Happy Saturday!

This isn’t the soapbox I intended to write; it’s a much more watered-down version of what I originally wrote. But I saw something this morning that made me stop and think, and it’s so true that I edited my original column to make an even bigger point. This is the quote that showed up on my Momentum board this morning:

“You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”  ~ Marcus Aurelius

A few days ago I had a thought and mentioned it in the daily newsletter. And since then I’ve heard from others and that thought has continued to bubble and spew and turn in to something pretty, well, not pretty.

Here’s where it all started…

I had a thought this morning when I was going through my email that it feels like silly season here in our world of content creation. There are retirement sales and flash sales, bundle sales – too many to count – launches, and pre-launches and I’m feeling at the moment like it’s all a bit much! And don’t even get me started on the bonuses!

I realize that’s probably a little hypocritical of me to say, because I contribute to the noise, but I feel like we’ve turned into a niche of “pick me, pick me” and I hate that this is happening in what used to be a very customer-focused, supportive niche.

When I first started in this niche – and I’m not talking printables in general, but low content PLR – there was a group of about half a dozen people who were already here, and they were supportive, and helpful, and I still count them as my inspiration for starting and having the confidence to build something in the niche.

There was a shared sense of co-operation and support, even though we were all producing similar products we recognized that we each served the audience in a different way, and there was room to carve out our own spaces.

We were all happy to have found something that worked, and we were open and transparent about that and willing to teach people how to do the same thing.

Here’s where I start to get a little pissy about the way things have gone in the last couple of years. I feel like there’s no support and spirit of cooperation left in this niche and it not only makes me very sad, it makes me very mad. It’s turned into a very cut-throat business of “me too” quick buck seekers and copycats.

What used to be a very creative niche to me feels like everyone is out to swipe ideas and customers from each other, and they don’t care who knows it.

I could give you a hundred examples of times where original copy has been “lifted” from mine and others’ newsletters, web pages, etc. Or ideas have been “borrowed” from mastermind groups where the whole purpose is supposed to be a safe space to get feedback on ideas not to have them ripped off by other members. Or of rumormongers who set out to intentionally destroy other peoples’ businesses.

But other than write columns like this and hopefully make people think, there’s not much I can do.

Here’s something to think about… if you’re one of those people who likes to “borrow” other people’s newsletters, whether it’s format or copy – what kind of impression are you giving the people who signed up to hear your original thoughts? This is a pretty small niche in the big scheme of things. And people notice.

And here’s where that quote at the beginning comes in. After sitting with this overnight and deciding whether to publish or not, because I know it’s going to piss some people off… that’s on them. All I can do is do what I’m going to do because to paraphrase a popular song from a few years ago… cheaters are going to cheat, thieves are going to steal, copycatters are going to copycat, and insecure people are going to try and break the strong ones.

Me, I’m going to explore new directions because that’s what I do. And that’s all I’m going to say about that.

Stepping off the soapbox now.

And now, here are your deals for today…

New from Jan – The Quirky Self-Care Planner – includes 40 unique pages with 8 dividers and 31 self-care templates. Use coupon code QUIRKYCARE to pick this up for $19.95 through June 30. (Plus 1 bonus choice)

New from Charles – Share Expertise on Udemy Video PLR – includes 20 over-the-shoulder videos that walk you through the process of setting up your courses on Udemy. It’s on a dime sale, but under $10 right now. (Plus 1 bonus choice)

Relaunch from Sue Ends Tomorrow – The relaunch of Sue’s signature course – Createful Creating in PowerPoint ends tomorrow. 12 Modules of in-depth training on how to create low-content products with PowerPoint. This is my top pick for the week, and you can save $50 through the end of Sunday, June 26. (Plus 3 bonus choices)

Free from Design Cuts – Daisy and Buttercup Watercolor Floral Clipart

Weekend Sale from Jennifer at Health & Wellness PLR – a new set of 6 months of Journal Prompts and Printables for only $9.95 this weekend. Includes journal prompts, monthly journals, workbooks, printables, and eCovers all editable in Canva

Free from Publish for Prosperity – 5 Articles on Deaing With Distractions

From Content Sparks – a new set of 50 DFY Blog Posts & Emails available this week. Save over 60% (individual packs are $14, and you can get all 5 in a bundle for $37) through Wednesday, June 29. This is Bundle #7 in the series and includes content on Customer Service, Dealing with Difficult Customers, Goal-Setting, Low-Content Products, Word-of-Mouth Marketing (Plus 1 bonus choice)

From Karon Thackston – a new pack of Smart Affiliate’s Marketing Templates available this week. They’re on sale for only $10 through Tuesday, June 28. The pack includes blog posts, video/podcast scripts, email templates, and social media posts. (This is my second pick for this week. )

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That’s it for me this morning. I’m off to grab some breakfast and hit the grocery store.

Have an amazing day/evening! Create what makes your heart happy.