WCSTL Speaker Interview: Michele Butcher-Jones

Michele Butcher-Jones will be speaking on Demons In the Closet. Michele is from Carbondale, Illinois.

Here is Michele’s interview:

NILE FLORES: What was it about WordPress that got you to start using it?

MICHELE BUTCHER-JONES: The ease of use. It’s UI was simple to understand and easy to set up. Had I not understood WordPress as easy as I did, I would not still be around this many years later.

NILE FLORES:What motivates you to give back to WordPress and its community?

MICHELE BUTCHER-JONES: I have always loved to teach and giving back is my way of still being able to teach and do the things I love. Plus, we have the best occupational community on the planet. Not just in WordPress, but I have always been fond of sharing what you know, community service, and the basic want for others to succeed.

NILE FLORES: How many WordCamps have you been to, and what was your best 1 or 2 experiences that you had when attending WordCamp?

MICHELE BUTCHER-JONES: A whole lot! I would say probably around the 20-15 mark, however to pick one to be my favorite would be hard. My top 5 are St Louis, Chicago, Miami, Nashville, and Montreal. The top experiences would be simply all the awesome people that I have met and get to see returning to different camps plus traveling to WordCamps gave my my first experience of traveling outside of the country. Going to WordCamp Montreal 2016 was an experience I will never forget.

NILE FLORES: What is your number 1 tip for WordPress users?

MICHELE BUTCHER-JONES: Always remember to save or it didn’t happen. Also, always backup. If you have a backup, nothing is ever lost, broken, or ruined.

NILE FLORES: What is your favorite feature in WordPress?

MICHELE BUTCHER-JONES: Wow Nile! You are liking all the “make you think” questions. Hmmmmm… favorite feature… I would have to say my favorite feature would be (I am so going on a political answer) the versatility. I like that I can make a funny mom blog, an e-commerce site, not-profit donation site, and an informative historical site all in the same day using the same basic tools with a few site specific changes.

NILE FLORES: What are your 3 most favorite WordPress plugins?

  1. Jetpack – Love it for beginners because it covers most of the things a new-to-the-scene user will need. It is definitely a love it or hate it plugin, but I think it is awesome.
  2. WP Rocket – a solid caching- make your site super fast plugin.
  3. Give-  No one does better at donations than Give.

NILE FLORES: What is your favorite WordPress theme?

MICHELE BUTCHER-JONES: Can I just pick a framework and say that I am a Genesis girl? Right now I am really digging the Minimum Pro Theme.

Want to meet Michele and hear her talk? Well, then you’ll need to buy a ticket to WordCamp St. Louis!