There’s a funny thing that happens when you pour your heart and soul into building something unique. You create a distinctive brand, innovate your service, raise the standard, and then someone else copies it.
They borrow your words. They mirror your tone. They replicate your structure, your language, even your style of marketing. At first, it can feel frustrating. But over time, I’ve learned something far more useful:
When competitors start copying you, it means you’re leading.
A competitor can imitate the look and feel of a brochure. They can lift a line from our website or mimic the structure of a sales letter. They can even replicate the surface of what we publish online, but all they’re seeing is a snapshot.
They’re copying what we’ve already tested, without knowing why it was created, how it was developed, or what we learned from it.
They don’t see the hundreds of micro-decisions that shape how we present a home. The psychology behind a specific headline. The emotional weight of a pause in a video script. The buyer behaviour insights that dictate how we time a launch or price a property for maximum momentum.
They copy the surface level output. But they don’t understand the architecture behind it.
And they certainly can’t replicate the trust Nicola and I build with each client.
They can’t match the depth of attention we give to every shoot, every brochure, every negotiation.
They can’t emulate the calm guidance we provide throughout a stressful sale, or the tailored strategy we craft for each individual property.
Because what we deliver isn’t just a service. It’s a standard. One that can’t be downloaded, duplicated or delegated. It has to be lived.
It’s easy to forget, but no one copies something irrelevant.
The moment someone tries to reproduce your work, it’s a clear signal you’re doing something worth paying attention to.
You’re setting the tone in your market. You’re creating work that resonates. You’re offering a level of service others aspire to but haven’t figured out how to deliver for themselves.
Here’s how we think about competition:
While others are copying what we’ve already done, we’re defining the next standard through thought leadership and development to beat what we’re doing already.
While they mimic our messaging, we’re perfecting the client experience.
While they launch “new” ideas we’ve already tested and moved past, we’re building what’s next.
Speed matters. So does focus. And when you’re committed to excellence, the only real competition is yourself.
We don’t create marketing to impress other agents. We build it to serve the people who trust us with their most valuable asset. Still it’s worth noting that we’ve yet to meet a single agent who doesn’t consider our approach exceptional.
The truth is, we welcome the copycats. It’s a sign we’re doing something that works. But imitation doesn’t intimidate us because we’re not standing still. We’re moving forward.
And if you’re a homeowner who wants more than the usual, someone who values care, discretion, and results, you’re in the right place.
We don’t just promise to do things differently.
We deliver differently. And it shows.
Robert Holmes-Chapman
Founder, The Ivybridge Collection
Whether you’re preparing to bring a £1M+ home to market or feeling stuck with a listing that hasn’t delivered, we’ll take care of everything — from pricing strategy to presentation — and deliver a result that reflects your home’s true value.
You’ll work directly with two experienced experts, not passed between departments. We represent only a small number of homes at a time, so yours gets the attention and energy it truly deserves.
Call 01603 249996 or email [email protected] to start the conversation. Or click below to arrange your private consultation.
