Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable

Thumbs up for Purple Cow

Reprinted from my blog at purplesteak.com. Slightly edited.

Purple Cow is like a bowl of salsa. It is made up of many short chapters with a generous sprinkling of case studies of real organisations and people that are remarkably remarkable (or remarkably unremarkable). You can spoon it on its own, or dip your ideas into it to enhance their flavours- anytime and as many times as you'd like.

Seth Godin, the author, calls Purple Cow the new P in the marketing list of five Ps (product, pricing, promotion, positioning, publicity, packaging, and more). Sure, there are more than five, but as Seth noted, everyone has their favourite five. Purple Cow is definitely in my list, which explains "Purple Steak (the name of my blog)."

A Purple Cow refers to something extraordinary and remarkable. Two examples of Purple Cows in action are Lionel Poilane ("Case Study: The Best Baker in the World"), who sold $10 million worth of bread in one year; and Dario Cecchini ("Case Study: The Italian Butcher"), who has people crowding his butcher shop because they enjoy the meat-buying experience there.

Although the subtitle of the book is "Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable," you don't really have to be (or aspire to be) in the business field to be inspired. What the book manages to achieve is to challenge the reader to the edges and explore the limits. The opposite of "remarkable" isn't "bad," - it's "very good." "Very good" is an overhyped myth. "Very good" causes you to be complacent. Worse, it causes you to settle. "Very good" doesn't get people talking, and lacks the punch. Anyone can be "very good," but only the remarkable few can be remarkable. And they are the remarkable few because they don't stop at "very good." And it is those remarkable ones who are the winners, while the "very goods" stay average.

So whether you're a student, a teacher, a clerk, an artist, a fishmonger, whatever, you'll gain tremendously from Purple Cow. Nobody loses from being remarkably remarkable. If you hate to settle, if you want to stand out, if you want to create or do something extraordinary, then I strongly recommend this book to you.

Stop being boring. Be remarkable.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Life Changing book - could read again and again

I have read Purple Cow 3 times and every time I read it I get so many new ideas that revolutionize my approach to business.

The book is an easy read and I would recommend to buy it.

The best 3 ideas I got were:

1. Small is the new Big: uncover a small niche market that you're passionate about and then become the absolute best person serving that market

2. Don't be afraid to stand out. Be unique, gutsy, true to yourself and brand yourself in a unique way. Vanilla is dead - be purple!

3. Make your product/service refer-able to a key group of sneezers who will do your marketing for you.

All I can say is wow!!

Great read!

The book was not inky a great read; but supported its claims with real life examples.

Purple Cow

Written by marketing pro Seth Godin, Purple Cow is a great book for anyone interested in improving business or marketing skills. Godin discusses several companies that have become sucessful in business to day by standing out and making their product different from the rest. These companies are used as examples throughout the book, and each section discusses one major point or step to making your business a success. My favorite part of the book is the "takeaway" pionts given by Godin at the end of almost every section. This book is a great tool to help those involved in business and marketing begin to stand out and be successful.

OSU Comp Student 2009

Elementary but encouragingly cheerleading

Frequent business author Seth Godin found himself back on the major bestseller lists with this straightforward marketing manual. His easy-to-grasp premise is that products must be 'purple cows' that stand out from the herd. The metaphor comes from an American nursery rhyme that says: ¿I've never seen a purple cow. / I never hope to see one. / But I can tell you anyhow / I'd rather see than be one.¿ Godin's advice is quite the opposite of his titular ditty. He says you do want to be a purple cow. You want your product to become a conversation-provoking anomaly, as distinctive and different as possible. Imploring companies to manufacture singular, 'remarkable' products is like insisting that your local NFL franchise go out and win the Super Bowl ¿ a worthy goal, but not so simple. This is an elementary but encouragingly cheerleading look at advertising, PR and marketing. we recommend its interesting case histories about Starbucks and Krispy Kreme, just right for this breezy coffee-and-a-cream-puff pep talk.

