When it comes to marketing speakers and writers, Seth Godin is a name that tops most people’s lists. He has written twelve bestsellers that have been translated into 33 languages. Seth’s themes focus on seminal topics, like the importance of being a ‘remarkable’ business, the spread of ideas, marketing, leadership, and constant change. In our exclusive bite-size interview, Heavy Chef asked Seth to share his thoughts on entrepreneurship, education, public speaking and, of course, his resemblance to Vin Diesel.
Hi Seth, in this crazy era of innovation, what marketing trend interests you the most at the moment?
The revolution is here. The next big thing doesn’t matter, because this is the next big thing. The connection revolution is working hard to replace the industrial age, and you’re on one side or the other.
You’re well known for the public speaking you do. Which speaker’s presentation stands out in your mind as one of the best that you’ve seen, and why?
I saw Elizabeth Gilbert give her stunning TED speech live, as well as Jill Bolte Taylor and Sir Ken Robinson. None used slides. Elizabeth practiced every word a thousand times, Sir Ken didn’t practice at all. All three told true stories, from the heart.
What would you say is the most important piece of advice you received as an entrepreneur, that other entrepreneurs should always remember?
There’s a big difference between entrepreneurs and freelancers. Get it straight or you’ll drive yourself crazy.
Also, don’t run out of cash.
How do you see online and digital influencing education in the near future?
Look at “Stop Stealing Dreams“. The ebook is free, and it’s longer than this interview but as short as I could make it. It’s been read more than 500,000 times in four weeks.
Some time back “Unleashing The Ideavirus” was an extraordinary success in that you gave it away for free, but at the same time people started buying the hardcopy version via Amazon. Since then, many have tried to emulate its success yet few have come close to Ideavirus. Why do you think that is?
Good timing, mostly. Also, it was the first book about the topic of sharing free manifestos. The self referential nature sure helped. But a big part of it was the notion that I wasn’t trying to make a profit, I was trying to make a point.
We’re huge fans of your work. Which of your books did you enjoy writing the most?
Enjoyed? Mostly you remember the hard work. I certainly liked how hard it was to write Linchpin, it felt juicy. And Purple Cow was written in memory of a friend, and that energy and love came through.
Do you ever get a tingling feeling from the thousands of people around the world clicking on your head every day?
It’s a little humbling, that’s for sure. I try not to think about it when I’m writing.
How did the idea for Squidoo come about?
The germination of entrepreneurial ideas doesn’t matter. It’s a little like tracking when or how the parents of important people met. Birth is easy, raising the kid is the hard part.
And lastly, have you ever been tempted to bulk up in order to look like Vin Diesel?
You mean it’s not showing?
Thank you Vin, I mean, Seth, for spending some time with us. We’re looking forward to your next release. Heavy Chef readers in the meantime, do yourself a favour and follow Seth’s writing on his blog, here.
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I can just imagine all his expressions in my head to his answers haha. Good interview, too short. Would’ve been super if it were video. Great Job Heavy Chef and Wendy.
Thank you
Perhaps in the future we will do a video interview.
Wow, I love Seth Godin’s blog.It’s the one daily digest in my ever-expanding inbox that I ALWAYS make time to read.