5 Software Developer Marketing Tips You Need To Know

Being a great coder or knowing all of the programming languages out there isn’t enough to land you the perfect job anymore.

Marketing for software developers is now a requirement if you truly want to excel in your career. It’s important to make yourself stand out as a candidate and differentiate yourself from others.

Keep reading to learn about 5 of the best software developer marketing tips.

Software Developer Marketing Tips

  1. Build a Portfolio

Most software developers are constantly practicing and refining their skills. Why not use those side projects you’re working on to build up your portfolio? A portfolio is a great software development marketing tool that can showcase your expertise.

Creating a GitHub profile is a must for software developers. You should use GitHub to display all the code you’ve written, projects you’ve worked on, and any other interesting coding activities you’ve worked on.

Your GitHub account is like a better version of your resume. It shows how well you can code and says more about your skills than a resume can.

It’s also important to create a professional website to showcase your portfolio. It makes it easy for potential employers to look at what you’ve done and learn about your skills and experience.

Software Developer Marketing Tips

  1. Build a Brand

Chances are you have a favorite brand. Think about what they are known for and some of their marketing strategies that draw you in. Software developer marketing is similar, and a personal brand can help you make yourself known for something.

In order to build a brand, you need to ask yourself a few questions. What do you want to be known for? What is the core message you’re trying to get across? How do you want to be perceived? Once you figure the answers out to these questions, you have to start putting that message out.

To start your brand, come up with a logo you can use. It should be simple, appealing to the eye, and show who you are. Find a logo that works for you and that you can use everywhere. You don’t want to have to change it once you start using it.

Think about getting professional headshots taken to use across your social media platforms. Make sure you delete any comments or posts on social media that don’t align with your personal brand.

Some great ways to get your brand out there are speaking opportunities at developer events, hosting webinars, or applying for mentorships. You don’t need to be an expert to present on a topic. You just need to be truly passionate about that topic and you’ll be able to give an engaging presentation.

  1. Build Your Network

Think about your daily life for a second. When you need a recommendation for a product or service, who are you most likely to reach out to? Probably your friends and family or anyone else who you trust.

That same line of thinking can be applied to your career in software development. Networking gives you access to opportunities you may not have otherwise learned about and can help you get your foot in the door.

Building up your network isn’t difficult, but it does take time and effort. As you begin to start networking, remember that it’s all about figuring out how you can help other people. Try helping someone debug a code, or take interest in something they’re working on. By providing value to others, you’ll become someone they trust and look highly upon.

Software Developer Marketing Tips

There are a lot of online platforms where you can meet and interact with other software developers. You can join communities like Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit to share knowledge, promote yourself, and learn from others.

You can even join professional groups on one of those platforms that are related to your niche. Get involved in conversations and start building strong relationships with people you meet. These connections can prove invaluable in your next job search and help you land at a great company, like Quality Logic.

Don’t forget about in-person events! Find local developer meetups, conferences, and events. Introduce yourself to a few new people at each and show them how you can provide value to them.

  1. Start a Blog

Starting a blog is an extension of your personal brand and networking. A blog can be a great way to show off your skills as a developer, become a thought leader in your industry, and attract potential clients or employers.

You don’t need thousands of followers, but you do need a following big enough to matter. Sharing information that’s useful and provides value to your target audiences’ lives is a good way to build a following. You can write about your professional journey, challenges you’ve faced, and how you overcame them.

If writing really isn’t your thing, you can think about creating content through other platforms. YouTube, social media or a podcast are all great options.

  1. Clean Up Your LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn is a powerful marketing tool for software developers. In fact, 3 people are hired through LinkedIn every single minute. Having a strong LinkedIn presence can get you noticed and help you on your way to landing your next job.

Since completed profiles are more likely to be discovered on LinkedIn, make sure you completely fill out your profile. Upload a professional headshot for your profile picture and fill out your location and industry.

Once you complete all the fields of the profile, don’t forget to include examples of your work! Show potential employers what your value is and how you could help their teams and projects. Include links to your professional website and GitHub to help back up the claims you’ve made about your experience.

LinkedIn is also a great networking tool. Once you create your profile, feel free to connect with coworkers and other people you know. Join different groups with like-minded individuals and other developers. You can also post updates or articles that you find interesting, and comment on others’ posts.

Software Developer Marketing Tips

Use These Software Developer Tips

Now that you’ve read about these 5 software developer marketing tips, are you ready to put them to good use? From creating a personal brand to starting a blog, these tips are sure to increase your network and open up tons of opportunities for you.

If you’re interested in more articles like this, check out the rest of our blog!