Sleeping With the Enemy
Many of you have heard of a guy named Chris Pearson, probably most known for his Cutline theme for WordPress. After allowing SplashPress Media to take over the theme, Chris spent some time away from the blogging world until he released his Neo-Classical theme towards the end of last year, and even jumped into the premium theme pool with the released of his Thesis theme.
I must admit that when I started working with WordPress a few years ago, I thought of him the same way aspiring actors view people like George Clooney in Hollywood. Starstruck. Wow, that’s Chris Pearson, the WordPress guy. I suppose we all have people we look up to in our lives, and Chris and his accomplishments were something that drove me - I wanted to “be like Mike” as they say, and finally decided to contact him.
So I shot him a note through Twitter, and it was great to finally get in touch with him. In fact, Chris and I have had a number of conversations of late - mainly about the direction of WordPress and where themes are going, and we’ve shared strategies, etc. He and I view the blogging world and it’s potential in the same way, so even though we are “competitors” with our themes (thus the post title) we’re on the exact same page with our mentalities.
In a world where there is a lot of competition, it’s sad when you see things like this happen. I’d much prefer the route that Aaron Brazell went, which was to take Chris and I to a steel cage match, and let our themes bash it out. (fun stuff - thanks for that post Aaron!)
My point with this post is to befriend those who are in the same business as you, taking the high road and make communities like WordPress a better place. It’s easy to want to knock people down - but what good does that do? It’s been fun getting to know Chris, and to call him a friend (and not an enemy like my post title insinuates) is very much so a pleasure!
Having said that, Chris and I have some ideas on where we plan to take WordPress - although we probably won’t do them “officially” together, you can be assured that what Chris and I bring forward will have been thought out and brainstormed late at night on IM by the two of us!
* Special Disclaimer *
Although the post title is Sleeping With the Enemy, I do not consider Chris an enemy at all - we actually had a chuckle together last night when I told him I was going to make a post with this title. Thought you all would find it fun.
Comments
23 Responses to “Sleeping With the Enemy”
This shows incredible wisdom on your part, Brian. One of the most valuable marketing lessons I’ve learned is that there’s more value in growing a market space through cooperation with the “competition” than there is by going it alone. One example is the Internet Marketing “gurus”… they all promote each other’s products, with an end result of all of them making more than they would have otherwise.
It’s counter-intuitive, but it works.
Brian
Thanks for dropping by and chiming in - and sorry I didn’t get a chance to catch you at SOBCon this year - you seemed pretty busy talking to people, so I didn’t want to butt in. As for your comments, yes, you are very right - and Chris even mentioned to me last night that he’s very comfortable recommending Revolution to people if he finds out that they are looking for something Thesis doesn’t accommodate. And I feel the same as him, in that I’d recommend his stuff if Revolution didn’t do what people wanted.
Love it. Priceless comment Brian, thanks.
Good One .. Chris is a really good Wordpress Guy … but I dont know what he is doing these days .. of course he is working on his thesis theme lately.. but other than that.. ?
Should you put another special disclaimer saying that you don’t actually sleep with Chris either? Er… I’ll move on.
Sorry if I’ve missed this in another thread somewhere - I’ve been away for a bit (looking after my 4 week old son! Yay!!) but thought I would ask if you’d seen the article about Wordpress in .Net Magazine over here in the Sunny UK. It refers to a certain Wordpress Revolution in a positive light.
Another well done Brian…
Dinu
Chris has been busy with Thesis development and has a few other things that are taking up his time.
Andy
I figure people assumed your other disclaimer suggestion.
Good news about .Net Magazine - you’ll have to drop me a link if you see that in a specific article!
Nice post Brian… I actually blogged about the exact same principle in the last couple of days; I really don’t think we as premium theme designers should be obsessed with “doing business” that we neglect the mutual respect we should have for each other.
And I have to add, that even though I admire Chris’ work; he is far too quiet for my liking!
So when I started out I thought you were the bee’s knees and ultimately you played a big role in “motivating” me to get going on my own premium themes business model. Kudo’s & heaps of respect bro!
Adii
Thanks for the comment - during the launch of Revolution a year ago, Chris was admittingly caught up in his Celebrity blog, and had other things going on. I think he needed a break from working with Cutline and clients, as we all do from time to time.
Like me, he’s very low key online when it comes to WordPress and all of the political stuff that goes on, and we just work hard and do our thing! After all, he and I would prefer to walk the walk, and not so much focus on talking the talk. (not aimed towards you - just others in general.)
Congrats on your site launch by the way - great stuff.
Very nice post Brian!
I couldn’t agree more. When I first though about getting into the Premium Theme business it was Brian who inspired me and took me under his wing and to this day has helped me in numerous ways that I probably can never repay him for.
And even after my Omni Theme took off Brian still took the time to mentor me and be there for any questions I have or to give me feedback on ideas that I throw at him. He even took the time to meet up with me for lunch a few months back when I was visiting Chicago. He didn’t have to do any of this and certainly didn’t have to after I became a competitor of his, but that’s just the type of guy Brian is. A stand up guy if I’ve ever seen one.
I don’t know all the details of the online fights that Brian mentioned, but taking the high road and creating a community of top designers is definitely the right route.
