The Lowdown On WPCoop With Jayson Cote

I wanted to write about this new site called WPCoop.org but was unsure how to go about it. Instead, I’ve pestered Jayson with a bunch of questions and decided to go the interview route. Enjoy.

What inspired you to create WPCOOP.org?

I am a raving fan of WordPress. As a developer, designer, business owner and entrepreneur I saw a need for WP professionals to be able to align themselves with fellow designers and developers to collaborate on projects and establish a network of contractors with various styles and skill sets. WPCOOP members have the availability to build out a team to win larger projects.

There is a high demand for WP services today from small and medium business. It can be a rather enduring and lengthy process to evaluate and interview web design and development firms for a project. A business wants to work with a firm that understands their industry and business development methodologies. WPCOOP allows businesses to learn about our members and select individuals that they want to work with. Kind of a one-stop-shop to help companies find the right designer, developer and project manager based on their given criteria.

How will this site be any different than the WordPress consultants list?

The WP consultants list is just that “a list“. You still have to go to each individual site to learn about the company, their expertise and services. WPCOOP members have their own profile page listing specific information about them, their company and their work. Any visitor to WPCOOP can learn about several different designers and developers from one location. They can read articles, view videos and hear podcasts contributed by WPCOOP members and gain a firm understanding to make an educated decision on selecting a pre-screened professional for their project.

What are the benefits of joining the coop?

There are many benefits to joining WPCOOP.

Association with the world’s most prominent group of WP professionals.

Exclusive access to all members for joint ventures and project collaboration.

Post and apply to job opportunities from your trusted network.

Bring projects to the table and maximize your time and effort to completion.

Establish a network of friends and colleagues that will support you in all your endeavors.

Build your business with dependable subcontractors and consultants.

Utilize your membership base to review, criticize and develop innovative ideas.

Be a part of a team designing and developing the world’s most impressive websites, applications and business solutions.

Is there a price tag on the coop?
In the true spirit of open source, WPCOOP is free to join. The future of WPCOOP lies within the participation of its members. We are an autonomous community united voluntarily to meet common economic, social, and cultural inspirations through a democratically controlled enterprise.

Is membership open to anyone or is this invite only?

All WordPress professionals are welcome to apply. We do have an evaluation process, basically just to ensure the applicant has significant experience and talent that will benefit the WPCOOP membership. I don’t want to exclude anyone, but initially we are being somewhat selective. I hope to have a Junior membership where less experienced designers and developers can join and have the opportunity to work with mentors.

If someone is already established, do you think they could still find value in being a member of the coop?

Most definitely. Its always valuable to have a network of professionals directly related to your field, whether its to share ideas, be a sounding board, get work feedback or collaborate on larger scale projects. Many established developers and designers turn down projects because of their current work load and shy away from referrals because they want to ensure the clients satisfaction. WPCOOP can be a huge asset to help members keep more clients and attract more work.

What is the end goal of WPCoop?

Initially our goal is to be the most definitive resource for Worpdress design and development for the individual and business communities and establish the world’s most prominent group of creative and dedicated WP professionals to continue the evolution of web content publishing. From there its up to the members to decide.

This is Jeff of WPTavern.com. I want to write about WPCoop but not sure how
to go about it but I have a few questions regarding to site so I figure an
interview would be the way to go.

What inspired you to create WPCOOP.org?

I am a raving fan of WordPress. As a developer, designer, business owner
and entrepreneur I saw a need for WP professionals to be able to align
themselves with fellow designers and developers to collaborate on projects
and establish a network of contractors with various styles and skill sets.
WPCOOP members have the availability to build out a team to win larger
projects.

There is a high demand for WP services today from small and medium business.
It can be a rather enduring and lengthy process to evaluate and interview
web design and development firms for a project. A business wants to work
with a firm that understands their industry and business development
methodologies. WPCOOP allows businesses to learn about our members and
select individuals that they want to work with. Kind of a one-stop-shop to
help companies find the right designer, developer and project manager based
on their given criteria.

How will this site be any different than the WordPress consultants list?

The WP consultants list is just that "a list". You still have to go to each
individual site to learn about the company, their expertise and services.
WPCOOP members have their own profile page listing specific information
about them, their company and their work. Any visitor to WPCOOP can learn
about several different designers and developers from one location. They
can read articles, view videos and hear podcasts contributed by WPCOOP
members and gain a firm understanding to make an educated decision on
selecting a pre-screened professional for their project.

What are the benefits of joining the coop?

There are many benefits to joining WPCOOP.
* Association with the world's most prominent group of WP professionals.
* Exclusive access to all members for joint ventures and project
collaboration.
* Post and apply to job opportunities from your trusted network.
* Bring projects to the table and maximize your time and effort to
completion.
* Establish a network of friends and colleagues that will support you in
all your endeavors.
* Build your business with dependable subcontractors and consultants.
* Utilize your membership base to review, criticize and develop
innovative ideas.
* Be a part of a team designing and developing the world's most
impressive websites, applications and business solutions.

Is there a price tag on the coop?

In the true spirit of open source, WPCOOP is free to join. The future of
WPCOOP lies within the participation of its members. We are an autonomous
community united voluntarily to meet common economic, social, and cultural
aspirations through a democratically controlled enterprise.

Is membership open to anyone or is this invite only?

All WordPress professionals are welcome to apply. We do have an evaluation
process, basically just to ensure the applicant has significant experience
and talent that will benefit the WPCOOP membership. I don't want to exclude
anyone, but initially we are being somewhat selective. I hope to have a
Junior membership where less experienced designers and developers can join
and have the opportunity to work with mentors.

If someone is already established, do you think they could still find value
in being a member of the coop?

Most definitely. Its always valuable to have a network of professionals
directly related to your field, whether its to share ideas, be a sounding
board, get work feedback or collaborate on larger scale projects. Many
established developers and designers turn down projects because of their
current work load and shy away from referrals because they want to ensure
the clients satisfaction. WPCOOP can be a huge asset to help members keep
more clients and attract more work.

What is the end goal of WPCoop?

Initially our goal is to be the most definitive resource for Worpdress
design and development for the individual and business communities and
establish the world's most prominent group of creative and dedicated WP
professionals to continue the evolution of web content publishing. From
there its up to the members to decide.

I thank you for your interest and this opportunity to share about WPCOOP.