People are COPYING my Sitepoint sales letters!

[Biggy Fat]

I don't know why, but I find this to be a HUGE problem. I found one guy yesterday with a rewritten version of my sales copy and then just a few minutes ago another guy copied word for word with a few small tidbits changed. I mean hey, I've obviously found a formula to success and now people are trying to steal my thunder. So I wanna ask my fellow Warriors this: What should I do about this?

1. Politely tell the sellers that they are copying my sales letters and to stop.
2. Report them to Sitepoint mods/admins.
3. Do nothing and wait until everyone is copying what I've started.

Thing is, I like people to be inspired by me and all, but not to just blatantly copying off of me. I really like the fact that I started all of this, but if everyone is copying my **** the whole thing is going to go bananas.

One thing's for sure: I can definitely write sales copy.

[tommygadget]

I encourage people to use my sales copy, so it does not affect me in any way. I would not worry about it too much. It distracts from your main purpose, making money.

TomG.

[Rick Johansson]

I wouldn't worry about it.

I've had sales letters, articles, etc. copied before and used to waste time emailing people, etc.

But then I realized if someone is too lazy/ethically challenged to use their own work, they're probably too lazy to do the work necessary to drive traffic and everything else that's necessary to build a REAL business.

Then I rest easy knowing they'll disappear in 1-2 months (usually much less)...

Rick

[Keith Kogane]

Just add the "often copied, NEVER duplicated" line to your own salesletters. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery - if you're getting ripped off, it's because people think you're doing it right. Back it up, write a course on writing site selling letters, and then sell that. Bet you make a killing.

[Steve Taylor]

Originally Posted by jimrpips

Don't forget to put a little code in your page disabling right click (no copy/paste!). If folks have to type your whole letter in by hand, they will be less likely to want to steal it and move on to easier prey.

Here you go, a nice disable-right-click page: no right click, disable copy and paste, secure web site

Very cool, thank you.
-Steve

[GarrieWilson]

The no right click will piss legit buyers off. I know it does me when I try and right click the order button or another link on the page.

To the OP...

Put a copyright statement on your sales letter and email sitepoint about it.

[Phil Jones]

Here is the thing... it's virtually impossible to stop people using your sales letters at Sitepoint.

But, IMHO, no two sales letters should be the same. If your selling a lot of sites making tweaks to your copy can make a big difference to the final sales price.

Kind Regards
Phil Jones

[bizideas]

Originally Posted by jimrpips

Don't forget to put a little code in your page disabling right click (no copy/paste!). If folks have to type your whole letter in by hand, they will be less likely to want to steal it and move on to easier prey.

Here you go, a nice disable-right-click page: no right click, disable copy and paste, secure web site

This is a really good tip but it doesn't prevent someone from viewing the source code in a notepad and resaving as .html. If people want your content they can also print the page(s) to a .pdf file, grab the text + images, reopen it and edit, or even worse, blatantly copy your work verbatim and use it for their own purposes. If they really want your stuff there are dozens of ways to get it. Plagiarism/Theft will always be a big problem. You show me the person who figures out how to solve that problem and I'll show you a Zillionaire holding the next "Killer App".

[BFMedia]

I've had Sitepoint sales copy ripped off in the past as well, and the first time, I actually emailed the suspect and he politely changed his copy to where it didn't mirror mine.

After it happened a few more times, I quickly found that it was a waste of time and energy perusing them, and there is really nothing you can do about it anyway.

I would seriously think of it as a strong compliment, and cleverly point out in your copy to potential buyers that they should beware of imitators, and that you're the "real thing"!

Anyway, good luck to ya!

[cashcow]

People have been copying my sales letters over there for over a year - I don't think there is much you can do about it so I would just forget about it and get back to business. The time you are spending on this is taking away from working on your business!

I change up my sales letters every 3 or 4 months or so just to keep people on their toes!

Lee

[Biggy Fat]

Some great suggestions, everybody. It's obvious that I've found the successful formula and now everybody wants a piece of that pie.

But great tip there, BFMedia. I AM the real deal haha.

[ChristianM]

Originally Posted by jimrpips

Why would you "right click" an order button or link? If you are going to order, you regular click the order button. If you are going to visit a link, you regular click the link.

Not being able to right-click will not "piss legit buyers off". It might cut down on copy rippoffs and lookie-loos, though.

Maybe you want to continue browsing and just want to open the payment page in a new window.

