But the most powerful way to use AI may be deep research.

Ross Morsali is the developer of the Search and Filter plugin. He uses deep research to find entirely new solutions to complex WordPress problems.

For example, WordPress search is normally slow for large sites. If you have over 10,000 WordPress posts, it can take a while for your visitors to see search results.

Ross used deep research to find entirely new solutions to this problem. With deep research, AI can investigate complex questions, crawl many sources, cross-reference claims, and synthesize the findings.

This is a great conversation with a developer who takes his work seriously and loves to break new ground. In the second half of the podcast, Ross talks about taking his deep research to build innovate answers in a new area: speech-to-text.

0:00 — Steve introduces Ross and the deep-research topic.
2:07 — Ross explains the search/filter performance problem.
4:11 — Ross describes indexing and the technical foundation behind fast search.
5:12 — Ross explains how deep research with AI helped him explore new approaches.
6:29 — He breaks down how he uses research mode in Claude.
8:22 — Ross describes how long the research phase took.
9:21 — He explains the bitmap approach that improved performance.
11:23 — Ross talks about using AI coding tools alongside research.
12:30 — The rewritten indexing system shipped in January.
15:42 — Ross shifts to a new rabbit hole: speech-to-text.
17:40 — He explains why low latency is critical for voice input.
19:30 — The voice tool concept expands into a much broader system.
22:17 — Ross says they’re in the polishing stage and still refining details.
27:25 — He talks about training a new model and applying for a grant.
29:57 — Ross explains his privacy-first mindset and why data ownership matters

Derek Ashauer runs Conversion Bridge which can connect your WordPress site to over 20 different platforms including Plausible, Fathom, User Maven, Pirsch, Microsoft Clarity and others.

In this episode, we consider many of these alternatives to Google Analytics. How can you get conversion analytics that you can easily act on to improve your eCommerce or membership site?

Find out more at https://conversionbridgewp.com.

We discuss the recent release of WordPress 6.9, its new features, and the future of WordPress development next year, including the upcoming WordPress 7.0. What new feature are we going to see in WordPress? What's happening with the 4 phases of Gutenberg?

We're excited again about WordPress after a slow year. There's the potential for transformative changes to WordPress in 2026.

Alex's life was changed when GPT-3 launched, because it radically changed the services he could provide to clients. In this episode we unpack all the changes that have happened to Alex's business in the last 3 years, and hopefully help you navigate this new AI world we're living in.

Alex's agency is at https://getellipsis.com.

• 00:00 The Rise of AI and Its Impact on SEO
• 09:49 Developing Falcon AI: From Concept to Reality
• 14:31 The Evolution of AI Tools and Their Applications
• 20:12 Navigating Changes in Search Behavior and AI Integration
• 28:16 Leveraging AI for Data Analysis
• 31:37 Optimizing Content for AI Responses
• 34:48 Understanding Consumer Behavior Changes
• 38:05 The Value of Personalized Recommendations
• 42:24 Technical Aspects of Content Indexing
• 45:10 Navigating the AI Bubble
• 48.05 The Evolution of SEO to AI Optimization

Just like WordPress, most of the Fediverse runs on open source code. And just like WordPress, you get to create content that isn't swallowed by corporate algorithms. And you can build successful business or communities on your platforms that you own control.

We talk with Evan about the origins and evolution of the Fediverse. Evan has played a key role in building several early Fediverse sites such as Wikitravel, Identi.ca, and StatusNet. He also helped to develop Activity Pub which the key protocol that enables Fediverse to talk to each other.

Find out more about Evan: https://evanp.me. 

• 00:00 The Birth of the Fediverse
• 03:06 Evan's Journey in Open Source and Social Networking
• 05:56 The Evolution of Protocols and Privacy
• 08:55 Philosophical Underpinnings of Open Systems
• 12:05 Meta's Threads and Its Impact on the Fediverse
• 15:08 From Identica to Threads: A Historical Overview
• 18:07 The Role of Standards in the Fediverse
• 21:13 Commercial Interest in the Fediverse
• 25:04 The Power of Newsletters and Social Feeds
• 28:07 Hyperlocal Connections in the Fediverse
• 30:03 Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Social Networks
• 32:58 Building Community through Fediverse Instances
• 38:12 Innovations and Future of the Fediverse
• 42:12 Encouraging WordPress Community Engagement with the Fediverse

In this episode of the PublishPress Podcast, Carol discusses her journey from co-founding the fact-checking agency AusFatos in Brazil to becoming a product director at Indiegraf, a Canadian publishing platform.

