Building in Public: Is it Worth the Hype?
Building in Public is a marketing channel, not a philosophy. It works great for B2B (selling to other makers) but fails for B2C (selling to normal people).
What is Building in Public (BIP)?
Building in Public (BIP) is Sharing the behind-the-scenes journey of building a startup (revenue, code, failures) on social media.
The 3 Core Benefits
Accountability
Tweeting "I will ship X by Friday" forces you to actually do it. Social shame is a powerful motivator.
Feedback Loop
You get instant feedback on screenshots. "That button looks weird." You fix it before writing a single line of code.
Recruiting
Great engineers want to work for transparent founders. It attracts talent who vibe with your mission.
How to BIP Safely
Share Specifics, Hide Secrets
Share your MRR growth %. Don't share your exact customer list. Share the "What," protect the "How."
Teach, Don't Brag
Don't just say "I made $5k." Say "I made $5k doing X, Y, and Z. Here is the script I used." Provide value.
Show the Failures
Vulnerability builds trust. "I crashed production today" gets more engagement and support than "I am perfect."
Focus on Narrative
People follow stories. "The Underdog fighting Google." Frame your journey as a quest.
Verified Dashboard
Use a dashboard (like OpenStartup or Mesh) that automatically verifies your metrics, validating your claims to the world.
Stealth Mode vs. Public Mode
| Feature | Stealth Mode | Public Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Attention | Zero | Constant |
| Risks | Obscurity | Copycats |
| Community | None | Loyal |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will people steal my idea?
Maybe. But execution matters more. If someone can clone you in a weekend, you have no moat anyway. Speed is your defense.
Does this work for Enterprise?
Rarely. Enterprise buyers want stability, not "scrappy startup energy." Keep BIP for prosumer/SMB tools.
What if I have $0 revenue?
Share that! "Day 1: $0." People love the "Zero to Hero" arc. They want to be there from the start.
What makes a launch channel high intent?
High-intent channels have users actively searching for solutions, not just browsing a feed.
How many channels should I launch on?
Start with 3-5 strong channels, measure conversions, then expand to 10-12 over time.
How do I avoid launch fatigue?
Stagger your launches and reuse assets so each channel gets a focused push.
What should I measure after launch?
Track qualified signups, backlinks, and demo requests, not just raw traffic.
How does Mesh of Growth fit with other platforms?
Use Mesh for compounding reviews and backlinks while other platforms provide short-term spikes.
Ready to get instant traffic from trusted founders?
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