ETG Podcast 1: 10 Minutes With Seth Godin
May
ETG Podcast: Episode 1
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So I was sitting at my desk on Friday counting down the hours until I got to leave my office prison, when I had an idea.
Since I’m starting a Podcast interview series, why not send out a few emails to people who I would really love to interview.
First on the list was the master of marketing, Seth Godin. Now, I know that even a well established blog with lots of authority doesn’t have a very good chance of getting an interview with him, but I figured I had nothing to lose.
So, I crafted this email and sent it off to him.
Naturally, I thought there was a 99% chance that this email would find its way into his bottomless pit of emails. To my utter surprise (and excitement), I received this email 2 minutes later!
Obviously Seth has never heard of my blog and certainly was not waiting by his computer to answer my email the moment it came in. This seemed a little too easy. My confusion was soon put to rest.
21 minutes later we were talking on Skype.
What Just Happened??
Needless to say, I was caught completely off guard. I had no questions prepared and I had no idea what to ask him. My mind (and body) were virtually paralyzed with fear. Here’s the opportunity of a lifetime and I am totally unprepared.
To make matters worse, I was still at work. Not good.
I managed to brush up on Seth Godin 101 and figure out a few questions. I mean, when you only have 15 minutes to prepare for an interview with one of the greatest marketing minds of today, what do you do?
It certainly didn’t help that I am completely new to interviewing and not comfortable at all yet with the process.
Didn’t matter, I had no choice. If I didn’t take this opportunity now, I probably would never get a second chance.
So, with my heart pounding and my body numb from the waist up, I made the Skype call. Below is what transpired. I have included the unedited version, which involves me explaining how nervous I was and struggling to form a complete sentence…..
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What I learned is this:
- Take those chances because you never know what will happen!
- Always be prepared!
- Timing can make all the difference.
- I seriously need to work on my interviewing skills.
If you haven’t read any of his books, I strongly suggest it!
Here are my 3 favorites:
Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?
Purple Cow, New Edition: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable–Includes new bonus chapter
Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us
Please leave a comment with your thoughts. What would YOU have asked him??
Thanks for listening and don’t forget to subscribe to my Podcast in iTunes!
Benny
Steve great story! I can’t believe he responded so quickly. It’s great he responded to the wrong email but still honored his word.
He sounded as nice as he could be on the interview considering you were so nervous.
His answer was funny about how people want the passive income lifestyle so they can go to the bar and learn to pick up chicks. Maybe this should be called “Ending the Grind So You Can Pick Up Chicks”.
I like that he suggests to make a blog that if it was gone people would miss. A great point to remember.
Though he does mention moving back in with parents, not everyone wants to do that, especially if they have families. But cutting down expense is logical.
Great job man and you survived!!
Also just think all your future interviews will seem smooth sailing compared to this.
Steve
Benny,
Yea, it happened so fast and he was very cool to go through with it after realizing his error.
It’s funny because my nerves have definitely calmed down since that call. I interviewed MJ DeMarco yesterday, who is a very successful entrepreneur and the author of The Millionaire Fast Lane, and I wasn’t nervous at all.
Jim
Loved the way you faked being nervous to help put Seth at ease.
Steve
He was clearly intimidated by my presence so I had to do something…..
David
Crazy how some things happen, especially when you put yourself out there and take a chance. If he had not accidentally responded to your email, you probably would have never heard back from him for a month, maybe never.
As always, we are our hardest critics. Yes, you sounded a little nervous, but it wasn’t really that bad. After the first question you definitely relaxed. I can’t imagine what I would have done, probably would have been 100x more nervous.
The interview was really good though. The last question was the best. Made me think about how committed I am to quitting my job (not very committed) and how worried I am about maintaining my current lifestyle (very worried). Lots to think about…
Keep it coming with these! I’m expecting Gary Vee next week haha jk
Steve
David,
That’s why timing is so important. If I would have waited even a few minutes to send that email, he may never have responded. I think everything happens for a reason. I may have been a bit more relaxed had I more time to prepare, but there was no way I was going to postpone this.
I have been working on Gary V but have yet to get through…Tim Ferriss is on the list as well. Got rejected by his assistant once already, but that won’t stop me. He WILL be on this Podcast!
David
Yes, timing and a little luck, all made possible when you took a chance.
This is awesome though, I’m happy for you and I know you’ll capitalize on this experience.
Steve
A little luck? I would say it was ALL luck in my case!!
I think it helped with my confidence with interviewing, so I’m very happy that I did it.
Eugene
Maybe if you keep bugging his assistant she’ll let you get through just to get off her case! 🙂
Steve
Yea, I’m going to use the drip method. I’ll just keep sending those emails until they tell me to drop dead or give me an interview!
Benny
Tim Ferris would be huge! To my recollection I’ve only seen him do interviews in major publications and bigger blogs. So it would be a huge catch!