We talk about misinformation, and the importance of community journalism to get genuine information to people. Carol and her clients need to use innovative ways to reach people including WhatsApp, audio versions of articles, and in-person events.

More about Indiegraf: https://indiegraf.com/

• 00:53 The Founding of AusFatos and Its Impact
• 03:33 The Evolution of Misinformation and Fact-Checking
• 08:31 Transitioning to IndieGraph and Product Development
• 13:07 Building a User-Friendly Platform for Publishers
• 18:47 The Role of Newsletters in Modern Publishing
• 22:52 Expanding into Latin America: Challenges and Opportunities
• 27:41 WhatsApp as a Communication Tool for Publishers
• 31:57 The Importance of Independent Distribution Systems
• 35:14 Navigating Security and Content Ownership
• 40:43 Spotlight on Innovative Publishers

We cover these topics and more:

• What is the Pew Research Center? How does it help publishers?
• What is about blocks that meet the needs of Pew authors?
• A phrase stuck out at me from your WordCamp US presentation. You said that you want to kill “Settings” screens?
• How do Pew engineers interact and work with the writers on their platform. What does the feedback loop look like?
• Because Pew is a research organization, there are tons of charts and visualizations on their site. What tools do they have for authors to show data?
• Pew is always at the bleeding edge of Gutenberg. What comes next for you and the Pew team?

Show links:

• https://www.pewresearch.org/ 
• https://sethrubenstein.info/ 
• https://github.com/pewresearch
• https://www.pewresearch.org/publications/
• Seth's talk at WordCamp US: https://sethrubenstein.info/2024/09/27/building-a-block-first-digital-news-platform-for-pew-research-center/
• Seth's recommended publisher: https://propublica.org

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.

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/

Although he's shy, Akshat has some great stories to tell. Make sure you hear about his WhatsApp-style messaging platform that went viral, attracted 10,000's of daily users, and then nearly bankrupted him. Listen out also for how being a bad salesman helped him get his big break by selling migration services to WPEngine.

• 00:00 Introduction to Akshat Choudhary and WP Remote
• 04:41 The Importance of Office Culture in Tech Companies
• 09:44 Navigating the WordPress Ecosystem: Products and Target Audiences
• 14:39 The Journey of Building a Startup: Early Experiences
• 19:44 Partnerships with Hosting Companies: Strategies and Challenges
• 25:02 Quality Over Quantity: Business Philosophy and Pricing Strategy
• 30:02 The Power of Public Persona
• 30:25 Challenges of Operating from India
• 31:11 Understanding the North American Market
• 33:28 Balancing Marketing and Product Development
• 33:51 Navigating AI's Impact on Business
• 36:16 Top-Down vs Bottom-Up AI Implementation
• 44:44 Visual Regression Testing: A New Product Launch
• 51:22 The Complexity of Visual Regression Testing
• 55:08 Crafting High-Quality Software
• 59:59 Engaging with the Community

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.

Find out more about Simea's work at https://morntag.com. Her WordPress-to-PDF service is at https://pressdify.com.

Timestamps from this episode:

• 00:00 Introduction to Montag and Multilingualism
• 06:21 Navigating Multilingual WordPress Challenges
• 12:36 From Print to Digital: The Evolution of Montag
• 18:50 Client Needs: Balancing Print and Digital
• 23:58 The Impact of AI on Publishing and Digitization
• 24:12 Bridging the Gap: From Print to Digital
• 26:12 Family Business Dynamics in Tech
• 27:06 The Meaning Behind Montag
• 28:02 Understanding Client Needs Beyond Platforms
• 29:30 The Role of Pressdify in Digital Transition
• 32:09 Exploring the Capabilities of Pressdify
• 36:55 AI's Impact on Publishing
• 42:49 Adapting to New Technologies in Publishing
• 45:23 Complementary Tools for Enhanced Usability
• 49:59 Influential Voices in Publishing

