We’ve got a lot of great stuff happening at WebDesign.com this week, including a couple free webinars. The second installment of No-nonsense Guide to Managing Your Personal Finances with Michael Cady is Wednesday of this week.

Also free this week is the Facebook Marketing 101. John Haydon, author of Facebook Marketing for Dummies, will join Benjamin to discuss how best to use Facebook as a marketing tool for you and your clients.

Don’t forget, it’s Spring Cleaning month here at WebDesign.com.  Keep watching the blog for more information on how to clean up your WordPress site.

iThemes.TV – Getting Started with BackupBuddy
May 15, 2012 – Tuesday – 11am (CDT)
Overview: Have you ever wondered how to get started using the BackupBuddy Plugin? If so, this class is for you! Join us as we show just how easy it is to get up and running with this awesome plugin that allows you to backup, restore, and migrate your WordPress site with ease!
Instructor: Bes Zain
Length: 1 hour
Skill Level: Beginner
Requirements: Desire to use BackupBuddy
Registration Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/782501458

BluePrint Advanced – BuddyPress and Builder
May 15, 2012 – Tuesday – 5pm (CDT)
Overview: Build your own social network with the recently released Builder Yukon theme which is customized and ready to use with the BuddyPress WordPress plugin.
Instructor: Benjamin Bradley
Length: 1 hour +
Skill Level: Intermediate
Requirements: Knowledge of Builder theme
Registration Link: Visible to WebDesign.com members after log-in

No-nonsense Guide to Managing Your Personal Finances – Session Two
May 16, 2012 – Wednesday – Noon (CDT)
Overview: As part of our Make Waves campaign for 2012, “We Believe in Investing in People.” In this two-part series Michael Cady, Chief Financial Officer of Digimedia and former professor of accounting and finances, explains what it really means to budget and that a penny saved is NOT a penny earned. Join us as Michael changes lives, one penny at a time.
Instructor: Michael Cady
Length: 1 hour
Skill Level: Everyone
Requirements: No requirement
Registration Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/516562298

CSS Dojo – Session Two
May 17, 2012 – Thursday – 10am (CDT)
Overview: Learn the foundations of CSS.
Instructor: Benjamin Bradley
Length: 1 hour
Skill Level: Beginner
Requirements: Desire to learn CSS
Registration Link: Visible to WebDesign.com members after log-in

Facebook Marketing 101
May 18, 2012 – Friday – 1pm (CDT)
Overview: Join John Haydon, author of Facebook Marketing for Dummies, for an webinar to learn the skills to succeed in using Facebook as a marketing tool for you and your clients.
Instructor: Benjamin Bradley
Length: 1 hour
Skill Level: Everyone
Requirements: You will need to have a Facebook account
Registration Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/143120986

We’ve got a lot of great stuff in store for you this week at WebDesign.com.  We have courses for everybody from beginners to advanced developers.

Be sure to check out the free No-nonsense Guide to Managing Your Personal Finances – Session 1 webinar on Wednesday.  This webinar, lead by Michael Cady, Chief Financial Officer of Digimedia and former professor of accounting and finances, will teach you what you need to know to get your finances in order.

Also free this week is the Advanced Gravity Forms webinar in which you’ll learn how to take Gravity Forms to the next level.

And be sure to watch the blog this week for more Spring Cleaning tips!

Designing with Hype
May 08, 2012 – Tuesday – 3pm (CDT)
Overview: Tumult Hype’s keyframe-based animation system brings your content to life. Click “Record” and Tumult Hype watches your every move, automatically creating keyframes as needed. Or, if you’d prefer to be more hands-on, manually add, remove and re-arrange keyframes to fine-tune your content.
Instructor: Benjamin Bradley
Length: 1 hour
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Requirements: Mac required for Hype
Registration Link: Visible to WebDesign.com members after log-in

iThemes.TV – WordPress 101
May 08, 2012 – Tuesday – 11am (CDT)
Overview: If you’re new to WordPress or simply thinking about making the switch from another CMS, this class is for you! Join us for our WordPress 101 series of webinars which will walk you step-by-step through the basics of WordPress. You’ll learn everything from installing the software to creating your first post. Sign up today!
Instructor: Benjamin Bradley
Length: 1 hour
Skill Level: Beginner
Requirements: Desire to use WordPress
Registration Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/973293658

