Seth Godin is known as the “marketing guru” and Forbes went to an extent to call him the “a demigod on the Web.” Seth Godin has published 19 books which have been translated into more than 35 languages.
Apart from being the author of the 19 best-seller books, he has also founded two companies – Squidoo and Yoyodyn. Seth Godin’s perspective on marketing can make you feel as fresh as lemonade on a hot summer day.
But did you know that after studying philosophy and computer science at Tufts University, Godin earned his Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford University?!
Today, at BookArt101, we will be listing some of the best books by Seth Godin. Become a market geek!
Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable
You might not be surprised if you go out and see a black cow or a white cow. Why? Because that is normal and you see that every day. But if you witness a purple cow, you will be surprised and intrigued. Right? That is exactly what Purple Cow by Seth Godin is about; about standing out, about doing the extraordinary. Purple Cow was published in 2003, it revolves around how the old ways of marketing should be the forgotten days as marketing has taken over new ways.
Purple Cow by Seth Godin is a best-seller and a blessing in disguise for it presents the readers with new, innovative, remarkable and spectacular marketing skills. The book talks about how in today’s world if your product is exciting it will stand out in the marketplace. Through his book, he makes the readers aware of how important it is to create a product which stands out along with exceptional marketing which can stand out in the crowded marketplace.
The Dip – A Little Book That Teaches You to Quit (and When to Stick)
The world might have always taught you “how not to quit” or “never give up” because that will be the ladder to your success. But in this best-seller, In the book, The Dip by Seth Godin, he tells you the exact opposite of what the world has always taught us. Godin tells us exactly when to quit and teaches you when it is time for you to let go anything. He offers advice on how sometimes it is good to let go.
In the book The Dip, Seth Godin concentrates that when we start off something, it is all exciting but if that excitement wears off, it is the dip. He also argues that the trait of a successful person is that he knows when to quit. The book is a motivation for many who are doing a rigorous job but are simultaneously unhappy. The Dip by Seth Godin refers to the toil between “starting and mastering.” He details ways and gives you tricks on how to be a quitter if required. An insightful read.
This is Marketing
This is Marketing by Seth Godin was published in 2018. Coming from the master himself the book talks about the evolving tactics of marketing in the growing internet era. Seth Godin in the book “This is Marketing” talks about how and why the relentless pursuit of mass marketing has become boring and ineffective in the internet reliant world.
He talks about the latest marketing techniques which are more dependent on mass, likes and numbers. Seth makes his readers aware of the fact that more than ever, now is the time to act according to the target audience and he also concentrates on concepts such as SEO etc.
To write about marketing consistently is a difficult job. But Seth Godin has been a light-bearer of the latest fashion and fads developing in the marketing industry. The book is loaded with examples to make the readers understand the changing perspective of marketing. Godin has used examples from Apple to Elon musk. Godin has also compared marketing with elusive fish, which if caught correctly makes all the difference. The book has been one of the most thoughtful books.
The Icarus Deception: How High Will You Fly?
The Icarus Deception is one of the most inspiring books by Seth Godin until now. Published in 2012, the book inspires and challenges people to view their work as a piece of art, it inspires them to share the art. The book took its name from the story of Icarus, the story about not flying too high and in doing so running the risk of flying too low. The story is used as a reflection of our work and Seth Godin shows us how to conquer our safety zones safely.
In the book, The Icarus Deception, Seth Godin tells the tactics to his readers to immerse themselves in their work and recognise opportunities. The book provides an astute perspective which encourages the people to get over themselves and treat their work as “art” and put the “art” out there for the world to see. For some readers, the book will challenge them to think, while for others it will challenge how they have treated their work till now and they will willingly change their perception. Overall, this book is a must-read.
Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?
In this book, Linchpin by Seth Godin, instead of talking about building a great product, or how to do effective marketing and teaching readers new tactics, Godin has taken a different route. In this book, Godin talks about the age of the fittest and the best and argues that in this age the survival of the best is the only possibility. In the book, Godin talks about people who act as a mindless drone and work only as per the instructions.
Seth Godin, in his book, draws a simple question, that if you cannot trust an average doctor for your treatment, then why do you stay average. In short, it is the survival of the best that matters. Linchpins or the indispensable people according to Godin can make full use of their potential. In the book, he teaches you to unleash your capabilities. He makes you the best version of yourself.
Tribes: We Need You To Lead Us
Tribe by Seth Godin is an exceptional book which was published in 2008. Tribe sows a seed of being a leader in the minds of the readers. Many times we think that someone else will take the initiative, someone else will speak about the cause and so on. Many a time we rely on others to take the lead instead of taking the stride ourselves. In this book, Tribe, Seth Godin has focused on the fact that due to the advancement of the internet, the world has shrunken closer due to which homogeneity has also increased and people are better able to connect with others who believe in the same things as you.
In this beautifully written book, Seth Godin has taken a take on the formation of “tribes” over the internet. He has also focused on defining what a tribe is and how anyone can take the charge and be a leader of such tribes. He has tried through the book to inculcate the leadership qualities in those who wait for others to speak first. Godin also advises that communication needs to be horizontal, not just vertical.
Permission Marketing: Turning Strangers into Friends & Friends into Customers
Permission Marketing by Seth Godin was published in 1999. As early as 1999, Godin discovered that traditional marketing is as good as dead. He recognised in 1999 that television follows interruption marketing which has become increasingly less relevant. Godin recognised the term “permission marketing” and its increasing importance. In the book, Godin very well explains the difference between interruption and permission marketing. One of the best facts is that the book is still relevant in the digital marketing age.
In the book, Permission Marketing, Godin simply tells his readers that marketing is like a date rather than proposing for marriage right off. No matter what type of marketing you are involved in you can use this book as a manual for it serves as the brick-mortar model for every type of marketing. In this book, you learn about different types of permissions and how you can apply permission marketing.
Poke the Box: When Was the Last Time You Did Something for the First Time?
Poke the Box means going for it, and not waiting around for someone to permit you and neither waiting for the arrival of the right time. Poke the Box is a small book by the best selling author Seth Godin which encourages you to break all the barriers, not wait for the green light and take the lead. In the book, Godin puts into perspective how important ambition is.
Throughout the book, Godin calls his readers to put their ambitions to work and they can create reality out of it. The book also encourages the readers that irrespective of your position, you can take the initiative without waiting for the green signal. Poke the Box is an inspiring book where Godin not just encourages you but also gives you a kickstart towards your dreams.
All Marketers are Liars: The Power of Telling Authentic Stories in a Low-Trust World
While studying marketing we have been told that to sell the product you need to list its features and benefits. But in the book, “All Marketers are Liars”, Seth Godin rubbishes the fact that you need to tell “only” the benefits and features. Godin believes that while marketing a product a brand needs to tell a story, an authentic story.
In this book, Godin examines that target audience connects more with a believable story rather than plain facts and benefits. Apart from this, Godin also takes a dig at the fibs that exist in the market while marketing. He cautions the readers about frauds, but also says harmless fibs are okay.
Unleashing the Ideavirus
Initially, marketing was famous for its word-of-mouth nature but with the onset of the internet, the scenario has changed considerably and now it is more word-of-mouse. In the book, Unleashing the Ideavirus, Seth Godin talks about the power of ideas and their nature of going viral if marketed properly. The book also concentrates on the increased importance of words and their capacity to go viral.
In the book, Godin focuses on new-age marketing and the modern economy being centred around ideas rather than products. Godin explains how bringing individuals, organisation etc who brings up ideas on board can be revolutionary. Unleash the Ideavirus, is a must-read and the most relevant book currently.
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