Copycat?
Let me preface this post by saying that this is not a rant. It is a reflection on how originality and ethics, knowingly or unknowingly, get pushed to the backburner as bloggers try to ‘compete’ with others in their niche.
No one likes imitation or copycatting and irrespective of whatever people may say about imitation being the best form of flattery, trust me, it really isn’t.
- The person who is being copied feels cheated.
- The person who receives imitation goods feels cheated.
- The person who is imitating knows in his or her heart that they’re being a fake, a ripoff, a copy of someone else.
Imitation and Inspiration
“But, Prerna, there are so many bloggers in my niche? It is so tough to be new or unique all the time.”
“But I’m not imitating them. I’m just inspired by their content.”
I agree.
Blogging or business, especially in an already crowded niche, can be tough. After all, the ones who’ve been there before you may have already shared all there is to share, right?
Maybe yes, but only YOU can put your unique spin on it. Only YOU can share how a certain process or product made your life simpler.
If you are inspired, give credit where credit is due.
Are you using a phrase or design element that another blogger has already used? Ask if you can use it and then give credit.
For instance, if you want to launch a product, write a post, start a service make sure you have a title, name or branding that is unique and does not infringe upon someone else’s online space.
Not only is that unethical, it is in very poor taste.
“But Prerna, it is so tough to find a new name or title for my post since the subject is the same.”
Well, then you just have to spend some time and effort in coming up with something that is different and YOU.
Isn’t that why you became a blogger in the first place? Because you felt you had something to share.
If you’re still struggling with a different spin, I’d recommend reaching out to the blogger who’s inspired you and asking him or her for help. Trust me, bloggers are people just like you and me, and most of them will be most appreciative of you for reaching out.
What Imitation and Copycatting Does To You and Your Brand
After spending close to 5 years online as a blogger, writer, entrepreneur, the one thing I know for a fact is that it is a small world online. Yes, even though I stay in India and have never attended any of the hugely popular blogging or entrepreneurship conferences, I have a network in which virtually everyone ends up knowing the other person.
And the other thing I know is that people talk and that most astute readers and consumers can spot a fake a mile off.
“She is so similar to XYZ”
“Her product name is exactly the same as ABC’s”
“I heard she ripped off an entire blog post with just a few changes, here and there”
Do you want online conversations about YOU to be in this vein?
I’m guessing no.
How to Infuse YOU-spiration into Your Ideas
So, how does one stand apart in a crowded niche?
How does one not knowingly or unknowingly copy someone else’s style or voice?
How does one be YOU-nique?
The simple answer is by being genuine.
By asking yourself each time you write a post or series of posts, launch a product or offer a service if everything about it is YOU. Do your post titles reflect YOU or do they reflect that of another bigger blogger? Does your product or service have an authenticity that will shine out or will it be a mere mirror image of what another entrepreneur has already done.
Don’t get me wrong. You can write on the same topic as other bloggers. You can launch products and services that are similar to others. But you shouldn’t ever put anything out there without infusing a dash of your own personality into it.
Need some examples?
Here you go.
Tsh of Simple Mom and Rachel of Small Notebook both write on simple living, along with a host of other bloggers. But read their blogs and you’ll see how different each one is in small, similar niche.
Karen Gunton and Heather Allard both write about being mom entrepreneurs. But not only does Karen contribute to Heather’s site, her own is a clear reflection of who she is and what she values. The same is true for Heather.
Jessica Fisher and I both have an eBook on simplifying life during the summer season but not only are they hugely different, we may actually partner with each other to promote our respective eBooks.
What Being YOU Does To You
Being original, genuine and YOU fills you with confidence to share what you know without being bogged down by insecurities.
It makes you comfortable in your own skin and gives you the freedom to grow without conforming to someone else’s standards of success.
It inspires others to follow YOU as a leader and walk in your shoes.
It gives your brand and your presence online the credibility you deserve.
It allows readers to trust you and believe in what you have to say.
Yes, being YOU is good for your blog and your business.
You wouldn’t want to be a copycat mom or wife, right? So, why do that to your online life?
As you may have guessed by now, this post is inspired by a series of copycat incidents that I kept noticing but ignoring. While I can’t do much to stop the copycatting, I thought I can and I should share the importance of being YOU. Because sometimes, we don’t realize when the line between inspiration and imitation starts to blur.
How do YOU make YOU happen in your blog and business?
Photo Credit: Les Chatfield
I loved this! And it’s so true…a true brand is formed when you are your most authentic, genuine self. Great writing, and I really love your website. It has lovely colors.
