Be a Copycat – My Most Unlikely Blog Advice

most unlikely blog adviceDo you believe it? Me, Miss Zig Zag theory telling you to copy someone else?! Well, believe it!

Before I started blogging, I mean like really blogging, understanding how it all worked I thought to copy other people was basically plagiarism. I thought it was totally low class and completely fraudulent to do such a thing… until now.

I’ve realized that in some way shape or form we’re all a bunch of copycats. Think about it, we got Forever 21 copying all kinds of indie designers, bloggers copying other bloggers’ branding, and Instagramers recreating the exact same photos they saw somewhere else. Copy. Cats.

While I don’t agree with being a total carbon copy of someone else, I do believe sometimes studying another person’s success is necessary to facilitate your own success. Here’s what I mean…

everything has already been done

Today, there’s nothing that hasn’t been done. And it’s almost impossible to be “original”. Really, your personality is the only thing that will be different from anyone else’s so that should be front and center with your brand. Other than that, everything else is #samesame.

The content you produce, how you produce it, your style, your hair color, your blog layout, your Instagram feed… I promise you all of those things are like someone else’s. And that’s ok. We shouldn’t put so much pressure on ourselves to be different because we’ll get lapped by our competition trying to think of ways to make that happen.

the blogger blueprint waitlist

Your job isn’t to think of what hasn’t been done, your job is to figure out how to do it bigger and better. I hate when people ask “Well what’s different about you compared to other bloggers?” Um… I don’t know what’s different about you from other ::enter occupation here::? Like way to put me on the spot buddy! (By the way, this is totally hypocritical to what I’ve said in the past, but… get over it. Everyone is a bit of a hypocrite.)

Think of blogging as buying coffee. What makes you different is your brand, not your actual niche. Why do some people prefer Starbucks over Dunkin’ Doughnuts? Maybe they like the service better or they like the flavors offered or they like the ambiance.

It’s still coffee.

This is an era where there’s an abundance of everything so yes standing out is hard but you have one secret weapon that no one else has: your own personality.

if you want what someone else has, do what they do

This is one of my favorite quotes to date because it’s so simple and true. There is no better way to get what someone else has or do what someone else has done. Now, again, you don’t want to full blown copy another blogger because then you’ll just be a cheaper version of that blogger, but you can 100% steal their tactics and strategy.

For example, a strategy every successful blogger adheres to is adding value to their audience’s life. Point blank. That is at the forefront of every single successful blogger because they know that their audience is everything. And if you’re not giving your audience what they want, you’ll lose them to someone else.

Look at your favorite successful bloggers and dissect the steps they took to get to where they are today. Did they reach out to brands on their own? Did they hire an intern? Did they use Facebook ads? Did they have guests on their blog?

There are all these tiny little steps bloggers take before they build their empires so it’s important you really work backward in that sense – meaning, see where they are now and what specifically they did to get there. You can even reach out to these bloggers and flat out ask… but keep in mind you may not get an answer and if you do make sure your questions are extremely targeted and not something you can find online so you’re not wasting their time.

Collect as much information as you can from the bloggers you admire and fill in the rest of the puzzle on your own. Stay quiet, observe, and study those who have what you want and then apply the same strategies to your own business.

the blogger blueprint waitlist

Being a copycat isn’t a bad thing when you’re applying an idea to your own. You obviously don’t want to plagiarize, photograph in the exact same way, or speak in the same tone. Bringing your own style mixed with a successful blogger’s strategy is the best thing you can possibly do for your blog.

Who’s a blogger you “copy”? Tell me in the comments below!

xx

my latest obsessions

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22 Comments

  • Reply
    Jessie Koong
    08/01/2017 at 12:36 pm

    My style goa is Extra Petite. I love everything she wears. My blogging goal is Diana Elizabeth.. I love her tone and vibe and general nice/coolness. My content goal is the Financial Diet. I look to them to model how I write, what I write, and how I craft my headlines and everything. And I you could probably sense alraady I’m a big proponent of modeling after success you want to be… couldn’t agree with this post more!!

    • Reply
      Brittany
      08/02/2017 at 9:57 am

      Wow what an awesome variety! I love that you pull from each of these bloggers which make your vibe/content completely your own! Thanks so much for your comment, I loved it. See you in the NAB Facebook group! xx

  • Reply
    Janah
    08/01/2017 at 1:24 pm

    Some great advice here, Brittany.

    I’m in the process of starting a blog and have found inspiration and comfort in reading other blogs who were once just like me, just starting out. You’re so right when you say everything has pretty much been done already – it’s putting your own spin on things that really makes a difference these days. I read hundreds of blogs about the same topics over and over – but every post is just as enjoyable to read because of the unique viewpoint and personality of the writer.

    Side note – I’ve literally just stumbled across your blog today and have spent an unhealthy amount of time browsing through it – I’m hooked! There’s some really inspiring stuff on here and I’ll be making sure to keep up to date with this fantastic blog! All the best to you xx

    • Reply
      Brittany
      08/02/2017 at 9:59 am

      YES Janah! I agree. I read/listen to the same stuff over again but all I need is that one person who really speaks to me for it to click or put things in a perspective I never thought of before.

      Thank you so much, that’s so sweet! That made my day. Please stay in touch and let me know if there’s anything I can help you with! xx

      • Reply
        Janah
        08/04/2017 at 11:15 am

        Thanks so much lovely! I will stay in touch! xx

        • Reply
          Brittany
          08/09/2017 at 10:39 am

          Amazing! xx

  • Reply
    Kherington McFarland, Currently Kherington
    08/01/2017 at 5:29 pm

    Another gem filled post! I have been trying to master working in silence, so I love how you said “stay quiet, observe, and study”. Whenever bloggers ask me what their niche is or how to start, I always ask them to tell me who they admire and why? That’s where they will pull the most information from! I like to copy Chriselle Lim and Naty Michele. They both do a great job at balancing their style/fashion posts with content that has depth and value. Once I started implementing that same tactic, I saw positive changes in my overall engagement.

