Optimal Work Daily - Career, Productivity and Entrepreneurship 1833: Selling Ideas to a Big Company by Seth Godin on Building Credibility and Corporate Influence
Oct 7, 2025
Seth Godin explores the nuances of selling ideas to big companies. He highlights that successful ideas resonate deeply and foster connections rather than relying on urgency. Trust is fundamental; companies prioritize credibility over mere concepts. Godin discusses how a company's internal culture can hinder the acceptance of external ideas. He emphasizes investing time to build credibility before pitching, and offers insights into when to patent inventions versus executing them swiftly.
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Long And Short Idea Wins
- Seth Godin recounts early book-packaging work including a five-year project and a day-to-day book creation success.
- He also shares that he received 900 rejection letters in his first year and sold one project, illustrating early struggle.
Target Companies That Buy Ideas
- Do target companies that are already in the business of buying ideas because they have processes and little incentive to steal.
- If a company puts up barriers, move on and find an industry experienced in acquiring ideas.
Prototypes Met Factory Cultures
- Seth describes inventing the first fax board for the Mac and a wireless music player prototype he tried to license.
- He explains meetings with many companies and how some industries lack the culture to buy or implement such ideas.