and meet some people.

Most developer types are introverts. We are at home sitting in front of our computers coding. However, it is hard to make a living while secluded in our own little world. To learn, we need to hear about other’s ideas and experiences. In order to get client work, you need to make contacts and build a reputation.

There are no secret formulas for this, just Get Out. Leave the confines of your home.

Here is a rundown of my getting out in the past 2 years for iOS devstuff:

• Attended MoDevDC in October 2010. Met Ken Yarmosh during his App Savvy book release.
• Attended 360iDev 2010 in Austin, TX. Met many, here are a few: Kirby Turner, Julio Barros, Saul Mora, Tom Ortega, Manton Reese, Charles Perry, Tom Frauenhofer, John Wilker, Doug Sjoquist, Brandon Alexander and many others.
• I occasionally attend NSCoderNightDC, where I met Luis de la Rosa and Jose Vazquez.
• Attended WWDC11. Luis introduced me to Bill Dudney, whose book iPhone SDK Development was my introduction to iOS development. Ken introduced me to David Smith, another iOS developer here in northern Virginia. And many more…
• David opened up his office on Tuesdays for local devs to co-work. There, I met Rob Rhyne, cofounder of Martian Craft.
• Attended 360iDev 2011 again. Met more folks.

So, big deal. I went to meetups and conferences and met more devs. True, but my iOS dev knowledge has grown. Plus, these folks have been a huge resource for my knowledgebase. And one added bonus, work. I worked 6 months on a client job with Luis. The introduction to Rob and a recommendation from Luis led to my current work with Martian Craft.

I feel very fortunate to have given these opportunities and none of it would have happened if I didn’t get out of the house and my comfort zone.