Flattered or Upset?-Copycat

[melilley]

I would reply to her ad & say, "Thievery is the highest form & flattery. Thanks!"

Oh my gosh, I just sent this to her!
I never do things like this...

[jenboo]

Oh my gosh, I just sent this to her!
I never do things like this...

::::

[permanentvacation]

It's completely stealing from you because she can't be creative herself. Yes, it's flattering that someone else likes your work, but for them to copy your entire work and claim it as theirs is disgraceful.

Another daycare provider that I was friends with for many years started copying everything I did. I stopped talking to her. For years, we were phone friends and chatted over the phone during nap time or when the kids were having free play. We discussed some details of our daycare, but mostly just chatted as friends about everything; our personal kids, church, weekend plans, etc. Then she started calling and asking specific questions and advice about my daycare. At first, I was flattered and was proud that she liked and thought so highly of my program that she asked me for advice for her daycare. After a couple of weeks, I realized that she had gotten to the point that she would call me, ask me a direct question about my daycare, then get off the phone as soon as I answered her question. Then, in a couple of days, I would see that she was advertising that her program now offers the things that we discussed. At first, I thought it was nice that I was helping her spruce up her program. But she kept doing it to the point that she literally was making her program a complete duplicate of my program! I finally stopped talking to her. I don't mind helping someone and giving them ideas, but I don't want anyone completely copying my program and especially then claiming all of my ideas to be hers.

[daycarediva]

I can't wait to see if she responds! Mine (former 'friend') claimed similar writing styles. Um, whatever.

[melilley]

Well she didn't respond and her ad was renewed today, along with my wording, so I sent her another email telling her to reword her it. It didn't bother me at first, but every time I read hers, it makes just makes me mad.

[KidGrind]

I have an ad on CL for an opening that I have. When I have an ad out, I always look at other provider's ads. Well, today I came upon an ad and the lady used the EXACT same wording as I have in my ad. It's only two sentences, but still. Huh, the nerve...

I don't know if I should be flattered or upset.

I wouldn’t care. Maybe in the past I would’ve. Yet, I’ve learned what sells parents with my program is the interview. There is only one me, no one can copy and paste me.

[Blackcat31]

I wouldn’t care. Maybe in the past I would’ve. Yet, I’ve learned what sells parents with my program is the interview. There is only one me, no one can copy and paste me.

That is precisely why I have zero issues sharing my handbooks, policies and forms.

I view NO ONE as competition. Not even the daycare provider across the street from me.

We all have something different and unique to offer.

[melilley]

That is precisely why I have zero issues sharing my handbooks, policies and forms.

I view NO ONE as competition. Not even the daycare provider across the street from me.

We all have something different and unique to offer.

I see what you guys are saying!

[TwinKristi]

I totally understand why that pisses you off but her ad ****S!! Your's is much more appealing and IF someone read them both and thoight about it, I'm sure they would figure out she stole that blurb from your 4 star established childcare ad over her 1 star just starting out kinda ad.

[AmyKidsCo]

I just had a provider copy me entirely-program, handbook, website, ads, word for word copy and paste.

I was infuriated. I worked really hard to build my program. It's pretty unethical.

Not only unethical but illegal - against copyright laws. It's happened to me so many times I put a page about it on my website so no-one could say "I didn't know." Usually when I'm updating my site I find copycats and send them cease and desist emails, but I don't stay up at night worrying about it.

ITA with Blackcat about competition, but for me it's about protecting my work. I've spent an incredible amount of time on my website and it makes me mad when someone copies my hard work and posts it as their own. That's the reason why I go after copycats.

[Michael]

As a side note: Exact wording of duplicate content is penalized by search engines. So, someone copying your content can hurt your ranking on search results.

[Blackcat31]

Not only unethical but illegal - against copyright laws. It's happened to me so many times I put a page about it on my website so no-one could say "I didn't know." Usually when I'm updating my site I find copycats and send them cease and desist emails, but I don't stay up at night worrying about it.

ITA with Blackcat about competition, but for me it's about protecting my work. I've spent an incredible amount of time on my website and it makes me mad when someone copies my hard work and posts it as their own. That's the reason why I go after copycats.

This is definitely true too.....

It's also why I KNOW Miss Amy is a fantastic provider and person....because I've had the pleasure of "copying" (: some of her ideas into some of my own advertising materials.

I didn't want to out right plagiarize someone who obviously put a great deal of effort into her work so instead I just contacted her and started chatting away.

What I learned from her was far more than what I wold have or could have gained had I just copied and pasted her work so it was MORE than worth it to reach out and ask.

[melilley]

As a side note: Exact wording of duplicate content is penalized by search engines. So, someone copying your content can hurt your ranking on search results.

I didn't know that!