Jeff Barr, VP and Chief Evangelist at AWS, celebrates two decades of impactful blogging. He shares the blog's humble beginnings and how it transformed to empower developers through authentic storytelling. Jeff discusses the challenges of concise writing, the importance of clear communication for a global audience, and reflects on his unique journey within the AWS community. As he prepares to step away from the blog, he expresses excitement for future tech endeavors while emphasizing the value of sharing knowledge, especially in an AI-driven landscape.
Jeff Barr discusses the transformative journey of the AWS News blog, highlighting its role in bridging developer communication from 2004 to the present.
Reflecting on his transition from blogging, Jeff expresses eagerness to return to deep-dive development activities while still engaging the developer community.
Deep dives
Origins of the AWS News Blog
The AWS News Blog was initiated in 2004 with a vision to connect with developers and share updates about the evolving services at AWS. Jeff Barr, who played a pivotal role in establishing the blog, initially faced challenges in convincing the company leadership about the value of corporate blogging, which was still a relatively novel concept at the time. He crafted a proposal outlining the blog's purpose, emphasizing the need for a dedicated voice for developers amidst AWS's growth. The blog became an essential platform for transparency and communication, reflecting the company’s commitment to developer engagement right from its early days.
Unique Voice and Style
From its inception, the AWS News Blog adopted a distinctive writing style that engaged readers directly by alternating between 'you' and 'I' to foster a personal connection. This dual perspective not only invites readers to explore but also establishes authenticity by illustrating that the blog's authors are hands-on users of AWS services. Jeff Barr highlights how this approach was a conscious decision to create an inviting environment where developers could feel empowered to experiment and innovate. The goal has always been to provide not just information but also inspiration, encouraging readers to engage with the tools and capabilities AWS offers.
The Impact of Developer Advocacy
Developer advocacy has been a significant aspect of AWS's strategy, enabling deeper connections with the developer community. Jeff Barr noted that while the role of developer advocates has evolved over the years, the core mission remains to bridge the gap between the technology and its users. This advocacy stems from a genuine passion for technology and a desire to share its transformative potential with others. Personal stories from developers who found success through AWS blog content exemplify the blog's impact, highlighting the importance of high-quality and relatable communication in the tech landscape.
Looking Ahead: The Future Beyond the Blog
After 20 years of leading the AWS News Blog, Jeff Barr plans to shift his focus back to building and exploring the AWS offerings more deeply. He expressed a desire to spend more time experimenting with new tools and technologies, moving away from the fast-paced demand of constant blogging. Despite his transition, he intends to continue sharing insights and learnings from his experiences in a new format. This evolution reflects an ongoing commitment to the developer community, assuring that valuable content and inspiration will remain available, albeit transformed in its presentation.
In this special episode of the AWS Developers Podcast, Tiffany and Seb sit down with Jeff Barr, VP and Chief Evangelist at AWS, to celebrate 20 incredible years of the AWS News blog. Jeff shares the origin story of the blog, the values that shaped its growth, and his unique approach to making technical concepts accessible to developers worldwide.
Jeff also reflects on some of the blog’s milestone moments, from covering the beta release of Amazon SQS in 2004 to the launches of Amazon S3 and EC2 in 2006.
With the announcement of his decision to step away from the AWS News blog to focus on deep-dive development activities, Jeff opens up about what’s next for him and his passion for technology.
Join us as we celebrate two decades of impactful blogging and gain insights into Jeff’s remarkable journey at AWS.