Godin claims he ‘invented email marketing’, but says book-writing is for impact

What was said

"You know, when I invented email marketing all those years ago, I needed to do it to make a living, to eat, and it was thrilling to watch an industry grow up out of that. But after that, writing books is a lousy way to make a living, but it's a pretty good way to make a difference."

Seth Godin describes his early career in direct-response marketing, claiming a role in the origins of email marketing and contrasting it with his current motivations. He says he continues writing despite weaker financial returns because it remains an effective way to spread ideas and influence others’ work.