Thread by @lizthegrey

Next up is @mrb_bk on why marketing matters. #VelocityConf

@mrb_bk Hypothesis: marketing >> code in terms of software adoption. [ed: and this is why I became a developer advocate!] #VelocityConf

You need to consider community early when developing a product.

Always ask, "Why do people matter?" "Why does adoption matter?" #VelocityConf

If you want to build a community of users and a customer base, adoption isn't an afterthought, it's the core of your business model. #VelocityConf

.@mrb_bk did some research via promoted tweet poll and got 1100+ responses; 88% of people thought marketing was important or very important to software adoption.

But why aren't we talking about it and getting better at it? #VelocityConf

We do things a lot better when we're doing them intentionally.

So let's market better to get better adoption. #VelocityConf

And that enables us to help more people with the awesomeness that we're building.

How can we improve? First, we need to appreciate and believe in it. Be intentional about learning. #VelocityConf

It's like *any* other technical skill - you have to invest in it.

How are we sure our products are ready for market? #VelocityConf

"If you build it, they will come" is a lie. You'll end up with rotten fruit on the vines of your farm if you wait for people to come to your farm to eat your fruit. #VelocityConf

There are so many things that go into making people aware of your product. docs, talks, sponsorships, conference sponsorship, social media, blogging, your website, etc. etc. etc. #VelocityConf

This winds up being the responsibility of people who are considerably less compensated than you, that enable you to do the things that you love to do.

And often it winds up being the responsibility of people in open source communities too. Credit them! #VelocityConf

Developers should become more involved in this work!! [ed: omg yes yes yes this. please please consider becoming a Dev Advocate or learning our skills!] #VelocityConf

How can you improve your relationship with marketing?

First, actually be *interested* in the work and talk to your marketing professionals!
Second, participate and collaborate.
Third, encourage each other to care! #VelocityConf

Find a path towards becoming more involved. Work on a blog post! Talk to the marketing department!

Here's an "obvious" trick: start earlier. Before you write a line of code, interview your future customers/audience. Don't waste peoples' time building useless things #VelocityConf

And you'll learn what value your product provides in advance, and be calibrated correctly against the market before you launch.

"Don't just code in a vacuum. It doesn't make successful projects, communities, or companies. You just have a useless GitHub repo." #VelocityConf

"If it's worth building, it's worth marketing." --@mrb_bk

Start now by defining the audience, designing the message, and refining the product. #VelocityConf

Not "what is it?" but "who is it for?" [ed: YES! and if you send me a conference pitch that doesn't say what your target audience is and what problem you're solving, your pitch goes in the circular file.] #VelocityConf