Be Like A "Purple Cow"

Be Like A “Purple Cow”

Got Milk? Here’s how being like a Purple Cow can change your Internet Marketing business for the Better

If you have never heard of the Purple Cow, chances are you are missing out on one of the finest concepts to hit the internet marketing world.  No, the Purple Cow is not a complete hallucination.  It actually is a feasible, workable, internet marketing concept that will help make your business be extremely noticeable, just like a purple cow.

The Color Purple…

Seth Godin wrote a book titled “Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable”.  Godin is not only a talented author; he is also a speaker and a world renowned internet marketing ‘guru’.  Seth Godin has assisted many internet entrepreneurs in dramatically improving their businesses.  If you’re interested you can find Seth’s book on Amazon, but I’m going to save you a few dollars and explain the concept to you now…

In the book, Seth Godin explains that the Purple Cow concept is to build an internet business that stands out and is more noticeable than all others.

According to Godin, today’s markets are often be saturated with products that are all too similar and in some instances, identical.  This is similar to walking by a pasture of cows that all look alike.  As you walk by, you realize that the pasture is full of cows, but you don’t necessarily find one more appealing than another.

However, now try and to imagine what it would be like if one of the cows looked extremely different.  For instance, what if one of the cows had a green head or a star shaped spot on it’s side?  Chances are, you would definitely be able to spot this cow before the others in the pasture.  And it would definitely make a lasting impression!

In order for an internet business to be successful, Godin claims that they must make their business both unique and difficult to ignore.  An internet business that is modeled after the purple cow will often generate more buzz from potential customers, versus a business that simply relies on the familiar.

How Purple is Your Cow?

Choosing to be a plain cow like all of the others is simply not a good choice for a successful internet marketing business.  If you choose to be a clone, then you will always only be ‘good enough’.

In the internet marketing world, we are getting hammered by dozens of new product launches every week.  Before long, you may find yourself competing with fresher, younger businesses that have a feel very similar to yours.  Having a generic, run of the mill business is simply not good enough anymore.

Often times, business owners find comfort in areas that are familiar to them.  However, in the internet marketing world, familiar can often spell deterioration of even the best laid plans.  In order for the internet marketing business to be successful, it must remain competitive at all times.  In today’s society, it is very easily to get lost in the massive amounts of competition out there.

In order to become a purple cow, you need to produce a business that is a one of a kind and like no other out there.  Your business will need to offer quality and reliability that will keep people coming back time and time again.  A purple cow internet marketing business is one that will withstand the test of time and the arrival of new business with fresh new looks.

However, what about trying to continually improve your business?  Godin, during a conference here in my country Canada, spoke on a variety of different Search Engine Strategies.  He remarked that in order to be a purple cow, you need to be more than a better or improved cow.  Instead, you need to be a cow that others will take notice of.  In order for this to happen, you must be able to sell to people who are willing to lend an ear.  It is this type of person what will help to promote your business and make it a success.

Is Fear Getting in the Way?

In the internet marketing world, the competition continues to get tighter by the day.  What starts out as a strong idea can easily be challenged and sometimes, can be too tempting to believe.  If an internet marketing business is not willing to fight off the urge to follow others and take a different path, it won’t be long before the business fades into the background like so many others.

Change can often be a scary thing.  However, in order for your business to be successful, you will need to be innovative and be willing to make the necessary changes.  By taking these steps, your business will, in turn, be more marketable and one that will turn heads.  Although the milk may taste exactly the same, if they believe you have a better business, they will be willing to pay a higher price.

Turning Pink?

Godin also emphasizes the importance of staying competitive.  In an interview with Andrew Goodman, of Traffic, God says that unless your business is willing to remain extraordinary, it has the chance of fading and blending in.

It may be a struggle to develop a business that will remain aggressive, but in the end, it will make all of the difference in your success.

About Jason Oickle

Jason Oickle is from Halifax, Canada, and has been a full-time Internet Marketer since 2006. He is also known as a Blogger, as well as a developer doing most of the development for his own membership sites and apps.

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10 comments

  1. Thank you Jason.

    I fully agree with the the principle. The problem is how to make my sites stand out from others.

    John Ng

  2. Hi Jason,

    Thank you for the information. I must say that this is a message different from any approach I would have thought about.

    I intend to create a definite plan for carrying out these steps to redirect my business plan.

    Regards,

    Christine Jackson

  3. hey.. your web layout looks great. interesting post… very informative!

  4. Jason; It was a very well stated plan and I am sure we could all benefit from your future insights. Thank you Jack L Welch Jr.

  5. Hello Jason,

    I have heard of the “purple cow” principle mentioned before, but until now, I didn’t know what it meant. Thanks to this post, I understand perfectly.

    I realise that as the life of the internet progresses, more and more people are connecting to the internet. As such, more and more people are going to be trying to make extra money through the internet.

    It makes perfect sense that one should try to be different, and stand out, from the multitude.

    This post has given me some ideas.

    Rock on Jason. I’ll look forward to more informative posts from you.

    Regards,

    Gary

    PS. Your blog format looks great. Easy to read and navigate.

  6. Hello Jason,

    Thanks for this enlightening post.

    I’ve heard the term “purple cow” before, but didn’t really pay attention to what it meant. It sounded nonsensical to me.

    However, with your post, you’ve given clarity to the concept.

    Thanks again!

    CHeers!
    Ricardo

  7. Hi Jason,

    Well written post Jason. I have heard of Seth’s book, but with so many Ebooks traveling around the Internet these days, it’s sometimes difficult to find the quality material. Thanks for the review. I will re-visit The Purple Cow.

    Thanks again!

    Terrie

  8. Hi Jason,
    Neat story – and I agree, but like previous comments, how do you get to be purple, or pink, and then maintain that difference?
    Love your new layout.
    Thanks, and all the best.
    Andrew – the organic maven

  9. Your article is very valid and well written. I have heard of the ‘purple cow’ concept and as one other person has commented; you’ve added some clarity to it’s meaning. I have often thought doing something different makes you noticeable. That doesn’t mean a vote for bad taste. Different often is in extremely good taste. You have given me some much needed inspiration. Thanks Jason. Your new layout is very nice.
    Ruth – Home Job Kit.

  10. Hey Jason-

    I’m just catching up to your site. You’ve
    got some great content. I love the “Purple Cow”.
    When I was in the brick and mortar world of sales and network marketing there was a cliche’ about “me too” products and how to set yourself apart.
    The “Purple Cow” is a beautiful example of setting yourself apart from the herd. Keep the great content coming! Mr.Bill

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