When copying content online crosses the line
Whoever said that copying was the sincerest form of flattery lacked imagination. Seriously. There’s a big difference between being inspired by a good idea and taking a good idea and calling it your own. When it comes to the world of blogging, copying content is plagiarism – plain and simple.
Let’s survey the landscape, which, by the way, hasn’t changed since we were in school. Most students have a very clear understanding of plagiarism and, even if they chose to cross the line, they know its precise location. Copied content isn’t a fast track to a passing grade – it’s a liability that leads directly to a failing grade and, in some cases, being expelled.
Some adults forget this though. Journalists, like Jayson Blair, kissed their careers goodbye because it was easier to copy than create. Jayson went from New York Times journalist to “life coach” somewhere in Virginia…
Not so long ago, someone took a number of articles from SocialNorth (along with the pictures) and posted them verbatim on his site. He even posted them under his name as the author. When I contacted him, he removed them immediately and apologized, explaining he meant no harm. I’m still not sure how thought stealing was appropriate – especially as we know each other personally…
Unclear about what constitutes plagiarism on your business blog? Let’s discuss it in the simplest possible terms. Plagiarism is taking content from another website or blog and posting it on your website or blog without permission or attribution. It’s not flattering. And it’s wrong.
How to copy content with permission
Most of us consume a startling amount of online content, whether it’s scrolling through social media or skimming the news headlines. As a business owner, some of that content might be germane to your business – possible blog content that could potentially help your customers. Sometimes leaving a simple comment on the post or sharing it on your own social media feed is a good way to share it with your community. But how can you take it a step further and share those ideas on your own blog?
A simple way to build on another blogger’s ideas is to share a snippet of their post – with a link back to the original post. From there, add your own spin to the idea, building from the groundwork that initially intrigued you. If you’re unsure how much content is appropriate to share on your own blog, a snippet of approx. 100 words is acceptable – with a backlink, of course. Three paragraphs is not.
3 A’s of blogging with intent and without plagiarizing
Blogging has been around for almost two decades now and, even for bloggers new to the scene, there’s a hard line between stealing content and blog inspiration. Many bloggers write for the pure joy of expressing themselves and getting immediate feedback – and that’s great. But if you’re blogging for business, you need a content strategy, goals and ethical standards to chart your course.
Copying content is a rookie move – and stupid. Begin with understanding that your blog is a key component of your online reputation and then use these three waypoints to keep you moving in the right direction.
Be accountable. Bloggers lead the charge of transparency because they’re not bound by the stringent rules of journalists. Publishing on your own site means you own the broadcast channel. You create everything: the channel, the navigation and all the content. While sharing your opinion and being creative in your storytelling on your blog is acceptable and even expected, being accountable for what you’ve written hasn’t changed. If your name’s on it, you own it – every accolade, typo and well, you get the picture.
Be accurate. As a former journalist, I had the luxury of a copy editor and a managing editor who checked for every single word for correct spelling and usage, as well as accuracy in my reporting. A small typo was just as important as a faulty argument in my story – both risked relationships with advertisers and readers. We never published without the safety net of another set of eyes combing through the content before it went to press. As a blogger and social media professional, I write every day without a safety net, harness or even a helmet.
Blog posts are easy to update and allow for immediate corrections but that doesn’t mean it’s okay to write your post in 20 minutes and unleash it to the world right away. Editing with a critical eye has never been more important:
- Read your posts out loud, focusing on each word. Our eye fills in the blanks of missing words.
- Double check your links. Broken links are sloppy and will annoy your readers and the search engines.
- Wait. Do something else and come back to your post in an hour – that mental break often delivers clarity on where you can improve.
Be audacious. Be daring, fearless, bold, gutsy and brave. Writing a blog often means navigating blind so let your adventurous spirit chart your course. Just remember the golden rule as you’re being mindful about your accuracy and accountability. I still believe that right always conquers wrong, good triumphs over evil and doing the right thing is always the right thing – even when you’re being audacious.
I asked a few of my friends on social media what they thought about copied content and citing original sources. What I loved about the discussion is that while everyone gives attribution differently, everyone agreed it was necessary. I wonder if I should show this post to the guy who thought it was okay to steal my content…
Tim. If I find content I like, I may take a piece, state the source, then give my perspective on it. If I’m re-broadcasting someone’s entire content, I will do author & link…also depends if I want the reader 2 leave my page.
Jenn. I just used embedded citation in a blog post. You can take the academic out of the university but… 🙂 I prefer footnotes when reading but I try to always give credit.
Brian. When I’m responding to an opinion, I quote the opinion verbatim and note who it came from in my blog before I note my response. ……having said that, I do it mainly because I have a lousy memory and need all of the notes I can muster! When someone suspects plagiarism, it destroys credibility.
Lisa. So upsetting. How difficult is it to put a pair of quotation marks around something and properly source? Unless you’re intentionally trying to be deceitful… which is another matter, I suppose. Integrity is so important! It’s almost shocking that people think they can get away with it in today’s super-connected, online environment.
If you’re struggling with your digital strategy, I’d love to hear your questions and how I can help. Drop a comment below or shoot me an email and let’s start talking.
In the meantime, these posts might help you begin your content marketing journey:
- How to work with guest bloggers
- 10 things you should never do on Facebook
- How to create a content calendar for social media
I’ve felt your pain on this issue, Julia.