Moo Moo Moo

Seth Godin is the living embodiment of everything he talks and writes about. I was lucky enough to attend a Purple Cow workshop a couple of years ago, a great experience that complemented this excellent book very well indeed. The book is well written, well edited, succinct, engaging and provocational in the very best sense. While Seth doesn't have the 'mad as hell' tone of his fellow author Tom Peters, his tone does pull the reader in - he seems somewhat incredulous that the world hasn't quite caught on yet, but he resists the temptation to patronise and offers up some short but compelling stories on how to succeed in business by doing what you never thought you'd dare. Buy this book, highlight your favorite parts, read it over and buy another copy for someone who's success you care about. Then go and buy Seth's other books. He doesn't labor his points, so you'll even have time to read them. Check out the follow up 'The Big Moo' too.

www.toccaredesign.com -this helped us

Seth is a genius. The book is simple and carries a message for anyone trying to market either themselves or a product. I sent this book to a friend in real estate and an entrepreurial friend. This helped me look at my own company, Toccare Design, from the perspective of creating a product for a certain niche. Thanks Seth...

A Purple Cow is remarkable

If you want your business to stand out, you will definitely get what you want from this book. If you want your business to function optimally and you are interested in obtaining the best possible results, then read Optimal Thinking as well.

A Remarkable Book

Purple Cow has lived up to Seth Godin's main advice, for it is truly remarkable. It demonstarted to me the importance of standing out in a crowd of products which offer similar benefits to consumers. Godin dares businesses to be different to put them that one or even two steps above the rest. It is not mass marketing which piques the customers interest, it is the uniquesness of its benefit, display, advertising or even the customer service. This book taught me so much about marketing from a business standpoint, as well as how to market oneself in the job search. This is a fantastic read for anyone involved in business or marketing and I'm sure you will find within its pages a reason to create your own purple cow. Be prepared to become remarkable.

Where being Very Good is well...Boring

Seth has done it again. In the Purple Cow, he challenges you to expand your creativity thinking, to get you to look at the same-old-same-old from a new perspective. This book is filled with case studies and examples of what does and does not work in the world of the Purple Cow, and how to stand out and get noticed, without following the traditional methods of marketing and PR. I dare you to get even half-way through this book without having your head fairly bursting with ideas on how to improve upon and existing product or service - or creating a whole new one. The information contained in this book is a must have for anyone interested in changing the direction of their business. Don't just be very good - Be Remarkable. Be a Purple Cow.

My Cow Bells Are Clinking!!!

Have you ever read a book that so 'mooved' you that it has carried into your everyday life. Purple Cow has done this for me. With the educational insight this book has given me, I've been recognizing potential Purple Cows wherever I look. So you might ask, 'What is a purple cow?' A purple cow is someone who asserts that being Very Good doesn¿t cut it anymore. In order to survive in this economy, you¿ve got to be remarkable. Or risk being invisible. Purple Cow is a manifesto for anyone who's looking to make a difference, regardless of their mission. Reading the book Purple Cow is not just an education but a life change. It has helped my co-workers and I: 1. Tell the truth 2. Explore new pricing strategies 3. Break the rules 4. Reposition our product 5. Listen to our customers 6. Tap into our network. Read Purple Cow and I am sure that you will experience the same life changing events regarding your perception of the world as I have.

The one for the 21st century

The Purple Cow is yet another breakthrough book by Seth Godin that challenges our minds and helps us unleash our own business creativity ... in order for our company to become a Purple Cow ... a company that stands out from the crowd, a market leader, the one others follow. This is a must have for every businessman - present and future.

Seth Does it Again with Purple Cow

Seth Godin, noted speaker and sneezer, hits the nail on the head again with Purple Cow. A 'manifesto for marketers', it describes how traditional mass marketing is a recipe for failure, and true success can be found by 'being remarkable'. He cite several examples of Purple Cow companies, such as Jet Blue and Ben and Jerry's, which bucked the trend by placing the emphasis on having a truly noteworthy product, and not on its advertising spin. This book also has implications in everyday business and personal life -- learning to stand out in a me-too world.

