Author Topic: Anyone Use Blackbox? (Read 41884 times)

stockload · « **on:** June 22, 2018, 02:21 »

I see several people on youtube pushing blackbox and was wondering if anyone here has any positive/negative experiences with them for videos? Thanks.

cobalt · « **Reply #1 on:** June 22, 2018, 14:27 »

Blackbox saves me a lot of time.

But they are just a distributor, not an agency.

You files will sell just as well, or not, as if you uploaded yourself.

But blackbox really makes a difference for my workflow and I got all my payments on time every month.

Madry · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2018, 08:15 »

So you're saying that Blackbox saves time when you have a lot of volume or would it be a time saver for everyone?

SpaceStockFootage · « **Reply #3 on:** June 30, 2018, 23:52 »

Quote from: cobalt on June 22, 2018, 14:27

But blackbox really makes a difference for my workflow and I got all my payments on time every month.

Aside from technical errors, incorrect payment details, user error and the occasional Revostock here and there etc... is there anyone that doesn't get all their payments on time every month?

Or more importantly... who regularly doesn't get all their payments on time every month, so much so that signing up for such a service would be a solution to such an ongoing, and never-ending and issue?

Chichikov · « **Reply #4 on:** July 01, 2018, 01:31 »

odesigns · « **Reply #5 on:** August 09, 2018, 12:51 »

I've tested Blackbox, and don't really care for the service as it is right now. It seems BB is severely lacking in the statistics department. Without basic, yet vital information like what agencies accepted or rejected your clips, I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND using Blackbox, at least until they spruce things up a bit.

I uploaded a few clips that I wanted to split the revenue on with a model of mine as a test, and despite the admin panel saying these clips are "online" (after a month of waiting), I can only find them on Adobe Stock. What about Shutterstock, Pond5, and Videoblocks? Were they reviewed and rejected? If so, why? Or were they not even looked at yet and are still "pending" on those agencies? (Or, worse yet, did they never even make it to those agencies to begin with?) Is there a method to re-submit? When I first heard of Blackbox, I didn't care for the service. But I eventually saw the benefit of revenue sharing, so I opened my mind and tried it out. Now that I have, I'm back to not liking the service.

I'd even go out on a ledge and say that BB is submitting their clips manually to all four agencies, or at the very least, some form of human intervention is required on the backend for every batch. (Boy, wouldn't that be a horrible job?) Which leads me to believe that my "missing" clips simply fell through the cracks and never saw the light of day.

Unless I'm missing something on the admin panel. If so, please enlighten me.

Video-StockOrg · « **Reply #6 on:** August 09, 2018, 14:14 »

When I heard about BB and what it offers I was 100% against it. Why? Simple. Pay the staff you hired and if things go well, you'll hire them again. Splitting income is a bad longterm idea. You invest a lot of own resources, time, equipment, post-processing and time to get profitable results. If you cut all incomes with all the actors and other stuff, you'll never return your own investment. Never.

SpaceStockFootage · « **Reply #7 on:** August 09, 2018, 14:24 »

Quote from: Video-StockOrg on August 09, 2018, 14:14

When I heard about BB and what it offers I was 100% against it. Why? Simple. Pay the staff you hired and if things go well, you'll hire them again. Splitting income is a bad longterm idea. You invest a lot of own resources, time, equipment, post-processing and time to get profitable results. If you cut all incomes with all the actors and other stuff, you'll never return your own investment. Never.

Well splitting revenue is entirely optional... so it's a strange reason to be 100% against them.

spike · « **Reply #8 on:** August 14, 2018, 14:41 »

If I understood correctly, they don't offer any stats, keywording and captioning, submission to higher-tier agencies etc., and just serve as a place to upload your files, which they then (probably manually) upload to 4 agencies you can upload to yourself (P5, AS, SS and SB). And for that... they take 15% of your revenue?

If that's right and anyone accepts those terms, they deserve to lose 15% of their income.

Anyway, I don't like them either. 15% for THAT. Lol.

SpaceStockFootage · « **Reply #9 on:** August 14, 2018, 14:50 »

They have better rates at some of the agencies. I know they said at Shutterstock, you'll get a bit more than you would normally, even after the 15%.

Perry · « **Reply #10 on:** August 15, 2018, 07:18 »

Quote from: Video-StockOrg on August 09, 2018, 14:14

When I heard about BB and what it offers I was 100% against it. Why? Simple. Pay the staff you hired and if things go well, you'll hire them again. Splitting income is a bad longterm idea. You invest a lot of own resources, time, equipment, post-processing and time to get profitable results. If you cut all incomes with all the actors and other stuff, you'll never return your own investment. Never.

I think it's much more risk to pay someone without knowing if the clips will sell at all... it all depends how you look at it.

spike · « **Reply #11 on:** August 15, 2018, 17:46 »

Quote from: SpaceStockFootage on August 14, 2018, 14:50

They have better rates at some of the agencies. I know they said at Shutterstock, you'll get a bit more than you would normally, even after the 15%.

How's that possible? They get higher royalties from SS or SS charges more for their clips?

MartinD · « **Reply #12 on:** August 15, 2018, 19:02 »

I'm with BB since one month or so. Only two sales till now, because i have just around 200 clips online, but that's not important at the moment, because of my 200 clips.

I will upload more and see what will happen...

I've noticed a few good things about BB. When searching my clips uploaded via BB at the agencies they are dealing with these clips are very high ranked. A lot of clips of mine on page one.
As mentioned above they have some deals with the agencies. You can get more money with BB + Shutterstock for example.
And i think the most coolest thing about BB is: They managed it that Storyblocks raised their price for HD footage to $79, so that Storyblcok's commission cut doesn't hurt so much.

I don't understand the very negative posts about BB. My feeling is that BB really cares about us. I'll give them a try...

SpaceStockFootage · « **Reply #13 on:** August 15, 2018, 21:16 »

Quote from: MartinD on August 15, 2018, 19:02

And i think the most coolest thing about BB is: They managed it that Storyblocks raised their price for HD footage to $79, so that Storyblcok's commission cut doesn't hurt so much.

I think they were a contributing factor at best!

SpaceStockFootage · « **Reply #14 on:** August 16, 2018, 10:23 »

Quote from: spike on August 15, 2018, 17:46

Quote from: SpaceStockFootage on August 14, 2018, 14:50
They have better rates at some of the agencies. I know they said at Shutterstock, you'll get a bit more than you would normally, even after the 15%.

How's that possible? They get higher royalties from SS or SS charges more for their clips?

Yeah, they get higher royalties. It's a shame they don't advertise what these higher rates are though (apart from at SS), as it would definitely be a positive to draw people in... but I assume that the first rule of BlackBox/Agency club is that you don't talk about the royalty percentage of BlackBox/Agency club. Would cause potential issues when negotiating future deals with other such setups.

DavidK · « **Reply #15 on:** August 16, 2018, 11:11 »

If that is true then I find it disturbing that SS et al can find it within their margins to offer services like this higher commission structures than they offer the actual creators of the work directly. Oh I get it, cost of doing business, promotion, affiliate costs, blah freakin blah - but this split should be coming out of agency margins not contributors.

cobalt · « **Reply #16 on:** August 16, 2018, 13:57 »

Quote from: DavidK on August 16, 2018, 11:11

If that is true then I find it disturbing that SS et al can find it within their margins to offer services like this higher commission structures than they offer the actual creators of the work directly. Oh I get it, cost of doing business, promotion, affiliate costs, blah freakin blah - but this split should be coming out of agency margins not contributors.

