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TheStartupWhisperer·Jan 13, 2024

Posted in:Technical Founders Venture Capital Solo Founders Show Elpha Startups Founders

Building in public is super important and one of the BEST GTM strategies to source engaging ICP's (ideal customer profile), especially when it is done in ICP communities!

I wrote about it in my newsletter here -

- any questions feel free to reach out!

PS I tagged a fabulastic founder who is amazing at building in public, you should follow him (Serkan).

Iynna·Jan 13

I'll chime in as i think there's definitely pros and cons to both! building publicly is great if you want to start getting validation and potentially even customer but of course you expose yourself to the world and your competitors know exactly what you're doing or not doing and can capitalise on this to move faster than you (specifically if there are competitors that are better financed than you), so yes it's all about execution but I'd be wary of that especially when so early. Second if you don't need to be public to acquire customers, then there's not that much value in being public tbh!Third, starting stealth always give you the option to be public at any point during your growth trajectory, the reverse is not possible, once the cat's out of the bag, that's it.

TheStartupWhisperer·Jan 23

Thanks for your comment IyannaI defo understand those worries. Building in public isn't for everyone, and there are definitely downsides to consider, but also many many positives. Personally I believe the positives outweigh the negatives.It's not actually about the idea, it's about the team (people & skills), personal brand, development and execution of that idea. Building your own community around that idea is extremely important to todays buyer personas.Nobody can do it like you can, regardless if they have the funds to do it faster. They can copy the basics but they will never be able to copy how you & your team develop and execute.Obviously you must be careful and not share really sensitive information in public.Positives to consider:Accelerated Validation and Feedback - Building in public gives you immediate access to a vast pool of potential users and early adopters. Their feedback can help you refine your product or service much faster than relying solely on internal testing.Publicly sharing your progress can spark conversations and debates, revealing blind spots and opportunities you might have missed. This can lead to innovation and course correction before you're too invested in a wrong direction.Building Community and Pre-Launch Buzz - By being transparent, you build trust and a sense of ownership among potential customers. They are part of the journey, which can translate into a strong community, loyalty and advocacy when you launch.The buzz you generate can attract investors, partners and future employees, boosting your credibility and momentum. This can be especially valuable for bootstrapped startups who need alternative resources.Adaptability and Learning - It forces you to communicate clearly and articulate your vision. This can be a valuable exercise in itself, helping you refine your messaging and storytelling.Seeing your ideas publicly challenged and debated can be humbling and educational. You might discover new perspectives and approaches you hadn't considered before.Of course, you raise valid concerns about competitor advantage and the commitment to openness, but execution is always king. No matter how much competitors know, if you can build a better product with "ready to buy" loyal ICP following, you'll win. Building in public can actually sharpen your focus and execution.Not every competitor will be able to replicate your culture, vision and approach. Authenticity and passion can be powerful differentiators.While starting stealth gives you the option to go public later, building a community and trust takes time. Starting public can accelerate that process and give you a head start when you're ready to launch.Ultimately, the decision to build in public is a very strategic one & depends on your specific goals, resources, and risk tolerance, but I advise to weigh the potential benefits and how it could fit into your startup's unique journey :D

Iynna·Jan 23

I hear you on all those positives! And totally agree execution is king. But say if I'm building something and Amazon sniffs it, they can just go and bring it to market much faster and just like that swallow me. Extreme example but I can see second time or even third time successfully exited founder being reticent to the idea. For a first time founder i think the risks are lesser and the positives might end up outweighing the negatives.

TheStartupWhisperer·Jan 24

Very true!Amazon and the likes could potentially aquire to support an exit if the strategic play is executed correctly, but can also pull the rug from under you! It's a very strategic thought process needed for every individual situation to vigilantly weigh the pros and cons.Thanks for your input Iynna, much appreciated :D

Iynna·Jan 24

thank you so much for bringing the topic up! 100% agree it's going to be a somewhat personal decision!