I almost didn’t go.
That’s how a lot of great stories start, right? Some guy hesitates, almost backs out, then somehow stumbles into an experience that changes his perspective. That was me a week ago, sitting in front of my laptop, convincing myself that maybe I didn’t actually need to attend WordCamp Asia 2025 in Manila.
So when WordCamp Asia 2025 came around, my brain instantly came up with a list of reasons to stay home:
- “I’ll just watch the talks on YouTube later.”
- “I don’t know anyone there, and small talk is exhausting.”
- “What if I get stuck in an awkward conversation
But here’s the thing: growth doesn’t happen in isolation. And as much as I love working remotely, I knew I couldn’t just hide behind my screen forever.
So I packed my bags, flew to Manila, and stepped into the largest WordPress conference in Asia. And spoiler alert: it was nothing like I expected.
In this post, I’ll share what I learned—not just about WordPress or freelancing, but about why stepping out of your comfort zone is sometimes the best thing you can do.
Whether you’re a freelancer who fear networking or a client wondering why events like these matter, stick around. This isn’t just a recap of a tech conference—it’s about why showing up matters, even when you don’t feel like it.
More Than Just Talks and Tech
Walking into WordCamp Asia, I expected the usual conference experience—stiff name tags, awkward handshakes, and a sea of people way smarter than me talking about things I pretend to understand.
Instead, it felt more like a giant nerdy family reunion, minus the weird uncle.
Sure, there were structured talks, tech-heavy discussions, and some deep dives into WordPress that made me question my own intelligence—but that wasn’t the heart of the event. The real magic? The in-between moments.
Like the first time I walked into the main hall and saw people laughing, catching up like old friends—some of them meeting in person for the first time after years of working together online, others reconnecting from different countries like a global WordPress family reunion. Some had met at past WordPress meetups; And then there was me—standing in the middle of it all, pretending to be deeply fascinated by the schedule board while secretly wondering if anyone would notice I had no idea what I was doing.
But here’s what I quickly learned: You don’t have to be an expert to belong here.
It didn’t matter if you were a hardcore developer, a designer, a writer, or just someone who built a WordPress site once and now tells people you “work in tech.” WordCamp had a place for everyone.
Learning from the Best
One of the biggest surprises? I actually got to learn from some of the people whose work I’ve followed for years.- Contributor Day was something else entirely. I got to work with a team from Hostinger—the same company that hosts my website. It was surreal. One moment, I’m a freelancer running my site on their platform; the next, I’m sitting with them, contributing to the WordPress community.
- I sat in a session with Weston Ruter—a Developer Relations Engineer at Google, diving into “Boosting Performance with Optimization Detective. And somehow, he made performance optimization feel less like a mind-numbing deep dive into Core Web Vitals, and tracking down bottlenecks.
- I had a real conversation with David Seveloffa—a full-stack developer from Elementor, the page builder I’ve used countless times. Instead of just watching tutorials on YouTube, I was standing right there, talking shop with someone who literally builds the thing. Mind blown.
- And then… Matt Mullenweg.
If you’ve ever worked with WordPress, you know this name. He’s the guy who started it all. And there he was, right in front of me, talking about the future of open-source, AI, and the evolving web.
I had been following Matt’s work for over a decade—back when I was just figuring out how to build my first website. Seeing him in person was like meeting the architect of the digital world I’ve built my career in.
At that moment, something hit me: I wasn’t just attending WordCamp. I was part of something bigger.
The Biggest Takeaways for Freelancers
WordCamp Asia 2025 wasn’t just about learning the latest in WordPress—it was about realizing what it means to grow as a freelancer. Because let’s be real, we freelancers tend to live in our own little worlds. We build things, send invoices, and try not to panic when a client asks for “just a quick revision” that turns into a full redesign.
But stepping into a space like this? It changes how you see your career. Here are the biggest lessons I took away from WordCamp—lessons that go way beyond code and design.
1. Community = Growth
Freelancing can feel isolating. It’s just you, your laptop, and the occasional existential crisis. But here’s what WordCamp made clear: you don’t have to do this alone.
I met developers, designers, marketers, and agencies from all over Asia. Some were just starting out, some were running agencies, and others had been in the game for decades. And the craziest part? Everyone was willing to share.
There’s something about being in a room full of people who just get it. The struggles, the wins, the imposter syndrome—it’s all the same, whether you’re in Manila, India, or England. Talking with others made me realize that the most successful freelancers aren’t just great at their craft—they connect with others who push them to grow.
