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5 Questions with Seth Godin
Oct22006 Filed under: 5 Questions Author: Tony Morgan
Tony: Seen any new "purple cows" that we should know about?
Seth: Actually, we’re seeing more every single day. Which means that the bar is being raised, that it’s harder than it was to do something people are willing to take a minute or two to check it out.
Tony: What’s a recent learning that has rocked your world?
Seth: The number of books read every year by the average adult in the US is less than 2. Two! Where is our information coming from? Does it matter that people don’t read books or newspapers?
Tony: What’s your favorite blog to follow?
Seth: I follow ideas more than blogs…
Tony: Do you think marketing should be important for churches?
Seth: Nearly everyone who markets something suffers from the following conceit: other people do marketing, but my product is so amazing and magical and important that marketing isn’t necessary.
Nowhere is this idea easier to embrace than in a church. After all, marketing seems contrived or selfish or callous. If you really and truly believe that your faith is the one and only right faith, how dare you market!
But I don’t think the "one and only right faith" is accurate. No one is particularly chosen or blessed or better. A look at history makes that really clear. So you need to get over that if you’re going to grow.
So, yes, if you want to grow, you need to market.
Tony: Small is the New Big…what’s one small thought from the book that could make a big impact for church leaders?
Seth: I have no business at all telling church leaders much of anything. I hope they’ll find a nugget that resonates, especially if their goal is to spread kindness and openness. We need more of that.
For more Seth Godin, check out his newest book, Small is the New Big, or you can catch him daily on his blog. (By the way if you teach, make sure you read this post from Seth’s blog.)
5 Responses to “5 Questions with Seth Godin”
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Tony Morgan is a pastor and the Chief Strategic Officer at NewSpring Church where he develops creative solutions for communications, technology and NewSpring Ministries--the church's ministry that equips other church leaders.
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October 2nd, 2006 at 10:42 pm
Seth Godin on Church Marketing
Simply strategic guy Tony Morgan interviews marketing guru Seth Godin. Here’s a quick excerpt: Nearly everyone who markets something suffers from the following conceit: other people do marketing, but my product is so amazing and magical and important t…
Kim
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:56 pm
I have just about finished reading Small Is The New Big. I have loved reading the book. It stimulates my creative juices and challenges my thinking.
Kim
Kevin
October 5th, 2006 at 8:48 am
Seth Godin sees the world in a unique way. I really appreciate his view points, but he didn’t give us anything with these five questions. Sound’s like he has a beef with the church and doesn’t much care if we benefit from his insights. I pray that Tony’s relationship with Seth might grow for Seth’s sake. I’ll stay tuned and continue to try to do remarkable things for my remarkable God.
likeafire.net
October 5th, 2006 at 1:14 pm
tony morgan | one of the simply strategic guys: 5 Questions with Seth Godin
tony morgan | one of the simply strategic guys: 5 Questions with Seth Godin
Though not long enough for much depth, this is a great little interview with marketing prince, Seth Godin. I really love his ideas and he sticks it to the church on how to co…
tony morgan
October 5th, 2006 at 1:18 pm
Wow, Kevin, that’s a pretty harsh criticism. I’m sorry you didn’t get anything out his responses, but I did:
1. The competition in the culture is growing, so it’s harder for ministry to grab people’s attention and offer something remarkable. That’s a huge challenge for the Church.
2. People are reading less. That’s a tragedy. And, as you’ve probably noticed from my blog, I want to do what I can to influence leaders to read more with the hopes that they will influence others to read more.
3. Seth challenged us to follow ideas rather than blogs. That’ll preach. I find myself getting sucked into the media rather than allowing myself to be challenged by new insights.
4. “If you want to grow, you need to market.” We’ve found that to be true at Granger. I’d like to spread that message to other leaders as well.
5. Seth was hopeful church leaders would gain insights from his new book. Among other things, he wants us to spread kindness and openness. Interesting, because I think Jesus wants that as well. His message of grace, forgiveness, love and hope is available to anyone. And, the Bible is pretty clear that kindness should be reflected in our lives as Christ-followers.
I guess it’s all perspective. I learned a lot from Seth’s responses. And I’ve really enjoyed the dialogue with him in recent days. He’s a good guy, and I’m grateful that he took the time to share his insights.
tony