No-nonsense Guide to Managing Your Personal Finances – Session 1
May 09, 2012 – Wednesday – Noon (CDT)
Overview: As part of our Make Waves campaign for 2012, “We Believe in Investing in People.” In this two-part series Michael Cady, Chief Financial Officer of Digimedia and former professor of accounting and finances, explains what it really means to budget and that a penny saved is NOT a penny earned. Join us as Michael changes lives, one penny at a time.
Instructor: Michael Cady
Length: 1 hour
Skill Level: Everyone
Requirements: No requirement
Registration Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/926123450

BluePrint Basics – Building an Upcoming Schedule Website
May 10, 2012 – Thursday – 2pm (CDT)
Overview: Build a Builder-powered website using the new Events block to create an interactive upcoming events/schedule
Instructor: Benjamin Bradley
Length: 1 hour +
Skill Level: Beginner
Requirements: Knowledge of the Builder theme
Registration Link: Visible to WebDesign.com members after log-in

Advanced Gravity Forms
May 11, 2012 – Friday – 1pm (CDT)
Overview: Take Gravity Forms to the next level to create interactive forms, pass submitted data on to other fields, interact with 3rd party APIs, and much more.
Instructor: Benjamin Bradley
Length: 1 hour +
Skill Level: Intermediate
Requirements: Knowledge of Gravity Forms
Registration Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/559420106

As always, we’ve got a lot planned for you during the month of May and we’re getting starting with a week packed full of great training.

We’ll start out this week with the return of the This Month at WebDesign.com webinar. We also get started with the next subject in our Dojo classes, MySQL Dojo – Session One.

Not a WebDesign.com member yet, but see a course that interests you?  Check out our member packages!

This Month at WebDesign.com – May
May 01, 2012 – Tuesday – 1pm (CDT)
Overview: An interactive overview of upcoming webinars.
Instructor: Benjamin Bradley
Length: < 1 Hour
Skill Level: Everyone
Requirements: No Requirements
Registration Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/879372250

iThemes.TV – Getting started with Builder
May 01, 2012 – Tuesday – 11am (CDT)
Overview: Have you ever wondered how to get started using iThemes Builder? Well, this is the class for you. You’ll learn the basics from downloading and installing, all the way to putting together your first layout. Not to mention you’ll get some Q&A time with one of our awesome instructors! Join us for the next Getting Started with Builder class.
Instructor: Elise Alley
Length: 1 hour
Skill Level: Beginner
Requirements: Builder Theme
Registration Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/224634266

MySQL Dojo – Session One
May 03, 2012 – Thursday – 10am (CDT)
Overview: Learn the foundations of working with MySQL databases.
Instructor: Benjamin Bradley
Length: 1 hour
Skill Level: Beginner
Requirements: Desire to learn MySQL
Registration Link: Visible to WebDesign.com members after log-in

Members Only Chat
May 04, 2012 – Friday – 3pm (CDT)
Overview: Members Only Chats are held twice a month and are in direct response to questions asked by members of WebDesign.com
Instructor: Benjamin Bradley
Length: 1 hour
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Requirements: Member of WebDesign.com
Registration Link: Visible to WebDesign.com members after log-in

The May schedule for WebDesign.com is up.  We’ve got a lot of awesome training coming up this month.  The second installments of the CSS and PHP Dojos will take place in May, as well as the first MySQL Dojo, Facebook Marketing for Dummies, Designing Your First Mobile App, BluePrint Basics – Building an Upcoming Schedule Website and so much more.

Building an Upcoming Schedule Website? What exactly is that webinar going to entail? Wouldn’t it be nice to know more about a webinar before you sign up!

