Let’s talk about the strategy that’s quietly (and sometimes loudly) growing some of the most loyal, high-converting communities online right now: building in public.

You’ve probably seen creators doing it without even realising. They’re showing the behind-the-scenes of a new offer. Sharing the thought process behind their pricing. Polling their audience on names, topics, or features. Posting wins and failures in real time.

And while it might look casual or spontaneous, it’s actually one of the smartest ways to grow a community that trusts you, roots for you, and buys from you without hesitation.

Here’s why it works and how you can use it to grow your own business and community this year.

What Is ‘Building in Public’?

At its core, building in public means showing your work as you go.

Instead of waiting until everything’s polished, perfect, and ready to launch, you bring your community along for the journey. You document, rather than just promote.

This might look like:

• Sharing the process of creating a new program
  
• Posting your brainstorming notes or frameworks
  
• Asking your audience to vote on titles, pricing, or features
  
• Talking about mistakes and lessons learned in real time
  
• Letting people see the why behind your decisions

It’s the opposite of “Here’s the finished product, go buy it.”

It’s more “Here’s what I’m building, and here’s why it might help you too.”

Why It’s a Community Growth Magnet

If you want a community that’s engaged, invested, and talking about your work, building in public is your shortcut.

Here’s what it does:

1. Builds trust faster
   
    When people see the thinking behind your business, they trust that you’re doing things with intention. Transparency creates connection.
   
   
2. Creates natural engagement
   
    Asking your audience to weigh in, offer input, or vote gives them a role in what you’re creating. They go from silent followers to active participants.
   
   
3. Generates buzz without feeling pushy
   
    Instead of back-to-back sales posts, your content becomes part of a story they want to follow. By the time you launch, they feel emotionally invested.
   
   
4. Positions you as a leader who’s doing, not just teaching
   
    You’re not just telling people how to grow a business or launch an offer—you’re showing them, live. That builds credibility like nothing else.
   

What Can You Build in Public?

If you’re a creator or coach, you can build almost anything in public.

• A group program or course
  
• A new freebie or lead magnet
  
• Your content calendar for the month
  
• A rebrand or niche shift
  
• Even your income goals or audience growth
  

The key is: keep it relevant, intentional, and connected to what your audience cares about.

What It’s Not

Building in public doesn’t mean oversharing every detail of your personal life or dumping your business fears into your feed.

It’s not performative.

It’s not unfiltered chaos.

It’s not an excuse for unplanned, messy delivery.

It’s strategic transparency. It’s the right amount of visibility at the right moments.

How to Start Building in Public

Ready to give it a go? Here’s how to ease in:

1. Pick something you’re working on right now – something that aligns with your offers or your audience’s needs.
   
2. Decide how you’ll share the process: Stories, email updates, feed posts, a weekly “build log.”
   
   
3. Invite your community in: Ask for their input, show your drafts, poll them for feedback.
   
   
4. Narrate the journey: What decisions are you making? Why? What’s exciting, challenging, unexpected?
   
   
5. Recap and reflect: Once it’s done, share what you learned and how it went. Bring the story full circle.

Where VOLUME Comes In

Inside VOLUME, my community growth membership for creators and coaches, we help you not only build your offers, but build your audience around them.

And if you’re ready to grow a community that’s not just watching, but waiting to work with you? It’s time to turn up the VOLUME.

You can join us at vixmeldrew.com/volume and get started today.