Blog Talk: Community Over Competition
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June 28, 2021
A few months ago, it came to my attention that a fellow blogger and “web designer” completely ripped me off. She copied my design site word for word, copied the colors, branding, and fonts, and basically just plagiarized my entire business. I was shocked and felt like I was punched in the gut. I’ve been working hard to grow this business for eight years and for someone in this space to duplicate my hard work and claim it as their own is extremely hurtful and just plain wrong.
But instead of dwelling on it, letting it get to me, or even confronting the plagiarizer and causing myself unneeded stress, I took the opportunity to rebrand and update my design site. When I shared a quick snippet of this experience on Instagram stories, my inbox was flooded with replies from bloggers experiencing the same thing from other bloggers. I couldn’t believe it! People are stealing ideas left and right, and I find it incredibly disturbing. We are a community of women who are constantly undervalued in this industry. We should be lifting each other up instead of ripping each other off. We create content to inspire others, but there is a huge difference between being inspired and sharing your own twist (with credit!!! Please!!) and just straight up stealing ideas.
It’s so incredibly important that no matter the industry, we support each other and respect the work of others. Copying someone else’s work and passing it off as your own is not a way to find success. Because when the time comes to actually do the job, you won’t be able to deliver that other person’s work. And that’s exactly why I didn’t confront the person who plagiarized me. She can try all she wants, but she will never be me. She will never deliver what I deliver. And I will continue to be an open book and help other bloggers whenever I can.
Have you ever experienced plagiarism in your career? How did you handle it?
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Photo by Ryan Carpenter.
June 7, 2021 @ 1:15 pm
UGH Yes this! I hate how much competition is in this world sometimes!
June 8, 2021 @ 2:28 pm
Same! But the only thing we can control is ourselves and our own businesses. I’m at peace with it now and truly happy with how my new site turned out! 🙂
June 8, 2021 @ 5:50 am
Yep I totally agree! xoxoxo
June 8, 2021 @ 2:27 pm
Yes! Thanks girl! xoxo
June 8, 2021 @ 9:57 am
I am SO sorry you dealt with that! I totally think it’s ok to look at the content/design of other sites and gain inspiration (say to make a site lighter and brighter or move a menu), but to completely rip something off? That’s another story. I am so sorry for you, BUT what a great reaction you had. You turned something bad into a new look for your business. So great!! I love how it turned out.
June 8, 2021 @ 2:27 pm
Thank you so much, Jennifer! I couldn’t agree more. I ask clients to send me inspiration sites when I’m working on their designs, but always make it explicitly clear that my designs will never be a copy of someone else’s. I’m so happy with how my revamped site turned out!
June 8, 2021 @ 11:52 am
This is something I’ve experienced so many times throughout my years as a blogger and it honestly breaks my heart. It’s incredible to be inspired by someone, but never okay to steal their hard work. On bookstagram, I’ve been really blessed with a community of friends who even ask permission before posting photos *similar* to my own, which has blown me away. Definitely something I’ve never experienced before! I hope that this translates to other places as well. I am 100% with you: community over competition ALWAYS! I’m so sorry you had to walk through this frustrating experience. Sending love your way!
June 8, 2021 @ 2:23 pm
Isn’t it just awful?! It’s so hard to understand how people could act that way when you never would yourself. I think it’s amazing that your bookstagram community is so considerate! That’s exactly how it should be. We work so hard to create authentic, organic content and it should always be respected and appreciated – especially by others who are in the same industry!
June 10, 2021 @ 4:45 pm
Sadly, I have also experienced plagiarism. Especially on Pinterest. I honestly don’t put much attention to it and just try to just do what’s best for me. They try to copy, but it’s not the same, and I think they realize that. They try to copy the formula of something they see it’s working buy they don’t see what is behind that hard work.
June 17, 2021 @ 2:15 pm
Exactly! That was my thought process too. I know her work will never be the same! I’m really glad I decided to focus on my own business instead of putting my energy into worrying about her. So much happier! 🙂
June 15, 2021 @ 3:21 pm
Ugh, I’m so sorry that happened to you, but this was such a great way to handle the situation! I haven’t dealt with outright plagiarism but I have had a brand steal my photo on Instagram before and that was so frustrating.
June 17, 2021 @ 2:16 pm
Ugh, yes! I’ve had that happen too and it’s super frustrating. I always call them out immediately! Thank you so much for acknowledging that 🙂 I’m really happy with how I handled it and excited for what’s to come!