Introduction
DevRel is still in its early stage, so you are not too late to the party. I chose to use the quickstart guide analogy because it offers easy-to-understand tips needed to settle in the DevRel space. This article is for you if you have always wanted to make a smooth transition into DevRel, either from programming, technical writing, product or marketing but felt worried if you will perform your roles effectively and meet the company's expectations. I hope this serves as a learning resource for you.
Product Awareness
Although it is your role as a DevRel to let people know about your company's product, the common mistake people make when creating product awareness at tech conferences is engaging in the hype. This could be draining. Developer Products are either API, SDK, Reference Designs, Tools or services. Your role is simply to tell what the value proposition of such a product is - what problem does the product solve? How does it solve it? and how you could help them understand better how to solve it. Pretty simple.
Own your confidence
Lack of confidence makes people doubt themselves and set unrealistic expectations of what people want to see them do. This could lead to the feeling associated with imposter syndrome. Done is better than perfect, you don't have to be a know-it-all and that is fine. Caring about what people care about you could downplay your strength, and lead to anxiety or imposter syndrome. It is all about being valuable and being able to deliver the job properly without feeling worried that your work will be criticized. If eventually at the end, you receive feedback that seems discouraging, take it as an anecdote or data which will inform your next execution. Your responsibilities as a DevRel are a cycle, you have enough time to re-learn, re-inform, re-decide and re-execute. It is also fine if you do not have a large number of followers. Just do your thing.
People Relationship
Learn to connect with people you meet. Be authentic and be yourself. Every top professional in the industry is human just like you. Start by engaging them in normal conversation. Learn about them, what they do professionally, what they like, and their outside-the-job activities. One thing as a DevRel is that you need to be able to build partnerships with people. With this, you help yourself, the company and the product. Hundreds of developer products are in the market, it is competitive and in the end, one of your main goals is to drive the product from activation to retention, while identifying the product-market fit. Your relationship-building skills are necessary for a successful developer program and community.
Online/Offline Presence
Rather than setting new social media followers as your top objective, learn to provide value. It is much better to be involved with people who see you as a go-to person. Be authentic, and ready to provide support, guidance or mentorship to people who are just starting. This goes a long way. Just do your thing.
Nice-to-have
DevRel is T-shaped. Your role as a DevRel is split into community, product and education. It is okay if you don't meet all the requirements stated in the job description. What is most important is your enthusiasm and willingness to learn while on the job. A lot of companies do care, but not to a deep extent if you tick the boxes. Lots of DevRel professionals learn and teach in public. Content creation is also a skill that can be learned while on the job. You don't have to be an expert before giving it a shot.
Fun Facts
My consistency in writing is attributed to my intention to write, publish and just forget about it. It is proven that as a writer, you are your number one audience. This helps reduce the thought associated with being an expert writer and just doing your thing (this has been my 100th time saying this, I guess).
Health Matters
Burnout is a state of being highly stressed, experiencing emotional exhaustion such that it interferes with your work performance and makes you feel underachieved. It might seem like you have a lot on the table but that would be true if you do not prioritize your work by grouping them into an order of priority. Focus on your health by being attentive to signals and communicating them to your team members or manager. Another method with which you could prevent or recover from burnout is by practicing retrospectively, taking some time off, and limiting your online involvement. Self-care is important in every job, to avoid being exhausted all the time. Learn to rest when needed, this doesn't stop you from ticking the boxes in your to-do list, rather it prevents you from other interference which might come your way. It is DevRel, not DevSell. Do not get overwhelmed while working overtime.
Sales for sales, Marketing for Marketing, DevRel for DevRel. Soft skills are learnable.
Cheers, see you in the next article. Bye!
Enjoy what you do. Happy DevRel-ing!
Read my last article here
Want to discuss this with me, connect via Twitter
Cover Image credit, Andrei Kuznetsov