TL;DR
Building in public works differently across platforms.
LinkedIn drives professional credibility and B2B leads (average 8.4K engagements vs 6.9K on X for established creators).
X/Twitter excels at real-time community building with startup-focused audiences but requires 10-15 daily posts.
Reddit offers authentic feedback from niche communities but demands genuine value-first approach.
The winner?
It depends on your audience – but most successful builders use a multi-platform strategy with platform-specific content adaptation.
Table of Contents
What Is Build In Public?
Build in public means sharing your startup journey transparently – the wins, losses, revenue numbers, and lessons learned. It’s not just posting updates; it’s creating a narrative that transforms strangers into invested followers who become customers, advisors, and advocates.
The movement gained momentum when Buffer partnered with Baremetrics to showcase their revenue dashboard publicly. This transparency triggered a cascade effect that made build in public a startup growth strategy, not just a social media tactic.
Why Build In Public Works:
- Creates psychological investment in your success
- Generates real-time market validation
- Builds trust through vulnerability and transparency
- Drives organic word-of-mouth marketing
- Attracts investors, customers, and talent simultaneously
Platform Psychology: Why Each Network Matters
LinkedIn: The Credibility Engine
LinkedIn operates on authority-based psychology. Users scroll LinkedIn looking for professional insights that make them appear smarter to their network. Your build in public content succeeds when it provides actionable business lessons.
Psychological Triggers That Work:
- Industry expertise demonstration
- Data-driven insights sharing
- Professional milestone celebrations
- Behind-the-scenes business operations
- Thought leadership positioning
Content That Converts:
- “How we increased MRR by 40% in Q3” with specific tactics
- “3 mistakes that nearly killed our startup” with lessons learned
- “Here’s our exact hiring process for remote teams”
- Revenue updates with business context and strategy changes
X/Twitter: The Community Accelerator
X thrives on social proof and FOMO psychology. The platform’s real-time nature creates urgency. Users want to be part of something happening now, not yesterday’s news.
Psychological Triggers That Work:
- Community belonging and insider access
- Real-time updates and live commentary
- Personality-driven storytelling
- Meme culture and humor integration
- Rapid-fire feedback loops
Content That Converts:
- Daily wins and failures in real-time
- Live-tweeting startup challenges as they happen
- Poll-driven decision making involving followers
- Behind-the-scenes photos and videos
- Quick tips and insights formatted for easy sharing
Reddit: The Authenticity Validator
Reddit users have BS detectors on maximum sensitivity. The platform rewards genuine helpfulness over self-promotion. Success requires providing value before asking for anything.
Psychological Triggers That Work:
- Authentic vulnerability and honesty
- Detailed technical explanations
- Community-first value creation
- Anti-marketing, pro-education content
- Long-form storytelling with depth
Content That Converts:
- Detailed case studies with actionable insights
- Technical breakdowns of how you built something
- Honest postmortems of failed experiments
- AMAs (Ask Me Anything) with transparent answers
- Community-specific problem-solving content
LinkedIn Build In Public Strategy
Content Framework: The Authority Builder
Posting Frequency: 3-5 posts per week (daily posting can overwhelm professional feeds)
Best Performing Content Types:
- Data-Driven Updates (highest engagement)
- Revenue growth charts with strategy explanations
- Customer acquisition cost breakdowns
- Team productivity metrics and optimization methods
- Professional Milestone Posts
- Funding announcements with lessons for other founders
- Key hire announcements with hiring strategy insights
- Product launch retrospectives with business implications
- Industry Thought Leadership
- Market trend analysis based on your startup data
- Predictions backed by real customer behavior
- Strategic pivots with reasoning and early results
The LinkedIn Build In Public Post Formula
Structure:
- Hook: Start with a surprising metric or contrarian insight
- Context: Brief background for newcomers to your journey
- Main Content: The actual update or lesson with specific details
- Lesson/Takeaway: What other professionals can learn from this
- Call to Action: Subtle engagement prompt or question
Example Post Structure:
Hook: "We just lost $15K in one week. Here's why I'm celebrating."
Context: "For context, we're 8 months into building [Product] for [Target Market]."
Main Content: [Detailed explanation of what happened, decisions made, specific numbers]
Lesson: "Key lesson for other B2B founders: [Specific, actionable insight]"
CTA: "What's the biggest costly mistake that taught you something valuable?"
