Fair warning friends – grab your coffee and settle in for a long blog post today…
Since launching Style Charade, I’ve never posted a negative topic on this blog. I always want this site to be viewed as a source of fun, positivity, and happiness. It’s also designed to encourage, inspire, surprise, and delight you. Therefore, I assure you the situation is really bad if I’m posting about it now. Please know I am speaking my truth, from the heart and, above all, based on facts.
Last weekend, I posted on Instagram Stories about a situation that I’ve been dealing with for more than three years. The response was overwhelming; endless messages filling my (DM) inbox from people all over the world. Many of whom have noticed or who have experienced something similar. It was heartbreaking yet a reminder of how lucky we are to have the Instagram community. For all the highs and lows of Instagram – the annoying algorithm, the mean comments, the way it changes people for the good (and for the really bad) – the feedback and messages reminded me that it’s all worth it.
To sum up the problem, someone has been using my Instagram account as a template for their own. This person has systematically copied my channel, captions, location concepts, and personal style for more than three years. I’m not talking about just a dress, a pose, a wall, etc. (although there’s that too). It’s about ongoing examples of copying (exact looks, images, and ideas). As a result, I’ve taken immense steps to try and evolve the look and feel of my Instagram account to further differentiate myself and push the creative boundaries. Every time I pivot into new territory, the individual does the same soon thereafter.
For those who know me well, sharing the details of this terrible situation is incredibly hard. I’m not one to open up and be vulnerable, especially when it comes to talking poorly about someone else. I’m far from perfect, and I believe when you say something bad about another person, it:
- Creates bad karma AND
- Makes you look just as bad as them
Trust me, I do not take sharing the situation with you lightly. It’s taken me almost three years to say anything online. However, after a lot of thought and continued copying from this person, I’ve had enough.
Listen, I know there are bigger issues to focus on. Instagram is just a social media channel, and we need to hone our energies on the world’s problems – politics, healthcare, tax reform, #MeToo, the list goes on and on. For all these reasons and more, it’s taken me this long to address the issue. It feels ridiculous with everything going on around the globe!
Why share then? Beyond being fed up (and copying being straight-up wrong), Instagram is a business. I wholeheartedly believe that there’s room for everyone to have success in the industry, but the challenge comes when an individual does so by replicating another person’s content. By doing so, they dilute the other person’s brand, and, in the end, it hurts their business. All of sudden brands want you on the same campaigns or, even worse, want you to work together because your feeds look similar (yuck).
When someone copies you…
…they steal your ideas.
…they rob you of money and campaigns.
…a small part of your creative soul dies inside.
Without going into details about who the person is (and I won’t), I want to keep the focus on the larger issue at hand. How do we, as an Instagram, blogging, and online community, protect our creative content and brands? We can’t patent our ideas or pages. So how do we fix this? How do we protect each other from this situation happening?
I’d love to collaborate with all of you to find solutions. After all, one of my 2017 mantras? Action, not reaction. If you’re not a part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. Let’s work together to find ways to fix what’s happening to a lot of people online.
A few initial ideas of how to fix the problem….
SAY SOMETHING
If you see someone copying, say something to the person affected. DM them, text them, email them, support them.
CHOOSE SIDES
Yes, I realize this sounds very kindergarten / schoolyard playground-like, but if you know a person is systematically copying someone, why would you follow them? De-follow button, please.
GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE
The point of Instagram is to allow publishers to connect, converse, and create community online. I find myself constantly being inspired! Inspiration is when you see something cool but do your own take on it. Copying is doing the exact same thing. If you find ideas or inspirations from someone – just credit them!
INSTAGRAM, HELP!
If you work for Instagram, step-in and fix the situation. Never going to happen, right? Lol. From what I understand, Instagram can’t do anything unless someone is literally impersonating someone else. Not copying content. Instagram gods (if you’re listening) – please consider a policy change for larger instances of systematic copying.
If you have other ideas, please send them my way. Comment below as I’d love to engage in a conversation about it!
