FeaturePics becoming another subscription site

null

« on: May 28, 2009, 10:42 »

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Things are changing at Featurepics. We all supported it for the option to set price and license, and for the 70%. This seems all to be gone soon. The thread at the FP forum is (too) long and confusing, but Madelaide is quite busy there.

The intention of the site is clear though. Site owner's quote:

Quote

For buyers: 12 months $2275 - any size image for as low as $0.25 or up to 9150 images
$0.35 goes to Authors.

Sorry but not another subscription site, no no.
We won't have the possibility to opt out and they're going to pick the "gold images" (whatever that is) themselves. No thanks FP, not another Crestock.

Another site owner's quote:

Quote

I know that customers are leaving for a better deal.

If indeed customers want 10MP+ pictures for 25 dollarcents (2275/9150), they can go shoot those images themselves. Nobody needs 9150 images per year, except CD-resellers, leechers and Heroturko. If a serious company is that big that it needs 9150 pictures per year, they can very well afford the right price, and that ain't 0.25 cents.


« Last Edit: May 28, 2009, 11:07 by FlemishDreams »	Ignore \| Logged

GeoPappas

« Reply #1 on: May 28, 2009, 12:39 »

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Does anyone know when subs will go live?


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sharpshot

« Reply #2 on: May 28, 2009, 12:40 »

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I will see how it goes but it wont be hard for me to leave there, as sales have never been good. It isn't the higher prices that are losing them customers, other sites are doing well without cheap subs. I think the site needs to be redesigned and made a bit more user friendly and they need to do more marketing.


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loop

« Reply #3 on: May 28, 2009, 12:45 »

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The only message they will understand is mass desertion. I'm not there, so I can't dessert, but I would do it right in this moment if I was. More being --for what I've read--, a place that just can garantee every other day sales. I understand that it would be more difficult to dessert SS, but this one should be easy, and that action would convey a clear message everywhere.


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Elena

« Reply #4 on: May 28, 2009, 13:03 »

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Quote from: GeoPappas on May 28, 2009, 12:39

Does anyone know when subs will go live?

Hello GeoPappas!
You will have a month to set a flag "don't list under subscription"

It is optional. We will release a test version for Authors this coming Fri and everybody will have a chance
to submit "gold", skip subscription, confirm "mid-stock".
Thanks, Elena.


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GeoPappas

« Reply #5 on: May 28, 2009, 13:13 »

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Elena:

Thanks for your quick reply.

I am very happy that you will be allowing an opt-out for subs. I'm sure that there are many, many others that feel the same way.


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melastmohican

« Reply #6 on: May 28, 2009, 13:21 »

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I am not going to quit. I uploaded couple thousand images there and stopped. Almost no sales now but maybe it would take off. It's my old stuff anyway so until I see results it is going to stay like that.


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Milinz

« Reply #7 on: May 28, 2009, 13:23 »

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Quote from: Elena on May 28, 2009, 13:03

Quote from: GeoPappas on May 28, 2009, 12:39

Does anyone know when subs will go live?

Hello GeoPappas!
You will have a month to set a flag "don't list under subscription"

It is optional. We will release a test version for Authors this coming Fri and everybody will have a chance
to submit "gold", skip subscription, confirm "mid-stock".
Thanks, Elena.

So, what is the point in having subscription buyers on microstock images with not giving them ALL microstock images on sub?

[EDIT] It may be more clever to restrict download size to say 8mpix than to make opt-out?


« Last Edit: May 28, 2009, 13:25 by Milinz »	Logged

Elena

« Reply #8 on: May 28, 2009, 13:43 »

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[EDIT] It may be more clever to restrict download size to say 8mpix than to make opt-out?

Good option...
So, opt-out bigger than
2400 x 2400?


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donding

« Reply #9 on: May 28, 2009, 21:46 »

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Well I've never sold a thing on FeaturePics so I have absolutely nothing to lose.
I don't quite understand why all of a sudden out of the blue this happens though...it's like everyone has to get on the iStock band wagon!


