Push Pin Gift Set from Shugabee Lane
Unless you’ve lived under a rock for the past few months, you’ve likely heard about Pinterest and have probably starting using the site yourself. There has been a great deal of buzz in handmade circles recently about Pinterest users pinning images from online shops and labeling them as “DIY” or “I’m going to try this.” Unfortunately, I saw an example of this trend a few days ago, and I can definitely see how frustrating it would be to handmade sellers.
I’ve found myself “liking” several rainbow-colored images on Pinterest lately, and this print from the Cherbert Etsy shop caught my eye the other day. I clicked through the pin to find the original source, and rather than leading to the Etsy shop, the pin led to a blog, whose author stated that she was going to try this idea as a DIY project. She did link to the Etsy listing, but the mere fact that she mentioned that she was going to DIY the idea made me a little sad.
Now that I’ve seen the trend firsthand, I’ve been thinking more and more about the dilemma that this causes for handmade sellers.
Is there really any way to protect the images of your creations from those who have no intentions of purchasing the item, but rather plan to try the idea themselves . . . as a DIY project? How do you deal with this? Do you consider Pinterest copycats flattering or frustra
I’m sure people have been “stealing” DIY ideas from online shops for some time now. There really is no way to completely protect any image that is available on the Internet. Unfortunately, the problem seems much more glaring now that Pinterest is on the scene. Do handmade sellers have any options to protect their ideas and hard work? Or must they just grin and bear it?
Here are a few suggestions, and I’d love to hear your ideas too:
1. Consider watermarking your images.
I have read several articles that state the importance of including the full URL of your site (e.g.,www.yoursite.com), rather than just including a logo. I found some wonderful Photoshop (or Photoshop Elements) actions from Paint the Moon that allow you to quickly and easily apply a pretty watermark to your images.
2. Pin with the dollar sign.
This applies to items that you pin (sparingly) from your own shop, and especially on items that you feature from other people’s shops. If you include a dollar sign ($) in the pin description, the image will include a diagonal strip that includes the price. This will alert people to the fact that the item is for sale. If you click the “Pin It” button on an Etsy listing, the description is automatically created for you (including the price).
3. Determine not to pin items as DIY that someone has taken time and money to create.
Encourage others in your circle (blog readers, team members, etc.) to do the same thing.
4. Pin images directly from the source.
This is crucial to protect the livelihood of many handmade sellers. The key is to pin the image from the permalink of the original source where the image appeared. I wrote an article about how to do this here: How to Be a Polite Pinterest Pinner. I must admit that pinning from the source takes a few more seconds of time, but it is essential to protect the person who originally created the item.
5. Get educated about copyright issues and spread the word.
I have created a Pinterest board of various articles I’ve come across about Pinterest (best practices, copyright issues, etc.). If you know of an article that should be added to that board, please submit the URL in a comment below. I’d love to expand that board to make it as helpful as possible. (Pinterest Tips)
What ideas do you have about how to deal with Pinterest copycats? Have you tried any tactics to protect your images (and brand)? Or are you just thankful for the exposure that Pinterest has brought your way? I hope you’ll share your thoughts and questions in the comments section. Let’s get a great conversation going! What say you?
Wow! Thank you all for joining in this discussion! It is true that a lot people I know on Pinterest are not DIYers and will be so happy to have found your shop. I also agree that so many users repin without changing the caption.
I am loving all of the positivity!
Great post ! Im fairly new to Pinterest , so Im figuring out pinning ettiquettes myself. I do have a board that I started as ideas – but my intention personally has never been to recreate the product/idea . I use it literally as a visual inspiration. Yes, if the item is recreated completely and used to sell, thats definitely wrong .
While we are treading on newer grounds, some newer than others, it will take a bit of time to figure it out. Thanks for this post- very helpful.
This is such a great article! I love Pinterest, and just as someone who gets lost in all the things people have already pinned, it’s such a pain to click on something that I like to try to find the original source in hopes of finding more things from the same original source.