I’ll leave with you with these final thoughts…
Over the years, countless friends will message/text me to flag examples of this person copying. It usually happens in the evening when I’m home from work, and I turn to my husband every time and say, “how can (this person) sleep at night?!”
His response always gives me chills…
“Very soundly,” he says. “Because it’s working.”
We, as an online community, have to work to solve this problem. On Instagram, as in life, we need to speak up when someone does something wrong. Not just for me, but for anyone experiencing it.
And believe the person when they say it’s happening. Especially since Instagram has timestamps; the proof is there alone.
You can’t fake time. But it turns out you can fake someone else’s Instagram account.
Never miss a post – follow along on Bloglovin’!
Well said Jennifer! Your IG account is one of my absolute favorites! I love the bright colored murals adorable outfits and those delicious puns! 🙂
xo,
Jonathan
http://www.stylebyjonathan.com
Thanks for commenting! I hope that we can all collaborate to find solutions for creators. I never set forth for the situation to become a witch hunt. My only goal is for all of us to identify solutions for the entire online community.
a simply incredible post jenn! i can’t even begin to imagine how infuriating this must be. your content always brings light and happiness to my day and i hope this person will somehow realize that what they are doing is wrong. you never stop wowing me with your content and i have loved following you (i want to say for years??). stay positive, stay strong, and of course, stay fabulous jenn!
xo
allie
pretaprovost.com
Stay strong, Jenn! We’re all behind you.
So proud of you, Jenn! I know how hard this was for you to write this, and I know how awful this situation is. I am 100% on your side and have your back. I know how hard you work for your business, and that’s always been very apparent to me. You are one of THE BEST! Even before you were my friend, I had admired following along — I admire you for SO many reasons, and they don’t all necessarily have to do with blogging. It’s so unfortunate that some have stooped so low, but that just shows their true colors. Keep your head up, and keep being one of the best of the best!
xx
Pink Champagne Problems
You are always inspiring and continue to be by posting this. You are my absolute favorite blogger, but not just because of your content, but because of the way you treat and respond to your followers. It speaks volumes about you as a person. That sets you FAR apart from the person/people who copy you. <3
http://www.theneapolitanblog.com/
Instagram really should step in an do something so that it stops happening to people. It just seems like another form of identity theft!! I know that I don’t know you personally, but you are always kind and genuine. I really appreciate the fact that you actually respond to people too. Keep posting your beautiful photos and inspiring others and well that person will learn their lesson one day!
Your style, creativity and kindness are always inspirational. I have to believe that copying someone like this person is doing to you must be exhausting and will catch up to them eventually. Your work is amazing and I can’t wait to keep following and supporting you! xx
Thank you for your bravery in sharing this!
I haven’t encountered anyone directly copying my work (that I’m aware of) but I always try to be aware of the difference between being inspired and copying when I’m taking in other peoples content.
What a difficult post this must have been to write, Jenn. I’m so sorry to hear you are still dealing with this issue — obviously situations like this look so different from the outside than they do on the inside and regardless of what is going on in the world, it’s still incredibly hard to deal with anything of this magnitude. Even having as much support as I know you do.
Bravo for writing such a brave post (and such a long one — love your writing style!). Certainly instagram has really done a lot to destroy creativity in the last few years. They seem to only reward very formulaic feeds and it’s a shame that they allow so much of the same content to flourish. Lattes and flowers for dayssss. I’m thrilled to hear you’re evolving the content — I’ve certainly been enjoying the new aesthetics.
And the best thing someone ever told me about copying (when I was dealing with a blogger who literally bought half of the items in my closet to style them in nearly identical ways for their own blog) was that as the ORIGINATOR you are always one step ahead of the COPIER. Copiers cannot progress forward until you have already.
It’s certainly not a solution but in the world where creative licensing and copyright aren’t at all protected, it at least helps to remember that.
I can’t tell you how infuriating it each time I find someone else who has stolen my photos and claimed them for their own. It’s very violating and very deflating when it comes to my passion for my creative work.
