Speaker and author Seth Godin
Marketing guru Seth Godin created concepts like permission marketing, ideaviruses, and Purple Cows. He’s also a gifted self-marketer. I’ve been a fan of Seth’s work for over a decade. I did a mini-interview with Seth via email last week.
Since I’m sure he gets the same questions over and over again, I thought, What I can I do that’s unique? So I asked Seth, “What are your answers to three questions you’ve never been asked?” Here are his answers — and his questions.
Is there any truth to the rumors about Queen Latifah?
No.
What’s the single best way to get a great job in marketing?
Don’t. Marketing, unlike just about any other job, is something you can do by yourself. You can instantly start selling on eBay or writing a blog or inventing products or doing ads for non profits. So do these things. Do them a lot. If you get great at it, you’ll discover jobs find you.
Is marketing a right or a responsibility?
There’s no question about it: it’s a responsibility. If you’re going to use our airwaves, take away my peace and quiet, transport stuff all over the world, and engage in transactions that change people, sometimes forever, you better stop treating it like something you have a right to do, something that’s there for you to take. No, I think it’s a responsibility, which means you’re responsible for whatever impact you cause.
Conclusion
There you have it — celebrity news, marketing career advice, and corporate social responsibility in 155 words. Thanks, Seth!
If you haven’t discovered his insights yet, follow Seth’s pithy marketing blog, read his latest book, hire him as a speaker, or buy a ticket for his Road Trip.
Analytical marketer Karl Sakas uses creative systems to help companies quickly find new ways to make more money. He’s available for hire on a full-time or consulting basis from Raleigh, North Carolina. This is the 13th in his regular series of interviews with marketing experts and business leaders.
Photo credit: Brian Bloom Photographs, via owner Seth Godin
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I met Seth Godin at a cable marketing conference when he wrote “Permission Marketing”. I can’t imagine what it is like always trying to predict or perceive the “next big thing”. The man has lots of confidence.
@Janet: Confidence helps! I enjoy seeing how Seth promotes his personal brand. My favorite example was a promo he did for Tribes in October 2008. If you bought three full-price copies of the book via 800-CEO-READ ($60 with free shipping), you got a seat at a live event with him in New York. I’d pay $60 to hear him anyway, and I lived in New Jersey at the time, so this seemed like a good deal (especially considering his Road Trip tickets this year are $200-$600).
Seth benefited in two ways: a bunch of people buying three copies boosted sales of the book, and suddenly his fans had two extra copies to give away to friends for some word of mouth marketing.
Great mini-interview Karl. I have been a big fan of Seth’s for a long time. He has the fabulous ability to write short yet really powerful sentences and thoughts. Nice job landing an interview with him.
@Cord: Thanks! I think the key is Seth’s “contrarian meets common sense” worldview. And his focus on bite-size topics makes it easier for him to publish daily blog articles, and more books.
Great concept for a Seth Godin interview. Short but powerful and I’m trying to practice what he preaches in question #2. I’m actually having a lot more fun NOT trying to find a job
@Fadra: Thanks for your feedback! Yes, his answer to question #2 is like job-searching by osmosis.