MicrostockGroup

Ironarrow, I don't think you were around this forum when StockXpert introduced subs and it did indeed cause a lively debate which led to dozens, perhaps hundreds of contributors to opt-out of sub sales.  (StockXpert offered the option to opt-out because of contributor backlash).   We have either come to accept the 30 cent commission or we have opted out.  A year has not yet passed and StockXpert cannot screw with their client base prices so soon.  DT and SS have both increased their subs commissions this year and seem to do so on an annual basis.  I would certainly expect when the first term ends StockXpert will raise both their prices and commissions as well, but it may be a longer period now that they are partnered up with these other sites.

I do appreciate that you have the interest of ALL of our rights at heart, but we did protest the subs and StockXpert gave us an opt-in or opt-out.   A majority of us take our cheque every month from SS made up of .25 or .38 sub sales, so it is ethically very difficult to initiate a war against the other sites without terminating our #1 or #2 commission earner.   

It is very easy to complain, but what can we collectively do to make the business better?

The fact is that I make less with StockXpert for subs downloads than I do with SS, DT, 123RF and FT.  I hope StockXpert wont lag behind the other sites for too long.

The bigger problem is not just StockXpert.  I used to like subs before Yuri pointed out how little in percentage terms we make.  That was a real shock and now I would like a fair share.

What I would like to see is a percentage of the money from subscription sales going to the contributors, the same as it is with per download sales.  For StockXpert, that would be 50%.  I know that isn't likely to happen soon and that is why I can't see my long term future being with the microstock subs sites.  Hopefully my earnings with alamy, photoshelter and the midstock sites will one day be enough for me to leave the microstock subs sites.  The other option is to go exclusive with istock but I don't like having all my eggs in one basket.

Yep, absolutely right!
This is the source of the sub dilemma. It's the fact that the model is based on selling images at a price so low that compensation for contributors can only be paid when buyers do not download all of their purchased images.
It creates a very artificial market, which has the added problem that the agencies make more money when less content is downloaded, exactly the opposite to their artists who they are supposed to represent.
If only we could be organized enough to pull all our work from SS in one go this could be solved over night-- without loss of income as buyers would be forced to go elsewhere and the other agencies would be scared into line. But getting artists to act together is like herding cats 

It would be a revolution.. Revolution is in our blood.. History had witnessed it many times..

If the king can be taken down, SS can be taken down too!!!

WE ARE THE FORCE!! WE ARE THE CREATIVE POWER!!

They can only sell our work the way we choose!!