Comments on: ‘Good artists copy, great artists steal.’

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:19:22 +0000

Everythings been done…It’s now a matter of how can you make it better?

By: Thomas 2.0

Thomas 2.0 — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:00:34 +0000

And then there’s that old nugget, “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” I get the sense that a lot of companies interested in things like social networking don’t want to JOIN MySpace or Facebook, in other words, the places where people are already meeting and conversing online, because they feel that they have to control and own the conversation. Because why would users join an open, spontaneous online conversation when they could be part of some closed, controlled, corporate PR spin zone, right?

By: Brett

Brett — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:33:52 +0000

I think you also have to be willing to NOT do it if you can’t own it. More clearly, if your brand can’t own it.
Facebook, MySpace, etc. are all great, but there are some businesses that a) don’t really need them to be successful, and b) don’t have a brand that fits into that realm, anyway.
The problem with the copy approach is that you often get companies forcing themselves into an arena they simply can’t be successful in. Instead, they should be finding ways in other media to spend that time (and money).

By: Harry Hallman

Harry Hallman — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:37:00 +0000

Spike very good points.
As always, it is about the consumer not the company. The problem I have seen with failed Facebook and MySpace, or for that matter Linkedin (b 2 b), is that companies think “if you build it they will come”. And they don’t.
That is generally because they don’t work the accounts and because they are generally all about the company. “We are the best”. Aren’t we cool now that we are on MySpace”. It shoudl be all about the consumer.
I don’t believe it needs to be some unique tool, but rather information that is unique to the audience. I use three words when we help companies build these tools. Relevant, helpful and Interesting.

By: Dusan

Dusan — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:37:54 +0000

Great motivating, thxs! I think I will send this to each and every client I have.

By: Lewis Green

Lewis Green — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:27:01 +0000

Spike,
Nothing I can add. You said it better than I.

By: Mario Vellandi

Mario Vellandi — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:20:41 +0000

Yup, I’ve been a big thief lately (but don’t wanna state how). Naturally, I made it my own by mixing the elements with my own personal elements, values, in addition to other influential sources. In some areas I like to give prominent attribution; other times it’s more subdued. In obscure situations, I just consider it fair-use.
It comes down to being inspired by what works, and applying it to your own needs and context, while also being mindful of when, if, and how attribution/permission is appropriate – according to law and personal ethics.