Do I have to share my revenue numbers to build in public?

No, you don't. You can share many other things: product updates, user feedback, challenges you've overcome, or your tech stack. Share what you are comfortable with.

What if I don't have anything interesting to share?

The small, everyday details of building a product are often the most interesting to others. A bug you fixed, a design choice you made, or a piece of user feedback you received are all great things to share.

How do I find the time to build in public?

Start small. You don't need to write a long blog post every day. A single tweet or a short post sharing a quick update can be very effective. Consistency is more important than volume.

Building in Public: A Guide to Growing Your SaaS Without a Marketing Budget

You built a product. You poured your heart and soul into it. You launched it. And then... crickets. If you're a founder without a big marketing budget, this is a familiar and frustrating story. How do you get the word out when you can't afford ads or a fancy marketing team?

One of the most effective strategies to emerge from the indie hacker community is building in public. It’s a way to turn your development process into a marketing asset. This guide will show you how.

What is Building in Public?

Building in public is the practice of sharing the journey of creating a product or company. It’s about being transparent and authentic. This goes beyond just posting your monthly revenue numbers. It means sharing the wins, the losses, the lessons, and the day-to-day realities of being a founder.

Think of it as a real-time documentary of your startup. You are letting people see behind the curtain, and that is a powerful way to build a connection.

Why Does it Work?

Sharing your journey might seem counterintuitive, but it has several key benefits.

It Builds Trust: People trust people more than they trust faceless brands. When you share your struggles and your successes, you become a relatable person, not just a logo. This trust is the foundation of a loyal customer base.
It Creates a Community: Building in public attracts like-minded people. Your first followers and supporters often become your most passionate advocates. They feel invested in your success because they have been a part of the journey.
It’s a Powerful Feedback Loop: Need to know if a new feature is a good idea? Ask your audience. Not sure which pricing model to choose? Share your thoughts and get instant feedback. This is a free and effective way to do market research.
It Attracts Opportunities: When you share your work, you open yourself up to serendipity. Potential co-founders, investors, partners, and customers can find you through your public updates.

How to Build in Public the Right Way

Getting started is easier than you think. Here are a few practical steps.

Choose Your Channel. You don’t need to be everywhere. Pick one or two platforms where you feel comfortable and where your target audience spends their time. Twitter is a popular choice for its conversational nature. A personal blog, a newsletter, or a forum like Indie Hackers are also great options.
Share Your Progress, Not Just Your Wins. It’s tempting to only share good news, but people connect with authenticity. Talk about a bug that took you all day to fix. Share a feature that you had to remove because nobody used it. These stories are often more engaging than a simple success announcement.
Be Consistent. You don’t need to post every hour, but try to share something regularly. A weekly update or a few posts a week can be enough to keep your audience engaged and build momentum. The key is to make it a habit.
Engage with Your Audience. Building in public is a two-way street. Ask questions. Respond to comments. Thank people for their feedback. Be an active participant in the community, not just a broadcaster.
Provide Value. Don’t just talk about your product. Share what you are learning. If you read a great book, share your key takeaways. If you found a useful tool, tell people about it. When you provide value, people will be more likely to pay attention when you talk about your product.

What to Share (and What to Keep Private)

You don’t have to share everything. It’s important to set boundaries.

Good to Share: Product updates, feature ideas, user feedback, milestones (e.g., first 10 users), lessons learned, tech stack choices, marketing experiments, and your personal productivity tips.
Be Careful With: Exact revenue numbers (share growth percentages instead if you are not comfortable), sensitive customer data (never share this), and personal information you wouldn’t want public.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Chasing Vanity Metrics. Don’t get obsessed with likes, retweets, or follower counts. Focus on building genuine connections and having meaningful conversations.
Comparing Your Journey. It’s easy to see the success of others and feel discouraged. Remember that everyone’s path is different. Focus on your own progress.
Forgetting to Build. Building in public can be addictive, but it’s not a substitute for building a great product. Your primary focus should always be on creating something that people want.

Building in public is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s a long-term strategy that can pay huge dividends in trust, community, and growth. It’s a way to build a business that is more human, more transparent, and more connected to the people it serves.

Ready to start your journey? Share your progress, and when you launch, add your product to BuildVoyage to get discovered by a community of fellow builders.