Early Adopters of Build in Public & Grew His Audience to 30K—Kevon's Insights and Hard Lessons Learned

Welcome back to the Maven Club interview series, where we bring you invaluable insights from top founders and GTM leaders to help you excel in your roles. Today, we had the privilege of sitting down with Kevon, a seasoned entrepreneur and content creator. Kevon shared his journey as a solopreneur, offering encouragement and practical strategies for founders. He discussed the importance and strategies of “Build in Public”, the value of long-term content, and the power of sharing ideas confidently. Here are the highlights of his inspiring advice for those embarking on their entrepreneurial journey.

Who is Kevon?

Kevon is currently the founder of Small School, and an expert of “Build in Public”. Transitioned from studying finance to the tech industry after a coding bootcamp. He initially worked as a software engineer but shifted to education by joining a kids coding school. Later, he ran a SaaS company. During the pandemic, he explored writing and sharing online, which unexpectedly led to building a successful business. He has 30k+ followings across different social platforms.  

What Does Small School Do?

Small School helps educational creators develop, market, and deliver targeted educational experiences. He provides courses focused on solving specific problems for audiences, enabling creators to leverage their expertise and build a loyal following. The platform offers resources, articles, and a newsletter to guide creators in their journey, promoting effective content creation and business growth.

Why “Build in Public” is Important for Businesses Nowadays

"Build in public is actually creating ownership together with the audience."

• Authenticity and Openness: Consumers prefer real, expressive individuals over traditional marketing. Sharing personal stories and mistakes builds trust and relatability. For example, discussing the origin of a business idea makes it more engaging.

• Storytelling Framework: Building in public involves sharing narratives that subtly promote products while providing learning opportunities. This approach attracts attention without overt self-promotion.

• Audience Ownership: Engaging audiences in the business journey creates a sense of ownership. When followers contribute ideas, they feel personally invested, leading to stronger connections and loyalty.

• Interactive Engagement: Businesses should involve their audience, making them part of the experience. For instance, incorporating audience suggestions can transform them into advocates, enhancing brand loyalty.

How to Build in Public When You Have Little Online Presence

"You just have to overcome the fear of no one replying, it happens to everyone!"

• Start Small: Embrace being a "nobody." Everyone begins somewhere; leverage private interactions to create public content. For example, share lessons learned from personal conversations to make your journey relatable.

• Set Realistic Expectations: Don’t expect numerous responses initially. Even one reply is a success. Consistent posting can lead to significant engagement over time; small interactions accumulate into a meaningful presence.

• Be Open and Authentic: Share genuine experiences without focusing solely on promoting your business. For example, discuss a challenge you faced while developing your product, which helps create a relatable narrative that encourages others to engage and share their thoughts. This openness invites others to join your journey and fosters connection.

• Diversify Content: Balance your posts—50% related to your business, 20% supporting others, and 20% showcasing your personality. This mix makes you relatable and engaging.

• Learn and Share: Share insights from your interests and learning experiences.  For example, if you’re learning about community building, write about key takeaways from influential figures, showing your audience that you’re invested in growth and inviting them to join the conversation. This approach not only builds your credibility but also encourages community involvement, making followers feel part of your progress.

Is Build in Public Only For Extroverts? 

"Being introspective is more important than whether or not you're an extrovert or introvert."

• No Specific Personality Required: Build in public is accessible to all personality types. It's more about being open and reflective rather than being extroverted.

• Introverts Can Excel: Many successful content creators are introverts who prefer solitary expression, indicating that introversion can be an advantage in knowledge sharing.

• Vulnerability Matters: While sharing can feel daunting, vulnerability is valued by audiences. Introverts may find it easier to share insights through writing or other formats, which allows for introspection.

• Learnable Skill: Build in public is not an innate skill; it can be learned, emphasizing that anyone can succeed with practice and the right approach.

Key Lessons Kevon Has Learnt in Creating Content

"Feedback is a compass; let your audience guide your journey, adjusting your content as you go."

• Misguided Focus: Kevon initially prioritized his own ideas, thinking, "This is so cool. I should build this," without considering whether it met actual audience needs. This led to wasted time and resources on projects that lacked traction.

• Lack of Audience Understanding: Jumping between different target groups would result in ineffective content.

  • For instance, instead of trying to appeal to marketers, educators, and others, he learned that a deep understanding of a specific audience—like content creators—was essential for creating relevant content that truly resonates.

• Importance of Interaction: Kevon emphasized the need for engagement, stating that posting is not enough; interacting with the audience is vital.

  • For example, sharing insights on marketing strategies rather than personal interests ensures that the content is valuable to the intended audience.

• Testing Before Building: He recognized the importance of validating ideas through smaller workshops. Instead of spending months developing a comprehensive course, he suggests running a one-hour workshop on a trending topic to gauge interest. This allows for immediate feedback and adjustments based on audience reactions.

• Adapt and Move On: Kevon stresses that if a workshop fails to attract participants, it’s a clear indication to pivot and explore new ideas. He advocates for flexibility, stating, “If you cannot even sell the workshop, forget about that idea,” encouraging content creators to continuously adapt based on audience demand.

Encouragement for Solopreneurs/ First-time Founders

"Be consistent, be confident in your idea, and be brave to share it out loud; the surprises will come your way."

• Prioritization is Key: Kevon emphasizes the importance of discerning genuine traction from fleeting hype. For instance, focusing on the right channels can prevent burnout and wasted effort.

• Embrace Your Journey: He shares his experience of feeling like a "nobody" early on, highlighting that everyone starts somewhere. Sharing ideas publicly can gradually build your presence and credibility.

• Consistency and Confidence: He encourages solopreneurs to be consistent in sharing their thoughts. Over time, this leads to unexpected opportunities and growth.

• Community and Word of Mouth: Kevon notes that sharing your work can lead to organic growth through word of mouth, as others begin to appreciate and spread your message.

We hope Kevon’s insights and experiences inspire you as much as they did us. By emphasizing the importance of “Build in Public”, content creation, and the power of sharing, Kevon highlights the transformative potential of embracing your journey as a solopreneur. His journey serves as a reminder that success comes from confidence and community engagement. Subscribe HERE for more exclusive interviews and insights, as we continue to spotlight industry leaders who are driving change and making a significant impact in their fields.