MicrostockGroup
Agency Based Discussion => 123RF => Topic started by: vphoto on December 08, 2007, 13:39
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I can't find a way to turn subscription option off at 123rf. Please let me know if you done it.
vphoto
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Too bad... you can't :-\
StockXpert ist the only site which allows it AFAIK.
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SV allows that and I turned subscriptions off. If 123rf will not let me turn subscriptions off, I will cancel my account with them. Giving full sizes images for .30 is in fact giving them for free.
vphoto
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I personally think except for the SS model all other subscription models damaging micro stock and what it does is nothing but just lowering the prices.I don't think it creates new buyers(just my assumption)but especially low selling sites trying to attract existing buyers with low prices but I don't think it will do any good for anyone in the future.
one again thanks StockXpert for at least making it optional.
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yes, stockphoto, you are right! Only with Shutterstock it is ok, with others it is simply cheating us.
vphoto
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I just stop uploading there. Barely no sale and poor commissions!
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I personally think except for the SS model all other subscription models damaging micro stock and what it does is nothing but just lowering the prices.I don't think it creates new buyers(just my assumption)but especially low selling sites trying to attract existing buyers with low prices but I don't think it will do any good for anyone in the future.
one again thanks StockXpert for at least making it optional.
Why is it ok for SS and not the rest? If it is ok for one how are the rest going to compete?
fred
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$0.30 is not in fact free. I can't see any difference between selling them on SS and 123rf. I am pleased I uploaded my portfolio there. They add a nice extra bit to my earnings each month.
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[quote Why is it ok for SS and not the rest? If it is ok for one how are the rest going to compete?
fred
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there are actually some big differences :
A- when you submit to SS you know it is going to be sold with subscription model whereas on some of the other sites (as we have seen in many cases )you upload your portfolio to a site planing to sell your work ppd model than they suddenly switch to subscription and that it is usually not optional with the exception of StockXpert.in such cases you either have to remove your work which means all the effort you make to upload goes wasted or to agree get 25 or 30 cents for a fullsize image.
B-when uploading to SS you may choose to downsize your images to the min required size.
C-and another reason why SS's model is different is that it works properly and the at end of the month you reach a decent payout.
like I mentioned in my first post I don't think sub model would create new buyers but it would attract buyers to switch to it and that surely will result in loss of earning for both sides the site and the contributer.
we know micro stock is a young growing industry and as it evolves and as the quality gets higher and as the sites ask for more better quality work
they should let the prices grow too rather than let it fall by sub models.
just my two cents
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Concerning 123, they do not "suddenly switch" to subscription model: this model is here since a long time (at least since I joined one and half year ago ;D).
I've a mixed opinion concerning subscription model: it seems indeed unfair, but at the end, the only question is: does it hurt or increase the contributor's earnings?
I don't have a clear answer, but if I consider DRM and now StockXpert, it seems to me that at least it doesn't hurt my earnings. At StockXpert, I still sell more $2.50 XL than $0.30 subscriptions downloads!
The interest for the microstock agencies with subscription is essentially to keep the buyer "exclusive" with them: if you pay a monthly subscription, you will probably not have another subscription with another agency and you will not purchase credit based images elsewhere (or very seldom).
I understand that micro sites have to compete with SS and that a subscription model may be necessary for them. The only exception being IS: they do not have to compete because they have so many exclusive photographers!
I do not agree with the idea that subscription model is fair at SS and not at other agencies only because the earnings are higher at SS: this is not a good reason from the agency point of view.
I have another opinion: the whole subscription model is fair only for "snapshot" photographers which will be able to make a few bucks even with a small and/or so-so portfolio. For "serious" photographers, the subscription model is unfair, whatever the agency. But it is SS which force other smaller agencies to have a subscription model in order to compete: the real problem may be SS, but as it is a very good earner for most contributors, nobody cares.
For me, SS was the top earner until a few month ago. Now StockXpert and IS are the top earners and sales at SS are down (because I do not upload a lot).
What about the future? IS just anouncing its new pricing structure... a huge 30-50% increase. StockXpert give me many $2.50 XL downloads and a few $5.00 XXL. DRM has changed its picture level scheme and many of my photos go up one level and I now have regular $2-3 downloads. Even BS increase the commission. I've just started contributing to some macrostock and midstock agencies as well as some "prints & goodies" agencies...
... it seems quite clear to me that the trend goes for a higher earnings per downloads on all agencies and that macro and micro business become closer and closer
... and SS still keeps its subscription only model.
What about leaving SS ?
Or better: uploading downsampled photos on SS and keeping the best photos and the full resolution for other agencies?
