Don’t be your own “lousy boss!” Get inspired by the life of the “Ultimate Entrepreneur for the Information Age”―Seth Godin!

Monday: MicroBusiness and Marketing Marvels FROM THE DESK OF MILES EVERSON: Editorial consultant Mary Kuntz once wrote about American author and marketer Seth Godin in an article in the Business Week. In that write-up, Kuntz described Godin as the “ultimate entrepreneur for the information age.” Why was that so? It’s because Godin is a best-selling author and entrepreneur who thinks about the marketing of ideas in the digital age. Aside from that, his blog is one of the most visited sites on the Web. Keep reading to know more about Godin’s marketing ideas and strategies in the modern age. CEO, MBO Partners Chairman of the Advisory Board, The I Institute

Don’t be your own “lousy boss!” Get inspired by the life of the “Ultimate Entrepreneur for the Information Age”―Seth Godin! Seth Godin: American Author and Marketer 1979. This was the year when Seth Godin received a degree in Computer Science and Philosophy from the Tufts University in Massachusetts. After graduating, he got his first job as a brand manager at Spinnaker Software. That time, he was also balancing his time between doing his work and pursuing a Masters in Business Administration at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. In 1986, Godin left his job at Spinnaker. With a savings of USD 20,000, he founded his own company, the Seth Godin Productions. The company started off as a book packaging business that he used to maneuver from his studio apartment in New York. From then on, he worked hard to make a name for himself and look where it got him now! Today, Godin is one of the most famous and successful marketers in the world! He has written around 17 books about various aspects of marketing, advertising, business venturing, and leadership. He’s also an entrepreneur, marketer, and public speaker who became well-known for his eBook, “Unleashing the Ideavirus,” which was available for the generic audience for free. Godin was also behind the launch of “Yoyodyne,” one of the first Internet-based direct-marketing firms. Yoyodyne provided revolutionary ideas on how companies should reach their target audiences. This led to big companies like Volvo, Microsoft, Sony Music, etc. to associate themselves with the firm. Aside from Yoyodyne, Godin also founded “Squidoo.com,” a website where users can share links and information about an idea or topic of their choice. Through this website, Godin professed the idea of making information available for everyone and starting a global conversation on business and marketing in which everyone from everywhere can take an active part. Some of Godin’s best-selling books include, “This is Marketing,” “All Marketers are Liars,” and “Purple Cow.” So… what are some of Godin’s key points in the book, “This is Marketing?” Marketing effectively is about finding the smallest viable audience. It’s about not only earning the target market’s trust, but also showing up in a way that’s worth talking about. Marketing is not always about the hype and promotion. It’s also about finding work that matters and choosing to stand for it. Marketing is not about hustling people. No one wants to be hustled. If a business is executing well on its marketing strategy, then the result is growth… plus, better clients and better work. Godin also mentioned that it’s worth focusing on what “marketing” means. One has to be specific about his or her offerings, to charge a lot and be worth more than what he or she charges. One of the ways to do that? Move beyond the trap of hourly fees and start creating value by leveraging reusable assets! According to Godin, this work is the critical interface between organizations and the future. He believes businesses can create ever more value and change and get paid for it. Here’s another piece of good news: Godin not only addressed traditional employees and businesses in his book, but also independent professionals! His message for independents? Make the most of the effort they’re already putting into their career! In his words, “Independent professionals have a lousy boss―themselves! And as a result, we spend too much time working for lousy clients and fail to learn the opportunities all around us. Independents can make the most of the effort they’re already putting into their career… it’s possible to level up and find better clients.” Hope you’ve found this week’s insights interesting and helpful. Follow us on LinkedIn. Stay tuned for next Monday’s MicroBusiness Marvels! Learn more about Neil Patel and how he was dubbed as “one of the top 10 marketers according to Forbes” on next week’s MicroBusiness and Marketing Marvels!