All agencies make special deals with aggregators or larger studios. It saves the agencies time, because the content will be pre inspected and they also don´t have to deal personally with another large group of whiny contributors

You don´t have to work with BB.

I like them very much, but I do also miss not being connected to stock performer. I hope it comes in time.

Until then I have a few themes that I still have to upload myself, so I can track the progress and sales of the combined photo/video shoot, but everything else goes to blackbox.

If they get themselves connected to stockperformer I can probably upload nearly everything via Blackbox.

It will free me to also focus more on other, more specialized agencies that want exclusive content.

I also don´t quite understand the negativity, BB is not the only aggregator/distributor out there. And at 15% they are more reasonable then most. Plus you have the option to use their sharing tools for larger productions or can work with various curators, just dump your files on them and go back to shooting.

But to each his own, I am happy there.

SpaceStockFootage · « **Reply #17 on:** August 16, 2018, 18:44 »

Quote from: DavidK on August 16, 2018, 11:11

....but this split should be coming out of agency margins not contributors.

You've lost me. On BB, the different royalty split is coming out of agency margins. And whether on BB or not, the "cost of doing business, promotion, affiliate costs, blah freakin blah" is also coming out of agency margins.

spike · « **Reply #18 on:** August 17, 2018, 05:20 »

Quote from: cobalt on August 16, 2018, 13:57

You don´t have to work with BB.

No. But I have to work against BB if I don't work with them.

One thing that I always liked about being a stock contributor, is that (at least I thought) it's a level playing field. Everyone has the same chance to succeed, everyone's royalties are the same and everyone is ranked equally (well, algorithmically, but that algorithm is impartial) in the search results.

I don't find it fair if I, as an independent contributor, have to wrestle large aggregators (who already put up so many files no one contributor can match) that have both higher royalties and better search ranking.

If it comes to the point that I'd earn, say 50% more through BB (which is achievable, given that my country doesn't have a tax-treaty, so I lose 30% to all US-based sales (and all sales on SB)), then I'd consider switching to BB. No one guarantees that those 15% will remain forever, I dislike their business model and would prefer not to work with them, but as a business decision, I'd think about it. Thanks for all the info.

DavidK · « **Reply #19 on:** August 17, 2018, 08:15 »

Quote from: SpaceStockFootage on August 16, 2018, 18:44

Quote from: DavidK on August 16, 2018, 11:11
....but this split should be coming out of agency margins not contributors.

You've lost me. On BB, the different royalty split is coming out of agency margins. And whether on BB or not, the "cost of doing business, promotion, affiliate costs, blah freakin blah" is also coming out of agency margins.

Don't kid yourself, all of this comes out of the contributor side one way or another. The fact that there is room to pay higher commission rates to aggregators, affiliates and factory producers than workaday peons like myself tells me that this rate structure is actually subsidised by depressed commissions for the rest of us. How can it be otherwise if you can really make more now by contributing obliquely through a third party instead of directly to the source? And Cobalt, if you look at what I wrote again you might find that I said absolutely nothing negative about BB. I was "whining" about the inequity of it all

To be honest, until this thread I hadn't really given much thought to the idea of multiple commission structures and how they could be exploited for the benefit of a larger group of individuals. I always knew of the existence of so called factory producers like Africa Studio for example, but had always (naively) assumed that they were structured more along the lines of SB or something similar where a centralized entity speculatively purchased work outright from individuals. The whole BB thing though has made me rethink that. Does anyone know how factory producers like AS actually operate? What the ballpark royalty difference might be for something like BB?

odesigns · « **Reply #20 on:** August 17, 2018, 11:29 »

In my opinion, BB is a house of cards. I'd stay away.

And as of this post, of their 153,000 clips on P5, only 0.006% have sold (using the P5 search query "artist:blackboxguild salegt:0"). So I'm not sure about their higher search rankings.

Plus, given that VB has 156,000 BB clips, P5 has 153,000 BB clips, SS has 75,000, and AS has 121,000 from what is presumably the same source material makes me think that there's a chance your clip(s) may never see the light of day on all four agencies they "work" with. And if your clips are missing on one agency or the other, there is no reason provided to you as to why.

increasingdifficulty · « **Reply #21 on:** August 17, 2018, 11:48 »

Quote from: ODesigns on August 17, 2018, 11:29

In my opinion, BB is a house of cards. I'd stay away.

Fully agree. And their marketing just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. All of a sudden, every YouTuber with anything related to film, even if they don't even sell stock, seem to just LOVE BlackBox. Out of the blue.

Oh, I know the smell of affiliate links.

Quote from: ODesigns on August 17, 2018, 11:29

And as of this post, of their 153,000 clips on P5, only 0.006% have sold (using the P5 search query "artist:blackboxguild salegt:0"). So I'm not sure about their higher search rankings.

Thanks for that query, simply brilliant! Now I know what I'll be doing tonight!

That's an absolutely terrible sales average.

This query shows you someone who actually DOES sell: artist:hotelfoxtrot salegt:9

This clip has sold 331 times, which is quite a lot for Pond5 (among the top):

artist:hotelfoxtrot salegt:330

mindstorm · « **Reply #22 on:** August 17, 2018, 14:21 »

I hear a lot of speculation, and most of it does not make any sense to me at all.

Why does BB claim they get a higher commission? Because, with more videos available, they presumably sell (or at least are projecting selling) more videos than any of us individually would. If I sell more photos on SS, I get paid more. I don't think that is explicitly stated (would have to check again to be sure) for videos, but I'll bet there is room there for that same arrangement in videos.

As for their small number of sales so far. Yeah, and why would you expect otherwise? BB said their portfolio increased 4X just in the month of June 2018. They said it was accelerating even faster in July, as word got out about them. They are a new company and building portfolio fast. Those who sell video here have often said that video does not sell quickly, and that it often takes many months or even more than a year to get the first sale from a clip. If 80% or more of their stock is less than 30 days old, how would you expect higher sales yet?

Complaint that the same number of videos is not on every agency? Well, do you have 100% acceptance on your media? Have you never had media accepted on one be rejected on another? That alone could easily account for the number difference. Add the fact that the portfolio is very new, and the turnaround for reviewing video is much longer than photos, and I think the rest of the difference is easily explained.

I have no axe to grind either way. I am not (yet) selling on BB. I don't know squat about them other than their web site and what has been discussed here. It just seems there is a lot of frothing at the mouth here with not a whole lot of thought going on behind the volume...

derby · « **Reply #23 on:** August 17, 2018, 16:40 »

Quote from: mindstorm on August 17, 2018, 14:21

I hear a lot of speculation, and most of it does not make any sense to me at all.

Well, I was thinking to test them and, at the opposite, I found many useful info!

Quote from: mindstorm on August 17, 2018, 14:21

As for their small number of sales so far. Yeah, and why would you expect otherwise?

Maybe because I'll pay them? 😁

Quote from: mindstorm on August 17, 2018, 14:21

Those who sell video here have often said that video does not sell quickly, and that it often takes many months or even more than a year to get the first sale from a clip. If 80% or more of their stock is less than 30 days old, how would you expect higher sales yet?

Maybe because I'll pay them? 😁

Quote from: mindstorm on August 17, 2018, 14:21

Complaint that the same number of videos is not on every agency? Well, do you have 100% acceptance on your media? Have you never had media accepted on one be rejected on another?

If they have special agreement with agencies I don't expect to have clips rejected from agencies, maybe from themselves.

Quote from: mindstorm on August 17, 2018, 14:21

That alone could easily account for the number difference. Add the fact that the portfolio is very new, and the turnaround for reviewing video is much longer than photos, and I think the rest of the difference is easily explained.

