In order to get noticed in a world where consumers are saturated by advertisements, products need to be special and remarkable. They need to be a Purple Cow. A product that doesn't get noticed definitely won't get purchased. Seth Godin is working on a new version of Purple Cow that will be released soon.
Purple Cow Print
Hugh MacLeod has created an amazing piece of art for the release of the new version of Purple Cow. There are only going to be 380 of these prints. view more & comment
BzzReport by vanessamc
My husband is a business student at Seattle University. He was telling me about some marketing principles they were discussing in class, and I told him while that was all well and good, they should also be learning about what is REALLY going on in marketing and product devpt today. So I gave him the topline on PC and gave him the book today. He thought it sounded so good that he mentioned it to his professor who also thought it would be a good extra credit-y kind of read for his summer school class that starts in a few weeks. My husband is going to read my book when I get it back from my boss, and who knows maybe his whole summer school class will read it too. view more & comment
Jun 10, 2003
138
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BzzReport by Earlg
Bzzn’ the business meeting - and after . . .
As moderator, I get to give my report at the end of our monthly church business meeting. For the most recent one, I focused my report on being remarkable.
I asked the people what comes between “bad” and “remarkable.” The response was “good.” I asked if everyone was in agreement with that, and they were. I told them if “bad” was on the low end of the scale and “remarkable” was on the high end, where was “good?” Some of the responses were “in the middle,” or “average.” I asked them what another word for average was and I got the answer I was looking for: “mediocre.”
Who wants to settle for “mediocre?” Who gets a raise for mediocre work? Who recommends a mediocre restaurant? Everyone was in agreement – nobody.
Who wants remarkable? Who would recommend remarkable? Who looks forward to experiencing remarkable? Then why should we point towards, or settle for anything less than remarkable?
If we try for remarkable and don’t hit it, what’s the downside? None! If we try for it and hit it, what’s the upside? Everything!
It led to a good 15 minute discussion before we ran out of time. After the meeting, in the parking lot, I talked with the chairman of the deacons about the concept, shared the principles, and we discussed them – animatedly – for another half hour after everyone left! We talked about the book and the principles, and both promised to talk about it further, soon – and we did!
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Jun 10, 2003
122
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BzzReport by vanessamc
The sales director of my company was in my office and we were talking about pitching some new advertising clients. He picked up PC, because it is sitting on my desk on top of my trade mags and he started to thumb through it. He'd never heard of Seth G., but he knew The Tipping Point and I told him it's in the same family. He wanted to know all about the ideas, as he's in sales and always wants to know what is new so he can spout about it to a potential client. Anyway--I told him it was a must read and he told me he'd pick it up on Amazon that day--last I heard he had ordered it, started it on a Seattle-NYC plane trip, and even went on to talk about it with the guy who sat next to him on the plane, though I didn't get many more details than that. view more & comment
Jun 10, 2003
115
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BzzReport by inrsence
While at a client's office working on some code for her site, she engaged me in a conversation about some marketing opportunities she had encountered on a site.
Both of us being entrepreneurs, she always takes it upon herself to let me know what she learns, and I do the same.
After seeing what she wanted to do, I assured her that what she was planning was nothing like what it could be. Instead, we made an arrangement to use one of my company's products to help her make a remarkable ad that stood out compared to others.