Steve
Yea Benny, I’m not holding my breath for that one…
Caleb Wojcik
Great breakthrough Steve. I think that you don’t need to be nervous for anyone else now you interviewed Seth. 🙂
Steve
Thanks Caleb. There are still a few others out there that would definitely have me sweating. Tony Robbins is one. I have emailed him as well. It would be really something to be able to speak with him!
Caleb Wojcik
When I end my grind, I’m totally up for an interview.
Steve
Ok, it’s on!
Michele Welch
So awesome Steve! I recently became a fan of Seth. One of my latest articles was inspired by his book, The Purple Cow.
I love when he said the goal is the platform of who you can become and it’s an opportunity. And what he said about living the life of a pauper until you pay off your debt, made total sense. We often worry about paying our bills and being stuck, yet we have no problem dishing out $150 for a dinner one night.
Great stuff Steve…well done! That was pure gold. 😉
Steve
Hey Michele,
I’ve read a few of his books which have changed the way I view certain things in my life and business.
He definitely had some great info and I would have loved to keep him talking, but I tried to stick to the 10 minutes I asked for.
Thanks for the feedback!
Eugene
Steve, this was AWESOME. Can’t believe you got through to Seth…this is a big deal.
Lucky? Maybe. But it definitely required you to take the action first.
I think you did a great job with the interview. You seemed to get a hold of your nerves pretty quickly. I’ve heard much worse interviews from people who had time to prepare.
Well done!
Steve
Thanks Eugene, I appreciate that. I guess the fear of completely blowing it was strong enough to get me through it!
Keith
Dude, this just proves that you have to be ready for the unexpected! I emailed several big names to contribute to my eBook when I was writing it, Darren Rowse emailed me back same day too…. only his was on purpose and with his contribution to my book.
Good stuff man!
Steve
Exactly right Keith. I’ve got my questions ready for Gary V when I get the call to action!
It would have looked better for sure if he had purposely emailed me, but I think the way it played out was funnier and makes a better story!
ChrisWinter
Incredible!
I would have wet myself.
And you would have HEARD it. :B
Very well done, Steve.
Steve
LOL Chris!
Adam W. Warner
Hey Steve, just heard from you on Twitter under my wpmodder handle after posting your article in my ezine. It appears that you and I are reaching toward the same goal and I’m happy to have found you and your site.
As Seth would say “Poke the box!”
Steve
Thanks for the mention Adam, I really appreciate that. It’s always good to have like minded people around us!
See you around.
susie @newdaynewlesson
Like I wrote in my email to you-good job on asking and on the podcast.
Funny cause a few days ago I wrote a post about asking:
http://www.newdaynewlesson.com/ask-or-no-one-can-say-yes/
Steve
Thanks Susie!
Your post is spot on. If we don’t ask, we have 0% of succeeding.
Nick Laborde
Well done Steve, an epic way to kick off your podcast. Seth is a solid dude, I emailed him a while back and was surprised by his quick reply.
Steve
Thanks Nick!
Yea, he was very courteous. He definitely practices what he preaches.
Nicole @ WomanSeeksWorld
Wow, you lucky man! Great story and kudos to you for going for it – in fact, youve inspired me to start thinking outside the box a little…well played!
Steve
Thanks Nicole!
Glad to hear it got you thinking. Hopefully great things will follow…
Keshav
Awesome story Steve. Loved every word of it. I was apprehensive taking up your offer for a call last week. The usual excuses came up – No idea what I’ll ask, I have to help myself before I can ask someone, it was a waste of your time.
“Take those chances because you never know what will happen!”
Now I will take that chance just as you did, So what if I sound stupid. I know you are trying to help me.
And as you advised, “I will be prepared” (But I have no clue how to)
What do you say?
Oh and by the way, I loved the interview. Your last question and Seth’s answer was super. He’s right, our addiction to our current lifestyle blocks us. We may be willing to make the cut-downs but what about our families?
p.s – I love the fact that different links (who is steve…) appear under your google search result link .
Steve
Keshav,
You’ve been a part of this blog for a while and I feel your pain with what you’re struggling with. Don’t worry about wasting my time, I’m happy to help if I can.
I know you’ve been stuck in your head about a number of things, so please take me up on my offer!
Don’t worry about “getting prepared”. All you need to do is talk 🙂
The interview was awesome and I’m very thankful that it worked out the way it did.
Robin Raindropcatcher
Thank you for your bravery, Steve. I really enjoyed listening.
Steve
Glad you enjoyed it Robin. Thanks for listening.
David Damron
Congrats Steve! That’s awesome. Glad you grabbed the bull by the horns.
Very well done for not being prepared.
Crazy what you can achieve when you tear down the barriers and walls of fear and uncertainty.
David Damron
Life Excursion
Steve
Thanks David, I did the best I could…
I realized how easily I would have postponed most other interviews due to fear of being unprepared. I learned that if we just do it anyway, the worst that can happen isn’t going to be that bad.
Don Power
Hey Steve;
I’ve read Seth Godin for years but this is the first one on one interview I’ve ever heard him do.