Earlier this year, I had similar problems with some local for-profit businesses in the creative domain who were stealing my photographs, cropping/photoshopping off my copyright watermark, and using my content without permission or payment. The third instance prompted me to speak out: http://makebright.com/2012/03/please-dont-steal-my-photos/ Sadly, these are firms you certainly know and likely work with in our community. When I called them out privately, the type of refrain I consistently got was “Oops” or “We didn’t realize…” or “Oh, sorry, we were in such a hurry we couldn’t ask you”. All weak responses, and inexcusable from people that make their living themselves developing and selling creative content. In all cases, I asked to be paid for my work, and in all cases no payment was received. The stolen content was pulled down and it appears the firms involved have cleared their collective conscience.
It was a very disappointing illustration of the lack of character and integrity in some of the local “leaders in social/digital media” who I see speaking with students and community groups and expounding on the benefits of networking among professionals. I reckon karma will sort that out. I continue to look for and find good people to work with whom I can trust.
DW
Hi Darin,
First, thank you for stopping by and posting such a thoughtful commentary. Second, I’m sorry this has happened to you. It perplexes me beyond belief that it happens in the first place but I expect this behavior from a bottom-dweller, not a respected member of the community. That is truly sad.
Like you, I’m not willing to put the person’s name forward in a public shaming. The point is to let people know how much damage this activity costs us all, not to call one person out. If we continue to talk about it, to share the need for valuing creativity and paying for it, we’ll find those good people you mentioned.
By the way, I checked out your blog and your pictures are beautiful. Truly beautiful.
Thanks again,
Julia
Great post!
I think you’re absolutely right. Everything comes back to your brand. How could you trust another company if you knew they were stealing your content?
Being an expert in your field doesn’t always mean that you need to think of everything yourself. Sometimes it’s knowing good sources for other opinions and sharing that as well. I find it very effective to use someone else’s articles to back up what I’m saying. Either as a tweet that I’ll share or to emphasize a point I’m making in my blog.
I put myself in their shoes and think “how would I feel if someone didn’t credit me?”. As you mentioned in your experience you were annoyed with the other person and it probably affected your view of their brand. I want anyone I am borrowing content from to feel flattered and appreciative. I want them to say thanks. Clearly we either share the same point of view on something or we don’t and that can lead to an interesting discussion. Either way it’s not right for me to just take.
Many ‘competitors’ I collaborate with, both online and in real life. There’s no one I know who does exactly what I do, exactly the way I do it. I think we make each other stronger by working together. That’s the same attitude I use when blogging and it’s been tremendous for me.
Thanks for sharing Julia!
Here’s some simple tools you can use to see if someone else is using your content.
http://www.problogger.net/archives/2012/10/01/5-simple-online-services-for-checking-content-plagiarism/
Thanks again!
I’m so sad that we even need tools in our lives like this, Greg. But because we do, thank you so much for sharing your find here!
Julia
Greg, you hit the nail on the head – our ideas grow bigger and stronger when we share and learn from each other. I am a social media professional – not an expert – because I’m continually learning from everyone around me.
Thank you for so generously sharing my world and for making it better with your ideas!
Julia
Sad to hear this happened to you. I hear about this over and over and have experienced the frustration myself several times in areas other than blogging. Duplication is as easy path for some, but being orginal will always stand out from the rest.
Thanks for your comment here and on Facebook, Lisa. YOU are the real deal and I’m very grateful to call you friend!
Julia
Great post Julia,
My follow up question to your blog post would be:
How do you deal with suspected plagiarism? There hasn’t been direct quotes, or verbatim use of text, but ideas/thoughts are used in a blog post a short time after yours is posted?
Mark
Hey Mark, Thanks for swinging by for a visit and for the conversation yesterday. Interesting question but not one I can give you a black and white answer on. When I was a freelance writer, first rule of business is that ideas are not copyright protected, which means an editor can like your idea but not your writing. He can take that idea and assign it to another writer and there’s nothing you can do about it – legally.
From a standpoint of integrity, it’s a different issue. It may not be illegal to steal an idea but do you want to do business with someone who does that? I sure don’t! From your question though, it looks like another writer took ideas from your post and wrote his own blog post with new ideas added in. Why not pay him a visit on his blog and share your post with him? His readers might appreciate the fresh perspective.
Hope that helps. I don’t know all the details from your story so I may be way off the mark.
Julia
Good morning Julia,
I know there isn’t a black and white answer – it would be too easy that way!
The idea of stopping by his blog and offering to share my post is a great idea. I’m guessing they would be less likely to ‘borrow’ ideas again if they know I read their blog. Also serves the double function of growing my own readership if approve the link back to my blog.
Thanks for the advice!
Mark
Happy to have helped, Mark. And you never know, the comments you post on his blog may spark an interesting conversation. Best of luck!
Julia
Yes it is sad that we need tools to monitor stealing content. Here is how another site I follow handled it – along with tools and other lockdown methods. http://ronisweigh.com/2010/12/yo-motherf-stop-republishing-my-content.html
You would think it was better to make a connection and share the information, than just outwardly just steal.
Right on Darleen! I can’t imagine how it’s easier to steal than make a connection and share with another person.
Thanks for stopping by and for the great link!
Julia
OK. This is brilliant. Thank you so much.
Thanks so much, Linda – glad you enjoyed!
Julia