We are already starting the initial prototypes and hoping that the unique nature of her dating site will be a huge success. view more & comment
Jun 10, 2003
142
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BzzReport by suttondancer
While talking to an acquaintance of mine, she revealed that she was laid off from Anderson quite a while ago (Her umemployment benefit has just run out). She expressed an interest in starting her own consulting/personal assistant business from home. I gave her a card and the purple cow book and suggested that she read it, there are a lot of wonderful ideas in it. She called me later, told me she had read the book, was very impressed, and asked if she could pass out cards to other people who used to work with her, and let them read the book. I of course, willingly agreed. view more & comment
Jun 11, 2003
153
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BzzReport by koneko
My friend makes 1/2 million dollars a year and I thought she may be interested in the "purple cow" book, so I wanted to take my copy of the book to her...she did not respond to my email to her. in my email to her: I told her that it would definately help her with her clientel and her business for sure! when can I come by and give you the book? I know that you have some self help books and some business books, also some motivational ones...this one is awesome! let me know when you wish to "check it out"....dawn marie view more & comment
Jun 3, 2003
12
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BzzReport by DKnoxMU
Today I saw my bzz continue even when I wasn't the one bzzing. When I showed up at the General Business Meeting for my sales and marketing fraternity, I grabbed a copy of the agenda and heading to my seat as usual. I glanced through the agenda only to have a nice surprise when it reached the bottom....a quote from the Purple Cow. The week before I had been telling our new President about the quote over AOL IM and he decided to share it with all the members. Even better, he asked me to mention what Purple Cow was and why everyone should pay attention to the quote. What a feeling to see your bzz carry on. view more & comment
Apr 21, 2003
13
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BzzReport by jeffreydavidson
I had a great conversation with our company's marketing manager about Purple Cow. Fortunately, our company has a good understanding of the importance of "Design Rules!" but we really need to "release our inner cow," :) so I handed her my copy and shared some of the concepts. She was all over the concept of the Cow! She asked if I had told anyone else about the book (which I had) and she wants to read it before our marketing meeting next week. Between the two of us, I have a feeling the Seth-isms will be flying. Be on the lookout for flying cows! view more & comment
May 1, 2003
10
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BzzReport by Lisa1966
I had taken the book to work with me. I work for a small company (6) people and I had set the book on my desk. I did not really have to say anything. The cover alone caught everyone's attention! My boss had asked me what I was reading and I explained about Seth Godin and that this book was a fast read and would challenge him to make his business remarkable. My boss loves a "challenge" so of course he wanted to read it. I also told him about Hilton Hotels buying 240 copies for their managers. He was impressed. My coworkers were all very interested when they heard me talking about it to my boss and have all asked to read! view more & comment
Jun 11, 2003
178
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BzzReport by brewer13
I was attending the annual state-wide meeting of a Fraternal organization. I was the out-going chairman of the Long Range Planning Committee. One of our major concerns during my tenure on this committee has been increasing membership. I have always felt we need to differentiate ourselves from the other organizations that people can join. I felt that the ideas presented in "Purple Cow" could work for us. While we do not produce a product in the traditional sense, we do provide charitable and social benefits to our communities. Our "customers" are our members and in order to increase membership we need to be remarkable. I presented a copy of "Purple Cow" to the new Chairman of our committee with the hope that he can make good use of it in the coming year.
PS. The new Chairman is a small business owner who branched out on the internet several years ago with www.duct-tape.com, before the recent duct tape hoopla. I think he was being "remarkable" with out even knowing it.
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May 27, 2003
11
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BzzReport by debbienkentucky
I am a member of a group that is filled with mothers who work at home. Some work at home for other companies but some are starting their own companies.
I mentioned the book to one woman that I am very close friends with because I know that she is just starting out with a new company. I had brought the book along with me and told her a little about it and that it was very inspirational. I felt like she might get something out of reading the book and so I told her she could have my copy.
There were three other ladies who were close by who started asking about the book as well and we talked for a while about it. My friend agreed to pass it on to at least one of the other ladies as soon as she was done.
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Jun 11, 2003
142
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BzzReport by mpeck
I'm in marketing and my boss, our company president, askd me to consult with a pal of his who has a struggling restaurant concept in town. I spent some time researching the concept (a franchise) and put together some recommendations for her business. My first recommendation was for her to find the purple cow. We talked about the positioning of her product and determined that one thing that would really stand out in the vast field of pizza would definitely be a purple pizza. She laughed and asked me about the philosophy. I recommended the book and she dialed up the site on Amazon and pre-purchased a copy while we talked about other ways she could expand her business. She seemed genuinely excited and can't wait to receive her copy of the book! view more & comment
BzzReport by AmusedOne
I took my copy of Purple Cow into the office yesterday in hopes that someone would ask about the book and give me a chance to create some buzz! The oppurtunity came in the lunch room, when a co worker asked about the neat looking book on my desk! So of course I had to go get my cards, and share with anyone who wanted to listen to me talk about the great new business concept I was learning about! I passed my copy of Purple Cow on to my manager for the night, and gave both of them cards, and the note that it would be in bookstores on May 8th! I can't wait to hear what Cate (manager) thought of the book! view more & comment
May 2, 2003
12
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BzzReport by birdandblue
I am not sure what this would go under, but here goes. I knew I had to go to my hr dept at work today to change my tax forms, so i decided to bring along some of the purple cow cards. Well when i got to hr i kind of chickened out. I kept trying to thinkof how i could bring up purple cow without looking weird. i couldnt think of anything, so i did what any good buzz agent would, i "accidently" on purpose dropped the cards all over the ground..ooops. Of course the woman in hr all came to help me, and they couldnt help but ask what these "motivational" cards were. Well of course I went on to explain how I was able to read an advance copy of purple cow, and how it has changed my perspective. Well the HR ladies are ALWAYS interested in this sort of stuff. They asked if they could borrow my copy to see if it was somethign they could use sitewide. Of couyrse i agreed to bring my copy tomorrow, just to borrow of course! view more & comment
May 7, 2003
13
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BzzReport by apbrown1
This might have been the most benefical bzz that I've done so far. My wife and I are moving to Charlottesville and I had an interview with the School of Commerce at UVA. The interview was going ok but things changed when I brought up Purple Cow. She was asking me about PR for the school and my thoughts on promotion. I mentioned this book that I'd been reading (purple cow). She seemed impressed by that and asked the title again so she could write it down. I began to summarize the main premise of the book, about being remarkable and targeting those that will adopt your product/service. She was impressed with me as a result of this and I really feel this gave me an edge in the interview. I didn't think about mentioning Purple Cow heading into this interview but once I did, it changed the interview. Hopefully this will land me the job! I'll be speaking with my interviewer next week. view more & comment
Jun 4, 2003
17
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BzzReport by DynamicPartner
I am the owner and Founder of a Purple Cow business one featured in Seth new E-Book which will be launched with the hardcover Purple Cow on May 12th - My company The Dynamic Partnership is the create of Rville.com No. 72 in the ebook.