It's all true. But if I should go to give them my port there should be good reasons not to go by myself: higher percentage of sells, quick review without expecting rejections, and so on

If I choose to go with them is not to have same numbers and timing of indipendente seller, that's for sure

jjneff · « **Reply #24 on:** August 17, 2018, 17:10 »

BlackBox is the future. They are not a shady company and I have been working with them for many months. Now it might not be for everyone and that is understood. Let's say you upload to P5 and SS but don't have time for others. You don't think that VB and Adobe could make you some money? The keywording interface is a lot better on BB then other places! BB can also add other agencies in the future where boom all your hard work would be there as well. I like the platform and have been in this business a long time. I make a regular payout there and know that the software will only get better and better. Cheers to all, it does not fit everyone but I sure love it.

mindstorm · « **Reply #25 on:** August 17, 2018, 17:15 »

@derby:

Their "special agreement" (we are both speculating here) could very well be higher commission for higher number of sales, perhaps even ratcheting up as sales increase, the way my photo commission does (I am on the third tier for those). It does not necessarily include any "automatic acceptance of media supplied." In fact, I would be surprised if it did...

" if I should go to give them my port there should be good reasons not to go by myself: higher percentage of sells, quick review without expecting rejections, and so on"

How about: You get the same rejections you would on your own (no better, no worse), but you show up higher in search because you are part of a bigger team, and you get higher dollars per sale because the "team" gets a larger increase than their cut of the take?

To me, that would seem like enough reason to go with BB.

Again, though, I am not (yet) selling through BB and this is mostly speculative. However, if indeed they can raise me in the search rankings plus give me more dollars per end-user sale, then I will seriously consider using them.

Rage · « **Reply #26 on:** August 18, 2018, 10:14 »

Have been reading about them for about a month now. Its just that they never seem to say if with the rates they've negotiated how much will i end up making after the 15% goes to them. The other question is on timelines. If i send something today how long before it is live, a week, a month?

Seems like a good model to ensure that people do what they are good at.

mindstorm · « **Reply #27 on:** August 18, 2018, 10:50 »

Quote from: izzikiorage on August 18, 2018, 10:14

Its just that they never seem to say if with the rates they've negotiated how much will i end up making after the 15% goes to them. The other question is on timelines. If i send something today how long before it is live, a week, a month?

Sign up for an account with them. Costs nothing and you are not committed to actually submitting any media.

Once you have the account, you can read their very much in-depth discussion of those questions, among many others. Specifically, they tell you how much you will make on a video sale from an agency on your own vs through them. (short answer, they claim your net $ paid is higher through them, and they supply specific numbers)

Rage · « **Reply #28 on:** August 18, 2018, 11:34 »

Quote from: mindstorm on August 18, 2018, 10:50

Quote from: izzikiorage on August 18, 2018, 10:14
Its just that they never seem to say if with the rates they've negotiated how much will i end up making after the 15% goes to them. The other question is on timelines. If i send something today how long before it is live, a week, a month?

Sign up for an account with them. Costs nothing and you are not committed to actually submitting any media.

Once you have the account, you can read their very much in-depth discussion of those questions, among many others. Specifically, they tell you how much you will make on a video sale from an agency on your own vs through them. (short answer, they claim your net $ paid is higher through them, and they supply specific numbers)

I've registered, maybe i missed reading some of these details. Let me check again

cobalt · « **Reply #29 on:** August 18, 2018, 12:00 »

Quote from: spike on August 17, 2018, 05:20

Quote from: cobalt on August 16, 2018, 13:57
You don´t have to work with BB.

No. But I have to work against BB if I don't work with them.

On Pond5 you have to work against the membership content that is privileged and much cheaper than your files. Also you can´t place files in the collection, they only work with a select small group of contributors for that.

You can´t even price your content to the same low level, if you wanted to do that to compete with them. And you will never have their rankings or a special button that allows the customer to search only your content, the way they search through the membership content. Which is very similar to the situation on videoblocks.

And on every agency you must work "against" any contributor or studio that uploads much more than you, even without a special deal.

Submitters are not all equal and of course the agencies are free to favor individual suppliers, if this is what they feel is good for their business.

Again, nobody has to join BB, I am just surprised that people are suddenly complaining about things that have been around for 20 years.

Aggregate suppliers and large studios have always given preference or simply had better rankings because of their high upload volume.

Many people work with suppliers that take exclusive photos and videos for distribution and they seem to be fine with it. Saves them time, one agency I know distributes to over 200 partners.

BB is new on the market, we will see how it goes. I am happy there. And for me it would be better if you all stay away

mindstorm · « **Reply #30 on:** August 18, 2018, 15:30 »

Quote from: izzikiorage on August 18, 2018, 10:14

Sign up for an account with them. Costs nothing and you are not committed to actually submitting any media.

It's on the Curation Guide page that they keep referring to repeatedly.

https://www.notion.so/BlackBox-CURATION-GUIDE-0e2261b9974a4cc68c8ed3fc2dd7ad68

SpaceStockFootage · « **Reply #31 on:** August 19, 2018, 23:09 »

Overall I like the concept and it's a nice feature that you can share revenue for collaborations, or if you want people to curate your work. Obvioulsy if you've made everything yourself and are happy to curate your own work, then there's no need to share anything... but I like that the feature exists. I'm also not too concerned they take 15% if they are getting higher rates and better placement in the results.

The main downside for me is the inability to brand yourself as it all gets lumped in together, and the quality of the rest of the content in their portfolio. Looking at some of the clips on their FB page (and there's a latest clips uploaded section on the portal) there are some very talented individuals... but there are just as many people that seem to have no idea at all when it comes to stock. One of the first clips I saw was somebody making a cup of tea for 60 seconds, shot on what appeared to be a phone, in low lighting, with terrible colour balance, in an unremarkable kitchen. And we're not talking artistic angles, close with nice depth of field... it was on a tripod about two meters away, level with the cup. And there's plenty of similar examples... lots of hand held stuff that you should only be getting away with if the content is remarkable. Not a random aisle in a supermarket, an unremarkable tree or the view from your bedroom window.

I just feel that Blackbox is being marketed as 'stock footage' in general, rather than Blackbox. In that, I mean that they're very "make money from your footage! Did you know you can shoot videos and make money from them?! Escape the 9 to 5 rat race" etc etc. That's not exactly what they're saying, but it seems like every guy and his dog is turning up, shooting anything and everything in the hopes they'll strike it rich with badly shot, badly lit, shaky footage. I'm not really sure I want to be a part of that gang! But hey... I guess everyone has to start somewhere.

But I have uploaded three clips and I will upload more. I've gone for the space niche and I try to stick to that as closely as possible, but I sometimes think of a shot that might sell but it has nothing to do with space or sci-fi... so I usually don't bother making it. In these instances, I'll upload it to BlackBox. So they won't get my best stuff, and I won't be uploading that much content... so I'm not expecting this to be a big seller for me, but I'll give it a try. I do have a few plans for more live action stuff in the next couple of months, so I'll probably upload that there as well.

odesigns · « **Reply #32 on:** August 20, 2018, 06:17 »

Quote from: SpaceStockFootage on August 19, 2018, 23:09

The main downside for me is the inability to brand yourself as it all gets lumped in together, and the quality of the rest of the content in their portfolio. Looking at some of the clips on their FB page (and there's a latest clips uploaded section on the portal) there are some very talented individuals... but there are just as many people that seem to have no idea at all when it comes to stock.

Exactly. Plus, because there's is zero feedback seen by the BB "contributor" from the agency when a clip is rejected, BB is growing a population of stock footage producers who aren't learning from their mistakes. I wouldn't want my clips lumped in with theirs.

