I’ve been a fan of using plugins from FooPlugins, like FooBox, and Sharelines. When I think of FooPlugins, I think of Adam Warner. I’ve decided to interview him for my WordPress Rockstar series because this guy gives back a lot to WordPress. He’s also a WordPress evangelist, much like I am. (I love that term.)
Adam is a Florida WordPresser, is extremely friendly, and has a wealth of information in WordPress and marketing. I was privileged to meet in him person for WordCamp Orlando in December of 2014. As I’ve learned, and you will too, he’s not a developer, but knows how to put a talented team together that can provide a plugin need for the community.
Adam has spoken at WordCamps before, and has a drive to teach WordPressers who want to run an online business.
A Little bio about Adam Warner
Adam W. Warner is the co-founder of FooPlugins, a father of two active boys and an all-around WordPress evangelist.
Interview with Adam Warner
(Adam has given permission to share the above pic of him and his boys.)
NILE FLORES: So, you’re the co-founder of FooPlugins. What has been the hardest thing you’ve learned since starting FooPlugins?
ADAM WARNER: It’s a tough choice to pick just one. There have been many lessons learned since we started and I’m sure they’ll be more to come.
The one that stands out to me the most is that even though a product or feature might be near and dear to your own heart, that doesn’t mean that it will see popularity with the masses. We spent 6 months developing one of our products that for all intents and purposes can be described as a dud in it’s current form.
We currently pivoting with that project and creating a similar (but more useful and simplified) version based directly on customer feedback.
NILE FLORES: As a father and a developer of WordPress plugins, how do you juggle your time? What kind of tip do you have for parents who are struggling to develop a balance between work and family?
ADAM WARNER: To be clear, my business partner writes all the code. I’m the marketing, business development, and community outreach guy among other tasks. That said, juggling the business with two young kids at home is immensely difficult and I’m still learning after 3 years. Time management has been my biggest personal struggle.
My best advice is to try and cut out as much minutia and busy work as possible from the beginning of your day so you don’t get derailed from higher priority tasks that will grow the business and affect the bottom line. Don’t check email in the morning.
Another important thing I’ve done is to rearrange my working schedule around the time of day when I need to concentrate most. As an example, if I’m working on a project scope, answering support issues, or writing a detailed product documentation or sales page, I mostly do that in the middle of the night when the kids are sleeping. It’s the only way for my attention to be fully committed to what I’m working on.
Be prepared to work in “chunks of time” when you have kids at home.
NILE FLORES: You’ve expressed that as a plugin developer, giving back is not just good for WordPress, but good for your business. Can you tell the readers here a little bit about why?
ADAM WARNER: We’re strong believers in open source. Having access to the code behind software like WordPress (and others) has allowed us to learn and be better at what we do. Not to mention, build our livelihoods working on the web.
Making sure our code is available to those who desire to look at it has helped us to get others involved in making our products and their features that much better. We also think it’s just the right thing to do.
NILE FLORES: What WordPress-related project have you been working on that you’re really excited about?
ADAM WARNER: We’ve been working on revamping a few of our existing products with new versions, cleaner code, and more robust features. The two that I can mention are FooTable and FooBar and an as-yet unnamed plugin made specifically for working with media edits.
NILE FLORES: What are some tips that you have for plugin developers wanting to start a business selling plugins?
ADAM WARNER: Don’t wait to start. Build an MVP (minimum viable product) and get it out there, especially if it’s free on the repo first. You will learn more use cases from user feedback than you could ever guess at yourself and this will guide your development and your product features.
NILE FLORES: Is there something funny or unique that you do that the WordPress world doesn’t know about? Like a participate in a charity or a hobby or something else?
ADAM WARNER: I suppose a unique thing about me only a few people at some WordCamps have seen (usually late in the evening) is me taking out my artificial eye. 🙂
NILE FLORES: What would you like to see improved in WordPress, whether it is core, or the community?
ADAM WARNER: For core, the API but it’s coming. Slowly but surely. For the community, I’d like to see .org start to support quality premium plugin providers who adhere to the GPL and have a proven record of providing as many free plugins as they do premium plugins.
I’m aware that this is a long shot, but who knows… someone could change their mind. 🙂
A big thanks to Adam for answering my questions. If you have any questions for him, leave them below. I’ll reach out to him if you have any, so he can respond. 🙂
i love this guys.. and nice to know more about this rock star.. Thanks for your kind Interview details with adam
Good to hear from someone who does so much toward developing great tools for WordPress! I like your time management tips also – especially the one about not checking email first thing in the morning! Best to do the most important tasks first. Thanks so much for sharing and for all you do in the community.
WP.org would definitely be improved with access to good premium plugins. I wouldn’t want it to discourage people from self hosting though.
How fun to meet someone behind one of the products you use!
I am so encouraged by this post. Adam definitely fits the role of a rockstar and seems like someone I need to start following closer as I am also not a developer but work in the marketing and business development of a plugin. This is awesome Niles, thank you so much for this!
Hey, Thank you Nile. Great Interview, especially the MVP, where Adam is perfect in pointing out User Feedback. As a developer it’s always great to hear from someone who has made a mark in the industry. Thank you for sharing
Good to hear from someone who does so much toward developing great tools for WordPress! I like your time management tips also
good article
Great WordPress developers are greatly appreciated. Thanks for this wonderful insight into the world of WordPress developers.
Glad to know about Adam Warner and his plugins. Sharelines seems to be great plugin. I believe its a team work that could make a lot of difference.
Nice interview. I will definitely check out his current plugins!
That is the greatness of our industry as a whole. People are always able to visualize future supportive tools and then get the exposure to make a difference. It is what makes developers come on board and get the best exposure.
This article has inspired so many of us. I appreciate both of your time and talents. Thank you so much for making it possible to share in this journey.
Great interview with Adam and thank you for tips to other plugin developers.
Great interview with Adam — it’s good to see the face behind the product, even if he is only part of the equation. Thanks for the info on FooPlugins.
FooPlugins is one of the essentials in my essentials list of my WordPress sites. Great to see your interview of him.
I am new in developing, the important points and useful tips will help me for building skill. This is very useful post for new people like me. Keep posting important post like this.
Hello Nile, Great interview with Adam, it is always good to get some solid advice from someone who is making things happen.
I do think we all should heed his advice on this one ->Be prepared to work in “chunks of time” not only if you have children around either, This one goes for all of us.
I have found I can get so much done when I set that timer and get to work My chunk of time so to say.
Great interview
Thanks for sharing
Chery :))
Heyya..FooPlugins is one of the essentials in my essentials list of my WordPress sites. Great to see your interview of him.This article has inspired so many of us. I appreciate both of your time and talents. Thank you so much for making it possible to share in this journey.
Great interview Adam, I’m new user in wordpress and how to improve wordpress skills and how to use plugins. I know how t maintain pages on wordpress and customization will create problem for me would you suggest me how could be possible.
A great developper. A passionate man who enjoying his job. Passion mixed with hardworking brings always success. Good luck.
Plugins is a very important part of any CMS like WordPress. I am very happy to know about your plugins tools for WordPress. It’s really a good post.
nice to know more about this rock star. Thanks for your kind Interview details with adam.
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grate interview , plugins tool is very help full at word press which is use in blogging field .
thank you for share this interview