It’s not the facts that spread, it’s the feelings they create. This is the secret engine behind every viral idea, every brand people love, and every movement that actually catches fire. We’re wired for emotion, not for data sheets.
Share Image Quote:Information is inert. Emotion is the propellant. The core message is that people share and remember how something made them feel far more than the raw data points themselves.
Look, I’ve seen this play out a thousand times. You can have the most accurate, most thoroughly researched facts in the world, but if they don’t connect with someone on an emotional level—if they don’t create a sense of hope, fear, belonging, or outrage—they go nowhere. They just sit there. It’s the feeling that becomes the social currency. It’s the feeling that makes someone lean over to their friend and say, “You have to see this.” The facts are just the container for that emotional payload. They’re the vehicle, but the feeling is the fuel.
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (4111) |
| Category | Emotion (190) |
| Topics | communication (212), emotion general (115), influence (84) |
| Literary Style | minimalist (506), poetic (709) |
| Emotion / Mood | reflective (414) |
| Overall Quote Score | 81 (265) |
This gem comes straight from marketing guru Seth Godin’s 2005 book, All Marketers Are Liars, which he later subtitled “…Tell Stories.” It’s a core tenet of his philosophy, and it’s often misunderstood. He’s not advocating for literal lies, but for telling authentic stories that feel true.
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Seth Godin (100) |
| Source Type | Book (4574) |
| Source/Book Name | All Marketers Are Liars: The Power of Telling Authentic Stories in a Low-Trust World (57) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1995) |
| Original Language | English (4111) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4574) |
Seth Godin writes and teaches about marketing, leadership, and creative work. After earning an MBA from Stanford, he founded Yoyodyne, sold it to Yahoo!, and later launched ventures like Squidoo and the altMBA. He has authored bestsellers such as Permission Marketing, Purple Cow, Tribes, Linchpin, and This Is Marketing. He posts daily at seths.blog and speaks globally about making work that matters. If you’re starting with the Seth Godin book list, expect insights on trust, storytelling, and shipping creative projects that change culture.
| Official Website | Facebook | X
| Quotation | It’s not the facts that spread. It’s the feelings they create |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2005; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9781591841009; Last edition: Portfolio Penguin 2012; Number of pages: 240. |
| Where is it? | Chapter 37: Emotional Spread, page 267, 2012 edition |
Godin was pushing back hard against the old, feature-dump style of marketing. In a world saturated with ads and information, he argued that the only way to break through is to tell a story that resonates with a worldview your audience already holds. The “facts” are just the set dressing for that narrative. The story, and the feeling it evokes, is the product.
So how do you use this? It’s everywhere once you start looking.
For Marketers & Founders: Stop leading with specs. Does your software “increase efficiency by 15%”? Boring. Frame it as “Give your team their evenings back.” You’re selling the feeling of relief and freedom, not the metric.
For Leaders & Managers: Don’t just present a new policy. Wrap it in a story. “This isn’t about more paperwork. This is about how we’re going to create a safer environment for everyone, so you can all focus on doing your best work without worry.” You’re selling security and empowerment.
For Anyone Trying to Persuade: The next time you have a compelling fact, ask yourself: “What feeling does this create?” Lead with that. The data is your backup singer, not the lead vocalist.
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Theme | Concept (274) |
| Audiences | educators (306), leaders (2917), marketers (214), writers (431) |
| Usage Context/Scenario | creative writing panels (1), emotional intelligence workshops (23), storytelling classes (2) |
Question: Does this mean facts don’t matter?
Answer: Not at all. Facts are the foundation. They give your story credibility. But the foundation isn’t what makes someone want to live in the house. The feeling is.
Question: Isn’t this just manipulation?
Answer: It can be, if you’re inauthentic. But Godin’s point is about finding a true story that aligns with your product or idea. It’s about connecting, not conning. People can smell a fake story a mile away.
Question: What if my product just isn’t “emotional”?
Answer: I challenge that. B2B software? You’re selling peace of mind, not code. Accounting services? You’re selling a good night’s sleep. There’s always an emotional substrate. You just have to dig for it.
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