Does BB have their own curators who look at the clips BEFORE being sent to the agencies? Or, does BB just dump everything and let the agencies do all the reviewing? I suspect the latter is the case, which makes me think these agencies will only tolerate so much. The fact that the BlackBoxGuild portfolio on SS is half the size of what's on VB and P5 implies that 50% of what is submitted is newbie junk submitted by Youtube viewers who are suddenly stock media creators without learning the ropes first. (Since SS has a lower tolerance level for unwanted clips.)

If my acceptance rate at a given agency was 50%, I would think red flag would be raised at that agency saying this producer doesn't know what they're doing.

This is where BB needs to step in and do their own reviewing of material first, BEFORE sending to the agencies. And if they do pre-curation now, they need to do a better job.

While I agree that BB is a good idea on the surface, I think as it is now, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. One issue is that all these new BB "contributors" are so green that they don't even understand what they're giving up by using the service.

Maybe BB should vet new contributors, make them pass a test or something before "crossing the border." (Accepting everyone maybe really isn't a good idea in the long run after all.) But that, along with self-curation, requires personnel. Perhaps paying a large staff isn't in BB's business model right now.

Rage · « **Reply #33 on:** August 22, 2018, 22:10 »

It ought to be solved with tech, a simple dashboard that combines all your submissions, rejections, sales etc will help clear the confusion a lot

cobalt · « **Reply #34 on:** August 22, 2018, 22:34 »

If you work with a distribution partner in the photo world, then they all give you a list of sales, but I have never seen or heard of one, that gives you a specific list about which of their 200 partner sites or api plug ins your individual file has been accepted into.

And you have the same problem of loss of individual branding as not all places will add individual artist names, justthe whole agency as a group.

I understand the problem, just wanted to point out that at least in the photo world, I have not seen a company that will give you an accepted/declined list for every image on every agency they work with. So personally I am not expecting it for blackbox.

If you prefer to be part of a distributor with stricter editing or artistic curation, then have a look at the other players on the market. There are quite a few high end agencies that also take video and distribute and then will also curate your submission so that everything has a very high standard.

Downside...they usually take at least 50% of revenue...

finishedworks · « **Reply #35 on:** August 23, 2018, 11:30 »

I love BB. I got burned when I uploaded all my stock library to Revostock and they went under, so I was very cautious going back into investing all the time with selling stock. BB is totally built for giving creators passive income and Pat the owner is one of us a creator. I have been with them since November of last year and now have a steady passive income stream off my library, I still about have about 70% of clips to process. They are adding more features to the service and for me the time-saving factor of one upload, one keyword, one description and the ability to share revenue with other parties involved, without me having to pay them, in the footage was great. If you are making a living from stock by uploading to all the sites by yourself then maybe it isn't for you, but with my clients and my life I had to be able to get it all done once and then let someone else help distribute my content. They really are trying to look out for creative people and get more of us with passive income streams.

SpaceStockFootage · « **Reply #36 on:** August 23, 2018, 17:40 »

Quote from: finishedworks on August 23, 2018, 11:30

BB is totally built for giving creators passive income...

See, you're doing it as well! The sites they submit to for you, Pond5, Shutterstock, Adobe and Storyblocks... were 'totally built for giving creators passive income' long before BlackBox came along!

Say you like them, that they have decent sharing revenue and collaboration features, that you like this that and the other, but don't say you can upload your footage once and earn an ongoing revenue from it.... that's the stock footage market in general, not BlackBox!

increasingdifficulty · « **Reply #37 on:** August 24, 2018, 00:16 »

Quote from: finishedworks on August 23, 2018, 11:30

Pat the owner is one of us a creator.

So is Jon from Shutterstock.

So, do they optimize your clips for each search engine? Use titles and descriptions that are best suited for each site? Is it easy to change the title of your clip once it's uploaded?

There are so many things wrong with not having full control over your clips. If you're one of the guys who are happy to just throw stuff out there without much thought, and make $500 from 5,000 clips, sure... But if you want to make $5,000 from 500 clips, you need to have all the control.

cobalt · « **Reply #38 on:** August 24, 2018, 01:45 »

Then working with a distributor is probably not for you.

You can always hire your own assistant to do all uploadingand keywording to as many agencies as you like.

Or ask your wife...I keep hearing amazing things that these magical creatures can do for a producer.. sounds like they all have a wonder house elf...

As a woman, I don‘t seem to have that option, my partners haven‘t been motivated to do my business work for me, inspite of having a full time job.

So, BB it is...

SpaceStockFootage · « **Reply #39 on:** August 24, 2018, 01:54 »

Quote from: cobalt on August 24, 2018, 01:45

my partners haven‘t been motivated to do my business work for me....

How many do you have?!

trek · « **Reply #40 on:** August 24, 2018, 06:39 »

In my opinion there are only four video sites worth uploading to. I don't see much benefit to paying a agency distribution middleman. I prefer having a direct relationship with those four companies.

davidbautista · « **Reply #41 on:** November 30, 2018, 19:56 »

Quote from: trek on August 24, 2018, 06:39

In my opinion there are only four video sites worth uploading to. I don't see much benefit to paying a agency distribution middleman. I prefer having a direct relationship with those four companies.

Which agencies?

everest · « **Reply #42 on:** December 01, 2018, 03:13 »

Shutterstock Pond5 Adobe and Storyblocks

Istock with their 20% and penny sales are not worth it.

Envato Videohive have now capped many contributors to 10+- videos week so if you take this seriously not worth it. It'is a pitty as they were gettying sales although their upload system was a nightmare much improved lately.

Stocksy Video I don't know as I am not in

All the others a big waste of time

Quote from: davidbautista on November 30, 2018, 19:56

Quote from: trek on August 24, 2018, 06:39
In my opinion there are only four video sites worth uploading to. I don't see much benefit to paying a agency distribution middleman. I prefer having a direct relationship with those four companies.
Which agencies?

Rage · « **Reply #43 on:** December 02, 2018, 10:39 »

Quote from: everest on December 01, 2018, 03:13

Shutterstock Pond5 Adobe and Storyblocks

Istock with their 20% and penny sales are not worth it.

Envato Videohive have now capped many contributors to 10+- videos week so if you take this seriously not worth it. It'is a pitty as they were gettying sales although their upload system was a nightmare much improved lately.

Stocksy Video I don't know as I am not in

All the others a big waste of time

Quote from: davidbautista on November 30, 2018, 19:56
Quote from: trek on August 24, 2018, 06:39
In my opinion there are only four video sites worth uploading to. I don't see much benefit to paying a agency distribution middleman. I prefer having a direct relationship with those four companies.
Which agencies?

So if its going to be only these 4 then it might make little sense to share out some additional commission to the blackbox team. Then again, depends on how much effort you put in editing and key wording

davidbautista · « **Reply #44 on:** December 02, 2018, 10:49 »

Quote from: everest on December 01, 2018, 03:13

Shutterstock Pond5 Adobe and Storyblocks

Istock with their 20% and penny sales are not worth it.

Envato Videohive have now capped many contributors to 10+- videos week so if you take this seriously not worth it. It'is a pitty as they were gettying sales although their upload system was a nightmare much improved lately.

Stocksy Video I don't know as I am not in

All the others a big waste of time

Quote from: davidbautista on November 30, 2018, 19:56
Quote from: trek on August 24, 2018, 06:39
In my opinion there are only four video sites worth uploading to. I don't see much benefit to paying a agency distribution middleman. I prefer having a direct relationship with those four companies.
Which agencies?

