Building in public has become one of the most discussed strategies in the startup world. Founders share their revenue, challenges, and lessons on social media, turning their journey into content. But is this approach right for everyone?

What Does “Building in Public” Mean?

Building in public means sharing your startup journey openly, including:

Revenue and growth metrics
Technical and business decisions
Challenges and failures
Behind-the-scenes processes
Learnings and insights

Platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and IdeaBase have become hubs for founders practicing transparency.

The Benefits of Building in Public

1. Built-in Marketing

Every update is content. Instead of paying for ads, you’re generating organic interest through your journey.

What works:

Weekly revenue updates
Launch announcements
Problem-solving threads
Milestone celebrations

2. Accountability

When you tell the world what you’re building, you’re more likely to follow through. Public commitment creates pressure to execute.

3. Community and Support

Other founders who are building in public become a support network. They understand your struggles and celebrate your wins.

Benefits include:

Emotional support during tough times
Tactical advice from experienced builders
Connections to potential customers or partners

4. Faster Feedback

Sharing publicly invites immediate feedback on your ideas, features, and messaging. This can accelerate learning and product-market fit.

5. Attracting Talent and Investment

Visibility can attract potential co-founders, employees, and investors who resonate with your mission and approach.

6. Personal Brand Building

Even if your startup fails, the audience and reputation you build remains. Many founders leverage their public building experience into new opportunities.

The Risks of Building in Public

1. Competition Visibility

Competitors can see exactly what you’re building, your pricing, and your strategy. For some markets, this is a significant risk.

Consider:

How defensible is your idea?
Is execution speed your advantage?
Would competitors actually care?

2. Pressure and Expectations

Public accountability has a dark side. When you have a bad month, everyone sees it. This can create stress and pressure that affects decision-making.

3. Time Investment

Creating content takes time away from building. Some founders find themselves optimizing for likes rather than product quality.

4. Vulnerability to Criticism

Not everyone is supportive. Public building invites public criticism, which can be demoralizing, especially during difficult periods.

5. Privacy Concerns

Once you start sharing, it’s hard to stop. Some founders regret how much they’ve revealed about their business or personal life.

6. Copycats

For novel ideas, sharing too much too early can inspire copycats who might execute faster or with more resources.

Who Should Build in Public?

Building in public works best for:

Solo founders who need accountability
Consumer products where community is important
Content-driven businesses where sharing is natural
Founders who enjoy writing or creating content
Ideas that benefit from early feedback

Building in public might not be right for:

Highly competitive markets where stealth is valuable
Enterprise products where customers expect discretion
Founders uncomfortable with public attention
Ideas requiring significant R&D before launch

How to Build in Public Effectively

Start Small

You don’t have to share everything immediately. Start with weekly updates and expand from there.

Choose Your Platform

Pick one or two platforms and focus there:

Twitter/X: Quick updates, tech community
LinkedIn: Professional audience, B2B
IdeaBase: Startup-focused, idea feedback
YouTube: Long-form, behind-the-scenes

Be Consistent

Consistency matters more than frequency. A weekly update every week beats daily updates that fade after a month.

Revenue updates are fine, but the most valuable content is insight:

Why did you make a certain decision?
What didn’t work and why?
What would you do differently?

Set Boundaries

Decide upfront what you won’t share:

Personal financial details
Team conflicts
Customer information
IP or technical secrets

Engage Authentically

Building in public isn’t just broadcasting. Engage with others, celebrate their wins, and provide value to the community.

The Middle Ground

You don’t have to go all-in. Consider a balanced approach:

Share progress without specific metrics
Discuss challenges without naming names
Celebrate milestones without revenue details
Build relationships without constant posting

Conclusion

Building in public is a tool, not a requirement. It can accelerate growth, build community, and create accountability—but it also has real costs and risks.

Consider your personality, market, and goals before deciding how public to be. And remember: the goal is building a successful business, not building a following.

Share your journey on IdeaBase, connect with fellow builders, and decide for yourself how much transparency works for you.

Building in Public: Pros and Cons