The Modern Marketing Workshop
Review

Seth Godin's signature digital marketing workshop, focused on ethical marketing, minimum viable audience, and lasting impact

Medium
  • Last updated 11/10/2025
by Seth Godin

What you'll learn ? Overview

We've been following Seth Godin's work for years, and when we discovered his Modern Marketing workshop on Udemy, we had to dig deeper. This isn't your typical "how to run Facebook ads" course (thankfully). Instead, Seth takes you through over 45 lessons totaling more than 2 hours of philosophical and strategic marketing wisdom.

What makes this course different? Seth focuses on the four building blocks of modern marketing and introduces over 50 supporting concepts that reshape how you think about connecting with audiences. We appreciated how he emphasizes finding your minimum viable audience rather than trying to appeal to everyone (a trap we see too many marketers fall into).

The course structure follows Seth's signature teaching style, short, punchy lessons that challenge conventional thinking. You'll explore concepts like empathy-based positioning, creating tension that leads to forward motion, and building trust through consistency. While some might expect tactical tutorials, Seth deliberately avoids the "hack" mentality that plagues modern marketing education.

At just $19, this represents incredible value from someone who's influenced an entire generation of marketers. Seth Godin brings his Stanford MBA and decades of experience as an entrepreneur and bestselling author to every lesson (he's written 20 books on marketing and change). We found his approach refreshingly honest, no promises of overnight success, just timeless principles for creating work that matters.

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Is this course for you?

👉

Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

👉

Time commitment

light Light (1–5 Hours/Week)

👉

Learning style

Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)

👉

Goal

Learn A New Skill

Best suited for:

Ideal for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and marketers tired of chasing tactics who want to understand the deeper principles of connecting with audiences - perfect for those seeking philosophy over formulas

Instructor

Seth Godin

Marketing Maverick and Bestselling Author Legitimacy Score: 10/10
Seth Godin is a renowned marketing expert, entrepreneur, and author who has significantly influenced modern business thinking. With over 20 bestselling books translated into more than 40 languages, Godin's innovative ideas on marketing, leadership, and personal growth have reached millions worldwide. His daily blog, which he has maintained for over a decade, serves as a testament to his commitment to sharing valuable insights with his audience.
Godin's career spans over four decades, marked by numerous entrepreneurial ventures and thought leadership roles. He founded Yoyodyne, an early permission marketing firm, which was acquired by Yahoo! in 1998 for $30 million. As of 2024, Godin continues to innovate in education through his altMBA program and The Marketing Seminar, which have trained over 60,000 students. His diverse experience includes software development, book packaging, and pioneering internet marketing strategies.
• Inducted into the Marketing Hall of Fame
• Founded Yoyodyne, sold to Yahoo! for $29.6 million in 1998
• Created Squidoo, one of the 500 most visited sites in the world (sold to HubPages in 2014)
• Launched altMBA, an intensive, 30-day online workshop
• Published 20+ bestselling books, including 'Purple Cow' and 'This Is Marketing'
• TED talk 'How to get your ideas to spread' has over 7 million views
• Named 'Ultimate Entrepreneur for the Information Age' by Business Week
• Keynote speaker at The Financial Brand Forum 2024
• Guest on 'The Tim Ferriss Show' podcast, March 2024
• Featured speaker at Adobe MAX 2023
• Appeared on 'Daily Matters' podcast with Jack Newton, October 2020
• Regular guest lecturer at various business schools, including Stanford and NYU
• Frequent contributor to major media outlets such as Fast Company and Harvard Business Review
Seth Godin is a prolific content creator across multiple platforms. He posts daily on his blog, covering topics ranging from marketing and leadership to personal development. His Twitter account (@ThisIsSethsBlog) is highly active, sharing insights and engaging with followers multiple times daily. Godin's LinkedIn presence is equally robust, featuring longer-form articles and professional commentary. His YouTube channel, while less frequently updated, hosts interviews and talks that consistently garner thousands of views.

Course Details

  • ⏱ Duration2
  • 📶 DifficultyMedium
  • ⌛ Access Lifetime
  • ⏰ Time investmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)

🧠 Prerequisites

None stated - accessible to beginners but more valuable with some marketing experience


💻 Requirements

Computer or mobile device with internet connection


💸 Hidden Costs

None - all materials included in the course fee


🙋‍♂️ Support Options

Udemy Q&A section, no direct access to Seth Godin

Course content

  • Introduction: Foundation concepts and modern marketing overview
  • Empathy and Positioning: Understanding your audience's worldview and crafting your market position
  • Bigger Canvas vs. Smallest Viable Market: Finding your tribe instead of chasing everyone
  • Tension, Trust, and Forward Motion: Creating productive tension that drives decision-making
  • Plans, Words, and Tactics: Strategic planning and messaging frameworks
  • Pricing and Awareness vs. Reciprocity and Stories: Value creation and narrative building
  • Master Class: Host of tactics and insights for implementation
  • Wrapping Up: Synthesis and next steps
  • Additional Materials: Supplementary resources and exercises

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Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

The course receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from students who understand its philosophical approach, though some tactical-minded learners find it too conceptual for immediate implementation.

