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Today I'm joining my friend Alyson and linking up with her Vent Sesh blog series. Vent sesh doesn't have to be negative, it can be something positive that you want to gush about. I was so excited (and flattered) when Alyson emailed me to join in today. Aren't we all looking for an outlet to get something off our chest sometimes?
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On my vent list today: copy-cats. I've seen too many bloggers posting and tweeting about this thorn in the side lately. If you remember, I had my own run-in with a copy-cat last year (as well as some of my closest blogger friends) and she still hasn't gone away. My question is this - what does one get out of copying the ideas and work of someone else? How can you be proud of using something to which you have no personal connection? And I'm not just talking about copying words and images, I'm also talking about copying ideas. If you see something on someone else's blog and write a post with the same format and title, that is copying as well. Give credit where it's due, peeps.
Last night Gaby from The Vault Files tweeted links to two posts that another blogger had blatantly copied from her. Last week Hopsy, who isn't blogging anymore, tweeted that some of her previous material had been jacked. Katie from Let's Be Preppy also tweeted about having 50+ of her posts copied verbatim by a copy cat. How did she find out? The girl emailed her for blogging tips! Copying doesn't draw people to you! And even if it does for a while, it will catch up to you. IFB is helping you out, you don't even have to do your research.
Then I see bloggers I admire and enjoy following making a connection (following on twitter or pinterest or tumblr) with these fakers. Is it my responsibility to contact them and say, "hey, you better watch that one"? Well, admittedly, I've been known to do that. I say, yes, I would want someone to do that for me!
My theory is this - there will always be copy-cats, fakers, people who steal others' ideas, but it's up to the bloggers who love what they do and value originality to stick together and call people out when this happens. Those copied posts Gaby found, they're now removed from the blog. Addressing it does make a difference. There are far more original bloggers out there than fake ones - this community belongs to all of us. It's good karma and just plain nice.
If you made it to the end, bless your heart.
xo
12 comments
Great vent, and so true! And, as a fellow blogger who hasn't had a run-in with a faker, I know I'd be grateful if you clued me in if you saw me engaging with them on one platform or another. I agree: what does someone get out of copying someone else's work instead of creating their own?! Beats me.
Thanks for joining in this Vent Sesh!!
tell it like it is sister! love this post. i am having a similar problem to you where a blogger essentially copied my name (one letter off) and logo. she vehemently denies that there was any intention behind it though she admits she saw my glitter guide feature, so it's quite sketchy. now, though she has changed her name (albeit to another C&S name SUPER similar to mine - seriously? why don't people WANT to be unique?!?!?) she re-designed a week after I did with yet another even more similar logo and the EXACT same colors. AHHH, I just want to rip my hair out but feel like there is just nothing left to say or do. So there it is, my own vent sesh on your blog! eep, sorry!
I have only one word for those "people".... TaCkY! I love your blog and a bazillion others. I am just a reader, but that bidness is TaCkY!
Love and Hugs...Happy National Lilly Day,
Mrs. Kindergarten...aka...Madame Spoiled
you. go. girl.
that is all--though there really is so much more to say ;)
xoxo {av}
I don't get it either. I've seen it a lot, and every time it just confuses me. I guess people just have such low self-esteem that they would rather get some attention from work that isn't theirs than get none at all.
I just found you on Twitter- I love finding other VA bloggers! I'm your newest follower :)
It's so bizarre to me... We lifestyle bloggers naturally tend to include some of the same products as they are passed around Pinterest and Reward Style. That I can understand. But copying a compilation, a graphic style, a column idea, a name or text itself is absolutely unforgivable. I don't understand why some bloggers think they can get away with this behavior.
If I have learned one thing from my time in this community, it's that the online lifestyle blog ecosystem is actually much smaller and more connected than one may think.
As in the real world, the only way to succeed in blogging is to continuously challenge yourself and to always try something new - not borrowed. ;) Great post!
Couldn't agree more!!! My main outlet is Polyvore, and I have a copier that's stolen hundreds of my sets, and receives more recognition than I do for them! It's ridiculous. She's even been caught lying on several occasions, not just about the copying. They're so frustrating!!
Well said Julie honey! So weird and I don't get it either..why would you not want your own content. I will never understand. Kori xoxo
Absolutely!! I'm pretty new in the blogging world so I didn't even know this was happening... blows my mind! We should definitely all stick together and put a stop to this...
Cool post, Julie!
xoxo
Really really REALLY good blog. Seriously. IFB helped me with my figuring out who to go to to get a disclosure agreement and I've never been happier. I wonder when or how I will find out if I have been ripped off though?
Loved this post! Everything you've said is so true! I don't think I've had any copy cats, and I hope to never come across any, but I doubt it will be all smooth sailing. Thanks for writing such a tasteful post on such a touchy topic!
Well said, thanks so much for the support, means a ton!
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