For the past 10 years, I’ve built websites, worked with clients from different parts of the world, and spent countless hours using WordPress. But in all that time, I never attended a WordCamp—not even once.
I always had an excuse. Too busy with projects. Travel costs. Or simply thinking, Is it really worth going? But this year, I finally decided to stop wondering and just go.
On February 20-22, 2025, I’ll be attending WordCamp Asia in Manila. This is one of the biggest WordPress events in the world, where developers, designers, freelancers, and business owners come together to learn, share ideas, and connect. And I’m not going alone—my girlfriend and cousin, both freelancers like me, are coming too.
Not only will I be attending, but I’ll also be contributing to the event as part of the Polyglots team, helping translate WordPress for a global audience. It’s my first time contributing, and honestly, I have no idea what to expect.
In this post, I’ll share why it took me so long to finally attend a WordCamp, what I expect from the event, and later, what actually happens. If you’ve ever thought about going to WordCamp—or wondered if it’s really worth it—this post is for you.
Why I Waited 10 Years to Attend WordCamp
Looking back, I realize there were a few reasons why I kept putting off attending a WordCamp. Some were practical, while others were just excuses I told myself. If you’re a freelancer or a WordPress user who’s never attended, you might relate to some of these too.
WordCamp events have been happening for years around the world, but WordCamp Asia itself is still new. The first-ever WordCamp Asia was in 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand, followed by WordCamp Asia 2024 in Taipei, Taiwan. This year, WordCamp Asia 2025 is happening in Manila, Philippines, and for the first time, I finally decided to go.
Here’s why it took me so long to finally make that decision:
“I’m Too Busy With Client Work”
Freelancers live by deadlines. Whenever I saw WordCamp announcements, I’d always think, I don’t have time for that. I have projects to finish, emails to answer, and clients waiting on me. I convinced myself that I couldn’t afford to take a few days off, even though in reality, I probably could have planned around it.
The truth? Taking time to learn and network is just as important as working on projects. If I had attended earlier, I might have picked up new skills, met potential clients, or discovered better ways to work.
“Travel Costs Too Much”
Attending WordCamp means travel expenses—flights, accommodation, food. As a freelancer in the Philippines, I always thought, Do I really need to spend money on this? When you work online, it’s easy to assume that everything you need to learn is already on the internet.
If I had attended WordCamp Asia 2023 in Thailand or WordCamp Asia 2024 in Taiwan, I would’ve had to fly out of the country. That alone was a big reason for me to skip it. But this year, it’s happening right here in the Philippines, making it the perfect opportunity.
What I’ve realized is that events like these aren’t just about learning—they’re about connections. Meeting people face-to-face, sharing experiences, and hearing insights directly from industry experts has a different impact than just reading blog posts or watching YouTube videos.
“I’m Not Sure If I Belong There”
At first, I thought WordCamp was mostly for hardcore developers, theme builders, or agency owners. Since I mostly focus on design, front-end development, and SEO, I wondered if it was really relevant to me.
But the more I learned about WordCamp, the more I realized that it’s for everyone in the WordPress space—not just developers. Freelancers, designers, marketers, content creators, and business owners all attend. WordPress is a big ecosystem, and there’s something for everyone.
“I Can Just Watch the Talks Online”
WordCamp uploads most of its sessions online, so I told myself, Why travel when I can just watch the talks later? But there’s a big difference between passively watching a session at home and actually being there.
At the event, you can ask questions, join discussions, meet speakers, and connect with other freelancers and business owners. It’s not just about the talks—it’s about the entire experience.
“Next Year Might Be Better”
For years, I kept saying, Maybe next year. When WordCamp Asia 2023 happened in Thailand, I skipped it. Then WordCamp Asia 2024 happened in Taiwan, and I skipped that too. But the truth is, there’s never a perfect time. If I had kept waiting, I might have never gone at all.
This year, I decided to stop making excuses. I finally booked my ticket and committed to going. And now, I’m looking forward to experiencing it for the first time.
If you’ve been on the fence about attending a WordCamp, maybe this is your sign to go. You never know what opportunities you might be missing.
Who I’m Going With (And Why That Matters)
Attending WordCamp Asia 2025 is already exciting, but what makes it even better? I’m not going alone.
I’ll be traveling with my girlfriend and cousin, who are both freelancers like me. We all work online, but we specialize in different areas—some in design, others in web development and digital marketing. So, for us, WordCamp isn’t just a conference; it’s a chance to learn, network, and grow together.
Freelancing can be a lonely career at times. Most of our work happens behind a screen, with clients and collaborators spread across different time zones. We communicate through Slack, Zoom, and email, but rarely do we get to meet other freelancers in person—especially ones who understand the struggles of building a career in this field.
That’s why attending WordCamp together matters.
- We get to experience it as a team. Instead of attending solo, we’ll be learning together, sharing insights, and bouncing ideas off each other.
- We’re contributing to the event. My girlfriend and I will be participating in Contribution Day as Polyglots, helping with WordPress translations. This is a unique opportunity to give back to the WordPress community while working side by side.
- Networking becomes easier. Having familiar faces around makes it less intimidating to start conversations and connect with others in the industry.
Plus, let’s be real—traveling to Manila with friends and family makes the whole experience more fun. We’ll get to explore, eat great food, and turn this event into a mix of learning and adventure.
For freelancers who have never attended an event like this, I highly recommend going with someone you know. It makes the experience richer, more meaningful, and a lot less nerve-wracking.
My Game Plan for WordCamp Asia 2025
Attending WordCamp Asia 2025 for the first time is exciting, but I know that going in without a plan could make it overwhelming. There will be hundreds of attendees, multiple talks happening at the same time, and endless opportunities to learn and network.