Thanks!

Enviado desde mi ALP-L29 mediante Tapatalk

mino21 · « **Reply #45 on:** December 03, 2018, 15:18 »

There is also one question. What to do with images and videos from the same location? Is it possible to send a video from one location to BlackBox and to send photographs from the same location to others agencies manually (because BlackBox does not support images)? In such a case, there can be video on the BlackBox's account (for example on Shutterstock) and exactly the same composition on the photograph (different media) from contributor's account. That would be weird. Is it againt some rules? How to solve that?

mindstorm · « **Reply #46 on:** December 03, 2018, 17:43 »

Quote from: mino21 on December 03, 2018, 15:18

There is also one question. What to do with images and videos from the same location? Is it possible to send a video from one location to BlackBox and to send photographs from the same location to others agencies manually (because BlackBox does not support images)? In such a case, there can be video on the BlackBox's account (for example on Shutterstock) and exactly the same composition on the photograph (different media) from contributor's account. That would be weird. Is it againt some rules? How to solve that?

Not a problem. Completely within the rules of both BlackBox and all agencies. Videos and photos are separate media types, though it is not likely you would actually submit a screen-grab from a video into still stock. The resolution just would not be acceptable unless you were shooting at least 8K...

mino21 · « **Reply #47 on:** December 04, 2018, 04:14 »

I have got an answer from BlackBox and you have been right.

"You can send images to agencies, that are working us, but not videos when those videos are on Blackbox.
If you have trouble keeping Blackbox apart from other agencies then Blackbox might not be the right solution for you.

The best way is to send all video to Blackbox which distributes to multiple storefronts while you are free to upload your images to any storefront you like without worrying about duplication.

Also, remember that we are expanding our partnership with other big agencies as well."

So it seems that everything is fine if there are different media types even though they are taken from the same place with the same composition.

Not Today · « **Reply #48 on:** January 25, 2019, 05:33 »

I'd like to upload a few videos ''X, Y and Z'' to blackbox for the revenue sharing option, while keeping all my other videos ''A,B and C'' on SS, AS, P5.

Does anyone know if that's allowed? Or does Blackbox requires full portfolio exclusivity on footage?

Thanks!

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #49 on:** January 25, 2019, 08:27 »

Quote from: Not Today on January 25, 2019, 05:33

I'd like to upload a few videos ''X, Y and Z'' to blackbox for the revenue sharing option, while keeping all my other videos ''A,B and C'' on SS, AS, P5.

Does anyone know if that's allowed? Or does Blackbox requires full portfolio exclusivity on footage?

Thanks!

Sounds like an interesting test plan. Here's the Blackbox FAQ and a contact link on the bottom. I don't do much with video, you might want to find out for yourself and come back with your answer.

https://www.blackbox.global/faq/

Personally, I might be better off using a place like this, even if they are exclusive distributors, because I could upload once and be done: They deal with Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, Pond5 and Storyblocks. But I'd like to know from someone better and a longer member, how they see this as a member, not as an opinion of revenue sharing.

I woudln't support revenue sharing if it was my photos and I couldn't upload or do anything where I wanted. I can understand someone else not liking an exclusive plan if they do video. I mean, my video is not serious or complicated, and the main four sites I'd want to have it at, are covered.

Not Today · « **Reply #50 on:** January 25, 2019, 08:42 »

Quote from: Uncle Pete on January 25, 2019, 08:27

Quote from: Not Today on January 25, 2019, 05:33
I'd like to upload a few videos ''X, Y and Z'' to blackbox for the revenue sharing option, while keeping all my other videos ''A,B and C'' on SS, AS, P5.

Does anyone know if that's allowed? Or does Blackbox requires full portfolio exclusivity on footage?

Thanks!

Sounds like an interesting test plan. Here's the Blackbox FAQ and a contact link on the bottom. I don't do much with video, you might want to find out for yourself and come back with your answer.

https://www.blackbox.global/faq/

Personally, I might be better off using a place like this, even if they are exclusive distributors, because I could upload once and be done: They deal with Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, Pond5 and Storyblocks. But I'd like to know from someone better and a longer member, how they see this as a member, not as an opinion of revenue sharing.

I woudln't support revenue sharing if it was my photos and I couldn't upload or do anything where I wanted. I can understand someone else not liking an exclusive plan if they do video. I mean, my video is not serious or complicated, and the main four sites I'd want to have it at, are covered.

Oh yes, it's just that I have some old footage sitting on my hard drives for projects where actors agreed to sign a release for the project itself but ethically (and maybe legally even) I don't use it for stock, so I thought revenue sharing with these actors would be a great alternative (and a fair one) for them to agree to sign a new release and make some extra money with these drives.

Thanks! I'll try to contact BB directly.

georgep7 · « **Reply #51 on:** January 25, 2019, 08:53 »

Whatever is pushed in Youtube make me feel uncomfortable! Not only BlackBox but even Vimeo itself.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #52 on:** January 25, 2019, 09:13 »

Quote from: georgep7 on January 25, 2019, 08:53

Whatever is pushed in Youtube make me feel uncomfortable! Not only BlackBox but even Vimeo itself.

Not sure I understand, blackbox doesn't mention YouTube just four agencies? Can you explain what you mean? Do they advertise on YouTube or what?

jjneff · « **Reply #53 on:** January 25, 2019, 10:17 »

Made a video on it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JowP5XfcYus&t=128s

georgep7 · « **Reply #54 on:** January 25, 2019, 12:23 »

Quote from: Uncle Pete on January 25, 2019, 09:13

Quote from: georgep7 on January 25, 2019, 08:53
Whatever is pushed in Youtube make me feel uncomfortable! Not only BlackBox but even Vimeo itself.

Not sure I understand, blackbox doesn't mention YouTube just four agencies? Can you explain what you mean? Do they advertise on YouTube or what?

Apologies, by "pushing" i meant advertisement by "top" Youtubers suggesting BlackBox as the next big thing previously not today. Whenever a trend is born in Youtube, something goes or is going to go down. People that failed getting in the Partner program of Youtube, conveniently when BB promotion was Youtube everywhere,could be driven to be stock contributors. So easy. Push rec, upload, earn. Look at some top Youtube fillmmakers (actually photographers

) that made some 'how to shoot stock" few min free masterclasses (among grey advertising equipment and rumbling on their wisdom...). Not talking for channels dedicated to stock fooyage but for Youtubers that jump from subject to subject, to new model to new model etc.

Lately I see Vimeo advertisement. All over the place (Youtube). Back to back on videos that i watch. And to be honest it seems creepy to my eyes!

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #55 on:** January 25, 2019, 12:40 »

Quote from: georgep7 on January 25, 2019, 12:23

Quote from: Uncle Pete on January 25, 2019, 09:13
Quote from: georgep7 on January 25, 2019, 08:53
Whatever is pushed in Youtube make me feel uncomfortable! Not only BlackBox but even Vimeo itself.

Not sure I understand, blackbox doesn't mention YouTube just four agencies? Can you explain what you mean? Do they advertise on YouTube or what?

Apologies, by "pushing" i meant advertisement by "top" Youtubers suggesting BlackBox as the next big thing previously not today. Whenever a trend is born in Youtube, something goes or is going to go down. People that failed getting in the Partner program of Youtube, conveniently when BB promotion was Youtube everywhere,could be driven to be stock contributors. So easy. Push rec, upload, earn. Look at some top Youtube fillmmakers (actually photographers ) that made some 'how to shoot stock" few min free masterclasses (among grey advertising equipment and rumbling on their wisdom...). Not talking for channels dedicated to stock fooyage but for Youtubers that jump from subject to subject, to new model to new model etc.

