The Frustration of Being Copied
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery—but let’s be real, it’s also extremely frustrating. If you’ve ever had someone copy your work, your branding, or even your exact words, you know the mix of emotions that come with it: anger, anxiety, and the urge to rage-post.
Before you spiral, take a deep breath. This guide will walk you through five clear steps to handle copycats with professionalism and protect your business without getting caught up in unnecessary drama.
Step 1: Do Not Panic (and Definitely Don’t Rage-Post)
The first instinct when you see someone copying your work might be to call them out publicly. But trust me—this is not the move.
Publicly shaming someone can backfire, making you look unprofessional and drawing unnecessary attention to the copycat. Instead, take a deep breath and give yourself space to assess the situation rationally.
Your reputation is more important than getting even. The goal is to handle this in a way that protects your brand while keeping your integrity intact.
Step 2: Check the Facts – Is It Really Copying?
Before taking any action, ask yourself:
- Is this an exact copy? Did they take your wording, branding, or content verbatim?
- Or is it just inspired by you? Sometimes people unknowingly create something similar without malicious intent.
- Does this actually harm your business? If it’s just a lookalike and doesn’t affect your revenue or reputation, it may not be worth pursuing.
Sometimes, similarities are just coincidences. Other times, people genuinely don’t realize they’re copying. This step will help you determine whether you need to act or just shake it off and move on.
Step 3: Choose Your Response – Compliment or Conflict?
Once you’ve assessed the situation, you have two main paths:
1. Take It as a Compliment If the copying isn’t harming your business, the easiest path is to let it go. Copycats will always be behind you. If you’re continuously innovating and evolving, they’ll never catch up.
2. Address the Conflict If the copying is damaging your brand, it’s time to take action. But before you jump straight to legal action, start with a direct and professional conversation.
Step 4: Address It Directly (Before Getting Legal)
If you decide the copycat situation requires action, here’s how to approach it:
- Send a Polite Email – Instead of calling them out online, reach out privately. Keep it professional and non-accusatory. Example:Hey [Name], I couldn’t help but notice that some of your branding/content closely resembles my own. I’m sure this wasn’t intentional, but I’d love to chat about it and find a resolution.
- Outline Clear Next Steps – If you want them to take something down, be clear about what you need from them and by when.
- Prepare for Pushback – Some people will apologize and make changes immediately. Others may deny it, gaslight you, or get defensive. Be ready for both responses.
Step 5: Lawyer Up If Necessary
If they refuse to make changes and their copying is genuinely harming your business, it may be time for legal action. Here’s what to do:
Protect Your Work Moving Forward – Trademark your brand, copyright your content, and ensure you have legal protections in place.
Consult a Lawyer – If you don’t have one, now is the time to get legal protection for your business.
Send a Cease-and-Desist Letter – Often, an official letter from a lawyer is enough to make them stop.
The Best Response? Keep Being Original
At the end of the day, copycats will always exist. The best way to stay ahead is to keep creating and innovating. No one can replicate you—your creativity, your ideas, and your unique voice are what set you apart.
So, when in doubt, take a deep breath, stay professional, and keep blazing your own trail.
Review & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
“I think My Business Playbook is the best thing since sliced bread.” – If that sounds like you, please subscribe to and review the show! (Or even if you think My Business Playbook is just the best thing since, I don’t know, sliced ham.)
Seriously though, your love and support enable me to create more podcasts, with more amazing guests who can teach you and me so, so much about business. (And it also makes me feel pretty good about myself…)
So click here, scroll to the bottom, give us a bucketload of stars, write a heartwarming review, and hit subscribe so you don’t miss a THING about business.
Links