To make the most out of this experience, I’ve put together a game plan—how I’m preparing, what I’ll focus on, and how I’ll make sure this trip is not just fun, but also valuable for my freelancing career.
1. Planning My Schedule: Which Talks & Sessions to Prioritize
There will be a lot of sessions happening at the same time, so I want to make sure I don’t waste time deciding at the last minute. I’m going through the official WordCamp Asia 2025 Schedule to pick the most relevant talks for me as a freelancer, designer, and front-end developer.
Some of the topics I’m particularly interested in:
- Freelancing & business growth: Learning how to scale and manage a freelance career.
- SEO & content strategy: Staying updated on best practices for ranking WordPress websites.
- Web design & front-end development: Picking up new design trends and UX/UI improvements.
- WordPress tools & workflows: Discovering plugins, frameworks, and automation tools to make work more efficient.
Since I can’t attend every talk, I’ll also check if some sessions are recorded so I can watch them later.
2. Contribution Day: How I’m Giving Back to WordPress
WordCamp isn’t just about learning—it’s also about giving back to the WordPress community. That’s why I’m joining Contribution Day on February 20.
I’ll be contributing as part of the Polyglots team, helping translate WordPress into different languages. My girlfriend Janine is also contributing, so we’ll be working together. Even though it’s my first time, I’m excited to be part of something bigger—making WordPress more accessible for people around the world.
3. Networking Like a Pro (Without Feeling Awkward)
One of my biggest goals for WordCamp Asia is meeting new people—freelancers, developers, designers, agency owners, and potential collaborators. But as a freelancer who works online, I’m not used to in-person networking.
My plan to make it easier:
- Join casual conversations: Instead of overthinking, I’ll introduce myself to people in common areas.
- Talk to fellow freelancers: Meeting others who also work remotely and sharing experiences.
- Ask speakers & panelists questions: Making sure I don’t just listen, but engage.
- Connect on LinkedIn/X: Instead of just collecting business cards, I’ll follow up online.
Since I’m going with my girlfriend and cousin, I know it’ll be easier to start conversations without feeling like I’m completely on my own.
4. Exploring Manila & Making the Most of the Trip
WordCamp Asia is happening in Manila, Philippines, so beyond the event, I want to take time to enjoy the city and its amazing food.
Some side plans:
- Try iconic Filipino food: Adobo, lechon, and halo-halo are on my list.
- Meet up with freelancer friends: I have some friends attending from Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, so I’ll make time to catch up.
- Document everything: Taking photos and videos for my vlog and blog post.
Since I’m traveling with family, I also want to make sure we enjoy the trip without it feeling like just another work event.
Why Freelancers Should Attend WordCamp (Even If They’re Not Developers)
Many freelancers think WordCamp is just for developers. Since WordPress is a web development platform, it’s easy to assume the event will be filled with technical coding sessions, plugin development talks, and advanced engineering discussions.
But the truth is, WordCamp is for everyone who works with WordPress—not just developers. Designers, SEO specialists, content writers, marketers, and business owners all attend because WordPress is more than just code—it’s an entire ecosystem.
If you’re a freelancer who builds websites, manages content, or uses WordPress in any way, here’s why you should seriously consider attending.
Learn Business, SEO, and Content Strategy
One of the biggest misconceptions is that WordCamp is all about coding, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Many sessions focus on business growth, freelancing strategies, SEO, content marketing, and user experience. Freelancers can learn about pricing their services, managing clients, and growing a sustainable business—all without writing a single line of code. There are also deep dives into SEO best practices, content strategy, and design trends that shape how WordPress websites perform online.
Expand Your Network and Find Clients
Beyond learning, WordCamp is also an incredible opportunity to expand your network. It’s a space where freelancers can connect with agencies looking for talent, meet like-minded professionals, and even find potential clients. The relationships built at these events often lead to long-term collaborations, referrals, and unexpected career opportunities. Even if you don’t land a client immediately, simply being part of the community opens doors you wouldn’t have found otherwise.
Discover Tools to Improve Your Freelancing Workflow
Another major draw of WordCamp is the chance to discover new tools that can improve your workflow. Whether it’s a more efficient website builder, a powerful SEO plugin, or an automation tool that simplifies client management, there’s always something new to take away. Many exhibitors showcase cutting-edge solutions that can save freelancers time and effort, helping them work smarter, not harder.
Be Part of the WordPress Community
Most importantly, attending WordCamp gives freelancers a chance to be part of something bigger. WordPress is an open-source community, and events like this highlight just how many people contribute to making it better. Even if you’re not a developer, you can participate in Contribution Day by helping translate WordPress, writing documentation, or testing features. Seeing firsthand how a global community works together to improve the platform makes you realize that you’re not just using WordPress—you’re part of its growth.
Closing Thoughts
Attending WordCamp Asia 2025 is a big step for me as a freelancer. After 10 years of using WordPress, I’m finally taking the opportunity to experience the community in person, contribute, and learn from others who share the same passion.
This trip is not just about attending a conference—it’s about growing as a freelancer, meeting new people, and stepping outside my comfort zone.
If you’ve ever thought about attending WordCamp but hesitated—whether it’s because of cost, time, or thinking it’s “only for developers”—I hope this blog post gives you a reason to consider it.
Freelancing can feel isolating, but events like WordCamp remind us that we’re part of something bigger. We’re not just working alone behind our screens—we’re part of a massive global community of creatives, problem-solvers, and innovators.
I’ll be sharing my full experience after the event, so stay tuned for a follow-up post! If you’re attending WordCamp Asia 2025, let’s connect—I’d love to meet fellow freelancers and WordPress users.
🚀 See you at WordCamp!
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