This is something you need to be very careful about - as you know most intellectual property is protected legally with copyrights and even trademarks.
This is something you need to be very careful about. As you know most intellectual property is protected legally with copyrights and even trademarks.
Recently, one client asked me if she could use my elevator pitch process. And if not, how could she possibly make up her own system when so many already exist out there. This is what I recommended.
If you want to quote or use something from a book or another expert’s system, do so, but make sure you give the author full and proper credit. You may also want to ask for their permission. If you are including someone else’s material in anything written, whether it’s printed or on the web, be sure to cite the original source.
On the web, you can even add a link directly to the author’s materials. This actually will drive traffic to the author’s site so they might feel flattered and appreciative.
I’m not an attorney, so don’t let me be the final word on this. Please check with your legal advisor to be sure you do things the proper way.
I myself have done this. For example, at the Mindset Retreat, I taught things there that I borrowed. The list of 22 emotions is from the book Ask and It Is Given. I told everyone the name of the book and that I thought they should read it. I even mentioned the page number where the list of emotions came from. I’m not going to pretend that I created the list of 22 emotions or take the list and make it only 21 emotions and rename them all. I give full attribution to the authors of the book when I use it. Does that make sense?
Keep in mind that this does not just apply to names of things, but also to systems, processes and even formats. You need to give credit for all of that.
I believe in teaching what your experience has been – I call this “talking your walk”. That means you do it first and have success. Then you can share with others and tell them how you did it. That way you can figure out your own unique process and create your own proprietary system. And if you still want to use someone else’s tools, that’s OK. When done correctly, it’s like offering referrals to the author right? There’s plenty for everyone.
Your Client Attraction Assignment
Think about your own unique process. What did you try? What worked really well? How is what you have done different than other similar experts? Figure out what you did so you can talk your walk and create your own proprietary system.
That’s why people say to me, “Oh your stuff is really authentic and it’s the real deal.” That’s because I use it every day. When you share your experience authentically, people are drawn to that.
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