Creating With Transparency
According to Failory, Building in Public (BIP) involves creating a company or product and transparently sharing the behind-the-scenes process. Founders typically share their victories, challenges, learnings, anecdotes, and business metrics. Businesses built in public are often referred to as open or transparent startups, but I believe this approach can be applicable to any form of creation, not exclusively reserved for startups.
I recall my first-hand experience with this a few years ago when I signed up for some AI copywriting services - Conversion.ai. Upon signing up, I was invited to a dedicated Facebook group for early adopters, where the CEO personally welcomed me and inquired about anything I needed to get started. The entire team was exceptionally friendly, interacting with everyone in the group. I remained with the company for over a year, witnessing their tremendous growth. It was truly remarkable to see them share their journey so openly, involving users in discussions ranging from monetization to feature releases. As a user, I felt heard, included, and valued.
Since then, I've advocated for this growth methodology with some of our clients, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. In an era with countless options available, standing out can be achieved by including customers in your journey. Providing early access to yourself, your team, and your product allows for significant growth opportunities. It prevents the guessing game by directly involving users and builds tremendous trust with your audience. Embracing honesty and humility acknowledges imperfections and invites users to fill in the gaps, transforming the traditional provider-consumer relationship into a valued community.
On the flip side, customers feel included, seen, and heard, creating a positive experience. They are more willing to participate, knowing their feedback will be considered, allowing them a say in the future of their relationship with your brand. This creates a win-win situation. While a company might adopt some of your ideas, the trust gained in the marketplace is what truly sets you apart and cannot be easily taken away.
For a real-life example of building in the open, follow our startup @sentinotes on Twitter, where we openly share our journey from idea to IPO. Feel free to ask questions, join the community, and witness our daily wins and struggles on the way to Wall Street. I encourage every builder, creator, and founder to try this approach; it feels like the weight of the world is lifted off your shoulders.
