Yesterday morning, I sent out an email about 17 online biz tips to my younger self.

Then late last night, I got an email titled “17 Hard-Earned Online Business Lessons I’d Tell My Younger Self
” and I was intrigued…

Maybe I was the inspiration for the email, so I went ahead and opened it.

But this now-former reader of my daily emails didn’t even give a hint of acknowledgement of inspiration for the email.

Could it have been coincidence?

Maybe.

But the messaging, the timing, the phrasing, the specific number of lessons, and the fact this individual opened my email and clicked over to my offer long before their email was sent have me thinking otherwise.

Yeah, that’s just not cool.

Anyway, it got me thinking about the difference between inspiration and theft, especially in the content game, and how you can use it to gain reach without losing respect.

If you like an article and want to do your own version…

It’s always good to acknowledge the original.

The amount of times I’ve referenced Ben Settle in my emails and posts is well… a lot, because his info has helped me make a bunch of sales from email marketing and copywriting and I want to spread the good word.

But if you find an idea and you’re that type of person who doesn’t want to give credit because you think it might lower your status (it won’t), then at least wait a week and do your best to make it completely your own, even if it’s the same base idea.

At the end of the day…

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with taking inspiration from popular content.

I just think there’s a right way and a wrong way to go about it.

Agree?

Disagree?

Let me know.

That said, if you want help launching your own online business that doesn’t require you to commit content theft, then head on over to the link below:

​https://gabejohansson.com/launch-plan

Talk soon,
-Gabe