We are a massive new internet radio project creating over the next couple of a years a network of 3000 locally based internet radio stations - this is the piece from the book:-
WHERE IS WOLFMAN JACK WHEN YOU NEED HIM??
Radio is dying. Clear Channel has build a sanitized monopoly. The Internet and iPod have stolen generations of listeners. Radio is boring and easily replaced. R.I.P. radio.
Or not.
Paul Saunders Founder of Rville.com has a different idea. Build a radio infrastructure-everything from ad promotion to technology-and allow thousands of local entreprenuers to start their own stations. Empower the DJ let him play what he wants to play and say what he wants to say and people will listen.
Suddenly, you can build thousands of local Internet radio stations in to a national network-and sell local, regional and national advertising at the same time.
Obviously, through empowering the DJ, and supporting the entreprenuer they all have an incentive to market their stations. Some of those folks will become avid listeners. Other will start their own stations. It spreads.
-We have also taken the Cow by the horns as it were and we did and interview over the phone with Seth that we are now running on our national station on Rville.com as the first part of a feature we have developed called Rville is a Town of Remarkable People.
We have had several calls and an emal asking us how to get the book and where they can find out about Seth and the Purple Cow and we have directed them to his website and to Amazon to get the book - we will be linking with Book Crossing too - this is a part of what we truly believe that all business need to read this book and take on the concept of being a Cow. We are and we will be all the time through our development process.
Regards
Paul Saunders
The Dynamic Partnership
All Partnerships Should Be Dynamic!!! view more & comment
May 7, 2003
14
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BzzReport by DKnoxMU
As I mentioned in a previous bzz report, after college graduation I headed down to Jamaica for a week in the sun. Traveling on the long flight, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to bzz. So I pulled out my copy of Purple Cow and started reading. I noticed a few people taking quick sneak peaks at the cover but most people seemed kinda shy. So I kept reading and in a louder than usual voice, talked to my girlfriend about why Purple Cow was such a great book. It helped that my girlfriend happens to be fellow bzz agent Erin23MU....nothing much than two-way bzz. I'm not sure if we truly caught anyone's attention enough to look into the book...but I know they heard us talking for sure. view more & comment
May 13, 2003
15
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BzzReport by doubled
I have printed the purple cow image out, and had it recreated as a poster. I then posted the image up in my office. We have allot of people that come through on a daily basis. We have clients for meetings, employees, ect. It has been fun to watch the reaction of people to the poster. The cow just draws you in to asking about it. It’s really an easy way to buzz. I would saw that most are genuinely interested in the book after I explain what my poster is about. view more & comment
May 1, 2003
7
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BzzReport by sdgirljoyce
I went to a work at home moms playgroup this morning
for moms who own there own business.
We were talking about marketing and new sugestions for business groups.
I brought up Purple Cow. How it was the best book with great info for people in business.
The first business book with ideas that werent boring or outdated.
I got a few email addresses and was asked to send a link to bookcrossing so they could see and read about the book before purchasing.
Everyone was full of interest. view more & comment
May 6, 2003
19
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BzzReport by timidtim
I am the sales and marketing forum monitor for www.thehivenetwork.org and I posted a small inquiry to start the buzz about purple cow - then I wrote Seth a personal email to which he responded very positively. I then posted Seth's email (seen below).
Seth's email is ranked in the top 10 forum's and I have had top executive's downloading the free e-book and I imagine when they finish the book they will have some great comments to share.
Title of my post: Personal Message from Seth Godin to hN
My Post:
I've emailed Seth a couple times to tell him about hN and I asked him to write a message to hN members - he is a pretty interesting and busy fellow - he was kind enough to write a personal message to hN about his new book. Needless to say I'm a fan.
