bloggers to reach wider audiences. Instagram and other social platforms are vital for monetization opportunities. The future of blogging will continue to evolve with changing technology and audience preferences. Owning your audience is crucial for publishers. Newsletters are more valuable than social media followers. Decentralized platforms allow for audience portability. Personal websites serve as a space for experimentation and thought. The evolution of blogging reflects ongoing curiosity and optimism. Hubbub is focused on helping publishers grow their mailing lists. Social media changes constantly, requiring adaptability from publishers. Engagement through newsletters leads to more valuable relationships. The future of social media is leaning towards open protocols. Successful blogging is still thriving with dedicated publishers.…

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WordPress as a World-Class Publishing Platform, With Brad Williams 52:31

11 weeks ago52:31

52:31

Brad Williams is the CEO and Co-Founder of WebDevStudios, a leading WordPress agency. He's been involved in some ground-breaking projects, such as moving Microsoft's blog networks from closed-source code to WordPress. Microsoft's adoption of WordPress really helped validate the platform for enterprises. On this episode of the PublishPress Podcast, Brad discusses how his team have moved publishers to the block editor using a step-by-step approach rather than a rebuild. Surprisingly for me, he also sings the praises of multi-site networks for anyone wanting to run a large number of sites on WordPress. Brad's agency: https://webdevstudios.com/ Topics covered in this episode: Brad Williams has been involved in WordPress for nearly 20 years WebDevStudios started as a small agency and has grown significantly Networking at events like WordCamp has been crucial for agency growth. Performance and transitioning to the block editor are current challenges for publishers. The block editor offers significant advantages for content creation. Iterative approaches can ease the transition to the block editor. There is a market for helping clients move from legacy systems to modern WordPress Community engagement is essential for long-term success in the WordPress space. The future of WordPress is focused on performance and SEO. Website speed significantly impacts user retention and SEO. Using tools like PageSpeed Insights can help improve website performance. WordPress multi-site allows for easier management of multiple sites. AI can assist in automating tasks for publishers, enhancing efficiency. Maintaining strong content strategies is essential in the face of changing search algorithms Agencies should foster relationships with plugin developers for better collaboration. Premium plugins offer stability and support for clients. Networking at events like WordCamps is crucial for building industry relationships. Creating plugins based on agency insights can lead to successful products.…

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This Dev is Moving 100s of Newspapers to WordPress, With Tyler Channell 45:52

12 weeks ago45:52

45:52

Tyler Channel runs PaywallProject which is a WordPress stack for news publishers. Tyler recommends that the publishers use a paywall to drive revenue, no matter how small or regional their audience is. When he was in college, Tyler heard a professor say that someone needs to discover a way to make newspapers sustainable. That's been his goal for years, and now he's making it happen. Find out more: https://www.paywallproject.com/ Links mentioned in this episode: https://leakypaywall.com https://newsletterglue.com https://newspack.com https://salemreporter.com https://bangkokpost.com Topics we covered in this episode: Paywall Project focuses on local publishers' needs. Sustainability in local news is a primary goal. WordPress is a preferred platform for publishing. The project started with small West Virginia newspapers. Expansion has led to international clients. Consulting is a significant part of the service. AI is being utilized to enhance local event listings. Migration from other CMSs is a common challenge. Building trust within communities is crucial for growth. The newsletter is a key tool for audience engagement. Streamlining login processes can reduce admin headaches for publishers. Converting free users to paid subscribers can take time. Local publishers face unique challenges in the digital landscape. The print component of newspapers is often a loss leader. Digital subscriptions are becoming the primary revenue source for publishers. Emerging digital publishers are focusing on niche content. Revenue models are diversifying beyond traditional advertising. The Paywall Project aims to support local news sustainability. Publishers are increasingly moving towards digital-first strategies. The future of local journalism is focused on community engagement and digital innovation.…

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Community is the Foundation of Great Journalism, With Matt Medeiros 47:16

13 weeks ago47:16

47:16

Matt Medeiros is a foundational member of WordPress community, as a journalist and a podcaster. He believes that community is far more valuable than large number of newsletter and social media followers. Matt believes deeply in community, and also curiosity. It's fascinating to hear about his journey and how his curiosity as led him from project to project. At the end of the conversation, we hear where his curiosity is leading him now. Matt runs The WP Minute and Slack community: https://thewpminute.com . Sign up for Matt's newsletter: https://thewpminute.com/subscribe/ This episode features Steve Burge from PublishPress and Dan Knauss from Multidots. We covered these topics and more: Why Matt views WP Minute as an omni-channel publication. His journey into WordPress began with a sales role at Circuit City. How Matt transitioned from a web development agency to podcasting. He built a community through interviews and content creation. Revenue for WP Minute comes primarily from sponsorships. Matt emphasizes the importance of community journalism. He believes in the human side of content creation. Managing multiple channels requires passion and organization. Iterating on content strategies is key to staying relevant. The landscape of WordPress content creation is evolving. There is a ceiling on the type of content that can be produced in the WordPress space. Exploring alternatives to WordPress is essential for future growth. AI tools can significantly enhance development processes. Building a project like PulseWP requires understanding user experience and backend processes. The integration of AI in software development is still in its infancy. WordPress offers a robust framework that simplifies many development tasks. Maintaining a human connection in technology is crucial for brand loyalty. Content creators should leverage personal connections to enhance their brand. The future of software development will likely involve more AI-driven solutions. Matt's links: Matt’s main site: https://thewpminute.com/ Matt’s agency: https://slocumstudio.com Matt’s local Massachusetts podcast: https://southcoast.fm Matt’s WordPress plugin: https://wordpress.org/plugins/easy-support-videos/ Matt’s tutorial site: https://plugintut.com Matt’s new acquisition: https://masterwp.com/ Matt’s new site: https://www.cmsminute.com/ Matt’s projects; https://craftedbymatt.com/ Matt’s old site: https://mattreport.com/ Matt’s podcast guide: https://thepodcastsetup.com/ Matt’s RSS feed: https://pulsewp.cc/ Matt’s Gravity Forms site: https://breakdown.transistor.fm/ Matt’s next podcast: https://ourbelovedmedium.com/…