I certainly hope the industry evolves and changes this year. It’s about time!
Xoxo,
Ashley || Sed Bona
Such a well written post and good on you for addressing it. I still remember the shock I felt when that person’s feed – I was downright confused as I thought it was you!!!
I am relatively new to Instagram, so I’m so surprised that nothing can be done legally to stop this person. They are obviously stealing your intellectual property and that hurts you financially, professionally and personally. This is your business, right? I don’t get why you can’t go after them for stealing your intellectual property. If Instagram has said that there is nothing they can do, it seems like it’s time for laws to be changed. Your posts are works of art – there has got to be a way to stop them. I’m with Jenn! 🙂
Oh Jenn…So sorry you have to deal with this. I have always found your blog and IG fun and inspiring. Although it’s hard to stop someone from copying, the best thing to do is address it (in this case, blog about it), let your thoughts be heard, and keep moving forward. To me, seeing someone evolve their content is much more interesting because I get to see your growth flourish. Keep growing and inspiring!
Leyla // http://www.secondcitymom.com
So proud of you for speaking up! Your photos are brilliant and I know how much work goes into creating each one, so it isn’t fair for someone to use your work to build their career. I get so mad whenever your imposter shows up in my Explore feed!
I am so sorry you have to deal with this. You are one of my favorite bloggers from content to personality and it pains me to see you work so hard for someone else to copy you so blatantly. Kudos to you for trying to take the high road, I hope your Instagram community can help!!
xo, Caitlin
I love this. I have the same situation going on for almost 3 years except the person has extended to threatning me. It is never ending and seems like it will never stop.
I am newer to your feed, and Instagram suggested hers (are we not mentioning her name?) to me after I started to follow you. I had to do a double take. I did not know who came first, or why two people had identical accounts. I have to say: it was really, really strange! Thank you for setting the record straight. Unfollowing that person now!
Eloquently written, Jenn. We’ve been following one another for years and although I know we’ve only met in person once your genuine warmth and talent shined through. I know how hard it is to work on something and develop creative ideas and vision only to have someone directly copy over and over again – it’s draining and heartbreaking. Know that I admire your work so much and support you from afar. Chin up and keep going, lady! xoxo
It’s inspiring to see you sticking up for yourself, and it’s scary how true your husband comment probably is. And interesting to read personal content like this.
Appreciate the feedback. Thanks for commenting!
So incredibly brave of you to share this Jen and I completely feel you ! I am a victim of this as well; there is a fine line between being inspired and downright plagiarism and this is definitely not acceptable. Something must be done about it and you speaking up for yourself has definitely motivated me as well.
I love following your amazing feed and your creativity is absolutely incredible!
xx
Jyo
http://www.cuppajyo.com
I’m sorry you’ve dealt with a similar situation. You are so lovely, and I hope the online community can find solutions.
Jenn — I’m so proud of you for speaking up about this issue! You are such a kind, smart, and genuine person who I deeply admire from a blogging, professional and personal perspective. Keep your head up, and kudos for standing up for what is right.
Isn’t That Charming.
Thank you, Emily! Excited for all of us to collaborate to find solutions protect all content creators. No one is perfect and we all find inspiration and ideas from others. But it’s systematic copying that we must address.
I’m so happy you’re sharing this Jenn. The blogging community is one that thrives on inspiration and growth, but plagiarism is a whole different thing and it is wrong. I’m sure it isn’t to address this topic, but you’re helping so many people/content creators with your voice! Keep creating your incredible content – can’t wait to keep reading!
xx Caroline
http://www.whenwear.com
Good for you for speaking up! This is why I refuse to invest the kind of time and energy it takes to earn a living with social media. It’s too easy to copy someone’s brand and business model because it is 100% public. When I launched my event planning business in 2003 it was easy to set myself apart from my competition, be unique and make A LOT of money ethically. No one knew my trade secrets unless they were a client. I didn’t post my events or techniques on social media or even my website – only my clients who experienced our events knew how we were different from the competition. I’m sure very similar to how your PR business is handled.
