Thread by @VaibhaviDesai

1/ Next up in #ReflectionThreads : Throwing some light on ‘Developer Relations’ (DevRel) as a function.

I'll summarize some experiences from
- My work at a product MNC
- My research + prep work for product startup/s interviews

Read below 👇🏻

#DeveloperRelations #Thread

2/ DevRel is useful for any company which has a tech product and is looking for increasing their developer base. Needless to say, the framework mentioned below would be applicable (at a high level) for various other (non-tech) products as well.

3/ Why DevRel? 🤔
- Engage with a unique audience : Developers
- Reach devs@scale (1:few:many)
- Help devs make *meaningful* solutions
- Receive critical product feedback

4/ You want to help devs 😁
- LOVE (Trust) your product
- Become successful
- Solve meaningful problems
- Navigate through challenges
- Inspire others to build

5/ Simplifying the #DevRel definition even more, as @mary_grace writes in her blog:

“To the Community, You represent Company,
To the Company, You represent Community” ❤️

6/ You don’t need to be a product expert, but you do need to know the product/s holistically.

- Why should one learn it?
- How can one take the start?
- What are some use cases?
- When would you recommend using it?
- What are the limitations?

#KnowYourProduct

7/ DevRel Journey:

- Awareness: Dev knowing the product
- Engagement: Dev trying the product
- Adoption: Dev building a solution using the product
- Advocacy: Dev recommending the product

Best case: when the ‘advocates’ help bring ‘awareness’ of your product i.e. full circle.

8/ [important] How do you measure the success (metrics)?

Quantitative: #reach, #impressions, #attendees, #trainings, #communities

Qualitative: success stories, use cases, product feedback, open source contributions

9/ Dev Community is normally spread across more than one geography and most of your work involves working with masses.

Some must dos:
- Put your ‘Community’ first
- Be open, inclusive & accessible
- Understand your ‘local’ developer
- Scale 'meaningfully'

10/ Same way, following are the risks / challenges you may encounter while working on DevRel initiatives:
- Market readiness
- Community retention
- Balancing quality with scale
- Alignment with product teams

11/ [favorite] Perks of working in DevRel ❤️
- You get an opportunity to change lives, make an impact, help people find jobs.
- You get to meet some amazing & brightest minds from all across the globe.
- You add value to business, but you don’t have to pursue crazy sales goals.

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