Purple Cow
Outlines the importance of being remarkable in marketing.
Summary of 7 Key Points
Key Points
- The old advertising models are no longer effective
- Being ‘safe’ is risky for businesses
- The importance of creating a ‘Purple Cow’
- The ideavirus and sneezers
- How to find a remarkable idea
- Case studies of successful ‘Purple Cows’
- Transforming your product or business
key point 1 of 7
The old advertising models are no longer effective
The Purple Cow discusses how the traditional advertising models are no longer as effective as they once were. This is due to consumers becoming more adept at ignoring ads. Over the years, consumers’ attention has become a scarce and valuable resource, and they have developed mechanisms to avoid wasteful advertisements. This includes ad blockers and simply ignoring banner ads or commercials…Read&Listen More
key point 2 of 7
Being ‘safe’ is risky for businesses
In today’s hypercompetitive market, businesses that choose to play it safe are actually taking a big risk. The conventional wisdom of sticking to tried and tested strategies, products, or services, can often lead to stagnation and lack of innovation. This creates an opening for rivals to outperform and outshine them, leading to a decline in market share and profitability…Read&Listen More
key point 3 of 7
The importance of creating a ‘Purple Cow’
Creating a ‘Purple Cow’ refers to the necessity of standing out in a crowded marketplace. In a world filled with countless choices and distractions, it’s not enough to simply offer a quality product or service. To truly capture consumers’ attention and win their loyalty, businesses need to differentiate themselves in a dramatic, compelling way. This is what the ‘Purple Cow’ represents – a product, service, or idea that is so remarkable, it’s like a purple cow in a field of monochrome Holsteins. It’s impossible to ignore and instantly memorable…Read&Listen More
key point 4 of 7
The ideavirus and sneezers
In the perspective of Seth Godin’s metaphorical language, the ‘ideavirus’ is a concept that encapsulates how ideas are spread in our contemporary world. An ideavirus is akin to a typical virus that spreads from one host to another. In the case of an ideavirus, the hosts are individuals and the virus is an idea. Like a physical virus, an ideavirus has the potential to spread rapidly and become viral, affecting a large number of individuals…Read&Listen More
key point 5 of 7
How to find a remarkable idea
Finding a remarkable idea, as espoused in the Purple Cow, involves a radical shift from conventional marketing strategies. Traditional marketing tactics rely on creating products for the masses and then pushing these products out to consumers. However, in the Purple Cow, it is advised to turn this model on its head. Instead of creating products for the mass market and then attempting to sell them, one ought to begin by creating a product that is so unique and interesting that it stands out like a purple cow in a field of brown cows. This remarkable product will sell itself because of its distinctiveness…Read&Listen More
key point 6 of 7
Case studies of successful ‘Purple Cows’
In the vast sea of mediocrity, there are exceptions – ‘Purple Cows’ – companies which have dared to be different and have reaped the rewards of their courage. One such example is Apple, who revolutionized the tech world with their attention to design and ease of use. While others were focused on ramping up the technical capabilities, Apple focused on creating a user experience that would make people love their products, turning them into advocates and loyal customers…Read&Listen More
key point 7 of 7
Transforming your product or business
The crux of transforming your product or business is about standing out, being remarkably different and not just a little better. It’s about creating a product so phenomenal and unique that it’s as noteworthy as a purple cow in a field of monochromatic ones. This shift from traditional to remarkable is more than just producing a high-quality product or service. It involves creating something that is genuinely unique, and therefore, remarkable…Read&Listen More