MicrostockGroup

Seems to me that given the prices (seemed photos were $20 for a full size) bargaining is just a way to sink a bunch of time into the process. Don't see how that makes sense unless you're looking for something to do.

Nice idea but I don't think it will ever work.  Any idea about the rules there.   If you're going to sell images for $20 wouldn't you need to only upload that image there and not on other micro sites? 

I also looked at some of the images there and they seem to accept almost anything.....I mean ANYTHING!

I signed up 30min ago and am still waiting for the confirmation e-mail. Not a good sign if you ask me

Hey Guys,

I am John the founder and wanted to see if I could clarify up somethings but also thank you for the feedback.  This will help us get better and I'm learning ;-).  As you can probably tell, we just launched into beta on the first of this month so our doors have only been open for a month.

cshack's comment made me laugh but we are in beta.  Cut me a little slack as I try to catch up to the bigger sites ;-)  Our content has quadrupled since I left my job 4 months ago and we have our FTP almost ready to go but we have bulk upload through the site right now.  I am hoping by next week we have the FTP ready for images.

As for setting your prices, you can set your own price, choose our Cutcaster algorithm as well as set the start price for where it begins trading or you can choose the algorithm and we will set the default start price at 20.  To be totally honest, I don't want to tell you what to charge for your photos because you are the ones who took the time and expense to create them and how would I ever know how to price all the content that was uploaded to me.  Id be lying as well if I said all content should be priced equally. That is what I always found funny about the other sites that they told you what to charge.

jsnover.  That is a great question and i am really glad you brought up that concern.  The bidding shouldn't be a time waster but a way for you to understand where the demand lies at different pricing levels.  In addition, you don't have to respond to bids but you can now get hard data on where to price your content on other sites, your own site or what buyers are willing to pay.  This isn't for Cutcaster.  It's for any of the members so use it as you like.  I am going to publish data on pricing trends, tell sellers and buyers about how people are pricing and detail pricing history in historical charts for people so they know better how to price and license their content.   The idea was to create tools to help people sell more and still keep their prices high.  Not participate in the race to the bottom where the prices for content are being set by the agencies and they are seeing how low they can go to attract more buyers which is hurting everyone. 

Ichiro17 and snurder.  hahahah. That's a good one. No comment on the steroids;-)  I love it, snurder.   

and wisent i emailed you earlier so you should have my email in your inbox.  im not sure where it went wrong but check your spam folder maybe.  i will always be there to help and respond if anyone has any questions or suggestions.  I made that pledge when I started Cutcaster and only brought on people that would help live by that motto and philosophy.  That is why I post my cell phone on the site 2156882751 ( you can call me whenever you like) or my email [email protected]. 

I'm new but I'm learning.  Thanks for the feedback and keep it coming. And keep up the good jokes ichiro.  hahaha

yeah unclegene.   the algorithm can move the price down based on the variables we have isolated in our research as affecting the prices negatively, for example no keywords or metadata ;-).

yeah there is a definite time element to it.  if it just sits around for a year inactive,  the price will come down over time.  did that help?

As John mentioned in his post I was personally contacted by him and the problem was resolved very quickly!

Thanks again

It seems that this large preview with watermark like this is giving web-size images for free. Definitely not good solution for my taste.


http://www.cutcaster.com/viewmedia/index/711711775


http://www.cutcaster.com/viewmedia/index/709691398


http://www.cutcaster.com/viewmedia/index/718953404


etc

I like this idea!

As a provider i don't think all photos are worth the same!
 
In fact have you ever heard of a fixed price for cars? Are all cars worth the same because they have 4 wheels and engine? Don't think so.

Design, quality and brand are just 3 parameters you have to pay for. That is what i like about this site, its maybe not going to beat the big 6, but as an alternative way of Stockphoto its refreshing.

I will give it a try because i like the spirit and creative approach to the market. God luck! 

Clivia,

Good call and I have been tinkering with a few watermarks.  Which sites do you think have the best watermark.  I was thinking of making it much more opaque and then putting a watermark in all four corners and then the middle so its protected but I am open to any suggestions as to best protect it.  Many thanks.

@lizard,  I will work on that and let you know.  I will be done with the new watermark tonight.   thanks

@windmill,  that is what we thought as well.

The images with no watermark and at that size needs to change as well.  I can see folks copying 100's of web sized images for free!  NOT GOOD!!!

I think you have to make the watermark translucent instead of opaque. If that were an image of several faces, the buyer wouldn't have a clue if they were smiling or yelling or....

It is hard, but if you make it to secure, buyers can't see enough to know if it's what they want.