(Image via gritphilm on Flickr)
No doubt almost all of you have your own websites to help promote your businesses. When clients are looking to hire a caterer, photographer, planner, designer, florist etc… for a big party or wedding where do they start their search? The internet, of course. In today’s market, if you don’t have your own site, it’s harder for potential clients to find you. A LOT harder.
However, there’s such a thing as publishing too much of your work on your site. Last week, we discussed at length the good and not-so-good reasons you should list your prices on your website. This week, I’d like to address an even bigger issue: many artists and vendors worry about putting their work on the internet, because they fear other people will steal their ideas.
I’m constantly asked if I mind when people copy my work. My response? “No, I don’t mind as long as it’s a GOOD copy.” The reality is that just because someone sees a picture of something you created does NOT mean he or she has the first clue HOW you did it. What those “copiers” are really making is an approximation of your original idea.
And let’s not forget that copy cats often have very small budgets, which means not only are they trying to recreate your work without knowing exactly how you did it, but they’re also trying to recreate your work with less money and fewer resources.
The bottom line is that you need to put your work out there in order to attract business and a consequence of that is potentially seeing your work copied. But if you’re getting copied then you’re probably really good at what you do. And if you’re really good at what you do, then you need to publicize that fact in order to get new business and make a living.
Remember, if you hide your art in order to prevent copy cats, you’re also hiding your work from potential clients, and that is NOT a good business practice.
So let’s say people are copying the work you put out there in the public domain. So what? You’re an artist, and you should always be coming up with new and exciting ideas. When someone copies you, just smile and say, “Been there, done that.” That’s what I do!
How do you feel about being copied? Have clients ever taken your idea and asked another vendor to duplicate it for a fraction of the cost? If so, what happened?
I’d love to hear about your opinions and experiences. Please share.
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George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
kittyroulette
April 25, 2011
When I was in Art school, it bothered me to no end when I got copied and I protected my work. But just like you highlighted, a copy can never have the same essence as the original.
Brit @ Landlocked Bride
April 25, 2011
Such great words of advice. Without putting yourself out there, you risk not being found. And, if someone copies your work, just like you said, then you’re doing something right – and you’re good at what you do.
Carol Rame
April 25, 2011
I feel the exact same way about my work and tell others the same
The old adage is true: “Often imitated, never duplicated.”
Remember-nothing is ever quite as good as the original: It ain’t as simple as bottling the same ingredients-give yourself points for the “originality” aspect-no one can create the Mona Lisa as well as da Vinci himself
Abigail
April 25, 2011
Thanks for this post! I see this every day. Some vendors post their so-so work to avoid copying but I think that is a huge mistake! You can´t hide your best jobs-ideas to possible clients. There will always be imitators, copiers, hey!! They copy money bills and coins!!! But the copy will never be the same as the original, NEVER! If you believe you are an artist, you don´t have anything to worry about. I agree with you: if other vendors are copying you, you are good!! Keep up creating and showing your best. Your website is the first impression people are getting. It has to be good! Blessings!!!
Betty loves Blooms
April 25, 2011
Firstly, I admire the work of Preston and his large floral design team.
However, I sense a snobbery in your statement. –
“And let’s not forget that copy cats often have very small budgets, which means not only are they trying to recreate your work without knowing exactly how you did it, but they’re also trying to recreate your work with less money and fewer resources.”
There are many excellent ‘local’ trained Floral designers who have the skills to be able to produce the same ‘skills standard’ of work such as Preston Bailey,Jane Packer & Colin Cowie.Maybe we do not yet have the same client group but we are equally as skilled, technically & creatively at working with our clients to create it for them ‘within their financial budget’. Yes and sometimes without a large team at hand. It’s admirable that clients want those designs created by such Floral designers. But ultimately what we do in customising it to our clients budget and working with a team of 2/3 staff is equally as technical, creative and commendable. .
I have purchased several of Preston books and I show my clients his books as well as my own sketches and portfolio to inspire/motivate them to think creatively. Does that make me a copycat? I take it the books are for the purpose of inspiring all?
And to add, I have seen Preston Bailey use the same floral containers in several of his earlier jobs with two or three clients in his book. Even Preston had to start somewhere right? So lets not get snobby and forget where we’ve come from.
bettylovesbloom@blogspot.com
Betty, LONDON.