Amanda recently posted..7 Reasons You Should Work With Me (And 5 Ways To Do It)
Hi Amanda, love this – A true brand is formed when you’re most authentic. Thanks for sharing and for the website compliment:-)
Thanks Prerna, I’ve been copied a few times, and never felt particularly flattered, no matter how many times people try to paint it in that light… that always sounds to me like someone saying that I should think of thieves in a positive light because obviously I have such good taste they want to steal my stuff!!! (Which I’ve always thought is essentially the same thing).
When I write music I am inspired by others, and it’s very difficult with only 12 notes, nearly 5000 years of countless people writing to get something truly original… but I do acknowledge that I started this tune with “X” song in mind, and it’s grew from there… and if I borrow from “Y” tune, then that’s also noted…
So now I’ve gone onto a completely different field.
But your post is still very relevant, thank you.
Pauline recently posted..Worried about carcinogens in your workplace?
Very true.
Imitators don’t realise they are harming themselves too.
I have seen many of my posts being copied cleverly , and even copy pastes foolishly or rephrased. But at the end of the day, an imitator can never create a niche and a brand for oneself. Great post. Tweeting it.
sangeeta khanna recently posted..Dragon fruit, Coconut and Lime : A dessert with all the refreshing flavors..
Love this post – this is something we have talked about a lot lately in terms of our branding and are realising that the more we are ourselves and the more of ourselves we share through our work the more we are attracting the RIGHT people! the big learning for us has been that this also means we will lose some potential clients and partners, but that’s OK because those people would never have been the right people to work with anyway… oh so freeing!
Thanks for your words
Jo
Jo Foster recently posted..We had a fantastic product but struggled to sell it. Here’s why…
Prerna,
Good for you! Way to strike back with your words. Although people can copy you they can’t be you. Keep being original, stay strong and keep growing. When all a copycat has is the ability to take from someone else they lose their originality and steam.
Excellent post!
Jeannie Spiro recently posted..3 Benefits to Having a Job While Growing Your Business
Great post. It is overwhelming to me with all of the other small businesses/bloggers out there. I have had to stop comparing myself to others and remind myself that I am unique, my product is unique, and why would I want to be like everyone else who is successful? One day I believe I will be successful, I am learning to be myself and it will come with time. (hopefully xo)
Thanks so much for the post.
Stacey Shannon recently posted..Before and After | Illustration Inspiration
Excellent post! Thanks a million for this inspiring and helpful words.
Mandy recently posted..Aromatherapy Recipes for Stress
Thank You for this!!!
Joy~
Thanks for a great article! It’s never easy when someone copycats or takes images that belong to someone else and represents them as their own. I’ve encountered both and struggled with how to handle being on the “receiving end” of this type of behavior. Even though the web-sphere is huge, the community is very small and people are smart. Readers eventually figure it out but it certainly doesn’t make it any easier while it’s going on. In the mean time, I just keep creating! It’s like asking “who will be the ‘next’ Martha Stewart or Nate Berkus?” The answer, “No One” …because there’s never been a copy that’s as good as the original.
Hi.. Thank you so much. Am glad the article resonated with you. Sorry to hear that you, too, have faced the copycat syndrome in your business, but you’re right, about the websphere being huge but the community being small. Readers can spot a fake. Good on you to keep creating and not letting an imitator stop you from being you!
Great article… A blog has to be you-nique! …cant agree more on it!
Vandana M Khemka recently posted..Shakira expecting First child!
Thanks, Vandana.. Love that ‘you-nique’!
I truly enjoyed reading this post. I started blogging last year (2012) in August. I do it because I love it. It gives me a chance to be me and do something for me (I’m a homeschool mom of two teen boys) . So I am constantly on call it feels like 24/7. Add to that wife, friend, daughter – you get the picture. Blogging gives me that “to myself” type of feel. Why would I want to take that away and try to copy someone else. A blog should reflect your thoughts and ideas. I never knew I enjoyed writing before until I started Blogging. We sat around on New Years Eve talking about what we were thankful for in 2012. I had to say my blog. It gave me myself back. Thanks for the post.
Hi Renee! Happy New Year and thank you so much for sharing.I am so glad you enjoy blogging and am sure it will continue to be a fulfilling occupation for you. I agree, blogging should be about being YOU, but unfortunately, a lot of bloggers get carried away trying to be someone else and lose their identity in the process.. Sad but true.. Hopefully, we’ll have less of this in the future:-) All the best and stay in touch!
I hit reply quickly before I saw something about enter http (something). Then I realized I didn’t send my correct website address. Thanks again.
Renee Barry recently posted..#22 Yes, I Indulged, but It’s Back To Business!