Since I started blogging in 2009 the market is now so saturated, too much competition and the time it takes to really make significant revenue does not justify the time investment. Now look at IG! I hear what you are saying and can’t believe someone would go to these lengths to copy another influencer. They still have to take the time to purchase the clothes, items, etc and take the images – right? I mean are they photoshopping their head on your body? What is the motivation? Are they gaining in followers at the same pace as you? Sorry I just don’t get why someone would want to create a brand that is not authentic to themselves.
Another thing that is crazy about this industry – the fact you are being asked to collaborate on a campaign with someone because they look similar to your brand. What other industry does that??
But look at all the interior designers on IG – my entire feed is filled with similar styled decor photos – just in different homes. It seems like they are all copying one another too.
So sorry this is happening but we do need to stick together as a community and educate brands/PR that it’s not ok. Just like it’s not ok to copy someone’s blog content. This is another reason why investing so much time and energy into IG is dangerous. If this was happening on your blog you can take action to have it removed and report them to Google. So how do we find out who this person is so we can be sure we are not following them?? Can we report them to IG?
Not sure if this article helps but read this https://www.shoutmeloud.com/what-to-do-when-people-copies-your-blog-content.html.
Wow, I just found her feed and you were not exaggerating! She is straight up replicating all of your content. One one hand you can view this as the highest form of flattery, because your feed is simply amazing and no doubt inspires countless women. However, I completely understand how this is hurting your brand and is really quite sad on her end, as she is sacrificing an opportunity to find her own niche and voice and just ripping off your hard work instead. I am behind you and I sincerely hope this situation can be resolved. I so appreciate your creativity and inspiration in my feed!
Ugh! This makes me so mad for you! You’re seriously the best/kindest/most talented fashion blogger out there– I hate that you’re being copied! The only positive I can say is that imitation is the best form of flattery, but whoever this person is, still is so wrong! Not nearly as bad, but a student made a fake Mary Fremeau Insta account– my husband found it because that student tried to friend him– lol, high schoolers, but Instagram did take it down because they were impersonating me with my name and what not. Did it help at all to report it? Could we report it for you? I know you don’t want to share the name… but I would be happy to help! All your fans would be! We could rally 🙂
xxoo
Mary
http://www.BelleOnTrend.com
I volunteered for a jewelry company that actually went through a nasty cyber bullying incident because the company that we were copying them decided to take it upon themselves to attack us in a very public way. Hence, I appreciate your suggestions about DMing the individual and trying to resolve this out of the public eye. The group of women behind this other brand even asked their friends/customers to harass our customers, which was totally unacceptable.
These days it’s so hard to tell and prove that someone is copying you, so it’s definitely frustrating to see someone with a similar product/aesthetic and not be able to do anything about it because Instagram and other platforms don’t really have a great way for users to take action against these kinds of instances!
OMG I just read about this on The Cut. I can’t believe it. I’ve never heard of the other girl. Stick to your vision Jenn!
Not sure if I’ve looked at the accounts the wrong way round, but your images which she is copying are posted a month after hers are? Bit confused? Do you post your images twice somewhere?
Example:
hers: https://www.instagram.com/p/BZuo1OFg71H/?hl=en&taken-by=rclayton in October
yours: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb7767el7F0/?hl=en&taken-by=jenniferlake November?
My Instagram profile pictures are copied and used it on another Instagram account with the same name I used. How can I solve this issue and claim copyright.
So sorry that happened to you! Instagram does have the ability for you to file a report for copyright infringement. Hopefully that will help!
