Lee Marriott - Internet Marketing

Marketing: Book Review : Purple Cow

Friday, March 7th, 2008 | Book Reviews | No Comments

Purple Cow by Seth Godin “Transform You Business By Being Remarkable”

The book is centered round the opinion that ‘old school’ marketing is dead. The years of advertising on Television, Radio and Print no longer guarantees success. So why do huge multi-national companies continue to spend big money on run-of-the-mill advertising? Seth suggests; this is because the corporate giants resist change and fear the failure of trying something new. Employees are groomed to conform to the norm and keep thinking inside the box because its a safer bet. Why change something that has worked well for the company in the past? Because times have changed!

Seth gives evidence of these changes and suggests that people have become oblivious to commercials, billboards, banner-ads etc. In a world where people have everything, and need nothing it becomes increasingly difficult to create a unique product or service. However, it is only the remarkable and innovative products that are truly successful. These remarkable, innovative products/services are known as a “Purple Cow”.

Advertising now relies on ‘word of mouth’ and the people that intially fall in love with your product will tell friends, family and colleagues. And that this recommendation is usually well received. Evidence becomes apparent when you look at the rise of innovative companies like Google, Facebook or Starbucks who didnt spend millions on TV advertising. But these companies were so remarkable, innovative and exciting that people spread the word!

The book talks in depth about all these subjects mentioned and gives a true insight into what a “Purple Cow” is, creating successful companies the world over. Seth shows us many examples of “Purple Cow” products and companies and this helps to confirm his ideas. The book is a real eye opener whether your a marketing newbie or an industry expert and I would definately recommend it!

Seth Godin is a marketing expert from the USA. He is a public speeker reagrding all thing marketing andhas wrote many sucessful and innovative books. You can find him at www.sethgodin.com and remember “Safe is Risky”.

Tags: , Internet Marketing, Marketing