How to create a great community

in ten easy steps!

Jen Looper
Senior Developer Advocate - Progress

@jenlooper

$whoami

Senior Developer Advocate @ Progress

(Telerik products)

@jenlooper

NativeScript

use JavaScript to build cross-platform native apps

NativeScript.org

this is "that talk"*

*the one I never give

A Tale of Two Communities

Let's talk about the NativeScript community

word association

Whai?

Everything I know, right here!

• industry-shredding tips!
• top-secret hints!
• any more, and you'd have to sign an NDA!

Tip 1: Find a platform to grow your community

Slack

from Slack to Forum

growing pains

What about Gitter?

Tip 2: Set the atmosphere

@heytaco bot

Leaderboard

Other Slackbots

Goofy Twitter accounts

• NativeScriptDog
• NativeScriptCat
• NativeScriptMip

too much?

Tip 3: Get people the tools they need

The story of the WebStorm Plugin

Tip 4: Cultivate your helpers

appreciation is key

Grow the next generation of helpers

Behavioral role models

Tip 5: Spin up contests

Contests =

great engagement

Tip 6: Amplify blogs & great contributions

Blogmeisters

"Contributor badge"

Tip 7: Feature a community member

Featured Developer Expert

Tip 8: Send swag, stickers, and badges

Form your tribe*

Tip 9: Build careers

#jobs channels

• refer experts
• amplify openings
• play matchmaker

Tip 10: Model acts of love and joy

Epilogue

Sometimes you will get crazy people

Trolls

me

Toxicity

• some people are rough around the edges
• some are inexperienced
• some want to help but don't know how
• empathy and kindness take time

Protect yourself!

clean your house!

Are you REALLY doing FOSS?

• do you use Github labels?
• do you have a PR template?
• do you prioritize responding to PRs?
• do you welcome all kinds of contributions?
• do you reward new contributors?
• do you have a Code of Conduct?

Required Reading

it'll be ok!

...and the rewards are real

And one bonus tip…try to improve.

How are YOU building your tribe?

Connect with us!

@jenlooper

@nativescript