Interview with Hilary Fosdal

Interview, Speakers

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Hilary will be presenting No Regrets Web Design on Saturday in the Design track

Hilary Fosdal is the founder of Bring Your Own Stuff. She also serves as the Digital Strategist at the Better Government Association (BGA).

Prior to joining the BGA, Hilary was the digital managing editor for the Chicago-based Cumulus Radio stations WLS AM and 94.7 FM. She earned her M.A. in journalism and mass communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

You can get to know her better online at http://hilaryfosdal.com.

Interview:

Why do you use WordPress?
I use WordPress because it is as powerful a content management system as it is simple to use. I appreciate the a la carte system of use what you want and strip away what you don’t need. You can have ten plug-ins or none at all.

What would you say to convince someone to attend a WordCamp?
Network. Learn. Seek new opportunities. If you’re looking to do any of those things professionally and are in any way connected to the web design and development field you would be doing yourself a disservice not to attend.

What is your favorite WordPress project you have worked on recently?
I recently launched a blog for Bring Your Own Stuff at blog.byostuff.com using WordPress. The purpose of the blog is to help business owners hire the right web designer or agency for their website project.

Do you have any advice for someone looking to start or grow a WordPress based business?
Do it. Plenty of people set up shop everyday. But there is no shortage of outstanding WordPress designers and developers. Be what the market needs.

What is your favorite WordPress-related resource?
I find most of my WordPress questions are answered by using search engines.

Tell us something awesome about yourself that is not WordPress related
I’ve hitchhiked, backpacked and traveled across six continents and over 50 countries. If I had to recommend one place that everyone must see it would be a close tie between Ecuador and Tibet.