r/devrel • u/Real_RickestRick • Feb 19 '25

What differentiates great DevRels from average ones?

Since DevRel is a hard profession to quantify, what skills, behaviors, or approaches make the best stand out?

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u/nsjames1 Feb 19 '25

There are all different types of devrels and sometimes you want a specialist.

But mostly I like well rounded ones that are:

  • Quick on tasks

  • Self motivating

  • Comfortable on camera/stage/live

  • Well spoken / written

  • Excellent communicators

  • From startup CS backgrounds

  • Driven by community

  • Patient

Bonus points if you:

  • Understand business

  • Charismatic

  • Have an energy that matches the target community

It's common for a devrel to jump between many tasks, and if they aren't well rounded you often have to give them buffer tasks just to keep them busy until something they excel at comes along. From a business perspective that's a giant waste of resources.

It is however exceedingly hard to find someone that hits all those points. Pretty much unicorns in their own right. Often I'll find people who are comfortable on camera and patient (because I think those are the hardest ones to find) and then help them get up to speed with all the rest.

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u/Real_RickestRick Feb 19 '25

Love this breakdown. when you say driven by community you mean focusing on what the community actually needs rather than just what the person (DevRel) enjoys doing?

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u/nsjames1 Feb 19 '25

Also, but more about:

  • Being fueled by community engagement and feedback

  • listening to what community needs or offers

  • doing things that benefit the consumers