Some key takeaways from this episode:

• Montag is based in Switzerland and serves clients in the DACH region (Germany, Austraia, Switzerland).
• WordPress is not inherently built for multilingual sites so it requires plugins and often consulting work.
• Clients often come to Morntag from a print-first mindset, needing digital solutions.
• The transition from print to digital can be challenging for traditional publishers.
• AI's impact on publishing is a growing concern for clients.
• Flipbooks sound like a good idea for PDF magazines, but are not favored by users who prefer responsive web designs.
• The future of publishing will require adaptation to new technologies. Montag started as an Adobe training company and transitioned to web design.
• Clients often seek solutions for pain points rather than looking for specific platforms such as WordPress.

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

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.

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.

Jacob and AMO have covered huge changes in the publishing industry over the last few years, and his insights will be fascinating for WordPress publishers.

On this episode of the PublishPress Podcast we talk about subscription-based business, AI and other hot publishing topics. But we also talk about the importance of events for publishers. Jacob runs a big annual conference for AMO and believes that events are vital for fostering community and generating revenue. Jacob introduces the three-legged stool model of combining media, events, and data to create a robust business framework.

Timestamps for this episode:

• 00:00 Introduction to AMO and Jacob's Background
• 02:41 Evolution of AMO: From Newsletter to Media Company
• 06:25 Transition from Substack to WordPress
• 14:33 The Role of Events in the Media Business
• 20:43 The Three-Legged Stool: Media, Events, and Data
• 25:55 Navigating Disruption in Media and Events
• 33:03 The Evolving Role of AI in Publishing
• 39:30 Building an Audience-First Media Company
• 45:55 The Future of Media: Resilience and Niche Markets

Topics covered in this episode:

• AMO started as a newsletter and evolved into a media company.
• Jacob's background includes both journalism and business roles in media.
• The transition from Substack to WordPress was driven by the need for flexibility.
• Events play a crucial role in building community and revenue for media companies.
• The three-legged stool model combines media, events, and data for business strength.
• Building a loyal audience is essential for successful events.
• Jacob believes in the power of in-person connections in media.
• The subscription model is challenging but necessary for media businesses.
• AMO's content strategy has expanded to include multiple reporters and freelancers.
• The annual conference has validated AMO's potential and business model. 
• Events are becoming a more secure business model compared to data and media.
• Data businesses face challenges from AI companies potentially scraping their information.
• Publishers may need to implement paywalls and validation mechanisms to protect their content.
• AI can enhance efficiency but is also causing traffic declines for traditional publishers.
• Newer media companies are more likely to embrace events as a revenue stream.
• Understanding the audience is crucial for media companies to succeed.
• The future of media may involve more direct monetization from audiences.
• Niche markets are becoming increasingly important in the media landscape.
• Friction in media products may become a differentiator in an AI-dominated world.

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.

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?

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/

Luke created GovPress, a very popular WordPress theme focused for governments. He built Proud City, a WordPress-based SaaS service for government. His latest work includes ScanGov to track the quality of government websites, and Proudly Serving, a collectively written playbook that helps governments build people-centered digital public services.

• LukeFretwell.com: Luke's personal site.
• Govfresh.com: Luke's consultancy
• ProudCity.com: a WordPress-based platform for local governments
• ProudlyServingBook.com: local government digital services handbook
• ScanGov.org: Government digital experience monitor
• Chatcivic.ai: Government AI chatbots

Timestamps:

• 02:53: The Journey from Journalism to Technology
• 10:15: Connecting Technology and Government
• 12:09: The Birth of GovFresh
• 16:12: Launching Proud City
• 24:27: Navigating the Government Market
• 24:55: Navigating Government Procurement Challenges
• 28:05: Innovating in Government Tech: The Innovator's Dilemma
• 29:28: Introducing ScanGov: A Civic Tech Initiative
• 36:13: The Future of Civic Tech and Open Source
• 41:24: AI in Government: ChatCivic and Its Potential
• 53:17: Civic Leadership and Influential Voices

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.