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sjlocke

« Reply #10 on: May 28, 2009, 22:01 »

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Just curious why you've decided to chase the cheapest part of the market?


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m@m

« Reply #11 on: May 28, 2009, 22:14 »

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Quote from: sjlocke on May 28, 2009, 22:01

Just curious why you've decided to chase the cheapest part of the market?

Probably, because you make money there...I know I have! Wink

Is there a difference between IS money and that of other smaller sites?
Is it worth more?


« Last Edit: May 28, 2009, 22:19 by m@m »	Ignore \| Logged

null

« Reply #12 on: May 28, 2009, 23:04 »

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Quote from: m@m on May 28, 2009, 22:14

Is there a difference between IS money and that of other smaller sites?

On a sidenote, I made more at IS since my last payout (April) than I ever made at FP, with 1/3 of my port. Sure, a few sales are 0.19$ at IS but they are xtra small size and probably just used for a sidebar. Nothing wrong with that. I just don't feel that I can justify for myself selling full sizes at FP for 0.35$ when those same shots are on Zymmetrical for 20$. You could mention SS but I don't upload full size to SS. Also, I have my doubts about customers that need 9150 full-size pictures per year. That's pure leeching or stockpiling.


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Milinz

« Reply #13 on: May 29, 2009, 04:53 »

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Quote from: FlemishDreams on May 28, 2009, 23:04

Quote from: m@m on May 28, 2009, 22:14

Is there a difference between IS money and that of other smaller sites?

OK Elena,
Make there new TOS for contributors with 20% commissions and sell images for $1!
I am sure FlemishDreams will get rich on future sales as well as he will earn much more than on IS ;-)

Just joking Cool

The main problem on FP was too much pricing chaos in microstock images category. When that is unified and taken under control, sales will come! Buyers didn't have a clue why some images are sold for $2 and others of same size for $40 and that same images was listed on other microstock sites.
There is no liberty in microstock pricing for authors. Just choice: to comply or to leave.

The other is with mid-stock category images which must be somehow certified that AUTHORS WARRANT that images from $30 and up will not be found on any other microstock site as well not on any other agency cheaper than listed on FP... So, Alamy guys should be happy to have one more marketplace for their images!

Making some site with thinking only about authors needs is wonderful. But, applying changes which are OK only for authors can't be good for buyers. At the end any photobank needs its USERS and most of all BUYERS!
If you make FP fair place for buyers then they will come!
I am sure you know that Elena!

I am with FP on 100% of my all images (microstock and mid-stock combined)! So, expect to see there what you didn't have chance to see in my portfolio on micros!


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Milinz

« Reply #14 on: May 29, 2009, 05:05 »

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Quote from: FlemishDreams on May 28, 2009, 23:04

Quote from: m@m on May 28, 2009, 22:14

Is there a difference between IS money and that of other smaller sites?

And how many images you sold on Zymm by $20 prices?


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Dreamframer

« Reply #15 on: May 29, 2009, 05:46 »

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I just started to sell at FP. I never stopped to submit there because of their easy upload system and excellent support. I hope all this will increase sales.


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Lcjtripod

« Reply #16 on: May 29, 2009, 05:52 »

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Quote from: Elena on May 28, 2009, 13:43

[EDIT] It may be more clever to restrict download size to say 8mpix than to make opt-out?

Good option...
So, opt-out bigger than
2400 x 2400?

I think all sub sales should be limited to 1800 x 1800 pixels and smaller. All images over that size at regular posted prices.

My 2 Cents.
-Larry


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null

« Reply #17 on: May 29, 2009, 06:07 »

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Quote from: Lcjtripod on May 29, 2009, 05:52

My 2 Cents.

That's what those sub-marines will be selling your shots for, if you let them. If the trend will be 0.35$ per image, I'm out of here. I have better things to do.


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null

« Reply #18 on: May 29, 2009, 06:15 »

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Quote from: Whitechild on May 29, 2009, 05:46

I just started to sell at FP. I never stopped to submit there because of their easy upload system

Try Flickr then. Easy upload, no releases, and a lot of wows and badges.
Relying on the FP widget for the port on my site was a very big mistake. That will teach me a lesson. Only rely on yourself. Per month I make much more on DT than I ever made on FP in 3 years from when they started, although I always supported them. If they go through with the 0.35 plan for full size shots, I'm gone.
If you sell a lot, good for you. I don't any more. Guess I fell out of the grace of their search engine.