LinkedIn Timing and Optimization
Best Posting Times:
- Tuesday-Thursday: 8-10 AM EST (catches morning commute scrolling)
- Wednesday: 12-2 PM EST (lunch break engagement)
Algorithm Optimization:
- LinkedIn favors posts that generate comments within first 60 minutes
- Include industry-relevant keywords naturally in posts
- Tag relevant people (but sparingly – max 3 per post)
- Use LinkedIn polls for easy engagement and algorithm boost
Tools for LinkedIn Build In Public:
- Native LinkedIn scheduling for consistency
- Canva templates for data visualization
- Autoposting.ai for multi-platform content adaptation (creates LinkedIn-appropriate versions of your updates automatically)
X/Twitter Build In Public Strategy
Content Framework: The Community Catalyst
Posting Frequency: 10-15 tweets daily (platform rewards high activity)
Content Distribution Strategy:
- 40% real-time updates and reactions
- 30% educational threads and insights
- 20% community engagement and replies
- 10% personal/behind-the-scenes content
The Twitter Build In Public Ecosystem
Thread Strategy:
- Weekly deep-dive threads on specific business challenges
- Monthly revenue/metric threads with detailed breakdowns
- Quarterly strategy threads explaining major decisions
Daily Update Formula:
Morning: Goals for the day + yesterday's win
Afternoon: Real-time problem-solving or insight
Evening: Reflection + tomorrow's priorities
Community Building Tactics:
- Reply to 20-30 relevant tweets daily
- Join Twitter Spaces in your industry
- Host weekly founder coffee chats
- Create and use branded hashtags consistently
X/Twitter Timing and Optimization
Best Posting Times:
- 6-9 AM EST (early bird entrepreneurs)
- 12-3 PM EST (lunch break scrolling)
- 6-9 PM EST (evening wind-down)
Algorithm Optimization:
- Threads perform better than single tweets for complex updates
- Include relevant hashtags: #buildinpublic #indiehackers #startups
- Use Twitter polls for engagement and data gathering
- RT and comment on other builders’ content to increase visibility
Tools for X Success:
- Hypefury for thread scheduling and analytics
- Typefully for thread writing and optimization
- Autoposting.ai for consistent posting without overwhelming your day
Reddit Build In Public Strategy
Content Framework: The Value-First Approach
Posting Frequency: 2-3 high-value posts per week across relevant subreddits
Key Subreddits for Build In Public:
Beginner-Friendly Communities:
- r/entrepreneur (900K+ members) – Best for broad business discussions
- r/startups (1.2M+ members) – Startup-specific challenges and wins
- r/SideProject (200K+ members) – Perfect for early-stage builders
Advanced Builder Communities:
- r/SaaS (150K+ members) – Software business deep-dives
- r/growmybusiness (80K+ members) – Growth strategy discussions
- r/advancedentrepreneur (45K+ members) – Experienced founder insights
Industry-Specific Communities:
- r/webdev (for tech products)
- r/marketing (for growth insights)
- r/personalfinance (for fintech products)
Reddit Content Strategy
Content Types That Work:
- Detailed Case Studies
- “How we grew from $0 to $10K MRR in 6 months [with exact strategies]”
- Include specific tactics, tools used, and lessons learned
- Provide actionable insights other builders can implement
- Transparent Postmortems
- “Why our $50K product launch failed and what we learned”
- Be brutally honest about mistakes and miscalculations
- Focus on educational value for the community
- Ask Me Anything (AMA) Sessions
- “I just sold my SaaS for $2M AMA”
- Prepare for tough questions and provide detailed answers
- Build credibility through transparency and helpfulness
Reddit Success Tactics
Pre-Post Preparation:
- Research subreddit rules carefully (each has specific posting guidelines)
- Read recent popular posts to understand community tone
- Prepare for 2-3 hours of active comment responding
Post Optimization:
- Write compelling titles that promise specific value
- Include TL;DR sections for easy consumption
- Use bullet points and numbered lists for readability
- Add proof screenshots when sharing metrics
Community Engagement:
- Respond to every comment within first 2-3 hours
- Provide additional value in comment responses
- Follow up with helpful resources or tools
- Build genuine relationships, not just promotional responses
Multi-Platform Build In Public Framework
The Content Multiplication Strategy
Smart builders don’t create unique content for each platform. They create core content and adapt it for platform-specific consumption.
