MicrostockGroup Sponsors


Author Topic: Alamy "good news"!  (Read 27811 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

« Reply #50 on: December 04, 2018, 13:03 »
+6
And yet another one of the agencies going the corporate greed way.

As if taking 10% of our cut is going to propel them into tier 1, what a shameless cash grab.

Their way of thinking is: the 2010 cut worked so well after a few years, contributors noticed the difference 3 years later, maybe it works if we do that again.
"Sorry guys, we just feel this is another one of those 'phases', surely you don't mind a cut now things are going crappy already and wait another 3-5 years to see improvement? What was that? No? Too late, it's done. Merry Christmas!"


« Reply #51 on: December 04, 2018, 13:05 »
+6
I don't disagree really I just never thought agencies were here to make us richer that's just a by product. Income reducing overall is simply a function of over supply.

Yeah, it's not all that big of a deal because the trend in microstock hasn't been good regardless of what Alamy does. It's just kind of funny when I did the math that  it seems like the 10% royalty drop means I have to sell roughly 25% more to make the same amount of money. Seems like a lot of pressure for success on my end. I'm not necessarily expecting big things, but I'm probably jaded anyway. :D

Its not really a 10% drop in royalty. Its a 20% drop

I.e. if you sell a license now for $100 your cut is $50 (50%)
If you sell that same $100 licence your cut is going to be $40 a difference of $10

$10 of $50 is 20%

dpimborough

« Reply #52 on: December 04, 2018, 13:23 »
+2
And yet another one of the agencies going the corporate greed way.

As if taking 10% of our cut is going to propel them into tier 1, what a shameless cash grab.

Their way of thinking is: the 2010 cut worked so well after a few years, contributors noticed the difference 3 years later, maybe it works if we do that again.
"Sorry guys, we just feel this is another one of those 'phases', surely you don't mind a cut now things are going crappy already and wait another 3-5 years to see improvement? What was that? No? Too late, it's done. Merry Christmas!"

It's a 20% cut not 10%  :(  50% down to 40% is a 20% reduction

Sorry Noodle beat me to it :D

« Reply #53 on: December 04, 2018, 13:28 »
+2
And yet another one of the agencies going the corporate greed way.

As if taking 10% of our cut is going to propel them into tier 1, what a shameless cash grab.

Their way of thinking is: the 2010 cut worked so well after a few years, contributors noticed the difference 3 years later, maybe it works if we do that again.
"Sorry guys, we just feel this is another one of those 'phases', surely you don't mind a cut now things are going crappy already and wait another 3-5 years to see improvement? What was that? No? Too late, it's done. Merry Christmas!"

It's a 20% cut not 10%  :(  50% down to 40% is a 20% reduction

Sorry Noodle beat me to it :D

Which means you will have to increase turnover by 25% to stay still.

Uncle Pete

  • Great Place by a Great Lake - My Home Port
« Reply #54 on: December 04, 2018, 13:39 »
+2
I don't disagree really I just never thought agencies were here to make us richer that's just a by product. Income reducing overall is simply a function of over supply.

Yeah, it's not all that big of a deal because the trend in microstock hasn't been good regardless of what Alamy does. It's just kind of funny when I did the math that  it seems like the 10% royalty drop means I have to sell roughly 25% more to make the same amount of money. Seems like a lot of pressure for success on my end. I'm not necessarily expecting big things, but I'm probably jaded anyway. :D

Right: Sell $1,000 in licenses, we got $500, next year sell $1,000 we get $400. We will have to sell $1250 in licenses in 2019 to make that same $500

In other words, yes we will need to increase sales 25% to make the same as we did in the past.

Contrary to twisted math logic, a 10% cut is a 10% cut. Earnings may drop at a different rate, but 40% is still 10 less than 50%.  :)


Which means you will have to increase turnover by 25% to stay still.

Right again

dpimborough

« Reply #55 on: December 04, 2018, 13:39 »
0
And yet another one of the agencies going the corporate greed way.

As if taking 10% of our cut is going to propel them into tier 1, what a shameless cash grab.

Their way of thinking is: the 2010 cut worked so well after a few years, contributors noticed the difference 3 years later, maybe it works if we do that again.
"Sorry guys, we just feel this is another one of those 'phases', surely you don't mind a cut now things are going crappy already and wait another 3-5 years to see improvement? What was that? No? Too late, it's done. Merry Christmas!"

