Posted by 101livescan on 8/16/09 2:15pm
Msg #300230

How would you handle?

While I'm updating my NR and 123XZY profile to reflect new information about my commission renewal and expiration dates, I discover that another member of this and other boards for my area has exactly copied, word for word my profile for her profile. I've read about this before on the board, don't remember when. I just think that everyone should use their own creativity and not be so lazy or inept to write their own profile which reflects who they are, not who you/me are.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 8/16/09 2:24pm
Msg #300231

That's a tough one.

If our profiles cannot be copywritten then I guess there's nothing you can do. If you confront her she will probably deny it (that might make you even more frustrated). However, by confronting, if she has an ounce of professionalism and integrity left, she might be reluctant to do it again.

Reply by 101livescan on 8/16/09 2:43pm
Msg #300232

Re: That's a tough one.

It's like a cheap knock off handbag. This is someone who has only been a notary for four years, not the breadth or depth of experience, knowledge or skill set, sound judgment or integrity. Uses their employers' equipment to generate edocs, takes off work to conduct their sideline signing business. Will walk on anyone's body to get ahead. Takes all kinds, doesn't it? I've been a notary for over 40 years, I'm completely annoyed by a wannabe, cheap suit whose ethics are far below my own standards. Plagiarism in itself speaks volumes of one's demeanor and character.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 8/16/09 4:34pm
Msg #300248

I had that happen to me

so I contacted her...asked her to remove the plagiarized portions..told her her profile should be a reflection of HER experience and abilities, not her ability to copy and paste. She got angry but she did revise her profile...funny...she removed exactly all the words she'd copied and pasted from mine. And IMO she can be as angry as she'd like...why should she get work based on MY experience and MY abilities.

So there!!...

Reply by 101livescan on 8/16/09 4:47pm
Msg #300249

Re: I had that happen to me

Funny, that we have to break it down into simple plain talk as you say here, Linda, like, just do your own thing. I understand about emulating someone you admire, but copying their advertising and marketing strategies EXACTLY to be your own...it's just cutthroat and lacking in moral character...

Reply by MW/VA on 8/16/09 6:03pm
Msg #300263

I've seen that situation reported here before. As I recall, the person called the one who had copied their profile "word for word" and confronted them. I know I would. You might also call NotRot about it & see what they say.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 8/16/09 9:30pm
Msg #300285

It happened to me too, although not word for word -

she just took the concept, mixed around some choice verbiage, and called it good. I didn't post about it, nor did I call her - I just kept taking jobs in her town - even signed her neighbors... eventually she moved away.

Plagerism is theft. It's a lie. It gets people flunked in high school and thrown out of college. It gets you royally humiliated in public life by the press and peers. It's just wrong.

Why people think they can get away with it, especially here, I'll never understand, but then again, I just don't 'get' dishonesty. Having taught school, I began the year with a lecture on plagerism, and still, there were lazy students who tried to cheat by plagerizing. I had a fat red pen I used on their "work": "[actual author] = A, your copy = F." "In your own words" is a difficult, time consuming job, but always satisfying in the end.

Here, in our world, as so aptly stated by the posters above, our profiles are a major marketing tool, and often the only glimpses into our professional demeanor. They are very important.

Good for you for speaking up.

Reply by 101livescan on 8/16/09 10:03pm
Msg #300287

Re: It happened to me too, although not word for word -

Perhaps this will trigger an amendment to our board's RULES & GUIDELINES re. ETHICS & INTEGRITY being essential prerequisites.

Reply by Margaret Paddock on 8/17/09 12:29pm
Msg #300343

Re: This is troublesome, unfair, but........

As much as I hate to think someone did this on purpose there could be instances of new notaries not really trying to copy, but so inept at creating they do copy what they see as very good elsewhere.
While it is flattering to an extent it is not fair to the original poster.
Why don't we see if we can come up with some helpful tips for newbies so that they can create their own profiles. Maybe we can teach them to use some techniques without copying.
That may be a good new topic.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 8/17/09 5:16pm
Msg #300426

Re: This is troublesome, unfair, but........

Sorry, I don't agree - and I don't think this happens by accident, even inadvertently. I may get blasted for this, but I'll take that chance.

What someone puts on their profile is an integral part of their proprietary marketing efforts. And just because someone has something really good on their profile doesn't necessarily mean that it came easy to them. Plus it should represent THEIR individual background and experience level - not someone else's. I spent years fine-tuning my profile, as I'm sure others have. I think it's each person's responsibility to figure this out on their own. If they're inept at it, then they need to study up. That may mean reviewing lots of different websites and profiles to get ideas and then formulate them into something personal. It may mean getting feedback from other people they know - or (GASP) even paying for an expert to help them or to write it for them. This is what ethical businesses do. They don't steal it from their competitors.

A profile is a very personal thing and I don't think there's any excuse for flat out copying from someone else -- even if it's just a sentence! I also think it's up to each person to take responsibility to do this on their own. Besides, there has been lots of information made available here and elsewhere to people over the years that could be helpful on this subject, and all someone needs to do is search for it.

We all need to lose the idea that it is someone else's job to make things easier for newbies! They need to work for it! They will always be better off in the long run if they do that than if they have it spoon fed to them! jmho