Core Content Creation Process:
- Document the Update: Write detailed notes about what happened, decisions made, and lessons learned
- Create Platform Versions:
- LinkedIn: Professional insight with business implications
- X/Twitter: Real-time reaction with community engagement
- Reddit: Detailed case study with educational value
- Time Release Strategy:
- Post live reactions on X/Twitter first
- Share professional insights on LinkedIn 24-48 hours later
- Create detailed Reddit posts weekly/monthly for major updates
Platform-Specific Content Adaptation
Single Update Example: “We hit $25K MRR this month”
X/Twitter Version:
🎉 We just hit $25K MRR!
8 months ago we were at $0. Here's what changed everything:
• Switched from freemium to trial model
• Focused on enterprise customers only
• Doubled our prices (scary but necessary)
The biggest lesson: Don't undervalue your solution.
Thread below 👇
LinkedIn Version:
Milestone: We reached $25K MRR this month, 8 months after our first paying customer.
The turning point wasn't a marketing hack or viral moment. It was a fundamental business model shift that every B2B founder should consider:
[Detailed explanation of the freemium to trial transition, with specific metrics and strategic reasoning]
Key takeaway for other B2B founders: Your pricing strategy affects everything from customer quality to product roadmap priorities.
What's the biggest pricing lesson you've learned in your business?
Reddit Version (for r/SaaS):
Title: "How changing our pricing model increased MRR from $12K to $25K in 3 months [detailed case study]"
[Comprehensive breakdown including:
- Original pricing structure and its problems
- Customer feedback that drove the change
- Implementation challenges and solutions
- Specific metrics before and after
- Tools and processes used
- Lessons for other SaaS founders]
Platform-Specific Automation and Tools
The Smart Automation Stack
Why Automation Matters for Build In Public:
- Consistency beats perfection in building public
- Repurposing content saves 70% of content creation time
- Platform-specific optimization increases engagement by 3-5x
- Scheduled posting maintains presence during busy periods
Content Creation and Distribution Tools
All-Platform Solutions:
- Autoposting.ai – Creates platform-optimized versions of your updates automatically, saving hours while maintaining authenticity for build in public content
- Buffer – Multi-platform scheduling with analytics
- Hootsuite – Team collaboration for larger operations
Platform-Specific Tools:
LinkedIn:
- LinkedIn Creator Mode for enhanced reach
- LinkedIn analytics for timing optimization
- Canva for professional graphics and charts
X/Twitter:
- Typefully for thread creation and scheduling
- Hypefury for growth and engagement automation
- TweetDeck for real-time monitoring and engagement
Reddit:
- Later for Reddit for scheduling (limited subreddits)
- Reddit Enhancement Suite for better browsing
- Subreddit analytics tools for timing optimization
The Autoposting.ai Advantage for Build In Public
Platform-Specific Content Adaptation:
- Automatically converts Twitter threads into LinkedIn thought leadership posts
- Transforms Reddit case studies into Twitter thread series
- Adapts tone and format for each platform’s algorithm and culture
Time-Saving Features:
- Bulk content creation from single updates
- Optimal timing suggestions based on your audience data
- Hashtag and keyword optimization for each platform
- Engagement tracking across all platforms in one dashboard
Build In Public Specific Benefits:
- Maintains consistent narrative across platforms
- Preserves authenticity while optimizing for each platform
- Tracks build in public metrics (followers gained, engagement rates, lead generation)
- Integrates with common startup tools (Stripe, Google Analytics, etc.)
Measuring Build In Public Success
Platform-Specific Metrics That Matter
LinkedIn Metrics:
- Profile views increase: Indicates growing professional reputation
- Connection requests from ideal customers: Direct business impact
- Post engagement rate: Average 2-4% is good for business content
- LinkedIn newsletter subscribers: Building owned audience
- Inbound leads via LinkedIn DMs: Ultimate ROI metric
X/Twitter Metrics:
- Follower growth rate: 5-10% monthly growth is healthy
- Engagement rate per tweet: 2-5% average across all tweets
- Thread performance: Best threads get 50+ retweets
- Mention tracking: How often others discuss your journey
- Click-through rates: From social to product/website
Reddit Metrics:
- Post upvote ratios: 85%+ indicates strong community reception
- Comment engagement quality: Depth of discussions generated
- Cross-post mentions: When others share your content
- Direct message volume: Quality conversations initiated
- Subreddit karma growth: Long-term community standing
Business Impact Metrics
Revenue Attribution:
- Track UTM codes from each platform to sales
- Monitor demo requests by platform source
- Calculate customer acquisition cost per platform
- Measure customer lifetime value by acquisition source
Brand Building Metrics:
- Brand mention volume increase across platforms
- Search volume for your company/founder name
- Speaking opportunity invitations
- Media coverage and podcast invitations
- Investor/partnership inbound interest
Community Building Metrics:
- Email list growth from social channels
- User-generated content volume
- Community engagement in company channels
- Employee advocacy participation rates
- Customer testimonial generation
Platform Comparison: Which Should You Choose?
