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Content copywriting questions

by NightWolf
10 replies
I'm about to endeavor on my first project in IM/info products. I've chosen a niche I believe I have considerable knowledge on. However, I want to make sure I'm not leaving myself open to any potential lawsuits etc!!!

So, lets say I was gonna write about "Wealth Creation", and I've read many books by say Robert Kyosaki, Napoleon Hill, Jack Canfield etc etc.

Am I able to essentially "regurgitate" what I've learned into my own words, with more of a "I've spent years reading all these books, and can now offer my "nutshell" version of the topic"?

Also, lets say that I wanted to refer to some "technique" that some author has created, I'll just make one up for this example..."The Kyosaki - Ready, Fire, Aim" technique, something like that. Can I use that in my ebook/s? Or would I have to create my own name for it and change the names of the techniques etc?

Please help.

Dwad
#content #copywriting #questions
  • Profile picture of the author Ken Strong
    If you're creating an ebook on making money, then ideally it would be something you'd already made money from.
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  • Profile picture of the author NightWolf
    Thanks Ken, however, that was just an example. I'm not trying to get into that niche. So for example, with your "Better Eyesight Without Glasses" program, did you use/refer to info/content that you previously bought/read?
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    • Profile picture of the author John_S
      I advise against using other products as a swipe file without bringing anything new to the reader. Sure, you're not exactly copying, but you've got nothing to bring to the table either.

      Eventually, and it'll probably be sooner than later, the reader will figure that out.

      Aside from legal concerns are basic "will it work" issues. It might, but it probably won't. Eventually word of mouth catches up with you and people go to the sources with original ideas (who can then evolve their understanding, come up with fresh insights, develop new angles, and so on).

      And, as you know and I know, anything that involves step-by-step directions or a formula is not really going to be put in your own words -- it'll be copied. Why? Because you read the stuff but haven't applied any of it.

      And that's what people pay for, the heavy lifting of someone who has gone out ...done something ...tried, perhaps failed, but then overcame the stumbling block not mentioned in the books and succeeded.

      Regurgitation has nearly zero value. How much are you willing to pay me to read your watch and tell you the time? Since you have zero experience in application of what you regurgitate, there's no telling what you thought was safe to leave out (but is really important to results) in regurgitation.

      Synthesize, don't regurgitate. Take five sources, and come up with something new none of them alone would. Take an off-the-wall source which seems to have nothing to do with the topic and make it into something extremely relevant.

      For example, The Hollywood Principle: How to Use the "Magic"...The Hollywood Principle: How to Use the "Magic"... uses movie plots to give the old success principles a new twist. Synthesis -- Not Regurgitation.
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      • Profile picture of the author NightWolf
        Originally Posted by John_S View Post

        And, as you know and I know, anything that involves step-by-step directions or a formula is not really going to be put in your own words -- it'll be copied. Why? Because you read the stuff but haven't applied any of it.

        And that's what people pay for, the heavy lifting of someone who has gone out ...done something ...tried, perhaps failed, but then overcame the stumbling block not mentioned in the books and succeeded.
        Hi John, thanks for ur input. However, RE what u said, I HAVE tried, failed, AND overcame the stumbling block, PERSONALLY...which is why I'm thinking of making this my first project, as it's something I've been heavily interested n experienced in since 2002. I won't say i'm a GURU at it, but I have proof that I DID put it to practise AND succeeded using a mixture of teachings.

        So I DO have my own input n some things I've never seen/heard of before, but the core of my learnings were still based on those various teachings, which is why I want to know how much i hav to change/reinvent, so as to avoid any future problems.

        After all, my intentions r actually to help people, but of course make some cash out of it too.
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        • Profile picture of the author dadeon
          From what I can understand you want to know what "sort" of information to give your readers.

          My advice would be to just give your readers an experience - and make sure it's authentic. This will connect with them and that is the most important aspect.

          To be honest we don't want to hear another Robert Kiosaki restimonial. Tell me a story. This will get anyone going and that's your real task.
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  • Profile picture of the author Daniel Scott
    Dwad,

    For a start, consult with your attourney. No one in their right mind should take legal advice from an internet forum.

    Having said that, here's my understanding, and no, I'm not a lawyer:

    Intellectual property can be protected, but generally speaking it's hard to establish a "vague" patent on information, unless certain precautions have been taken to prevent it being leaked to the public.

    To put it another way, anything in books is fair game. Obviously certain terms can be trademarked, and you want to avoid those - but I'm pretty sure "Ready, Fire, Aim" didn't start with Kiyosaki - he probably ripped it from someone else.

    Essentially, I believe if you quote a source, you're pretty safe.

    Having said all that, the best thing to do is try and put it all in your own words - but sometimes other people have just nailed that one little part you want to put in.

    Again, I'm not a lawyer, this is not legal advice. Just my understanding.

    -Dan
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  • Profile picture of the author Jon Steel
    D,

    Don't copy word for word, add your own 2 cents, and have fun with your first project. You will find that once you start writing, new ideas will come to you. You said its something that you enjoy and are heavily interested in - so go for it. There is nothing wrong, unethical, or illegal about using other people's work to "stimulate" your own ideas. Most books begin like that anyways...

    I say go for it...

    js
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  • Profile picture of the author NightWolf
    Many thanks guys, much appreciated! OK, so from what I understand, you're saying that provided I quote or reference (give credit to) the source that I learned from it, I'm safe?
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    • Profile picture of the author mrechichi
      Your safe. What you are doing is giving credit to the quoted author, and more importantly giving value to your readers! Just make sure sure you put a twist to your copy like John_S post #4 advised.
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  • Profile picture of the author NightWolf
    Awesome! Thanks guys! I'll be starting my ebooks ASAP.
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