WordCamp Victoria

Raul Pacheco-Vega was one of the first speakers at Social Media Club, Victoria, and Victoria locals in the social media world who weren’t already fans quickly became so.

Raul is an academic by day, and a blogger and social media personality by night.

While speaking in his unique and entertaining style, he has an uncanny ability to make complicated ideas simple.

Raul uses WordPress for his personal and professional sites, using different themes, layouts, and blogging strategies. In his talk, WordPress for Professional and Personal Blogging: Two Approaches, One Site Building Platform, he will show you how you can use the same blogging platform and customize it to make your personal blog as fun as you want, and your website as professional looking as you need it to be.

Raul also featured prominently in the video DCMC Productions did from the last WordCamp:

We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Raul back for the second WordCamp Victoria.

WordCamp Victoria 2010 is excited to announce the final list of 21 exciting speakers and facilitators for WordCamp Victoria on Saturday, May 15th, 2010.

Check out the complete list of speakers here, and the workshop facilitators here.

There is something for everyone here – whether you are a beginner, a businessperson using WordPress for your website, an avid blogger, a designer, a social media personality (or wannabe social media personality), or a programming wizard.

There is limited space. Registration is open now.

WordCamp Victoria is very pleased to welcome Rebecca Bolwitt as a featured speaker at the upcoming WordCamp on May 15th, 2010.

In case you’ve been living in a cave for the past few years, here’s Rebecca’s profile:

Rebecca Bollwitt has been blogging about life in BC since 2004 on Miss604.com, and she has been podcasting since 2005.

Listed among Vancouver’s most visible on the web, Miss604.com was voted “Best Vancouver Blog” by the Georgia Straight for 2009, “Best Local Blog” by The Westender in 2010 and has been ranked within the top ten blogs in Canada. Rebecca co-founded sixty4media, a WordPress website development firm, and has co-authored the book, Blogging to Drive Business.

On a personal note, I recall looking up Olympic terms on Google while on the Skytrain in Vancouver, and finding Rebecca’s blog featuring in the top 3 or 4 results on almost every term I searched. But more importantly, I was more likely to find the information I needed on her blog than most of the other sites (including, in some cases, the “official” websites for the Olympics).

We’re very excited to have Rebecca speak. You won’t want to miss it!

Tickets for WordCamp are on sale now!

Photo by Nordica Photography

Mike Vardy gave an entertaining presentation about writing great content.

His slideshow is below:

Catherine Novak spoke about integrating your blog using social media and the magic of RSS.

Her slideshow is below:

Cindy Stephenson spoke about research, topic selection and writing styles.

She has posted three articles to her blog related to WordCamp Victoria 2009:

• Tips on getting your message out effectively
• Tips on identifying and finding success within your niche
• Tips on researching content

Blogging: Research, Topic Selection and Writing Styles/Tips

We have had some great feedback, mostly positive, but lots of great ideas for future events.

Please leave a comment below if you have some ideas you want to make sure we don’t forget for WordCamp Victoria 2010!

One thing we will do at the next event is plan “workshops” out in more detail in advance. Workshops will consist of people sitting around tables facing inward, sharing thoughts on a particular topic, and will be lead by a facilitator. Presentations are great, but adding workshops to the mix will give people more flexibility, and mix up the day a little bit.

Here’s a write up from Ben Ziegler, a participant at the event, that tells a bit of the story from WordCamp Victoria 2009.

Thanks to DCMC Productions for the following video mashup from WordCamp Victoria 2009:

Chris Burdge spoke about blog marketing strategy. He has posted his presentation on his personal blog at Wordcamp Victoria #YYJWordcamp.

Chris was also responsible for organizing the sponsorship by Level Ground Trading, the official Direct Fair Trade coffee sponsor of WordCamp Victoria 2009. I think everyone can agree that Level Ground has some fabulous coffee! The only complaint I heard was “we want more!”

Thanks to Chris, and, of course, Level Ground!

Jeff Richards spoke about widgets. He has posted his presentation on his personal blog at Widgets:Making Your Site Great and Letting Others Help.