Decision Framework
Choose LinkedIn If:
- You’re building B2B software or services
- Your target customers are professionals/decision-makers
- You can commit to 3-5 high-quality posts per week
- You prefer longer-form, thoughtful content
- Your strength is strategic thinking and business insights
Choose X/Twitter If:
- You’re building consumer products or developer tools
- You can commit to daily posting (10+ tweets)
- You’re comfortable with public real-time commentary
- Your target audience includes other entrepreneurs/builders
- You enjoy community interaction and quick conversations
Choose Reddit If:
- You’re building products for specific niches/communities
- You can commit significant time to quality content creation
- You’re comfortable with direct, unfiltered feedback
- Your audience values depth over frequency
- You prioritize authenticity over polish
The Multi-Platform Advantage
Most Successful Builders Use All Three:
The 40-40-20 Strategy:
- 40% of effort on your primary platform (where your audience is)
- 40% on secondary platform (where you want to grow)
- 20% on tertiary platform (for content repurposing)
Content Flow Strategy:
- Create core content based on real business updates
- Share immediate reactions on X/Twitter
- Develop strategic insights for LinkedIn
- Compile detailed case studies for Reddit
Resource Allocation:
- 60% content creation and strategy
- 30% community engagement and relationship building
- 10% analytics review and strategy optimization
Advanced Build In Public Strategies
The Storytelling Framework
The Hero’s Journey for Startups:
- The Ordinary World: Your life before the startup
- The Call to Adventure: The problem you discovered
- Refusal of the Call: Initial hesitation or failed attempts
- Meeting the Mentor: Advisors, customers, or insights that changed everything
- Crossing the Threshold: The moment you fully committed
- Tests and Trials: Daily challenges, failures, and small wins
- The Ordeal: Major crises that tested everything
- The Reward: Success moments and lessons learned
- The Road Back: Scaling and new challenges
- Return Transformed: How the journey changed you and your business
Platform Application:
- X/Twitter: Share daily tests, trials, and small wins (steps 6-7)
- LinkedIn: Focus on transformation insights and strategic decisions (steps 4, 8-10)
- Reddit: Detailed breakdowns of ordeals and lessons learned (steps 7-8)
Psychological Triggers for Build In Public Content
Reciprocity: Share valuable insights freely, and people feel obligated to support you
Authority: Demonstrate expertise through transparent problem-solving
Social Proof: Show others following your journey and engaging with your content
Commitment and Consistency: Regular updates create expectation and investment
Scarcity: Limited spots in beta tests or early access create urgency
Liking: Personal vulnerability and relatability build emotional connections
Content Ideas That Always Work
Weekly Content Themes:
Monday: Metric Monday
- Share previous week’s key metrics
- Explain what drove changes (positive or negative)
- Set goals for the current week
Tuesday: Technical Tuesday
- Behind-the-scenes development insights
- Tool recommendations and reviews
- Technical challenges and solutions
Wednesday: Wisdom Wednesday
- Lessons learned from recent experiences
- Advice for other builders
- Industry insights and predictions
Thursday: Throwback Thursday
- Compare current metrics to past periods
- Reflect on how far you’ve come
- Share early-stage content for context
Friday: Future Friday
- Preview upcoming features or plans
- Ask for community input on decisions
- Share weekend project updates
Crisis Management in Build In Public
When Things Go Wrong:
- Acknowledge Quickly: Address issues publicly within 24 hours
- Take Responsibility: Own mistakes without deflecting blame
- Explain the Plan: Share specific steps to fix the problem
- Update Regularly: Keep community informed of progress
- Share Lessons: Turn crisis into learning opportunity
Example Crisis Response Framework:
"Update: We experienced a critical bug that affected 30% of users yesterday.
What happened: [Technical explanation]
Our response: [Immediate actions taken]
Current status: [Where things stand now]
Prevention: [Changes made to prevent recurrence]
I'll update this thread every 4 hours until resolved.
