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Author Topic: Alamy- Tips on getting Sales  (Read 44951 times)

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« Reply #51 on: August 13, 2014, 09:12 »
+1
The key thing to remember is that its always the usage that is priced, not the image.

An image taken of the floor in front of you can fetch $10,000+ if that's what the client needs for an exclusive worldwide ad campaign.

We're not influential enough to determine industry prices. We have to respond to pricing trends in stock imagery that are dictated by the likes of Getty and Shutterstock.

All types of imagery sell for all ranges of prices with us but again it depends on the usage, not the image. There are no fixed trends. Our average price takes into account all sales and comes out at around $100.

It's impossible to comment further for your collection specifically Shady Sue as we don't know who you are. If you PM us your name we will be able to take a look at your collection and perhaps offer some advice if you would like us to.

I have been saying for a few years in this forum that Alamy is becoming microstock because of pricing pressures from ms companies. And you just validated my many comments at msg that this is true. So unless microstock turns a corner to drive pricing upwards, and we know that's not going to happen, we can expect a continued downward trend at Alamy as microstock spirals into the abyss with the likes of FOTOLIA AND DPC and Deposit Photos to name a couple. So while some contributors put in unique images that are not microstock images, their commissions are effected by your overall pricing pressures. So that and the crowd sourcing of images and contributors we can very reasonably expect Alamy revenues to follow revenue trending of microstock in general.

Don't get me wrong, I still like Alamy. I am just trying to put some reasonable perspectives on what to expect as an Alamy contributor.
« Last Edit: August 13, 2014, 09:38 by Mantis »

« Reply #52 on: August 13, 2014, 09:53 »
+2
I have been saying for a few years in this forum that Alamy is becoming microstock because of pricing pressures from ms companies. And you just validated my many comments at msg that this is true.

We're not becoming microstock though.

There's a difference between us responding to certain price pressures (created by microstock and other leading "traditional agencies") and us becoming a microstock agency. That's certainly not on our road map and our average price points continue to reflect that.

Many of the deals we make to compete effectively with microstock are often for very specific usages in very specific markets/customers who primarily use microstock for sourcing stock imagery.
« Last Edit: August 13, 2014, 09:56 by Alamy »

« Reply #53 on: August 13, 2014, 10:02 »
0
I have been saying for a few years in this forum that Alamy is becoming microstock because of pricing pressures from ms companies. And you just validated my many comments at msg that this is true.

We're not becoming microstock though.

There's a difference between us responding to certain price pressures (created by microstock and other leading "traditional agencies") and us becoming a microstock agency. That's certainly not on our road map and our average price points continue to reflect that.

Many of the deals we make to compete effectively with microstock are often for very specific usages in very specific markets/customers who primarily use microstock for sourcing stock imagery.

That good to hear. But the fact remains that, at least from the people commenting in the msg forums, our aggregate revenues are falling YOY. That leads me to conclude that a larger aggregate of your sales are competing with microstock and that the lions share of your contributors with decent, sellable content are also contributing to microstock. That means there is not much of a differentiation, if any, from the Alamy collection and, say, Shutterstocks collection, other than offset. The  only differentiation might be in licensing terms, which are few and far between when a unique license is needed that would demand higher pricing.

« Reply #54 on: August 14, 2014, 07:03 »
+2
I just made an online magazine sale with a RM image on Alamy. Once I take Alamy's share and the Distributor's share from the fee I receive $1.52.

I'm afraid I don't want any tips on how to make these kinds of sales, thanks.

In the whole of 2014 I have made one sale that earned more that $100 Gross. I make my entire living from stock. If I relied on Alamy, I'd be out of business tomorrow.

Ed

« Reply #55 on: August 14, 2014, 09:09 »
+4
So unless microstock turns a corner to drive pricing upwards, and we know that's not going to happen, we can expect a continued downward trend at Alamy as microstock spirals into the abyss with the likes of FOTOLIA AND DPC and Deposit Photos to name a couple.

...it's not just microstock - it's ALL the players.  You don't read about it in this forum, but AP is undercutting just as much as Getty (traditional Getty - not iStock) is undercutting.  I have heard from Corbis editors that it's the reality of our industry these days.

I am hoping that the industry begins to mature (again) after the birth of digital distribution and prices increase.....I mean seriously, the industry needs to understand that if image pricing is based on distribution, then the price of a "web use" image should be HIGHER than that of an image used in a text book with 25,000 copies produced.  Instead, it's backward because of pricing inherited from the days of analog.

« Reply #56 on: August 15, 2014, 08:21 »
+1
So unless microstock turns a corner to drive pricing upwards, and we know that's not going to happen, we can expect a continued downward trend at Alamy as microstock spirals into the abyss with the likes of FOTOLIA AND DPC and Deposit Photos to name a couple.

...it's not just microstock - it's ALL the players.  You don't read about it in this forum, but AP is undercutting just as much as Getty (traditional Getty - not iStock) is undercutting.  I have heard from Corbis editors that it's the reality of our industry these days.

