If You're Clueless about Starting Your Own Business (Paperback)

~ Seth Godin (Author) "Do you daydream about starting your own business?..." (more)
Key Phrases: Small Business Administration, New York, John Wiley (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Tired of the corporate rat race? This addition to the popular "Clueless" series is aimed at people who want to know what it takes to get a small business up and running. In his helpful, humorous, and easy-to-read manner, master entrepreneur Seth Godin provides readers with everything they need to know to jump-start a new enterprise.

About the Author

Seth Godin, Vice-President, Direct Marketing, Yahoo! Inc., is responsible for Yahoo!'s direct marketing, permission marketing and Internet promotions. Godin joined Yahoo! in 1998 from Yoyodyne, where he served as president and CEO. Yahoo! acquired Yoyodyne, a recognized leader in Internet-based interactive direct marketing, last year.

Recognized as the pioneer of Permission Marketing, Godin is a sought-after speaker on the conference circuit, having presented at the Direct Marketing Association's annual conference, Jupiter events, and ICE, as well as international marketing forums. Last year, Godin was one of the highest ranked speakers, among 403 presenters at Internet World. He is a featured speaker at Fall, Spring and Summer I-Worlds. Godin is also the recipient of the 1998 Momentum Award, honoring outstanding Internet industry accomplishments.

Godin received an M.B.A. from Stanford Business School in 1984. Prior to graduating from Tufts University in 1982 with a degree in both Computer Science and Philosophy, Godin co-founded and ran one of the largest student-run businesses in the coutnry. From 1983 to 1986 he worked as a brand manager at Spinnaker Software, where he led the team that developed the first generation of multimedia products, working with such forward-thinkers as Arthur C. Clarke and Michael Crichton. He managed 40 engineers and introduced more than 60 software and video products to the marketplace.

Godin is the author and co-author of a number of top-selling business books, including E-Marketing, the first book ever published on how to do business online; The Guerilla Marketing Handbook, part of the best-selling Guerilla Marketing series; The Information Please Business Almanacm, a ground-breaking business reference book; and Permission Marketing: Turning Strangers into Freinds, and Friends into Customers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Kaplan Business (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574100939
• ISBN-13: 978-1574100938
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #263,135 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

151 of 155 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was clueless and found a great reference tool in the book, December 28, 1998

By A Customer

I obtained a copy of 'Clueless' from the library, along with several other books on starting a small business. 'Clueless' was the only book I read from cover to end over the Christmas holiday season. The book is well-structured and filled with ample information from developing a business plan to marketing your business to expanding your growing business. The sidebars provide helpful hints from other business owners and each chapter contains a section on other related books for further research. 'Clueless' is current with Website addresses for the small business entrepreneur. Being a Business major, 'Clueless' appeared to be a compilation of all my business college courses. Enough detail is provided so that the reader can begin to formulate her company without having any pre-existing knowledge of how to run a business...and without having a Business degree! This was one library book that I didn't have to renew. In fact, I'm purchasing my own copy for a reference tool.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Points you in the right direction, December 9, 2001

By	Carbonero (Gainesville, VA USA) - See all my reviews

Once in a while a book that really helps comes along. This is one of them for someone that has no idea on how to start up a new business.

I got this book for my wife who decided to consult and needed some business ideas to help her give more of herself. All the underlying aspects of what to do in particular cases are covered in the book. It seems strange to say that because the book is so thin, but it does the job. The only reason I gave it 4 stars and not 5 was the legal part of it was lacking. We had some specific areas of concern regarding legal matters and it did not answer them, nor even tell you where you might find the answer.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good primer on starting a business!, June 17, 2001

By	Bonnie Jo Davis "Reader, review and internet ... (Southern CA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    (VINE VOICE)

This is a comprehensive, information packed volumn on starting your own business. Covers all the basics from start to finish on how to set up your business and market it so that it is profitable. The author is a small business and e-commerce expert and demonstrates that he thoroughly understands the ins and outs of running a business.