DevRel (Developer Relations) is a field within tech companies that focuses on building and maintaining relationships with developers and the developer community. These relationships are crucial for companies that rely on developers to use their products and services, as they can help foster a sense of community and build trust and credibility.

In a recent session with an experienced DevRel expert, I learned about some key aspects of DevRel and how to set ourselves up for success in the field. Here are some of the key takeaways from the session:

Early days of DevRel

In the early days of DevRel, the focus was more on gathering enthusiasts and sharing knowledge than solely promoting a company's products or services. Conferences were often focused on bringing together developers who were interested in sharing their experiences and knowledge. While companies need to promote their offerings, it's also crucial for DevRel professionals to provide value to the developer community through education and knowledge sharing. This can help build trust and credibility and foster a sense of community within the developer community.

"DevRel" not "DevSell"

One common mistake that DevRel professionals might make is hyping up their company or product on stage, rather than focusing on educating and supporting developers. This is often referred to as "Dev Sell" rather than "Dev Rel," and it can lead to a lack of trust and credibility within the developer community. It's important for DevRel professionals to avoid this mistake and instead focus on sharing knowledge and experiences, being authentic and approachable, and building relationships with developers. By prioritizing the needs and interests of the developer community and providing value through education and knowledge sharing, DevRel professionals can establish trust and credibility and build a positive brand perception among developers.

How to measure DevRel

Measuring the success of a DevRel program can be challenging, as it involves tracking a wide range of metrics and factors. Some common metrics that DevRel professionals might track include the number of developers engaged with the company's products or services, the level of satisfaction among developers, and the level of brand awareness among developers. It's also important to track metrics that relate to the overall goals of the DevRel program, such as the number of new developers using the company's products or services, the level of developer retention, and the impact on the company's bottom line. To effectively measure the success of a DevRel program, it's important to establish clear goals and metrics upfront and to regularly review and analyze the data to identify areas for improvement and optimize the program.

Human vs. transactional relationships

The goal of Devrel is to build trust and credibility with developers and to create a positive brand perception among them. This is especially important in today's tech landscape, where developers have a wide range of choices when it comes to tools and platforms. By establishing strong relationships with developers, companies can differentiate themselves and gain a competitive edge.

Measuring personal growth

As a DevRel professional, it's important to continually measure and track your personal growth to improve and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies. One way to measure your personal growth is to compare the quality of content you produced in the past with the quality of content you are producing now. It's also important to regularly read industry blogs, attend conferences and meetups, and participate in online communities to stay up-to-date and continue learning and growing. By continuously improving and learning new things, DevRel professionals can better understand the needs and challenges of the developers they are trying to reach and provide them with valuable resources and support.

Things to do to get started as a beginner.

If you're interested in getting started in DevRel, there are several things you can do to set yourself up for success:

• Get Experience: One of the best ways to get started in DevRel is to gain experience in the field. This might involve speaking at meetups or conferences, writing articles or blog posts, or participating in online forums and communities. By getting experience and building your skills, you can demonstrate your expertise and value to potential employers or clients.

• Start local: It's often helpful to start locally and build your network within your local tech community. This might involve finding meetups or events in your area or joining online communities or forums related to your area of expertise. By starting locally, you can build relationships with other professionals and gain valuable experience in DevRel.

• Choose a modality: DevRel professionals often use a variety of different channels to reach developers, such as writing, speaking, video, or workshops. It's important to choose a modality that you are comfortable with and excel in. By focusing on one modality initially, you can build your skills and expertise before expanding to other channels.

• Get excellent and quality relationships instead of transactional ones. In DevRel, it's important to focus on building strong, authentic relationships with developers. This involves listening to their needs and challenges, being approachable, and providing value through education and knowledge sharing. By building excellent relationships with developers, you can establish trust and credibility and establish a positive brand perception among developers.

• Be yourself, and start with one niche: DevRel is all about being authentic and genuine in your interactions with developers. It's important to be yourself and focus on what you are good at, rather than trying to be someone you're not. It's also helpful to start with one niche and build your expertise in that area before expanding to other areas. By focusing on your strengths and building your expertise in a specific area, you can set yourself up for success in DevRel.

Conclusion

DevRel is a vital practice in the tech industry, and companies need to establish strong relationships with developers to foster a sense of community and build trust and credibility. By avoiding common mistakes, focusing on building authentic relationships, and getting experience in the field, companies can set themselves up for success in DevRel. It's also important to measure the success of DevRel programs and continuously improve and learn new things to provide value to the developer community and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies. In the words of Tejas Kumar, "Deeply internalize that it is DevRel and not DevSell; when your focus is developer relations, everything else falls into place."

PS: This is an excerpt from a session with Tejas Kumar, a senior developer advocate. This session was done as part of the developer mentorship program at dxmentorship.