A Guide to the Most Essential Books by Seth Godin

Posted by Smite Frand on November 25th, 2020

Once described by Forbes as "a god on the Web," guru, writer and marketing guru Seth Godin has been making waves in the business world since 1986. Godin has written 19 bestselling books including Purple Cow and This Is Marketing, founding two companies, Squidoo and Yoyodyne. , has graced the TED stage three times, and is arguably the internet's most famous blogger. Now, I'm happy to say that he's partnered with us at Getpublishers on the first original content series led by a great writer. You can read more about our collaboration here and listen to this audio preview to find out a little about what's on offer!

At Getpublishers of course, we all love the the practice seth godin pdf, so to celebrate the 2 Minutes launch with Seth Godin, we've created this list, in no particular order, of some of our favorites from the back of the list. These titles offer insight into everything from what success really means, to harnessing the power of marketing to find your tribe, to how you can change the way you work to succeed for you!

Once upon a time it was an insult to be called weird, but now, can you imagine the horror of being called normal? In this book, Seth Godin discusses how the mass market has declined due to the internet making it easier for us to form tribes around our more selective and ‘weird’ interests. Communities no longer have to be local as we can connect with people all around the world who share our unique brand of weird. With a broader range of choices than ever before, consumers have more power which means that marketers have had to move away from standardized advertising, and be more specific about targeting their audiences. Godin says that the key to success is to ‘embrace the bizarre’ and lean into niche interests and passions.

The Dip (2007)

In The Dip, Seth Godin advises his readers to be prepared for the inevitable challenges they will face in their work and personal projects. According to Godin, you should focus on what you do best, strategically quitting anything that gets in the way of that. You can maximize your success by focusing on the project you’re most passionate about and have a talent for. By working to your strengths, you are giving yourself the best chance of success. Embrace the challenge of the dip, knowing that your patience and grit will benefit you in the long run. This practice will help you build resilience, which will stand to you in the future.

This Is Marketing (2018)

Mass advertising is no longer effective, particularly in a world that is increasingly reliant on the internet. SEO (search engine optimization) is an important tool for marketing which uses keywords to hone in on target audiences. By identifying an audience’s needs and desires, you can market towards these. Godin identifies two types of consumers: adopters and adapters. Adopters are receptive to change, whereas adapters are resistant to it. Target the adopters first—they will be keen to engage with new ideas, and will create buzz around those they like. This can create a network effect, where the number of people using a service increases its value.

The Icarus Deception (2012)

With the future becoming increasingly automated, it’s more important than ever for workers to be creative. The title of this book reflects the fact that we remember the warning from Icarus’ story about not flying too high, but in doing this we run the risk of flying too low. Godin encourages us to get out of our comfort zone. He mentions the Japanese concept of kamiwaza—fully immersing yourself in an activity. To be successful you must recognize opportunities, and be dedicated to your work. He advises acting like an artist and committing yourself to your goals.

Poke the Box (2015)

Ambition can be more valuable than money or networks when it comes to starting new projects. Godin calls this instigation capital—taking initiative and making your dreams into reality. Failure will most likely be a part of this journey, but you shouldn’t let that stop you. Poking the box means going for it, i.e.not waiting for permission or for the ‘right’ time. Keep innovating and experimenting, but be well-prepared when starting a new idea. By researching and putting in the groundwork, you will be ready to give your idea your all.

In 2018, Seth Godin was inducted into the Marketing Hall of Fame, and his books have been translated into over 35 languages, changing the way people think about the workplace all over the world. You can dive into all the titles mentioned here on Getpublishers, and start learning more from this marketing guru and agent of change.