Too much of a good thing

Let’s just say 82nd Avenue is not the most beautiful street in the city.

Nostalgic Portlanders may disagree, but this behemoth of a street—also a state highway—doesn’t live up to its “Avenue of Roses” name.

All along 82nd Ave are a menagerie of gas stations, fast food, used car lots, boarded-up storefronts, and the occasional gem.

Recently, a friend shared one of those amazing places.

Every weekend, a huge line forms before Best Taste opens. The faithful need their Cantonese-style BBQ meats.

The storefront is nondescript. I’m not sure the salon next door is ever open. Yet, those that give Best Taste a try are happy they did.

Down the road a bit, someone is spinning a sign on the corner. You know this scene, right?

The sign is shaped like an arrow and offers a discount if you pull your car into their parking lot right now.

I’m not even sure what store they’re advertising.

Here’s what I do know: neither of these approaches are worth emulating for your marketing.

Yes, you want to create a great product—as Best Taste has done.

Yes, you want to share it with the world—like the sign guy is trying to do.

But each has gone to the extreme and completely missed the other half of the equation.

This is how it can look for you:

1. Build a great developer experience
2. Find authentic ways to introduce it to developers

Your responsibility, then, is to work on these two things.

Which one are you ready to focus on now?