Create a movement, lead a tribe

Entrepreneur and blogger Seth Godin gave an inspiring TED talk two years ago where he pitched a new marketing idea. He calls the idea “tribes.”

Our culture has always had and shared ideas, but the digital age has changed the way that ideas are shared. Once we thought that buying a TV ad was the best way to market. This “TV” marketing model requires average ideas and hypnosis of the masses. Not ideal.

Thanks to the Internet, the Tribes model allows for silos of interest to bring people together, even if these people are seemingly on the fringe.

Godin argues that Tribes can effectively change the world because they are comprised of passionate people who want to connect. They are not everybody.

Godin uses the example of Al Gore as someone who created a movement with a relatively small amount of passionate fans. You don’t need everyone in your tribe – just the right people. It’s not about the mass, Godin says, it’s about finding the true believers.

He highlights Steve Jobs and Bill Gates as two very different, though effective, tribe leaders. Their different visions have attracted different tribe members.  Godin challenges us too, to find something worth changing and form a tribe. As we lead, here’s what to consider:

• Who are you upsetting? If the answer is nobody, you are doing something wrong.
• Who are you connecting? Do they share a passion? Do they yearn for the same change?
• Who are you leading? Focus your efforts on this specific group. The Beatles didn’t invent teenagers, but they sure knew how to lead them.

Great leaders challenge the status quo, and they build a culture by connecting people and making them feel important. They are also committed to their cause.

What’s your movement? Who’s in your tribe? How are you inviting people to join your tribe?

Fundly’s social fundraising platform fits perfectly with Tribe model of marketing and leadership that Godin is talking about. Our Facebook app allows your tribe members to share their support of your cause with others every time they make a donation.

Check out all that Fundly has to offer, and re-commit to your cause and tribe today!