Sue Pats

Building in Public: Transparency as a Marketing Strategy

Last Thursday morning, I found myself sitting in my office, staring at a decision that made my palms sweat. I had just calculated the numbers for our latest digital product launch, and they weren't what I had projected. The question weighing on me wasn't whether we'd survive—we would—but rather: do I share these results publicly, or do I maintain the carefully curated image of uninterrupted success that pervades our industry?

The "building in public" movement has gained significant momentum in recent years, with entrepreneurs sharing not just their victories but their missteps, revenue figures, and behind-the-scenes processes. This radical transparency stands in stark contrast to the polished perfection that dominated digital marketing for the past decade.

The Power of Authentic Transparency

When I first encountered entrepreneurs sharing their unfiltered journeys—complete with disappointing launch numbers, failed experiments, and honest reflections—my initial reaction was skepticism. Surely exposing your business vulnerabilities would undermine credibility?

Yet as I observed the deep connection these transparent founders built with their audiences, I began to recognize something profound: authenticity creates trust in ways that perfection simply cannot.

Consider what happens when a potential client or customer encounters your business. In a landscape saturated with exaggerated claims and overnight success stories, genuine transparency stands out precisely because it's so rare. When you share your actual process—including the messy middle parts—you demonstrate both confidence and integrity that resonates deeply with your ideal audience.

My own experience with building in public has transformed not just my marketing approach but my entire relationship with my business community. When I finally decided to share both our successes and setbacks openly, something remarkable happened: engagement increased dramatically, with comments and messages reflecting appreciation for the honesty rather than judgment for the imperfections.

Strategic Transparency: Beyond Simply Sharing Everything

Building in public doesn't mean indiscriminately broadcasting every business detail. The most effective transparency is both authentic and strategic—thoughtfully sharing elements that provide genuine value while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

This strategic approach includes several key components:

Process Transparency: Sharing your methodology and systems provides immense value while demonstrating expertise. When you reveal how you approach challenges, you simultaneously build authority and create connection.

Results Transparency: Discussing actual outcomes—both expected and unexpected—creates credibility that perfectly polished case studies cannot. This includes sharing metrics, lessons learned, and adaptations made based on real results.

Challenge Transparency: Acknowledging obstacles you're navigating humanizes your brand while creating opportunities for community engagement and collaborative problem-solving.

Decision Transparency: Explaining the thinking behind significant business choices provides valuable insights while demonstrating your strategic approach and values.

Implementing this strategic transparency effectively requires frameworks that support consistent execution rather than sporadic sharing. This is precisely where systematic approaches to business development become essential.

Building in Public Through the R.A.P.I.D Framework

Transforming transparency from occasional posts into a comprehensive marketing strategy requires addressing each dimension of your business communication. The R.A.P.I.D Revenue Blueprint™ provides a comprehensive framework that integrates building in public across five essential elements of business development:

Ready-Made Digital Products: Transparent Creation and Delivery

The first element involves developing digital offerings with transparency integrated into both their creation and delivery. This might include:

Sharing your product development process and decision-making
Creating public roadmaps for upcoming features or content
Documenting how you implement feedback and iteration
Demonstrating behind-the-scenes systems that ensure quality

When transparency becomes part of your product development process rather than merely promotional content, it creates natural opportunities for authentic connection with your audience throughout the customer journey.

Authority Building: Authentic Expertise Demonstration

Perhaps the most powerful application of building in public involves establishing recognized expertise through transparent content and positioning:

Sharing your learning journey alongside your established knowledge
Documenting both successful approaches and lessons from missteps
Creating content that reveals your thinking process rather than just conclusions
Demonstrating real-time application of your expertise to emerging challenges

This authentic approach to authority building creates credibility that perfectly polished thought leadership simply cannot match—establishing connection while simultaneously demonstrating genuine expertise.

Partnerships & Collaborations: Transparent Relationship Development

Strategic relationships provide remarkable opportunities for building in public through collaborative transparency:

Documenting partnership development from initial connection through implementation
Sharing the complementary value created through combined expertise
Demonstrating collaborative problem-solving and innovation
Showing the behind-the-scenes reality of successful joint ventures

These transparent approaches to collaboration create multilayered authenticity that resonates with audiences while demonstrating real-world application of your expertise through meaningful relationships.

Income Development: Strategic Financial Transparency

While building in public often includes financial transparency, strategic approaches require thoughtful consideration regarding which elements to share:

Providing context for revenue figures that demonstrates value creation
Sharing pricing strategy development and the thinking behind monetization decisions
Documenting resource allocation and investment approaches
Demonstrating how financial success translates to enhanced client outcomes

This balanced financial transparency creates credibility while avoiding both unnecessary vulnerability and misleading representations that undermine trust.

Drive Sales to Scale: Transparent Conversion Approaches

The final element addresses how building in public can transform your client acquisition through authentic sales approaches:

Sharing your sales philosophy and ethical boundaries
Documenting your consultation process and decision criteria
Demonstrating how you determine client fit and sometimes decline opportunities
Providing transparent overviews of what working with you actually entails

This transparent approach to sales creates trust that high-pressure tactics never can—establishing relationships founded on genuine value rather than persuasive techniques.

Implementing Your Building-in-Public Strategy

Developing an effective transparency approach requires both strategic vision and practical implementation support. The R.A.P.I.D Revenue Blueprint™ addresses this need through a unique combination of personalized one-on-one coaching paired with collaborative group calls.

This balanced approach ensures you receive the individualized guidance necessary for your specific transparency strategy while benefiting from the collective wisdom of entrepreneurs implementing similar approaches across diverse industries.

Unlike many premium-priced programs, this framework delivers comprehensive business development support without the excessive investment typically associated with such transformation—making sophisticated transparency strategies accessible to serious entrepreneurs at various growth stages.

If you're ready to transform how you connect with your audience through strategic transparency, the R.A.P.I.D Revenue Blueprint™ provides the framework and support you need for effective implementation without the premium price tag typically associated with this level of business development.

Learn more about growing your digital business from wherever you are now to a global brand through the R.A.P.I.D Revenue Blueprint™

The journey from conventional marketing to authentic transparency doesn't require choosing between professional presentation and genuine connection. With the right framework and implementation support, building in public becomes not just a marketing strategy but a business philosophy that creates both meaningful relationships and sustainable growth.