Tell us a bit about yourself:
Please share a brief history of your company:
In March 2009 I was laid off from my engineering job and started looking for a new career. I had done some work as a Unix sysadmin and loved it. I realized that I wanted to find a way to combine working with both people and computers. My initial plan was going to try teach people to use MS Office applications more effectively. Early market research put a quick end to that.
While I was casting about I kept finding myself drawn to web design blogs and resources. Eventually I acquired enough knowledge to start helping other people.
Now I consider myself part web designer/developer, part educator.
Please share a brief history of your work with WordPress:
My mom started a small private community using WordPress in January 2008. I had Editor rights on it. She hated struggling with some of the technical challenges required to maintain it. It didn’t have any kind of backup.
As I started learning more about working on the web and WordPress I took over as my mom’s webmaster. Check out her daily bits of inspiration and happiness at High on Happiness ( http://www.highonhappiness.com/ ).
On my first “client” site I used Artisteer to build the theme (*hangs head in shame*). Yes, it’s still live. No, I won’t share the link. I have since learned better. Now I primarily use the Genesis WordPress framework.
What is your favorite plugin?
My “favorites” have changed over time. Some have been replaced are no longer needed as core functions have expanded. There are two that I install on every site I work on:
WP-DB-Backup (http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-db-backup/ ) for backing up the database.
WordPress Backup is great for backing up the stuff that doesn’t live in your database (Themes, Plugins, and Uploads). (http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wordpress-backup/ )
I use these because they work and they’re a zero-cost way to protect your data.
Tell us about your latest WP project:
My day job (not with WordPress, sadly) keeps me busy. I do manage to squeeze in some telephone consulting and remote site updates for a few clients.
I am excited to be reworking the District 28 Toastmasters (http://d28toastmasters.org) website with WordPress. I’m starting on a behind-the-scenes retrofit that I hope to roll out in late August or early September.
Share one WP tip:
Sorry, I can’t keep it to just one.
LEARN SOME BASIC HTML AND CSS (and learn to work in HTML view)! I won’t apologize for shouting because I feel very strongly about it. Why? I constantly see clients’ posts and pages with horrid markup because they’re trying to change font size and style like a word processor. The search engines won’t like that. It doesn’t help that the built-in TinyMCE Editor sucks.
SPEND SOME MONEY ON A DECENT THEME! Just do it. Either you will thank me later, or your developer will. I promise.
Do you have a WP hero?
Several. Dozens, maybe. I follow many WordPress people on Twitter and have learned a lot from them.
Most of them have found a way to work for themselves and do cool things on the web with WordPress. Russell Faire really impressed me when he visited the Metro Detroit WordPress Meetup group last year. Shayne Sanderson and the guys at 9 Seeds do some really cool things, too. They’re all really nice guys, too.
I can’t forget Ryan Imel of WP Candy. Young, smart, nice, and funny at an after party!
What is your motto?
“Do more of what works. Do less of what doesn’t.” –Rebecca Jehorek
For me it’s a reminder to focus on the outcome you want instead of getting stuck on the way you think something should work.
What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you at a conference?
Four words: @ptahdunbar and Bowling Shoes. (Ask him about it.)
Who is the most interesting person you have met through social media?
Scott Stratten (@unmarketing) is as cool and funny in person as he is on Twitter. He’s also one heck of a karaoke singer.
What is your favorite restaurant or club in Chicago?
Sorry, I’m from out of town. Somebody please educate me!
Why did you choose your topic for WC Chicago?
I kept running into clients who wanted to change “one little thing.” Often it’s a very minor thing in CSS, yet they think I’m some kind of miracle worker. I want to give the people who want to do it themselves the ability to take command of the way certain things look on their blog or website.
What do you hope the attendees will get out of going to your session?
It’s just a website, not rocket science. Yes, there are details involved. AND you can learn to do it if you are committed to learning the details and systems.
Contact Info:
TJ List
Email: TJ@maxim650.com
Twitter: @TJList
I learned a ton when I attended WordCamp Chicago (my first one!) last summer. I’m deeply honored to be able to give back to the community as a presenter this year.