We’ve heard your questions and have an answer for you!

Due to popular demand, we’re bringing back the This Month at WebDesign.com webinar–a free monthly webinar that will give an interactive overview of the upcoming courses. You’ll know exactly what to expect from each course and what you’ll be taking away.

Sign up now for May’s This Month at WebDesign.com!

Not a WebDesign.com member yet? Be sure to check out our membership options and join the WebDesign.com community today!

We have a lot of great training for you this week at WebDesign.com! We’re covering everything from Graphics with GIMP to our third Business Dev Group Coaching Session.

Be sure to check out the free webinar, WordPress Security Tips from the Sucuri Pros. There have been an increase in hacked sites as of late, and Dre Armeda from Sucuri will be giving advice on how to secure your WordPress site. This is a must see for everyone, so be sure to tell your friends and colleagues.

iThemes.TV – How to Build a Website
April 24, 2012 – Tuesday – 11am (CDT)
Overview: This beginners-level webinar will walk you step-by-step through the process of getting your website up and running. You will learn everything from purchasing a domain name and hosting to how to quickly set up a site and get the ball rolling for your business online.
Instructor: Cody Smith
Length: 1 hour
Skill Level: Everyone
Requirements: No requirement
Registration Link: Visible to WebDesign.com members after log-in

Graphics with GIMP
April 24, 2012 – Tuesday – 3pm (CDT)
Overview: GIMP is a tried-and-true open source graphics editing application that works across all operating systems. If you feel you don’t need all the power of Photoshop or other expensive tools, or just want to get started in the design aspect of web development… this course will help you work with GIMP and do some really creative designs.
Instructor: Benjamin Bradley
Length: 1 hour+
Skill Level: Everyone
Requirements: Willingness to Learn
Registration Link: Visible to WebDesign.com members after log-in

WordPress Security Tips from Sucuri Pros
April 25, 2012 – Wednesday – 1pm (CDT)
Overview: In the last couple of months, we’ve seen an increase in hacked sites in our customer community and we asked our good friend and security expert Dre Armeda, CEO and co-founder at Sucuri, to share security tips for locking down your WordPress site via a free webinar on Wednesday, April 25 at 1 p.m. Central.
Instructor: Dre Armeda
Length: 1 hour
Skill Level: Everyone
Requirements: No Requirements
Registration Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/112078610

Business Dev Coaching – Group Session Three
April 25, 2012 – Wednesday – 6pm (CDT)
Overview: Members of WebDesign.com can signup to be in the audience right now. If you want to be a part of the actual coaching, make sure you have filled out the Go Pro Survey in order to have a chance to be selected. Topics covered: Work-Life Alignment – balance is unrealistic, but alignment with your personal and family life goals is possible.
Instructor: Cory Miller
Length: 90 Minutes
Skill Level: Everyone
Requirements: Member of WebDesign.com
Registration Link: Visible to WebDesign.com members after log-in

Styling cPanel for Resellers
April 26, 2012 – Thursday – 11am (CDT)
Overview: Many freelancers resell space on their own server (reseller) and a large majority of them use cPanel. This course will help you learn how to re-skin the cPanel to give it your own branded touch as well as give you opportunities to “upsell” your clients on the backend of their site.
Instructor: Benjamin Bradley
Length: 1 hour
Skill Level: Everyone
Requirements: Basic knowledge of cPanel
Registration Link: Visible to WebDesign.com members after log-in

We have another busy week here at WebDesign.com.  The Professor is very busy with a lot of great webinars, including a couple that are free and open to the public.  Be sure to check them all out!

iThemes.TV – Getting Started with BackupBuddy
April 17, 2012 – Tuesday – 11am (CDT)
Overview: Have you ever wondered how to get started using the BackupBuddy Plugin? If so, this class is for you! Join us as we show just how easy it is to get up and running with this awesome plugin that allows you to backup, restore, and migrate your WordPress site with ease!
Instructor: Bes Zain
Length: 1 hour
Skill Level: Beginner
Requirements: No requirements
Registration Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/199876002

