Founder Mode: How PostHog builds in public

PostHog, an analytics platform, has built a brand among developers by prioritizing transparency in their operations, from open-source products to publicly documented processes on their website. This approach, known as "building in public," has helped them earn trust with users and establish a competitive advantage in the market. By sharing their thoughts, decisions, and processes openly, PostHog's founders have created a culture of accountability, which is reflected in their well-maintained company handbook and processes. They attribute their success to investing time and effort into documenting their website experience, which has become a key differentiator for the company. While building in public may not yield immediate results, it can lead to long-term benefits, such as increased trust with users, improved internal processes, and a competitive edge. The founders offer advice to startups considering this approach, emphasizing the importance of defining clear principles and approaches to avoid organizational debt, which can be costly in terms of time and resources.