Just wondering... for now.
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What about leaving SS ?
Or better: uploading downsampled photos on SS and keeping the best photos and the full resolution for other agencies?
Just wondering... for now.
At least one other contributor here has mentioned that he only sends 4mp shots to SS. I sent them two this week that needed cropping to 4mp, nice to be able to do that with no regrets!
I'm not very active at this MS thing, but it still seems like a lot of extra steps to downsize! It is really unfair that the regular agencies don't have a max size on the the subscription. If the buyer finds what they like, most times they would purchase the full sized image.
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I don't think subs prices are a fair deal, therefore I never joined SS. If subs were available only at small sizes or old files, I would not have much problem with it, but to me, no matter how much high volumes may make a good income, I feel underpaid in subs, and I don't like that. That's my problem with CanStockPhoto and CS, as in both sites subs prevail. It's a bit of a problem in 123RF, where they represent a significant part. It's not a problem for me in DT or StockXpert (though this month subs became a bit more significant).
Quite frankly, microstock prices are already very low, and I don't think ending the cheap subscription options would reduce sales. Yes, a subscriber would download less images, but would still buy those he really needs. Some sellers would lose those cents of the images dld'ed just for numbers, others would however receive more for a "true" download. Even losing money (as I lose by not being at SS), I prefer it this way.
Regards,
Adelaide
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One thing about subscriptions though, only busy, thriving agencies will get them... this introduces their hot young designers to these sites that are not Istock... and they all do freelance stuff but would never need a subscription - so who know, maybe we do benefit.
Not that I like getting 30 cent sales.
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Glad that I've found this conversation, it was good to read about all pros and cons of subscription from people who already tried this model.
Previously I was thinking to join SS once I got new camera with better image quality, but now after reading this thread and thinking about this for a while I decide that would either keep position of Adelaide and wouldn't register at SS at all or like stokfoto said I'll downsize everything to lowest possible resolution(but I'm guessing that if everyone would start to use this feature sooner or later SS would raise lowest acceptable resolution).
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Sensovision - I can understand where you are coming from. But, you are only hurting yourself by not joining SS. It is an extremely good income generator. If I could get more on Istock, they would quickly become #1, but for now SS is the best. SS also sells a high number of enhanced licenses, last month I had 3 - that's $60 right there.
I have also started sending smaller files to them - but I have to ask myself it this may also hurt me. Maybe the files are not big enough to attract enhanced license sales?
I will also make a prediction here. I don't think SS will survive forever unless they introduce individual sales. With the subs competition, their model is no longer so attrictive. I'm betting that they introduce individual sales within the next couple of years (and I hope it is a mid-price).
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I do well on 123 and credit sales are much higher than sub sales, 3-1 some months. Also and occasional EL. They will be my #2 this month by a wide margin, so I have no complaints. Easy uploads and steady income.
Also, turning off the .36 sub sales wouldn't buy you much as the cheapest credit sale is .37
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I asked 123rf about turning subs off and they replied that it was not possible.
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Sensovision - I can understand where you are coming from. But, you are only hurting yourself by not joining SS.
Hi Pixart, and thanks for reply! Of course I could loose something not joining it but from other side I'm not sure if I would be feel well if I know that my works(even not artworks as I plan to upload them to Photoshelter even if they wouldn't be sold there at all) are sold for few cents, maybe with time when I shoot more photographs I'll change my point of view.
Also right now I don't think I have good chances to get any images listed there, my camera rarely produce noise free images so I would spend a lot of time cleaning them up to match SS's criteria, as from what I've read they are hate noise... And since my camera is 4MP I'd not be able to get rid of noise by downsamping.
It is an extremely good income generator. If I could get more on Istock, they would quickly become #1, but for now SS is the best. SS also sells a high number of enhanced licenses, last month I had 3 - that's $60 right there.
I didn't know SS got enhanced licenses :P
right now I had biggest porfolio on DT and it's only 13 images :P so I could only dream about even one sale ::) 60$ per month would be good result for me right now and let me save money for new camera.
I have also started sending smaller files to them - but I have to ask myself it this may also hurt me. Maybe the files are not big enough to attract enhanced license sales?
I will also make a prediction here. I don't think SS will survive forever unless they introduce individual sales. With the subs competition, their model is no longer so attrictive. I'm betting that they introduce individual sales within the next couple of years (and I hope it is a mid-price).
I'm not sure as from what I've read they got own audience and photographers like them right now, so probably this business model is working and would be left here for some time. From other side I'm not even registered with them and didn't know about licenses so there is big chance I'm wrong here as well.
Time will show I guess :)