Raquel talks about what it’s really like to organize large events, the ups and downs along the way, and why community is at the heart of it all. We dive into the behind-the-scenes details: how sponsorships work, how to make speakers feel safe and supported, and why global representation matters so much. Raquel shares what made PressConf 2025 such a success and what’s next for her events.

Check out PressConf 2026: https://pressconf.events

Timestamps: 

00:00 The Birth of PressConf
03:04 Organizing Large Events: Challenges and Strategies
06:07 The Unique Experience of PressConf
09:07 Sponsorship Dynamics in Smaller Conferences
12:02 Creating a Safe Space for Vulnerability
15:01 The Global Reach of PressConf
17:57 Reflections on the Success of PressConf 2025
29:11 Navigating Visa Challenges for Events
30:51 Funding Models for Conferences
34:51 Balancing Ticket Prices and Sponsorships
36:22 Understanding Event Costs
39:07 PressConf's Future and Expansion Plans
41:21 Attracting New Audiences and Diversity
45:31 The Future of PressConf and Open Source Events
49:38 The Role of the Host in Event Success
51:01 Building Trust in Event Organization
56:32 Looking Ahead to PressConf 2026

This new WooCommerce conference will be in Sicily in April 2026. If you work with WooCommerce, you should be there. This is a conference we've been missing in the WordPress space. Rodolfo's aim with this conference is to prioritize great content and valuable networking.

Rodolfo started as a civil engineer building roads in Ireland, before becoming a baker, and then a WooCommerce expert under the "Business Bloomer" brand. He takes us through the ups and downs of putting on a large event for the first time.

Find out more: https://checkoutsummit.com

0:00 Reviving WooCommerce Conferences
03:05 The Checkout Summit: A New Beginning
05:59 Navigating Event Planning and Collaboration
08:56 Choosing the Right Time and Place
11:54 Rodolfo's Journey from Engineering to WooCommerce
14:49 The Bakery Dream: A Shift to Web Development
16:02 The Early Days of WooCommerce
19:08 A Career Built on WooCommerce
24:58 The Spark for Checkout Summit
27:18 Community Over AI: The Need for Human Connection
31:40 Building Trust and Community
35:05 The Road to Checkout Summit
39:07 Investing in Networking Opportunities
41:10 Creating Value Through Content
43:50 Future Plans and Expectations

Green Street News is a major real estate publisher. They're based out of the UK, but have recently been expanding to Europe, Australia, and North America. That's meant a lot of changes to their business and their WordPress platform. This project had significant challenges, including codebase over a decade old. There was also a large volume of content, with over 100,000 articles split across multiple regions. There were also membership and scaling challenges as the Green Street team sends several highly-popular newsletters multiple times every day.

00:00 Introduction to HumanMade and Green Street

03:23 The Evolution of the Green Street Codebase

06:41 Architectural Decisions for Regional Content Management

10:48 Scaling Challenges with High Traffic

14:42 Implementing the Block Editor for Content Creation

18:15 Transitioning to Digital: The Evolution of Green Street News

20:51 Membership Management: Navigating Complex Systems

24:00 Modernizing Legacy Systems: The Ship of Theseus

27:20 AI in Action: Auto-Tagging Content

32:37 Expanding Horizons: Future Growth Plans

35:52 Data Privacy: Safeguarding Sensitive Information

38:01 Recommendations: Influential Voices in Publishing

Jamie is known for his YouTube work on the PootlePress channel and now the official WordPress channel. A few years back, he had a regular job in publishing, but a career change unlocked a whole new wave of creativity.

First, they talk about how AI has changed Jamie’s writing. It helps him create content faster and even build apps like PootleWriter to make writing and publishing easier.

Then, they dive into YouTube, which has become a big outlet for Jamie’s creativity. He’s passionate about teaching and helping beginners with WordPress. Jamie shares how building trust through video has helped him grow and how he’s using what he’s learned to make WordPress better on YouTube.