See Below.
What do Mitt Romney and David Neeleman have in common?
They are Purple Cows. Individuals who cause a reaction in other people. They are remarkable. Remarkable in the sense that their actions are worth making a comment about, worth talking about, worth taking action on.
In today’s post-consumer, post-TV world, it’s only the Purple Cows that have a chance. Jet Blue is a case study in my book. So are individuals, organizations, politicians, churches, service business and products that follow the same steps—talk to people who are listening, then those people will tell their friends.
Purple Cow is holding on to #8 on the New York Times bestseller list because it strikes a chord with people. It’s a manifesto, an argument for being bold and brave and apparently risky—when in fact, being risky is the safest thing you can do.
Some gifts for this group:
Visit http://www.Apurplecow.com for free chapters of my book.
Visit http://www.lightbox5.com/downloads/99cows.pdf to get my new ebook (worth $10) for free.
Life’s too short to be timid. Take a chance—why not be great? It’s actually the easiest thing to do.
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Jun 10, 2003
105
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BzzReport by jesusconor
I once again only buzzed one person but this is a good one. My mentor I gave the purple cow book to a while ago and he never said anything about it til yesterday. He was like that book was awesome and he told me that he was going to buy a bulk amount of the book and send it out his clients. He also asked if he could keep the book for a while longer. He is in wealth management and private banking. He is very influencial in the community. I felt great that someone I respect so much can catch onto a idea I believe in so much. view more & comment
May 19, 2003
7
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BzzReport by dimpledott
For one more week, I am the President of the CU American Marketing Association. We had our final meeting of the year yesterday, and our students were freaking out. Many of them are graduating, only to be greeted by a complete lack of available opportunities. The career center has been used extensively, but they tell everyone the exact same thing. If everyone is doing their resume the same way, is answering their interview questions the same way, and makes every effort to follow protocol, what are their chances of standing out? I'm sure Seth would have an opinion.
I decided to try and help them out. I spent the past two weeks putting together a presentation called "Purple Cows: what they are, and how you can become one." The premise was that, just like any product or company competing, a job applicant's only chance for success in our economy is to stand out. I presented a framework for doing so: developing a powerful image, something you want to be known for; creating projects that back your image up, or transforming your current projects into ones that are remarkable; and then getting the word out, letting people know that you're remarkable, again in a remarkable way.
The presentation used a number of examples from the Purple Cow (it's ridiculous how many aspects of like this book applies to,) and the students (43! our biggest turnout of the year, an during a finals week!) really seemed to like the idea. I then went one step further. I created "Purple Cow" worksheets, that helped them define their current image and, if necessary, create a new one. I told them that if they'd put in the work and honestly use these worksheets to create their image, I'd help them to project it to the world for free.
15 kids sent me emails this morning, trying to set up meeting times, and I just got finished with one kid, designing his resume, stationery, business card and thank you notes around his personal image, as well as going through my list of CU alumni and AMA professional membership to find potential mentors and proverbial "feet in the door" in New York City. He's begun the process of turning himself into a Purple Cow, and he's ecstatic. Quite a turnaround for one day.
Of course, this isn't all benevolent. I told him that if he told two people about what I did for him, and that because they know him they could get the same service for a huge "discount" of only $150, then I'd send him a copy of the Purple Cow book for free. Hopefully, I'll have my own little team of bzzagents sending me business before long. This purple cow/bzzagent thing has sent my mind racing. I'm having so much fun with this. I'll stop writing now before my hands cramp up. view more & comment
May 7, 2003
13
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BzzReport by sdgirljoyce
My mom and I were talking about business ideas tonight (her friend was there too) I told her about a new book I was waiting for called "PURPLE COW" and how she might want to look into it as it (Ive heard) has great business ideas. She asked me to send her a link to the purplecow website and when I get my book, to let her know what I think and she'll go pick up or order a copy. (This was in front of her co-worker who also seemed very interested.) view more & comment
Apr 11, 2003
7
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BzzReport by achase
Over the past several days, via e-mail, phone calls and face-to-face, I have invited 8 different sets of friends to the Seth Godin HBS event on April 24. Most of been so excited abou the opportunity that they have either changed their schedules to allow them to come or have asked if they cold invite co-workers to join them. Among those I have invited who indicated an intention to attend are: Andrew Peix and Courtney of BU, Dale Slongwhite and daughter of Zeborg Software in Woburn, Lisa Guyon and guest of Paradigm Properties in Boston, Scott St. Germain, HBS MBA '03. view more & comment
Apr 17, 2003
13
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BzzReport by DonnaBolk
I was headed off on a business trip and thought the best way to start buzz was just by CARRYING the purple cow! How right I was - As soon as we were airborne - I began reading the book (from the middle) -and within moments my seatmates were asking about the book. What's it about..? Etc...
