I've been building in public for a few months now, and I want to share what I've learned — the good, the uncomfortable, and the surprisingly rewarding.
Why Build in Public?
The concept is simple: instead of working on projects in secret until they're "perfect," you share your progress as you go. Every win, every mistake, every pivot.
It sounds scary. It is, a little. But the benefits have far outweighed the discomfort.
What Actually Happened
More Connections Than I Expected
When you share your process, people relate to the struggle — not just the success. I've had more meaningful conversations in the past three months than in the previous year of quietly working on things.
Accountability Is Real
When you tell people what you're working on, you actually do it. There's something powerful about public commitment. On the days I wanted to skip, knowing that people were following along kept me going.
Feedback Comes Early
Instead of building something for months only to find out nobody wants it, I got feedback from day one. Some of it was hard to hear. All of it was valuable.
The Uncomfortable Parts
Not everything needs to be shared. I had to find the line between transparency and oversharing. Not every bug, not every bad day needs a post.
Comparison is real. Seeing other people's "build in public" journeys can make yours feel small. Remember: you're seeing their highlights too.
It takes time. Creating content about what you're building takes time away from building. Finding that balance is an ongoing challenge.
My Advice If You're Starting
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Pick one platform. Don't try to be everywhere. I started with TikTok and it's been great for reaching people who are also learning.
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Share the process, not just results. "Here's what I tried and why it didn't work" is more valuable than "Look what I made."
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Be consistent, not constant. You don't need to post every day. Once or twice a week with real substance beats daily noise.
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Engage with others doing the same. Building in public works best as a community, not a broadcast.
Looking Ahead
Next month, I'm planning to share more about the specific tech stack I'm using and the decisions behind it. If you're building something too, I'd love to hear about it.
The journey is the content. Start sharing yours.