{"id":1494,"date":"2017-10-13T12:22:20","date_gmt":"2017-10-13T17:22:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/2017.dfw.wordcamp.org\/?p=1494"},"modified":"2017-10-13T12:22:20","modified_gmt":"2017-10-13T17:22:20","slug":"wcdfw-speaker-spotlight-kevin-fontenot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/wcdfw-speaker-spotlight-kevin-fontenot\/","title":{"rendered":"WCDFW Speaker Spotlight: Kevin Fontenot"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Topic:\u00a0Chatbots: Why Your Business Must Adopt Conversation Based Marketing<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kevin Fontenot is the Director of Marketing at TrainedUp.Church. He also likes to refer to himself as a professional interneter. In the past, he was worked on all kinds of WordPress projects including building (and selling) a marketplace built using EDD. Kevin is passionate about helping organizations reach people with marketing that is actually engaging. He lives in Carrollton, TX, with his wife Brooke and their two dogs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How did you get involved in WordPress?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>My first experience with WP was building a site for an organization that I started. I had a tech background and had built static HTML &amp; CSS websites before, but wanted something that was much easier to maintain. I ended up liking the experience so much that I started building WP websites for friends which eventually lead to building websites for clients and creating (and failing) a DIY website builder platform for churches with WP multisite.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What do you do with WordPress?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As a marketer who loves to get my hands dirty, I build a ton of pages using WP with both Divi and BeaverBuilder. In the past, I&#8217;ve built and sold a media marketplace website that I built using EDD and WP. I also run <a href=\"http:\/\/kevinfontenot.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">my personal website<\/a>\u00a0on WordPress as well as <a href=\"http:\/\/professionalinterneter.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a side hustle that I&#8217;ve started<\/a> on WP + Woo.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What has your experience with the WordPress community been like?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>My only experience with the WP community has been in the BeaverBuilders Facebook group and it has been great. I love that the WP community is helpful and always willing, for the most part, to go out of their way to help someone learn.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why did you want to speak at WordCamp DFW?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I love learning and with that, love to teach. There is a ton of bad and outdated marketing advice out there. I used to read all of it and got frustrated when it didn&#8217;t help to grow my business. Small businesses and freelancers have a unique advantage over large businesses in that they are closer to their customers. I want to help them leverage that.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why did you decide to speak on chatbots?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Since taking on my role as Director of Marketing at TrainedUp earlier this year, we&#8217;ve seen huge growth thanks to conversational marketing. It&#8217;s the future of sales and marketing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What do you hope the audience gets from your talk?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You don&#8217;t need to be a huge company to do marketing well. In fact, by implementing conversational marketing, you can grow your business while connecting with your customer in a way that will delight them and provide you with great feedback.<\/p>\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/2017.dfw.wordcamp.org\/tickets\/\">Tickets are now on sale<\/a>\u00a0for this year\u2019s WordCamp DFW held on Nov. 11-12. There are also plenty of opportunities to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/2017.dfw.wordcamp.org\/call-for-sponsors\/\">sponsor the event<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/2017.dfw.wordcamp.org\/call-for-volunteers\/\">help run it<\/a>. We hope to see you there!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Topic:\u00a0Chatbots: Why Your Business Must Adopt Conversation Based Marketing Kevin Fontenot is the Director of Marketing at TrainedUp.Church. He also likes to refer to himself as a professional interneter. In the past, he was worked on all kinds of WordPress projects including building (and selling) a marketplace built using EDD. Kevin is passionate about helping &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/wcdfw-speaker-spotlight-kevin-fontenot\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;WCDFW Speaker Spotlight: Kevin Fontenot&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8005857,"featured_media":1508,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"WCDFW Speaker Spotlight: Kevin Fontenot","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1158652],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1494","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wordcamp-dfw-speakers"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/kevin-fontenot-2.jpg?fit=2000%2C1200&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8K1gz-o6","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1363,"url":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/wordcamp-dfw-speakers-round-two\/","url_meta":{"origin":1494,"position":0},"title":"WordCamp DFW Speakers: Round Two","author":"Jacob Martella","date":"September 25, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"With WordCamp DFW just 47 days away, the organizing team is ready to announce the next round of speakers for this year\u2019s event. The schedule for WordCamp DFW 2017 will be released in the near future. So, here is the next round of confirmed speakers for WordCamp DFW 2017: Kevin\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;WordCamp DFW Announcements&quot;","block_context":{"text":"WordCamp DFW Announcements","link":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/category\/wordcamp-dfw-announcements\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Interior of symphony hall","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/symphony-hall.