It's a 20% cut not 10%  :(  50% down to 40% is a 20% reduction

Sorry Noodle beat me to it :D

Which means you will have to increase turnover by 25% to stay still.

Math is horrible :D

« Reply #56 on: December 04, 2018, 15:25 »
+5
No twisted math logic that I can see. It's a 10 percentage point drop vs a 20 percent decrease in what is actually being measured. Everyone is correct, and we all lose.

« Reply #57 on: December 04, 2018, 20:38 »
0
CALM DOWN....CALM DOWN everyone. We will make it up in volume! ;)

« Reply #58 on: December 05, 2018, 00:59 »
0
No twisted math logic that I can see. It's a 10 percentage point drop vs a 20 percent decrease in what is actually being measured. Everyone is correct, and we all lose.

So 10% + 20% = 30% loss in happiness?  ;D

« Reply #59 on: December 05, 2018, 03:12 »
0
No twisted math logic that I can see. It's a 10 percentage point drop vs a 20 percent decrease in what is actually being measured. Everyone is correct, and we all lose.
A 20% drop in income is the most meaningful way to look at in my opinion as that is the direct impact on contributors.

« Reply #60 on: December 05, 2018, 03:24 »
+2
Read James West comments on the Alamy forum! He associates Alamy with SS and Getty. It won't stop here. The race to the bottom has started on Alamy. Biiig commission cuts on the horizon.

« Reply #61 on: December 05, 2018, 05:29 »
+3
James West looked like a different person in that video.  This ends my love of Alamy.  I wont upload more there, I'll look at other options.

« Reply #62 on: December 05, 2018, 05:43 »
+4
James West looked like a different person in that video.  This ends my love of Alamy.  I wont upload more there, I'll look at other options.

This, more than anything. I used to actively recommend Alamy to everyone, buyer or seller. I truly liked them as a fair company. No longer.

« Reply #63 on: December 05, 2018, 06:22 »
0
The best thing is, that they take our money to get bigger share of the market. But as we all sell on different places, not only on Alamy, they in fact use our money to lower our income from other sites. They don't rise our share, for us its not difference (yes, that still pay a little more than some others, obviously until next crisis) , but we lost the money for ever...

« Reply #64 on: December 05, 2018, 06:42 »
+2
No twisted math logic that I can see. It's a 10 percentage point drop vs a 20 percent decrease in what is actually being measured. Everyone is correct, and we all lose.

So 10% + 20% = 30% loss in happiness?  ;D

Let me put it this way,

Where c=Commission and h=Happiness then,

c-(.2c)=0(h)

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #65 on: December 05, 2018, 06:48 »
+1
The best thing is, that they take our money to get bigger share of the market. But as we all sell on different places, not only on Alamy, they in fact use our money to lower our income from other sites. They don't rise our share, for us its not difference (yes, that still pay a little more than some others, obviously until next crisis) , but we lost the money for ever...
Which sites are you on where you'll get a better rpd, even with the 20% cut?
How will they "lower your income from other sites"?
On the contrary, it's the low subs sites which have made customer expectation of unsustainably low prices, which is knocking on to Alamy.
« Last Edit: December 05, 2018, 06:55 by ShadySue »

« Reply #66 on: December 05, 2018, 07:04 »
0
The best thing is, that they take our money to get bigger share of the market. But as we all sell on different places, not only on Alamy, they in fact use our money to lower our income from other sites. They don't rise our share, for us its not difference (yes, that still pay a little more than some others, obviously until next crisis) , but we lost the money for ever...
Which sites are you on where you'll get a better rpd, even with the 20% cut?
How will they "lower your income from other sites"?
On the contrary, it's the low subs sites which have made customer expectation of unsustainably low prices, which is knocking on to Alamy.
If they take market share from other microstock sites then yes that lowers income from those sites but as you say that is likely to still result in a net gain even at the new rates. If they take it from other high cost  "premium" sites then those people with content there could lose out but it would be a gain for me. Given they are typically more expensive than the microstock sites their main target will be "mid stock" I think. Unfortunately current prices are not "unsustainable".
« Last Edit: December 05, 2018, 07:10 by Pauws99 »


ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #67 on: December 05, 2018, 07:15 »
0
The best thing is, that they take our money to get bigger share of the market. But as we all sell on different places, not only on Alamy, they in fact use our money to lower our income from other sites. They don't rise our share, for us its not difference (yes, that still pay a little more than some others, obviously until next crisis) , but we lost the money for ever...
Which sites are you on where you'll get a better rpd, even with the 20% cut?
How will they "lower your income from other sites"?
On the contrary, it's the low subs sites which have made customer expectation of unsustainably low prices, which is knocking on to Alamy.
If they take market share from other microstock sites then yes that lowers income from those sites but as you say that is likely to still result in a net gain even at the new rates. If they take it from other high cost  "premium" sites then those people with content there could lose out but it would be a gain for me. Given they are typically more expensive than the microstock sites their main target will be "mid stock" I think. Unfortunately current prices are not "unsustainable".
But even if you take it that cosus was concerned about their income from premium sites being hit (but this is a microstock site), surely the micros are eating more into that market than Alamy is?

Unfortunately, I think current prices are indeed unsustainable for us.

Uncle Pete

  • Great Place by a Great Lake - My Home Port
« Reply #68 on: December 05, 2018, 07:26 »
+2
No twisted math logic that I can see. It's a 10 percentage point drop vs a 20 percent decrease in what is actually being measured. Everyone is correct, and we all lose.

Yes of course, we are all correct. It's just that calling a 10% cut in commission something else, isn't right. Yes of course, we will be taking a 20% cut in earnings as a result. One is not the other, but they are both true.

This just makes me less interested in the $11.25 I will get for an average download, instead of the average $15 in 2018. They dropped prices and now dropped our cut. I will therefore drop my enthusiasm.  ;D

I should explain. Years ago I made some good money, per download on Alamy. Roughly $88! But in 2012 I started uploading the same work to Shutterstock, and discovered that even with subs and OD and all that Microstock payment, I was making more from the same photos, on Shutterstock. If they are going to cut me down even more, I'm not going to care much about uploading to them. I'll submit to SS and AS before I spend any time on Alamy.

I'll work where the returns are best, bottom line, earned income, not where the percentages are best.

James West looked like a different person in that video.  This ends my love of Alamy.  I wont upload more there, I'll look at other options.

This, more than anything. I used to actively recommend Alamy to everyone, buyer or seller. I truly liked them as a fair company. No longer.

Yes and yes
« Last Edit: December 05, 2018, 07:30 by Uncle Pete »

« Reply #69 on: December 05, 2018, 07:37 »
0


Unfortunately, I think current prices are indeed unsustainable for us.
They may be but that doesn't make prices unsustainable in the market. I see no evidence of supply drying up or any sign of suppliers increasing prices.

Brasilnut

  • Author Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock & Blog

« Reply #70 on: December 05, 2018, 07:48 »
+1
The problem isn't so much the 10% (or 20% however you look at it) cut, since that's still quite a bit above the industry average of around 30% and much much higher than iStock at 15% on non-exclusive. The issue is that Alamy veterans are experiencing year on year declines on average $ per download. So it's effectively a double-whammy that is being dealt to contributors. This isn't immune to Alamy though...look at earnings on SS for 10+ year contributors.

I think they could have framed their communication to contributors much better. If they need money to invest in the business, why not take out business loans, interest rates are super low in the UK.

« Reply #71 on: December 05, 2018, 08:01 »
+2
The problem isn't so much the 10% (or 20% however you look at it) cut, since that's still quite a bit above the industry average of around 30% and much much higher than iStock at 15% on non-exclusive. The issue is that Alamy veterans are experiencing year on year declines on average $ per download. So it's effectively a double-whammy that is being dealt to contributors. This isn't immune to Alamy though...look at earnings on SS for 10+ year contributors.

I think they could have framed their communication to contributors much better. If they need money to invest in the business, why not take out business loans, interest rates are super low in the UK.
I'd love to see the business case for a loan...would any of us lend them money based on their proposal? Once they are in debt then you can be sure our commissions would plummet....look at Getty.
« Last Edit: December 05, 2018, 08:03 by Pauws99 »

« Reply #72 on: December 05, 2018, 08:52 »
0
The best thing is, that they take our money to get bigger share of the market. But as we all sell on different places, not only on Alamy, they in fact use our money to lower our income from other sites. They don't rise our share, for us its not difference (yes, that still pay a little more than some others, obviously until next crisis) , but we lost the money for ever...
Which sites are you on where you'll get a better rpd, even with the 20% cut?
How will they "lower your income from other sites"?
On the contrary, it's the low subs sites which have made customer expectation of unsustainably low prices, which is knocking on to Alamy.
If they take market share from other microstock sites then yes that lowers income from those sites but as you say that is likely to still result in a net gain even at the new rates. If they take it from other high cost  "premium" sites then those people with content there could lose out but it would be a gain for me. Given they are typically more expensive than the microstock sites their main target will be "mid stock" I think. Unfortunately current prices are not "unsustainable".
But even if you take it that cosus was concerned about their income from premium sites being hit (but this is a microstock site), surely the micros are eating more into that market than Alamy is?

