Growing up, I loved books!  I would read entire books in one day because I just couldn’t put it down.  Somewhere in middle school, I began to hate reading because school forces you to read books that you don’t want to read.  That lasted all through high school and part of college.  I actually enjoyed some of the required reading in college.  Now, many years after grad school, I am starting to love reading again.

Weston and I started reading books together last year and it was a game changer!  We both love setting goals and reading about business and finance (I know, super nerdy, right?).  We didn’t really stick to a plan last year, but we did manage to read 6 books together.  This year, we decided to read at least one book per month and you voted on Instagram that you wanted to read my review of these books!  I will share why I chose each book, what the book is about, and what I learned from reading it.  I hope this will encourage you to start reading too!

1. Why I chose this book

2. What this book is about

I mistakenly assumed that this book was all about how the Purple Cow gas stations became remarkable.  I was completely wrong.  On the second page of the book, Seth Godin explains that when he and his family were driving through France, they were in awe of the hundreds of cows grazing in the fields as they drove dozens of miles in the countryside.  After twenty minutes, they started ignoring the cows.  What once amazed them was now boring.  A purple cow though – that would be interesting.  Godin uses the rest of the book to dive into what it means to be remarkable in business.

3. What I learned

Many pages of the book were reminiscent of a marketing class I took in grad school.  Even though we learned so much about the old ways of marketing, it’s irrelevant now.  Marketing to the masses no longer works.  If you don’t want to be invisible, you have to be remarkable.  Page after page gives examples of businesses that are remarkable.  Apple has been mentioned in at least half of the books I have read over the last year.  They are clearly remarkable and an excellent role model for marketing.

A few years ago, I became more intentional about everything I posted on social media to attract the type of client I wanted to book in the future.  It worked!  I love every single client and I am able to provide a better experience for them.  After reading Purple Cow, I am encouraged that some of the decisions I have made for my business are right on track.  I don’t know if I would call my business remarkable, but I think I’m making strides in the right direction – especially after reading this book!