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Coverage of the PRSA WordPress Luncheon

022513fairfield
Feb. 25, 2013

CHANGING CONTENT KEY TO ATTRACT WEB VIEWERS
By John Roche

WordPress is a low-cost, easily used website package well suited for PR pros and their clients, but they must realize that ever-changing content is needed to attract viewers. That message was given to 30 members of the Westchester/Fairfield chapter of PRSA Feb. 13 by Web specialist Marc Jaffe of The Taming Café.

A site that doesn’t change is just a “digital billboard,” Jaffe warned. He noted that cost and availability of numerous plug-ins, options and features have resulted in there being 72 million WordPress websites as of last year.

Of particular interest to PR people today, he said, is that WordPress sites convert automatically to computers, tablets or smartphones.

“You want someone accessing your website to see it in a form compatible with the different venues,” he said.

He also noted that WordPress is “social media friendly,” driving web users to websites. “Your site connects with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and whatever other social media you choose,” he added. Websites can be updated using a smartphone or computer and without the help of technicians, he noted.

Some Costs Involved

Jaffe, based in South Salem, NY., noted that some costs are involved and that some users will find it advantageous to spend more than a minimal amount.

He first determines from clients whether they want to spend a month on their websites. A domain name must be purchased that could cost from a few dollars to $30 or $40.

A web hosting service is also needed that could cost as little as $35 a year. Step-by-step instructions are outlined on the wordpress.org website and additional instructions are available at wordpress.org.

Jaffe’s website has dozens of websites that he helped to create. WordPress has hundreds of themes and thousands of plug-ins, many of them free, he said.

Peter Giles, chapter president, said PR people must keep up with changing technology for their own and clients’ benefit. “

He said the chapter is making a renewed push to offer relevant, practical programs that meet the needs of members.

Jaffe spoke at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich.

Categories
Wordpress

WordPress, Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Web

dabombHere is the presentation I did on WordPress. I am available to present at your next meeting.

WordPress, Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Web

In this open discussion, information technology expert Marc Jaffe will explain how to build an inexpensive website in WordPress.  We’ll learn the differences between a conventional Website and one built in WordPress, what makes WordPress unique as a Content Management System, and how the backend is constructed and managed. Then, together we’ll build a brand new site on the spot utilizing the multisite capability of WordPress.

How will this information help PR professionals?

1)    We will learn the power, simplicity and cost-savings of WordPress

2)    We will be more valuable to your clients by offering them a product that is in use on over 72 million Web sites around the globe

3)    We will break down WordPress into its core parts: Themes, Plugins, Widgets, Multisite and Responsive design.

4)    We will learn how to use the WordPress toolkit, “back end,” and workflow.

Why is WordPress a great tool for marketing?

1)    WordPress provides good search engine optimization (SEO) right out of the box.

2)    It is easy to update content on your website without knowing HTML.

3)    Social Media integration is built in.

4)    And, we’ll learn why: “A blog is a Web site…a Web site is a blog.”

How does Marc know so much about WordPress?

1)    He studied advertising at Art Center College of Design

2)    He built his first site in 1996 and worked for Pepsi, American Express, Freed of London, Westchester/Fairfield Business Journal, WAG Magazine, and many more…

3)    He made the switch to WordPress because he prefers the best tools.

Marc Jaffe is an information technology professional with expertise in consumer electronics, personal computing, networking, and small business computing.  He’s experienced in the management of IT functions and is a Web Master that supports a multitude of small and large companies including American Express, Westchester/Fairfield Business Journal, WAG, Freed of London, etc.

He’s also the owner of The Tamer, a new and unique venue that brings together all of Marc’s technology and design problem-solving skills in one place (taming, verb: to harness or control; render useful, as a source of power). For more information, Contact Marc