Why You’re Not Building in Public-Even Though You Should

Most people don’t build in public-and it’s rarely because they don’t want to. Usually, it’s a mix of fears and mental roadblocks that are tough to shake.

You might worry about judgment or criticism from friends, family, or even strangers. Sharing your work before it’s “ready” feels risky. There’s always that voice: “What if I mess up? What if I fail in front of everyone?” That fear of exposing your vulnerabilities is real.

But it goes deeper:

• You’re concerned about copycats. Sharing too much makes you nervous, especially if your business moat isn’t strong.

• The pressure to look polished and perfect only adds to the hesitation. It’s uncomfortable to show your unfinished journey.

• The need to feel “special” or already successful before your story is worth sharing.

Privacy is another sticking point. Putting yourself out there takes an emotional toll, and the lack of control over who sees what can make you want to retreat. You might even wonder if anyone actually cares about your process, or if your efforts will just get lost in the noise of social media.

And let’s not forget the overwhelm:

Social media negativity and constant noise make it tempting to just keep your head down and build in silence.

Here’s the truth: most people aren’t paying as much attention as you think. The ones who do care? They’re the ones you want to reach. And your journey-messy, unfinished, imperfect-is exactly what will resonate with them.

How This Holds You Back

When you keep your journey behind closed doors, the costs add up fast-and not just for your business.

You start to feel isolated, missing out on the encouragement and feedback that comes from a real community. Doubt grows in the silence. The fear of criticism or failure doesn’t just stay in your head-it starts to shape your decisions. You play it safe, take fewer risks, and stop trying new things.

And the impact goes further:

• You miss trust and authenticity. People connect with stories, not just results. By hiding your process, you slow down your brand and business growth.

• You lose organic buzz. Early excitement fades, and those first followers never get the chance to become true advocates or customers.

• No public accountability. When things get tough, it’s easier to quietly give up or skip steps-no one’s watching, so no one’s holding you to your word.

You also miss out on the power of crowdsourced feedback and networking. When you don’t share, you don’t get those outside ideas or connections that could accelerate your progress. The longer you wait for “someday” to share, the more you postpone your own growth-and the more opportunities slip by.

Worst of all, you end up working harder to impress people privately, instead of building a business that actually aligns with your values and goals.

The people who show up and share-even when it’s messy-are the ones who build real momentum. Most “overnight successes” are just people who kept going, in public, for years.

How to Start Building in Public

Here’s how you break the cycle:

• Start small. Don’t overthink it. Share a quick update or a lesson learned today. You don’t need to tell your whole story at once.

• Embrace imperfection. Consistency beats polish. People relate to progress, not perfection.

• Focus on your “why.” Remind yourself why you started and what you want to give others by sharing your journey.

• Prepare for criticism. Not everyone will get it-and that’s fine. Take what’s useful and keep moving.

• Build for your tribe. Share for the builders, the learners, the ones who are in the arena-not the spectators.

• Use public sharing as accountability. Let your audience keep you honest and motivated.

• Leverage feedback. Invite ideas and suggestions. Your audience can help you improve faster than you ever could alone.

• Celebrate progress. Share the wins and the setbacks. Honesty attracts genuine supporters and turns them into advocates.

Remember: Most “overnight successes” are years in the making. Your journey deserves to be seen.

Building in public isn’t about being perfect or having all the answers. It’s about showing up, sharing your process, and letting others come along for the ride. The risks are real, but the rewards-for your business, your brand, and your own growth-are even greater.

Want to know how I help founders and teams build in public, attract genuine supporters, and turn their journey into momentum?

Reply to this email or DM me BUILD on X (@ItsBialy) and let’s talk about how you can start sharing your process and accelerate your growth.