How to Build an Authentic Audience as a Developer

Building an audience of raving fans is a secret advantage to get hired at your dream job or launch your next software project. But how do you get started?

As it turns out, there's a simple, proven formula any software developer can use to earn the attention of lifelong fans by building useful tools and sharing what you know.

I'll boil down the big ideas you need to succeed in this talk and provide a treasure trove of examples to provide a strong start in your journey to build an audience that lasts.

Transcript

1. How to Build an Authentic
   Audience as a Developer
   Matt Woods
   Growth, Tailwind
   @matopher
   

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2. Why do you need to build an audience?
   @matopher
   Your audience is a secret advantage to
   get hired at your dream job or launch
   your next software project.
   
   

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3. The to building an audience: Give
   away more value than you take.
   @matopher
   It's like paying into a savings account.
   ➡ The more you save, more you can
   “withdraw” later.
   

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4. What are the best opportunities
   to build your audience?
   @matopher
   

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5. Build Useful Software
   @matopher
   ✅ Open Source Packages (Laravel Analytics)
   ✅ Templates (HTML5 Up)
   ✅ Side Projects (Nomad List)
   

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6. Share What You Know
   @matopher
   Bite-size samples (Quick Tips, Real Moments)
   Tasty side dish (Podcast, Blog Post, Short Video)
   Full course meal (Courses, Guides & Tutorials)
   

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7. Quick Tips
   @matopher
   BITE-SIZE SAMPLE
   

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8. Podcasts,
   Blog Posts &
   Short Videos
   @matopher
   TASTY SIDE DISH
   

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9. Courses,
   Guides &
   Tutorials
   @matopher
   FULL-COURSE MEAL
   

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10. Not sure what to talk about?
    @matopher
    

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11. Share Your Experience
    @matopher
    

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12. Lower your pain tolerance
    @matopher
    

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13. Combine Popular + New Ideas
    @matopher
    

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14. Build an Audience by Giving
    Away Value for Free
    Hit me up on Twitter for more ideas --> @matopher
    Build Useful Software
    Share What You Know
    "Save Up" Over Time, Then Make an "Ask"
    

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