Lately I see Vimeo advertisement. All over the place (Youtube). Back to back on videos that i watch. And to be honest it seems creepy to my eyes!

Thanks, I didn't understand.

mindstorm · « **Reply #56 on:** January 25, 2019, 15:09 »

Quote from: Not Today on January 25, 2019, 05:33

Does anyone know if that's allowed? Or does Blackbox requires full portfolio exclusivity on footage?

What you describe is entirely within the license of BlackBox.

BB is NOT exclusive. The only limit they place is that any video clip sent to them cannot also be sent to ShutterStock, Pond5, AdobeStock, StoryBlocks or Vimeo. If you uploaded clip A both to BB and to one of those agencies, it would result in a duplicate upload, and you would risk losing both your BB membership AND the ability to upload future clips to those agencies.

However, you can submit "clip A" to Blackbox, plus any other agency that accepts video not listed above.

You can also submit "clip B" to any and all agencies, as long as it is not also submitted to BB.

You can mix-and-match as much as you please, to allow you to test direct vs BB, or to expand your market beyond those listed above.

(BTW, if you do join BB, I'd appreciate if you use my referral code -- JKX5J2D3 ). Doesn't cost you anything, but they then give me a dollar or so each time you make a sale.

BTW2 - I have only been on BB for a few months, and already make more money there with 800 clips that I make with a photo portfolio of 4500 images on a dozen agencies. 3 more video sales today, at $35 each. (35 dollars, not cents!

)

mindstorm · « **Reply #57 on:** January 25, 2019, 15:13 »

Quote from: georgep7 on January 25, 2019, 12:23

Lately I see Vimeo advertisement. All over the place (Youtube). Back to back on videos that i watch. And to be honest it seems creepy to my eyes!

hmmm... You might want to rethink the videos you watch then. I have only seen BB once on a YouTube. That was last August, and one that specifically sought out. I have never seen BB in my normal videos I watch on photo, video and drone techniques...?

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #58 on:** January 25, 2019, 17:27 »

Quote from: mindstorm on January 25, 2019, 15:13

Quote from: georgep7 on January 25, 2019, 12:23
Lately I see Vimeo advertisement. All over the place (Youtube). Back to back on videos that i watch. And to be honest it seems creepy to my eyes!

hmmm... You might want to rethink the videos you watch then. I have only seen BB once on a YouTube. That was last August, and one that specifically sought out. I have never seen BB in my normal videos I watch on photo, video and drone techniques...?

Youtube tries to target people according to what they watched or search for, what comes up for me will be railroading, automobiles, guitars, audiophile, history, archaeology and odd things like magnet fishing or the lady who picks up artifacts from the Thames at low tide. Mudlarking. She's pretty entertaining. But I've never seen one promoted or favorites about anything Microstock, because I never watched anything related.

I used your code to sign up. Don't count on ever seeing a cent and I'll be sure to post my code as soon as I get one?

I will try some uploads and see how I like the system.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH0vVOY4aLIuysdfXKVBmWA seven different experimental time lapse projects on Youtube, nothing really dramatic, but I kind of liked the fireworks at 8fps? And one video of me playing a new keyboard that I won at an auction. Stunning performance, extraordinary, outstanding and if you want the secret how I became a hit keyboard wonder, PM please. Entire Indycar race, pit lane is one frame every 15 seconds (If I remember right), flawed idea, a pit stop is so fast that you see a car coming in and might see it exiting. Nothing much of the actual pit stop.

Failed camera in a box, one shot every 15 minutes for most of a year, lilies and tulip garden. Even with everything sealed tight, dew, humidity, shadows, the Sun moves. Photo bombed by a bunny.

mindstorm · « **Reply #59 on:** January 25, 2019, 18:38 »

Quote from: Uncle Pete on January 25, 2019, 17:27

I used your code to sign up. Don't count on ever seeing a cent and I'll be sure to post my code as soon as I get one? I will try some uploads and see how I like the system.

Thx! I got an email saying that you had used the code.

Now that you are a member of BlackBox, you might want to join their Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/blackboxglobal/). It is a closed group, only open to BlackBox members.

It is a very active group, and pretty much every question I have had has been answered there without me even having to post myself. The founder is also making hints about some big improvements that will come out February (next month), including something related to mentoring so the more experienced videographers can help teach the novices. I am guessing that will be in exchange for a percentage of the revenue on sold clips that were part of the mentoring, but I have no inside knowledge to know for sure.

georgep7 · « **Reply #60 on:** January 26, 2019, 03:50 »

hmmm... You might want to rethink the videos you watch then.
[/quote]

True!
I have dropped all "filmmaking" channels except one that I think as educational.
Also gear oriented ones. Now on I try to follow stock footage related people and brands.

It is sad that I cannot find new tutorials. Real useful tutorials. In years past, people used to make long full AE tutorials that axtually learned me more than even a payed full class did. Nowadays it is all transitions and LUTs and "cinematic' recycling of small pieces of film theory.

I also use vimeo to watch stuff, perhaps those cookies initiate more ads on this in my browser...

qunamax · « **Reply #61 on:** January 26, 2019, 05:37 »

So Vimeo is now a stock place?

Not Today · « **Reply #62 on:** January 26, 2019, 08:54 »

Quote from: mindstorm on January 25, 2019, 15:09

Quote from: Not Today on January 25, 2019, 05:33
Does anyone know if that's allowed? Or does Blackbox requires full portfolio exclusivity on footage?

What you describe is entirely within the license of BlackBox.

BB is NOT exclusive. The only limit they place is that any video clip sent to them cannot also be sent to ShutterStock, Pond5, AdobeStock, StoryBlocks or Vimeo. If you uploaded clip A both to BB and to one of those agencies, it would result in a duplicate upload, and you would risk losing both your BB membership AND the ability to upload future clips to those agencies.

However, you can submit "clip A" to Blackbox, plus any other agency that accepts video not listed above.

You can also submit "clip B" to any and all agencies, as long as it is not also submitted to BB.

You can mix-and-match as much as you please, to allow you to test direct vs BB, or to expand your market beyond those listed above.

(BTW, if you do join BB, I'd appreciate if you use my referral code -- JKX5J2D3 ). Doesn't cost you anything, but they then give me a dollar or so each time you make a sale.

BTW2 - I have only been on BB for a few months, and already make more money there with 800 clips that I make with a photo portfolio of 4500 images on a dozen agencies. 3 more video sales today, at $35 each. (35 dollars, not cents! )

Thanks a lot for the info, that's great.

I had already registered with BB but I'll have a look if I can enter this code somewhere.

mindstorm · « **Reply #63 on:** January 26, 2019, 10:07 »

Quote from: qunamax on January 26, 2019, 05:37

So Vimeo is now a stock place?

Yes. It was added recently. About the first of December if I remember correctly.

mindstorm · « **Reply #64 on:** January 26, 2019, 10:12 »

Quote from: georgep7 on January 26, 2019, 03:50

It is sad that I cannot find new tutorials. Real useful tutorials.

Do you know about RSS readers? Most of the good photo/video blogs have an RSS feed. That is what I subscribe to. I get daily world news (NYTimes, CNN, NPR) plus a dozens of photo/video blog posts every day. I scan through them, and just go past the headlines on maybe 5 to 10 per day.

The headlines (typically w/ first paragraph, but sometimes the whole article) gives me a constant feel of what is happening in the areas I am interested in. The headlines that talk about a new video let me pick and choose which videos to go watch.

For me, that works much better than just subscribing to YouTube and then watching random things that come through.