So I went into my shpiel about how the book is teaching you about being remarkable - in whatever field you choose, and how that in itself can make your company tops! I explained the first printing concept to them- explained the huge success - just by marketing.. I read a few passages from the book - remarked on a few of the companies mentioned - and we began to name some 'hometown' places their were purple cows in their own right. It made for an awesome flight! view more & comment
May 12, 2003
8
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BzzReport by FiftyFour
A friend of mine is the Director of Marketing for a local Interactive agency. When she came over for dinner the other night, I showed her my copy and asked if she knew who Seth Godin was. "No!?! Then, you have to get this book. By the way, here's his web address to his daily blog. You really have to check him out and Purple Cow is a good one to start with -- it just came out."
She left with URL in hand and ready to get the book.
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May 27, 2003
10
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BzzReport by doubled
With a friend, who is a high school lit teacher and has no idea I am a Buzz agent, I went in search of the Purple Cow book. We went to 3 stores: 2Barnes&Noble, and 1Boarders. I asked them for the purple cow book. When they said they didn't have it I asked them to search there computer for copies that might be available at other locations in the state, of course there were non. I then asked them all to notify me as soon as they got some in. My friend will aslo get a copie because of my extreme interest. view more & comment
Apr 24, 2003
11
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BzzReport by doubled
I recently attended a cocktail event in Denver. It was for the sole purpose of networking with other business owners. I ran into three different people, in three different businesses. A lawyer, a CPA, and a sales rep for a national company. Upon meeting them I asked them what makes your company different. I then suggesed they read the Purple cow book when it comes out to get some ideas. They all seemed genuinely interested in reading the book. view more & comment
May 1, 2003
17
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BzzReport by mezeppa
I love this book, and I think it could change the way that my improv troupe does business. As soon as I finished it, I called my marketing coordinator and gushed about how we should be embracing the "Purple Cow". He was excited, but had no idea what I was talking about. So, he's coming over tonight to pick up the book so that we can speak the same language.
And this buzz is two-fold. Jose is the kind of guy that knows everyone. I've been in different cites with him and we run into people he knows on the subway. And if he believes in the power of purple as much as I do after reading it, this whole country will be buzzing. view more & comment
Apr 24, 2003
23
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BzzReport by kimmarla
A friend told me she was interested in writing a book, and was also interested in learning how to promote it. I know - I think that's putting the cart before the cow, but after I told her I thought she really needed to focus on content before sales, it was a great opening to talk about Purple Cow, and Seth's great way of marketing the book. She tried to get a pre-release copy, but they were already sold out by the time I got to her. I think she's ordered the hardcover by now, but if not, I forwarded her Seth's reminder when it came out, and the link for the free ebook. view more & comment
May 20, 2003
15
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BzzReport by doubled
My company attended a trade show on the 13th of May. The day before the show we had 1,000 brochures made, talking about our new product. On the back of every brochure I put a purple cow. My graphics designer looked at me like I was crazy. Then I explained to her it was a marketing concept, and about the book coming out called "Purple Cow". She went to the purple cow web site, got the graphic and put it in my brochure for the trade show.
Another part of my trade show preparation was an e-mail to all attendees of the show. I did it in full color HTM. It talked about the location of our booth and at the bottom a purple cow. The text read "ask about the purple cow and get a free prize. I also made the Cow image a link to the purple cow website. Because of my tracking ability, I know for a fact 25 people went to the Purple Cow website within 2 hours of me deploying the E-mail.
That same evening I was setting up our exhibit for the show. People were already asking me about the purple cow. I new my plan was working. The next day at the show, it was a constant "what's up with the purple cow?" I would then grab a brochure show them the purple cow and tell them "In business you have to be remarkable or risk being invisible". I would then show them my copy of the book so they would know what the book looked like, who wrote it and where to get it.
They had to ask me about the Purple cow to get the nice brandy glasses I gave away as a prize. So even if they didn't read the e-mail, I would say "ask me about a purple cow". I gave away 607 glasses at the show.
The attendees at the show were all business professionals. I explained that the book would revolutionize the way they thought about there marketing plan. Since I work at a marketing firm it will strengthen my position with those potential clients, as well as my existing ones. Everyone I talked to was extremely responsive to the book. Several asked if they could buy it on Amazon. I told others to take my brochure to Barnes & Noble or Borders and say "I want the purple cow by Seth Godin!"
From e-mail, to brochure, to trade show, I and my unknowing business partners buzzed somewhere around 1200 people.
