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Speaker Interview with Valeria Kaplan

Could you briefly introduce yourself?
I am Marketer (sounds like alcoholics anonymous introduction doesn’t it?). Frankly, I think we all are in one way or another, we just may be unaware of it.
I’ve been working in communications and marketing roles throughout my career in scientific research setting, pharmaceuticals and now at Data Egret - a consultancy specializing in PostgreSQL administration and maintenance. What attracted me in the open-source is the free “spirit” that I also encountered in scientific research - a shared sense of responsibility for the success of the project.
In my talk, I am hoping to share my excitement about marketing and talk about some marketing techniques that could be used throughout different community activities to maximise Postgres popularity and success. I will also share a few top-line insights from a small social media research that I’ve conducted focusing on conversations surrounding Postgres.
How do you engage with the PostgreSQL Community?
I am not a developer or a DBA, but I get involved in Postgres Women discussions and, following my talk at this conference I am hoping to be more involved in running some marketing and advocacy activities helping the community to grow and thrive.
Have you enjoyed previous pgconf.eu or FOSDEM conferences, either as an attendee or as speaker?
I’ve attended three pgconf.eu conferences so far in Tallinn, Warsaw and Lisbon and I must admit that this was among the “warmest” community events I have been to. Despite the growing number of attendees, pgconf.eu manages to keep the “family” feel of the event and it is small enough for attendees to be able to talk to the speakers, organisers, core team members and get to know the community at the event.
I haven’t been to FOSDEM yet, but heard very good things about it, so might go next year.
What will your talk be about, exactly? Why this topic?
I will be talking about marketing, how I see it and how it can be used to grow and strengthen Postgres community.
Postgres growing popularity is fantastic news for all of us, but with growing community there is a need to think about how we could leverage some marketing techniques to make our community approachable, even more transparent, and easy to navigate.
Code of Conduct committee and the diversity driven Postgres Women initiative already making the change in our community spirit, so it is just natural that a centralised group will lead the advocacy and marketing efforts to make our community an even better place to be in. I am hoping to propose this initiative and to gauge the interest for it in the community.
What is the audience for your talk?
Anyone who is as fascinated about human communication as much as I am, wants to know what Marketing is and how to use it effectively.
What existing knowledge should the attendee have?
No prior knowledge is needed, just bring your usual self.
Which other talk at this year's conference would you like to see?
Postgres Women talk and Growing the PostgreSQL Community on Friday the 18th both are important, community-focused topics that I would like to hear about.
Which measure, action, feature or activity would—in your eyes—help to accelerate the adoption of PostgreSQL?
Inspiring the wider community to become more active in contributing to code, reviewing it, suggesting new features as well as advocating for the database at ex-Postgres events and telling the world about our community can definitely play a major role in Postgres popularity and adoption.