Build in Public

Overview

“Build in Public” is an approach that embraces openness and transparency in the development process of projects, products, or businesses. By sharing progress, challenges, successes, and failures openly, creators and entrepreneurs can foster a community of supporters, gain valuable feedback, and build trust and authenticity. This principle guides you on how to effectively share your journey and leverage public insight to refine and improve your initiatives.

 

Why It’s Important

• Enhances Trust: Transparency in the building process fosters trust among your audience, customers, and stakeholders.
• Facilitates Feedback: Early and ongoing feedback can be invaluable for refining and improving your product or project.
• Builds Community: Sharing your journey creates a sense of involvement and investment among your audience, cultivating a supportive community.
• Increases Accountability: Public commitment to your goals and progress can serve as a powerful motivator and accountability mechanism.

 

Key Strategies

Choose the Right Platforms

• Select platforms that align with your audience and project type. Popular options include social media, blogs, and community forums.

Share Regular Updates

• Establish a consistent schedule for sharing updates, including both milestones and setbacks, to keep your audience engaged and informed.

Engage with Your Audience

• Foster a two-way dialogue by responding to comments, questions, and feedback. Engagement can turn followers into collaborators.

Highlight Learning and Iterations

• Share insights gained from challenges and how feedback has been integrated into revisions, emphasizing the iterative nature of your project.

Maintain Authenticity

• Be genuine in your sharing; authenticity resonates with audiences more than polished marketing narratives.

 

Quotes

1. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, known for his ambitious projects and openness on social media, underscores the importance of feedback:
   • “I think it’s very important to have a feedback loop, where you’re constantly thinking about what you’ve done and how you could be doing it better.”
2. Seth Godin, author and former dot com business executive, on the iterative process of creation and the role of public engagement:
   • “Ship often. Ship lousy stuff, but ship. Ship constantly.”
3. Austin Kleon, author of “Show Your Work!”, which advocates for sharing creativity and process in the digital age, succinctly captures the essence of building in public:
   • “Share your process. Share something small every day.”