“That’s just so slimy.”
“You should sue them.”
“Just take it as a compliment.”
Just some of the advice from friends when I tell them a publication has been stealing my stories.
Now, I am a very measured and analytical person. I’m aware of the glut of exposure out there from press releases and websites to influencers and social media platforms – they are all accessible ways to come across a new, or established, brand. So, can I reasonably make this claim? Yes, and here’s where it gets interesting or, depending on your view, entirely unethical.
There is an editor whom I shall call “Will Pass.” The name comes from the very eloquent answer I invariably receive whenever I pitch a story to this editor. I will fill in the blanks and assume the full answer from this time-pressed wordsmith would be something like, “Will pass on this because: it’s not interesting; it’s not new; it’s not relevant; readers won’t like it.” Whatever…
And that’s completely fine. As a successful freelance writer with over 20 years experience under my belt, I get it. Some pitches are picked up, some tossed aside. It’s not that they are rejected that irks me; it is that, months and sometimes days later, they are featured in said publication.
I must have filled in the blank wrong. A more accurate version would be, “Will pass this lead on to my favourite staff writer over after-work cocktails and let them write about it.”
The first time it happened, I thought it was odd but just a coincidence. The second time it happened I was a bit upset. The third and fourth time it happened it was obvious what was going on and I was initially very reactionary (read: catty).
I thought: those two – all remedial footwear and tacky tattoos – are style arbiters? Chance would be a fine thing. I also must admit to feeling a tinge of pleasure knowing the little sleuth is reading this right now (one friend suggested I set up a fake brand as a sting and catch them in the act).
But when I calmed down, I returned to my usual professionalism. Broadly, I thought, we live in a world where Trump is president so slimeball behaviour is the new norm. Business wise, I realized I was weirdly benefitting from the rip-offs.
My website is getting more and more hits (thank you!) and I am swamped with even more press releases, product kits and samples. On top of gaining access to my regular discerning quality followers, brands know that if I feature them on my website they will ultimately be featured in a national publication – although months after my scoop and behind a paywall.
So onward and upward. All positive – well, mostly. I still admit to reading the diluted, second-hand scoops when they’re published, but when it comes time to renew my subscription to this publication, I have two words: will pass.
