EP.08 - Building Trust Through Authentic Content: David Flanagan's Story

Retained Trust

In this episode of Retained Trust, host Karl Hughes sits down with David Flanagan, founder of The Rawkode Academy and a veteran in developer advocacy. David shares his entrepreneurial journey, from building a niche YouTube channel to launching a unique business model centered on authentic, developer-focused content. They discuss the risks of leaving a stable job, how to monetize a passion project, and the complexities of balancing creativity with business strategy. David opens up about the struggles of pricing services, managing client expectations, and even recovering after a devastating office fire. Tune in for a candid look at how to build a business with authenticity at its core.

Key Points From This Episode:

[00:00:00] Karl Hughes introduces the episode and David Flanagan's background.

[00:01:00] David shares his early career in developer relations at InfluxDB and Equinix.

[00:02:14] Launching The Rawkode Academy after leaving full-time employment.

[00:04:03] Balancing career risks with family responsibilities while starting a business.

[00:07:15] Signing the first client contract and turning leads into partnerships.

[00:10:08] Experimenting with early business models and adjusting pricing strategies.

[00:16:20] Establishing core business values: authenticity, organic content, and embracing failure.

[00:22:45] Challenges of developer marketing and the importance of educational content.

[00:28:07] Managing the complexities of a one-person business and scaling production.

[00:34:12] Explaining The Rawkode Academy’s partnership model and its unique structure.

[00:42:36] Comparing traditional marketing tactics like trade shows to a value-driven partnership approach.

[00:48:27] Lessons learned about pricing and securing clients through tailored offers.

[00:54:05] Reflecting on rebuilding after a major office fire and finding a renewed business focus.

[00:57:25] Looking ahead: David’s future goals for scaling his platform and community.

Links:

• David Flanagan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rawkode/
• Rawkode Academy: https://rawkode.academy/
• Karl Hughes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karllhughes
• Production and editing by The Podcast Consultant: https://thepodcastconsultant.com