Virtual Assistant Forums | Work from Home

Business-Bytes · #1 (**permalink**) 08-26-2010

[RANT WARNING!!]

Okay. I am a bit peeved at the moment. My content has been "taken" by another VA.

"We specialize in office administrative tasks, web design and maintenance (including the ever popular WordPress). We serve up our specialties from our fully equipped office to yours, remotely…in other words – virtually. How may We help you simplify, delegate, and grow?" Sound familiar? IT'S MINE!! And 'simplify. delegate. grow.' is my tagline.

"As a Virtual Assistant professional, We provide our services using a variety of internet-based “tools” to connect with our clients. One simple example is email – with email you can communicate and send files to each other. Simplify." Sound familiar? Sure does to me!

"Just think: You may be located anywhere, while we are in XXXXX putting all our focus on your tasks and projects, then communicating with you virtually from our office to yours. It’s like having an office assistant, without the overhead of an actual office at your physical location." Almost verbatim. X'd out the location name, but YOU know who you are!! - Ya forgot the 'Delegate' here.

"From one-time projects to ongoing support each month, we are here to help you…just contact us for your free consultation to determine your needs. Grow." And here we go...last but not least.

Okay, probably should not make such a big deal of this here, but dang! you know who you are, so even though I'll be contacting you, you need to remove my content and come up with your own. If you want me to write something for you, please just ask. I'll give you a good rate for doing this for you.

[END OF RANT!!]

What is up with this sort of thing? I feel like someone broke into my home and robbed me.

Business-Bytes · #2 (**permalink**) 08-26-2010

I contacted this VA and was told that they would remove my content within 48 hours. I'll be checking!

Your Virtual Wizard · #3 (**permalink**) 08-26-2010

Wow! That was some 'compliment'.

I am sorry to hear that happened to you, Jules. It saddens me so.

We've rehashed this topic so many times here on VAF that if the perpetrator was a member here on VAF you'd think they would have, at the very least seen our posts. But it does behoove me why someone would just 'take' something intellectual that was not their own.

We surmise that since 1) no one is looking over their shoulder and 2) "that it must be free for me to use because it is right in front of me to copy-off" are the main reasons why the good faith-conscience doesn't kick in. It's much easier to copy someone else's work than to write your own copy...but being a VA is all about being unique in what you offer. And what better way to show who you are and the integrity you represent than to write your own copy.

I don't get it, Jules.

I hope it all works out for you. Breathe...

Janine

Business-Bytes · #4 (**permalink**) 08-27-2010

Originally Posted by Your Virtual Wizard

Wow! That was some 'compliment'.
I am sorry to hear that happened to you, Jules. It saddens me so.
...

I don't get it, Jules.
I hope it all works out for you. Breathe...
Janine

Aw, thank you, Janine.

The reason I got from her is that they are just building their website and needed some content since they don't have any of their own copy written yet. Hopefully she was being sincere about this.

English isn't her/their native language, so I guess a part of me can understand. But, I also pointed out that it is not legal to do this and gave her a link to the Latin text generator that will generate "text" to use on a site before it goes "live."

She does have a very nice-looking site, so I was impressed by that.

Tess · #5 (**permalink**) 08-27-2010

Yuck. I am so sorry to hear you had to deal with this - but it seems to be inevitable anymore. If your content is any good, it gets ripped off. Fortunately, if the offender is less cooperative than this one seems to be, there are things you can do about it.

Glad to hear you are getting this resolved!

EAinSpain · #6 (**permalink**) 08-27-2010

Jules,
Hope it worked out for you as it has for me. And indeed as you said on my thread, I do have more respect for the VA now.

leedrozak · #7 (**permalink**) 08-27-2010

Great way to handle this Jules, however I wonder if they did not get noticed how long your verbiage would have remained filler content. It may just be me however this is not a good way to start out.

When I do my updates today I will definitely putting in place a copy protection feature. I am sad that this needs to be done, but two times found in one week is not good.

Business-Bytes · #8 (**permalink**) 08-29-2010

Hey guys, just thought I would update this thread. Turns out, I now have this business as a client.

She has hired me to rewrite the copy that I removed from her site (she gave me WP access). How cool is that?!

I'm kind of embarrassed now because of my rant; it was an immediate, knee-jerk reaction...I should have cooled off first, got the particulars, then posted. Oy.

Tess · #9 (**permalink**) 08-29-2010

I don't think you need to apologize - anyone who's been where you were understands completely. Glad to hear you've turned the situation around for the best for both of you, and hopefully this VA has learned a valuable lesson.

Business-Bytes · #10 (**permalink**) 08-29-2010

Originally Posted by Tess

I don't think you need to apologize - anyone who's been where you were understands completely. Glad to hear you've turned the situation around for the best for both of you, and hopefully this VA has learned a valuable lesson.

Aw, thank you, Tess.

It is pretty neat that she is now a client. She's very communicative, and we have a good rapport. Weird how things work out, eh?