As a shop owner, I have yet to come across anything of mine that has been pinned, and I am not sure what I would think about it. Is there a way to know when an item of mine has been pinned? Or have people just happened to stumble upon their items?
@Brooke: That’s a great question about how to know if a person has pinned any of your images. Here is the “magic formula” to find out: http://pinterest.com/source/XOXO.com/ (just replace XOXO.com with your URL.
This should work with most blogs and websites, but I don’t think it works with Etsy shop URLs at this time. Perhaps someone else will chime in who knows of another way to track pinned images.
Wow….I have not thought of Pinterest in a negative way. I use it as a virtual inspiration board broken down into categories for me and my followers to see and be inspired by.
I am an Etsy seller with my shop currently in vacation mode. Before Pinterest was even an idea, I had others coping my work. It really did upset me. What really bites is they sold their item long before I did…..go figure.
I think watermarking your photos are a great idea. I am now trying to also leave the original link in the description, though I have been thinking of watermarking the address on the picture. Just a thought.
My heart goes out to all of you guys having such a horrible experience. You work hard on your designs and credit should be given where it is due. So I just want to say you are all amazing, and no one can take that away or copy it!! xoxo
Julie- what a GREAT post! I have been mulling this very topic over since becoming an Etsy seller. Someone commented on one of my pinned items that they ‘bet they could make that”. That was in the first weeks of putting up the “open” sign and it made me not want to pin my items as much. It’s such a complex situation; and being so new still, it’s easy to see how someone who is not trying to start/maintain a creative biz, has no idea everything that goes into running a shop. As the seller, it’s hard to not react when someone casually mentions they are going to make what you specialize in, and pour your heart and little creative soul into 24.7! I agree, and also commend the person above me who posted about how to make a kind comment- great suggestion, and like you say, great first impression.
Thanks for igniting a clearly much needed conversation!
Thanks! Wish it worked with Etsy sites…but soon maybe!
@T.Dean: That’s a neat idea to put the URL of the original source in the description. I wonder if those URLs become hyperlinks. Probably not, but it’s a good idea anyway.
@Bonnie: You’re right — it is hard not to get offended at DIY comments on a handmade item that you poured yourself into. If we look at Pinterest as a wonderful way to bring more exposure to our products, though, it takes a bit of that sting away. Thanks for your kind comment.
I just joined Pinerest for social marketing purposes, plus I love all the photos and house hold hints.
As a shop owner it’s about exposure of a product and product line idea.
1. As mentioned before, watermark your etsy photos.
2. put the URL to the shop in there. But these can be deleted when someone repins, which is why there should be a name or URL in the watermark.
3. If you click on your pin you will be able to see who originally posted the pin and their comments about it. You original pinning info is not lost and if we spread the word enough about how to see original pinning info on Pinterest, I think we would all be happier. (I’ve had to do it because people delete the info on household tips sometimes when they repin, and take out the instructions!!)
Always always take things the best way possible when dealing with how your products are being viewed! If someone say they could make it themselves, tell them your happy you inspired them and ask to see photos of their work when it’s done (betcha they won’t make it). Because no one will be able to do exactly what you did, every piece is ever so slightly unique because it’s been made by hand and to taste. This is about getting exposure and building relationships, always be better person!
Best Wishes and Happy selling!
Lindsay
@Lindsay: Great tips — thanks for your comment! As you mentioned, it is important that we use great keywords in the description when we first pin an image. That will really help people find appropriate pins when they type those keywords into the search bar. And even if the original pinner didn’t include many keywords in the original description, we can always remedy that when we re-pin.
If you don’t want your stuff to be copied stick to being an exclusive boutique( actual store ) this world is full of copycats and trust me they will always find a way to make stuff cheaper and just as pretty, why would we spend a ton of money on something that we could make ourselves for a fraction of the cost?? We have families too, not here to support anybody body else’s kids but my own thanks!!