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Unleashing the Ideavirus: Stop Marketing at People! Turn Your Ideas Into Epidemics by Helping Your Customers Do the Marketing for You

Unleashing the Ideavirus: Stop Marketing at People! Turn Your Ideas Into Epidemics by Helping Your Customers Do the Marketing for You

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$2.67at alibrisChecked Nov 9

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Price facts

  • Last seen at $2.67 at alibris on Nov 9.
  • Checked at 2 stores.

Our take on the Unleashing the Ideavirus: Stop Marketing at People! Turn Your Ideas Into Epidemics by Helping Your Customers Do the Marketing for You

Seth Godin's 2001 book argues that marketing should spread through customers rather than at them. It introduces the "ideavirus" idea: an idea that spreads from person to person, and the "sneezers" who pass it on. It is a short, punchy read for marketers and founders, and it predates and anticipates much of today's talk about viral growth and word of mouth. Readers who want a practical playbook will find it more conceptual than tactical, and some of its examples are dated to the dot-com era.

Best forMarketers exploring word-of-mouth strategyFounders and small-business ownersStudents of marketing historyFans of Seth Godin's short-form business books
Pros
  • Short and quick to read
  • Clear, memorable core idea about spreading ideas
  • Introduces useful terms like sneezers and hive
  • Cheap way to sample Godin's thinking
  • Anticipates modern viral and referral marketing
Cons
  • Examples feel dated to the early 2000s
  • More conceptual than step-by-step
  • Repetitive in places
  • Little concrete data or measurement advice

Unleashing the Ideavirus: Stop Marketing at People! Turn Your Ideas Into Epidemics by Helping Your Customers Do the Marketing for You prices at every store

  • alibrisNew

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    $2.67Checked Nov 9
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  • TargetNew

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    $12.88+ $5.99 shippingChecked Nov 9
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Unleashing the Ideavirus: Stop Marketing at People! Turn Your Ideas Into Epidemics by Helping Your Customers Do the Marketing for You price history

Lowest price we've seen: $2.67 on Nov 9 at alibris. Tracked across 2 stores since Nov 9.

What reviewers say

Readers generally treat it as an early, influential take on viral and word-of-mouth marketing. Many praise its brevity and big idea; others find it thin on tactics and dated in its examples.

What people mention
  • Core ideaPraisedReaders say the ideavirus concept reframes marketing as something customers spread for you.
  • LengthPraisedMany like that it is short and readable in a sitting or two.
  • PracticalityCriticisedSome find it conceptual and wish for more concrete steps and measurement.
  • Dated examplesCriticisedThe early-2000s case studies feel stale to later readers.
  • RepetitionMixedA few say the point is restated more than needed.

Specifications

Format
PaperbackSource
Language
EnglishSource
Release Year
2001Source
Publisher
Hyperion BooksSource

Questions and answers

Is this the same as Godin's later viral marketing writing?
It is an early statement of the idea. Later books and talks build on it with newer examples, so this one reads as the origin rather than the update.
Is it a practical how-to guide?
Mostly no. It explains the concept and vocabulary well but gives few step-by-step tactics or metrics.
How long is it?
It is a short book, designed to be read quickly. The original release was also offered as a free download, which shaped its spread.
Does it still hold up?
The core idea does. The examples are tied to the dot-com era, so read them as history.
Who is it for?
Marketers, founders and anyone curious about word-of-mouth growth. Readers wanting hands-on campaign tactics may be disappointed.
Where is the Unleashing the Ideavirus: Stop Marketing at People! Turn Your Ideas Into Epidemics by Helping Your Customers Do the Marketing for You cheapest?
At alibris, for $2.67, as of our latest check.
Where can I buy the Unleashing the Ideavirus: Stop Marketing at People! Turn Your Ideas Into Epidemics by Helping Your Customers Do the Marketing for You?
2 stores we checked sell it, including alibris, Target.

Stores we've priced the Unleashing the Ideavirus: Stop Marketing at People! Turn Your Ideas Into Epidemics by Helping Your Customers Do the Marketing for You at

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Release Date
2001-10Source