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Obviously, I'd rather sell things, but I don't think the concept of free is all that horrible. It really depends on how it is done.
Quote from: cthoman on June 15, 2010, 16:25Obviously, I'd rather sell things, but I don't think the concept of free is all that horrible. It really depends on how it is done.No it doesn't. Giving away your work is idiotic, "advertisment" or not.
Obviously, I'd rather sell things, but I don't think the concept of free is all that horrible. It really depends on how it is done. If they gave away small web images that were specially watermarked with the agency and artist info, that might work as good advertisement. Then, clients would pay for the upgrade like a non-watermarked image or a larger size. I think that is what most of the "free-conomics" business models are based on is buying the upgrades. I'm not sure if any of the stock agencies free sites work like that.
I'd agree that in certain situations I think free is okay for stock photography but only when it's a direct incentive to buy. Buy 10 images, get one free. 10 free images when you buy a $200 credit package.
I've seen nothing, but prices going up. I've heard nothing, but the main agencies talking about increased revenue. "Free" just sounds naive. If you're worried about free, stop submitting to 8 million agencies all trying to make the same dollar. Back the sites that are making you real money and keep prices moving in the right direction.
Btw, the only people talking about 'big changes' or 'free' are those who aren't actually active in micro. The 'pundits' of the industry if you will .
I know some of you commented on this in the other thread but anyway feel free to say few words.
Yes, prices are going up at several sites which is a step in the right direction. Good trend.But cutting the contributor's chunk of sales also seems to be in the works for most sites. Not a good trend.
The real threat isn't going to an all free system. It's the sites squeezing our royalties on the one end while they squeeze customers on the other. But that will eventually fail for the same reason the freebies would. Once the most talented contributors find it isn't worth their while to submit anymore the sites will lose the good content, and buyers will once again be stuck with poorly isolated objects and grab shots from the garden.
Guys the concept of "Freemium" although we do not like it is here to stay. I have heard various movers and shakers on the management side of micro talking about it over the last 6 months as the next natural step of their marketing campaigns.
I guess it would boil down to how much work I'd have to do to wade through the garbage and find the gems.
Quote from: Neustock Media on June 16, 2010, 13:59Guys the concept of "Freemium" although we do not like it is here to stay. I have heard various movers and shakers on the management side of micro talking about it over the last 6 months as the next natural step of their marketing campaigns."movers and shakers" should do more work doing real promotion and less moving and shaking.
The knee-jerk reaction to this is to say "free is stupid." But I agree with the minority here... it's possible to envision a scenario in which something is given free and leads to payment by some means afterward.
Look at the way Fotolia is using everystockphoto.com if you want to see this in action.
"Once a marketing gimmick, free has emerged as a full-fledged economy. Offering free music proved successful for Radiohead, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, and a swarm of other bands on MySpace that grasped the audience-building merits of zero. The fastest-growing parts of the gaming industry are ad-supported casual games online and free-to-try massively multiplayer online games. ."
(like your new avatar pic, BTW ).
"Free" is meant to appetize, not to replace.
Quote from: lisafx on June 16, 2010, 12:55(like your new avatar pic, BTW ). Hey thanks. I had the fever for some cowbell. But I figured it was time to put Mr. Walnuts back.
I don't see a big difference between giving away pictures free, and earning $0.26 "XSmall" royalties, of which I have seen an inordinate number lately. /gripe
I don't see a big difference between giving away pictures free, and earning $0.26 "XSmall" royalties,
I don't like the prices of subscription as well, but what can I do?