The future of publishing is about having connections to readers and the knowledge of what those readers want.

Godin is arguing that publishing’s competitive advantage is shifting away from mere production and distribution (which digital platforms have made cheap and abundant) toward relationship and insight. “Connections to readers” implies direct channels—permission-based attention, trust, and community—rather than reliance on intermediaries. “Knowledge of what those readers want” points to feedback loops and audience understanding: publishers and authors who listen, segment, and serve a defined readership can create work that travels farther and sells more reliably. The quote reflects Godin’s broader marketing philosophy that sustainable creative work depends on earning attention and building a tribe, not on mass-market reach alone.