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/symphony-hall.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/symphony-hall.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/symphony-hall.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/symphony-hall.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1688,"url":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/sponsor-shoutout-wp-seo-hub\/","url_meta":{"origin":1494,"position":1},"title":"Sponsor Shoutout: WP SEO Hub","author":"Jacob Martella","date":"October 19, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"We're happy to have WP SEO Hub as one of our Wildfire sponsors for this year's WordCamp DFW. You can learn more about what WP SEO Hub does here. What is WP SEO Hub about? Scheduled to launch in early November, WP SEO Hub is a do-it-yourself SEO platform for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;WordCamp DFW Sponsors&quot;","block_context":{"text":"WordCamp DFW Sponsors","link":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/category\/wordcamp-dfw-sponsors\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"thanksgiving square written in mosaic tiles","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/05\/thanksgiving-square.jpg?fit=1200%2C859&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/05\/thanksgiving-square.jpg?fit=1200%2C859&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/05\/thanksgiving-square.jpg?fit=1200%2C859&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/05\/thanksgiving-square.jpg?fit=1200%2C859&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/05\/thanksgiving-square.jpg?fit=1200%2C859&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1336,"url":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/wcdfw-speaker-spotlight-brennen-bliss\/","url_meta":{"origin":1494,"position":2},"title":"WCDFW Speaker Spotlight: Brennen Bliss","author":"Jacob Martella","date":"September 29, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Topic:\u00a0Starting Your Digital Agency With WordPress Brennen is the CEO and founder of the North Texas digital marketing agency, PixelCutLabs. At 18 years old, he is a member of the American Marketing Association and an expert on the subject. His marketing agency provides services to local and multinational companies, with\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;WordCamp DFW Speakers&quot;","block_context":{"text":"WordCamp DFW Speakers","link":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/category\/wordcamp-dfw-speakers\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/brennen-bliss.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/brennen-bliss.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/brennen-bliss.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/brennen-bliss.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/brennen-bliss.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":37,"url":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/thank-you-to-our-wildfire-sponsors\/","url_meta":{"origin":1494,"position":3},"title":"Thank you to our Wildfire sponsors","author":"Jacob Martella","date":"November 14, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"After an awesome WordCamp DFW 2017, we would love to thank our Wildfire level sponsors who have helped to make all of this possible. Jetpack can supercharge your self-hosted site with a suite of the most powerful WordPress.com features. Did you know that Bluehost powers over one million WordPress sites?\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;WordCamp DFW Sponsors&quot;","block_context":{"text":"WordCamp DFW Sponsors","link":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/category\/wordcamp-dfw-sponsors\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"thanksgiving square written in mosaic tiles","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/05\/thanksgiving-square.jpg?fit=1200%2C859&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/05\/thanksgiving-square.jpg?fit=1200%2C859&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/05\/thanksgiving-square.jpg?fit=1200%2C859&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/05\/thanksgiving-square.jpg?fit=1200%2C859&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/05\/thanksgiving-square.jpg?fit=1200%2C859&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2466,"url":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/wcdfw-speaker-spotlight-lori-calcott\/","url_meta":{"origin":1494,"position":4},"title":"WCDFW Speaker Spotlight: Lori Calcott","author":"Jacob Martella","date":"November 8, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Topic:\u00a0You Built It\u2026 Now What? Lori Calcott is a co-founder and partner of webShine and WordPress SEO Hub. Originally from Pittsburgh, Lori has been working in the search space since 2001. As a paid search guru, Lori has transitioned with her clients through the various platforms starting with Overture, and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;WordCamp DFW Speakers&quot;","block_context":{"text":"WordCamp DFW Speakers","link":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/category\/wordcamp-dfw-speakers\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/11\/lori-calcott.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/11\/lori-calcott.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/11\/lori-calcott.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/11\/lori-calcott.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/11\/lori-calcott.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1737,"url":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/wcdfw-speaker-spotlight-lindsay-halsey\/","url_meta":{"origin":1494,"position":5},"title":"WCDFW Speaker Spotlight: Lindsay Halsey","author":"Jacob Martella","date":"November 1, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Topic:\u00a0SEO in an Hour for WordPress Lindsay Halsey is a co-founder and partner of webShine, a search engine marketing agency in Basalt, Colorado. 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