Tell the truth. Tell it well. And tell it often. It sounds simple, but this is the absolute bedrock of building anything that lasts—a brand, a movement, a career. It’s about moving from a one-time transaction to a lifelong relationship.
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Meaning
At its core, this is a three-part formula for building deep, lasting trust. It’s not just about honesty; it’s about crafting that honesty into a compelling narrative and then reinforcing it through relentless consistency.
Explanation
Let’s break this down, because most people get the first part and then completely miss the other two. “Tell the truth” is your foundation. It’s your authentic “why,” the real problem you solve or the genuine value you provide. No spin. But here’s the thing—the raw truth alone is often boring or misunderstood. That’s where “Tell it well” comes in. This is the magic. You wrap that core truth in a story that resonates, that connects on an emotional level with your audience. You make it about them, not you.
And finally, “Tell it often.” This is where most great ideas die. You don’t just launch a story and walk away. You have to repeat it, reinforce it, and live it out loud across every single touchpoint. It’s this repetition that builds a worldview around your truth. It’s how you become known for something.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Wisdom (385) |
| Topics | communication (196), consistency (66), truth (77) |
| Literary Style | directive (29), pithy (25) |
| Emotion / Mood | honest (52) |
| Overall Quote Score | 85 (305) |
Origin & Factcheck
This quote comes straight from Seth Godin’s 2005 book, All Marketers Are Liars. Now, that title is a bit of a hook, but his point is crucial—he’s talking about the stories we tell ourselves. The book was published in the United States and really captured a shift in marketing thinking that was just beginning. It’s sometimes misattributed to older advertising legends, but this specific, powerful phrasing is pure Godin.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Seth Godin (100) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | All Marketers Are Liars: The Power of Telling Authentic Stories in a Low-Trust World (57) |
| 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 | Tell the truth. Tell it well. And tell it often |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2005; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9781591841009; Last edition: Portfolio Penguin 2012; Number of pages: 240. |
| Where is it? | Final Chapter, page 300, 2012 edition |