One of the most challenging aspects of blogging is the pressure to create original content. It’s obviously much easier to link to other people’s blogs or to post product roundups than it is to produce, photograph and write something entirely new.
For many of us (especially those of us with babies who still don’t sleep through the night), inspiration doesn’t flow 24/7. But even when we’re feeling totally inspired, we’re often not able to publish a DIY or launch a new series immediately. Because life.
So what happens when another blogger beats you to the punch? When somebody else publishes an identical DIY or launches a similar series while you’re still getting your act together?
I was nursing Asa and scrolling through Feedly on my phone this morning when I learned that one of my favorite bloggers, somebody I admire as a writer and also consider a friend, is kicking off a new series. A series very similar to an idea of mine, with one big difference: my series is still in the brainstorming phase and she’s launching hers today.
Damn it.
Frustration and disappointment settled in my stomach as I read her announcement. Even her backstory, the reason why she’s launching this series, is so similar to mine. I was beaten to the punch… again. I feel like this keeps happening to me. But why?
Because I’m tired and lacking the energy to focus on my work.
Because I’m busy and don’t have the time to focus on my work.
Because I’m afraid of committing to a decision.
Because I’m waiting for perfection.
Because other people are just better at this than I am?
“There is no such thing as a new idea.” – Mark Twain
So I need your advice.
Do I accept that there’s no such thing as a new idea, especially in the world of blogging, and move forward with the series anyway? Honestly, I’m afraid I’ll be perceived as a copy cat.
But if I scrap the idea, it’s back to the drawing board… for who knows how long. I sometimes worry I have a limited amount of creativity.
I guess the moral of this story is that you’d better act fast when you have an original idea. Unless you don’t care whether somebody else beats you to it.
PS – Some more thoughts on comparing yourself to others and the business of blogging.
(image from Harper’s Bazaar UK via 25th Century)
I struggle with this too! I feel like you should still go ahead with it. Of course you will put your own spin on it. It is something that you have worked on, in your head at least at this point, but you shouldn’t need to throw that all away just because someone else did it first. I always appreciate when someone is second out of the gate that they at least mention the first person. I feel like that shows a little class, like hey, I know I’m second, I acknowledge their version and now here is what is in my heart. I think that would help with less “copy cat” comparisons also. It is the same thing with diys or crafts. It is such a bummer to see one of your ideas that you posted about already come out from someone else months later. And I know it isn’t intentional but you certainly do feel a little bummed to see what looks like your same idea! But it will always happen so I guess it is how we chose to handle it that will determine the joy in our blogging experience.
PJ this SAME exact thing happened to me – worse? I was planning on posting the very day after I saw the similar post from another blogger! What to do??? First off – you are right – there are NO original ideas. I decided to post anyway, and then was totally open about what happened and linked to the other blogger’s post. I never heard from anyone about it but that felt right for me.
Oh PJ. You have no idea how passionate I am in regards to this topic. My entire blogging career (4 years) I’ve been pegged and named a “copy-cat” from my husband’s family (the ones that should be closest to me). It has gotten so bad, we have lost relationships because of it. This is a very serious topic, I think anyway. It used to hurt me deeply when I would come up with ideas that were similar to someone else’s, but I was always accused of copying and not giving proper credit to the true creator of my ideas. On more than one occasion, I almost quit blogging entirely for the sake of peace. But so many people encouraged me to keep going. To stay true to myself. To do the things I love. The things that make me feel alive and happy! Blogging was that for me. Creating, designing, brainstorming, crafting, thrifting. You name it. I felt like I was finally doing the job I LOVED!
People will always say mean things. I read something the other day, it said “Try not to take things personally. What people say about you is a reflection of them, not you”.
So I say do it anyway! We all have ideas and all have had someone beat us to it. But it doesn’t make it any less your idea. You know in your heart you aren’t a “copy-cat” and I think your readers, friends and family know that too. Find peace in that you are doing what you love and what comes from your heart.
Thanks for sharing this. It reminds me that even when it appears we are copying someone, we are actually creating something from our imagination, not someones need for praise and attention. (sorry for the novel!)
XOXO
Lidy
This has happened and will happen to any creative forever. I always try to follow the mantra that whenever I have an idea I am passionate about to take it and RUN with it.
Even when two ideas seem the same as they inevitable always will, everyone individual creativity will make each interesting on their own. Having had this happen to me before in business and other side projects, I’ve learned to let go of fear, anxiety of “acting fast before someone else does it” and just do my thing. Good things will follow.
Go for the series! I have no idea what it is about but I know I would like to read it if you’re writing it! I come to your blog for your unique voice and that would still be the case even if you are writing about the same topic as someone else. And who knows, bloggers are famous for kicking off series and then never writing a second post (I know I am guilty of this)! So don’t let someone else’s announcement stop you from moving forward with your idea.
Go ahead with the series!
I’ve had this happen too – I don’t have the time to be working 24/7 or even close to full-time hours so MANY times I’m behind getting my act together and someone else beats me to the punch.
Or someone else who is better at executing a similar idea – cue the envy! And next cue the motivation to improve my own skills.
I’d say that my main frustration right now is having THIS many ideas and only “this” much time to execute.