I've been blogging since 2003. I've used Joomla, WordPress, Medium, Bloggrify, and tons of various tools like Disqus, Hyvor, Pirsch or GA.

I tried Mailjet and Mailchimp for my newsletter, only to end up creating Blogtally because everything else was too complicated for not much benefit.

It's not really a surprise that today I'm creating a SaaS to help bloggers grow their blogs.

But today I'd like to convince you that having a media presence is necessary for an indie hacker or a freelancer.

And since not everyone can start a YouTube channel, Twitch, or TikTok, let me tell you about blogs.

Personal Branding

Whether you're a freelancer or an indie hacker, you're selling something. A product, a service. Doesn't matter. But above all, you're selling it under your own name.

The brand is you. It's not always easy to accept, but you become a brand.

As an indie hacker, you might know Marc Louvion or John Rush. I don't know if you could name all their products. But you know them. Why? Because their story resonated with you. And that story perhaps convinced you to trust their products, regardless of what those products actually are.

That's what personal branding is.

It's not necessarily superficial and dishonest marketing about your image. Personal branding can be authentic and without calculation.

Everyone will decide if they want their personal branding associated with clickbait punchlines or the image of someone who honestly shares their successes and failures.

And for that, you have the choice to use social networks, video, or writing through blogs.

A blog is therefore a personal branding tool that allows you to stand out.

Build in Public: Sharing Your Journey

If you're a freelancer, a web development expert, and you regularly blog about your expertise, you strengthen your credibility.

If you're an indie hacker selling a product, the way you build your journey creates a connection with your audience and potential buyers.

This is what we call Build in Public. Sharing what you learn, your victories but also your struggles.

So yes, you should have a blog.

And if you're wondering how to start, you can check out the Blog Starter Pack to find the right CMS and the right tools for you.