Competition is great as it drives innovation and creating a solid, well mannered community of theme developers is sure going to not only create a more fun working environment, but will also create better products (themes) for our customers. Plus… it’s just a much more relaxing way to go through life.
Keep up the great work Brian and thanks again for everything. Even though we are competitors in business, our friendship will always take precedence.
The great thing about the Internet is that it’s a growing territory without limitations. There is no reason to have a fight over territory since there will be plenty more demand in the next few minutes.
As much as people like to believe the Intarweb has matured, it’s still in its infancy. That means that the opportunity to both be successful and not compete has unlimited potential.
Kudos to you both for realizing this!
~sigh~
“Sleeping with the enemy”?
I guess this entry represents a sort of epiphany for you. I can only hope others learn from your example.
When you first start out in an endeavor, you’re green and everyone is jockeying for position. As you become established, you come to realize you have more to gain by maintaining ongoing relations with your colleagues than not.
Look at is this way. If your view point is:
competitor
This means you’re in a position of diffidence. If you perceive others as colleagues, it means you’re secure and have arrived. Whenever I see designers (for example) describing other designers as “competitors”, I know they haven’t matured and are on some level, operating from a position of fear.
You can see this in another way. If someone describes themselves as your competitor, they’re flattering themselves. It’s kind of an insult. At least in my experience, someone who’s described themselves as my competitor isn’t even on the same level.
I have tons of colleagues with whom I enjoy warm relations. They are my greatest asset in the business. Each of us are specialized in our niche. We refer clients to each other on a daily basis. Maybe new customers don’t see the differences and think we’re competitors but they’re too green to know. Unlike our customers who come and go over time, established colleagues remain. They are the glue that keep the business going, the continuity.
From someone who knows NOTHING about the current “design wars” but was in graphic/marketing for 20+ years, I enjoyed this post from your perspective. Respectful rivalry is healthy for business in general especially in the creative fields.
I do know good design when I see it and, when that design is backed up by excellent service, then that makes for extremely good business. And, uh, that would be you, Brian. You are the so-called George Clooney of my WordPress world (but not in a creepy stalker way), greatly admired. So thanks.
Great post! This is what I like to call “positive competition” - trying (in a sense) to outdo each other but sharing the ideas to come up with an overall better solution.
More power to you!
I look to our Wordpress future with much excitement.
Bill
Well said, Brian. Healthy competition is just that, “healthy”. It breeds an inspirational fire to push oneself and do better in the spirit of advancing a cause, movement or marketplace.
Petty criticism and attempting to drag your competition through the mud shows little in the way of maturity or confidence in your own work.
Always take the high road and success will follow.
You have chosen wisely.
Brian: Again, you strike the right tone when it comes to the best way we should all relate. Understanding we all have something unique to offer - even when it appears to outsiders that only conflict should exist - adds to our world instead of the too to common cheapening of relationships. (Have to go, must ghost write Dr. Phil’s new book on the blogging.
Bryan
You know the feeling is definitely mutual, and I’m very happy to call you a friend - not to mention I’m glad that I was lower in price on that first site, which has made our paths cross.
Doug
Yes, I agree - the internet in general is in its infancy and there is a lot of potential and a lot of room for many people across various markets.
Kathleen
I certainly consider Chris a colleague, and want to make sure it’s clear that my post title was rather something fun I decided to do. I certainly don’t consider him (or anyone else for that matter) and enemy. Sorry for making ya sigh!
This is my first comment in your blog.
You’re my inspiration, Brian!
I learn many things about Wordpress themes from your design styles.
Thanks for your Great Work!
I’ll be your enemy in the future!!! :))
[...] myself pleasantly surprised at what a really nice guy Brian Gardener is. Seriously, this guy is nice. Most of you may know him by his insanely popular Revolution [...]
Great post Brian!
I remember something in Sun Tzu’s Art of War about keeping your friends close and your enemies closer! Over the years, I’ve gained tremendous insight from competitors.
My friend who turned me on to the Revolution Themes summed it up well: You don’t need a site and a blog if you combine them properly into something your reader’s value.
The history of innovation is full of examples of people who made millions, not by being innovative, but by being 10% different. Competition can be a gauge of the current state of things and the benchmark we know we can possibly to improve by 10% to become the next innovative phenomenon.
Paul
Great themes. All the ones I liked were yours!
My blog currently seems to have a bug (can’t login to admin page) and I just moved to your whitespace theme — just wanted to check that it’s compatible with WP 2.6 as far as you know, and I’ve probably done something else stupid?
thanks Ben
Thank you so much for sharing your themes, but most of all that you are a believer!
Your themes are a blessing to me, as I’m trying to listen to God’s plan for me and help single mothers live drama-free lives and get more youth to read and listen to positive and faith-based Hip Hop music (BooksnBeats.com).
Thanks again!
I started with the cutline theme and now I have moved to the Revolution City theme on one of our blogs. Both of you have created some great themes.
I understand what you mean when you talk about looking up to someone and then talking with them.
But, it is always better to take the high road and work with them than cutting hem down and alienating yourself from them and their supporters.
You have done a fantastic job with your themes and maybe people will think of you as the Brad Pitt of Theme building if Pearson is considered George Clooney. LOL
Hey Brian
Great post - and great testimony on your about me section. I don’t want to pry, but how much (range) do leading premium wordpress designers make a month?
Is it a growing field?
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