Permission Marketing Explained in Plain English [Book Summary] - Social Media Explorer
Permission Marketing Explained in Plain English [Book Summary]
Permission Marketing Explained in Plain English [Book Summary]
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In Permission Marketing, Seth Godin introduces a marketing concept that will resonate with you no matter your business or profession for that matter. Seth discusses how traditional marketing attempts to draw our attention by incessantly ‘interrupting’ us.

Over time, however, consumers desensitized themselves to the constant interruptions. While ‘Interruption Marketing’ is dying a slow death, ‘Permission Marketing’ makes a comeback and lasts for years to come.

Big Idea #1:  Permission Marketing: A Privilege, Not a RightE-Myth Revisited Book Summary

Traditional marketing uses deliberate interruptions to make a sale. These interruptions are rarely ever relevant or personalized. Interruption marketing essentially claims the right to market to a consumer. You can see how this is a losing long-term strategy.

Permission marketing recognized how interruptions can be easily ignored. Thus, it approaches marketing with a different strategy. It asks for permission to market to a consumer. Once permission is received, the marketer treats it as a privilege. The marketer will respect the permission, and the consumer receives only relevant messages.

In the long run, permission marketing builds anticipation. Interruption marketing, on the other hand, builds frustration.

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Big Idea #2 :Permission Marketing: Date Your Customer Before Proposing

Interruption marketing is like dressing in a fancy suit, walking into a bar and the first thing you say to each girl is: Will you marry me?. If she says “No” , you move on to the next girl.  The Permission Marketer will dress up in the same fancy suit and walk into the same bar. But instead of asking the customer to marry him, he’ll ask Can I buy a drink?.  If permission is received, the marketer will then ask for a date. After fostering that relationship he’ll ask for the customer’s hand in marriage (ask for a purchase).


“When the customer receives an anticipated relevant message, they are more likely to be a loyal repeat customer.”


Interruption marketing follows the “Spray and Pray” tactic. Sure, you’ll score some sales. But at what cost? Permission Marketing guides the customer through various steps of the process with their express approval. This increases the success rate.

Big Idea #3: With Great Permission Comes Great Responsibility

Seth Godin discusses the various levels of permission granted by a consumer to a marketer. The lowest level of permission is ‘Situation Permission’ where the marketer simply asks permission to assist. The highest level is Intravenous Permission where the marketer makes purchasing decisions for the consumer.

Each level has an associated trust factor. The more permission granted — the greater trust you receive. But violating that trust will have associated damages. For example, let’s say a customer grants you permission to assist him (Situation Permission) But you violate that trust by providing irrelevant/wrong information, he may just forgive you. But if you violate an Intravenous Permission level, you’re most likely never going to hear from that customer again.

Final Thoughts: Permission Marketing is a process. It requires a ‘time’ investment but the returns are definitely worth it. When the customer receives an anticipated relevant message, they are more likely to be a loyal repeat customer.

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About the Author

Shawn Dexter
Shawn is the Founder & Lead Content Curator at Skip MBA. He is also a Product Manager and former Software Developer with a love for education. Shawn believes that a world-class business education can be obtained without an MBA. He is self-educating himself and helps people do so as well.

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