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May 14, 2003
14
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BzzReport by dontheideaguy
Although I've only 'officially' BZZ'd a single person, this has potentially far reaching repercussions...
Godin mentioned on his blog that a company named Corp-Net.com had created a travelling seminar called "The Purple Cow Round-up" (http://www.purplecowroundup.com) in which Seth, Joey Reiman and an assorted cast of extras would be touring different cities and preaching the Gospel According to Purple. After viewing the list of cities, I was disappointed not to find Columbus on the list. I zipped off a quick email to the contact person at Corp-Net (who turned out to be Sharon Summerlin) and pretty much whined that they add Columbus to their list.
She wrote back and asked how many people I could put in their seats -- I asked how many she needed, and mentioned that I was one of the BzzAgents that helped move Seth's book up the NY Times best-sellers list. She said their organization could use someone as enthused as I was about bringing Seth to town and arranged a phone conversation for Monday (today) to discuss how I could act as their ground-crew in Columbus.
After speaking with her on the phone for over a half-hour it looks like I may be helping to organize a Columbus version of the seminar by BZZing half the city! I very EXCITED to be a part of this project and glad to be able to carry the BZZ about Purple Cow further into the year (BZZ Points aside.)
Incidentally -- Sharon was unfamiliar with BzzAgent's efforts, so I shared a little bit of info and she became interested in knowing how BzzAgent could help her stir up some interest in the other cities in which the seminar is touring. Within minutes I crafted a double-introduction email to "virtually" introduce Sharon to Dave Balter. Both parties have confirmed receipt of the email and promised to get in contact with each other -- perhaps I've just sent you folks up with another client, I know you won't let them down!
Keep on BZZing,
~DON view more & comment
Jun 2, 2003
14
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BzzReport by A1KF
I'm giving my dad a copy of Purple Cow for Father's Day. I told him about it when I first read the article in Fast Company magazine, and then when I read the book, and he expressed interest. He is the vice president of a real estate development company that owns and operates hotels. Because of this, he spends at least 50% of his time traveling, which is also the only time he has to read. I know he'll read the book in airports and on planes, and he'll be able to (unknowingly) spread the bzz. I'm making sure to tell him that Hilton bought 240 copies to give out to their managers, because if Purple Cow is good enough for Hilton, everyone at my dad's company should be reading it, too. I think Purple Cow could do a lot to transform his company. I know I'm only passing the message on to one person with this bzz, but if he tells X people, and they all tell X people... you get the picture. view more & comment
Jun 10, 2003
111
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BzzReport by Moonsong9
Several weeks ago I had shown my copy of Purple Cow to my boss. At that time she expressed some interest. Well imagine my suprise when I came into work on Friday to find her with a copy of her own.
She called me into the office and told me that thanks to me and my strange ways she decided to do something that she has considered for years but "conventional" wisdom said wouldn't work. She has started a metaphysical lending library that will be run from right inside our store site.
At this point we have filled a wall with books to be loaned out to the library members. I got a $100 bonus for bringing in the book.
I guess that this bzz stuff is more potient and lasting than I realized. Safe is indeed no longer safe. view more & comment
May 27, 2003
12
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BzzReport by Cipolletti
I suggested to my boss that we buy copies of the Purple Cow for each member of our management team so that they could understand that even though the marketing that we do for them is quite unique and remarkable, the actual programs and services that we provide also need the same qualities so that they stand out. view more & comment
Apr 21, 2003
15
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BzzReport by wandolf
Following a thread – May 15, 2003
I had a nagging pull this morning to get out of the house. I tend to not only follow my “pulls” but to treat them kindly and help them to grow. They always lead me somewhere new and interesting. This particular pull wanted lunch with the deal. Great! I do some of my best thinking when I take myself to lunch with a good book or magazine (by the way, New Scientist magazine is an incredible idea-generator for science minded agents). My favorite type of solo lunch location is a sushi bar. This side of town, there are two good choices, but I haven’t settled on one yet. Sushi can get a little expensive so I try not to indulge too too much. I like being married. I’d like to stay that way.
One problem, no inspiring reading material, so pull into bank/grocery/atm to get some cash, figuring there will be SOMETHING in the reading aisle that will call to me. Nothing. Can’t believe nothing so I search some more. Still nothing. Thought of a BzzPlan I formulated the day before. That location was Barnes and Noble. Time for a double whammy.
Arrived at B&N and went to information desk to ask if they had Purple Cow in yet. They didn’t, but said it was on order. Asked further if they were planning any author signings. She didn’t know, but said she would ask her manager when she came in. There was one older woman in line behind me within listening range.
A book softly called out to me. It didn’t take long for me to find it. It is The Art of Possibility by Rosamund and Benjamin Zander.