This is why we build in public - accountability forces better processes."
Common Build In Public Mistakes to Avoid
Platform-Specific Pitfalls
LinkedIn Mistakes:
- Posting the same content on all platforms without adaptation
- Over-promoting products instead of sharing insights
- Ignoring the professional context and posting casual content
- Not responding to comments professionally and promptly
- Focusing on vanity metrics instead of business outcomes
X/Twitter Mistakes:
- Infrequent posting (algorithm punishes inconsistency)
- Only posting promotional content without community value
- Not engaging with other builders and community members
- Sharing metrics without context or story
- Getting pulled into unproductive arguments or controversies
Reddit Mistakes:
- Violating subreddit rules (instant ban in many communities)
- Self-promoting without providing substantial value first
- Not reading community culture before posting
- Posting generic content instead of platform-specific insights
- Arguing with critics instead of learning from feedback
Universal Build In Public Mistakes
Content Mistakes:
- Sharing only wins and hiding failures (loses authenticity)
- Posting metrics without actionable insights
- Inconsistent posting schedule (breaks audience expectation)
- Not planning content around major business milestones
- Focusing on features instead of customer problems solved
Strategy Mistakes:
- Building audience on platforms where customers don’t exist
- Not cross-promoting content across platforms strategically
- Ignoring analytics and not adapting based on performance
- Not building email list from social media traffic
- Treating build in public as pure marketing instead of community building
Mindset Mistakes:
- Expecting immediate results (build in public compounds over time)
- Not providing value before asking for anything
- Comparing your early journey to established builders
- Not maintaining consistency during difficult periods
- Focusing on follower count instead of engagement quality
The Future of Build In Public
Emerging Trends
Video-First Build In Public:
- Short-form video content dominates engagement
- Behind-the-scenes footage creates stronger connections
- Live streaming for real-time problem solving
- Platform-specific video formats (LinkedIn native video, Twitter Spaces, Reddit live streams)
AI-Enhanced Build In Public:
- Tools like Autoposting.ai make multi-platform consistency effortless
- AI helps analyze audience sentiment and content performance
- Automated content adaptation maintains authenticity while saving time
- Predictive analytics suggest optimal posting times and content types
Community-Driven Development:
- Public product roadmaps with community voting
- Open source approach to traditionally closed business decisions
- Customer co-creation and collaborative product development
- Real-time feedback integration into product development cycles
Platform Evolution Impact
LinkedIn’s Continued Professionalization:
- Increased video content integration
- Newsletter features for build in public series
- Enhanced analytics for business content creators
- Integration with Microsoft ecosystem for B2B builders
X/Twitter’s Community Features:
- Spaces integration with build in public conversations
- Community features for niche builder groups
- Enhanced threading for long-form content
- Improved analytics for creator monetization
Reddit’s Creator Economy:
- Increased creator monetization options
- Better tools for community management
- Enhanced cross-subreddit content discovery
- Improved integration with external platforms
Getting Started: Your 30-Day Build In Public Launch Plan
Week 1: Foundation Setting
Day 1-2: Platform Selection
- Audit your current audience across platforms
- Research where your target customers spend time
- Choose primary platform based on audience fit
- Set up professional profiles with consistent branding
Day 3-4: Content Strategy Development
- Define your build in public narrative arc
- Create content calendar template
- Identify key metrics you’ll share regularly
- Plan your first week of content
Day 5-7: Tool Setup and First Posts
- Install and configure chosen automation tools
- Write and schedule your first week of content
- Make introductory posts explaining your build in public journey
- Begin following and engaging with other builders
Week 2: Content Creation Rhythm
Daily Tasks:
- Post according to platform-specific frequency guidelines
- Respond to all comments and messages within 4 hours
- Engage with 5-10 other builders’ content daily
- Track metrics and engagement patterns
Weekly Tasks:
- Analyze which content types performed best
- Plan next week’s content based on performance data
- Reach out to 3-5 new builders for relationship building
- Update email list from social media traffic
Week 3: Community Building
Focus Areas:
- Increase engagement beyond posting (comments, DMs, collaborations)
- Join relevant communities, groups, and spaces
- Start conversations instead of just broadcasting updates
- Experiment with different content formats and timings
Week 4: Optimization and Scaling
