Remarkable products don’t appeal to everyone—and that’s the entire point of standing out. If you try to be for everybody, you end up being for nobody. This is the core of creating a Purple Cow.
Share Image Quote:Table of Contents
Meaning
The core message is that true, remarkable innovation is inherently niche. Its power comes from its polarizing nature, not from its universal appeal.
Explanation
Look, here’s the thing I’ve seen kill more good ideas than anything else: the desire to be safe. To be liked by everyone. But in a crowded market, safe is invisible. When you build something truly remarkable—a Purple Cow—it’s going to be weird to some people. It might even turn them off. And that’s your signal that you’re on the right track. You’re not building for the masses huddled in the middle; you’re building for the people on the edges, the ones who will see your product and think, “This was made for me.” They’re the ones who will tell everyone. Trying to make a product that offends no one is a recipe for creating something that inspires no one. It’s a subtle but massive shift in mindset.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Business (233) |
| Topics | focus (155), niche (4), product design (2) |
| Literary Style | assertive (142), clean (4), logical (24) |
| Overall Quote Score | 86 (262) |
Origin & Factcheck
This quote comes straight from Seth Godin’s 2003 book, Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable, which was published in the United States. It’s a cornerstone of his philosophy, so you’ll often see it attributed to him and this book specifically.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Seth Godin (100) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable (43) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
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
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Remarkable products don’t appeal to everyone—and that’s the point |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2003; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9781591843177; Last edition: 2010; Number of pages: 160. |
| Where is it? | Chapter 47: Not for Everyone, page 152/160 |