23: Don't Let the Fear of Copying Stop You From Trying

Makers Gonna Sell: A Podcast for Creative Entrepreneurs with Cheryl Ham and Nicky Avery

It’s almost inevitable that if you’re a creative person, there’s going to be a time when you create something and find another thing that looks very close to what you made. We’re not talking about actively copying other people’s creations, but those coincidences when two things look similar. For creative people, this can be a real moral dilemma! Nobody wants to be seen as unoriginal, so we might tend to overcorrect to make sure that we stay on the right side of the argument.

Look, we’re not saying that you shouldn’t be aware of what you put out there, but we are saying that the more you do put out and the bigger your business grows, you’re inevitably going to find that some of your products are like others, and that’s ok! The simple fact is, art is inspired by art, so similarities are going to happen. Knowing this and being ready to be ok with that is a big step in being in a creative business, so on this episode we’re sharing our own thoughts and experience to help you though this dilemma!

Quotes:

“We can’t let a fear of copying or being copied keep us small, and if it does end up happening, we can’t let it hold us back from continuing to create.” – Nicky

“I think it speaks to a scarcity mindset where you think that there’s not enough room for both of us to have something similar, and that isn’t true.” – Cheryl

“We get to choose, when these situations come up, do we want to be bitter, or do we want to be better? And to me, I want to be better.” – Nicky

Key Takeaways:

- Don’t let the idea that what you create is like someone else’s design stop you from putting your products out there

- At the same time, don’t let the fear of being copied stop you either!

- All art is derivative – it’s the intention that counts

- Be aware of what’s out there, but try not to be quick to judge

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