When I first heard the phrase “Building in Public,” I thought it was for founders or creatives who were already comfortable being visible, sharing designs, strategies, or launching updates for the world to see. But over time, I realized it’s for anyone willing to be transparent about their process, especially those of us who often go unseen.
At first, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to share my story publicly or write about anything at all. I just wanted to do my job and be the best at it. That was enough for me. But gradually, something shifted. I started picking myself up, one thought at a time, and decided to write about product management.
When I got started, I’d publish posts with zero engagement. No likes, no comments, just me putting thoughts out there and wondering if anyone was even listening. But I didn’t stop. I kept writing anyway. And before long, something beautiful happened: people started relating to what I wrote. Some shared feedback; others offered their own perspectives. That’s when it clicked, sharing your journey, especially as a woman in tech, is powerful and can go a long way.
But before I go deeper, let me address a few common misconceptions about building in public that stop a lot of people, especially women, from trying to put themselves out there.
Here are some of the big ones:
1. You Need Profound Insights to Start
It’s easy to believe that your thoughts have to be incredibly profound before they’re worth sharing. I used to think that too. I told myself I needed a brilliant insight, a major win, or at least a perfectly packaged story before I could publish anything. But I’ve learned that’s not how it works.
The magic is in the everyday moments — the lessons learned in the middle of the mess, the questions that don’t have clear answers yet, and the small wins that feel big to you.
When people see those moments, they don’t think, “Why isn’t this more profound?” They think, “Oh wow, I’ve felt that too.” And that’s where real engagement and community begin.
2. You Have to Be a “Thought Leader”
There’s this widespread idea that to build in public, you need to already have authority, expertise, or even a big following.
That’s not real life. Most of us are learning as we go, juggling deadlines, debugging issues, attending sprint meetings, shipping features, designing better user flows, or just trying to find our rhythm in tech.
When I started sharing, it wasn’t because I had the answers. I wrote about things I had learned in my line of work, what had worked for me, what hadn’t, and the lessons I picked up along the way.
For example, I shared:
- How I handled conflicting feedback from teammates or stakeholders
- What I learned after a project or release didn’t go as planned
- The tools, workflows, and frameworks I tested (some worked, some didn’t)
- Articles I wrote about things I was actively learning
- Conferences I attended and the insights I took away
None of these posts went viral. But they were honest, and that’s what mattered. People didn’t connect because I had all the answers; they connected because the experiences I shared felt familiar — the kind of challenges they were also working through in their own careers.
Over time, those small, consistent shares built trust. They sparked conversations. They even encouraged others to open up about their own experiences. And that’s when I realized that showing up honestly matters more than having the perfect story to tell.
3. Vulnerability Makes You Look Weak Especially as a Woman
Let me be real, putting yourself out there can feel risky. There’s an extra layer of self-doubt when you’re not sure how your voice will be received or if it will be received at all. And when you’re a woman in tech, that vulnerability often carries extra weight.
I used to worry I was sharing too much. Or that someone more senior would see my post and think, “She’s not ready.”
But I kept reminding myself, my journey is valid. The things I was working through weren’t unique to me. They were the same challenges many others, especially women, face every day in this field. And what surprised me most? The quiet DMs from other women in tech saying, “Thank you for sharing this, it’s exactly what I needed to hear.”
That’s why I keep doing it. Not because it’s easy, but because, every time I hit publish, someone out there feels a little less alone.
4. Building in Public Is Just About Personal Branding
The more I shared, the more I realized building in public isn’t really about personal branding or trying to be loud, It’s about inviting others into the process and creating space for connection, showing that none of us are figuring this out alone, and opening doors for others to walk through.
There’s a ripple effect when women share their work, their thought process, and their learnings especially in fields like product management, where leadership often looks one way.
By showing up as we are — curious, ambitious, sometimes unsure, we help widen the definition of what success looks like in tech, making it easier for the next woman to do the same.
How to Get Started Without Overthinking It
If any of this resonates but you’re not sure where to begin, start small. That’s what I did.
Here’s what helped me:
- Post your process, not just your outcomes. Share why you made a product decision or how you approached a problem, even if it didn’t go perfectly.
- Write like you’re talking to a friend. That’s what makes it relatable and human.
- Be okay with imperfection. Done is better than perfect. Progress matters more than polish.
- Celebrate your wins loudly. Many of us (especially women) tend to downplay our achievements. Don’t. Give that product launch or stakeholder breakthrough the spotlight it deserves.
There’s so much power in showing up as we are.
I’m not building in public because I have all the answers. I’m building in public because the process matters and I want other women to know their process matters too. If you’ve been thinking about sharing your journey, consider this your nudge.
Hit publish, Tell your story, Build in public, not for clout. But to remind someone else that they’re not alone.
We rise when we’re visible. And that visibility doesn’t just change things for us, it helps shape the culture for the women who will come after us.
Thank you for coming along.