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Milinz

« Reply #19 on: May 29, 2009, 07:02 »

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Quote from: FlemishDreams on May 29, 2009, 06:15

Quote from: Whitechild on May 29, 2009, 05:46

I just started to sell at FP. I never stopped to submit there because of their easy upload system

The problem dude is that you sell micros on high prices on FP - that is why you didn't sell much... Either you make two different products in your work (one for microstock - which is relatively easy to make, and other for mid-stock - which looks different than micros and is harder to make - including your selected best images not uploaded on micros). If you sell the same image here for $50 and there for $5 then you'll have only sales there for $5!

Buyers are not morons! And when authors realize that, sales will come!

Just to add: Microstock is microstock and subs are inavoidable reality!


« Last Edit: May 29, 2009, 07:06 by Milinz »	Logged

Dreamframer

« Reply #20 on: May 29, 2009, 07:07 »

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Flemish, why don't you just wait a bit and see what's happening? Calm down a bit. You see all the sh*t going on in microstock world. Looks like it's only a matter of time when some site will disappoint us.
I love DT too, I really do. But these guys at Featurepics are cool too. They are small, but they are fair enough to us, if you look at some other agencies. Let's give them a chance. No need to leave the same minute they introduce subs...

Wait a bit, it doesn't hurt so much.


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Milinz

« Reply #21 on: May 29, 2009, 07:17 »

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Quote from: Whitechild on May 29, 2009, 07:07

Wait a bit, it doesn't hurt so much.

Small now, but new policy will make that site grow fast soon!
I will stick there and enjoy watching my sales growing...
I expect growth of at least 200% soon... That will be very interesting to watch ;-)


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Milinz

« Reply #22 on: May 29, 2009, 07:26 »

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Quote from: sharpshot on May 28, 2009, 12:40

Yes... Marketing... If you didn't noticed there is more money for authors than actual price of sub packages charged!
Also many new Features - quite good for niche of FEATUREPICS... I really can't wait to see new effects.
I am sure that those authors who are not straight in their pricing and are sitting on two chairs with same butt will leave - they are not needed anyway on any serious agency. If they don't leave, buyers will make them leave for sure... New TOS predict that image listed as mid-stock on FP found by ANY buyer on any other microstock sithe means AUTOMATIC BAN for that AUTHOR... And some other consequences... So, only serious STOCK and microstock authors will stay there and that will bring many other serious authors ;-)

Some people I know from Alamy and some other BIG BIG agencies are already signed in or preparing to pop-in ;-)


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null

« Reply #23 on: May 29, 2009, 08:19 »

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Quote from: Whitechild on May 29, 2009, 07:07

Let's give them a chance. No need to leave the same minute they introduce subs...

Wait a bit, it doesn't hurt so much.

That's how you make a frog boil without screaming and jumping out of the bowl. Just cook him on a very slow fire. A cent less per day keeps the sorrows away, and then one day you find yourself on PhotoXpress, working for a datamining shark. FP used to be great, now they left their previous business model.


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Squat

« Reply #24 on: May 29, 2009, 08:48 »

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Quote from: FlemishDreams on May 28, 2009, 23:04

Actually it was from one of such similar comments a while back that made me decide to do the same ie. upload only smaller sizes to sub sites. Except for some sites you really have no choice but 3MP min Dreamstime and 4MP min for Fotolia. Although I really don't mind with either of them , especially Fotolia as I have been getting +1$ for most of my downloads, and most recently 6$.

As for FP, I thought they were cool but after nothing happened, I sort of forgot about them. Unlike ScanStock which is supposed to be smaller than FP which I have in the same time as FP,Zymm,etc...
made 3Euro, which is not much I know, but is still more than zero(FP), zero(zymm), zero(MostPhoto lol)


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