Quick answer
For most readers, This Is Marketing (2018) is a sensible first Seth Godin book, because it is his most complete statement on how he thinks about marketing. If you care more about your career or creative work than marketing tactics, Linchpin or The Practice may fit better. If you want a short, punchy read that shows his style, Purple Cow is a classic.
Godin has written a great many books, and they tend to be short, written in brief chapters and aimed at a general business audience. There is no wrong place to start, and you can read most of them in any order.
Pick by what you need
| If you want to… | Start with |
|---|---|
| Understand modern marketing | This Is Marketing |
| Make products people talk about | Purple Cow |
| Learn the “ask permission” approach | Permission Marketing |
| Become hard to replace at work | Linchpin |
| Build a creative habit | The Practice |
| Decide when to quit | The Dip |
| Lead a small movement | Tribes |
Marketing books
This Is Marketing argues that good marketing is about serving a specific group of people and earning their trust, rather than shouting at a broad audience. It is a good fit for small business owners and marketers.
Purple Cow (2003) makes the case that products need to be remarkable in some way to be noticed. It is short and its ideas are easy to apply to a product or service of your own.
Permission Marketing (1999) is an earlier work that contrasts interruption with asking people for their interest. Some examples reflect the internet of its time, but the core idea is still easy to follow.
If you plan to write marketing material, our list of copywriting books pairs well with these.
Career and creative-work books
Linchpin (2010) is about bringing initiative and creativity to a job so you become more valuable. It speaks to employees and freelancers who feel they are just following instructions.
The Practice (2020) focuses on showing up regularly to make creative work, without waiting for inspiration.
The Dip is a short book about knowing when to push through a hard stretch and when to stop.
Tribes looks at leading and connecting groups around a shared idea.
Suggested reading order
- This Is Marketing or Purple Cow for the main ideas.
- Linchpin or The Practice for work and creativity.
- Permission Marketing and Tribes for background on his earlier thinking.
- Pick up The Dip when you face a decision about whether to continue a project.
Godin also writes a daily blog, which is a free way to sample his voice before buying a book. If you want to build a wider business library afterward, see our guide to the best MBA books.
Frequently asked questions
What order should you read Seth Godin books in?
There is no required order, as the books mostly stand alone. The sequence above is one practical path based on interest.
What are the best-selling marketing books?
Sales figures change and are not always public, so it is hard to name a definitive list. Godin’s titles, along with books like Influence and Positioning, are commonly mentioned among well-known marketing reads.
Does Seth Godin have ADHD?
We are not aware of any reliable public confirmation either way, and it is best not to speculate about a person’s health.
What are 5 books everyone should read?
That varies by person. For business readers, a mix of a marketing title like This Is Marketing, a psychology book, a strategy book and a memoir is a good start. See our MBA book list for more.