At any rate, if you are not familiar with RSS, go check it out. On a Mac, my favorite reader is called "Reeder" and is available on the Apple App Store.

mindstorm · « **Reply #65 on:** January 26, 2019, 10:14 »

@georgep7

I should have also mentioned, I actually read this group via RSS. That way I skip 90% of the posts where are trivial trash, and just get involved with the discussions that I feel are relevant and interesting (such as this one).

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #66 on:** January 27, 2019, 09:46 »

Quote from: georgep7 on January 26, 2019, 03:50

True!
I have dropped all "filmmaking" channels except one that I think as educational.
Also gear oriented ones. Now on I try to follow stock footage related people and brands.

It is sad that I cannot find new tutorials. Real useful tutorials. In years past, people used to make long full AE tutorials that axtually learned me more than even a payed full class did. Nowadays it is all transitions and LUTs and "cinematic' recycling of small pieces of film theory.

I also use vimeo to watch stuff, perhaps those cookies initiate more ads on this in my browser...

I think you know this but when you search on Google or others, that data is often shared or at least written to a cookie. If you search eBay that's recorded. When you watch a video on Vimeo or Youtube, go to a site that teaches about video, Walmart, Amazon, camera shops, maybe you looked at a video camera, there's data collected. I don't know all the ways or details, but what I mean is, because you have interests and the sites gather that, you will be targeted with future ads and material, wherever you go.

Anyway, yes, many sites try to tailor their content to your interests. I'm happy when they do a good job and I see things I might have missed. I'm bothered, as in nagged, by ads trying to sell me something, I have no interest in, just because I looked at something on eBay, looked up something for someone else.

I've always suspected that stock agencies watch buyers for what they have downloaded in the past. I mean it's obvious that when I look, the sites remember what I viewed or searched for last. When people looked for what came up first on some searches, years ago, we found that location and previous views and searches, sometimes had an effect. I hope my buyers have tracking that leads them back to me?

Quote from: mindstorm on January 25, 2019, 18:38

Quote from: Uncle Pete on January 25, 2019, 17:27
I used your code to sign up. Don't count on ever seeing a cent and I'll be sure to post my code as soon as I get one? I will try some uploads and see how I like the system.

Thx! I got an email saying that you had used the code.

Now that you are a member of BlackBox, you might want to join their Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/blackboxglobal/). It is a closed group, only open to BlackBox members.

It is a very active group, and pretty much every question I have had has been answered there without me even having to post myself. The founder is also making hints about some big improvements that will come out February (next month), including something related to mentoring so the more experienced videographers can help teach the novices. I am guessing that will be in exchange for a percentage of the revenue on sold clips that were part of the mentoring, but I have no inside knowledge to know for sure.

Cool, I'll be watching

mindstorm · « **Reply #67 on:** January 27, 2019, 10:15 »

Quote from: Uncle Pete on January 27, 2019, 09:46

Anyway, yes, many sites try to tailor their content to your interests. I'm happy when they do a good job and I see things I might have missed. I'm bothered, as in nagged, by ads trying to sell me something, I have no interest in, just because I looked at something on eBay, looked up something for someone else.

Also, if you have a shared computer, as some families do, you may get recommendations based on what others using your computer watch.

I remember when we first got TiVo, it used to suggest the weirdest shows to me. After a couple months, I realized that it was building a recommendation list based on what my wife watched. Because she watches a lot more TV than I do, her shows carried more weight.

That was nearly 20 years ago (1999). I don't really remember how we resolved it, but I think I found an option to just turn off recommendations entirely...

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #68 on:** January 27, 2019, 10:50 »

Quote from: mindstorm on January 27, 2019, 10:15

Quote from: Uncle Pete on January 27, 2019, 09:46
Anyway, yes, many sites try to tailor their content to your interests. I'm happy when they do a good job and I see things I might have missed. I'm bothered, as in nagged, by ads trying to sell me something, I have no interest in, just because I looked at something on eBay, looked up something for someone else.

Also, if you have a shared computer, as some families do, you may get recommendations based on what others using your computer watch.

I remember when we first got TiVo, it used to suggest the weirdest shows to me. After a couple months, I realized that it was building a recommendation list based on what my wife watched. Because she watches a lot more TV than I do, her shows carried more weight.

That was nearly 20 years ago (1999). I don't really remember how we resolved it, but I think I found an option to just turn off recommendations entirely...

Roku, now she has her Netflix account for all the "chick flicks" and I have mine for history, archaeology, cars shows and "Man" subjects.

We don't share any computers, or accounts, good for both of us. I don't play candy crush, she doesn't do stock photos... She's on Facebook many times a day, I login every few days, maybe? Haven't had cable TV since maybe 2009. I just got tired of paying $60 a month or more, to have 300 stations that I don't watch.

georgep7 · « **Reply #69 on:** January 27, 2019, 14:59 »

More than a cookie https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/6139018 And If i am not wrong, this kind of data is not only stored but also selled. A totally new market. There are some interesting articles about how this way of advertising is coming to a dead end due to bot fake clicks and the useless creation of web pages redirection etc. Not really familiar with all those, but I was amazed with the complexity of all those things.

@mindstorm Thanks for the RSS reader tip, never thought to use one, I will research it and probably use, seems to save a lot of time

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #70 on:** January 28, 2019, 08:11 »

Quote from: georgep7 on January 27, 2019, 14:59

More than a cookie https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/6139018 And If i am not wrong, this kind of data is not only stored but also selled. A totally new market. There are some interesting articles about how this way of advertising is coming to a dead end due to bot fake clicks and the useless creation of web pages redirection etc. Not really familiar with all those, but I was amazed with the complexity of all those things.

@mindstorm Thanks for the RSS reader tip, never thought to use one, I will research it and probably use, seems to save a lot of time

Oh yes, you are right, I was just getting at the basics. The data isn't just for ads for us, it's also for tracking and marketing, and yes, some of it is sold. The free sites, as others have pointed out, we are the product. That's how the "free" places like Facebook, Vimeo, or Youtube can afford all the bandwidth and server storage. The ad views a minimal supplement.

Clicks aren't what they once were. Early years, you could get (and I'm making up an example because I don't remember what it was in 1999) .002 cents that's not 2 cents it was 2 100ths of a cent, for a view with the ad embedded. I had a special interest page that got 20,000 views. $40 Good fun but the site had to be configured just right and be on a specific server, the specific company, or nothing. I added the links to my personal pages and got nothing.

I don't know what they pay now, but when you see one of those Top 20 Something sites, and there's a click for every page in the count down or up, and some pages they will try to make two per page, that's how they make money. The kind that kill me are, The Most Shocking Story of... which drags out a one page event into 20 pages of, and then you won't guess what happened next teasers.

What's next? We'll see it when it happens. My point is, these things change and that happens when someone figures out they aren't getting the returns on their payments or something better comes along that brings in more customers. Just like spam, or junk mail, if there was no return for the effort, it would go away.

Although I do get notices of another lost relative, every few months, with millions, living in Nigeria. LOL Apparently that scan is still bringing in suckers. That's sad.

Rage · « **Reply #71 on:** January 28, 2019, 12:08 »

Quote from: mindstorm on January 26, 2019, 10:12

Quote from: georgep7 on January 26, 2019, 03:50
It is sad that I cannot find new tutorials. Real useful tutorials.

Do you know about RSS readers? Most of the good photo/video blogs have an RSS feed. That is what I subscribe to. I get daily world news (NYTimes, CNN, NPR) plus a dozens of photo/video blog posts every day. I scan through them, and just go past the headlines on maybe 5 to 10 per day.

