Review of “Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable” by Seth Godin

Abang Edwin SA
4 min readMay 23, 2024

These days, there are so many products on the market that sticking out is not a choice but a must. The book “Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable” by Seth Godin is a great guide for companies that want to stand out and do well in a world where old-fashioned advertising is losing its power.

The Idea of the Purple Cow

The “Purple Cow,” Godin’s main symbol, is both easy to understand and deep. With all the brown cows in the field, he says, a purple one would stand out right away. Businesses are encouraged by this metaphor to come up with new ideas and make goods or services that are not only good, but also amazing. Godin says that businesses can only hope to stand out from the crowd and leave a lasting mark on customers if they are truly unique.

Traditional advertising is becoming less popular

One of the most important ideas in the book is that the TV-industrial complex, which is Godin’s term for the old way of advertising and mass marketing, is becoming less successful. Because consumers are constantly exposed to ads, they have become immune to the steady stream of marketing messages. Businesses should not just rely on ads to bring in customers, according to Godin. Instead, they should make their goods and services stand out from the start.

Getting the Right People

Godin talks about “otaku,” a Japanese word for someone who is obsessed with something. He says that companies should find these people and go after them because they are most likely to be early adopters and passionate promoters of new goods. Businesses can create a ripple effect that spreads their message more effectively than through broad, unfocused advertising efforts if they focus on a niche audience that is really excited about what they have to offer.

Taking risks and failing

There is a lot of discussion in the book about the idea that taking chances is part of being remarkable. Godin knows that not all efforts to stand out will work, but he stresses that the benefits are much greater than the risks. He says that being ready to fail is an important part of creativity. Companies that stay safe are more likely to become less noticeable over time as they fit in with their competitors.

Innovation All the Time

Godin doesn’t just push for a one-time push to be amazing; he stresses how important it is to keep coming up with new ideas. In a market that changes quickly, something interesting today might not be interesting tomorrow. Because of this, companies need to be flexible and always look for new ways to surprise and please their customers.

Examples from real life

There are many real-life examples and case studies in “Purple Cow” of businesses that have used these ideas effectively. Godin talks about how companies like Apple and JetBlue have accepted the idea of being remarkable. This shows readers how his ideas work in real life. These examples not only show how the book’s ideas work, but they also make people think of creative ways to use these ideas in their own businesses.

Insights That Can Be Used

One good thing about “Purple Cow” is that it gives useful tips. Godin doesn’t just talk about why it’s important to be remarkable; he also gives businesses specific steps they can take to reach their goal. Focusing on making amazing goods, finding and connecting with passionate customers, taking risks, and staying flexible and creative are some of the things that you can do with his advice.

In conclusion

“Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable” is a book that business leaders, marketers, and businesspeople who want to make a big difference in their fields should read. This book is both helpful and inspiring because of Seth Godin’s interesting writing style and sharp insights and useful advice. “Purple Cow” is a must-read for anyone who wants to make their business stand out and be successful in a world where fitting in is no longer an option.

The ideas in “Purple Cow” will help you rethink how you approach your market and, eventually, how you can change your business by being truly remarkable, whether you’re starting a new business or trying to bring an old one back to life.

If you found this article useful, please leave a comment, subscribe to my feed, share it with your friends and colleagues or simply give the article a clap or buy me a coffee. Your support is what keeps me motivated to create more high-quality content. Together, we can continue to learn and discover new things. Thank you for being a part of my community!

--

--

Abang Edwin SA

Observer, Content Creator, Blogger (Obviously), Ghostwriter, Design Thinker, Trainer and also Lecturer for Product Design Dept at Podomoro University