Speakers: Jamie Marsland

  • Speed Build Challenge

    WordCamp Valencia 2025Speakers: Jamie Marsland, Fran Torres, Raquel García Arévalo (Taisa)

    November 10, 2025 — ¡Llega el WordPress Speed Build Challenge! Un emocionante reto en vivo donde dos participantes se enfrentan cara a cara y contra el reloj para replicar el diseño de una web en solo 30 minutos. Velocidad, creatividad y mucha emoción en directo. ¡No te pierdas la acción y descubre las ediciones anteriores del desafío! Aquí puedes ver otros Speed Builders: https://www.pootlepress.com/speed-build-challenge/ 1. Concepto General El objetivo principal de una Speed Challenge es demostrar lo rápido y fácil que puede ser crear un sitio web desde cero utilizando WordPress. Jamie Marsland suele estructurar estas sesiones como una competencia o desafío en tiempo real, donde los participantes deben construir un sitio web completo (o parte de él) en un período muy corto, generalmente entre 15 y 30 minutos. Estas sesiones son una excelente manera de enseñar a los asistentes cómo aprovechar al máximo las herramientas disponibles en WordPress, como temas predefinidos, plugins y configuraciones rápidas, para lograr resultados profesionales en poco tiempo. 2. Estructura de la Sesión A. Introducción y Objetivo Jamie comienza explicando el propósito del desafío y los objetivos. Por ejemplo: «Hoy vamos a construir un sitio web de comercio electrónico para una tienda de café en menos de 30 minutos.» Define claramente qué se espera del sitio: diseño atractivo, funcionalidades clave (como catálogo de productos, carrito de compra, etc.) y optimización básica. B. Configuración Inicial Jamie guía a los participantes (o demuestra él mismo) cómo configurar rápidamente un sitio WordPress: Instalación de WordPress (si no está preinstalado). Elección de un tema adecuado (generalmente utiliza temas gratuitos populares como Astra, OceanWP o Storefront). Instalación de plugins esenciales (por ejemplo, WooCommerce para tiendas online, Yoast SEO para optimización, etc.). C. Construcción del Sitio Esta es la parte central del desafío. Jamie muestra cómo: Personalizar el tema rápidamente usando herramientas visuales como Elementor, Gutenberg o Divi. Agregar páginas clave (inicio, productos, contacto, etc.). Configurar funcionalidades específicas, como: Crear un catálogo de productos con WooCommerce. Añadir un formulario de contacto con plugins como WPForms o Contact Form 7. Optimizar el sitio para móviles y velocidad. Usar plantillas predefinidas o bloques preconstruidos para ahorrar tiempo. D. Pruebas y Presentación Final Al final del desafío, Jamie revisa rápidamente el sitio terminado y lo presenta a los asistentes. También explica cómo se pueden mejorar ciertos aspectos si se tuviera más tiempo. English The WordPress Speed Build Challenge is here! An exciting live challenge where two participants go head-to-head and race against the clock to replicate a website design in just 30 minutes. Speed, creativity, and tons of excitement in real-time. Don’t miss the action and check out previous editions of the challenge! You can watch other Speed Builders here: https://www.pootlepress.com/speed-build-challenge/ 1. The Main Goal The main goal of a Speed Challenge is to demonstrate how fast and easy it can be to create a website from scratch using WordPress. Jamie Marsland usually structures these sessions as a competition or real-time challenge, where participants must build an entire website (or part of it) in a very short period, typically between 15 and 30 minutes. These sessions are an excellent way to teach attendees how to make the most of the tools available in WordPress, such as predefined themes, plugins, and quick configurations, to achieve professional results in a short amount of time. 2. Session Structure A. Introduction and Objective Jamie begins by explaining the purpose of the challenge and its objectives. For example: «Today we’re going to build an e-commerce website for a coffee shop in less than 30 minutes.» He clearly defines what’s expected of the site: an attractive design, key functionalities (such as a product catalog, shopping cart, etc.), and basic optimization. B. Initial Setup Jamie guides the participants (or demonstrates himself) on how to quickly set up a WordPress site: Installation of WordPress (if not pre-installed). Choosing an appropriate theme (he generally uses popular free themes like Astra, OceanWP, or Storefront). Installation of essential plugins (for example, WooCommerce for online stores, Yoast SEO for optimization, etc.). C. Building the Website This is the core part of the challenge. Jamie shows how to: Quickly customize the theme using visual tools like Elementor, Gutenberg, or Divi. Add key pages (home, products, contact, etc.). Configure specific functionalities, such as: Creating a product catalog with WooCommerce. Adding a contact form with plugins like WPForms or Contact Form 7. Optimizing the site for mobile devices and speed. Using predefined templates or pre-built blocks to save time. D. Testing and Final Presentation At the end of the challenge, Jamie quickly reviews the finished site and presents it to the attendees. He also explains how certain aspects could be improved if more time were available.

