Eight years ago when we started this podcast, my business partner Scott and I discussed our aspirations. We brainstormed a list of guests that we figured were way out of reach. And we came up with the same name at the same time.
Seth Godin. And he is here.
Seth is the GOAT of marketing. His induction into the Marketing Hall of Fame is evidence enough. He has a marketing pioneer record of accomplishments longer than my arm. Included among them are 20 international bestsellers and several successful businesses.
But, none of those reasons are why you should listen to this episode.
You should listen because:
- Seth provides a fresh, maverick approach to marketing that will upgrade your strategy.
- You might be doing your donors (and your mission) a disservice if you don’t truly know who they are. And how to align with them.
- Few nonprofits market themselves as well as they could and Seth speaks from experience about how to change that. (Hint: your marketing should make donors feel 3 specific things.)
I warn you. You might not want to listen to this episode if you have everything figured out in your marketing because this conversation could absolutely change your mind. Our conversation certainly got my wheels churning.
I am confident that it will do the same for you.
TUNE IN TO LEARN:
- Why Seth advised one nonprofit organization to turn down a spotlight on Oprah.
- Why nonprofits need a board of advisors and who these people should really be.
- The three feelings that drive people to donate and how you can authentically spark those feelings with your story.
- The common perception of marketing is that it’s all hustle and manipulation. Learn the mindset shift that takes the “ickiness” out of marketing.
KEY QUOTES:
- “Marketing isn’t about the stuff you make but the stories you tell.”
- “The reason that nonprofits are messy is because they are pioneers. They are exploring. They are trying to solve a problem that hasn’t been solved yet. Because if the problem had already been solved, we would have McDonald’s running it.”
- “All of us are almost out of time.”
- “A nonprofit that describes itself as a hidden gem isn’t a gem.”
ABOUT SETH GODIN
Seth Godin is the author of 20 books that have been bestsellers around the world and have been translated into more than 35 languages. He’s also the founder of the altMBA and The Akimbo Workshops, online seminars that have transformed the work of thousands of people.
He writes about the post-industrial revolution, the way ideas spread, marketing, quitting, leadership and most of all, changing everything. You might be familiar with his books Linchpin, Tribes, The Dip and Purple Cow. His book, This Is Marketing, was an instant bestseller around the world. The newest book, The Practice, is out at the end of 2020 and is already a bestseller. His newest project is leading a worldwide group of volunteers creating The Carbon Almanac.
In addition to his writing and speaking, Seth has founded several companies, including Yoyodyne and Squidoo. His blog (which you can find by typing “seth” into Google) is one of the most popular in the world. His podcast is in the top 1% of all podcasts worldwide.
In 2018, he was inducted into the Marketing Hall of Fame. More than 20,000 people have taken the powerful Akimbo workshops he founded, including the altMBA and The Marketing Seminar.
RESOURCES:
- Seth Godin Website
- Seth Godin Blog
- Seth Godin Podcast
- Seth Godin Facebook
- Seth Godin Twitter
- Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?
- The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)
- Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us
- Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable
- This Is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn to See
- The Practice: Shipping Creative Work
- Nonprofit Leadership Lab
- Joan Garry’s Guide to Nonprofit Leadership – 2nd Edition by Joan Garry
- FREE WORKSHOP: Let’s Build the Nonprofit Board of Your Dreams!
- FREE WORKSHOP: The 5 Practices of Outstanding Nonprofit Leaders
- Music by Jukebox the Ghost
- Voiceover Work by Cindy Cap Solutions
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”