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🐙 The "Steal Like An Artist" Prompt
how to ethically "borrow" viral ideas with AI
![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/ba25180c-1b88-4a26-96ed-57326dea8d93/image.png?t=1700504292)
Hey there, solopreneur!
Ever read a killer piece of content and think, "Damn, I wish I'd written that"?
![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/841fca1c-ceab-43e2-8722-4443746f2743/giphy.gif?t=1714845284)
You're blown away by the unique angle, the vivid storytelling, the way it makes you see your topic in a whole new light...
And then you sit down to write your own piece and draw a big, fat blank.
Sound familiar?
Here's a secret that most successful creators don't advertise:
They're all thieves.
"Good artists copy, great artists steal."
Today, we're diving into the art and science of "stealing like an artist" — a.k.a. strategically borrowing elements from content you admire to level up your own creations.
You'll learn:
Why "stealing" is essential for developing your distinctive style
The "Steal Like An Artist" AI prompt for generating brilliant content inspired by your favorite pieces
Real examples of how to "steal" ideas in a way that's ethical and undetectable
Let’s. Dive. In. 🤿
![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/9d573833-118e-4133-91be-a64b492cc7e9/letsdivein2-min.gif)
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Why "Stealing" is Essential to Creative Genius
Imagine this scenario:
You're staring at a blank page, cursor blinking mockingly as you wait for a flash of pure inspiration to strike.
Hours pass. The page stays blank. And you start to wonder if maybe you're just not cut out for this whole "creative genius" thing.
![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/8a5c0fc8-c7a6-488f-ac71-240a9aaac524/giphy.gif?t=1714845497)
The pressure to be original can be frustratingly paralyzing.
It can make you second-guess every idea, every word, every brushstroke.
But here's the truth:
Originality is a mirage.
Every idea is just a remix of existing ones.
Every creator is just a product of their influences.
Even the most groundbreaking, "original" works can be traced back to the creations that inspired them:
Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet? Heavily influenced by Arthur Brooke's poem The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet.
Star Wars? Inspired by everything from Flash Gordon serials to Akira Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress.
Quentin Tarantino's entire filmography? Inspired by the B-movies, martial arts flicks, and spaghetti westerns he devoured growing up.
BY OPENLY "STEALING" FROM THEIR CREATIVE HEROES, THESE VISIONARIES:
Freed themselves from the pressure of originality and unlocked boundless inspiration
Blended diverse influences to create something fresh and uniquely "them"
Continued the timeless tradition of artistic theft that fuels creative evolution
So if you ever feel guilty about borrowing ideas from your favorite creators?
Remember: you're in good company.
But you can't just copy your influences verbatim.
That's not stealing like an artist — that's just plagiarism.
To truly steal like an artist, you need to take existing ideas and transform them into something new.
You’re cheffing up a creative gumbo, blending flavors and spices from all your favorite influences.
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But the end result? It's an original dish with your signature flare selected from your personal tastes and preferences.
That's the secret to artistic theft:
Inspiration, not imitation.
Ya I know, it’s easier said than done.
But that's where AI comes in clutch.
With the right prompt, you can tap into the inspiration of your favorite creators and twist their ideas into something fresh — without losing yourself in the process.
![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/b9aecc84-84c4-4fac-949e-b5e0b7dd67a9/promptcorner2.gif)
The “Steal Like An Artist” Prompt
Start with a piece of content you love — a blog, video script, social media post, whatever. Then feed it into this prompt and watch as it outputs related content ideas bound to impress:
Please analyze the following piece of content in detail:
"[INSERT CONTENT]"
What key points, arguments, or themes are being explored? Summarize them.
How is the content structured? Break down the key sections or components.
What is the tone, style, and voice of the writing? How would you characterize it?
What makes this piece compelling or engaging to the reader?
What specific writing techniques (storytelling, humor, data, etc.) are employed?
How could the core ideas be remixed or built upon to create a new, distinct piece of content? Brainstorm 3 high-level ideas.
Based on your analysis, please create an outline for each of the 3 new pieces of content inspired by the original piece, but with a fresh angle or application of the core ideas.
The ideas should be primarily inspired by the structure, hook, and idea explored.
The outlines should include:
A working title
3-5 key points or arguments to explore
Examples or stories to illustrate the points
A unique insight, perspective, or opinion on the topic
The new piece should be clearly distinct from the original (no copying), but riff on the same themes.
HOW TO USE THE STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST PROMPT:
This one’s super simple, just 1 step: Plug a piece of content (e.g. a newsletter or Twitter thread) that inspired you into the [INSERT CONTENT] section.
Example:
I just came across this mind-blowing psychological trick I can't stop experimenting with...
The Ben Franklin Effect:
— Ole Lehmann (@oledoteth)
4:36 PM • Mar 30, 2024
Here’s an example of the output it gave me for my piece of content above:
![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f6ece615-431e-45c7-bf04-8ea48e6d642b/Screenshot_2024-05-04_at_1.46.55_PM.png?t=1714844851)
These are all brilliant new content ideas I’ve added to my “To Write” list.
And since the original piece of content went viral, I can expect these 3 new content ideas to also perform well, too.
![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/1b2503f9-2721-4c05-9fac-492b6300a81a/wrapup2.gif)
WHAT YOU LEARNED TODAY
Why "stealing" is essential for developing your distinctive style
The "Stealing Genius" AI prompt for generating brilliant content inspired by your favorite pieces
Real examples of how to "steal" ideas in a way that's ethical and undetectable
Now, don’t get me in trouble and go plagiarizing your favorite creators.
That’s a great way to fast-track way to send your reputation to the gutter (trust me — I’ve seen it ruin relationships between high-profile creators).
But steal the right way, and you’ll have an unlimited amount of viral bangers lined up.
I can’t wait to see what you create with this prompt 🙂
Keep diving,
Ole
P.S. — Over 230 people enrolled in the AI Course Creator recently.
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What did you think about today's edition? |