Writing for developers means cutting the fluff and getting to the point. Use the IDEA framework: Intrigue with a strong hook, Demonstrate with real examples, Engage by showing relevance, and Advocate with a clear next step. Be concise, authentic, and useful—developers won’t waste time on anything less.
It’s been nearly two years since I’ve joined daily.dev and began writing for developers. It’s not easy, but it’s a fun and rewarding challenge when you get it right. Here are a few things that guide me so that I know I’m getting it right:
Devs are sharp, impatient, and allergic to anything that feels like marketing fluff. If you want them to actually read what you write—whether it’s a blog post, landing page, or tweet—you need to get straight to the point and make it worth their time. And if you can, make it STAND OUT.
A Simple Framework That Works
There’s no universal rulebook, but if you need structure, try the IDEA approach:
- Intrigue – Start with something that catches their attention—a problem, insight, or bold statement. Something like “Where developers suffer together”
- Demonstrate – Provide real facts, examples, or code snippets to make your point concrete.
- Engage – Show why it matters. Tell a relatable story or highlight the benefits in a way that resonates.
- Advocate – Make the next step clear, whether it’s testing something out, signing up, or sharing.
Developers can spot empty buzzwords from a mile away. If your writing is vague or full of corporate-speak, they’ll tune out instantly.Speak Like a Developer, Not at ThemA good developer voice is:
- Casual, but not sloppy – Drop the formalities. We like to make things funny, and we have our own sense of humor, not all companies are cool with this.
- Jargon-aware – Use technical terms when needed, but don’t overcomplicate.
- Concise – Say what you mean in as few words as possible.
- Authentic – If it sounds forced, they won’t buy it.
A quick test? Read your draft out loud. Now imagine saying it out loud in front of your dev team. Think of their faces. If you see them covering their face or looking away, try again. Be Useful, or Be IgnoredDevelopers don’t read for fun—they read to solve problems. Before you hit publish, ask yourself:
- Would this actually help someone?
- Does this answer a real question or provide real value? Let me repeat: Does this provide value? Does it just push my companies products and solutions, or will it actually be useful?
- Am I writing to inform, or just to fill space?
Developers don’t have time for fluff. Give them something useful, and they’ll pay attention. Waste their time, and they’ll move on. Simple as that.Now that you’ve written something good, it’s time to distribute it. Cracking your daily.dev strategy is one way to get your voice out there.
