10 Myths About Building in Public Debunked

Building in public has become a buzzword among indie hackers, solo founders, and side project builders. But with popularity comes a slew of myths that can mislead those looking to embark on this journey. In 2026, it’s time to debunk these misconceptions and provide a clearer view of what building in public really entails.

Myth 1: You Need a Huge Following to Start

Reality: You don’t need thousands of followers to build in public effectively. Many successful indie hackers started with a small audience, sharing their journey with just a handful of people.

Our Take: When we started sharing our progress, we had less than 100 followers. It was about the quality of connections rather than quantity.

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Myth 2: Transparency Means Sharing Everything

Reality: Transparency doesn't mean you have to disclose every detail. It's about sharing what’s relevant to your audience and your journey.

Our Take: We share our wins and losses, but we don’t disclose sensitive data or proprietary information. Balance is key.

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Myth 3: Building in Public is Only for Startups

Reality: While it’s popular among startups, anyone can build in public, including freelancers and solo developers.

Our Take: We've seen freelancers use public building to showcase their portfolios and attract clients, which can be just as powerful.

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Myth 4: You Must Have a Perfect Product

Reality: Perfection is a myth. Building in public often involves iterating on an MVP and gathering feedback along the way.

Our Take: We launched our product with many rough edges and used user feedback to improve it over time. It was messy but effective.

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Myth 5: Everyone Will Support You

Reality: Not everyone will be supportive. You'll encounter criticism, and that’s part of the process.

Our Take: We’ve faced negative comments, but we learned to focus on constructive feedback. It helps us grow.

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Myth 6: It’s All About Marketing

Reality: Building in public is more about genuine connection than marketing. It’s about sharing your journey, not just promoting your product.

Our Take: We’ve made lasting connections that go beyond sales. These relationships have led to collaborations and valuable insights.

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Myth 7: You Have to Share Every Step

Reality: You can choose what to share. It’s okay to keep some aspects of your journey private.

Our Take: We share major milestones and lessons learned, but we don’t document every single task. It’s about finding what resonates.

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Myth 8: You Should Only Share Successes

Reality: Sharing failures is just as important. It humanizes your journey and helps others learn from your mistakes.

Our Take: We regularly discuss our failures, which has led to more engagement and trust from our audience.

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Myth 9: Building in Public is Time-Consuming

Reality: While it requires some effort, building in public can actually save time in the long run by gathering feedback and support.

Our Take: We allocate about 30 minutes a week to share updates, which has led to valuable insights without overwhelming our schedule.

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Myth 10: You Need Fancy Tools to Build in Public

Reality: You can build in public with minimal tools. Platforms like Twitter, Medium, and even Instagram are sufficient.

Our Take: We primarily use Twitter and Discord to share our journey. They’re effective and free, making them accessible for all builders.

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Conclusion: Start Here

Ready to build in public? Start by sharing your journey on a platform you’re comfortable with. Focus on authenticity, engage with your audience, and don’t worry about having it all figured out. The most important part is to begin.

What We Actually Use: We primarily use Twitter for quick updates, Notion for organizing our thoughts, and Discord for community engagement. These tools keep our process straightforward and effective.