The headlines (typically w/ first paragraph, but sometimes the whole article) gives me a constant feel of what is happening in the areas I am interested in. The headlines that talk about a new video let me pick and choose which videos to go watch.

For me, that works much better than just subscribing to YouTube and then watching random things that come through.

At any rate, if you are not familiar with RSS, go check it out. On a Mac, my favorite reader is called "Reeder" and is available on the Apple App Store.

Can you mention some of the good blogs that i should follow via rss

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #72 on:** January 28, 2019, 13:43 »

Quote from: mindstorm on January 25, 2019, 18:38

Quote from: Uncle Pete on January 25, 2019, 17:27
I used your code to sign up. Don't count on ever seeing a cent and I'll be sure to post my code as soon as I get one? I will try some uploads and see how I like the system.

Thx! I got an email saying that you had used the code.

Now that you are a member of BlackBox, you might want to join their Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/blackboxglobal/). It is a closed group, only open to BlackBox members.

It is a very active group, and pretty much every question I have had has been answered there without me even having to post myself. The founder is also making hints about some big improvements that will come out February (next month), including something related to mentoring so the more experienced videographers can help teach the novices. I am guessing that will be in exchange for a percentage of the revenue on sold clips that were part of the mentoring, but I have no inside knowledge to know for sure.

OK and for anyone else now I have a code: JRCL915H which may be the only way I'll make anything from video on Blackbox or anywhere else.
https://portal.blackbox.global/register?code=JRCL915H

Just going to point out that Mindstorm was first to ask.

His code is below.

Quote from: mindstorm on January 25, 2019, 15:09

(BTW, if you do join BB, I'd appreciate if you use my referral code -- JKX5J2D3 ). Doesn't cost you anything, but they then give me a dollar or so each time you make a sale.

mindstorm · « **Reply #73 on:** January 28, 2019, 15:17 »

Quote from: Uncle Pete on January 28, 2019, 13:43

Just going to point out that Mindstorm was first to ask. His code is below.

Thx!

But don't sell yourself short. If you have done video before, then there is certainly a learning curve, just as there is with photos. It can be learned though.

I look at my videos from just a year ago (before I was thinking of stock footage) and cringe... even though I am getting about $200/mo from my clips after only 5 months (which is slightly more than I get from photos after 7 years of submissions and 4500 images...!)

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #74 on:** January 29, 2019, 10:48 »

Quote from: mindstorm on January 28, 2019, 15:17

Quote from: Uncle Pete on January 28, 2019, 13:43
Just going to point out that Mindstorm was first to ask. His code is below.

Thx!

But don't sell yourself short. If you have done video before, then there is certainly a learning curve, just as there is with photos. It can be learned though.

I look at my videos from just a year ago (before I was thinking of stock footage) and cringe... even though I am getting about $200/mo from my clips after only 5 months (which is slightly more than I get from photos after 7 years of submissions and 4500 images...!)

Not selling short, I only have GoPros now, dropped some other cameras, video is not photo, and my access is limited by TV contracts. That means "if we catch you shooting video, you will be asked to leave and never come back" so I don't shoot video at that kind of event.

There's much difference in technique and planning a good video shot, while photo is on moment in time.

That said, I have a good time, 2 Hero HD, a 4 Black and a Session 5. All kinds of mounts including a hardhat, a headband, a dual HD for 3D, clamps and things. My favorite so far is the magnetic mounts for POV video and a special tripod for time lapse. Working on more places where I can stick up a camera, time lapse, in any weather, and pick it up at the end of the day. Access where there is none...

None of those are on stock sites yet, just working on where, how and what testing.

komikmiha · « **Reply #75 on:** December 04, 2019, 12:38 »

Old topic but still. I wanna share my opinion of BB. I was there for one year and uploaded over 6k clips. What bothers me is the lack of statistics. No info which agency accepted the clips and which clip was denied and for what reason. Even more frustrating is when I got a sale I don't know where that clip was sold. The only redeeming part of BB is easy to use interface and time saving since you do only one clip for several agencies. But all in all it is not worth it. Another thing I can speak about is their FB group. It's like a dictatorship in it's most hyper state, nothing negative can be said, only praise for Bb is allowed and is immediately deleted. Every post you'll see there is only positive, most of the time ass kissing to the founder of BB, which is silly in itself. You can't suggest anything for the to fix nor can you call them out when they aren't transparent. That worries me. I exactly know how many videos I have and where they are. And the result is quite surprising: Adobe took almost all, except editorial (as they don't accept that), Pond5 accepted all clips, Shutterstock half of clips (even though the number is rising as they accept even 6 months old clips) and finally Vimeostock accepted only 1500. Don't know why. So bottom line is: now I'm on my own and I think it's better this way.

odesigns · « **Reply #76 on:** December 05, 2019, 06:52 »

Agree 100%. The only aspect I would use BB for is shared profit. My nephew shoots for me occasionally and I submit his clips via BB to give him 50% of sales.

Otherwise, I stay away.

Not Today · « **Reply #77 on:** December 05, 2019, 07:52 »

Quote from: komikmiha on December 04, 2019, 12:38

Old topic but still. I wanna share my opinion of BB. I was there for one year and uploaded over 6k clips. What bothers me is the lack of statistics. No info which agency accepted the clips and which clip was denied and for what reason. Even more frustrating is when I got a sale I don't know where that clip was sold. The only redeeming part of BB is easy to use interface and time saving since you do only one clip for several agencies. But all in all it is not worth it. Another thing I can speak about is their FB group. It's like a dictatorship in it's most hyper state, nothing negative can be said, only praise for Bb is allowed and is immediately deleted. Every post you'll see there is only positive, most of the time ass kissing to the founder of BB, which is silly in itself. You can't suggest anything for the to fix nor can you call them out when they aren't transparent. That worries me. I exactly know how many videos I have and where they are. And the result is quite surprising: Adobe took almost all, except editorial (as they don't accept that), Pond5 accepted all clips, Shutterstock half of clips (even though the number is rising as they accept even 6 months old clips) and finally Vimeostock accepted only 1500. Don't know why. So bottom line is: now I'm on my own and I think it's better this way.

Have you been banned? I thought there was an 18 months files deletion waiting time.

komikmiha · « **Reply #78 on:** December 08, 2019, 16:01 »

Quote from: Not Today on December 05, 2019, 07:52

Quote from: komikmiha on December 04, 2019, 12:38
Old topic but still. I wanna share my opinion of BB. I was there for one year and uploaded over 6k clips. What bothers me is the lack of statistics. No info which agency accepted the clips and which clip was denied and for what reason. Even more frustrating is when I got a sale I don't know where that clip was sold. The only redeeming part of BB is easy to use interface and time saving since you do only one clip for several agencies. But all in all it is not worth it. Another thing I can speak about is their FB group. It's like a dictatorship in it's most hyper state, nothing negative can be said, only praise for Bb is allowed and is immediately deleted. Every post you'll see there is only positive, most of the time ass kissing to the founder of BB, which is silly in itself. You can't suggest anything for the to fix nor can you call them out when they aren't transparent. That worries me. I exactly know how many videos I have and where they are. And the result is quite surprising: Adobe took almost all, except editorial (as they don't accept that), Pond5 accepted all clips, Shutterstock half of clips (even though the number is rising as they accept even 6 months old clips) and finally Vimeostock accepted only 1500. Don't know why. So bottom line is: now I'm on my own and I think it's better this way.

Have you been banned? I thought there was an 18 months files deletion waiting time.

No I haven't been banned. Don't know about the deletion waiting time, I've never dig into it.

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