I Do Weddings & More
April 25, 2011
I had someone bring a pic they saw on a site and was asked if I could copy it and my reply was……I’m sure it can be copied, but it may cost more than what you are probably willing to pay for it and they just frowned! LOL
I get ideas from other vendors I have seen, but I like to put my own “spin” on something, to make it different and my own. You can get the basic framework, but make it YOUR OWN! Kudos to all the Vendors!
Miranda Blanchard
April 26, 2011
Great Post!
As a designer I am learning that it’s more important to get my work out there on the web so others can see it and worry less about getting copied. It’s not worth the time and effort to worry about copy cats!!
Creative Director, Miranda Blanchard
affleur.ca
Jason Hatch
April 26, 2011
I don’t worry that there are people out there trying to copy what I do. I will only start to worry when they STOP trying to copy what I do!
They’ll always be a step behind you as long as you lead the way!
Angela Proffitt
April 26, 2011
It’s very flattering!!
Angela
April 26, 2011
It really does not bother me much. It only encourages me to keep being creative to enable me always be ahead of them all the time.
Gena Martin
April 26, 2011
I must admit that I was concerned about copy cats. But I feel much better. Thank you so much for the advice.
Linda
April 26, 2011
I love to look at another vendors work if only to admire their completed event. Many companies, corporation or vendors have copied other peoples work. They may have just put another spin or twist to the work. Preston your ideas, wedding updates and information about the industry are the best. Keep doing what you are doing, because that is how you achieve success through knowledge
Angie
April 26, 2011
While it does still bother me a little bit when I see that someone has copied me, I try to reframe that thought into a compliment, because it truly is a compliment. Someone liked my work enough to copy it. I wish they would have hired me to do the job, but hey, you can’t win them all!
However, there are also people out there, who will steal photos of your work from your website and put it on their website as if it were their own work on display. That type of copying is unacceptable. When this happened to me, I contacted the other vendor and read her the riot act…she claimed she didn’t know that her web designer did that, but she had copied from at least four of us in the same geographical area. Then she tried to say she didn’t even do flowers, yet I seem to continually run into her advertisements to do floral work…un·scru·pu·lous! In the end, I gave her 3 days to get my photos off her website or she would hear from my attorney. The photos and my price list were removed.
Wedding PR
April 26, 2011
Thought provoking post as always!
I’ve seen plenty of folks who worry about being copied and what to actually do if that should happen. I advise often on this but alas, you’ve come up with the best line possible- “Been There, Done That.” Brilliant. 
Thanks! ~Meghan
Great words of advice
April 27, 2011
Great words of advice……
Marc Matteo
April 27, 2011
We all fall victim to this. We can look at it two ways. We can be flattered or we can be angry. I prefer to be flattered. I’m inspired by other photographers and take what I like and change it to my own. It’s all part of the business we are in. Everything has been done at least once. It’s whether or not we can make it different that makes us unique.
Catherine
April 28, 2011
Great advice! I am having this exact problem at the moment with a competitor. Everything I post on my blog, new ideas, new services etc all appear on her site. I made the mistake of hiding my work but as you say you are hiding it from the world and only doing yourself and your business harm. As they say “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!”
Rebecca
April 30, 2011
You have to be using sarcasm to say you liked the outragious hats. There is a time and a place for gutsy and bold. Not at a formal, royal wedding. And if Beatrice and Eugene were being spiteful because their Mom didn’t get an invite, they just wound up drawing negative attention to themselves and detracting from the wedding itself. Nothing courageous about that. They would have been better to just decline the invites and say why. You people who say “anything goes” are destroying everything that was genteel and charming.
Navjot
May 2, 2011
It is hard to comment on this. One has to think big and look at Designer as Preston Bailey and others on the top. They lived through the dream and must not worry how they say it because many a time what is percieved as a ego is just a pride one takes to rise above.
I find Inspirations through hard earned experiences of top designers and each opportunity that I get with low or high budget client to show my creative aspect, I thank God for that. Today I may end up with break doing something out of the box but tomorrow my Inspiration will inspire others to try somewhat different.
Preston Designs have inspired me to get out of comfort zone and one step at a time. Thanks for the Inspiration.
cachetdecors
June 3, 2011
i tell you,professionals indeed do set the pace for others to follow. i dont see anything bad in imitating ones idea.i assure you,it can never be the same.
Jean
July 3, 2011
Thanks for writing such an easy-to-understand atrlcie on this topic.
sgovrogq
July 4, 2011
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laura venosa
May 4, 2012
mand if I share on my group Knock It Off artist on fb. thanks Laura