2. Unexpected Conversations > Formal Talks
I came to WordCamp excited for the speaker sessions. What I didn’t expect? The best insights came from the random coffee break conversations.
At one point, I found myself talking to a developer from a major WordPress plugin company (not naming names, but let’s just say it’s one that has saved me from breaking client sites multiple times). What started as small talk turned into a mini-masterclass on how they test and refine their updates.
Another time, I bumped into a content strategist who casually dropped a content marketing tip that immediately changed how I approach my own site.
Lesson learned? The real gold isn’t just in the sessions—it’s in the people you meet when you step out of your comfort zone.
3. Freelancers Need to Keep Learning (Or Get Left Behind)
Here’s the thing about freelancing: what worked five years ago won’t work five years from now.
One of the most valuable sessions I attended was about how AI is reshaping web development and optimization on your site. And no, it wasn’t the usual “AI is taking our jobs” kind of talk. It was about how freelancers can adapt, stay ahead, and use AI to make their work even better.
Freelancers who actively learn and evolve are the ones who will keep thriving.
4. Swag Matters (More Than You Think)
Let’s be honest—freelancers love free stuff. And WordCamp? It delivers.
By the time I left, I had:
- Enough stickers to cover my entire laptop (and possibly my neighbor’s, too)
- A tote bag that instantly made me feel 10% more like a tech professional
- A t-shirt that will now become my official “work from home” uniform
- A stress ball, which, let’s be real, will come in handy for client feedback days
But here’s the real takeaway: swag isn’t just about free merch—it’s about feeling like you’re part of something. Every time I look at my WordCamp stickers, I don’t just see a logo—I remember the people, the conversations, and the experience that came with it.
Also, let’s be clear: if you leave WordCamp without at least one freebie, did you even go?
What Clients Should Know About This
If you’re a business owner, hiring a freelancer can feel like a gamble. Will they be reliable? Do they actually know their craft? Or will they disappear after three emails and leave you wondering if you just paid someone to “optimize” your website by installing 47 plugins?
Here’s the thing: not all freelancers are created equal. Some stay stuck, using the same outdated methods year after year. Others? They show up to events like WordCamp, learn from the best, connect with industry leaders, and make sure their skills stay sharp.
That’s the kind of freelancer you want to work with.
Freelancers Who Keep Learning = Better Results for You
At WordCamp, I didn’t just sit in on tech talks—I was learning directly from the people shaping the future of WordPress.
Freelancers who invest in this kind of learning? They bring that up-to-date expertise straight to your projects.
The Difference Between a Freelancer Who Stays Stuck vs. One Who Evolves
There’s a big gap between freelancers who stay isolated and those who actively engage with their industry.
A freelancer who never invests in learning:
- Uses the same website templates from 2015
- Hasn’t updated their approach to SEO since Google Penguin
- Can’t offer fresh insights because they’re disconnected from the industry
A freelancer who stays connected:
- Adapts to new trends and technologies
- Knows what actually works for websites in 2025, not 2015
- Can offer strategic solutions, not just “quick fixes”
WordCamp reinforced this for me: the best freelancers aren’t just skilled—they’re constantly improving. And if you’re hiring one, that’s exactly what you should look for.
Final Thoughts
A week ago, I was debating whether WordCamp was worth the trip. Now? I can’t imagine missing it.
I didn’t just learn about WordPress—I experienced the community behind it. I sat in talks with industry experts, had conversations that challenged how I see freelancing, and even met the guy who literally started it all (still not over that, by the way).
But more than anything, I left WordCamp a better freelancer than when I arrived.
Because that’s what events like these do. They push you out of your comfort zone, expose you to new ideas, and remind you that you’re not just some solo freelancer lost in the algorithm—you’re part of something bigger.
So, Should You Attend WordCamp?
If you’re a freelancer wondering whether it’s worth it, here’s my answer: Yes. Absolutely. 100%.
Even if you’re an introvert.
Even if you think you already know WordPress.
Even if networking makes you sweat.
Because learning, growing, and connecting with the right people? That’s what keeps your freelance career moving forward.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
If you made it this far, I want to hear from you.
- Have you ever attended a WordCamp or a similar event?
- What’s your biggest struggle with putting yourself out there as a freelancer?
Drop a comment below, send me a message, or let’s chat about it on social media. And if you’re thinking about attending WordCamp next year, I’ll see you there.
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