Making Django Unstoppable: My Plan to Boost Visibility and Drive Growth

The Django Software Foundation (DSF) has been a driving force behind Django’s success—no question. With the contributions of its core team and maintainers, Django has become one of the most powerful, beloved web frameworks in existence. But let’s be real: Django deserves more visibility in the broader developer ecosystem, and the time to make that happen is now.

This blog is my vision for taking Django’s presence to the next level and igniting community engagement like never before. I’ve nominated myself for the DSF Board of Directors, and if given the chance, I plan to lead the charge in supercharging Django’s social media and marketing game.

There are plenty of initiatives we could take on, but let's start with the ones that will make the most impact. Once we get the ball rolling with these, the sky’s the limit.

1. Amplifying Django’s Reach Through Social Media

Let’s face it—visibility is everything, and we’ve been flying under the radar for too long. Django is a powerhouse, and it’s time we let the world know. Here’s how we can make some serious noise:

• Regular, Engaging Content: We’re not just here to post occasional updates. We need consistent, high-energy content across all platforms—Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube. That means tutorials, feature highlights, case studies, community stories, and memes. If developers aren’t already using Django, I want them to feel like they’re missing out.

• Feature Fridays and Beyond: I’ve already been driving our Feature Fridays, but let’s take it up a notch. We need new themed campaigns that grab attention and keep people talking. How about “Django in Action”—where we show off killer projects built on Django? It’s about time we let the framework flex its muscles.

• Developer Spotlights: We’ve got brilliant minds in this community, and they need to be celebrated. Let’s showcase the talent in Django—developers, contributors, and maintainers. Personal connections inspire people, and this will push others to step up and contribute.

2. Community Growth and Engagement

If we want the Django community to thrive, we need to fuel it with energy and recognition. Here’s the game plan:

• Django Ambassadors Program: There are amazing leaders driving Django communities worldwide, but they often don’t get the recognition they deserve. I want to launch a Django Ambassadors Program—recognizing these rockstars for the work they’re doing and empowering them to spread the word even further. I’ve got the details ready; now we just need the resources, time and approval to execute this at a global level. Not sure if its coming out real soon, but definitely - one day.

• Local Communities and Meetups: As the founder of Django India, I’ve seen firsthand the excitement local users have for Django. Few weeks ago, I setup a booth at two grand tech conferences in India IndiaFOSS 2024 and PyCon India 2024 and the conversations I had with the people there were actually crazy. I want to replicate that success by fostering more Django communities globally.

• International Outreach: It’s time to focus on underrepresented regions. Django is a global framework, but its presence in regions like Latin America, Africa, and parts of Asia can be stronger. Through focused social media outreach and regional events, we can make Django a go-to tool for developers in those regions.

• Contributor Onboarding: Contributing to Django shouldn’t feel like cracking some exclusive club. We’ll use social media to break down the barriers and make onboarding fun and accessible. Imagine a yearly campaign/workshop dedicated to helping new developers start contributing(Shoutout to Djangonaut space for the amazing work they are doing). More contributors mean more momentum, and more momentum means Django wins.

• Beyond Code Contribution: Contributing to Django can feel intimidating for many(I’ve personally got this feedback from a lot of newcomers), but open-source isn’t just about writing code. We need to shift the narrative. I want to actively promote low-code and no-code contributions to Django and the Django Software Foundation. Documentation, design, community management, event organization, volunteering for dsf working groups—all of these contributions are just as critical to the Django’s growth. It's time we celebrate and encourage these efforts as much as we do for code, because they’re what keep our ecosystem alive and thriving.

3. Attracting Corporate Backing and Sponsors

Let’s not forget: social media isn’t just about developers. It’s also a powerful tool for corporate engagement. With more sponsorships we can get more people working full time for Django’s growth across various domains. Here’s how we can make companies line up to support Django:

• Highlighting Real-World Success: Let’s stop being modest. We need to get loud about the companies solving real-world problems with Django. A dedicated series featuring case studies and success stories from businesses using Django will catch corporate eyes. Once they see the impact, they’ll want to be a part of it.

• Collaborations and Partnerships: LinkedIn is more than just a platform for professionals—it’s a gateway for collaborations. By showcasing organizations that sponsor Django Software Foundation, we can foster relationships that lead to long-term support and contributions. Let’s make it clear: being involved with Django is a win-win.

In conclusion, I believe the DSF is on the brink of something massive, and with the right social media and marketing strategies, we’ll take Django from a powerhouse to an unstoppable force. We’re talking new developers, more contributors, bigger corporate sponsors, and a growing community that’s as vibrant as ever.

This isn’t just about the next step—it’s about blowing the doors wide open. I’m fired up to lead this charge, and I hope I’ve got your support. Together, we’re going to make Django’s future brighter than ever.

You in? Because I sure am.