Would YOU know if a copycat was using the page content from your company website right now?

I have Google Alerts set up for all facets of my online business from my name and company name to relevant key words and phrases like “women in business online” as an example.

Today, my alert set for this specific phrase notified me that someone had copied an entire page script from my IAWBO website word for word, and was using it to describe a blog talk radio show interview.

So what should you do when/if this happens? Here’s what I did…

Step one: I took a screenshot of the page. To do this, press ctrl and the “print screen” key. On my keyboard the key is marked “prt sc” (your keyboard may be different). Then paste into paint or another graphics program and save. Think of this as your “evidence”.

Step two: A discovery like this is guaranteed to make you angry. I learned log ago that the best thing to do is step away from your computer to give myself a cooling off period.

Step three: Once some of the anger has dissipated it’s time to contact the offender to ask them to remove the stolen copy from their site immediate.

Tip: The reality is that it’s highly unlikely that the individual who “borrowed” your copy will admit to it so rather than send a hot-headed request I tend to give them a way to save face.

In my case today, the copy was found on a Blog Talk Radio Show site so it is possible that a guest provided the “stolen” copy to the show host. So, I added a phrase that read something like this “If this copy was provided to you from an outside source or show guest please let us know.”

I included a web link to the page where I discovered the stolen copy as well as a link to my site with the original copy.

So far (touch wood) this is the first major copycat violation I’ve experienced.

It really did tick me off but I’m happy to report that within 30 minutes of sending my email to the show host the “borrowed” copy was removed.

Without Google Alerts set to notify me of mention of my keywords and phrases I may never have discovered the copycat. Don’t wait another minute to protect your business and get your Google Alerts in place today.

It’s my passion to inspire and motivate multi-passionate women in business online. Get access to the advice, support and guidance you need on being a successful woman in business online ~ FREE when you register for your starter membership to IAWBO, the International Association of Women in Business Online! http://www.iawbo.com/free-stuff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?

Please do! Just be sure to include this complete blurb with it:  Gina Bell is devoted to teaching multi-passionate women in business online the FUNdamental marketing strategies, essential mindset shifts and transformational tools essential to creating fun fame and good fortune doing all that you love to do! Learn more about her products and programs at http://www.GinaBellinc.com, http://www.iawbo.com and http://www.JointVentureMavens.com

Popularity: 4% [?]