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How to Build a Successful Media Company in 2025, With Brian Morrissey 1:07:40

15 weeks ago1:07:40

1:07:40

Brian Morrissey is a veteran of the media industry after long stints at DigiDay, Adweek. He is full of interesting opinions about where the industry is going. He thinks that smaller is better for publishers. He believes that relationships are often far more valuable than large number of newsletter and social media followers. And scarily for WordPress users, Brian says we may not even need a website in years to come. Brian runs The Rebooting newsletter and in this episode of the PublishPress podcast he tells us what a successful media company looks like in 2025. Sign up for Brian's newsletter: https://www.therebooting.com/ This episode features Steve Burge from PublishPress and Dan Knauss from Multidots. We covered these topics and more: The Rebooting was born out of a personal and industry-wide need for change. Email marketing remains a powerful tool for audience engagement. Substack provided a simple platform for newsletter creators, but limitations exist. Transitioning to Ghost allowed for more flexibility and control over content. Community engagement is crucial for building a strong brand in publishing. AI is reshaping the media landscape, creating both challenges and opportunities. The traditional role of websites may diminish as AI changes information consumption. Diversifying revenue streams is essential for sustainable publishing models. Events and in-person interactions enhance community and brand loyalty. Understanding audience needs through direct engagement is vital for success. Podcasts create a strong human connection. Social media can be challenging for content creators. Authenticity is crucial in publishing. Newsletters provide a direct connection to audiences. The media landscape is shifting towards smaller businesses. Community engagement is vital for modern publishers. Curiosity drives thoughtful journalism. AI will increase the demand for human-crafted content.…

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Using Real News Skills to Cover What Happens In WordPress, With Rae Morey 39:22

16 weeks ago39:22

39:22

Rae Morey launched "The Repository" in 2019. It's a weekly newsletter that often break real news about what's happening in the WordPress ecosystem. Sign up for Rae's newsletter at https://www.therepository.email . Here are some of the topic we covered: Each weekly issue has about 5 major stories, with lots of community comments, plus a couple of dozen other stories. How does Rae collect and sift through all the noise to find the key stories? How does The Repository earn revenue? The newsletter is remarkably light on advertising with just one key sponsor, then a group of other sponsors on the website. Is quality news curation and analysis (appreciated and sufficiently valued in the WordPress community? Are there good models for sustaining tech journalism? - Does Rae have a long-term goal with The Repository? Is she aiming to make it a full-time job?…

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This WordPress Dev Bought a Newspaper in Indiana, With Chris Hardie 49:02

20 weeks ago49:02

49:02

Chris Hardie is a software engineer with a deep interest in journalism. Chris worked for Automattic for five years and recently completed a master's degree in journalism. In 2022, Chris combined these two passions by acquiring Western Wayne News in Wayne County, Indiana. The paper has a WordPress site and a weekly printed edition. It covers the spectrum of local news, including events, sports, government meetings, and business. This episode features Steve Burge from PublishPress and Dan Knauss from Multidots. We covered these topics and more: Chris shares his journey to becoming a newspaper owner and introduces Western Wayne News. Chris talks about is Wayne County, a quiet place but within an hour of Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Dayton. What changes has Chris you put in place since taking over? Is it as simple as modernizing their tech stack, or has he made other changes in how the news is delivered? What does an average day look like running a newspaper? How does a small newspaper like this earn revenue? Subscriptions? Selling the print version? Classifieds, legal announcements etc? How have the finances worked out so far? What has been the biggest challenge in going from WP development to journalism? What is Chris doing differently from the rest of the news industry? Show links: https://chrishardie.com/blog/ https://chrishardie.com/2022/10/so-i-bought-a-newspaper/ https://westernwaynenews.com/newspaper-welcomes-new-ownership/ https://westernwaynenews.com/ https://tech.chrishardie.com/2022/tools-for-print-online-newspaper-business/ https://stumble.press/2024/newspaper-management-software-feature-list/ https://publishpress.com/publishing-news/local-news/wordpress-developer-buys-local-newspaper-in-indiana/ Chris' publisher recommendation: https://404media.co…

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Running a Successful TV Review Website With WordPress, With Andy Dehnart 40:28

20 weeks ago40:28

40:28

Andy Dehnart has run the Reality Blurred website for 25 years now. He writes about reality TV and now also about true crime TV shows. Andy talks about his career as an independent reviewer, and how small publishers can still thrive in 2025. This episode features Steve Burge from PublishPress and Dan Knauss from Multidots. Here are some topics we covered: It has been fascinating to hear Andy talk about Reality TV as a reflection of society. Why is reality TV so endlessly fascinating? What is the business model for Reality Blurred? Advertising and affiliate links? How does Andy manage the technical side of running the site? What is the number one problem Andy is facing right now as an independent publisher? Andy has spent 20 years teaching journalism at Stetson University. What advice does he give to young journalists getting started? Show Links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Dehnart https://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/ https://www.tvcritics.org/board-of-directors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hWrRlSITKw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhYak9x-am8 https://newsnerdery.org/ Andy's publisher recommendation: https://journalistspaythemselves.com/…

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Introducing the New Content Publisher From Pantheon, With Josh Koenig 44:28

20 weeks ago44:28