I found this on the internet, not sure if it is still up to date.

http://microstockinsider.com/referral_schemes

I always thought, that the goal of a referral program was to encourage the sales talent in the community.

Just like many artists who are now successful stock photographers come from a different background and learnt photography later in life, many people in the community have the talent to be superb salespeople inside them, they just down know it yet.

In every industry there is a war over the best sales people. A sales superstar is like a diamond: incredible rare and unbelievably valuable. In smaller companies, if key sales people leave, the whole company can break down, especially if the salesperson manages to convince the customers to move with them. One top salesperson can outsell 100 mediocre ones, however, like any skill you need to learn it first to discover your talent.

I have always wondered why there is no intense sales program on istock, a referral forum, articles and training, maybe even lypses for salepeople in the community. It would be a fantastic way to build an army of online sales warriors in every country.

Of course, you dont just want them to just bring clients in for a one time sale, you want them to keep checking on the clients, to make sure they keep spending and dont wander of elsewhere...so you need a program that brings you referral income longterm.

I wouldnt be surprised if some people in the community make referrals and sales a second, solid income stream, especially if they are well supported and encouraged by the agency.

Some agencies for instance offer 10% for 3 years. This is an excellent incentive to keep looking after the client.

But of course a program like this needs to be well managed and the sales people in the field need ongoing support and communication.

Programs like these are nothing new, many products have referral schemes like this.

But perhaps istock looked into it and decided it doesn work for them, I don know. Maybe a system like that is too expensive to support.

I am sure the new program has excellent software technology in its plattform, I hope it is used by both independents and exclusives.  

"Has anybody looked at it and understood what it is doing and why it is so complex?"

Check my new blog.

"Has anybody looked at it and understood what it is doing and why it is so complex?"

Check my new blog.

I would like to do that. But I forget where it is? Thanks.

I have referred some buyers to DT since their system is extremely easy; the referral link is embedded in the photos I show in my blog. But IS is so complex that I never could be bothered to figure it out.

I would like to do that. But I forget where it is? Thanks.
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Sorry - I was on my phone.  Here: http://seanlockephotography.com/2011/10/29/istocks-new-referral-program/
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Thank you I read the post carefully.  Very helpful.  I tried out the link I built in the referral program and learned it slightly enlarged the iStock cookie with a few new values and also added a cookie from linkconnector.com.

I would like to use the shorter link (omitting the second part - you called the web bug section). But I am referring directly from an image on my own web site so if I am understanding your explanation I should keep that part.  Correct?  Also I would like to explain why I went with the 20% option. I figured that if the referred customer bought even a small amount of credits, say to buy a smaller image size, then at least there would be some yield out of it, whereas unless they bought a large amount of credits there would be no yield at all.  Thanks again.