Focus on Partners, Navigating DevRel in a Private Ecosystem - DevRelCon NYC 2024

Talk by Gene Chorba. Developer Relations is witnessing a pivotal shift towards a more targeted, relationship-driven strategy. This presentation will explore the strategic focus on Private/Partner Programs as a core DevRel strategy, diverging from the traditional grassroots community and API-centric approaches. We will dissect the rationale, benefits, and methodologies of prioritizing tier-1 partners, implementing access-limited programs, and cultivating high-value partnerships that drive mutual growth and innovation. Attendees will gain insights into crafting and executing a Private/Partner Program strategy that aligns with their organizational goals and the evolving landscape of developer engagement.

Transcript

1. Focus on Partners, Navigating DevRel in a Private Ecosystem Gene Chorba Head of Developer Relations @ Roku @Gchorba
2. DevRel Consultant Sr. Manager of DevRel DevEx Manager Head of Developer Relations DevRel Career @Gchorba
3. Early 2000s Evolution of DevRel Eras Late 2000s to Early 2010s Mid 2010s Late 2010s Early 2020s @Gchorba
4. Early 2000s: The Open-Source Era •Focus on open-source communities and collaborative coding •Emergence of online forums and mailing lists as primary communication channels •Rise of code repositories and version control systems •Rise of developer-focused events and hackathons @Gchorba
5. Late 2000s – Early 2010s: The API Revolution • Proliferation of public APIs • Rise of the "developer evangelist" role • Growth of hackathons and code camps • Emphasis on technical documentation and SDKs @Gchorba
6. Mid 2010s: Developer Experience Era • Focus on seamless developer journeys and user experience • Investment in interactive documentation and learning resources • Rise of developer education programs and certifications • Emergence of developer experience as a distinct discipline @Gchorba
7. Late 2010s: Data Driven DevRel • Implementation of DevRel-specific metrics and KPIs • Use of analytics to track developer journey and engagement • Integration of DevRel goals with broader business objectives • Growth of DevRel as a strategic business function @Gchorba
8. Early 2020s: The Partner Focused Era • Shift towards exclusive, high-value partnerships • Development of tiered partner programs • Focus on co-creation and joint innovation Integration of DevRel with business development and product teams @Gchorba
9. Traditional DevRel vs Partner Focused DevRel @Gchorba Descriptio n 01. Product One 02. Product Two 03. Product Three Primary Audience Access Content 01. Product One 02. Product Two 03. Product Three Metrics Relationship Depth Resource Allocation
10. Why Partner Focused DevRel? Increased ROI Deeper Integration Business Alignment Enhanced DevEx Control and Security @Gchorba
11. Advantages of a Partner-Focused Approach For Your Company For Partners For the Ecosystem @Gchorba
12. Descriptio n 01. Product One 02. Product Two 03. Product Three Basic Table Vel turpis nunc eget lorem dolor sed viverra ipsum. Laoreet suspendisseiol interdum consectetur libero id faucibus nisl tincidunt. Arcu risus quis varius quam quisque id diam. Market influence and reach Identifying and Selecting Tier 1 Partners Potential for mutual growth and value creation Financial stability and growth trajectory 01. Product One 02. Product Two 03. Product Three Strategic alignment with your company's goals Complementary product or service offerings Cultural fit and shared vision @Gchorba
13. Description 01. Product One 02. Product Two 03. Product Three Basic Table Vel turpis nunc eget lorem dolor sed viverra ipsum. Laoreet suspendisseiol interdum consectetur libero id faucibus nisl tincidunt. Arcu risus quis varius quam quisque id diam. Tiered access with clear benefits and requirements Implementing Access Limited Programs Exclusive API/SDK access OR enhanced capabilities Dedicated support channels and resources 01. Product One 02. Product Two 03. Product Three Early access to new features or products Regular strategy and alignment meetings Joint marketing and co-development opportunities @Gchorba
14. Balancing Exclusivity and Ecosystem Health: Maintain some level of public access to foster community @Gchorba
15. Cultivating High Value Partnerships Strategies • Regular executive-level engagements • Collaborative roadmap planning • Joint problem-solving sessions • Shared success metrics and KPIs • Co-innovation initiatives and hackathons • Exclusive partner events and summits Types of Partnerships • Platform ecosystem partners • Industry-specific collaborators • Innovation partners for emerging technologies • Go-to-market partners for new product launches
16. Measuring success and performance Partner Satisfaction Technical Integration Business Impact Innovation Metrics @Gchorba
17. @Gchorba
18. Description 01. Product One 02. Product Two 03. Product Three Developer-Centric Ecosystem Case Study Quality Control Monetization Opportunities 01. Product One 02. Product Two 03. Product Three Tiered Engagement Innovation Encouraged Measurable Impact @Gchorba
19. @Gchorba
20. Description 01. Product One 02. Product Two 03. Product Three Ecosystem Enrichment Case Study Tiered Partnership Model Co-Creation and Brand Expansion 01. Product One 02. Product Two 03. Product Three Data Driven Improvement Balanced Approach Strategic Alignment @Gchorba
21. Common Challenges Resource Allocation Partner Conflicts Ecosystem Health Internal Alignment Scalability @Gchorba
22. Key Takeaways Partner-focused DevRel drives business value This doesn’t work for everyone. Tiered access models create tailored experiences for different tiers Measuring and communicating the impact is essential @Gchorba
23. Next Steps Develop a tiered partnership model tailored to your ecosystem Assess your current DevRel strategy and identify partnership opportunities Implement systems for managing partner access and engagement Create a roadmap for cultivating and growing strategic partnerships Work with your leadership to identify if this model works for your business strategy @Gchorba