Stop Being Normal, Embrace Weirdness! 🎬 | DevReel Weekly #8
Senior Developer Advocate at Asana, prev Appsmith | Keynote Speaker & Storyteller | Google Developer Expert. 16+ years building technology for startups and enterprises (IBM, Google, Microsoft, Nintendo). 60+ keynotes worldwide. I turn complex tech into content that drives real product adoption. I help companies build DevRel programs that drive measurable adoption.
I can't believe 580 people are interested in what I have to say! Welcome to Week #8 to all of you, today is a very personal issue.
📺 Video of the Week
Seven years ago, this video transformed how I saw myself. I was that "successful" software engineer everyone expected me to be. The logical one. The smart one. Yet inside, I was hiding something that felt wrong to share.
I could name every actor's name and camera setup gear from my favorite films. Tell you which lenses Deakins used in Blade Runner 2049. List entire production crews from memory. But ask me about my family's birthdays? Total blank.
"Stay in your lane," they said. "You have a good tech job." "Creative careers are risky." Normal was safe. Normal was smart.
This talk hit different. It showed me that my weirdness wasn't a bug – it was a feature.
7 years ago after watching this video I decided to join Film School, I decided to embrace my weirdness. That blend of technical background and creative vision? It became my signature. My edge.
People will put you in a box: “You are a left brainer (logical, analytical) - you are NOT a right brainer (creative, spatial, visual)” though I spent most of my time thinking as a “movie”, all my thoughts are extremely visual.
Today, that "weird" mix is exactly what makes my content connect. Being openly obsessed with both code and storytelling makes me real. Relatable. Someone audiences trust me because I'm not trying to fit a mold, this is me, and just a very open raw guy.
🎯 Tip of the Week: Create Relatable Characters and Narratives
Want your videos to truly connect? Start with the story, not the product.
A strong character's story makes your storytelling feel personal and real. I learned this firsthand by embracing my own weirdness as my brand.
Make them authentic: Drop the corporate polish. Share real struggles. Developers spot fake from miles away.
Reflect your audience: Show characters who mirror their challenges. My audience? Tech people secretly dreaming of creative careers and telling theirs story thorough video. Sound familiar?
Keep the story simple: One clear message hits harder than ten polished ones. Mine? "Your weirdness is your superpower."
🛠️ Resource of the Week: Speed Editor
Storyboards is one the main ways to get alignment with your boss and team, so they understand your vision. but if you like me, are really bad drawing, this can really help you out.
Wonder Unit's Storyboarder makes it easy to visualize a story as fast you can draw stick figures and giving a prompt, it can create a storyboards out of nowhere easily without having to draw!
I've been using this software lately to create my video's storyboard fast and easy, give it a shot!
3 things before you go:
1. If you're hiding your "weird" creative side, this is your sign to let it out.
2. Forward this to someone who needs permission to be different.
3. Reply and tell me: What's your weird blend of skills?
Thank you, Kevin
