Seth Godin: The Man Who Taught the World to Be Remarkable
Imagine a world where people stop shouting just to be heard and start creating ideas so valuable that others lean in to listen. That world exists—and one of the people who helped shape it is Seth Godin.
If you’ve ever felt like a small fish in a big pond, like your voice is lost in the noise, or like you’re just “playing it safe” instead of making an impact, then you need to know about Seth Godin. Because for decades, he’s been teaching the world a radical truth: you don’t need to be louder—you need to be more remarkable.
Who Is Seth Godin?
Seth Godin is a best-selling author, marketing expert, entrepreneur, and speaker. But calling him just that is like saying Elon Musk is a guy who builds cars.
He’s written over 20 books, including classics like:
Purple Cow (be different)
Tribes (build movements)
Linchpin (be indispensable)
The Dip (know when to quit and when to stick)
But Godin isn’t just about books. He’s a movement—one that teaches us to think differently, lead fearlessly, and ship our work to the world. He believes that marketing isn’t about tricking people or pushing products. It’s about making change happen by telling stories that matter.
And in today’s world of distraction, manipulation, and endless scrolling, that message hits home.
The Purple Cow: Why Being Normal Is Dangerous
One of Godin’s most famous ideas comes from his book Purple Cow. He tells a simple story: imagine you’re driving past a field full of cows. You’d probably ignore them after a while. But what if one of those cows was purple? You’d stop. You’d take a picture. You’d talk about it.
That’s what Godin means by being remarkable—literally worth remarking on.
In a world filled with average products, average businesses, and average people afraid to stand out, Godin challenges us to be bold. Whether you’re a teacher, a graphic designer, a barista, or a CEO, you have a chance to be a Purple Cow. To do something different. To stand for something. To be you, unapologetically.
Marketing With a Soul
Seth Godin redefined marketing for millions of people. To him, it’s not about manipulation, spammy emails, or fake urgency. It’s about empathy. Understanding people. Making promises—and keeping them. Showing up for your audience.
Here’s a classic Godin quote:
“People do not buy goods and services. They buy relations, stories, and magic.”
Think about the brands you love. Why do they matter to you? Chances are, they’ve built trust, delivered value, and made you feel something. That’s Godin’s style of marketing: human-first.
And it’s not just about selling more. It’s about serving better.
What Makes You Indispensable?
In Linchpin, Godin introduced a powerful idea: in every organization, there are people who just follow the rules—and then there are linchpins. These are the people who make things happen, who take initiative, who lead even without permission.
Godin’s advice? Be a linchpin.
Not by waiting for permission or chasing job titles—but by being generous, creative, and bold enough to do work that matters.
That’s advice for everyone. Whether you’re in a startup or a hospital, a freelancer or a stay-at-home parent—if you show up with heart, creativity, and a mindset of service, you become someone others rely on. Someone who can’t be replaced.
Tribes: Everyone’s a Leader Now
Another major Godin idea comes from his book Tribes. He says we’re all looking for connection—for people who believe what we believe. And in the digital age, anyone with a laptop or a smartphone can start a movement.
You don’t need millions of followers. You just need to lead a tribe—a small group of people connected by a shared idea, passion, or mission.
That could be 10 people who love yoga.
Or 100 people who believe in sustainable fashion.
Or 1,000 people who want to write better code.
Godin reminds us that leadership isn’t about power—it’s about connection. And the world needs more of it. Especially now.
The Dip: Knowing When to Quit
We don’t often hear people say it’s okay to quit. But Seth Godin says it’s not only okay—it’s smart.
In The Dip, he explains that every worthwhile journey has a low point. A moment when things feel hard. Most people quit too early—or too late. The key is knowing the difference.
Godin’s rule: quit the stuff that doesn’t matter. Quit dead-end jobs, toxic clients, or half-hearted projects. But lean into the dip when it’s something meaningful. That’s where growth happens. That’s where greatness lies.
Why Seth Godin Resonates With Everyone
What makes Seth Godin so unique is that his work speaks to everyone. Whether you’re:
a young entrepreneur starting a side hustle,
a mid-career professional looking for purpose,
a creative feeling stuck,
or a student trying to figure out the future—
Godin doesn’t tell you what to do. He helps you see differently.
He teaches that fear is part of the process. That you don’t need to be picked. That you already have what it takes. You just need to ship your work, show up with generosity, and dare to be different.
A Final Word: Make a Ruckus
If there’s one Seth Godin quote to take with you, it’s this:
“Go make a ruckus.”
Not a noisy, annoying ruckus. But a ruckus that matters.
Start that blog. Launch that product. Write that book. Teach that class. Build that community.
The world doesn’t need more of the same. It needs more of you. Your ideas. Your voice. Your art. Your courage.
Thanks to Seth Godin, we’re reminded that marketing is not about selling—it’s about making change happen.
So if you’ve ever felt small, stuck, or scared—remember: being remarkable isn’t about being famous. It’s about showing up with intent, creativity, and care.
And that’s something we all can do.