Hashnode BootCamp Fall 2023: Day 3

Munir AbdullahiMunir Abdullahi
3 min read

It's day three already. It has been a great experience so far. Without a doubt, today came with excellent speakers who shared their knowledge. I was only able to attend two sessions because of my schedule. So stay with me on this one.

Build in Public and Build Your Online Presence: The Ultimate Guide - YK(Senior Developer Advocate at PropelDataCloud)

YK started by talking about how getting into the tech industry is demanding for juniors. He further said that some Juniors do not get feedback from their job applications. He came up with a solution: Building in Public.

Key Learning From This Session

  • Make friends from the internet who share similar ideas. Use platforms such as LinkedIn, X(Twitter), and Hashnode.

  • Contribute value to the system. You will get some back.

  • Maximize the power of engaged followers on social media. Make these followers your friends.

  • Find an idea or project and build in public.

  • If you have a problem picking an idea, contribute to people's work. Try open source or freelancing.

  • To contribute to a large codebase, read the README.md file or contribute to it.

  • Look at issues and discussions.

  • Do a codebase search. You can find parts that are relevant to you.

  • Show up and be consistent. Being consistent may be difficult, but it's worth it.

  • Sleep well, Eat well, and keep up your energy. You will need it.

  • Do not be afraid to send direct messages to people.

  • Develop your confidence and speak in spaces.

  • Ensure you read feedback from your audience.

The ABCs of Technical Writing - Haimantika Mitra (Developer Advocate at Appwrite)

Haimantika started her session by explaining what technical writing is, and how it can help.

Technical writing is the practice of conveying complex technical information in a clear, precise, and understandable manner, often to inform, instruct, or guide an audience.

She shared insights on how TW can help your audience know your product. Also, it helps fellow devs on how a particular tool or technology works. The image below summarises some essentials your article must have.

Key Learning from this Session

  • Create an idea of what you want in your article. Having an outline helps.

  • Use simple language while writing.

  • Use screenshots or visual aids to explain your article better to the reader.

  • Find the right balance between images and texts.

  • Add alternate text to your images for accessibility.

  • Utilize the power of Artificial intelligence to create an outline.

  • To master writing, write frequently.

  • Use common analogy to better complex technical concepts.

Conclusion

Day 3 came with educating sessions. I attended two sessions, first by YK, diving deep into how to build in public and grow your online presence, and then by Haimantika, explaining the foundations of technical writing. These sessions have increased my knowledge, and I hope this article has helped you understand these topics.

Thanks for reading. Connect with me on X(Twitter) and LinkedIn. I would love your comments and feedback. Give this article a like if you find it insightful.

1
Subscribe to my newsletter

Read articles from Munir Abdullahi directly inside your inbox. Subscribe to the newsletter, and don't miss out.

Written by

Munir Abdullahi
Munir Abdullahi

I am a backend developer who is also interested in technical writing and open-source development. I am very open to collaboration, mentorship, and internship roles.