👾Leveling Up 👾

In this episode, I chat with Seth Godin about what truly makes great marketing—creating meaningful stories and focusing on long-term success:

🎯 Q: How can I create effective marketing that stands out?

A: Focus on telling true stories that spread, aiming for long-term success with people who care rather than chasing short-term interactions or using hype.

🧭 Q: What's the key to developing a solid marketing strategy?

A: Treat strategy as a philosophical compass that guides tactics, making assertions about the future and what the world will need, rather than a rigid map.

🔄 Q: How should I approach business interactions for lasting success?

A: Engage in infinite games that focus on building relationships and creating mutual benefit, like Nordstrom's famous snow tire refund policy, rather than finite games aimed at winning at all costs.

🎯 Q: What's the most effective way to focus my business efforts?

A: Commit to one thing consistently rather than chasing shiny objects, as professionals maintain focus while authenticity is reserved for personal relationships.

💡 Q: How can I better understand and serve my target audience?

A: Practice empathy by understanding your audience deeply, creating conditions for them to engage, and focusing on those who genuinely want your work rather than arguing with those who don't.

🤝 Q: What's the best way to build customer loyalty?

A: Demonstrate generosity by expending emotional labor to help others in mutually beneficial transactions, even if uncomfortable, and consider charging for these generous actions.

⏰ Q: How can I manage my time more effectively for business success?

A: Intentionally allocate time for content creation and time management, building slack into your system to avoid living in the last minute, and choose the best moments to set yourself up for long-term success.

🔍 Q: How can I navigate business systems more effectively?

A: Understand the rules and language of systems like venture funding, including PowerPoint decks and specific time frames, and play the system better to achieve success, similar to Mark Zuckerberg's approach with Facebook.

I’m curious: what did you think of this YouTube Q&A summary format?

Hit reply and let me know.

Eric Siu :)

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Links You Might Like

Here are some of the best links I’ve found since our last email. 

📊 Marketing

How this guy gets 207 million YouTube views per month (link)

🤖 AI

Klarna’s aggressive use of AI to cut on marketing and agencies (link)

🏢 Business

The 4Rs of the customer journey (link)

💌 Email 

Best email and SMS strategies for Black Friday (link)

📈 SEO 

The ultimate Google Search algorithm cheat sheet (link)

How I Can Help You

If you enjoy this newsletter and would like to collaborate with me, there are a few options available:

1. You can apply to work with my marketing agency (link)

2. You can join my Skool community for agency owners (link)

Interested in working at Single Grain? We have some new open roles:

• Business Development Representative (link)

• Paid Media Manager (link)

• SEO Manager (link)