Idea thieves… Should I punish them?

[blether]

We had number of initial discussions and reassurances that Project would go ahead almost immediately. Therefore I’ve disclosed some of my own techniques in 1 hour long phone discussion and several emails. After that they disappeared but I’ve noticed that my ideas are being partially implemented on their website.

I went through something almost identical a couple of years back when I developed my book review site. The owner of a massive American book-related site emailed me to say they wanted to work with me on implementing it on their site, and could we have a conference call to discuss.

I spent a couple of hours on the phone to America, had extensive email exchanges about some of the technicalities, then they went quiet. Didn't answer emails. Within a couple of months they launched a load of new features on their site that were exactly as we'd discussed - basically they'd freeloaded me as a consultant.

It's a hard lesson to learn, but I think it was actually a good thing for me. Since then I've valued my own knowledge much more, and make sure that I'm very careful about who I share ideas and knowledge with. If it's business it now only starts once there's been an exchange of NDAs or contracts.

It's tough just now, but take confidence from the fact that they needed your ideas, and that you'll definitely have more in the future!

 

[expertc]

Thanks for all your replies. I do appreciate it.

Let me explain this a bit further. Chemical eMarketing, including SEO is based not only on the common Internet techniques but also on the knowledge of the market itself. Just to give you a very simple example. Imagine company wants to promote their product which is called Calcium Chloride. If they go to a non-chem SEO specialist he will start a campaign based on the keywords e.g. “calcium” and “chloride”. Meanwhile it is wrong from the beginning as it starts to overlap with the consumer products (coral calcium, calcium supplements, etc.). Overlapping market brings “useless” visitors, at the same time professional buyers don’t search on this term. As you can see optimization is done, even it could be successful, number of visitors grows but… 99% bounce rate. Business is not benefiting from it at all. But chemical eMarketing consultant knows that search term could be, let’s say “calcium chloride anhydrous”, this small correction cleans-up unrelated visitors and brings real buyers.

What I’ve described is only the tip of an iceberg. This is why in the industry “theft” is very rare, as it is pretty much shooting yourself in the foot. One of the main reasons I got really angry is the stupidity of potential client.

 

[retired_member26]

Chemical eMarketing, including SEO is based not only on the common Internet techniques but also on the knowledge of the market itself.

That is also correct for all niches.

Anyway what I want to say is the term "SEO specialist" is actually not a professional job. Any internet savvy and smart guy can do SEO in my opinion.

 

[expertc]

That is also correct for all niches.

Anyway what I want to say is the term "SEO specialist" is actually not a professional job. Any internet savvy and smart guy can do SEO in my opinion.

I would agree about just being a "SEO Specialist" is something many kids could do these days. That is why my full "job title" is Strategic eMarketing Consultant (SEO included).

 

[kendalcottages]

From what you've described, I don't think there's an awful lot you can do. I would just put it down to experience, forget about it and move on.

 

[philipp]

My advice would be to use "Black Hat" techniques, which could not be traced back to you, to sabotage their aims.

Risking prosecution for whatever interpretation he makes of 'Black Hat' techniques would only add to his woes.

From my experience of working as a network engineer with a popular ISP, most attacks are quite traceable if you annoy someone enough.

They may have employed another consultant who thinks along similar lines - but I'm assuming you hold no patent on your ideas.

Vengeance is a dish best served cold.

Better yet, forget vengeance and concentrate on finding new clients, as others have suggested here.

P.

 

[expertc]

... attacks are quite traceable if you annoy someone enough.

...

Better yet, forget vengeance and concentrate on finding new clients, as others have suggested here.

P.

No attacks... this is not an option, I am out of that age, you know

Anyway, they will come crawling back even if I don't do anything.

 

[Flipper]

I probably wouldn’t bother, at the end of the day it’s going to take you time and effort and isn’t really going to bring you any benefit, I think they have probably taken enough from you why give them anymore? If they go around behaving like that they will get there Kama, sooner or later they will come a cropper.

 

[namealot]

Unless you informed them verbally or your web site stipulates that any correspondence, consultation or advice given is chargeable and buy emailing, contacting you etc, they are agreeing to your terms and condition... An example of how far you can go with terms and conditions this firm actually own the peoples soul...? http://www.bit-tech.net/news/gaming/2010/04/15/gamestation-we-own-your-soul/1

If a firm contacts us we either charge a consulting fee before we talk to them etc or find out what they are wishing to achieve and once we have that information the free part finishes if they want to know how we would achieve it then we charge for our time its simple hard lesson to learn but if you don’t want someone to use your knowledge for free don’t give it to them prior to getting them to sign on the dotted line so to speak…