[PatDoyle]

I would not worry about it - it is a waste of time, like others have said. But you could actually use that as a selling point , if you ever want to sell your services as a copywriter. Say "My sales letters were so good that everyone copied them!"

[Alice Seba]

Originally Posted by jimrpips

Not being able to right-click will not "piss legit buyers off". It might cut down on copy rippoffs and lookie-loos, though.

Hmmm...I'm not a thief, but I've been annoyed by the no right click. I right click to open things in a new window. If there is a download on the page, I right click to save to my computer. I may have a need to reload a page, bookmark the page, send the link to a friend, etc.

Many uses for a right click.

Alice

[smartsites]

I would write them an email and see what happens. Just like the people have said previously they won't be around long if they can't put in the work it takes. Just be happy you're making money online

[Desmond Ong]

LOL. My salescopy got copied a couple of times and i just asked them why do they choose my salescopy to copy.

Here are some of their answers (based on my memories):

- You have good copy.

- Your site is selling well on SitePoint so i decided to follow what you are doing.

- Your salescopy is nice. (huh?)

Ok, that's kind of random but something around that.

[GarrieWilson]

For a simple sales landing page with a single action (buy), disabling right-click is probably a good fit to help protect from copy thieves.

No, not it's not.

People can view source to get the copy images, etc. They can highlight word then edit-copy. They can file - save.

There is no good fit.

I right click oder buttons to open a new tab.

[Black Hat Cat]

Originally Posted by jimrpips

For a simple sales landing page with a single action (buy), disabling right-click is probably a good fit to help protect from copy thieves.

YMMV

It might stop 5 out of 100. All you have to do is save the page to your hard drive, then open it with your web editor. I figured that out, and I'm no genius when it comes to stuff like this by any stretch. You can disable right click if you want, but don't be under any illusion that it's actually going to do any good.

[articledoor]

Use Copyscape to protect your content if you don't want it copied

[Desmond Ong]

Honestly, about the right-click thing, for me it's just a waste of time.

Most buyers will buy from people with credibility. For example, let's say Mr A's sales letters are copied by Mr B. However, Mr A has a better feedbacks than Mr. B.

Who do you think who copies who?

Psychologically, people will go for Mr B copied Mr A.

In conclusion, build a good and strong feedback if you are afraid...well...copiers!

[ptone]

I too am no thief but use the right-click often.

Besides, this is a rather silly solution. Why on earth would I right-click and view source if I want to steal your sales letter? Then I would have to wade through tons of mark-up code to get the text.

I would just highlight the text on your page with my mouse, then copy. Right-click prevention ain't stopping that.

[Alice Seba]

Originally Posted by jimrpips

Split-testing would be beneficial, finding out for a fact whether page A with right-click or page B without right-click have largely differing sales (or whatever action you want the visitor to take).

I don't know. A no-right-click is one of the last things I'd suggest anyone split test on a sales letter. Many people struggle to get enough traffic just to split test a few elements over time, why even put that in the mix? A right-click isn't likely to deter a thief (only a really lazy one who is little threat anyway) and I can't imagine any case where a right click would increase sales.

Of course, if people want to split test that, by all means...but I'd find other things to focus on.

Alice

[Jagged]

Originally Posted by jimrpips

There's actually some script on that site to disable source code viewing.

Yes, there are scripts out there that will disable the "view source code" when right clicked....but it's just a deterant...that never stops them....there is NO software or script that can disable the view source in your browser, especially if your site or sales page is in html.

There are number of articles / forums that discuss this. One of the easier ones to understand was this one: Felgall Internet - How to Disable 'View Source'

Ken

[Jakehyten]

Originally Posted by ChristianM

Maybe you want to continue browsing and just want to open the payment page in a new window.

exactly. I also hate it when I want to right click to "open in a new window" but cant.

[Chinyemike]

Give it no thought man. You must be lucky. People are copying you when I'm here complaining that I haven't made a dime on the internet in three months and yet everybody keeps giving testimonies. If you could show me the way.

[Corena]

You should email them and ask for a testimonial to why they thought your copy was good enough to take..

[joe.marsh]

Originally Posted by Corena

You should email them and ask for a testimonial to why they thought your copy was good enough to take..

I like that... You must like my salescopy. You copied it for yourself. How about giving me a testimonial... OR ELSE..

Thats funny..

Joe

[rlnorthcutt]

Point #1 - All good copywriters have a "clip file" of sales copy that they think is great... and they dip into this file when writing. So, you have to accept that people will "copy" your good ideas.

