The ten steps to become a guru and some thoughts about Seth Godin

Two different stories, some points in common...

Guru 2 sethgodin Dr Jeckyll Guru 1

Do you want to become a Guru?... Here are ten basic steps (an incompleted list which welcome your ideas):

Your head should look like a billiard ball ... or, you know, Philips Shave
However, if you like your hair, then forget the comb
You have to talk fast and emphatically
Every 5 minutes you have to make a joke
The jokes must be accompanied by real images, even ridiculous
Look for complicity wiht your audience and make them responsible for something they can forget in almost half an hour
Use phrases like "You can", "This is your moment," "What I ask is simple" ... The sort of phrases used by "Umbanda Pais"
Shout whenever is possible and do not forget to exacerbate your histrionism
Tell your story with an air of secrecy, moreover, like a new sort of conspiracy
And please, avoid saying new things (this must be never done), just say obvious things ... But do it sexy!

This is why I continue reading and enjoying with what Alberto, Marcus, Paloma, Lucía, Julio (who already acomplish step 1), Bruno, Ed, Patrick, Joan, Antonio, Peré, Azlan, Yann, Cedric, Russell...are saying!... Please, don't stop!

The other story... Some months ago, Javier sent to me this TED video from Seth Godin talking about the tribes we lead... Uoppssss.... He is a Guru!... A marketing one!... He acomplishes steps 1; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9, and 10 (#2 is an alternative to #1)

There are some interesting points he arose (I'm talking seriously):

Hypnotic ads have dead... We need and want to talk
We need true believers
To change something you have to lead a group, not to creat a community
Being a leader gives carisma

I would say "obvious" (step 10) but interesting...

Also, he was talking about certain points that, I believe, they need a deeper reflexion (also, if you read his book, you'll find exactly the same situation):

"Twitter, Facebook, LInkedIn,..." are tribes... Hmmmm... I would say, those social networks are the sum of different tribes
"You can lead the change"... Hmmmm... Aren't there people who enjoy their lifes being followers?
Why are marketers (Seth included) so surprised that there are a lot of people with many varied interests and they form groups?
Are we again facing the situation of common sense vs. common practice?
Do you think that with these thoughts I'd be becomming the "bullet that killed Hitler"?

Any Thoughts? Are you going to follow the Guru's guide?

Comments

written on 24-Sep-2009
Lupa says:
LOOL!!! That´s a good one!!! In number 7 I would add the sentence "It´s Ok?!"
written on 24-Sep-2009
NachoVilloch [http://www.diarioderobinson.blogspot.com] says:
LOOL !! amusing & smart. I basically agree ; I will keep those in mind if I ever intend to become a Guru. I guess #1 is going to be the most difficult one -at this stage, althoug time will help in that direction, as I gain authority, experience and "baldness"-
I personally agree reading -and listening- Seths Godin´s blog and lectures, ... and I must say -since he is not yet so well known in spain- just the simple re-forwarding of his message (purple cow, etc, etc...), with the propper histrionism and overactuation in the delivery does the trick.
Well, "regarding the bullet the kill Hitler" , you do not have to worry about that: Quentin Tarantino -another bold Guru not yet bald- just shot it in his "Inglourious Basterds", in a memorable scene of revenge.

Please, Cristian keep on. Thanks for this moment of joy and inspiration.
written on 24-Sep-2009
julio.ferro says:
I do apply more than #1 and I'm an expert in #5! Should I wear black rimmed glassed too?
written on 24-Sep-2009
cristian.saracco says:
Yep... Also orange ones

Thanks for your comments!
written on 24-Sep-2009
julio.ferro says:
That's Lupa own style!
written on 24-Sep-2009
cristian.saracco says:
She's a fashion guru!... with hair!
written on 24-Sep-2009
Lupa says:
LOOOL!!!
... with lots of hair OMG!!! (remember my farah fawcett´s look!?)
written on 24-Sep-2009
MalenaRoBe [http://unsitioenlasnubes.blogspot.com/] says:
Really smart one!

In same aspects, I think we need "this kind of people" just to make us think. Catchy sentences are the ones that hook in your brain and allow you to go further in a coffee conversation.

And.. they have done a lot for the glasses industry, of course. Gafapasta, we say in Spain.

I am an expert in 3... a pain when I had radio classes at Uni.
written on 25-Sep-2009
Thomas says:
Don't hate the player, hate the game!!
written on 28-Sep-2009
cristian.saracco says:
Hi!

Thanks for your candid messages... It's true, we do need people like Seth, but that does not imply that we have to blinded accept what he/she is saying...

Thomas... we don't hate neither the player, nor the game... We are only trying to generate positive (and funny) thoughts

Elena... Numebr 3?... You're great!
written on 08-Oct-2009
julio.ferro says:
For spanish speakers only (sorry). There's a guru parody called Ramiro Agujis with all the creative gimmicks. He's soooo cool and smart!
written on 08-Oct-2009
cristian.saracco says:
Hi there!
Thanks for the comments... Julius, the video is amazing!...
written on 10-Oct-2009
Larissa Silva says:
The points that Seth Godin arose and what he said about de internet tribes and social networks must be reflected by anyone off us, comunication professionals. We must make a good use from this tribes and web instruments to publish the ideas off ours companies and approach our audiences. I had this experience on a company that I used to work and the results were very great! Try it! Twitter, Facebook, Orkut and others ones could be a good friend of your company!
written on 24-Nov-2009
russell.volckmann says:
Love Julio's post bigtime... I've been holding off on the Seth Godin conversation because mainly I have nothing to add to Julio's already greatly funny 10 basic steps + serious observations!

... until now.

Step 11.

(a) Find a new buzzword
(b) Then say that's what everyone should be looking at
(c) Tell everyone this replaces the "old" thing... deep down understanding all the while, there is nothing new under the sun, and this new buzzword is just a new name for an old concept, and marketers will proceed to beat the living daylights out of the new buzzword until it has been beaten senseless and no longer has any meaning... so people can now shun this new "old" buzzword for the next stupid buzzword!
written on 25-Nov-2009
russell.volckmann says:
And also meant to say, Cristiàn's original post is great!
written on 26-Nov-2009
cristian.saracco says:

Great step 11 a, b & c....

Thank you very much Russ!
written on 16-Dec-2009
Nike Air Max 90 [http://www.nikeitaly.com/7-air-max-90] says:
grazie mille~mi piace questo articolo!
written on 16-Dec-2009
NachoVilloch [http://www.diarioderobinson.blogspot.com] says:
I love this post... and the comments that generate ... It is and endlees thread of serindipity;
Christian you really hit the jackpot with it ... or

¿Are there so many wannabe Gurus around that we all find ourselves somehow identified with the 10 steps? ;-)

Hummmm ... new year resolution #1 Be Bald (not Bold) ; Santa.... do not forget my phillishave . (¿do Tatoos and goaties also qualify for Guru-ism?

Best regards, and Happy holidays /merry x´mas for all of You, "Gurus" !
written on 16-Dec-2009
cristian.saracco says:
LOL!...

Right now I look like an anti-guru... With barb,,, Far away from Guru Style... Something between a normal personn and Maguila

Also, Nacho... Have Wonderful Holidays, Merry Xmas... And see you!

BTW... Today I'll be at BBVA headquarters... Hmmmmmm...

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