Stop worrying about what other people are doing!
Were you one of those kids that used to copy someone else just to royally piss them off?
My brothers were, still are if they’ve had enough whiskey at Christmas (boys!), and it always infuriated me when my mum would say to me (for the hundredth time), ‘copying someone is just a form of flattery, don’t worry about them’.
Flattery?!
Made me mad as hell it used to! How could copying someone be a compliment?
It took me a while to see that (being my younger brothers), maybe they were just copying me because they were young, still learning and pretty much copying everyone around them (my parents soon stopped leaving wine bottles on the dinner table!).
Rather than a form of flattery, because it’s not enjoyable to copied by anyone, I saw it more as an annoying learning tool. Especially now, in the throes of starting a new business and stepping into my #FemaleBoss shoes for the first time, I can see why copying someone else’s strategy seems like a great idea!
Quit while you’re already ahead.
I’ve seen so many coaches, influencers and freelancers across social media, angry and frustrated that their hard work is being mimicked by other people. And they have every right to be angry, but taking a step back from the situation throws new light on it…..
Your work is being copied? Don’t worry about it; the plagiarists won’t overtake or outmaneuver your brand because people simply aren’t stupid.
Especially in this day and age where authenticity and honesty are so vital to the heartbeat of your brand, if people are plagiarising work it will be picked up on, it will be shared and they will forever have a nasty stain on their brand reputation (unless they hire a magical PR strategist to sort them out!)
Remember; no one can do you better than you can. If you stay true to yourself, you’ll flourish!
The sheer fact that people are copying your work, rather than giving you anxiety and high blood pressure, it should make you feel at least slightly proud of yourself!
Given how much content there is available in all business sectors on the web, the fact that you’re being plagiarised is a key indicator that you’re doing something different, and doing it well.
Rather than panic and try to shift tactics to throw off the enemy, stick to your guns, and do you.
You will continue to do exactly what makes you successful, and watch as your copycats fall away at the seams as they struggle to get to grasp the heart of what you do.
Your passion, your personality and your presence is what gives your content and your brand its motion. Plagiarism is rife in the content creation community, and as much of a shame as that is, it opens the doorway for honest, authentic and personality filled content to flood the gates and attract those audiences!
Your voice is what makes your brand so compelling, and a copycat simply can’t put all of what makes you the attractive, engaging and authentic brand into their content. It’s impossible, they’re simply not You!
So instead of getting wound up by the copycats, stay true to you and your business, and keep makin’ money moves the way you do best.