Why I Build in Public

I've been building businesses for over a decade now. For most of that time, I kept things close to the chest. Strategy documents were locked down. Revenue numbers were private. Failures were hidden.

Then I started sharing. And everything changed.

The Old Playbook is Dead

The traditional advice was to keep your cards close. Don't let competitors know what you're doing. Don't show weakness.

But here's what I've learned: transparency is a competitive advantage.

When you build in public:

1. You attract the right people. Customers, partners, and talent who resonate with your approach find you.
2. You create accountability. It's harder to quit when you've told the world what you're building.
3. You build trust faster. People buy from people they feel they know.
4. You get free feedback. Your audience will tell you what's working and what's not.

What Building in Public Actually Looks Like

This doesn't mean sharing your bank account password. It means:

• Talking about what you're working on and why
• Sharing lessons learned (especially from failures)
• Being honest about challenges
• Celebrating wins without being obnoxious about it

The goal isn't to overshare. It's to be useful to people who are a few steps behind you on the same path.

The Compound Effect

Every piece of content you share becomes an asset. Blog posts, tweets, newsletter issues—they compound over time. People discover them months or years later and think, "This person gets it."

That's how you build a personal brand that outlasts any single product or company.

Getting Started

If you're not building in public yet, start small:

1. Pick one platform (I recommend LinkedIn or Twitter/X for entrepreneurs)
2. Share one insight per day from your work
3. Be consistent for 30 days before judging results

The first few posts will feel awkward. That's normal. Push through.

Your future self (and your future customers) will thank you.