I am hoping that the industry begins to mature (again) after the birth of digital distribution and prices increase.....I mean seriously, the industry needs to understand that if image pricing is based on distribution, then the price of a "web use" image should be HIGHER than that of an image used in a text book with 25,000 copies produced.  Instead, it's backward because of pricing inherited from the days of analog.

Good points, Ed. Thanks for adding another perspective.

« Reply #57 on: August 15, 2014, 08:32 »
+1
So unless microstock turns a corner to drive pricing upwards, and we know that's not going to happen, we can expect a continued downward trend at Alamy as microstock spirals into the abyss with the likes of FOTOLIA AND DPC and Deposit Photos to name a couple.

...it's not just microstock - it's ALL the players.  You don't read about it in this forum, but AP is undercutting just as much as Getty (traditional Getty - not iStock) is undercutting.  I have heard from Corbis editors that it's the reality of our industry these days.

I am hoping that the industry begins to mature (again) after the birth of digital distribution and prices increase.....I mean seriously, the industry needs to understand that if image pricing is based on distribution, then the price of a "web use" image should be HIGHER than that of an image used in a text book with 25,000 copies produced.  Instead, it's backward because of pricing inherited from the days of analog.
This discussion dovetails well with others going on now.  The major problem as I see it is not that 'the industry' or companies are bad or need to change, that won't happen on its own.  It's up to contributors to force change.  What makes people think that buyers will continue to pay higher prices for the same work?  If I was licensing an image I'd get it from the cheapest site, over time that is what is going to happen and what has been happening.
« Last Edit: August 15, 2014, 08:34 by Audi 5000 »

« Reply #58 on: August 15, 2014, 10:08 »
0
Two for me so far this month. Both at 50%.

Country: North America
Usage: Consumer goods
Media: Calendar
Print run: up to 20,000
Placement: Inside
Start: 01 January 2016
End: 01 January 2017
North America (with 3% abroad); Print Run: 25,000; Full page
$150 Gross

^ particularly pleased that someone chose this one - i really like it but honestly never expected it to sell. It's one of those images which I will look back at and remember the day I took it.

Country: Worldwide
Usage: iQ sale: Educational book, editorial digital use, inside, one time use only
Industry sector: Media, design & publishing
Start: 11 August 2014
End: 11 August 2039
$44.33 Gross

« Reply #59 on: August 15, 2014, 10:26 »
0
I've found Alamy sales slow, but nice :)  better earners when they do turn up ;)

« Reply #60 on: August 19, 2014, 09:39 »
0
Hello i'm contributor in Alamy since firsts days of june, and i sell 1 photo, my income was 14.50 dollars (and i'm very happy about this).
Now the question... i always put RF when submit, i was wrong? it's better to use RM?
this point is not very clear for me cause i'm very new to the stocks.
Anyone can explain me clearly what mean and what is better to do?

 :o :o :) :-[

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #61 on: August 19, 2014, 11:17 »
+1
Hello i'm contributor in Alamy since firsts days of june, and i sell 1 photo, my income was 14.50 dollars (and i'm very happy about this).
Now the question... i always put RF when submit, i was wrong? it's better to use RM?
this point is not very clear for me cause i'm very new to the stocks.
Anyone can explain me clearly what mean and what is better to do?

 :o :o :) :-[

There is a difference, obviously, and which you prefer is your call, but:
1. If you have an image as RF somewhere else, it must be RF on Alamy.
2. If you have an image with property or people without releases, it must be RM on Alamy, so if you offer it as RF-editorial elsewhere, it can't be on Alamy.


« Reply #62 on: August 19, 2014, 11:21 »
0
Hello i'm contributor in Alamy since firsts days of june, and i sell 1 photo, my income was 14.50 dollars (and i'm very happy about this).
Now the question... i always put RF when submit, i was wrong? it's better to use RM?
this point is not very clear for me cause i'm very new to the stocks.
Anyone can explain me clearly what mean and what is better to do?

 :o :o :) :-[

There is a difference, obviously, and which you prefer is your call, but:
1. If you have an image as RF somewhere else, it must be RF on Alamy.
2. If you have an image with property or people without releases, it must be RM on Alamy, so if you offer it as RF-editorial elsewhere, it can't be on Alamy.

Ok so i was right since now, RM i need to apply only with people or property without release and no upload on other sites like editorial, right?
I can continue upload as RF photos with no subject need release?

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #63 on: August 19, 2014, 11:27 »
0
Hello i'm contributor in Alamy since firsts days of june, and i sell 1 photo, my income was 14.50 dollars (and i'm very happy about this).
Now the question... i always put RF when submit, i was wrong? it's better to use RM?
this point is not very clear for me cause i'm very new to the stocks.
Anyone can explain me clearly what mean and what is better to do?

 :o :o :) :-[

There is a difference, obviously, and which you prefer is your call, but:
1. If you have an image as RF somewhere else, it must be RF on Alamy.
2. If you have an image with property or people without releases, it must be RM on Alamy, so if you offer it as RF-editorial elsewhere, it can't be on Alamy.

