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Author Topic: Civilized LO Discussion  (Read 6375 times)

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w7lwi

  • Those that don't stand up to evil enable evil.
« on: August 03, 2007, 11:04 »
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I pulled the following comment off another thread (it's my comment) as that thread was started regarding reviewing at IS and evolved into a brief discussion about LO.  Given another thread about LO on another site, and some rather inappropriate attacks that, while expressing an individual's feelings, were never-the-less out of line, I thought it may be good to give others an opportunity to discuss LO in a more "civilized" manner.  ;D  Are there problems at LO ... sure.  Are there good points ... also sure.  The following has been my experience there and what I believe to be the reasons for it.  No LO bashing, just reasoned analysis.  It accomplishes nothing to get emotional and rant on these forums.  Only shows your state of mind and clouds your ability to think straight.  So ... what have others experienced and how have you reacted to that experience and possibly learned from it?

The first thing I thought of when I saw the note was that this was an LO review.  I've been with them since last year and love the way their reviewers (bouncers) respond to submissions.  That being said, I do have a major problem with LO.  Zero sales.  Same images (and keywords) that are all selling well on IS, SS, DT and elsewhere have not had a single download on LO.  I don't blame LO for this.  I'm sure they are pushing my images the same as anyone else's.  I assume it's the market they are addressing.  Each agency has their own target market and marketing strategy.  And I know others are doing well there. If my images were not doing well elsewhere, it would be obvious where the problem lay.  But since they are doing well, several with triple digit downloads, I can only conclude the market LO is addressing is looking for images other than my particular style/subject matter.  Not a problem.  Perhaps later on, as I branch out into other types of subject matter, this will change and I will be able to see a trend.  In the meantime, I'll just stick with both what I know works and where it works.


« Reply #1 on: August 03, 2007, 14:39 »
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I read that other thread you mentioned---a lot of really nasty bitter and definitely uncalled-for comments full of hatred. Yeesh!   Well, I do enjoy LO's site, and very slowly but surely, I'm beginning to see sales.  I had my first ever and so far only EL sale there. I think their website is the best of all the micro's, & their upload process is one of the easiest & most flexible.   I joined as a long-term investment, not being simple-minded enough to assume that as a start-up they would be pulling in huge profits after a year or even 3 years.  But I have seen my earnings there increase at a much faster percentage than several of the older sites I've been on, so apparently they're doing something right even though this market is a difficult one to grow in. Are they in the business to make money? Silly question. I hope they make a lot of money. The good thing is, they're going about it with their contributors in mind, which is a far far cry from most if not all the others. Unless you want results tomorrow, it seems the wiser course is to give this seedling some time to get its roots down deep and the fruit will come later.

« Reply #2 on: August 03, 2007, 16:24 »
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I have confidence in LO and I'm certainly going to give it some time.  I noticed an increase in dl's in the last week.  Had 5 yesterday, which I think is good for a rather small portfolio and I haven't uploaded too much new for a good while.

« Reply #3 on: August 03, 2007, 16:36 »
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I don't contribute to LO, but it seems to me that they have so far invested more resources in their suppliers than in their clients. Most LO contributors heap nothing but praise on them, and seem to lament the fact that they aren't earning much on their investment only as an afterthought.

I don't have anything there yet, but definitely will if/once they get as many customers to be as glowingly positive about it as they have suppliers.

« Reply #4 on: August 03, 2007, 17:27 »
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What to say? I was reluctant in joining a year ago, like today it was a time when a lot of new sites popped up and then disappeared in the abyss. I just registered to secure my user name and from time to time uploaded some images. As the site staid and the positive comments persisted I uploaded my whole portfolio there. Sure there are issues, some reviews lack a little bit relation with reality but hey!, that's the case on most, if not all sites. Sales have definitely picked up and I thoroughly enjoy the community there. Ok, I have to confess: My name is Sybille and I like LuckyOliver, btw, just because  you expect it from me, here is my referral link *lol*    

http://www.luckyoliver.com/?loaf=hospitalera

« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2007, 03:32 »
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This thread pretty much sums up my thoughts. The first thing we have to consider is whether or not the time spent contributing to the site is costing us or adding to our income. Fortunately the LO upload process is very streamlined and doesn't take too long to get images online - although sometimes reviews take awhile. I too love the feel of the site and the way reviewers handle their jobs.  Early on I noticed some of the highly successful contributors from other sites were also members and this prompted me to give it a try. Now I'm wondering what their thoughts are about the return on their investment.

I guess I'll give it a bit more time.

« Reply #6 on: August 06, 2007, 03:51 »
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Good thoughts! Lucky Oliver is a unique agency in almost every way. I do like their approach. The longer I am with them, the more I like them. They try to be honest in every way, as far as I see it, which is refreshing. And it seems for me, they reveal more than other agencies. And I think transparancy is good, at least in the way LO does it. In the other forum Bryan said something from 27 payouts in the last month or so. A few photographers mocked about that, but I personally think, its a good sign. This number will increase the next month no doubt. LO is still young, but finally I am seeing more and more downloads with a portfolio of only about 220 images. I do think LO will have a future in microstock. I believe in their success more than in the success of any other of the up and coming agencies. (Aside from snapvillage) Lately I have seen job offers at LO. No one is offering jobs, if there are no finances and if the future looks bad.