Now I’d bzz’d, however low key, and I had my book. Bring on the lunch study session! But we weren’t quite through. Still had to check out. Double bzzz’d Purple Cow when I asked the check out person if they had received any pre-release copies of Purple Cow. Managed to confuse her. Apparently B&N never gets anything that isn’t immediately put on the shelf for consumers to buy. That’s okay. Confusion makes a bzzz that much stickier. Two folks in line behind me were within listening range. Had to repeat the name Purple Cow several times as she evidently didn’t want to believe that was really the name of the book.
Bzz done, now lunch. Catty corner to this B&N lives a Macaroni Grill Restaurant. I always thought that was a stupid name and never ate there until my Dad came to town four months back. He’d told me about this place when he found one in Huntsville, AL near his home. It was SO GOOD, he said. He rather went on about it, how good it was, etc. etc. and couldn’t believe it was part of a chain when he saw it here in Houston. We ate lunch there on the way to the airport. It had been a great visit, but it was time for him to go. That was the last time I saw him. He died suddenly two months later.
So I decide to take my Dad with me to my study lunch and walk into the Macaroni Grill. Table for one, I say, and order a glass of Merlot.
At this point, I’m feeling nostalgic, so order what I ordered the last time. Mozzarella Risotto with a basil vinaigrette. This is one of the few places that serves this dish with real Buffalo Mozzarella imported from Italy. Yum. Decide to try the stuffed view more & comment
May 28, 2003
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BzzReport by mpeck
I passed along a purple cow card to the executive director of Gazelles who passed along the info to Verne Harnish (self-proclaimed Growth Guru) who passed the following email along to every executive on his list serve.
HEADLINE: Devour Seth Godin's new book Purple Cow (and it's a fast
read!!). In fact, read everything Seth writes - www.sethgodin.com. He's
really provided the freshest thinking about marketing. Below is the book's
review. I also heard James Cecil speak this week. He has a fantastic and
free download called "A Cure for the Common Cold Call" - click on "free
stuff" at www.nurturemarketing.com. Sales and marketing are so important
in 2003 as you grab market share from weakened competitors - I'll work hard
to sort through the junk and find you the best resources.
HEADLINE 2: Again, for fun, purchase the book tomorrow (Friday) if you can
- let's see if we can push Seth from number 3 to number 1 - I'll let you
know how we did next week.
DETAILS: Here's the link for purchasing from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/159184021X/qid=1053012880/sr=2-1/ref
=sr_2_1/104-4212273-4887968
And to get free shipping you'll need to order a second book.
Permission Marketing is Seth's classic book. He also has an ebook called
Really BAD PowerPoint on how to make your PowerPoint presentations more
effective and a book entitled The Big Red Fez: How to make any website
better. Seth is so practical and action oriented with his marketing tools.
You can get these from Amazon as well.
BOOK REVIEW
You're either a Purple Cow or you're not. You're either remarkable or
invisible. Make your choice.
What do Starbucks and JetBlue and KrispyKreme and Apple and DutchBoy and
Kensington and Zespri and Hard Candy have that you don't? How do they
continue to confound critics and achieve spectacular growth, leaving behind
former tried-and true brands to gasp their last?
Face it, the checklist of tired 'P's marketers have used for decades to get
their product noticed -Pricing, Promotion, Publicity, to name a few-aren't
working anymore. There's an exceptionally important 'P' that has to be
added to the list. It's Purple Cow.
Cows, after you've seen one, or two, or ten, are boring. A Purple Cow,
though...now that would be something. Purple Cow describes something
phenomenal, something counterintuitive and exciting and flat out
unbelievable. Every day, consumers come face to face with a lot of boring
stuff-a lot of brown cows-but you can bet they won't forget a Purple Cow.
And it's not a marketing function that you can slap on to your product or
service. Purple Cow is inherent. It's built right in, or it's not there.
Period.
In Purple Cow, Seth Godin urges you to put a Purple Cow into everything you
build, and everything you do, to create something truly noticeable. It's a
manifesto for marketers who want to help create products that are worth
marketing in the first place.
view more & comment
May 15, 2003
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BzzReport by gowest
First of all I read the book on my flight to Denver last week. We were flying through tornados and we were originally at 39,000 feet and dropped to 20,000 feet for the remainder of the trip. The stewardess were unable to serve anything, including the drink I desperately needed by then!!! I had upgraded to first class and since the stewardesses had to be strapped in there was no service for 4 hours! Not a great thing at all.