Hello, this post is what I’m experiencing from my main copycat and a few others on my Instagram page. To me this person seems very obsessed. I’ve recently posted some quotes about copying and stealing from me to my page. Now my copycat has their little friends backing them and they are continuing the lie of being original and successful. Their success is from stealing from me. They actually think they are doing something special or are better than me now. They think that I’m jealous of them and should be learning from them. It’s a damn shame how delusional this person is. I’m really getting sick and tired. I’ve come up with ideas for businesses and this person keeps taking them or doing something similar. then offering their services for free or they are giving away something for free. This undercuts me and gains support for them because everyone wants free stuff. This person also copies other people and undercuts their businesses as well. They throw my ideas together, claim them as their own for a post then won’t do anything else with the idea after unless they think I will do something else. I work hard on everything I do becuz I am passionate about my projects. Then they swoop in steal everything and it dilutes my work. I want to block this person but they have several pages and will create more to spy on me and copy. I want to put my Instagram page on private but it will prevent others from seeing my content. Instagram needs to change that as well, if I use hashtags on a private page people who I want to see my posts still should be able to. My solution was to block anyone who I see starting to copy everything I do. Only my main copycat remains unblocked becuz I know they will create other accounts and copy me. I’m very frustrated, and annoyed. This person not only steals my ideas, they try to copy my vocabulary, personal style, outings I have with my family, my family dynamic, my profession, my posts and my businesses. Anything u can think of this person copies me. They are stealing my identity and actually gaining clout; while ppl hate on me and don’t give me props. I’m sick of it. I don’t know what to do. I wish I had more support and people saw the truth.
Hi,
I’m so happy I’m not alone! This winterlemon account has been doing exactly that, taking pictures in the same style and even copies my posting schedule ( like I post bracelets on Wednesdays and she started doing that as well). She basically sells a cheaper version of what I sell, I come out with a new design and she will have the same cheap version of it a week later. It’s so frustrating, i blocked her but it’s not stopping her.
I hear you. I’m Ok with people taking inspiration from me and putting their own creative spin on it, but it really annoys me when they seem to do the exact same thing as me, quite shamelessly, just after I’ve put my idea out there into the universe. I love that saying …a small part of your creative soul dies inside and (ironically) I’d love to quote you – with credit of course. Hope that’s OK.
Karen
Many thanks for the detailed tips
Thanks so much!
Hi, I completely understand. In fact the reason i found this post is because it’s happening to me.
The lady copying me started by messaging me with how she loved my clothing and sent pictures in asking for prices, then found me on etsy and placed an order with me..I didn’t realise what she was doing at this point. Then sure enough within three weeks she put together her page with all my products then started to take pictures for her feed in exactly the same why i do. She’d even put together the same outfits as me then undercut me on price. I know what you mean, it’s a roller coaster of emotions. You go from i need to say something to it’s just business. She has a friend of hers following me, she sent me a message after a story post and i told her which were my best sellers and within 24hours it was on the other persons feed. Also a day before i did i brand rep campaign and again within 24 hours she did the same.
It’s so frustrating xxx
I’m so sorry to hear this is happening to you!
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Thanks for sharing! I literally went through the same thing today and as I was searching to see if this has happened to others, I stumbled onto your blog post. I’m an English teacher and I launched my business account last year. I noticed one day a particular profile and when I clicked on it, I noticed they had literally screenshotted my informational posts and put their logo on it and had been doing it for a couple of months now. Same information, same format, same examples. I messaged them, commented on their post, and blocked them. People need to know that it IS okay to be inspired by someone, but not copy them word for word. I hope Instagram changes this soon.
I’m so sorry to hear about your situation! Hoping that everything is resolved soon!
First & foremost I’am sorry to hear that you’ve being copied ?.On a personal front I’am facing a similar situation & your article has just been what I needed! Especially when someone is literally trying to be you. Plus you don’t wish to sound self- centered, on trying to confront it.We all have our own identities, imagination & creativity, why imitate someone-else’s identity.May you grow from milestones to milestones ♥️♥️?
Thanks for your comment! Sorry to hear something similar is happening to you. Sending you all the good vibes!