    • Reply
      Brittany
      08/03/2017 at 2:20 pm

      Yup! Totally agree. That’s awesome Kher. Sometimes staying quiet means for years. You have to have built something and have proof in the pudding before you can go on preaching how to do things whether that’s styling, eating healthy, blogging, etc. Love watching you grow! xx

  • Reply
    Daeyz
    08/01/2017 at 9:46 pm

    You brought up some great points, I often get stuck in the rut of thinking that everything has been done, but like you said, I have to put my own spin to it!

    xx,
    Daeyz
    http://www.daeyz.com
    Daeyz recently posted…Monday Mood Board #2My Profile

    • Reply
      Brittany
      08/02/2017 at 9:39 am

      Well, everything HAS been done so it’s not about reinventing the wheel it’s about using the wheel and improving it and/or adding your personal touch to it. That’s what will make it special. Thanks for reading Daeyz, I always appreciate your comments. xx

  • Reply
    Sashamonique
    08/02/2017 at 11:26 am

    I learned so much from this post because I never wanted to be a copy cat because I honestly think that it is wack but you will not get to where you want to be without being a copy. I have tried for many years to stand in my own truth but it isn’t working for me. This year I will be trying out many things to improve my blogging skills and style and see that it includes copying. This post really is an eye opener!

    • Reply
      Brittany
      08/03/2017 at 2:26 pm

      That’s awesome Sasha, I’m so happy for you! I will say standing in your own truth will definitely work for you though. You don’t want to be a CARBON copy of someone else but you mainly want to watch their moves and study their tactics and copy them in that sense. I’ll also say that in order to be successful blogging you need 3 things: talent, strategy, and you have to be interesting. You need all of those things in order to truly stand out. Hope this helps and please stay in touch! xx

  • Reply
    Sheila
    08/03/2017 at 10:36 am

    LOVE THIS POST!! I totally agree and have been carefully studying aka *copying* my favorite bloggers (Blog Beautifully and Coffee With Summer) and it’s honestly helped me grow so much in the past 2 months of relaunching! We all have our own unique voice and influence, so I totally think it’s okay to take the actions of the pros and tweak them to fit your own blog.

    http://www.insearchofsheila.com

    • Reply
      Brittany
      08/03/2017 at 3:33 pm

      Yes!! I love it Sheila, keep it up girl. xx

  • Reply
    Style & Life by Susana
    08/03/2017 at 9:59 pm

    My style goal is Club Fashionista and Song of Style, but on a more budget/affordable level for people like me who want to be fashionable but can’t afford the designer brands. I ‘study’ the way Sonia Styling , Bisous Natasha, Styling You and Zanita Studio have done their blogs over time – picking points etc, and it is helping me. I don’t want to literally copy them as I am determined to put my own unique style and voice to my blog. Catch in your FB group. Thank you so much for your advice always!!! X
    Style & Life by Susana recently posted…AMERICANO RETRO STYLEMy Profile

    • Reply
      Brittany
      08/09/2017 at 10:15 am

      LOVE Song of Style, especially how she gives back to the community through charities. She’s definitely an inspiration to me too! I love that you’re pulling little bits from all the pros, that’s the way to do it girl! Thanks so much for your comment and stay in touch! xx

  • Reply
    Stacey Fitzpatrick
    08/06/2017 at 12:07 pm

    I couldn’t agree more with this post! I love drawing inspiration from other bloggers, it’s kind of like having a muse. I like to look at different styles and dissect them to see what would work for me and my personality. I think it’s important to stay true to yourself, but it’s also important to push the envelop a bit to evolve into what you’d like yourself to be.

    • Reply
      Brittany
      08/09/2017 at 2:47 pm

      Right?! Same here, it’s the best! Thanks for your comment Stace, I loved hearing your insight. Stay in touch! xx

  • Reply
    Nikki
    08/07/2017 at 6:05 pm

    Totally agree with this!!! Someone I look up to and “copy cat” is Sivan Ayla. I love her style, her decor, her blog!

    http://www.clarissanicole.com
    Nikki recently posted…Best Eyebrow ProductsMy Profile

    • Reply
      Brittany
      08/09/2017 at 3:44 pm

      Never heard of her but she sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing love. I always appreciate your comments. xx

  • Reply
    Lisa
    08/14/2017 at 4:05 am

    Thanks for posting this article! Honestly, I get so sick of certain bloggers (won’t name names) who rant about other people “copying” them, their style, etc etc. It drives me crazy. I mean c’mon – if you’re posting an outfit photo, and linking all the items, and you want them to buy the outfit – but having the nerve to get irritated at people for copying your styling?? I don’t get it. Unless they were verbatim, copying the exact outfit, exact background, exact copy and posting it on their own blog… maybe that’s what this copycat actually did. But outfit wise, styling wise, you’re right – everything has been done! And just because you haven’t seen it/been exposed to it, doesn’t mean it hasn’t been done or someone else didn’t have the idea in their head prior to to you blogging about it! (Sorry, rant over, but this topic had been on my mind previously). Anyhow, thanks for calling it like it is!

    Lisa
    http://www.theeverydayelevated.com
    Lisa recently posted…Chic Basics To Add To Your Small ClosetMy Profile

    • Reply
      Brittany
      08/21/2017 at 12:56 pm

      I totally agree! I love when other people buy the products I wear, that’s the whole point! Thanks so much for your “rant” I loved every second of it and couldn’t agree more! xx

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