« Reply #7 on: August 06, 2007, 10:00 »
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at the risk of raining on the parade, LO was the last of the micros that i attempted to join. They quickly shot down ALL of my entry images, 2 of which have triple digit sales on other sites, citing that they "just weren't good enough".
Not at all impressed by their "bouncers"...
*steps off box*

« Reply #8 on: August 06, 2007, 10:36 »
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I pulled the following comment off another thread (it's my comment) as that thread was started regarding reviewing at IS and evolved into a brief discussion about LO.  Given another thread about LO on another site, and some rather inappropriate attacks that, while expressing an individual's feelings, were never-the-less out of line, I thought it may be good to give others an opportunity to discuss LO in a more "civilized" manner.

Having read that "other" thread and noticing your BOLD-capital red letters at 30px there, along with your attacks, - I don't even care what you have to say here. Just another anonymous troll and a drama queen you are, with no ID and no portfolio to check.

Yack.

w7lwi

  • Those that don't stand up to evil enable evil.
« Reply #9 on: August 06, 2007, 13:51 »
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I pulled the following comment off another thread (it's my comment) as that thread was started regarding reviewing at IS and evolved into a brief discussion about LO.  Given another thread about LO on another site, and some rather inappropriate attacks that, while expressing an individual's feelings, were never-the-less out of line, I thought it may be good to give others an opportunity to discuss LO in a more "civilized" manner.

Having read that "other" thread and noticing your BOLD-capital red letters at 30px there, along with your attacks, - I don't even care what you have to say here. Just another anonymous troll and a drama queen you are, with no ID and no portfolio to check.

Yack.

Sorry Yack, but I think you have misread something somewhere.  None of the threads on the other site were mine.  I don't even belong to that site.  What I pulled was from this site and contains nothing of that virulent nature that could be seen elsewhere.  That was the whole purpose of this post.  To give people an opportunity to discuss LO in a more calm and restrained manner.  As to no portfolio, I'm on all major site (SS, IS, DT, BS LO, etc.), but choose to have a different identity on each site for privacy reasons.  Neither anonymous troll nor drama queen.

« Reply #10 on: August 07, 2007, 12:49 »
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Things were going along quite nicely with LO and I was just $1.5 from a payout but now I haven't had a download since 26th July.  This seems strange, as I have had at least a few downloads a week for a long time. 
Perhaps it is just a blip in the summer but my enthusiasm for them is a bit dented at the moment.  Even 123 RF is now selling a lot more than them.  How long can I justify the time spent uploading to them for such a small return?  They have until Christmas to catch up with 123RF or I will spend my time doing something more worthwhile.

dbvirago

« Reply #11 on: August 07, 2007, 15:08 »
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I'm doing 500-1000% more on 123. They were barely edged out of second place in July by Istock. Up from 7th place in May.

Also, reviews at LO have slowed to a crawl.

On a positive note, I think the reviews have improved. For a while they were getting a bit strange. Probably an influx of new reviewers.

« Reply #12 on: August 07, 2007, 15:55 »
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Actually,  as crummy as my sales are at LO,  they are still outselling 123rf for me.   Reveiws are taking a lot longer than they used to.  My rejections are up as well, but...........  I'm still hanging in there.  I like LO, I might find in time that their buyers just aren't interested in my work and I never will realize good sales there...  While I've bailed out of a couple other sites with low sales,  I have no plan to do so with LO.  I'm giving them more time and I continue to upload there.   Go Bryan, Go!!

                          remaining faithful,   8)-tom     LOL

« Reply #13 on: August 07, 2007, 18:37 »
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I've just had a look at LO, based on reading about it here over the last few months.

I've signed up and will submit 3 pics for approval tonight sometime.

I agree with the comments in this thread, and from observing Brian in this forum.  The site is fresh, and the open feeling I get from it would mean I would upload there even if sales are slow.

If I was full time doing microstock would I bother?  Probably not until sales were proven, as I'd be looking for a better return on my time.

Just my 2c worth...  For what that's worth. :-)

« Reply #14 on: August 07, 2007, 20:26 »
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I think LO has enormous potential.  I actually enjoy their reviews, even the rejections.  I know, I'm weird.  My downloads are picking up and becoming more consistent, even for my small portfolio.  I think they're doing an excellent job of building community, and I'm in for the long haul.  I feel valued. I'm proud to play a tiny part in what I know will ultimately be a huge success.  If they had a flag, I'd wave it from my front porch.  :D

« Reply #15 on: August 07, 2007, 21:10 »
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Bryan has displayed and proven he has a definite talent for marketing.  He's proven that to his contributors consistently over and over again.  That's the reason I'm there and the reason I continue to contribute (even if I didn't upload last month).

I'll worry about sales 2 or 3 years down the road.

« Reply #16 on: August 08, 2007, 09:36 »
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Lucky Oliver has so far proven to be uneccessable to me, as they rejected the first three pictures more than once-
and of course I had only submitted pictures which were accepted at major stock photo sites.
So to me their process of review seems a bit quirky. Im not sure if I want to continue trying, it seems a waste of time and energy.

« Reply #17 on: August 10, 2007, 14:23 »
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Just had my first payout at LO last month. Sales are slow there but for me they have been fairly steady and picking up slightly.  Its a site that communicates extremely well with contributers and I think thats what a lot of us love about them. They do have a plan and are working hard on it, it will take time but sales are growing.

« Reply #18 on: August 13, 2007, 22:31 »
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Did anyone notice that their sales picked up when a group of us posted comments somewhat regularily?  I seemed to... and I haven't been active at that of late and I've also have had a loss of sales.    Either the comments help, or their database is growing and there is more options for buyers.  Or is it that earlier in the year they were giving away tokens?  Seems like there steady payouts though, so that's encouraging.

« Reply #19 on: August 15, 2007, 21:39 »
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This is so much better than *that other thread*.   8) 


 

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