Why Seth Godin believes everyone should create their own Tribes

Seth Godin is a successful online marketer founder of Squidoo, public speaker, and a successful writer. He has already written 10 best selling books, all of them dealing with the subject matter of “success” in different sectors.

In an interview given to mixergy.com founder Andrew Warner, he openly talks among others about his book “Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us”, and why he believes that forming a tribe for yourself, where you are the leader is a quintessential ingredient in the marketing world.

Everyone has a story to tell

If you are a passionate and motivated enough person, with a story to tell, with a concept you utterly believe in, you will become a successful leader. For that, your concept needs to be built on solid grounds, and it should perpetuate an idea that people can relate to, that people can believe in, in order to become your followers.

Everyone needs to learn how to become a leader

Seth Godin argues that in order for you to become a leader, you need to make that decision in the first place. People are generally hesitant about imposing themselves as leaders, because they are afraid of the shortfalls.

He also points out that there are no tactics on how to become a leader. In general, tactics are free, you can “steal” them from others, but the most difficult part is to take that decision and to stick to it.

Overcoming the obstacles on your way, make people want to follow you, or do something worth the support of the community, are the most difficult tasks. A simple tactic cannot help you if you are not backed up by a good decision and strong will.

Never think big. In fact, you will become the best leader of a tribe if you try to bring a small piece of change, one that truly has potential and which will make people want to be lead by you.

Your tribe builds your brand and influences on others

The power of the crowd is huge. If you manage to successfully build up your tribe, and be a respectable leader who cares about “the individual” who is part of your tribe, your marketing stratagem is going to be a success.

Just have a look online, see how successful companies managed to build their tribes, with millions of followers on social networks, message boards, forums, and so on.

If you also manage to transmit your passion to your tribe, they will perpetuate the message for you: build your brand and influence other crowds as well.

Then, don’t forget to motivate your tribe through rewards and recognition. This is something totally different from “bribing”- but it is giving consideration and respect to individuals in your tribe.

Let the best earn incentives, coupons, gifts, memberships, and so on. This will make them feel special, and want you to lead them further.

Godin further points out one very important thing. If you truly embrace the 99% of your tribe, you will never be taken down by that 1% who wants you to disappear.

In marketing, just as in any other sector, you will have your enemies. But if you focus on those loyal to you, your enemies will have 0 power of destruction.