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What does it take to become an API expert?

Originally published on LinkedIn, February 12, 2025.

15 years — the time it took me to become an API expert. 2 weeks — the time it takes to learn the 80% that makes a great API product manager.

15 years—the time it took me to become an API expert.

2 weeks—the time it’ll take you to learn the 80% of what makes you a great API Product Manager.

Join me for an intensive, hands-on experience that cuts through years of learning and puts you on the fast track to mastering API product management.

Here’s what you’ll get out of it:

  1. Build a Strong API Foundation • Articulate the importance and business impact of APIs. • Define relevant stakeholders and use cases. • Understand the API Product Manager’s pivotal role. • Identify key success factors for real-world API products and how they drive business value.

  2. Gain Hands-On API Skills • Explain how APIs work, illustrate core design principles that drive usability, and discuss why good API design matters. • Demonstrate how to invoke and test APIs using client apps, interpret responses, and ensure content is high-quality and relevant. • Practice with real-world APIs and compare and contrast design choices made.

  3. Master the Business of APIs • Develop a clear business strategy for API products.  • Work through prototyping, customer discovery, and validation. • Learn how to define the unique value of your APIs. • Explore strategies for monetizing APIs.

  4. Deliver Exceptional Developer Experiences • Build a compelling DX by understanding how developers evaluate, learn, and adopt APIs • Write clear technical requirements and measure API success through key metrics. • Analyze real-world Developer Portals, dissect their design, and evaluate their DX to uncover best practices.

Network and Collaborate with your peers • Group discussions where you can learn from others. • Four breakouts, working with other students to evaluate real-world products. • Two Q&A sessions with the instructor - bring the topics you’d like to cover! • For this first cohort only: a one-hour 1:1 session with the instructor!

Check out the full syllabus attached, and feel free to reach out with any questions.

Scroll to the top ⬆️ of this post and click the “Visit my website” link. Let’s get you started on the API PM path!