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Copying, Competition and Treading on Toes
Picture this: you've spent months, maybe even years, perfecting your unique product or service, pouring your heart and soul into every detail. Then, out of the blue, you stumble upon a carbon copy of your efforts being touted by a competitor. How do you handle it? Today, we're taking a deep dive into the murky waters of copying, comparison and competition within the entrepreneurial world.
Inspired by a listener's question, we break down how to handle the experience of being copied, the emotional toll it takes, and the different forms copying can take, such as mimicking branding, ideas, or approaches.
We'll look at how copying is not only a blow to the original creator but also a stumbling block for the replicator's business. As ever, we share from our own experience as well as valuable resources for addressing more serious copyright infringement.
The two mentioned in the episode are ACID more info can be found here https://www.acid.uk.com/ and Sarah Watson offers helpful advice on dealing specifically with product design copies on her website here https://www.balineum.co.uk/pages/dealing-with-product-copies
We also address how to approach things when confrontation feels like conflict, especially on public platforms such as social media. In an era of AI and shortcuts often leading to unoriginal content, we champion authenticity in branding and copywriting. We explore how to maintain professionalism and empathy, even when putting down a clear boundary. We wrap up with a word on creating agency in your own space, emphasising the need to take control of our own energy and create a positive impact that ripples.
We hope you enjoy listening and as ever do let us know what you think and if you like it do leave a rave review, we're always grateful.
More episodes
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124. Creating a Halo Effect with Your Brand
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123. Understanding The Spring Seasonal Personality : Colour Psychology for Branding Part 1
56:19||Season 20, Ep. 123Spring has sprung and it brings with it an abundance of inspiration and insight for branding. In this episode we look at the season of Spring through the lens of Colour Psychology and get granular about the strategic approach of Colour Psychology for Branding that Fiona has spent years developing and refining. Discover how the Spring Seasonal Personality can be translated into a brand; what colours, fonts, shapes and textures will create coherent impact and what throws a brand 'off'. We touch on considerations for photography, copy writing, scents and even food when it comes to encapsulating the resonance of spring. This is the first of a 4 part series that will air along side the changing seasons and we hope is a delightful and illuminating guide to this fascinating and empowering topic. If you want to listen back to the previous episode mentioned you can find 'Colour Psychology for Branding' from season 4 here: https://open.acast.com/public/streams/63627df65e54600012595265/episodes/647f3f51aa1f100011562a5d.mp3if you're curious about learning more there are a wealth of Colour Psychology for Branding resources including:The Absolute Essentials of Colour Psychology Seminar, The Colour Psychology for Creatives online course, The Absolute Essentials of Colour Psychology handbook, The Resonant Brand Method for Designers, on The Brand Stylist website here:
122. Powerful Messaging Without Resorting to AI
58:45||Season 20, Ep. 122We're not holding back in this episode - listen in to hear exactly what we think about the use of AI for brand messaging. What we see as the genuinely real risks but perhaps more importantly, what you might want to consider if you're going to take a more empowered approach to crafting messaging that really lands for your business. We do hope you enjoy the listen and if you're keen to find our more about Brand Clarity that we mention at the end of the episode you can find it on Fi's website here: https://thebrandstylist.thinkific.com/courses/brand-clarity
121. Finding Flow in your Business When the World is A Lot
30:55||Season 20, Ep. 121Flow state has the potential to supercharge productivity by 500%! But flow isn't just a nifty hustle hack, rooting your business in flow makes it more of a joy to run and infinitely more sustainable. In this episode we explore some of the hall markers of a business in flow and get granular about the specifics of how to reliably create the conditions for flow state. If it feels like you're pushing water up hill at the moment or, like us, are struggling with how the tide is turning in the global picture, this might just be the episode you need.
120. Taking Care: Thoughts on Resilience and Nervous System Regulation when Energy is Low
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119. From the Horses Mouth - Feng Shui Expert Zoe Vita James on Making the Most of the Year of the Fire Horse
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118. Are you Ready for the Year of the Horse?
46:55||Season 19, Ep. 118As we've crossed the threshold of Imbolc and into Celtic Spring here in the UK we can feel a definite shift. Fi and I are already getting into step with the year of the horse and before it runs away with us, we want to be prepared in the best way possible. Hear us muse on what we are doing in our own businesses to maintain momentum for 2026 without things getting too out of control. From increasing capacity, to managing boundaries, to what freedom might really means, we cover it all. We hope you enjoy the listen.
117. The Essential Advantage Most Creatives Miss
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