Ok so i was right since now, RM i need to apply only with people or property without release and no upload on other sites like editorial, right?
I can continue upload as RF photos with no subject need release?
Yes, and
Yes, if you wish.

« Reply #64 on: August 19, 2014, 11:31 »
0
Ok so i was right since now, RM i need to apply only with people or property without release and no upload on other sites like editorial, right?
I can continue upload as RF photos with no subject need release?

shadysue has already answered ur question. iow, two different questions two answers
.
1) what u give to anyone as RF  ... must be RF on Alamy and RF everywhere else.

2) editorials requiring no MR, if u put them in Alamy, there is no RF for editorials there...
only RM.
sooooooo, once those images are in RM, it cannot be submitted to any other agencies as RF.
u can submit them to other agencies if they too have RM.

what is RF in one must be RF everywhere else.
what is RM in one must be RM everywhere else.



« Reply #65 on: August 19, 2014, 11:36 »
0
thank you both  ;)

« Reply #66 on: August 19, 2014, 13:55 »
0
If you PM us your name we will be able to take a look at your collection and perhaps offer some advice if you would like us to.

I have my  portfolio in Alamy a few years and I really would like to know some advices from my agent,not jus Alamy other too. Comentaris,tips,corrections,something more expressive over the classic artifacts prayer.
There are a useful way to ask for that?

« Reply #67 on: August 19, 2014, 14:03 »
0
If you PM us your name we will be able to take a look at your collection and perhaps offer some advice if you would like us to.

I have my  portfolio in Alamy a few years and I really would like to know some advices from my agent,not jus Alamy other too. Comentaris,tips,corrections,something more expressive over the classic artifacts prayer.
There are a useful way to ask for that?

my name is my nick in the forum, stefano carocci  ;D ;)

« Reply #68 on: September 27, 2014, 03:28 »
+11
I'm an Alamy contributor. I receive few dollars/year from them. The market is completely changed. Just 12 years ago, with same kind of job I was under assignment once a month, I have bought a big house, I had a wonderful studio and a darkroom, spending most part of the year travelling where the history borned. Today I have a lot of economic problem, the assignment are few and too short and I have to shot for microstock too. I spent seven years as professor of reportage at the Rome state University, and I would like to explain in few words what are the differences between Alamy and microstock imagery. It's very easy: it's a matter of language. While customers of microstocker needs easy concepts (an apple, a kiss, a writer, a dog), customers of the photographic agencies needs complex phrases (an apple certified as biological in India, a kiss among two neurotics in Dallas, Tom Clancy and not just a writer, the dog of the Queen of Portugal or soldier branding a specific weapons while fight against a tank). The introduction of microstock in the market has simplified the communication language of many media too, introducing the concept of fiction in the journalism, and using Istock images of a generic apple in article that talk about "poisoned cultivation of fruits in Marocco". The existance of Alamy is important for a political and social point of view, but we cannot expect to see good revenue if we use the same language to shot photographs for microstock and for Alamy

www.franzgustincich.it

Dook

« Reply #69 on: September 27, 2014, 04:14 »
+1
Well said, Red On. Completely different point of view than what we usually read here. We are so obsessed with microstock race (shoot, upload, earn) that we forget about other values of photography.
But, there is only one thing I don't agree with you. Alamy is not the one. You overestimated it's importance. Maybe some other agency.

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #70 on: September 27, 2014, 12:29 »
+1
RedOn, you can send your quirky pictures to Alamy, but there's no way you can stop them selling for micro prices (at least, non-sub micro prices), as it's all down to what deal the buyer has with Alamy.

« Reply #71 on: September 27, 2014, 13:33 »
0
^ What constitutes micro prices today?

For example, my 4 most recent sales have been $45, $180, $150 and $44 - of which I get 50%. My lowest ever sale was $8 - but that was for 1 week news item (granted that includes archival - but after a week most articles are effectively dead).

^ I suppose those are micro prices compared with the 90s. But I think it would be unrealistic to expect much more given the democratisation of the whole process of submitting stock in general. And given the on going march of free social media content.

I have a lot of time for Alamy and their steady approach to things. But what are micro prices today ?

« Reply #72 on: September 27, 2014, 13:52 »
0
For example, my 4 most recent sales have been $45, $180, $150 and $44 - of which I get 50%.


My last: $125, $29, $40... Yes, poor, but I can't compare it with micros at all, far away...
What is my trick? Said so many times before: (1) quality, (2) keywords, (3) description, (4) variety, and somewhere at the end (5) quantity.

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #73 on: September 27, 2014, 14:30 »
+2
For example, my 4 most recent sales have been $45, $180, $150 and $44 - of which I get 50%.
My last: $125, $29, $40...
My last: $17.50, $3.95,  $9.19 net.

« Reply #74 on: September 27, 2014, 14:38 »
0
ShadySue, your numbers are still much better than I was getting in micros... ;) Like 0.216 with 123RF, 0.30 with DP, 0.10 iS (hardcore), etc... ;)


 

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