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Todd E Jones
I am the Redneck Coffee Snob. I love storytelling, and I love to tell stories. I help online companies define and refine a compelling story.
Q. How did you come into your current field? Share a bit of the background?
Ans: I’m not sure there is an easy answer. Because I like content, storytelling, and copy, I have moved over to that area.
One of the problems I discovered working in WordPress is the number of companies that could not cobble together content for a new website. Those that did, often had poorly written, uncompelling content.
I moved towards this problem which is one of the reasons I developed the Website Copy Framework.
Q. What’s the most interesting project you have done to date in WordPress?
Ans: I think the most interesting and rewarding project I have worked on is the Website Copy Framework. Several WordPress consultants have purchased the framework and it has helped them help their clients with content.
Q. Have you ever been to any WordPress meetups or WordCamps? If yes did you learn anything useful?
Ans: I actually started a WordPress meetup in the town where I live. It fizzled out. I have been to two WordCamp Fayetteville (AR) conferences.
They have been good. I have met many of the best WordPress developers in Arkansas including one who now works at Automattic.
I have had the honor of speaking to the WordPress Meetup in Tulsa via Zoom. I was looking forward to the possibility of attending their firs ever WordCamp, but Covid hurt that.
Q. What does your workstation look like?
Ans: I have two workstations. I have one at home and I have one in an office I rent in downtown Conway. I have big monitors to help see things better. My hope office uses a laptop and I have a all-in-one desktop in my office downtown. The desk in my downtown office is rather messy.
Q. What kind of tools/software do you currently use for your creations?
Ans: I typically use Canva for the graphics I do. Sometimes I will pull up GIMP when I need more image editing features.
I don’t do a lot of development anymore, but I used a lot of Sublime Text in the past. I will use Audacity and Open Shot for audio and video editing. Most of my screenshares are done via Screencastify.
Q. What interesting feature do you think you would like to see in WordPress and is currently missing?
Ans: It is hard for me to say which features I think WordPress needs. They are always expanding. I don’t think the ecosystem will look the same in ten years.
I liked the advance of the Gutenberg Editor, but it does seem to have had problems with user experience. It will get there, it will just take time.
I am curious to see if or what kind of separation will be made between the WordPress.com platform and the self-hosted WordPress.org platform.
Q. Out of the current plugins and themes which one do you like the most and why?
Ans: My favorite plugin is probably Beaver Builder. Once I realized the need for good landing pages, I wanted them to be created on my website.
Beaver Builder allowed me to do this. I can create custom pages in minutes and sync them to an email software and other call to actions.
Q. Which WordPress hosting do you use and would you recommend for your clients and others?
Ans: I currently use and recommend Siteground, but I realize there are great hosts in the marketplace.
Q. Do you like/love what you currently do in WordPress?
Ans: Yes
Q. What would you like to do in the future in the current field or somewhere else?
Ans: If I could just have a podcast and tell stories all day, that would be pretty good. I’m sure I would be tired, but I would really enjoy it.
I am hoping to launch some more in the future to go along with the Copychat Show.
Q. Can you give us some reference for whom we should conduct an interview next and why?
Ans: I am going to recommend Ivica Delic. He runs a lot of Facebook groups and is heavily involved in the WordPress community and is a leader in Croatia.
Sonl Sinha is a passionate writer as well as WordPress and WooCommerce rockstar who loves to share insights on various topics through his engaging blog posts. He runs a successful website design and digital marketing company. With 15+ years of experience in WordPress theme development, he strives to inform and inspire readers with his thought-provoking content. He helps thousands of small and medium businesses and startups create a unique online presence. Follow Sonl Sinha for your regular dose of knowledge and inspiration.
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