Point #2 - Copying your copy (?) verbatim is NOT cool... and anyone who does is obviously not very serious or professional. I doubt they will last too long that way.

You shouldn't spend too much time worrying about it - yeah its annoying, but its not really worth the effort... it doesn't do you any good. Get busy, stay professional and you will leave the posers in the dust.

Ron

[Frank Ayres]

Originally Posted by jimrpips

Don't forget to put a little code in your page disabling right click (no copy/paste!). If folks have to type your whole letter in by hand, they will be less likely to want to steal it and move on to easier prey.

Here you go, a nice disable-right-click page: no right click, disable copy and paste, secure web site

How will that stop someone highlighting all the text and then either doing CTRL + C or clicking on the copy button?

[Tim Russ]

Originally Posted by jimrpips

Why would you "right click" an order button or link? If you are going to order, you regular click the order button. If you are going to visit a link, you regular click the link.

Not being able to right-click will not "piss legit buyers off". It might cut down on copy rippoffs and lookie-loos, though.

Sorry to disagree but you're wrong. I've been on sites where I wanted to purchase the product and after wasting my time reading decent copy for a product I wanted I've run into this illegitimate control of my browsing experience. I was a legitimate buyer and I was so angry that I've simple left the site and purchased from their competitor.

I right click to open new tabs constantly. I right click good copy to add it to my swipe file. I generally right click EVERY link as I'm moving from page to page DURING THE PLACING OF AN ORDER. I do this because sometimes if you go back to the previous page certain scripts will disable bonuses, discounts, etc. If I want to view the previous page I simply click on the previous tab.

Disabling the right click is like carrying a big sign that says, "I'm a noobie ad I don't know what I'm doing!" IMHO. I tend to remember people who do this and I avoid them in the future. They go into a file I keep on my computer that I check if a name rings a bell but I don't know why.

[e-genius]

if people copy your sales letters, then take it as a compliment. But it is really important that your sales letters are uniq. So keep changing and testing different variations out. Try to stay unique. If people see the same salesletters everywhere they go, that is sure going to lower your reputation and your sales will drop soon or later.

[madison_avenue]

I don't buy but from anyone who has right click disabled. Not because I want to steal the sales copy, I'm quite capable of writing my own sales copy.
But rather I sense that the site is trying to control me and and don't want to buy from a site doing this.

[rlnorthcutt]

Wow - I personally find the "disabled right click" thing annoying, but I never considered what other people thought. I haven't used this trick, but I certainly won't now!

Interesting to find out what motivates or DEmotivates people!

Ron

[Jesus Perez]

Can you provide a link to your salesletter? I'd like to, ummmm, "examine it".

Originally Posted by Biggy Fat

I don't know why, but I find this to be a HUGE problem. I found one guy yesterday with a rewritten version of my sales copy and then just a few minutes ago another guy copied word for word with a few small tidbits changed. I mean hey, I've obviously found a formula to success and now people are trying to steal my thunder. So I wanna ask my fellow Warriors this: What should I do about this?

1. Politely tell the sellers that they are copying my sales letters and to stop.
2. Report them to Sitepoint mods/admins.
3. Do nothing and wait until everyone is copying what I've started.

Thing is, I like people to be inspired by me and all, but not to just blatantly copying off of me. I really like the fact that I started all of this, but if everyone is copying my **** the whole thing is going to go bananas.

One thing's for sure: I can definitely write sales copy.

[Matt Maiden]

Hide some links in your page to some of your other sites.

[SuiteJ]

Picking up a few tips and implementing them is one thing, but copy/pasting someone's entire sales letter is BS.

I get sales copy stolen all the time over there. Unlike other a lot of sellers, I will say something to them if it's copied verbatim (politely, the first time, of course). I put effort into my sales copy, so just copy/pasting it is stealing my time, imo, and not cool.

However, in addition to the obvious, I don't want buyers seeing the exact same copy on other seller's sites and having it look like we all bought a "sales copy template" from SitePoint, especially when I took the time to try and stand out a little.

@Biggie: The best thing to do is switch it up often and stay ahead of the lazy thieves. The great thing about that is, you'll most likely keep making your sales copy better and then ultimately making more sales. Do that with your sites too! Don't get me started on that one.

Cheers!
Jay

[jbsmith]

You said they have re-written your sales page, not much you can do in that case.

If they have copied it word-for-word then that is a breach of copyright and you can go after them.

I would contact them directly **IF** they have ripped you off word-for-word - but if they have changed the wording, not much you can do.

Jeff