Unfortunately, I think current prices are indeed unsustainable for us.

Well, they are not creating new market I guess, so they just want to take bigger share of existing market. So you will pay 20% of your money for moving part of your sells from another site to Alamy. And I really don't think that the another site will be iStock (unfortunately).

Btw. I'm curious -  is there any active contributor from some really rich and expensive country like Norway or Switzerland?

« Reply #73 on: December 05, 2018, 09:07 »
0
The best thing is, that they take our money to get bigger share of the market. But as we all sell on different places, not only on Alamy, they in fact use our money to lower our income from other sites. They don't rise our share, for us its not difference (yes, that still pay a little more than some others, obviously until next crisis) , but we lost the money for ever...
Which sites are you on where you'll get a better rpd, even with the 20% cut?
How will they "lower your income from other sites"?
On the contrary, it's the low subs sites which have made customer expectation of unsustainably low prices, which is knocking on to Alamy.
If they take market share from other microstock sites then yes that lowers income from those sites but as you say that is likely to still result in a net gain even at the new rates. If they take it from other high cost  "premium" sites then those people with content there could lose out but it would be a gain for me. Given they are typically more expensive than the microstock sites their main target will be "mid stock" I think. Unfortunately current prices are not "unsustainable".
But even if you take it that cosus was concerned about their income from premium sites being hit (but this is a microstock site), surely the micros are eating more into that market than Alamy is?

Unfortunately, I think current prices are indeed unsustainable for us.

Well, they are not creating new market I guess, so they just want to take bigger share of existing market. So you will pay 20% of your money for moving part of your sells from another site to Alamy. And I really don't think that the another site will be iStock (unfortunately).

Btw. I'm curious -  is there any active contributor from some really rich and expensive country like Norway or Switzerland?
That depends if they are moving sales from a site you sell on....there's quite a few editorial sites that many of us don't have access to. Rex images owned by shutterstock for example.

« Reply #74 on: December 05, 2018, 09:19 »
0
The best thing is, that they take our money to get bigger share of the market. But as we all sell on different places, not only on Alamy, they in fact use our money to lower our income from other sites. They don't rise our share, for us its not difference (yes, that still pay a little more than some others, obviously until next crisis) , but we lost the money for ever...
Which sites are you on where you'll get a better rpd, even with the 20% cut?
How will they "lower your income from other sites"?
On the contrary, it's the low subs sites which have made customer expectation of unsustainably low prices, which is knocking on to Alamy.
If they take market share from other microstock sites then yes that lowers income from those sites but as you say that is likely to still result in a net gain even at the new rates. If they take it from other high cost  "premium" sites then those people with content there could lose out but it would be a gain for me. Given they are typically more expensive than the microstock sites their main target will be "mid stock" I think. Unfortunately current prices are not "unsustainable".
But even if you take it that cosus was concerned about their income from premium sites being hit (but this is a microstock site), surely the micros are eating more into that market than Alamy is?

Unfortunately, I think current prices are indeed unsustainable for us.

Well, they are not creating new market I guess, so they just want to take bigger share of existing market. So you will pay 20% of your money for moving part of your sells from another site to Alamy. And I really don't think that the another site will be iStock (unfortunately).

Btw. I'm curious -  is there any active contributor from some really rich and expensive country like Norway or Switzerland?
That depends if they are moving sales from a site you sell on....there's quite a few editorial sites that many of us don't have access to. Rex images owned by shutterstock for example.

Yes, for someone it can be better than for someone else, but in general its like I wrote.



 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
179 Replies
28463 Views
Last post March 26, 2019, 04:33
by swisschocolate
16 Replies
5094 Views
Last post March 25, 2019, 13:07
by swisschocolate
8 Replies
4951 Views
Last post April 06, 2019, 01:20
by Chichikov
6 Replies
6765 Views
Last post October 21, 2020, 10:03
by Uncle Pete
86 Replies
20496 Views
Last post November 15, 2021, 11:48
by Uncle Pete

Sponsors

Mega Bundle of 5,900+ Professional Lightroom Presets

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors