What is the difference between marketing and advertising? Seth Godin, the author of This Is Marketing, points out that while these words used to be synonymous, times have changed. Advertising is reaching out to an audience and making your presence known. Marketing, on the other hand, can be a selfless act, not a selfish one. If done correctly, it is carefully planned and thoughtful outreach.
If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide on this kind of marketing, Godin’s latest work is essential reading. It explores a myriad of ways to identify yourself and set yourself apart by being unique and of service to your customers. If you know how to set yourself apart and find the right demographic of people who could benefit from your offerings, you’re on the right path. Still, reading This Is Marketing makes traveling that path all the more interesting and rewarding.
Here is the summary on Amazon:
“Seth Godin has taught and inspired millions of entrepreneurs, marketers, leaders, and fans from all walks of life, via his blog, online courses, lectures, and bestselling books. He is the inventor of countless ideas that have made their way into mainstream business language, from Permission Marketing to Purple Cow to Tribes to The Dip.
“Now, for the first time, Godin offers the core of his marketing wisdom in one compact, accessible, timeless package. This is Marketing shows you how to do work you're proud of, whether you're a tech startup founder, a small business owner, or part of a large corporation.
“Great marketers don't use consumers to solve their company's problem; they use marketing to solve other people's problems. Their tactics rely on empathy, connection, and emotional labor instead of attention-stealing ads and spammy email funnels.
“No matter what your product or service, this book will help you reframe how it's presented to the world, in order to meaningfully connect with people who want it. Seth employs his signature blend of insight, observation, and memorable examples to teach you:
* How to build trust and permission with your target market.
* The art of positioning--deciding not only who it's for, but who it's not for.
* Why the best way to achieve your goals is to help others become who they want to be.
* Why the old approaches to advertising and branding no longer work.
* The surprising role of tension in any decision to buy (or not).
* How marketing is at its core about the stories we tell ourselves about our social status.
“You can do work that matters for people who care. This book shows you the way.”