Praised points

  • Transformative marketing mindset that focuses on serving rather than interrupting audiences
  • Ethical approach to business growth that emphasizes creating value over manipulation
  • Timeless principles that remain relevant regardless of platform changes or algorithm updates

Criticisms

  • Lacks specific tactical instruction on platforms like Facebook Ads or Google Analytics
  • Too philosophical for marketers seeking immediate, actionable campaign strategies
  • Short video format leaves some concepts feeling underdeveloped for deeper exploration

Testimonials

"I jump at every chance I get to learn from Seth. I've read every word he's written... I still sign up and devour them."

"This course helped me to understand how marketing works in the 'modern world'... creating stories that resonate, identifying your most viable audience, serving your tribe..."

"The way Seth breaks down complex ideas into simple truths changed my entire approach to client work."

"Worth way more than $19 - this is graduate-level marketing philosophy at community college prices."

"Expected more 'how-to' content but got something better - the 'why' behind effective marketing."

Social insights

Reddit discussions reveal a pattern - marketers who've been in the trenches appreciate Seth's wisdom, while newcomers sometimes feel lost without concrete steps. One Quora user noted: "This course helped me understand how marketing works in the modern world, creating stories that resonate, identifying your most viable audience, serving your tribe." We noticed experienced marketers consistently rate it higher than beginners expecting a paint-by-numbers approach.

Video review

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

The course promises to teach "modern marketing principles" and "how to spot opportunities" - claims that align perfectly with the delivered content based on verified student reviews.

Price History

Originally higher-priced, now consistently available at $19 (Udemy's typical pricing strategy)

Upsell Practices

Zero upsells or aggressive marketing tactics - refreshingly straightforward

Student Success

Success stories focus on mindset shifts and improved strategic thinking rather than income claims - verified reviewers like Liam Djemal report fundamental changes in their marketing approach

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

Udemy's reliable platform with standard features - video streaming, mobile app, progress tracking

Content Accessibility

Lifetime access to all videos, downloadable resources, works on all devices

Mobile Compatibility

Full functionality through Udemy's iOS and Android apps

Technical Requirements

Basic internet connection, any modern browser or mobile device

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

The primary complaint centers on mismatched expectations - students wanting technical tutorials find the philosophical approach frustrating (though this is clearly communicated in the course description).

😬

Refund policy issues

Udemy's standard 30-day money-back guarantee applies with no reported issues or complications.

😬

Marketing practices

Remarkably transparent - no inflated income claims, no pressure tactics, just honest positioning about what the course offers.

😬

Community feedback

Seth Godin's reputation remains stellar across the marketing community, with decades of consistent ethical practices backing his teachings.

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

At $19, this course delivers exceptional ROI for anyone seeking marketing wisdom over tactical tutorials - you're essentially getting a masterclass from a Stanford MBA and bestselling author for less than a restaurant meal.

Conclusion

After thoroughly reviewing Modern Marketing with Seth Godin, we can confidently say this is one of the most legitimate marketing courses in its price range. Seth Godin's credentials speak for themselves - Stanford MBA, 20 bestselling books, and decades of influence in the marketing world.

What impressed us most? The course's honest positioning. While many $19 courses overpromise and underdeliver, Seth does the opposite. He clearly states this isn't about tactics or hacks, it's about understanding the fundamental shifts in how modern marketing works.

The 8.3/10 legitimacy score reflects the perfect alignment between promise and delivery. You won't learn how to set up Facebook pixels or optimize Google Ads (and Seth never claims you will). Instead, you'll develop the strategic thinking that makes those tactics effective in the first place.

For beginners, this provides an ethical foundation often missing from tactical courses. For experienced marketers, it offers a refreshing return to principles that matter. At this price point, with lifetime access and Udemy's guarantee, the risk is minimal and the potential mindset shift is profound. Just don't expect a paint-by-numbers tactical guide - that's not what Seth Godin does, and that's exactly why this course has value.

FAQs about this course

No, there's no direct interaction with Seth, but the Udemy Q&A section allows discussion with other students.

You'll master the four building blocks of modern marketing and over 50 supporting concepts, focusing on strategic thinking rather than platform-specific tactics.

Yes, no prerequisites required, though those with some marketing experience tend to extract more value from the philosophical approach.

Instead of teaching temporary tactics, Seth focuses on timeless principles like empathy, positioning, and finding your smallest viable audience.

Yes, Udemy provides a certificate of completion after finishing all course materials.

Lifetime access to all course materials, including any future updates Seth might add.

Yes, Udemy offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for any reason.

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The Modern Marketing Workshop screenshot
The Modern Marketing Workshop Review
$ 19
Total score: 9,0/10 ⭐
  • Duration2
  • DifficultyMedium
  • Release Date01/2018
  • Format Self-Paced
  • AccessLifetime
  • Time InvestmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)
  • Payment Options One-Time
  • LanguageEnglish
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The Modern Marketing Workshop Review