Exploring Developer Relations (DevRel)
A crash course in DevRel
If you're curious about DevRel, might I say you're in the right place. Like you, I'm new to the DevRel world, but I happen to know a bit and I'd love to share what I've learned.
Unraveling the DevRel Concept
DevRel, short for Developer Relations, acts as the bridge connecting a company with its internal developer and external developer community—assuming the company produces developer-centric products.
In simpler terms, DevRel manages the relationship between an organization and its developer community or market. Consider Microsoft Azure's SaaS Development Kit, a product built by developers for developers, that reduces the time spent in developing applications or other software solutions. Here, the target market is developers, and the product is also produced by developers. This is where DevRel makes all the difference.
The Key Role of DevRel
To ensure the smooth implementation and lifecycle of such products, it is necessary and wise to have a system in place. This system must manage the community of developers building the product, as well as those using it. DevRel also involves creating documentation that serves as guidance for usage, and a system that can provide assistance in resolving issues that might arise during usage, engaging developers in a way that encourages them to continue to use the product and give feedback or suggest possible areas for improvement, increase product awareness and adoption, and advocate for the developer community with a balance that ensures that at the end of the day, both the organization and the developers are happy.
If you ask me, I'd say it's somewhat like combining public relations, human resources, product management, sales, marketing, and community management, all tailored for tech companies. No, really. Think about it.
Diverse Roles in Developer Relations
Now that you have a basic grasp of what Developer Relations entails, let's explore the various roles within DevRel. See, that's another interesting thing about DevRel because it encompasses so much and can mean different things, depending on the needs of the organization.
This dynamic field accommodates different titles such as:
- Developer Advocate
- Developer Evangelist
- Community Manager
- DevRel Engineer
- Developer Experience Engineer
- Developer Relations Program Manager…and much more.
Navigating the DevRel Landscape
Essential Skills for DevRel Success
Whatever role you decide to play in Developer Relations, there are certain skills that cut across and are vital to your survival in DevRel.
Technical Proficiency
While your job is not exactly building the products, managing the people that do is. You cannot advocate for people that you do not understand or cannot relate to. Being in DevRel would involve you offering technical support and guidance to developers who encounter issues in the course of using the organization’s products which demands a solid understanding of the product and the underlying infrastructure. Continuous development of your technical skills and knowledge enhances your ability to better engage your developer community and provide valuable support.
Effective Communication
DevRel is about using effective developer and people management to facilitate great product development. As a DevRel professional, tasks may include live sessions, planning partnerships, producing audio or video tutorial content, and resolving conflicts—all of which demand excellent communication and public speaking skills. You should be able to speak confidently in a comprehensible manner.
Events Organization and Networking
Your presence should be felt at conferences, meetups, exhibitions, hackathons, and workshops showcasing your organization's products. Often times, you might have to take the lead and organize some of these events as they will not only serve as an opportunity to share knowledge and network intentionally but also serve as a platform for you to develop better relationships with your developers and determine the best ways to advocate for their needs, taking into consideration their feedback and suggestions.
Community Building and Management
Building and managing developer communities is at the core of DevRel. You have to onboard developers, continually and consistently engage them, and create an environment that promotes collaboration and innovation.
Content Creation Skills
This would be an umbrella term for writing (blogs, articles, technical documentations, newsletters, how-to guides, etc. ), video and audio content creation, social media content and any other relevant content that provides assistance and information to your developer community while also gaining visibility for your developer community and your product.
In summary, success in Developer Relations requires a combination of these skills, along with proactivity in taking initiatives and managing projects. Think outside the box occasionally, be willing to take ownership of your work, and you'll thrive in the world of Developer Relations.
