I’m going to be frank: there are a lot of mixed messages out there about whether or not your work should or can be original.

It can be hard to get the attention you want your brand to have, and it can be doubly as difficult to innovate and produce original work. It’s why we find advice to create concepts based on what already exists and why we’re okay with “stealing ideas.” Regardless of where this advice originates, it can be very misleading.

As your brand develops, you’re working to produce assets, things you own that are useful in generating income. The less you own, the less control you truly have over your income, and the more uncertain the future of your brand becomes.

In today’s episode, we’re discussing the ideas of building original assets to utilize for your brand, when copying is okay, and why you should steer clear of relying upon someone else’s success.