Thanks for checking out this page! Hopefully, you’re a WordPress user in the Derby, Ilkeston or Nottingham area of the East Midlands, UK.
Whether you’re a blogger, developer, business owner or hobbiest you’re possibly interested in meeting in person for informal, friendly discussion and learning opportunities.
- This page is a holding page until something more permanent is set up
- A 302 redirects wpderby.co.uk here
- A site for wpnottingham.co.uk has been set up
- If you have thoughts/ideas, please leave a public comment rather than sending an email
Sign up to the WordPress East Midlands email list.
WordPress Meetup: Initial Thoughts
Existing Meet Up Groups
A search on MeetUp.com shows there are groups for programmers in the East Midlands but perhaps Derby/Nottingham people would like to stay more local and focus on WordPress only.
What I learned about MeetUp.com however, is that is costs money (a monthly fee) to create a group. WordPress will pay the membership dues since there is an Official WordPress chapter.
The WordPress Home dashboard is integrated with Meetup.com and will automatically pull in local WordPress events. This is powerful and would make the use of the official WordPress Meetup.com worthwhile.
Since there are no WordPress events running in Nottingham, the nearest known events (at least those listed on Meetup.com) are shown in the results:
WordPress have compiled a Meetup Organizer’s Handbook which covers everything from branding to etiquette.
My Interest in WordPress
To clarify, I’m referring to the WordPress.org open source distribution, not WordPress.com.
Although both versions are developed by Automattic and were founded by Matt Mullenweg it is the self hosted .org version I’m interested in.
However, perhaps catering to both .org and .com would be better. What do you think?
I started using WordPress in 2013, with the StudioPress Genesis Framework together with a localhost Apache server simulator called InstantWP.
WAMP is now my preferred localhost environment.
WordPress is powerful, flexible and free. However, there are many mistakes easily made with the platform and out-of-the-box it’s susceptible to brute force attacks.
My goal is to learn and understand more about WordPress. In the spirit of transparency, my business agenda is to source clients if they feel a consultant would benefit them.
I’m not an aggressive, self-serving sales guy so I wouldn’t want to do anything that ever compromises the quality of a regular meet up.
Meet Up Subject Matter, Topics & Discussions
There’s plenty of discussions to be had around WordPress.
One of the best ways to keep up with WordPress news is to subscribe to a good podcast like Your Website Engineer, which is run by Automattic employee and developer Dustin Hartzler.
While these podcasts are great to listen to, there’s no real time interaction.
I’d like to informally network with others face to face and have actual conversations about WordPress topics.
I posted a topic on a website forum I visit a lot, asking for WordPress meetup ideas. I got a little feedback and some good tips. Someone on that thread mentioned a WordPress meetup in Derby.
Skill Level
Some WordPress users will be complete novices while others may be veteran developers. I had a conversation with my #SmallBizHour tweetchat co-host Steph and she said she couldn’t get to grips with the finer points of WordPress.
Her video company use WordPress, but she’s not the primary webmaster, much to her own relief. We did discuss alternatives like Perch and Twitter Bootstrap.
Have a listen to our conversation below. Maybe you’re currently in a similar position to Steph – frustrated.
Perhaps a WP meetup would benefit you if you’re a beginner.
Venues, Logistics & Overheads
Since I’m from Ilkeston, I could travel to either Derby or Nottingham quite easily.
There are some established events in both cities that have been open to the idea of using their venue.
I did a little research using the Facebook audience insights tool and it looks as though the most people with “WordPress” listed as an interest in their Facebook profile are from Nottingham:
WordPress Heanor
I met with someone from Heanor and we discussed putting on an initial session on the 16th September 2015.
The first meetup was interesting and was a demonstration of building a localhost server stack. We had a few people come along but the other organiser decided not to continue hosting in Heanor because of the initial low turnout.
Personally, numbers do not bother me since this is something you earn over time. Plus, it was the first meeting, so the early results should not be an indicator of the long term outcome.
