Fair Trade Initiative Launched + Submissions Manager Improvements

[zymmetrical]

Fair Trade Initiative
Zymmetrical is committed. So much so, we have added a “fair trade” logo to our home page. This logo is a pledge that we stand by our promise to deliver the most value to all the artists that we proudly represent.

Fair Trade is a reflection of giving back as much to the creator as is possible. While other agencies often only split revenues 20% to 50% with their creative members, we stand firm on 70%, so that most of the money made goes back to the artist and promotes sustainability. A happy and well-compensated artist is an one who can continue creating in the long-term.



New submission interface
In order to speed up approval time, we have added a few elements to our Submissions Manager page (www.zymmetrical.com/account/submissions/). You can now check embedded IPTC keywords and/or add new ones, select your pricing and the category. We have even added a nifty spell check to make sure all your keywords are perfect. Once you have done that, your image will move to the top of the queue.

This does not guarantee approval, as all submissions must still be inspected by our professional reviewers for technical and conceptual quality, however it will certainly help in getting images processed faster.

[sharpshot]

I am sure you have the best intentions but I don't think this is the way to go. 

The other site that pays me 70% is my worst selling site.  The site that pays me 20% is my second highest paying site.  This is because the site that pays 70% has no money left to advertise while the site that pays 20% has big adverts in design magazines every month.

I used to think the site that pays me 70% was the best but after 18 month it is obvious to me that the site that attracts buyers is the best.  50% is a good compromise, as that leaves the site with extra money for promotion.

[sjlocke]

I don't think putting up your own logo for your own definition of what's fair is going to impress anyone.  Sorry.

[RT]

I think by using the 'fairtrade' terminology you are making a mockery of what the whole fairtrade scheme is about, and it's not just some catchphrase to sell stock photos at a cut price.

Real people who have real life problems benefit through the fairtrade scheme and I don't think it should be piggy backed to promote your stock site.

I really do hope that the fairtrade scheme has some sort of trademark on that term and that they commence legal action against you.

Pathetic.

[madelaide]

Wasn't the 70% in Zymm temporary?

Regards,
Adelaide

[zymmetrical]

70% is definitely not temporary or a "promo commission".

[grp_photo]

It's a good policy but i also think you should rename it because of the third-world program with identical name.

[zymmetrical]

   We consider all options.

[yingyang0]

Pathetic.

Well said.

 YOU'RE NOT FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED! Yet you purposely made you're FORGERY look suspiciously like the real thing. You're making a mockery of a wonderful program. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

[Pixart]

Whoa, guys settle down.   Keith, you can see that you've received strong reactions over this?

Is Zym intentionally exploiting Fair Trade?  I hope not.  Yet, you have every right to let buyers and sellers know that you intend to be the fairest agency in the business.  But how do you convey this message without insulting some and without coming across as standing on a soapbox?

If are confused by the fierce reaction you have recieved, please read the following from the faqs of the International Fair Trade Website www.ifat.org

Q. What is Fair Trade?
A. Fair trade means that farmers, workers, and artisans:
-receive a sufficient price under direct long-term contracts,
-are small-scale producers in democratic co-ops (coffee, cocoa, bananas, fruits, crafts) or workers on larger farms who receive a living wage and can bargain collectively (tea, bananas, fruits),
-don't use abusive child labor or forced labor, and
-use ecologically sustainable methods.

Yes, we may be artisans, but most of us "contributors" are blessed with a life of opportunity and I really don't think that anyone wants to be confused with a cocoa bean worker or a lace maker. 

Although I may understand the message you are trying to convey, I believe you need to rethink how to present it.

It's not important just for contributors to know that you "Pay Fairly".  I know that buyers would support you with this point as well.

One designer did join us for a few conversations earlier this year.  This is one thing that she had to say about commissions:

If I can spend that money ethically, for lack of a better term, with vendors who treat their artists right and pay reasonable money, then I will. But I have to know who those vendors are, and nothing about that has ever crossed my radar.  Sounds like a grassroots education movement waiting to happen!

[leaf]

wow, what a mixed back of reactions.

I do think that what matters in the end is how much $$ we have in our pockets.  There are enough non producing sites out there allready, but if you can make a successful company by giving photographers 70% more power to you.  Many others have tried (with less %) and were unsuccessful, so I hope your idea works.

As far as the 'fair trade' idea..
I don't think the terms fair trade are copyright.. I know photographers direct uses that exact same phrase as well.

Photographers Direct  =  Fair Trade Stock Photography

In response to the enormous changes that have taken place in the photo business in the past few years, we have pioneered the concept of
"Fair Trade Stock Photography"

http://www.photographersdirect.com/

Was it mostly the logo that was the problem yingyang?

[zymmetrical]

Logo was incorrect, accidentally put one of the drafts up. Fixed.      

[yingyang0]

Was it mostly the logo that was the problem yingyang?

Yes.

Logo was incorrect, accidentally put one of the drafts up. Fixed.      

FIXED HOW? IT'S STILL UP ON THE HOMEPAGE OF YOUR WEBSITE!

Fair Trade was created to help poor farmers in 3rd world countries earn a fair/living wage for the agricultural products they farm. By using their logo you are spitting on the efforts of all the people that have tried to help the less fortunate.

Call it fair trade, that's fine, just come up with an original logo and stop using a logo that is confusingly similar in the eyes of the average consumer (aka trademark infringement).

P.S. Claiming it is fixed when it is not makes zymmetrical/flyerstarter look incompetent.

[zymmetrical]

Have you tried pressing F5?  Also, might I suggest, decaf?

Was it mostly the logo that was the problem yingyang?

Yes.

Logo was incorrect, accidentally put one of the drafts up. Fixed.      

FIXED HOW? IT'S STILL UP ON THE HOMEPAGE OF YOUR WEBSITE!

Fair Trade was created to help poor farmers in 3rd world countries earn a fair/living wage for the agricultural products they farm. By using their logo you are spitting on the efforts of all the people that have tried to help the less fortunate.

Call it fair trade, that's fine, just come up with an original logo and stop using a logo that is confusingly similar in the eyes of the average consumer (aka trademark infringement).

P.S. Claiming it is fixed when it is not makes zymmetrical/flyerstarter look incompetent.

[yingyang0]

Have you tried pressing F5?  Also, might I suggest, decaf?

Sorry, egg on face, but it shouldn't have been an issue in the first place. As for decaf, I've tried and failed. Also your website seems abnormally slow to load today.

[zymmetrical]

Happens.. number one rule when something is wrong. F5. 

It's seeming ok from EU and US.  We just broke 100,000 in Alexa today maybe theres a bonus prize of traffic.

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