Optimization Tasks:
- Review analytics and identify best-performing content
- Adjust posting schedule based on engagement data
- Implement successful content formats as templates
- Plan month 2 strategy based on learnings
Scaling Tasks:
- Begin cross-platform content adaptation
- Set up more sophisticated tracking and analytics
- Consider upgrading tools or automation
- Plan major content series or campaigns
Tools and Resources for Build In Public Success
Essential Tools by Platform
LinkedIn Tools:
- LinkedIn Creator Mode (free)
- LinkedIn Analytics (free)
- Canva Pro for visual content ($15/month)
- Autoposting.ai for content adaptation and scheduling
X/Twitter Tools:
- Typefully for thread creation (free tier available)
- Hypefury for scheduling and analytics ($19/month)
- Buffer for basic scheduling ($5/month)
- TweetDeck for monitoring (free)
Reddit Tools:
- Reddit Enhancement Suite (free browser extension)
- Later for Reddit for limited scheduling ($25/month)
- Subreddit analytics tools (varies by tool)
- Notion for content planning and tracking (free tier)
All-Platform Solutions
Content Creation:
- Autoposting.ai – Multi-platform content adaptation with build in public templates
- Canva Pro – Visual content for all platforms
- Grammarly – Content quality and tone checking
- Notion – Content planning and organization
Analytics and Tracking:
- Google Analytics with UTM tracking
- Bitly for link tracking and analytics
- Sprout Social for comprehensive social analytics
- Custom spreadsheets for metric tracking
Community Management:
- Slack or Discord for community building
- Calendly for networking calls
- Loom for video responses and updates
- Email platforms like ConvertKit for list building
Budget-Friendly Startup Stack
Under $50/month:
- Autoposting.ai Basic plan for content automation
- Canva Pro for visual content creation
- Buffer Basic for post scheduling
- Google Analytics for traffic tracking
- Notion free tier for content planning
Growth Stage Stack ($100-200/month):
- Autoposting.ai Pro plan with advanced analytics
- Sprout Social for comprehensive analytics
- ConvertKit for email marketing
- Loom for video content creation
- Premium versions of platform-specific tools
Final Recommendations: Building Your Build In Public Strategy
The Reality Check
Build in public isn’t a growth hack – it’s a long-term strategy that compounds over months and years. Most successful builders take 6-12 months to see significant business impact from their build in public efforts.
Success Timeline Expectations:
- Month 1: Learning platform dynamics, building posting rhythm
- Months 2-3: Finding voice and content types that resonate
- Months 4-6: Building genuine community and engagement
- Months 7-12: Seeing business impact (leads, customers, partnerships)
- Year 2+: Compound effects accelerate growth
Platform Selection Decision Tree
Start with LinkedIn if:
- Building B2B products
- Target customers are professionals
- Comfortable with 3-5 posts per week
- Strong business insights to share
Start with X/Twitter if:
- Building consumer or developer products
- Can commit to daily posting
- Comfortable with real-time public commentary
- Target audience includes entrepreneurs
Start with Reddit if:
- Building for specific niche communities
- Can create high-quality, detailed content
- Comfortable with direct feedback
- Prefer depth over frequency
The Multi-Platform Evolution Path
Month 1-3: Master one platform completely Month 4-6: Add second platform with content adaptation Month 7-12: Scale to third platform with systematic approach Year 2+: Optimize all platforms with advanced automation
Success Metrics to Track
Leading Indicators (track weekly):
- Posting consistency percentage
- Average engagement rate per post
- Community growth rate
- Quality of conversations generated
Lagging Indicators (track monthly):
- Website traffic from social platforms
- Email list growth from social channels
- Inbound leads attributed to build in public
- Brand mention volume and sentiment
Business Impact (track quarterly):
- Customer acquisition cost by channel
- Revenue attributed to build in public efforts
- Partnership and collaboration opportunities
- Speaking/media opportunities generated
The build in public movement transforms startup building from a solitary endeavor into a community-driven journey. Each platform offers unique advantages: LinkedIn builds professional credibility, X/Twitter creates real-time community, and Reddit validates authenticity.
Success requires platform-specific strategies, consistent execution, and genuine value creation. The builders who thrive don’t just share updates – they create narratives that make others invested in their success.
Your journey starts with a single post. Choose your platform, share your first update, and begin building the community that will fuel your startup’s growth.
The most successful build in public strategies combine authentic storytelling with smart automation. Tools like Autoposting.ai help maintain consistency across platforms while preserving the genuine voice that makes build in public effective.