WordPress Nottingham
It’s true that the research seems to indicate Nottingham has the most potential and a greater chance of attracting more attendees.
View Nottingham on Google Maps
Whether this is a free or paid event remains to be seen. If there are rental overheads it would need to involve a fee to cover costs.
- It would be good to have laptops and WI-FI with a projector, for obvious reasons
- Demoing frameworks, plugins, local hosts, themes, websites, code and more is going to be useful
- To get started, a pub or function room might be the beginning but secure WI-FI access with decent bandwidth could be an issue here
If you’re reading this and you believe you know a suitable venue it would be appreciated if you’d leave a comment or contact me.
Nottingham Venues
So far, the venue used by Tech Nottingham is the most attractive. The venue is called Antenna and it is on Beck Street, near Huntington Street, Nottingham, about 5 minutes walk from the Victoria Center.
I’m a card-carrying member of Antenna in Nottingham and drift in and out the building to meet with clients or work in the large bar area. You wouldn’t need to be a member to attend a meet up hosted there.
The bar and function room of Antenna is used by many existing technology, digital and software events every month.
The room is spacious and comfortable. The bar serves a selection of beers and hot beverages, plus food.
You can’t see it here, but there is a large projector screen that pulls down on the far wall, and it is this that you can plug a laptop into. There is a tech guy and mixing board for sound.
Numerous TV screens are dotted around the room and are connected to the main screen.
Free Wi-Fi is included. You can log on and enter the password to use the internet on your device. The password can be obtained from the bar staff.
WordPress Derby
If you have any tips or ideas on where a WordPress Derby meetup could be held, let it be known in the comments.
Social Media
Here’s some of the social media properties I’ve set up.
I’ve set up two Twitter accounts: WordPress Derby and WordPress Nottingham.
Let’s use these Twitter hashtags:
LinkedIn Group
I’ve created a https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8324200LinkedIn group called WordPress East Midlands. LinkedIn are supposed to be relaunching groups around September 2018.
Summary
- WordPress social club for beginner to intermediate to advanced
- Monthly meetups, early evening in Derby or Nottingham
- Bloggers, developers, businesses, web consultants
- WordPress.org open source distribution
- Informal and friendly
- Topics similar to podcasts like Your Website Engineer
- Appropriate venue with required technology needed
- Will reach out to existing tech event venues to try to reach an arrangement
- Start off in a pub or coffee shop if no larger venue initially
- Use a Twitter monthly Hashtag chat
- Look into use of WordPress logo and trademark
- Set up on Meetup.com via the WordPress Foundation
- Move this page to a dedicated website(s) at wpnottingham.co.uk and wpderby.co.uk
Please register on the WordPress East Midlands email list and leave a comment below.
Dustin Hartzler says
WordPress meetups are great ways to get to know other WordPress enthusiasts in the area as well as learn something new about WordPress in the process.
I’ve been involved in the WordPress community for 5 years and I always learn something new at my local meetup group (which is in Ohio).
Hope this goes well!
Small Biz Geek says
Thanks Dustin! Your podcast is great, I recommend it a lot. If I’m ever stuck for discussion topics at a local meetup, we could probably just discuss your shows!
Ann says
Hi I’d really like to join any WordPress event (not too far from North notts please) I have set up a site to start my own internet business and would like to learn how to use WordPress a little more than remaining at the basic level thanks
Small Biz Geek says
It looks like it will be in NG1 at a venue well known to other tech geeks – every month. Do you want this to be free or would you be prepared to pay a small membership fee?
I do not want this to be a “for profit” thing but I can tell you it isn’t free to run a decent website. Perhaps a kick starter campaign to raise some capital would be better than a membership? Registering URLs, email plans and hosting for the next 5 years up front would be my preference.
Dave Thomas says
I’m interested in this meet-up as a beginner to intermediate WordPress user and site builder.
Small Biz Geek says
Hi Dave, thanks for making your thoughts known. Are you from the Nottingham area?
