My first Fashion Beauty Friend Friday (FBFF) post. Yay!
The Topic (Katy Rose from Modly Chic)
Blogger Copying. How much of blogging is coming up with your own content and how much is mirroring what we see others doing?
1. What are the ‘unwritten rules’ about copying content that we bloggers should all abide by?
Be honest. Write it in your own words. Don’t plagiarize. Cite your sources.
It’s the same as what you learn in school when writing papers. If someone says something better than you, give credit where credit is due.
It’s great that we find inspiration from one another and we might want to mimic a post, a recipe, or a photo. Be sure to add your own flair and change it up so it’s you who is speaking. Credit the original author and if you’re unsure how to link back or cite them properly, send an email. It’s better to be overly cautious than to be caught copying content. It hurts your credibility as a writer if you extract content word for word from another person, especially if you share the same readers.
2. They say imitation is the highest form of flattery. But when is a post imitation and when is it copying?
There is a fine line between imitation and copying. When you are imitating a post, you capture the essence or the feeling of the article. It may have a similar topic or photo but the way it’s expressed is different. When you are copying, it’s taking the article with the mindset of “insert my ____ here” and filling in the necessary blanks to make it look like “your” post. Not cool.
Another way of thinking about it is like having one artist look at a sunset and create a painting. Another artist sees the painting and creates an abstract sculpture from that inspiration. That’s imitation. But if that second artist copies the painting so it looks like the original, that’s a knockoff. Nobody really wants to be the knockoff because nobody likes a knockoff.
3. Taking another blogger’s idea (perhaps for an outfit, or DIY tutorial) is pretty common in the blogging world. Do you think it is necessary to credit the original source?
We are always inspired by the people around us, intentionally or unintentionally. If you’re copying an outfit or tutorial, refer or link back to the original source, if possible. It might be difficult to link everyone that influenced a post, but pick the most relevant ones. If something is widespread, you don’t need to give credit, unless you using photos that are not your own.
Adding links and sources to your posts not only improves your credibility, but it builds your relationship with other bloggers. If you keep strong ties with other bloggers, it’s easier to share ideas and plan similar posts together.
4. How have you improved your blog by comparing it to other blogs? Have you made changes due to something you have seen others doing?
When I first started, I looked at several sites and took the best parts to apply to my blog. I wasn’t sure where to start so I just a made a big collage of my favorite things. Even though I imitated the look of a banner or a format for a post, I tried to make it my own. There were some similarities but it’s the differences that sets us apart. Eventually, I streamlined the look and feel of my blog to better reflect my personality and what I hope to achieve.
I have learned things like plug-ins, media kits, and SEO functions to improve my blog, but I usually ask and email other bloggers for their opinion even if they have it posted on their sites. Additionally, I’ve gotten great feedback from others to improve the template and content of my blog. But I don’t immediately change something on my site just because other people are doing it.
5. Have you ever had one of your posts copied by another blogger or publication? How did you handle the situation?
I don’t think I have any of my posts copied, yet, but I have found my photos used for purposes other than their original intent. I removed the photo link (since they were using my bandwidth). For a while, I added watermarks and other deterrents, but it got annoying, so I changed it back to its original state.
For now, I’m pickier about the photos I choose to publish and I hope others will watch out for me and we’ll all crack down against those “stealers.” I hope that I don’t encounter a situation in which my posts are copied. =)
Check out other answers for Friend Friday!
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Jess, this is a great post. I am sure many people are thankful for the content of this post. I haven’t seen any of my posts copied yet but I have seen people copied other people’s posts/content. It blew me away! Anyway, we just have to look out for each other because at last, we’re in the Internet world!
This is a great post. I agree completely. I also like linking my inspirations because it gives readers another look to be inspired from as well.
Great responses! I especially like the analogy about 2 artists painting the same sunset.
Kendra
http://closetconfections.com
Really insightful. I’m new to fashion blogging so I haven’t had to encounter copying issues yet (fingers crossed), but I can imagine what an aggravating and dejecting process that has to be to reclaim any sense of ownership and originality. You’ve added some great perspective here — looking forward to more series like this.
If anyone has seen Inception, I think it’s valid to say no idea is truly “original.” and inspiration is creativity @ its finest.
I agree completely with you regarding your comments! I think the most important part is to put it in your own words, add your own thoughts, and cite your original source. Everything can be interpreted differently but it’s important to note where the idea originated from. Thanks for posting this!
I actually have had an instance where a commercial business of all things actually copied word for word a paragraph from my blog without my permission! I haven’t *yet* seen my photos being misused – how did you find out that yours were?
@PetiteLittleGirl: I agree, we have to work together and build each other up instead of trying to compete or copy.
@Cee: I like adding inspiration posts because it gives more dimension to what I’m trying to express and some people just say it better than I can.
@Closet Confections: Thanks for stopping by! =)
@C: Thanks! The more I read blogs, the more I notice certain patterns that emerge. Fashion blogging has its own culture, with its own advantages and disadvantages. As long as you stay true to who you are and your readership value your thoughts, it’s not so discouraging. =)
@Aubrey: I agree with your statement, but as long as one stays honest and true in their posts, I don’t think they can be faulted for lack of originality. Being original is such an impossible task, but if you put together posts with thought, passion, and honesty, I don’t think you would want to plagiarize.
@Kileen: Exactly! When I visit blogs, I want to know what they think on a topic or understand who they are better. I don’t want to read something that I’ve read already, unless it’s part of what they’re trying to stress. Anybody can copy, but it takes so much more to put your own spin on a topic, post, etc.
@MizzJ: I have pings/trackbacks that show up when someone links back to my site or a photo. I saw that it was linked to some “spam” site so I had fix it. Then I went to TinEye search and checked a few of my images to see where else on the web they were floating around. I didn’t check all my images, but it does help a bit.
Jess – thanks for this good read! This is actually the first time I’ve seen a fellow blogger share opinions publicly on this topic. Some of the things you mentioned (such as the “unwritten rules” may seem like no-brainers to some but not to others. This was a very helpful post.
I too have sought feedback and suggestions from other bloggers on how to improve and add to my blog (Kelly has been awesome about that…so full of knowledge and willing to share!).
There’s a Turkish website that re-posted something of mine and according to Google translation said that I had sewing errors. I was a bit miffed – I know they’re entitled to their opinion but still…
I really enjoyed reading this post, and it’s definitely food for thought as there are a number of petite fashion bloggers (myself included) out there and inevitably there may be some overlap in content. Ideally if everyone used their common sense and common courtesy there shouldn’t be issues, but it’s nice to have this post to refer to if need be
@PAG: I agree, other bloggers are a wealth of information and even though a lot of things are common sense, it’s better to have it written down and explained in a clearer manner.
@SewPetiteGal: It’s awesome that people are reading your blog in other languages, but it is bit strange how they went about it. And sewing errors? There’s such a thing?
@PetiteXXS: I can understand overlapped content since all shop at the same stores, but I think the key is putting you own spin on it and describing it in a way that enhances what other people have written instead of repeating the exact same comments. But I agree, if we all thought the same, we wouldn’t have this problem. =)
Great post! I agree that it is way over the line to plagiarize content. Obviously some posts may be similar but no excuse to copy someone else’s words! Thanks for your post!