ServiceNow Developer Advocates AMA #3: Special Guest, Sarah Garey, Community Program Manager

[Earl Duque]

Hey there, fellow ServiceNow community!

Have you ever looked at the ServiceNow community and wondered how some people seem to be everywher: answering questions, writing blogs, and presenting at events? On today's Developer Advocates AMA live stream, we had a fantastic conversation with Sarah Garey, Community Program Manager and lead of the ServiceNow Rising Star and MVP programs. She gave us the inside scoop on what it takes to become a recognized community leader.

It's All About Consistency and Quality

One of the biggest takeaways from our chat was that it’s not about how much you post, but how consistently you engage. Sarah emphasized that the Rising Star and MVP programs are looking for people who consistently contribute with quality content. This means providing thoughtful, helpful answers and sharing your genuine experiences. Forget trying to spam the forums to get a high number of posts. Focus on adding real value.

Your Unique Experience is Your Superpower

As developers, we often fall into the trap of thinking we need to be the world's foremost expert on a topic before we can share anything. As some of the team pointed out, that’s just not true. The most valuable content often comes from documenting your own learning journey. When you’re learning something new, you're an expert in the process of learning it! Sharing the pitfalls you encounter and how you overcame them can be incredibly helpful for others who are just starting out. It makes the process feel more realistic and less intimidating.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

We all deal with it. That voice in your head telling you that you’re not good enough or you don’t know enough. The team admitted to struggling with this from time to time. The key? Just start. The ServiceNow developer community is a supportive place. Don't let the fear of being wrong or looking silly stop you from trying something new, whether that’s answering a question, writing a blog post, or even presenting at a local developer meetup. The people in the community are there to learn and grow together. We’ve got your back.

The Grind is Real, But Worth It

We talked a lot about the importance of holding yourself accountable. Whether it’s time-blocking a few hours each week to work on a personal project or using an app to help you stay focused, carving out dedicated time for contributions can make a huge difference. But don’t forget to take a break! As Sarah wisely reminded us, it’s okay to step away and come back later. The community is a marathon, not a sprint.

What's Next?

If you’re a Rising Star with your sights set on becoming an MVP, Sarah’s advice is to start pouring back into the community by mentoring others. Help someone else get to where you are. This selfless act of giving back is a core quality of an MVP.

So, what are you waiting for? Take that idea you've been sitting on, start that blog post, or answer that question on the forum. Your unique voice and experience are exactly what the community needs. Let’s build something awesome together! Not sure what content medium to use? Check out this blog post!

If you want to hear the full conversation and get even more great insights, check out the full stream at the top of this page!