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A technical evangelist typically performs a number of different roles to provide information about new technology to users and potential adopters. This work typically begins early in the development of new software or hardware as the evangelist uses it and comes to understand the full potential of a piece of technology. As the launch of this product approaches, a technical evangelist often prepares some kind of demo and test project to show off the new technology to potential users. This is often accompanied by an evangelist to ensure that customers remain interested and understand the features enabled through the new hardware or software.
One of the most important roles of a technical evangelist begins in the early stages of developing a new technology in a company. The evangelist often acts as the voice of the customer within a company; present potential issues or concerns customers may have to the development team. This ensures that the developed product has already passed some theoretical and QA tests well before the actual QA development phase. The technical evangelist provides insights to developers to help them understand what customers may really want and need, while also considering how new technology can meet those needs.
As a new product launch approaches, a technical evangelist is often responsible for developing demos and test projects for it. If a company creates a new type of software to generate three-dimensional (3D) computer graphics in real time, for example, the evangelist comes up with a demo idea to show it off. It could be a simple video showing what the new program is capable of, or an interactive demo that people can use to see what’s possible. This type of demo is often a way for a technical evangelist to build excitement among companies and people who might use the new product.
After this initial demo, a technical evangelist is often responsible for accompanying companies to encourage adoption of new products. Early adoption of new technologies is often a vital element in software and hardware releases. The sooner companies start using a specific technology, the sooner a company can establish some kind of market dominance or ensure that other users can start adopting it. A technical evangelist is typically responsible for overseeing this type of early adoption and helping a company’s sales team develop new marketing ideas and sales pitches.