Update 12-16-09
I had a conversation with this person. Here is the link to the update.
So this is a blog post unlike any other I’ve written so far because something happened to me that has never happened before. And I’m angry, really angry.
I was hardly online yesterday, so I was up early this morning catching up on Twitter posts. Someone who follows me had an interesting title to her new blog post “10 Things To Do Before 2010.” Interesting. It sounded a bit like my recent blog post “The Cure For a Business Hangover” which has about 20 things small business owners can work on during the Holiday business lull. I was curious to see what this small business coach had to say.
The more I read, the angrier I became. Eight of her 10 things to do were items I had written. She changed the words a bit, but that’s all. I was looking for some kind of acknowledgment like a link back to my article or even a mention like “Thank you Alicia Arenas for inspiring this post” or something. But nothing. She took full credit for her post.
My first reaction was to respond to her tweet and sarcastically tell her I was glad I could inspire her post. Then I thought about telling the Twitterverse what a scheming hooligan she is. Then I thought I’d take the high road and send her a Direct Message through Twitter. I re-read her post and thought that maybe I should say something in the comments of her blog. But I didn’t do any of those things. I took a deep breathe and decided to tell you about it here.
Why am I so upset? I put a lot of time and attention into my blog posts. My goal is to bring you, the small business owner, the most helpful content I can; I want you to succeed. I am a relentless supporter of you. So when someone steals something that I work hard to bring to you, it is really upsetting.
Chris Brogan went through the exact same thing recently. You can read about it at his blog if you’d like. I was upset for him when I heard what happened, but now I’m even more upset because it happened to me too.
So what do you think I should do? What would you do in my situation?
Photo Courtesy of Crosathorian
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I think you took the right approach, although I would have had a tough time doing the same probably. I like the fact that your approach addresses the issue, while allowing for at least a private explanation/apology.
At the end of the day, you are comfortable in the value that you are providing your readers/clients, and you are leaps and bounds ahead of others who pilfer content and pawn it off on their own.
You took the high road, and that’s the best place to be traveling!
Oh Alicia! I believe I read that post, and I feel misled too! So sorry. Sometimes people are inconsiderate, and out for themselves. I have a zero tolerance policy for people who act this way. I would repost this in a certain way, and Block or unfollow.
This I suppose is another social media downfall. Dishonesty is a real bummer.
Hope your week gets better. Chin up:) You are a sweetie!
Alicia, I read both of the posts and tweeted them both. I didn’t recognize the similarity. I read some many blog posts that have so much of the same/similiar content. I am sorry this happened to you! I can imagine how frustrated and taken advantage of you feel! Just remember, you took the high road, and she took the low road! You are ahead for your intergrity! She isn’t! Have a great day!
It seems this individual does not have any original thoughts and chooses to pilfer good thoughts offered by others. One of my business partners has gone through the same thing. A former “friend” of hers has stolen her articles and put her name on them. Most recently, she has been copying our venues and even reached out to one of our trusted partners to try to strike up an alliance with him. Obviously, the individual that stole your thoughts is lacking ethics.
How frustrating! It’s tough when you work so hard on something, put your heart into it–and someone thinks it’s ok to take it, repackage it, and call it their own. It hasn’t happened to me as much as some others, but still–it’s not easy to hold back and take the high road. In the end, you’re better for it, and readers will eventually see when someone’s just using other people’s material. They’ll move on, and find the real creative people, like yourself.
Sorry it happened!
Alicia – Isn’t this one of those cases where imitation is the highest form of flattery? She was wrong to take your ideas and copy them – it’s just that they were such great ideas! At the end of the day, her clients will be getting the knock off. And yours will be getting the real thing. Stand tall. You took the high road. Good for you.
Jason – Thank you for your support. I’m taking the high road, but mentally, I’m not quite there yet.
Shennee – I appreciate your comment very much.
Lissa – Thank you!
Penina – I’m sorry to hear that your friend went through that. At least this bozo isn’t going after clients. But I’m sure that trusted partner sees the value you bring and will stay with you. But you’re right, it stinks.
Elle – You’re awesome. Thank you for the comment. Sorry to hear that it has happened to you too.
Dawn – I guess you’re right. I even inspire people to steal content! LOL! But I do agree with what you said, finding inspiration from others is fine. I look to movies, real life situations, books and the news for inspiration for my posts. I wouldn’t have minded as much if she had credited me and provided a link. The fact that she didn’t do that, at the very least, is most frustrating of all.
