Notes from the field.DevRel, video & developer growth.
What I've learned building developer programs, producing 500+ videos and speaking on 60+ stages, written down so you can skip a few of the mistakes.
All posts

·9 min read
Signals: The Skill of Elite Developer Advocates
Friction logging, signal detection, and business impact: the framework that makes DevRels invaluable to any company.

·10 min read
Why Understanding Product-Market Fit Makes You a More Valuable DevRel
PMF isn't just for founders. It's the framework that separates DevRels who execute tasks from DevRels who lead.

·2 min read
Done > Perfect & Tools That Remove DevRel Video Creation Barriers | DevReel #14
Welcome to Week #14! Been sick for two weeks. But I'm back! Missed you all. Let's dive in. 📺 Video of the Week I had the chance to see all Blackmagic's announcement at NAB in Las Vegas and I'm really eager to show you what's new. The latest DaVinci ...

·3 min read
The Little Things that Makes the Difference when doing Video for Developers | DevReel Weekly #11
Welcome to Week #11! I'm writing this one from Durham, NC, because I'm presenting at the All Things Open AI Conference! Let's focus on quality that doesn't break your budget. 📺 Video of the Week: Story First, Everything Else Second I hate regular ...

·3 min read
5 Oscar-Worthy Storytelling Lessons for DevRel 🎬 | DevReel Weekly #9
Welcome to Week #9! Last night, I watched The Oscars. As a person who loves cinematography and filmmaking in general, I try to incorporate great film techniques into my DevRel videos. As Developer Advocates, we're storytellers first, technologists se...

·3 min read
Stop Being Normal, Embrace Weirdness! 🎬 | DevReel Weekly #8
I can't believe 580 people are interested in what I have to say! Welcome to Week #8 to all of you, today is a very personal issue. 📺 Video of the Week Seven years ago, this video transformed how I saw myself. I was that "successful" software enginee...

·2 min read
AI Won't Replace You... For Now(But Bad Storytelling Will) - FIX IT 🎬 | DevReel Weekly #7
Welcome to Week #7! - Let's jump right in because I hate boilerplate. 📺 Video of the Week Let’s be clear: AI is here to stay, but it has been marketed poorly so far. The major issue with AI adoption is the passive mindset of focusing on cutting cost...

·2 min read
Stop Ruining Your Vertical Videos & Light is the Story 🎬 | DevReel Weekly #5
January is gone! Time is flying, and so I am to San Francisco 🇺🇸 to produce videos for the company I work for (Appsmith) 🎬 and I'm bring all my equipment! My eyes are tired. I watch hundreds of videos weekly for inspiration. But this one stopped m...

·2 min read
Stop Making Videos That Look Amateur 🎬 | DevReel Weekly #4
January's almost gone. Four newsletters in. Time flies when you're obsessing over video for Developer Relations. 📺 Video of the Week Shameless self-promotion alert Most talking head videos look amateur. Flat. Lifeless. It KILLS me because is really ...

·2 min read
Your First 30 Seconds Are Killing Your Videos + Considering Vlogging? 🎬 | DevReel Weekly #3
Weekly video tips for DevRel success: Discover storytelling hacks, gear recommendations, and proven strategies to level up your developer content. 🎬

·3 min read
My Doctor Prescribed Product Videos for Insomnia 🎬 | DevReel Weekly #2
Yo! Back for #2! Last week's launch got some amazing responses (especially about that story framework and 400 subscribers in the first week!!). 99% of product or announcement videos are bedtime stories. Boring. Predictable. Forgettable. I'm trying ha...

·3 min read
3 Words That Changed My DevRel Stories + Jono's 26-Year Wisdom 🎬 | DevReel Weekly #1
Uncover actionable DevRel video insights from a creator's playbook: storytelling techniques and content strategies for engaging developers
·7 min read
A DevRel Guide for Video Thumbnails
Optimize video thumbnails for technical content to boost engagement and click-through rates in developer communities with these best practices.

·7 min read
Advises for Building Better Developer-Focused Videos from a Filmmaker
Tips for engaging developer videos: structure scripts, pace visuals, maintain audio quality, use effective camera angles, and place strategic CTAs

·7 min read
How to Evaluate Video Performance in Developer Relations
Strategies to effectively evaluate video metrics for DevRel using the Developer Journey Map as a baseline for success.

·5 min read
Video the Best Medium for DevRel - Here's why
The future of developer relations is visual, and those who embrace this shift will reap the rewards of enhanced engagement and deeper connections

·5 min read
Strapi CMS on Google Cloud Platform: The Definitive Guide - Part 3
The definitive guide to deploying Strapi CMS on Google Cloud Platform. Step-by-step instructions to set up Strapi on App Engine, Cloud SQL, Cloud Storage.

·8 min read
Strapi CMS on Google Cloud Platform: The Definitive Guide - Part 2
The definitive guide to deploying Strapi CMS on Google Cloud Platform. Step-by-step instructions to set up Strapi on App Engine, Cloud SQL, Cloud Storage.

·9 min read
Strapi CMS on Google Cloud Platform: The Definitive Guide - Part 1
The definitive guide to deploying Strapi CMS on Google Cloud Platform. Step-by-step instructions to set up Strapi on App Engine, Cloud SQL, Cloud Storage.

·5 min read
Secrets to Writing a CFP that Gets You on Stage
Master the Call for Papers: Write a proposal that gets you on stage at top tech conferences. Pro tips from a DevRel andGoogle Developer Expert Kevin Blanco.

·4 min read
Why DevRel Should Know About Sales
Explore the vital role of DevRel in SaaS growth: Learn key sales metrics like ICP, MRR, LTV and their impact on developer community and success.

·5 min read
Google Cloud Run - Secure Static Outbound IP Address
Securely connect your Cloud Run serverless app with a static IP address for outbound requests using Cloud NAT, Cloud Router and Serverless VPC.

·6 min read
Navigating Negotiations for Tech Leaders: Mastering the Art of Effective Communication
Master the art of tech negotiation as a versatile leader. Learn to balance flexibility and strength, navigate crisis talks, and forge stronger partnerships.

·7 min read
Crafting Captivating Video Content for Development Communities 🥑
💡 Every minute, a staggering 500 hours of video content is uploaded to YouTube alone. That's over 30,000 hours of video content every hour, and it barely scratches the surface of the massive and ever-growing world of online video. In a world domin...

·5 min read
Journeying Through Google DevFest 2023 - The first chapter: A Montreal Adventure
It's Google DevFest Season 2023! After a refreshing and incredible experience at the Google DevFest Bootcamp in Silicon Valley, we, the Developer Experts gained insights and training to then head on to speak and train the different communities around...

·8 min read
Understanding the Role of a DevRel Advocate 🥑 in the World of Technology
The position of a DevRel Advocate can often be challenging to explain, don't you think? It's not as simple as just creating videos and speaking at events, although those are definitely important aspects of our dream job. The truth is, the role of a D...

·5 min read
Fostering a Product-First Mindset as Engineers 🚀
In the realm of software development, there exists a fundamental distinction between two types of engineers: the “Code-First” and the “Product-First”