My Mentor Stole my Niche - Should I steal his Domain?
No, this isn't one of my many WA mentors, so don't worry.
I got an email from Amazon today notifying me that my "mentor" is coming out with a new book. Based on the title, it is almost exactly the same concept as my website and "niche". I got the notification of course because I have all of his previous works on my bookshelf.
I was a little bummed at first, thinking, crap he stole my idea. However, I think this could be a real blessing in disguise. This guy is pretty much the top guru for my niche audience, and almost anyone who has read his previous works, will read this new book.
Just the fact that the book is being published will bring added attention to the ideas, and perhaps even better, he didn't secure the domain name to the title of his new book.
Would it be dirty underhanded and unethical, or savvy if I were to swipe the domain name?
All of my current content would fit almost perfectly under the domain. My tagline is eerily similar to his subtitle.
My site is only a little over a month old, and I have no idea what the ramifications are to switching content to a new domain. Does Google shoot you?
My thought is that making the switch could put me in a great place for my target audience in the near future once the book hits the shelves.
What do you all think?
Recent Comments
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How are you sure he even care about the domain, anybody can get the domain outside you and him. I think your concern should be what will google do. But again if you say this guy is the top guru in your niche, then I guess he can write anything about the niche which isn't necessarily stealing from you.
I have no idea if he cares about the domain. I doubt he does too much because he didn't secure it before publishing the book.
Yup. I already have a very similar domain secured. I will get this one as well and decide a little ways down the road.
Thanks,
Haven
His book has a copyright so I would be careful not to violate copyright laws if I were you. It could definitely come back and bite you.
Elmer Fudd always said, "Be vewwwy caaareful"
Yes, I would definitely check that out before going ahead. There have been a few stories where some small business has taken a name and some time down the road a bigger business with something very similar takes exception to that and goes to court to get the other business to stop using that name or anything like it.
I don't know, just saying, watch your back.
I live life by: If it doesn't feel right, don't do it.
Karma has a great way to even things out in the long run.
Lou Holtz once said, There is never time to do the wrong thing, but there is always time to do the right thing.
I think I feel fine about using the domain. Like I mentioned, there isn't really anything underhanded going on here. It's not like we're trading punches or anything like that.
I'm not taking the domain to get back at him, like I mentioned, he doesn't know me from Adam.
Thanks, Kenny. That was my initial thought as well. I don't feel like it's dirty on my part.
I understand what you're saying about karma, but if he isn't stealing the domain name out of anger or spite or as a piggy back, then why shouldn't he use the domain name?
I don't think it's really a bummer. As I mentioned in a comment below, most of my post was in jest. There is nothing nefarious going on.
I am just wondering what would be the best way for me to capture some of the attention that will be created in regards to my niche.
This is a tough one!
Personally, I wouldn’t take the domain name if it’s being done out of spite. I am a big believer that you get what you give and often times it’s threefold. I would rather receive the good I put out there.
It is frustrating though that someone took your ideas especially if you told your mentor your idea and he took it knowing it was a good one!
I believe people like that will get their own, maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow, but it will come.
In the meantime stay true to you, and remember it is a big big world and there are plenty of fish in the sea! You’ll do well.
Perhaps writing content and linking back to his new book would be a better way of riding his coat tales? You’re helping him but also receiving the benefit of people purchasing the book through you.
I should maybe clarify. My "mentor' didn't do anything wrong at all. He is my mentor in the sense that I have read his books and I have modeled my own business after his. He doesn't know me from a hole in the wall.
He only "stole" my ideas in the sense that we are like minded and he put similar thoughts out there in the form of another book. The title of my post was in jest, but I guess it came across as cold-blooded.
I am not upset at with him at all and I wouldn't be doing anything out of spite.
His book could bring a lot of my own ideas, perhaps greater notoriety, and I guess my question is how do I best go about connecting my own ideas to his followers.
Thanks for clarifying,
I would write a post about why he is your mentor, what about him inspires you. And then include links to his works.
Any of his followers will be searching for anything related to him and your site should come up if you use the right keywords.
Also, why not send your mentor an email with the link to your post. You just never know, he too may be inspired to share.
That is a good idea. He has always advocated that people replicate his ideas, so I think seeking transparency is a great way to approach the situation.
Like you said, you never know where it might lead.
Thanks,
Haven
I totally understand why you would feel its unethical, I think that as long as you don't use his title as your domain name, I don't see why you can't get the domain. Its free game if he doesn't own the domain name.
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If he hasn't bought the domain name then it's yours to take if you want it. If you don't buy it then someone else might. I don't see what's unethical about that at all. You aren't stealing anything. You buy it, you pay for it, it's yours.
There are tons of published books that have duplicate names. The content isn't the same but the titles, yes. They're still published.
I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
Thanks, Donna. I tend to agree with you.