Where’d You Get that Graphic?
“Hmmm…” thinks I when I saw the site. “This has a very familiar look and feel”.
“Hmmm…” I thought again as I saw Betty’s list of blog categories in the first navigation bar along the right side of the page. OK, so it’s not unusual for category names to be similar across same-topic sites. For instance, almost every Internet dating blog is going to have relatively generic categories named Dating Tips and Internet Dating.
However, one not-so-generic category name that Betty’s blog shared with mine struck me as way beyond coincidental.
Sure enough, when I searched the wording on Google, my site showed up second in the natural listings (after a site that included the phrase within the body text of an article) and Betty’s showed up in 9th place for the same term.
“Hmmm… I best investigate a little more” I concluded and wouldn’t you know it… smack dab in the middle of her newsletter signup form there was a graphic that I created.
Sheesh.
I responded to Betty and explained that because NPT guest bloggers link out to their own sites, I couldn’t possibly link out to hers what with there being STOLEN CONTENT on her site. (OK, I didn’t say STOLEN CONTENT in my response to her… and although she didn’t respond to my email, she has changed her site considerably since then — so, message obviously received.)
Folks, copyright infringement is a serious matter and many webmasters and companies aren’t quite as forgiving when they find their work displayed without approval on other sites. You could easily get slapped with a fine or lawsuit and, if the aggrieved party is angry enough, they could easily run a campaign that damages your reputation to the extent that it’s not worth promoting your site anymore.
Using someone else’s work without their permission or purchasing the rights is just not worth the risk.
So, as far as graphic images go, I …
- Make my own graphics using Paint Shop Pro – available through Corel and which is considerably less expensive than PhotoShop.
- Use pictures taken with my Sony digital camera (lots of examples on Roamsters.com).
- Use images of products supplied by merchants (eBags example here on Roamsters).
- Buy photo CD’s from stock agencies like ComstockComplete.com.
- Buy credits.
My personal favorite of those mentioned above is BigStockPhoto, and you can read more about what I think of their service (GREAT photos at CHEAP prices).
In summary, there are so many good options available for getting graphic images on the cheap, that there is no need to ever risk your online business reputation – or your chances of becoming an NPT guest blogger. 
Related Posts
- New Blog Header Graphic Only Cost a Buck
- BigStockPhoto: Royalty-Free Images on the Cheap
- How Jason Increased His Affiliate Site Traffic by 500%
Posted / Revised on May 26, 2008 under Design Tips  |
Need more info?
Rosalind Gardner is a Super Affiliate blogger, author, speaker, and Internet marketing consultant. For more info, subscribe to her No-Hype, No-BS, No Spam NPT newsletter and join Affiliate Blogger PRO to get answers to all your affiliate marketing questions. Thanks for visiting!
I just found out someone copied one of my articles and submitted it to ezinearticles.com with their contact info on the bottom. I found out because they forgot to take out the links when they copied and pasted it. Talk about frustration…
Wow! That Betty has some gall to copy and steal your stuff then ask you to link to her. I almost had to laugh at the stupidity of it all…but I’m sure it wasn’t funny at all to you.
Fotolia has some really great graphics too. You have to pay a small price for them-usually just $1 for the xs ones, but they have a great selection for just about anything you can think of. You can even set up an account for $10 at a time so I recommend using them when you’re really stuck.
P.S. I like your blog…can I steal the format (just kidding of course!)
Its amazing how much better a blog post looks when a photo is added… it also helps with the message.
A perfect clone of one of my blogs was made by someone in Mexico. I contacted his hosting service and got it shut down for a week before it was up again. I don’t have the time or resources to pursue this any further. I’ll have to put my faith in Google’s algorithm knowing that my site is the original. My site has a few thousand backlinks which should also help.
To those who are worried about a copied ezinearticle, use your time better by moving forward. Focus on prolific growth of original content.
Thanks for sharing, Marc. I agree completely that it’s much better to focus on growth than to worry about chasing the occasional idiot who would rather steal for little gain than work to build their own business. Good for you!
Cheers,
Ros