Why

#buildinpublic is meh .
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[@michaelp8053]

I am building a gym and I decided to build in public. I haven't even received my equipment yet but I've already sold memberships. Mine is the most expensive gym in my area and the people that decided to join did so because they saw the amount work and planning that I put into it to be different to every other gym in my area. But I must say, I was the one that was getting down and dirty. Painting, drilling, knocking down, setting up, etc and I think that helps

[@hrlrl9309]

I think build in public works best if you're building something for other developers, because your organic content will lead developers to your product.

[@millionaire-millennial]

I would agree with you, but a lot of devs (that are also building small tools) don't have a lot of spendable $ to invest in other software. Or - a lot of devs prefer to just build tools themselves for better or worse 😅

[@aberba]

​​@@millionaire-millennial "a lot" (not most) like you said could be say 5% so the point is still very valid. I personally would pay for a product rather than hrs of code if it solves an important problem

[@VictorVorski]

I think that misses a much wider value of build in public: -) building out a habit to communicate what you are doing - learning to communicate consistently -) engaging potential team members, advisors, investors in your journey -) merging your internal & external comms thus reducing the amount of work you have to do on comms (hugely important for resource strapped startups) -) you connect with the ecosystem, so others know what you are doing, partners can more easilly connect with what you are doing -) builds out general maturity of the ecosystem so we don't have everyone repeating the same mistakes

[@allenbradley2592]

Awesome points! One of the last items you mentioned was "keeping yourself accountable" is an interesting one as I feel that's possibly a big one. What's your opinion on posts that aren't quite "Build In Public" but, are posts about new benefits of the latest version/updates? (I.e. a more digestible "changelog" if you will)?

[@millionaire-millennial]

I think that's acceptable, but I wouldn't consider it a marketing strat. It just depends if that's something your niche cares about. Pushing out helpful updates to your tool certainly makes sense to spread the word, but 'we updated the font size!' In a changelog isn't worth publishing about IMO.

[@allenbradley2592]

@@millionaire-millennial Thanks for the reply :) Totally get what you're saying. Mainly thought of how Ahrefs / SEO Powersuite / SEMRush talk about the benefits of their new features and use that as content. Like you said though, I definitely see how it's market dependent. Thanks!

[@millionaire-millennial]

Those companies also publish A TON of case studies, guides, and generally helpful content. The software update posts are more of the 'sell' than the 'info' - if that makes sense.

[@allenbradley2592]

@@millionaire-millennial Totally does - thanks so much for the reply and insight!

[@danielmbirch]

I was totally going to take this approach just a couple of months ago. 😂 Even if building in public is dead, there’s definitely value in having a market before developing.

[@amartyagupta8255]

A lot of people market the concept of building in public because they have courses on the subject.

[@millionaire-millennial]

Who has a course on it? I'd like to see it

[@nathansebhastian]

Two I know of: Kevon Cheung, Arvid Kahl

[@haisemjemal3767]

So then what would be the best way to validate/market your product? Most ppl build in public so that they can acquire an audience, which inadvertently allows them to validate products and also get free marketing. So if you have another way I'm all ears

[@millionaire-millennial]

Create useful content for your niche and then one you have an audience, test offers or just ask them. Audience/buyer list first THEN product.

[@BlueJDev]

I believe BIP is better suited to game Devs.

[@millionaire-millennial]

I agree. Makes me so mad when they never finish the game tho 😤 lol

[@BlueJDev]

@@millionaire-millennial yep, like getting distracted by every new mechanic launched on unity store so it has to be in the game...

[@millionaire-millennial]

😂 right