As I was looking for a bank statement through the zoo-pile of papers on my desk, I discovered my notes from WordCamp Miami. I can’t believe I did not share these tip-bits sooner, and I can’t believe 8 weeks passed that fast since the event held on February 20, 2010 at University of Miami Campus. This year there were 3 different tracks: Beginner, Social Media and Developers track. It was hard to choose which to attend so I session-hooped to get a taste of all.

What’s Coming in WordPress 3.0 Speaker: Jane Wells

  • NEW Default 2000 Theme
  • Custom Post Types
  • Better Menu Management (custom nav, mix pages, cat., exclude items, etc…)
  • WordPress MU = Multiple sites in One (( WP + MU = WP ))
  • Stay tuned May 1st

For more update news: wpdevel.wordpress.com | #wordpress-dev

Finding Your Blogging Voice Speaker: Jess Jurick | @JessJurick

  • Find your voice, point of interest, what appeals to you most.
  • Yes appearance is important! But should not wait until you have the perfect blog site to start blogging.
  • Put a spin to it! Not just Copy Paste. No gimmicks.

A few successful blogs to follow…get ideas and observe their niche:

Top Tips for becoming a good blogger:

  • Read a lot, Brainstorm often
  • Write from different perspectives
  • Go out and meet people, See the world
  • Don’t be afraid to share your story
Jane Wells, Mark Jaquith, and John James Jacoby

Jane Wells, Mark Jaquith, and John James Jacoby

Make Your Blog Social Speaker: Brian Breslin | Infinimedia, Inc. | @brianbreslin

To be Social = Integrative

Social Networks: Build Up or Build On

Put Social in your Media:

Turning Your Blog Viral:

  • Make reading your blog infectious
  • Turn your readers into promoters

Best Practices:

  • Understand the culture of social networks
  • Treat the community with respect
  • Engage your community whenever they want to

Things to Avoid:

  • Spamming seriously
  • Diving IN without testing things OUT first

Simplifying Social = Plugins :D

Future of Social Blog:

  • (OPEN ID) Identity Providers
  • (DISO) Distributed Social Networks
  • Activity HUBS (Activity Streams)
Attendees Sara & Brad from pixelscut.com

Attendees Sara & Brad from pixelscut.com

E-commerce & WordPress

Speakers: Shayne Sanderson | 9seeds | shaynesanderson.com | @shaynesanderson

Things to consider in your planning before building your e-commerce site and deciding which source to use:

  • How many products you have, What type of product…
  • Does your product have attributes (sizes, colors, etc…)
  • What will be your Gateway (Need SSL_encrypt data HTTPS Secured Site)

E-commerce Plugins…

How do you decide what’s best for you or your client? Research! Take a look at these plugins, do some investigation on the features you #1 need, #2 want and #3 it be real-cool to have. Just remember that Need comes before Cool to Have.  Make your decision based of what will be effecient for the user and manageable for you.

I hope these notes and links help you on your WordPress endeavors. Be sure to check out this local user group South Florida WordPress Meetup, for monthly updates and info on WP.

Photography by Yours Truly -Vanessa Montes :D