As a developer, how valuable do you think the "it's about who you know" factor to be true?

Its not essential but really really a good idea to be networking a lot. The benefits are not predictable and thats why you won't get a straight answer or see an obvious reason. You should think of it more as a habit than a strategy. Because the benefits take a while to accumulate, and there is no measurable goal. Just be genuine, give as much as you get and over time it will certainly be to your benefit.

In my own little space, my customers are one sort of network, developers in the same niche are another network, peers/competitors are another network and resellers are yet another one. We all talk to each other. Many of the benefits are from hearing information that I would not even have known to ask about.

One developer told me about a really good way to get my code uploaded to a directory, that I had not noticed before.

Peers share the conferences they attend and the ones they don't, and why. And about pricing strategies and what other people are doing and where things are going.

Customers tell me about features they want and features they don't care about. When they buy, and how much they can spend.

We are getting ready to launch a new product this year, and the help of the network I have built up to do that is hard to overestimate. We have had trial users, hired top notch developers, and gotten publicity. Its surprised even me.

It’s more what you know from diverse areas. By combining ideas from different fields you can create new products.

E.g., If you only know development probably the only products you can come up with are development tools and libraries.

Networking with people is worth the time no matter what you do, whether being a developer, a designer, a marketer, or a curstomer service employee.

I wouldn't think about it too much, just go out there and make friends with people by telling your story. Just tell everyone what you do without being spam, and ask the rest what they do. I can't tell you how many clients I got by doing this.

After all, this is what we tend to call 'word of mouth' or 'referals'.

Hope it helps!

I think it's true no matter what you do.

Even if your role does not involve talking to any users/customers/clients/investors at all, you'd still benefit from having a supportive network and people you can seek advice and ask questions to.

I used to really dislike networking, and now I wish I had gotten better at it earlier. I shared a few personal tips on networking for people who might not consider themselves in sales. Once I stopped thinking too much about "networking", it started to click - I was just meeting people who may have the same interests as me.

I am a big believer in randomness - and that applies to meeting people too :)

When you ask the, "Is it about who you know?" question, that particular phraseology makes me think of schmoozing in order to get into the right circles so influencers can introduce you to the people who will graciously boost you into success. I'm sure you're not talking about anything so blatantly grotesque, but let's get rid of any traces of that mode of thinking. You don't need to "get in good" with the special people. (Don't get me wrong; if Warren Buffet invites you to dinner, be sure to show up with a really nice bottle of wine.)

In my opinion, it's not about who you know. It's about the community you build around yourself. As an awkward introvert who loathes the idea of "networking," I still get out there a little bit, and I meet some great people who help me out from time to time. Are they the movers and shakers of high society? Not really. They're more like me; overweight, confused and broke. But they make for a great community, and they help me -- bit by bit -- along the way.

The value in networking is not in finding The Golden Goose (you won't). It's about finding the people who will honestly validate your efforts and ideas...

... and then they introduce you to The Golden Goose. ;)

That depends on what your goals are. Developing a product doesn't require the same kind of network that selling, distributing, marketing, or funding it will...
what are you trying to do?