Hi there! I’ve had the same thing happen to me but a famous well known “public figure” totally took my idea and made a profit off of it. I’m very mad about it because it’s my dream to do what I do and still my dream to continue doing what I’m doing best. I chose not to let it affect me and I continue to create even though it bothers me and disappoints me sometimes in the lack of creativity others have and that they just decide to copy my hard work. I also had a person I know do the same thing to me but she told my sister that she was doing the same activities that I was doing so I had to clarify to my sister that she was only copying me. Some other girl, I hung out with once also copied what I was doing and I found her behavior weird and strange around me when I was hanging out with her to come to find her copying my Instagram. She copied my tag style, the way I had my locations decorated, my emojis, the way I do my pictures and selfies, and she’s even trying to copy my face by making her eyes brown in pictures (which irritates me a lot.) One of her friends even got work done to look like me which kinda concerns me a lot. She even excluded me on purpose just so she can copy my page later on. I knew something suspicious was happening at the time she excluded me. She even bullied me and cyber bullied me on the pictures she was copying in hopes of me taking them down but her bullying actually made me into the stronger person that I am today. I totally knew it was her on those awful mean fake accounts because she would copy me right after on her main page. The advice I got was to ignore them all, and so I did and they finally stopped because she knew she couldn’t hurt me. It’s the fact that someone would try to put in the time and effort to bully someone is disgusting. This isn’t the first story where I’ve been bullied because they wanted to copy me and make me look bad in front of their friends. I’m sorry that you had to go through the same copying thing as well. A trick I did to show that others are copying, and yes you may do this as well, is by putting it on my story first and making a main story on my page. That way people can see when it was posted and they can totally see the date when they posted. I had this one girl make fun of my story once and next thing you know she posts the same thing on her story when she probably doesn’t even know what it means. She also follows a page that sounds close to my Instagram username which is a hate page directed towards my name which is another form of cyber bullying. It’s interesting how when I met her she was at a school that didn’t allow bullying but she still managed to get away with her nasty behavior and tells her friends that I’m the one doing it even though it’s her to turn them against me. Even though there’s nasty people in the world like this, please never give up your creative ability. It’s fun and relaxing for the soul. I still create to this day, because of how it makes me feel. I learned to block the dark negative energy and just to continue doing my own thing. It also helps not to look at the pages if it bothers and upsets you. I sadly had to come to the conclusion that it’s gonna be harder for me to make friends because a lot of people would rather copy me than be my friend and I had to stop liking a bunch of random posts because I notice the account copying me right after. I had times where I wanted to be friends with someone but they refused to follow because they liked the idea of my page. A good thing about Instagram is being able to see the time and date posted. So even if the person did copy you can totally see and call them out on it if they try to bully. Feel free to message me anytime on my email if you need someone to talk to.
So sorry to hear that’s happened to you!
Hello, I am just an ordinary person with no social
media accounts, I am for the most part a very private person. I am a NYC employee, a dancer & a writer. On my free time I create, I write poetry & find much healing in music, nature & several creative processes. I just want to say that I totally understand where you are coming from & how you may be feeling with the constant being ripped off for your ideas then having the other person create content for monetary gain.
I have been stalked for over a year now & during the entire pandemic by a copy cat neighbor. I have been watched, monitored & copied by a woman who moved directly across from me. I recently found out who this woman was & was blown away when I learned of her identity.
The woman behind it all is a fashion social media influencer with thousands of followers and who has accumulated a net worth in the millions
The woman copied my home decor, my set up,
mimics my fashion style, then uses the ideas for her instagram. She even mirrors my behavior/personality.
She is very much aware that this is really uncomfortable for me & intentionally continues to taunt with copying & mirroring. I can’t get into the details because my story would be way too long but at one point I had to reach out to her building management about the lack of common courtesy.
This copy cat owns a CBD store in NYC & it is frightening to see her Artémis shop Instagram photos. They are bits and pieces of many of my ideas.
I also don’t understand how people like this can sleep at night & have not the slightest shame about what they do. Our individuality is part of our genetic makeup & makes us who we are. I feel extremely violated.
