One of the strategies that Godin believes will create and support an ideavirus is persistence. At one point, he instructs the reader to ‘[m]ake as many supporting manifestos available as possible, in whatever forms necessary, to turn consumers from skeptics into converts.’ (p.63)

I think that strategy might have backfired on him with this reader (that would be me). I read his manifesto in Fast Company before starting the book, and I think it ruined the book for me. Spoiler alert: the manifesto is a point-by-point summary of the book, even citing the same examples as the ones you’ll find in the book. Who would benefit from reading the manifesto before the book? Someone with really short-term memory.

Sorry, Seth. Originality trumps persistence in my world. Then again, you’re getting free publicity from me, so maybe you’ve won after all.

See the whole write-up of the review at http://www.uncustomarybookreview.com/....

Happy reading!

If only he could have seen the future as it is today.... He provides a unique way of describing ideas that actually are the premise of social media, target, and affiliate marketing, as well as a basic introduction of mob/herd social psychology. A bit outdated but one unfamiliar with this information could gain a few insights.

I have to admit that this was not my favorite Seth Godin book. I love the ideas behind it but it didn't seem as smoothly written as his other books. I usually have "Ah-Ha" moments with his books but this one didn't leave me with a lot of those.

Godin explores how an idea can spread, ways you dampen the spread of an idea and the people who help spread ideas. He digs into identifying your hive (the people who you are focusing on and will help spread the word). I found this a useful bit as I look at our businesses and think about how to spread our ideas to a larger market.

Overall, this book was a decent business read but a lot of the business examples are out-dated and I would recommend one of Godin's other books before this one.

Seth Godin explores how to turn a good business idea into an infectious "ideavirus" that spreads like wildfire. Early adopters, customers and key influencers, called "sneezers", will spread an ideavirus far more effectively than traditional, interruption-based marketing methods. The trick is to invent a virus-worthy idea, make it smooth and persistent, give powerful sneezers incentive to spread it, and get permission to follow up with its recipients. The key is to carefully identify and choose the right target group, a "hive", in which to unleash the virus, and to design your product idea or company as an ideavirus right from the start. This book provides a method for effective viral marketing or propagation of ideas.

Although many of the stories in this decade-old book are dated, their lessons are still relevant. The author has a breezy style that makes this book a quick, fun and useful read. What's cool is that this book was designed as an ideavirus. Godin's outlines his strategy for making the book an ideavirus on pages 124-5. In reading the book, one experiences first hand the process of creating and receiving an ideavirus. The book embodies its own concepts. It clearly worked because it got me to sneeze Godin's manifesto.

Viral marketing is all the rave now. This book gives excellent tactics for not only creating a viral marketing campaign, but embedding "viral" into your overall business strategy. Seth is very honest and straight forward about "viral" crossing all parts of business and first starting with creating a remarkable product. I LOVED this book!!!

As always Seth is delivering a world class research-based books to our life. I believe this one is his masterpiece. The idea virus is not his discoveries, but, he can incredibly presenting to you how these companies spreading the words and make people talk good about them. I wish i was one of those company owners.

An enjoyable quick read that challenges traditional marketing/advertising tactics. Godin proposes shifting the way we market from the expensive and ineffective shotgun approach to a more tailored, relationship approach.

It's interesting that this was written before the explosion of social media and how Godin's theory has played out in that arena. It's be great for him to update this book to tie in the social media aspects of relationship marketing.

Unleashing Idea Virus is mostly lent on the idea of viral marketing.


So this is my assessment of the book Unleashing Idea Virus by Seth Godin according to my 8 criteria:
1. Related to practice - 4 stars
2. It prevails important - 3 stars
3. I agree with the read - 4 stars
4. not difficult to read (as for non English native) - 4 stars
5. Too long (more than 500 pages) - short and concise (150-200 pages) - 3 stars
6. Boring - every sentence is interesting - 3 stars
7. Learning opportunity - 3 stars
8. Dry and uninspired style of writing - Smooth style with humouristic and fun parts - 3 stars

Total 3.375 stars

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He shared some interesting ideas. It seems he was one of the pioneers of "viral marketing" before social networks.

It was difficult to get past his rants about many ventures he used as examples and predicted would be amazingly successful, which have since amazingly failed. He also predicted what he called "interruption marketing" (traditional advertising including TV ads) would die--and that hasn't quite seemed to be happening, at least not yet.

I was inspired to: make it smooth for customers to share my idea with each other, to look to find and fill a "vacuum" which has no existing solution, to target communications tools, and to exploit opportunities around music sharing, intellectual property, and managing payment for digital content (which "wants to be free").

The concept of ideaviruses and leveraging the power of word-of-mouth marketing.

1. **Ideaviruses Defined:**
- An ideavirus is a marketing idea that spreads and grows like a virus, passing from person to person. It is a concept that has the potential to become widely adopted and shared.

2. **Turning Customers into Marketers:**
- The book advocates for a shift from traditional marketing methods to empowering customers to become active participants in spreading ideas. This is achieved by creating ideas that customers are excited to share.

3. **The Power of Word-of-Mouth:**
- Word-of-mouth marketing is a powerful force that can propel an idea or product to success. The book emphasizes the importance of creating ideas that people naturally want to talk about and share.

4. **The Idea Diffusion Process:**
- Godin outlines a process for ideavirus diffusion, from the innovators and early adopters to the early majority and late majority. Understanding this process helps in crafting strategies for idea spread.

5. **Creating Remarkable Ideas:**
- Remarkable ideas are those that stand out and are worthy of being remarked upon. The book encourages marketers to focus on creating ideas that are unique, valuable, and memorable.

6. **Seeding the Ideavirus:**
- To start an ideavirus, it's essential to seed the initial group of influencers who will spread the idea. These influencers play a crucial role in initiating the viral spread.

7. **Removing Barriers to Spread:**
- Identify and remove barriers that may hinder the spread of the ideavirus. This involves making it easy for people to share and ensuring the idea aligns with their values.

8. **Feedback and Iteration:**
- Constant feedback and iteration are key components of successful ideavirus campaigns. Marketers should be open to adapting the idea based on how it is received and shared.

9. **The Role of Technology:**
- Technology, especially digital platforms and social media, plays a significant role in accelerating the spread of ideaviruses. Leveraging technology enhances the reach and impact of the idea.

10. **Measuring Success:**
- Success in unleashing an ideavirus is measured by the extent to which the idea spreads organically and gains momentum. Tracking its reach and impact helps refine future marketing strategies.

"Unleashing the Ideavirus" provides a framework for marketers to create ideas that naturally spread from person to person, leveraging the power of word-of-mouth marketing in the digital age.

Unleashing the Ideavirus is one of those books that might have delivered the same amount of value as a blog post (although if I remember correctly, it was definitely shorter than a traditional book). The concept itself is great, and the author provides lots of good ideas for making your products or services remarkable and incorporating marketing within them in such a way that they spread fast and wide.

Rating: 3/5 stars.

Better to read this book after Permission Marketing..
Yes it's outdated but some ideas are still catchy..
Hoping to implement those ideas soon..