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Wednesday
Feb142007

What's "A Day with Seth Godin" Like?

DateWednesday, February 14, 2007 at 05:36PM

seth.php

If you know someone “remarkable” who can change your life for the better, you’re lucky.

That makes me lucky.

I waited three years for “A Day with Seth Godin” and yesterday, Feb. 13, was truly “remarkable.”

A full day with Seth is like having your brain go through a car wash...time to get rid of all grime and “noise” we have accumulated over the years. Time to evaluate what we have been doing over and over and look at our efforts from new and different angles.

Seth loves lists, so here is my list from the day. In no particular order. They are my “take-away’s.”

1. “Me mail.” It’s about me. I’m busy. Please make it about me or I’m outta here.

2. The “Permission/Fashion Complex.”
Be remarkable. Use permission to tell your story to your “sneezers.” They spread the word. Get permission to communicate with them again.

3. Brainstorming doesn’t work. Most people aren’t trained to do it properly. So…

4. Go to the edges. No one is there. Own it.

5. Flip the Funnel. Stop yelling and interrupting to get customers. Flip the funnel and let them shout for you.

6. Squidoo. Challenge your customers to build lenses about you or themselves. Offer a contest.

7. Why blog? To think differently. To write differently. To act differently.

8. Blogs. No traffic = not worth reading. Not worth reading = not worth talking about.

9. Technorati. Search for your name, company name, product or service. Subscribe to the “Search” RSS feed for immediate updates on who is talking about you.

10. SEO. Save it for last. Be remarkable first. Build the community. Let others spread the idea. Then, maybe, just maybe…work on SEO.

11. Chocolate or real estate? Which would you rather talk about? That’s the point.

12. The art of charging money is about making the commitment. When you pay, your focus is different. You become committed; engaged.

13. Youtube. The value is in helping others learn more about you.

14. Every one of us is in the media business. Nobody told you, but it’s true. You now have your own channel.

15. Websites: Pt. 1.
Two questions to ask yourself: 1. What do I want my visitor to do? 2. Why?

16. Websites: Pt. 2.
Turn a stranger into a friend. Turn a friend into a customer.

17. Being average. It’s overrated. Being average is the worst possible thing you can do.

18. Infinity. We are surrounded by an infinity of choices. What’s your choice? Being “the best in the world” just might work.

Reading this is the easy part. Doing it is the hard part.

Thanks for the “brain food,” Seth. And thanks for being “the best in the world.”

---Tom

AuthorThomas Clifford | Comment8 Comments |
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Reader Comments (8)

I agree with Seth that brainstorming doesn't usually work. We always hear about places like Ideo that are able to think of fantastic ideas from a creativity session and then get all excited to do it ourself. When our sessions fail though, we decide that being creative doesn't work, and completely give up. Of course, we're forgetting that companies like Ideo brainstorm for a living and are really good at it because they practice and practice and practice...etc.

Unfortunately most people who need creativity only need it sporadically. And brainstorming doesn't work on demand.
February 15, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterKatie Konrath
Hey, Tom - lucky you!

BTW, the taglines beneath your photo at the top left are TERRIFIC! I especially like the second one - six words, you know :-)
February 15, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterRobert Hruzek
Your entries are remarkable as well, Tom. I suppose that one day someone will quote you as you did today for Seth. :)
February 15, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterMihaela Lica
That a fantastic post Tom.I'm printing the page. Thank for sharing. Be remarkable - I will.
February 19, 2007 | Unregistered Commentercalvin
For those of us who aren't familiar with Seth Godin, could you update with a post describing who he is and what he has done?

Thanks,
Marcus
March 7, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterMarcus Makes Movies
Hi Marcus,

I will at some point, but to start with grab Seth's feed and just start reading it religiously!

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/

Read all his books, of course.

Tom
March 8, 2007 | Registered CommenterThomas Clifford
Hello Thomas,

Great post. I´m going to NYC to the next Seth Godin seminar, next week. Hope to learn a lot.

Your post helped me to think about what I´m going to see.

Thnaks a lot, Miguel, from Brazil
April 21, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterMiguel Cavalcanti
Hi Miguel!

Glad the post inspired you in some way.

A day with Seth Godin is truly "remarkable" in every way. Bring a notebook and lots of pens...you'll need them! Enjoy the day.

Tom
April 21, 2008 | Registered CommenterThomas Clifford

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