MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => New Sites - General => Topic started by: Kngkyle on October 23, 2007, 18:46

Title: The Best of the Worst
Post by: Kngkyle on October 23, 2007, 18:46
So which ones are the best of the worst? (The New sites/low earners)

Which ones do you think are worth uploading to?
Title: Re: The Best of the Worst
Post by: Tim Markley on October 23, 2007, 18:55
I am holding out hope for snapvillage, the got a big backer in Corbis.
Title: Re: The Best of the Worst
Post by: Clivia on October 24, 2007, 01:40
I am holding out hope for snapvillage, the got a big backer in Corbis.

I would vote for Snapvillage, just because of their backers. I also am have hopes for Albumo, they seem to have their act together.
Title: Re: The Best of the Worst
Post by: leaf on October 24, 2007, 06:28
ahh case in point...

exactly why i think it would be nice to  include most - or all the sites in the polls.  So we can know which sites people like.  No one can submit to ALL the sites, but perhaps amoungst all of use, we do submit to all the sites.

to answer your question though, I would put my bets on snapvillage then albumo - assuming we are picking from the sites listed in the īnew sitesīarea
Title: Re: The Best of the Worst
Post by: PaulieWalnuts on October 24, 2007, 06:55
Snapvillage. While they haven't taken an ideal approach to launching a new site, they're fixing all of the problems, are backed by Corbis (and Bill Gates?), and will eventually get everything sorted out. I'm hopefull the model of contributors setting their own prices will work out.
Title: Re: The Best of the Worst
Post by: gustyx on October 24, 2007, 15:30
I am not your opinion about snapvillage. They do sell nothing. Itīs slow, also by uploading, no ftp. With Safari you canīt even upload images - it donīt work, so they exclude Mac user.
Title: Re: The Best of the Worst
Post by: ason on October 24, 2007, 15:38
Hmmm. I also go for snapvillage....heavy metall Corbis & Gate...
Title: Re: The Best of the Worst
Post by: Karimala on October 24, 2007, 17:00
I'm going with PhotoShelter, Snapvillage and possibly Moodboard.  Photoshelter and Moodboard will appeal to more traditional buyers. 

Albumo won't get my support though, and I think a lot of folks will bail once they realize the pricing and image size structure isn't favorable for artists.  As soon as my 14 months is up, I'm removing my portfolio.
Title: Re: The Best of the Worst
Post by: a.k.a.-tom on October 24, 2007, 17:28
I hope to see more activity here. This is exactly what I need, I'm ready to expand a couple more sites. I will be very interested in all opinions.

leaf.... I tend to agree with you.  The poll would at least give a 'snapshot' on these lesser known and newer sites!!    8) -tom
Title: Re: The Best of the Worst
Post by: PaulieWalnuts on October 24, 2007, 20:45
I'm going with PhotoShelter, Snapvillage and possibly Moodboard.  Photoshelter and Moodboard will appeal to more traditional buyers. 

Albumo won't get my support though, and I think a lot of folks will bail once they realize the pricing and image size structure isn't favorable for artists.  As soon as my 14 months is up, I'm removing my portfolio.

The 14 month thing is for the people who got paid for uploading, right? Or did I miss something and everybody is stuck for 14 months? I think their marketing statement may have been a bamboozle. I don't see any evidence of them attracting buyers.
Title: Re: The Best of the Worst
Post by: innis on October 25, 2007, 07:04
Snapvillage. I wouldn't expect sales yet: they're still in 'content collection' mode...if my file numbers are any indication (are they?) they have around 145,000 images so far. Not enough yet for them to go up against istock and the like. I'm thinking it'll take off in six months/a year...if enough photographers put good stuff up. I hope too that their 'snappyness' system will push the good pictures to the forefront of searches (and bury the mediocre filler...)
Pricing stuff around $10 at the moment, but might try some higher later. Trying to leave as many positive comments on the pictures I like, too.
Title: Re: The Best of the Worst
Post by: null on October 25, 2007, 09:23
I won't count Geckostock and Albumo as they are too new. To compare 2 sites that are each 1 year old now:
Best: FeaturePics (second payout on its way).
Worst: LuckyOliver: 400 photos, 9000 views, 19 dowloads, 13$. Just converted my 13$ to 10$ credits since I will never reach the 100$ payout there. After that, I'm an ex-carnie.
Title: Re: The Best of the Worst
Post by: Pixart on October 25, 2007, 09:56
Worst: LuckyOliver: 400 photos, 9000 views, 19 dowloads, 13$. Just converted my 13$ to 10$ credits since I will never reach the 100$ payout there. After that, I'm an ex-carnie.

I don't get it.  I've looked at your photos before and they are pretty darn good, and you know how to keyword.  Why do you only have 19 dl's?  Yours are much better stock photos than mine, but I have about 250 there and 41 sales.  I'm not sure how the commenting game affects sales - but I had sales when we played it before, and I had 5 sales in the first half of this month when I had more time to comment - no sales in the last half when I've been too busy.   

I was wondering what the buzz is on photoshelter? I certainly like the commissions they plan to pay.

I also have a few on Albumo, but is it the general opinion that SnapVillage is a better gamble?
Title: Re: The Best of the Worst
Post by: nialat on October 25, 2007, 10:09
I like trying the new sites, we never know, one of then can become the next BIG one.

As long as they have FTP I'll upload... if they don't have it, I mostly only upload a few to test it and then wait for FTP to come.
Title: Re: The Best of the Worst
Post by: Kngkyle on November 02, 2007, 17:35
bump.  ;)
Title: Re: The Best of the Worst
Post by: vonkara on November 02, 2007, 17:58
There's no place for other big agencies. The top five is there to stay.
Title: Re: The Best of the Worst
Post by: epixx on November 02, 2007, 22:25
There's no place for other big agencies. The top five is there to stay.

It's still early days, and agencies with enough resources, like Snapvillage and 123rf, must certainly be counted in. Age Photostock also have plans for a microstock offspring, and I don't doubt that it will be an interesting attempt.
Title: Re: The Best of the Worst
Post by: berryspun on November 03, 2007, 00:14
For real estate, it's the 3 magic words:  "location - location - location"

For microstock, it should be :  "easiness- easiness - easiness"

1.  easiness of finding the stock site = good marketing

2.  easiness of finding the picture = not only relevant keywords, but also having a system where we can efficiently eliminate the non-relevant keywords in order to pinpoint the  search result in a timely manner.

3. easiness of buying: transparency in registering, navigating, downloading, financial, and follow-up if needed.

If a new stock site focuses on there 3 easiness for the buyer, it will have success.

At this point I would go for Lucky Oliver. Once there is a significant marketing of the site done it should be good.
Title: Re: The Best of the Worst
Post by: leaf on November 03, 2007, 03:08
For real estate, it's the 3 magic words:  "location - location - location"

For microstock, it should be :  "easiness- easiness - easiness"

1.  easiness of finding the stock site = good marketing

2.  easiness of finding the picture = not only relevant keywords, but also having a system where we can efficiently eliminate the non-relevant keywords in order to pinpoint the  search result in a timely manner.

3. easiness of buying: transparency in registering, navigating, downloading, financial, and follow-up if needed.

If a new stock site focuses on there 3 easiness for the buyer, it will have success.

At this point I would go for Lucky Oliver. Once there is a significant marketing of the site done it should be good.

and easiness for the suppliers to get the product to location (photographers uploading photos)  Lucky oliver is also on top of that one.