“Building in public” isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the practice of documenting your entrepreneurial journey, creative process, or personal brand development transparently and sharing it with the world as it unfolds. From day one of launching Self Made Signal, I committed to this path. It’s raw, brave, sometimes messy—and hands-down one of the most educational experiences I’ve ever had. Here’s what I’m learning so far about building in public: all the unexpected upsides, the hidden pitfalls, and why I’m choosing to stay the course.
The Pros of Building in Public
1. Authentic Connection and Trust
Showing my process out loud builds genuine trust fast. Audiences today are hungry for realness over polish. By sharing behind-the-scenes decisions, battles with self-doubt, or mid-pivot learning moments, I offer proof that I’m not hiding behind a highlight reel—I’m really doing the work. Vulnerability is the currency of credibility.
2. Accelerated Feedback Loops
Every post, draft, or open question I share in real time invites immediate feedback—from encouragement and constructive critique to inspired ideas I wouldn’t have considered alone. My “audience” becomes my creative partner, helping me spot issues, clarify ideas, and iterate faster than I ever could in isolation.
3. Community Over Competition
Building in public naturally attracts kindred spirits—fellow creators who relate to the messy middle. These connections have transformed strangers into collaborators, accountability partners, and friends. The journey feels less lonely, and networking feels authentic rather than forced.
4. Opportunities Land Sooner
Visibility breeds serendipity. People discover me via updates, threads, or live Q&As, and suddenly opportunities for guest posts, partnerships, or even paid gigs appear—long before I feel “ready.” There’s power in not waiting for perfection to be seen or considered.
5. Documented Growth and Resilience
Sharing both wins and stumbles, in the moment, creates a living record—not just for others, but for myself. I have proof of progress, reminders of pivots, and a timeline that reveals how much can be accomplished with consistent, public action.
The Cons (and What I’m Wrestling With)
1. Vulnerability Hangovers
There are days I wake up wishing I could take back a particularly vulnerable post—not because it wasn’t true, but because exposure feels risky. Doubts about over-sharing, judgment, or being misunderstood creep in and can be hard to shake.
2. Pressure to “Perform”
Once you’re building publicly, it’s tempting to craft updates, not out of honesty but out of anticipation for engagement. The line between sharing the journey and producing for applause can blur, risking authenticity for attention.
3. Criticism and Scrutiny
Inviting the world in means not everyone will root for you. Public mistakes are, well, public. I’ve had to develop thicker skin for unsolicited advice, critiques that sting, and even rare negativity from those who just don’t get the vision (yet).
4. Lost Privacy and Boundaries
When so much is shared, it gets tough to know where to draw the line. What’s personal versus what’s public? Protecting sacred spaces—ideas in progress, frustrations, or work that isn’t ready to share—is a skill I’m still developing.
5. Fear of Stagnation in Public
Growth isn’t always linear. Progress slows, energy dips, and there are times I feel “stuck” with nothing remarkable to share. The pressure to constantly update or “achieve out loud” risks burnout or oversharing.
Why Building in Public Still Wins—For Me
Despite the challenges, I wouldn’t trade this approach for anything right now. The pros—genuine connection, rapid learning, and expanded opportunities—far outweigh the cons. Each con brings a lesson: how to filter feedback, how to reclaim quiet for myself, and how to place authenticity over applause. Most of all, building Self Made Signal in public keeps me honest, consistent, and rooted in the values that launched this journey.
If you’re on the fence about building out loud:
Start small, share what feels true, and iterate on the practice itself. The world doesn’t need more perfection—it needs more proof that real growth happens in the open, one update at a time.
Here’s to learning out loud and letting the journey, with all its highs and lows, become the brand and the legacy.
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