Start building in public today. Your future customers, investors, and advocates are waiting to join your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform is best for build in public?
The best platform depends on your target audience. LinkedIn works best for B2B products targeting professionals, X/Twitter excels for consumer products and developer tools, while Reddit is ideal for niche communities. Most successful builders eventually use multiple platforms with adapted content for each.
How often should I post when building in public?
Posting frequency varies by platform: LinkedIn performs best with 3-5 quality posts per week, X/Twitter requires 10-15 posts daily for maximum reach, and Reddit works best with 2-3 high-value posts per week across relevant subreddits.
What should I share when building in public?
Share a mix of metrics (revenue, user growth), challenges you’re facing, lessons learned, behind-the-scenes content, and strategic decisions. The key is providing educational value while being transparent about both wins and failures.
Is build in public just for tech startups?
No, build in public works for any business where the founder’s journey can be interesting to others. E-commerce brands, service businesses, creative agencies, and even brick-and-mortar businesses can successfully build in public by sharing relevant insights.
How long does it take to see results from building in public?
Most builders see initial community engagement within 4-6 weeks, meaningful follower growth within 3-4 months, and business impact (leads, customers) within 6-12 months. Build in public is a long-term strategy that compounds over time.
Should I share negative updates and failures?
Yes, sharing failures and challenges (with lessons learned) often generates more engagement and trust than only sharing wins. Vulnerability creates stronger connections with your audience and demonstrates authentic transparency.
How do I handle criticism when building in public?
Respond professionally and learn from valid criticism. Ignore trolls and bad-faith attacks. Use criticism as content opportunities by addressing concerns publicly and showing how feedback improves your product or strategy.
Can I use automation tools for build in public content?
Yes, automation tools like Autoposting.ai help maintain consistency while preserving authenticity. The key is using automation for scheduling and cross-platform adaptation, not for creating generic content that lacks personal voice.
What metrics should I track for build in public success?
Track engagement rates, follower growth, website traffic from social channels, email list growth, inbound leads, and ultimately revenue attribution. Focus on leading indicators (engagement, consistency) before lagging indicators (business impact).
How do I avoid making build in public too promotional?
Follow the 80/20 rule: 80% educational/valuable content, 20% promotional. Always lead with insights, lessons, or helpful information before mentioning your product. Build relationships before making any sales-related asks.
Should I build in public if I’m working on stealth mode products?
You can build in public around general entrepreneurship lessons, industry insights, and business building principles without revealing specific product details. Many successful builders share their journey without compromising competitive advantages.
How do I get started if I have zero followers?
Start by providing value in existing communities before building your own following. Comment thoughtfully on other builders’ content, answer questions in relevant groups, and focus on helpful content rather than follower count.
What’s the biggest mistake people make when building in public?
The biggest mistake is treating build in public as pure marketing instead of community building. Successful builders focus on providing value and building relationships first, with business benefits following naturally.
Can build in public help with fundraising?
Yes, build in public can attract investor attention by demonstrating traction, transparency, and thought leadership. Many successful builders have connected with investors through their public building efforts, though this shouldn’t be the primary goal.
How do I maintain consistency when business gets busy?
Use content automation tools to maintain posting schedule, batch content creation during lighter periods, and focus on quick, authentic updates rather than perfect polished content. Consistency matters more than perfection in build in public.
Is it safe to share financial information publicly?
Share financial information that helps others learn without compromising your business. Revenue milestones and growth percentages are generally safe, while detailed financial breakdowns might be too revealing. Use judgment based on your industry and competitive landscape.
How do I choose which business updates to share publicly?
Share updates that provide educational value to your audience, demonstrate transparency, or illustrate important business lessons. Avoid sharing information that could harm your competitive position or violate customer confidentiality.
Can employees participate in company build in public efforts?
Yes, employee advocacy can amplify build in public efforts. Encourage team members to share behind-the-scenes content, technical insights, and their perspectives on company culture and growth.
What legal considerations should I keep in mind?
Ensure shared information doesn’t violate NDAs, customer confidentiality agreements, or regulatory requirements. When in doubt, consult legal counsel, especially for regulated industries or when sharing detailed financial information.
How do I handle copycats when building in public?
Focus on execution rather than ideas – sharing your approach helps establish thought leadership while making it harder for copycats to claim originality. Most successful businesses win through execution, not secret strategies.