Roz says
I’d be interested in meetups, preferably Nottingham as I’m just near West Bridgford.
I’m a fairly newish WP user so looking to learn more about it.
Small Biz Geek says
Great! Please forward this page to anyone else you know who may be interested. Nottingham seems to be the preference of most people I’ve spoken to so far, perhaps because there is already a venue in NG1 that hosts many other tech meetups. I believe they have sponsors who will cover costs of the venue, equipment, food and drink.
Do you think it would be reasonable to charge a small membership fee or do you think it ought to remain totally free and only free?
I do need to start building a website for it all however and I’m hoping to raise *some* money to cover the costs of URL, email, hosting and possibly a few premium plugins.
Heather Allen says
Hi Darren
With regards to your WP meet up, a great location in Derby would be at one of the Connect buildings. If you offered a WP event which would give ‘preferrential’ bookings to their clients I’m sure you could use one of their meeting rooms for free or very little £££s.
Connect Derby offer offices and hot desking for Derby small to medium businesses. Most who would have an interest in WP, business blogging and potentially a local web geek like yourself so could be a great opportunity for you.
Hope that is helpful and I look forward to meeting you at a future event
Small Biz Geek says
Thanks for the advice Heather, I’ll def keep this in mind. Hope to see you in the future.
Chris says
Hi,
I think this would be a great idea. I am a WordPress novice, but I have spoken to friends around the country and they say groups like this are really worthwhile.
Keep me posted,
Chris
Small Biz Geek says
Hello Chris,
Where are you from and where would you like to attend a WordPress meetup if there was one?
Natalie Aldridge says
Dear Darren,
My name is Natalie Aldridge and I read your post regarding WordPress.
I would like to know if you know any WordPress/blogging meetups taking place in Nottingham.
I am currently in the process of starting a blog and would like to find out if there are any local support groups.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards
Small Biz Geek says
Hi Natalie,
There are no meetups whatsoever but I plan to get one going. I’m hoping with enough people interested we could just begin meeting up over the summer in Nottingham perhaps in a quiet bar or function room.
At present, there are a few digital and web based meetups in Nottingham (such as Drink Digital) but nothing specifically for WordPress.
I would like to get a few people on side to help me organise the meetings and I was on the phone to a few organisations last year in NG1. With enough interest, and perhaps a sponsor, we could get something going.
To begin with, we could just meet up in bars with the others and discuss in what direction we could take it.
Jeff says
Hi Darren.
I’m a WordPress developer based in Nottingham and am very interested in a monthly meet-up. Pub / coffee shop start would be good – if successful i’m sure that there would be some Nottingham based premise / resource solutions we could take advantage of.
Small Biz Geek says
Agreed Jeff. Humble beginnings would suffice. I’d like to get people to register on the email list and then I can segment it into Derby/Nottingham.
Martin Howes says
Just do it, please, Darren! Nottingham preferably, although I would travel to Derby for a meet-up if there was an interesting speaker and topic. I would be happy to help get things off the ground. My company might be prepared to sponsor, depending on arrangements.
Small Biz Geek says
It might start out as just a few of us meeting at a cafe for drinks. There’s no guarantee of coming out guns blazing from day 1 with speakers, topics etc. But it needs to be done, right? Closest WordPress specific meeting to the East Midlands is… I don’t know? WordCamp Manchester?
David Artiss says
It would be great to see this happen. I’m between Derby and Nottingham, so either location is good for me.
I work for Automattic but also run my own self-hosted sites and am a plugin developer, so could bring quite a bit of knowledge and experience to any meet-ups.
John Hicken says
Hi There
Is this something that ever took off? I live in Nottingham but am situated right on J26 so can get to Nottingham or Derby easily.
I build Websites using WordPress and have a number of clients, although i still have a full time job (Non tech related).
Small Biz Geek says
It’s a very slow take-off, John. For the time being I don’t have time to throw myself into it because of some health issues. It would be great to get people signed up to the mailing list though.