Debi – Thank you. I’m sure at some point I will consider it to be flattery, but not yet. Did you know that she actually had the nerve to write at the end of her post: “WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: For more tips on how start or grow your small business subscribe to _______________’s blog http://www.______________.com.
I know how you feel. In fact, I advise people who are thinking of going online with a blog to recognize that people will “borrow” content without regard for anything. A lot of times, I find my content on sites making use of Google search and running ads around stolen blogs. There is never any name and it is usually a site registered outside the U.S. Frustrating. It is a shock when you see it and it is so blatant.
Since you know she read your post and was inspired by it, you could send a private message noting the similarities. Especially if she makes a note about crediting her if you want to share the ideas – how ironic! It almost begs for you to make a point to contact her.
You may give her the benefit of the doubt and assume it was an honest mistake – she forgot where she had been inspired. Maybe reminding her will inspire her to properly credit the source!
Alicia,
Hmmm, I can understand your furor. As well, your taking the high road makes good sense.
If the situation continues to ’stick in your craw,’ as they say, I’d probably encourage doing as Miriam suggests, sending her a message noting the similarities.
Or, it may be that she reads ‘this’ blog post and privately shares her regret with you, as well.
These things have a way of working themselves out, and your emotion behind the situation is legitimate and cause for some sort of action. The step you took to engage your colleagues and friends this way is a meaningful part of that work-out process.
Please do keep us posted.
That sucks! You should be pissed. Lots of constructive ideas above for how to approach it… but, I can still understand why you would be frustrated by this situation.
How frustrating! I have a similar-ish situation where I was browsing through a commenter’s photography website and realized she was using my lyrics in her photo albums that she sold. I understand the problem-how far should one go to protect one’s content? And, like an above commenter said, won’t the real creative mind behind it end up rising to the top anyways as they are the ones who really possess the creative ability? Whew! Tough call.
Alicia, I think you went with the right approach. In this situation I would definitely mention it privately to the other blogger. This gives him/her the opportunity to rectify the situation. It is so hard to be original. I can think of two posts I have had ready to go live only to have another blogger beat me to it. Recently it was Victorio at Creative Chaos Consultant. Since he posted first, I scrapped my post and just commented on his blog. I think that this blogger should have done that once she saw you had just posted on something she was working on.
Another option for her would have been to reach out to you to collaborate on a follow up post. Since she didn’t do that, I think you made the most of the situation. Great learning experience for us all. I do think that most of us who blog know and understand the “unofficial” blogging etiquette and we would not deliberately steal content in full or in part. Unfortunately, there are some people who do this. Keep a watchful eye. : )
Miriam – That is excellent advice. You are right. When we put things out in the public domain, it is more available for “re-purposing.” Mike Van Dervort and I had an off-line conversation about this today. I’m not sure what we as bloggers can do to protect our content without becoming obsessed by it. Perhaps that will be an upcoming blog post.
Jacqui – It’s always great to read your comments. I actually spoke with her tonight and will have a post up in the morning. I appreciate your sage advice.
Michael – Dude. I love that you tell it like it is!
Trisha – You are a blogger I greatly admire. And I have seen you, Sharlyn Lauby and others exhibit the “unofficial” blogging etiquette you mention. There have been several times when I’ve read the disappointment some bloggers have had when working on an awesome post, only to find that one of their colleagues has already posted it. But they and you do the right thing.
You are also correct in that there is very little original content – that is a struggle we will contend with as we continue to blog. Thank you for your comments!
Alicia, You’ve hit the core here. Content creation, idea ownership, ethics, legality, emotion. The interactive web is still the Wild West. Our best intentions of sharing ideas for the public good can be stolen by less creative copycats. Like you, I am fiercely protective of my ideas.
At the heart is this question: How do we provide value-add for our followers on the web, while protecting our ideas? Personally, I’m challenged by it everyday. Should we “give it all” or just enough? If I knew people would give credit everytime, I would give freely and fully.
You were right to get angry because you weren’t given credit for your work. The person should have contacted you prior and asked for permission. However, once done, you might have handled it differently by calling the person first and having a heart-to-heart conversation (like you did after your post) and requesting that credit be given.
Chalk it up for a learning experience. It’s flattering when people “use” your ideas. As well, keep in mind: When you publish content to the web, consider it free game and that it could get into rogue hands.
Next time, you might have distinct copyright marks and state: “This content is legally protected and can only be republished, in any form, by giving the author credit for the original work.” (Ask your attorney about specific language/use.)
Rest easy, my friend, you’re on the right side of this. The good news is that content and creativity rules. And, you have both! Best, Mike