Developer evangelism involves communicating and instructing developers on how to use new technologies to solve problems by coding, attending meetups and conferences, and reading the same materials as developers. The goal is to turn everyone an evangelist comes into contact with into an advocate for a particular technology by establishing common ground and experiences with developers through collaborating on projects. An evangelist achieves influence through different levels of relationship with developers, from direct interactions to regular collaboration.

1. Developer Evangelism
Dave Carroll
Based on the original work of James Ward

2. What is Developer Evangelism?

3. Communication and instruction in the use of
technology used to solve
problems, specifically the development of
applications.
These folks are clearly not here for the high production value
or the luxury accommodations!

4. Specifically targeted at the developer, IT
decision maker or other technologist.
This is an insight in to the personality of the developer. Clearly
individual, yet proud of certain associations, but likes stickers
(read shwag).

5. How do you communicate effectively with this
person? If you are not one of us, then you are one
of them (sales people), right?
You need to be an insider,
have common ground,
and common experiences.

6. If developers are skeptical or distrustful of those
who are “outside the life”, how to you achieve
and maintain common ground?
By coding, going to meetups and conferences, reading the same
blogs and media sites as your audience.
And then talking or writing about what you have
learned, discovered and/or invented.

7. What is the ultimate or foundational goal of
Developer Evangelism?
Cloning!

8. Turning everyone that you come into contact with
into an evangelist for your technology.
The network effect of successful evangelism!
6 degrees of separation from Guy Kawasaki?

9. Then what about influential people? Can this
effect be optimized?

10. Relational Evangelism – Differing relationship
depth provides differing amount of influence
Time spent with group
Direct Sphere of Influence
(little or no collaboration)
33% 80%
33%
High Value 13% Actively Disciple
(occasional collaboration)
Audience
33% 7% Regular Collaboration

11. Some foundational tenets of Developer
Evangelism.
Go where the target audience is.
Live in the world of the audience.
Use the linga franca of the audience.
Collaborate with community on content.
Doing usually more effective than talking.

12. Appendix