In addition, I own many plants and this person wrote a recent blog about becoming obsessed with plants during the pandemic, I felt her story did not depict a full & honest picture. She didn’t mention how she carefully watched & monitored how I decorate & care for my plants then wrote about picking up a new plant hobby during the pandemic that reflected many of my ideas with bits and pieces of my life. She also didn’t mention that what she was truly obsessed with was my window. Constantly watching & monitoring my home. Sitting facing my window for hours on end while trying to out do me & compete with me. Using all she could take for her social media photos & blog.
This past March for my anniversary I created an installation with a fairy lights heart, a Pothos plant & the number of years together we were celebrating in silver stone. One of her plant blog photos displayed a her birthday date, the number 28 on a candle & an anatomical heart vase & a plant stem. This woman watches for ideas then makes them her own. She invaded our most intimate moments with her constant peering in. She faced my window for my anniversary celebration until late into the night. She would watch & taunt with her presence for hours on end and like clock work any time we stepped foot into the living room she would emergen& face us as a form of creating emotional distress. Intentionally making us feel uncomfortable in our very own home.
Again, I couldn’t believe it when I found out who this influencer was as her social media information makes her sound like a sane, really good person who majored in Psychology at Berkeley & is even involved in activism for the foster care juvenile system. I didn’t understand how this person was influencing millions of people, portraying a false image & profiting from it.
In reality this woman appeared to have mental illness specifically malignant narcissism with a skewed and entitled perspective.
Our world, like you said has enough human suffering going on & it is hard to believe this woman spent a year of her life screwing with our livelihoods & invading our privacy all while stealing ideas. May I add that her boyfriend use to watch our unit too, he would watch my boyfriend and I going on about our everyday lives for hours on end as well. He would face directly into our unit, sometimes sitting in the dark.
I also agree that these sorts of leeching type of people should be exposed. Today we mainly live behind light filtering curtains but I very much want to share my story further. I feel it is important to tell my truth & talk about my experience which has had a traumatic impact on me. I have become more extroverted & anxious about protecting my privacy & individuality. To conclude, as a society I feel we need to be more mindful & careful about who we follow. People aren’t always what they post/seem. I feel this person’s followers have the right to know that this woman seems to be a fake. Her ideas are not all born from her own creative process. She has a constant need for admiration and good supply in order to create. Totally disregards the needs of those around her, lacking in empathy & integrity.
I have become more introverted**
I’m so terribly sorry to hear about what you’ve gone through! Sending you lots of love!
Thank you so much for this brilliant post Jennifer! I came across this post because I was searching information, because it’s happening to me too. I am an creator in bullet journaling and from the moment I started, one person with a larger account is systematically copying literally everything… my designs, techniques, basically all my ideas. I mean I love it when people feel inspired but she takes it to the level that she’s acting she comes up with the ideas. I fantasised so many times of confronting her but I wonder how much that helps. I once friendly approached her and she said she feels inspired and acts all innocent… but it’s just obvious she literally steels everything. It sometimes makes me want to quit really, cuz it’s so frustrating..
I just wanted to tell you I found comfort in your post and tips though there is unfortunately no way to solve this problem… or did you find one in the 3 years after you posted this? ?
So, basic we can’t do anything when someone takes our hard work and at first tries to sell it as their own. You call them out on it. They slightly change it. Repost it in their shop and are offering it to sell. I make hot cocoa bomb tags. This shop took one of my tags that a customer had her print up. She kept everything. Posted it as hers to sell. I called her out on it. I wrote the poem, paid for the clipart. Here she doesn’t have permission to use any of it. She tells me a bunch of crap. Takes the post down from FB. Then she posts on her Instagram page a slightly different version but so close to mine! So, there’s nothing I can do?
Great exposure to this topic. It has all from the basic to the advance. It helped me to understand this topic better. Good going.
My daughter has this same problem. She’s created trends yet can’t profit from it. You’re lucky you only have one copy cat because hers is half the music industry. I hope you found and answer.
So sorry this is happening to you- I have seen it in another industry via IG as well. So blatant!