What a professional.
And I have to say that you were very professional too. You just jumped right in there without hesitation and not a lot of people could do that.
In fact it makes you “remarkable”.
As someone who has worked at the daily grind for years and who now has one of the best jobs ever (I work from home blogging for a social media company)I think the thing that I’d like to underscore from this interview is that Internet “celebrities” are really just people who share most of the same goals, desires and fears as us.
Unlike media celebrities, Internet celebrities are not on the covers of glossy magazines, very few of them are on Entertainment Tonight (I can think of Perez Hilton as the one exception) so they tend to be a lot more “down to earth” than one might otherwise think.
So what? You may say…well the so what is this: Any of us can be Internet celebrities – or better still Internet successes – because it’s not about looks or a big PR machine – it’s about strategic connections, timing and good fortune.
For example, I’m speaking at a Social Media Conference next week where one of the keynote speakers – @Ambercadabera (I don’t even know her real name!) just told me that she got started as an “Internet celebrity” by simply contacting Radian6 about doing some blogging for them.
Now, she’s a keynote speaker on Social Media all over the world, she’s a co-author of a best selling book and most of all she’s a real person who just happened to capitalize and follow through on a great opportunity.
I joked with Amber on Twitter that I landed my current job in much the same manner – by replying to a tweet from Sprout Social looking for a “blogging phenom”.
Less than 1 year later, I’m speaking at a Social Media Conference on the the topic : “How to Tweet All Day and Get Paid to Do It!”
The point is – it’s possible- there is hope and a light at the end of the tunnel. In fact, there’s more opportunity now than ever before.
In your case, you’ve got the skills, you’re certainly making great connections, so just keep doing more of what you’re doing and the success you seek will come. The same advice would apply to the majority of your readership, I would expect.
Great job, great blog. The World is Your Oyster!
– Don Power
@donpower
Steve
Don,
Wow, I appreciate your incredibly kind words!
I’m not sure I would call myself remarkable, I just did the best I could given my opportunity.
I hear you about the “realness” factor many Internet personalities have and that’s one of the reasons I love this world so much.
Congrats on your speaking gig, that’s awesome! I’m sure you will kick some ass there.
As far as my plans, I am going to keep moving forward, building relationships, and trying to help as many people as I can.
I’ve got high expectations for my success online and I truly appreciate comments like yours.
Adrienne
I’m SO impressed Steve. Right off the bat, whether it was an error on Seth’s part or not, you got that interview man!!! Wow, go for it is right!
You sound how I would probably be, nervous as hell! But I love some of the tips he shared especially the false sense of the “internet lifestyle” that so many people talk about all the time. Yeah, it’s sitting at your desk behind a computer for the rest of your life which is call work people!!! Thank you for reiterating that Mr. Godin!!!
Again, nice job Steve!!! Nice!!! Who will ever be able to outdo you on that one! 🙂
Steve
Adrienne,
I was in the right place at the right time! You and I are going to have to have one hell of an interview to top this one, but I have faith 🙂
Mathy
Hi Steve,
I’ve discovered your website through Barbara J Winter – Joyfully Jobless. And only to realize I wished I had found a blog like this 5 years ago. But your right when you said timing is important. That’s why you were ready for the Seth Godin Interview more than you ever were before. How do I your interview on podcast?
Mathy
Steve
Mathy,
Are you grinding out a miserable job as well?
Are you asking where to download my Podcast? You can go to iTunes and search for Ending The Grind and can subscribe/download there!
Thanks for reading!!
Mathy
Sorry I didn’t introduce myself 🙁
Hi Im Mathy, from London, I tell stories and share stories online about my current Redundancy and I’m new to blogging.
Don’t know if I can call myself a Grinder as I don’t have a 9-5 at present. I did 3 months ago
but after loosing my job and my father I knew this was my timing. So I too have started
blogging. I think your website is pretty cool it’s good to know people that have similar experience. I think your doing something that’s pretty powerful sharing your stories like this
Thanks I’m following you on twitter and I will listen to your podcast on ITunes.
Steve
Good to meet you Mathy! I think everything happens for a reason and I wish you well on your blogging journey.
If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email.
Thanks for reading and checking out my Podcast, I appreciate that.
Natalie Sisson
Love that story – wow great for you. I’ve had the same experience with Seth. He replied within 4 minutes of me emailing a post where I credited his book Linchpin with my final big leap of faith into going full time with my blog.
He just replied `So you play Frisbee’. Clearly he’d gone to my blog, read my about page, left a comment on my blog too.
He’s my idol.
Steve
Natalie,
Yea, he seems to be a very genuine guy. He is where he is for a reason…
David Moore
Wow, what a fantastic interview Steve! Seth Godin is such a legend and I’ve was also shocked when I received a personal response from him to an email I sent him around 6 months ago. Well done for seizing the opportunity when it came along 🙂
Steve
Thanks David, I appreciate that. He was very genuine and I was highly surprised that he took my interview..