5 Key Benefits of Building in Public for SaaS Founders

Why SaaS Founders Should Build in Public

Ever noticed how some startups seem to share everything online? That's called "building in public." It simply means showing people what you're working on while you're building it - sharing both your wins and struggles. It's like opening the kitchen door so customers can see how their meal is being made. Let's look at why this approach is so helpful for founders building software businesses.

1. Getting Customers Faster

Marketing is tough and expensive. When you share your journey openly, you create a different way to attract customers:

• People Trust What They Can See: When folks watch you build something, they trust you more than if they just saw a finished product
• Cheaper Marketing: The stories you share often spread naturally, which means free marketing
• Easier Sales: People who've been following your journey already understand your product, so it's easier to convince them to buy

Many successful companies got their first loyal customers from people who followed their journey online. These customers stick around because they feel like they're part of your story.

2. Getting Better Feedback

Great products need feedback. Building in public gives you tons of it, right when you need it:

• Test Ideas Early: Find out if people actually want what you're building before you spend months making it
• Hear Different Viewpoints: Get feedback from all kinds of people, not just the ones you'd normally talk to
• Know What Matters: See which features people get excited about, so you can focus on the right things

This real-world feedback helps you avoid building stuff nobody wants. Instead of guessing what customers might like, you'll actually know.

3. Keeping Yourself on Track

Building a product is hard, and it's easy to get distracted. Sharing your journey helps you stay focused:

• Public Promises Work: When you tell everyone you'll launch something by next month, you're much more likely to actually do it
• Regular Updates: Sharing progress regularly helps you maintain momentum instead of working in unpredictable bursts
• Support When You Need It: Your followers will encourage you during the tough times when you feel like giving up

This public accountability can be the difference between actually finishing your product and leaving it half-done like so many side projects.

4. Opening Doors to New Opportunities

Building in public isn't just about finding customers. It helps you connect with other helpful people too:

• Investors Notice You: Many investors look for founders who build in public to find promising startups
• Partner Opportunities: Other companies might reach out to work with you or integrate with your product
• Media Attention: Journalists are always looking for interesting stories about people building cool things

These opportunities often show up out of nowhere - just because you shared what you were working on and the right person happened to see it.

5. Standing Out From Competition

Surprisingly, being open about your work can actually give you an edge over competitors:

• Being Different Matters: When there are lots of similar products, your story and openness help you stand out
• Loyal Fans: People who've followed your journey from the beginning are less likely to switch to a competitor
• Marketing That Can't Be Copied: While competitors can copy your features, they can't copy your unique journey

Your story becomes part of your brand. And while features can be copied, relationships with your audience can't.

The Big Challenge

Despite all these benefits, there's one big reason many founders don't build in public: it takes a lot of time. Creating regular, interesting posts while also building a product is really hard.

That's why we created BuiltPublic. Our tool automatically creates and posts social media updates based on your GitHub activity. Connect your GitHub repositories and social accounts, set your schedule, and we'll handle the posting for you.

With BuiltPublic, you can focus on building your product while we take care of sharing your journey with your audience.

Want to Give It a Try?

If you're interested in building in public but not sure where to start, keep it simple: share one thing about what you're building this week. Maybe a screenshot of something you finished, or a number you're proud of, or even a problem you're stuck on.

Or if you want to make it super easy, try BuiltPublic today. Connect your GitHub repository and social accounts, and we'll automatically share your progress with the world while you focus on building.