Check out Jamie's work at https://www.pootlepress.com.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene
• 03:01 The Transition from Traditional Publishing to Digital
• 06:00 Unlocking Creativity with AI
• 11:53 The Development of PoodleWriter and Other Apps
• 18:04 The Impact of YouTube on Creative Expression
• 23:58 Teaching and Training in the WordPress Community
• 26:48 The Mission Behind the YouTube Channel
• 28:59 Growth and Strategy of WordPress YouTube Channels
• 31:57 Balancing Community and Consistency on YouTube
• 33:40 Recommendations for Launching a YouTube Channel
• 35:55 Building Trust Through Video Content
• 37:53 The Future of AI in Video Content Creation
• 41:07 AI's Impact on WordPress and the Future
• 45:09 The Challenge of Competing with New Tools 
• 48:02 The Exciting Future of Content Creation 
• 52:53 The Value of Traditional Media in a Digital Age

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.

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.

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.

With Karim's help, we're going to try and tell two stories in this episode.

The first story is Karim's life working with some of the biggest agencies in the world, and selling projects to some of the largest companies in the world. He tells the story of how he sat down and sold Steve Jobs on a website project. 

The second story is about the value of open source and WordPress to those big enterprise customers. Karim is working really hard at the moment with the FAIR project. We'll explain what that is. The FAIR project is part of Karim's efforts to bring the benefits of open source to big enterprise customers.

[00:00:00] - Introduction
[00:01:21] - Early career and transition
[00:05:17] - Big breaks: Nissan and Pixar
[00:07:38] - Acquisition and rapid growth
[00:09:25] - European expansion and IPO
[00:11:16] - Integration work and lessons
[00:13:40] - Entering open source and WordPress
[00:16:00] - Crowd Favorite and Alex King
[00:17:49] - Bridging publishing and enterprise
[00:20:00] - Composable and modular architectures
[00:21:18] - Enterprise value: ownership and cost
[00:24:23] - System architecture role and compliance
[00:26:08] - CRA and supply chain security
[00:28:36] - Enterprise practices: updates and SBOM
[00:33:00] - Introducing the FAIR project
[00:33:56] - Enterprise examples and collaboration
[00:39:23] - FAIR adoption and partners
[00:41:06] - Linux Foundation governance model
[00:45:03] - Goal: trusted WordPress supply chain
[00:45:55] - FAIR roadmap: ecosystem and policies
[00:47:56] - Defining moment for the coming decades
[00:49:38] - Follow-up and closing

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.

Kimberly introduces me to the tools that Valet relies on. She does a great job of selling me on the Bricks page builder that I've never used before. She thinks it has a lot advantages for WordPress agencies.

We discuss the evolution of Valet, and also her new project, The Modern Webmaster, aimed at empowering clients with knowledge about web development.

Check out Kimberly's agency at Valet.io.

• 00:00 Introduction to Valet and Its Meaning
• 02:01 Understanding Valet's Clientele
• 04:33 The Intentionality of a Small Agency
• 06:32 Balancing Work and Family Life
• 08:50 Revenue Streams and Client Relationships
• 10:12 Consulting and Problem Solving
• 11:23 Applying Engineering Skills to Web Projects
• 15:51 The Flexibility of WordPress
• 16:54 Tools for Managing Client Sites
• 19:06 The Importance of Human Touch in Maintenance
• 22:54 The Role of Staff in Client Management
• 24:11 Addressing Security Concerns
• 28:01 Exploring Client Needs and Solutions
• 30:06 Exploring Page Builders and Themes
• 39:19 The Evolution of Valet and Agency Life
• 49:14 The Modern Webmaster
• 57:26 Empowering Clients Through Knowledge

We cover these topics and more:

• An introduction to Pantheon's Content Publisher.
• The pain points they’re aiming to solve. Are publishers are addicted to Google Docs in their writing workflow?
• This isn’t just a WordPress tool. How difficult is it to build a platform like this that supports WordPress, Drupal, and headless frameworks?
• There are a lot of Google Docs to WordPress connectors available. What’s the differentiator in this product?

Show links:

• https://pantheon.io/platform/content-publisher 
• https://pantheon.io/blog/pantheon-vision-content-operations 
• https://pantheon.io/blog/introducing-pantheon-content-publisher 
• https://publishpress.com/blog/yjs/
• Josh's publisher recommendation: https://www.404media.co/