'REMARKABLE!'

If you are new to the business, or senior to the business, this book can help you to be REMARKABLE. Uplifting words and great advice are all rolled into this short, easy to read book- so no excuses on having no time to read it!!!!! WONDERFUL!! 4 STARS!!

Remarkable!

'There are so many very good things that very good is hardly worth noticing. Are you making very good things? How fast can you stop?' This is the central idea of Purple Cow. You are either remarkable or invisible. Given that consumers see 86,000 commercials a year and have neither the time nor the desire to understand them, the old method of marketing is dead. A product's success is no longer a function of its advertising budget. Building on his concept of Ideavirus, Godin illustrates that exceptional products benefit from the free marketing of word-of-mouth. Think Napster, the Aeron chair, and JetBlue airlines. These products weren't advertised. They were so exceptional that the products marketed themselves. Part of being exceptional is understanding that 'safe is risky' and 'criticism is not the opposite of success'. Buy this quick-read book and start thinking about how you and your products can be remarkable. If you don't do it, your competitor will!

Splendid!

In 'Purple Cow', Seth Godin urges business people to put a Purple Cow into everything they build, everything they do and to create something truly remarkable. His ideas are fascinating and gave me great inspiration to make a real impact on everything I want noticed. From the book: 'As the ability to be remarkable continues to demonstrate its awesome value in the marketplace, the rewards that follow the Purple Cow increase.' Enough said, really.

Does your buisness need a face lift?

'You're either a Purple Cow or you're not. You're either remarkable or invisible. Make your choice.' Ever wonder how buisnesses such as Starbucks do so well, while you, a hardworking individual, goes no where? This book just may have the answers to your questions. No, this book isn't going to give you a play by play guideline! But it just may give you the insight you need to take the next step to being the next Krispy Kreme, Apple computers, IKEA wonder!!!!! This book explores where companies went wrong and tells you what they could've done to make it right. You'll find out what a 'sneezer' is, and how important they should be to you! By the time you finish this book, you'll be ready to take on the world.....and then conquer it!

Mooove your business!

I received this book as part of a pre release, in hopes to learn more about promoting my Avon business, and getting the jump start on companies in the future. I expected a cut and dried book, but what I got was an awesome viewpoint, well written with bits of humor thrown in! I read the entire book in less than a day! I love the concepts, the theory, and hope to promote the book in hopes that everyone can adopt a new outlook on advertising, and more! This book is aimed mostly toward 'new product' companies, not someone like me who is selling someone else's product, but I got tips on how to advertise, what works for advertising, and what does not do well in promotions. I also learned that word of mouth sells it all!

I've been a Purple Cow in a Brown Cow World all my life

I always knew I was different, I just never knew I was purple! Seth Godin has done it again. Purple Cow is a small, very easy-to-read book. You could probably cruise through it in an hour but you won't want to. There is so much to digest and use. I thought I'd be able to knock it out (I'm a business book junkie, what can I say) in no time, but found myself making notes in the margin, highlighting and underlining the highlighting. I've implemented some of the techniques in my business already and am seeing an increase of daily sales in just 10 days! DO NOT HESITATE, GET THIS, READ THIS, USE THIS!

Wow! A Purple Cow!

Have you ever seen a Purple Cow? I'm sure you'd remember if you had - it would stand out! This is Seth Godin's point about such businesses as Jet Blue and Kripsy Kreme, and even the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding. They used smart 'Purple Cow' ideas and marketing rather than the old tired 'P's. This is a great book to read to make your business and yourself remarkable. He gives ideas and suggestions that will have you saying 'that's so smart, why didn't I think of that', simple but extremely effective. As Mr. Godin says 'be remarkable or be invisible'!