Business Dev Coaching – Group Session Two
April 18, 2012 – Wednesday – 6pm (CDT)
Overview: Members of WebDesign.com can signup to be in the audience right now. If you want to be a part of the actual coaching, make sure you have filled out the Go Pro Survey in order to have a chance to be selected. Topics covered: Going Pro – getting to part-time, going full-time and pro, and ongoing professional development.
Instructor: Cory Miller
Length: 90 Minutes
Skill Level: Everyone
Requirements: Member of WebDesign.com
Registration Link: Visible to WebDesign.com members after log-in

Members Only Chat
April 19, 2012 – Thursday – 10am (CDT)
Overview: This twice monthly event is an exclusive event for members of WebDesign.com. Members control the content and the direction of the discussions.
Instructor: Benjamin Bradley
Length: 1 hour
Skill Level: Everyone
Requirements: Member of WebDesign.com
Registration Link: Visible to WebDesign.com members after log-in

Determining Your WHY Statement
April 19, 2012 – Thursday – Noon (CDT)
Overview: One of the first learning events we have scheduled is “Determining Your WHY Statement” taught by veteran business leader and coach Michael Smith of iMentorLeaders.com on Thursday, April 19 from Noon-1 p.m. Central Standard Time. In this webinar, Michael will talk about creating WHY statements — kind of a short, memorable personal mission statement for yourself or your organization. It’s an 8-word statement with a Verb, Target and Outcome.
Instructor: Cory Miller
Length: 1 Hour
Skill Level: Everyone
Requirements: Willingness to Learn
Registration Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/124889994

BluePrint Basics – WordPress as a CMS
April 20, 2012 – Friday – 10am (CDT)
Overview: Learn the step-by-step process of creating a site for a client that has nothing to do with blogging… all powered by WordPress. Utilize Pages and Widgets while hiding unnecessary areas of the backend of WordPress.
Instructor: Benjamin Bradley
Length: 1 hour+
Skill Level: Beginner
Requirements: Knowledge of WordPress and Builder
Registration Link: Visible to WebDesign.com members after log-in

Last Friday, Benjamin lunched with us while discussing SEO for 2012.

He started by reminding us that “Content is King” when it comes to SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and that hasn’t changed. However, Benjamin primarily focused on Advanced SEO.  

Advanced SEO is not:

Some of the things that are key to ASO for 2012 include:

• Brand Value Farming – SEO does not build a brand, but it does enhance a brand through cultivation, leveraging and growing the brand.
• Event and Strategic Response Planning – This means looking ahead, not just to client events, but also to be aware of new technologies that ASO partners should take advantage of.
• Passive Networking and Social Utilization – ASO partners are always testing, trying new things, building new concepts and being ready for whats next.
• “Life Boat Drills”  - Always be testing and looking for points of failure so that you can fix it quickly and put your clients in a position to capitalize on changes on the internet.

As part of our Make Waves campaign for 2012, we believe every WordPress site should be safe and secure. This means not only having a backup strategy, but also making sure your site is clean of malware and security holes.

In the last couple of months, we’ve seen an increase in hacked sites in our customer community. So we asked security expert Dre Armeda, CEO and co-founder at Sucuri, to share security tips for locking down your WordPress site via a free webinar on Wednesday, April 25 at 1 p.m. Central.

Signup for the WordPress Security webinar April 25 with Dre here

You’ll learn how to do basic garage cleaning on your WordPress site, what security hacks Sucuri is seeing and tips on helping reduce your site’s risk.

We’re very excited about Dre sharing these tips as we’ve had the Sucuri free SiteChecker in BackupBuddy for almost a year now and has helped our community immensely.

If you are unable to make this webinar, it will be recorded and posted both to iThemes.TV and to the Make Waves blog.  In the meantime, be sure to check out the Sucuri Security plans here and to check your site’s security with the free SiteChecker tool.