  • Creators around a Campfire: How WordPress YouTubers Are Shaping the Ecosystem

    WordCamp US 2025Speakers: Anne McCarthy, Christian Taylor, Jamie Marsland, Mark Szymanski, Michael Cunningham

    September 5, 2025 — YouTubers are increasingly becoming influential voices in the WordPress space—onboarding new users, spotlighting features, discussing the latest trends, and telling the story of open source in dynamic, accessible ways. But who are these creators? What drives them? What feedback loops can we create with them? And how can the broader WordPress community better support and learn from their work? Join this Campfire Chat to meet fellow WordPress YouTubers, aspiring content creators, and folks curious about how video content is shaping the future of the project. Together, we’ll swap stories, surface challenges, and explore ways to better connect the dots between community contributors, product teams, and creators who are translating our work for the world. This discussion builds on ongoing efforts to unite WordPress YouTubers and aims to open up space for idea-sharing, collaboration, and networking. Whether you’re behind the camera, in front of it, or just thinking about hitting “record” you’re welcome here.

  • Launch Your Personal Portfolio — A Hands-On WordPress Workshop

    WordCamp US 2025Speaker: Jamie Marsland

    September 5, 2025 — In this hands-on workshop, students will build and launch their own professional portfolio websites using WordPress — no coding required. Perfect for designers, developers, creatives, and anyone starting their career, this session will guide attendees through choosing a theme, customizing their site, and publishing it live. All participants will leave with a fully functioning portfolio, making this an ideal first step into the world of web publishing.

  • WordPress Speed Build Challenge

    WordCamp Asia 2025Speakers: Nick Diego, Jamie Marsland, Jessica Lyschik

    June 10, 2025 — Have you heard about the WordPress Speed Challenge created and hosted by Jamie Marsland? This exciting event has gained lots of attention on YouTube and has also featured at WordCamp Europe and WordCamp USA. The WordPress Speed Build Challenge is a high jeopardy competition designed to showcase the power of Full Site Editing in WordPress. The two contestants: Jessica Lyschik and Nick Diego will have 30 minutes to recreate a famous website using only Gutenberg blocks. This challenge highlights the versatility and ease of building professional websites without extensive coding. This high-pressure competition tests participants’ ability to quickly adapt, think creatively, and demonstrate their technical skills within a timeframe. The website to be recreated is kept a secret until the start of the challenge, adding an element of surprise and excitement. Perfect for developers, designers, and WordPress enthusiasts, it’s a fun way to test skills, learn new techniques, and celebrate the capabilities of modern website-building tools.

  • WordPress Speed Build

    WordCamp Europe 2025Speaker: Jamie Marsland

    June 7, 2025 — The WordPress Speed Build Challenge is a fun live challenge, where two people battle it out against the clock and each other to replicate a website design in just 30 minutes.

  • WordPress Speed Build Battle: A Lightning-Fast Web Design Contest!

    WordCamp US 2024Speakers: Jamie Marsland, Amber Hinds, Brian Coords

    October 10, 2024 — In the WordPress Speed Build Battle, participants have 30 minutes to recreate a famous website. This high-pressure competition tests participants’ ability to quickly adapt, think creatively, and demonstrate their technical skills within a limited timeframe. The website to be recreated is kept a secret until the start of the challenge, adding an element of surprise and excitement.

    Audience members will gain valuable insights from observing the challenge. They will learn innovative techniques for using WordPress, discover new ways to approach web design under time constraints, and see firsthand how expert builders tackle unexpected challenges. Additionally, viewers can pick up tips on improving their own WordPress skills and get inspired by the creativity and resourcefulness of the participants.

  • Gutenberg Speed Build Challenge: A Web Design Duel!

    WordCamp Europe 2024Speakers: Jamie Marsland, Jessica Lyschik, Rich Tabor

    July 15, 2024 — In the Gutenberg Speed Build Challenge, participants have 30 minutes to recreate a famous website, using only the WordPress Block Editor.

    The two contestants will be Jessica Lyschik and Rich Tabor.

    The challenge tests quick adaptation, creativity, and skill under time pressure, with the website to be recreated revealed only at the start!

  • Mastering WordPress Block Themes: 3 Key Principles for Beginners

    WordCamp Europe 2024Speaker: Jamie Marsland

    July 3, 2024 — In this beginner-friendly session, dive into the world of WordPress block themes.

    Discover how Blocks, Templates, and Styles can revolutionise website design, offering simplicity and flexibility.

    Learn to utilise Theme Blocks for enhanced customization, understand the advantages over classic themes, and master Styles for a unique website aesthetic.

    Ideal for those new to WordPress, this talk empowers you with essential tools to create professional and dynamic websites with ease.

    Presentation Slides »

  • Recreating TechCrunch.com in 30 minutes

    Speaker: Jamie Marsland

    November 21, 2023 — In today’s video I recreate the https://techcrunch.com/ website in just 30 minutes using WordPress, and Block Theme and no plugins.

  • Rapid Website Recreation

    Speaker: Jamie Marsland

    April 27, 2023 — Recreating a photography website.