However, now that I've painted that picture.... I had my purple cow and I can't tell you how I absolutely LOVED it. By the time we safely landed, I was already pondering my next business! I had the book on my tray table the whole flight and a lot of people in first class who were waiting for the lavatory saw it and thought the cover was great. One guy even had his head sideways reading about it! I told all who asked about it and said it was about revolutionizing the way you think about business and marketing today. I told them the author and I would presume whan they went back to their seats, they wrote it down or at least remember the purple cow!
When I returned home, the books arrived from Amazon that I had ordered for the Chamber and Mr. Marketing Himself, friend of mine. I delivered the 5 copies to the EXecutive Director yesterday and we chatted for about 20 minutes about the book. I told her I wanted to find my own Purple COw and told her about my idea which she responded..."Oh my God, I have to read this book. WOuld you mind if I took one for myself since I have to travel next week to LA and can read it on the plane? I told her be my guest and don't be surprised if people come and ask you about it.
She told me the hundreds of people in the Darien Chamber (450) are all emailing her asking her what to do. Businees is just not working anymore. I convinced her everyone in the Chamber needed the book and that it can be purchased wholesale from the author in great quantities. She was totally into it.
There is a "Business After Hours" on May 21 which is our monthly gatherings (yes, I am a member of the Chamber). SHe then said, why not wait for the July "Business After Hours" meeting because it is a Fairfied COunty conglomerate meeting with Norwalk, Westport, DArien, Fairfield, Stamford and Greenwich. I told her that was an EXCELLENT idea! By then it will be read by her and she will be buzzing like crazy and be like the GOlden GOose for all these fuddy duddies in business the old way.
Clean the dead wood! Anyway, the five books will be door prizes with some introduction and explanation by her.
I also gave my copy...which I better get back, to my daughter who works for the Westchester Arts COuncil, the largest arts council in New York State. SHe wanted Director to read it, since I have convinced her also.
My Marketing Director friend, called and left a message. "When am I getting my book?" He will get it Next week and then I will buzz what he does!
What fun! Meanwhile I have come up with a Purple COw concept and the director from the Chamber may join me in my venture!
(ON the side, her family is in business in Rhode Island and run 3 different business-an Inn, a car dealorship and I forget the other. If she gets st view more & comment
May 17, 2003
16
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BzzReport by cutekingdom
My sister was the one to get me interested in business books like Rich Dad, Poor Dad. So, naturally, I passed on Purple Cow to her; I gave her my book. I know she would love it since she likes little stories and examples, and I told her so. Plus, she has a big network of friends and is sure to keep the Bzz going! She's about to graduate with a Finance major. view more & comment
BzzReport by chrisharris
Children can be some of the best sneezers!
In Purple Cow terms, they're enthusiastic and love to talk to their friends.
On Sunday, I talked to my 7-year-old daughter for a while about Purple Cows. I explained to her, in simple terms, what the concept meant and told her how I was trying to create Purple Cows at my company.
On the spot, she said to me "Daddy, why don't you create a game where people have to try to milk the Purple Cow but whoever stops first loses?"
My hope is that she talks to her friends about the Purple Cow, who may in turn mention something to their parents. It's viral marketing at its best! view more & comment
May 21, 2003
18
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BzzReport by gfish
I sent my extra copy of Puple Cow to one of the Vice Presidents of the company I work for (as previously reported). I called him and we spoke for about 30 minutes about the book and the concepts therein. He had read about 20 pages and liked what he read, but talked about how busy he was, etc. When I told him the book had hit the best seller lists already that got his attention. We ended up talking about the ways that our company is Purple Cow (there are a few) and the ways that we are not (there are many). I believe he came away from the conversation impressed with the ideas we talked about and he commited to reading the rest of the book. Of course the upside for me was face time with one of the most important people in my company. - Thanks Purple Cow. view more & comment
May 29, 2003
13
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BzzReport by ssetzle
The Purple Cow book is sitting on my cofee table and it clashes with all my other decorations. A friend visited me from out of town, picked up the book first thing, and questioned it. I simply said- yah its a really cool book on marketing. I also suggested my friend read a copy for a new spin on product marketing and consumerism now as compared to 20 or 30 years ago. Although it was not a long conversation- the book has a fairly memeorable cover and will probabaly be recognized in the future. view more & comment
Apr 30, 2003
9
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BzzReport by tapedave
At Borders I checked to see if their marketing shelf had any Purple Cow. Did not, altho had other Godin Books. Got a clerk to look it up and then we went back to the Shelf. She then checked inventory and wanted to know if I wanted to order a copy. I said I did, but I might need it sooner than they could get it in. She said that if I did not pick it up, they would just put it on the shelf. I told her that the book just came out and was amazed that the store did not have at least a copy to sell. She wondered why too and came to the conclusion that they probably sold out. We placed an order. view more & comment
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