Author Topic: BigStock e-mail about subscriptions and an RC-like payment system (Read 69815 times)

hotwalkn · « **Reply #125 on:** February 08, 2013, 16:43 »

Maybe if we rock the boat with BS, it will stir an air of caution with SS?

Beach Bum · « **Reply #126 on:** February 08, 2013, 17:40 »

Quote from: jsnover on February 08, 2013, 14:11

Quote from: cidepix on February 08, 2013, 11:47
this tells me I need to work harder to make my own site my best earner.. It is the only place I am sure I won't get screwed..

I must be having a very negative day, but my first thought was "If Google derived traffic is any part of your plan to get buyers to your own site, have you read the threads about traffic falling off a cliff as a result of the image search changes?"

WarmPicture and GL Leftovers have both mentioned how traffic has dropped drastically as a result of Google's recent changes. I don't know if you're seeing it too, but that's the element of risk for collectives/own sites.

You would think that the agencies would make a collective effort to stop Google's actions. I guess it's easier just to make additional cuts to contributors. Guess I'm having a negative day, too.

sharpshot · « **Reply #127 on:** February 08, 2013, 17:48 »

Quote from: hotwalkn on February 08, 2013, 16:43

Maybe if we rock the boat with BS, it will stir an air of caution with SS?

I don't think so. They read the forums here and have seen how angry we get with sites that have set their RC levels too high. I think they're trying the old trick of setting these crazy levels and then they'll adjust them down a bit, to make it look like they've listened to us. Are we going to fall for that one again? Probably

cidepix · « **Reply #128 on:** February 08, 2013, 17:56 »

Quote from: jsnover on February 08, 2013, 14:11

Quote from: cidepix on February 08, 2013, 11:47
this tells me I need to work harder to make my own site my best earner.. It is the only place I am sure I won't get screwed..

I must be having a very negative day, but my first thought was "If Google derived traffic is any part of your plan to get buyers to your own site, have you read the threads about traffic falling off a cliff as a result of the image search changes?"

WarmPicture and GL Leftovers have both mentioned how traffic has dropped drastically as a result of Google's recent changes. I don't know if you're seeing it too, but that's the element of risk for collectives/own sites.

I will try to adapt.. it may be hard, but I am trying to learn more and more everyday.. hopefully I will succeed.. will have to wait and see..

picture5469 · « **Reply #129 on:** February 08, 2013, 18:53 »

Quote from: picture5469 on February 08, 2013, 14:43

Has anyone asked BS for the total downloads from their site? Is that in itself 50000?

I had to ask BS this question and they said they can't make that information publicly available. I'm going to draw the conclusion from that they don't get 50000 downloads on the site in total.

mike123 · « **Reply #130 on:** February 08, 2013, 19:04 »

I asked them if I would leave immediately, would they pay me my 12$ earnings or if I'd have to wait until my earnings reach 30$ to get my money and close my account. This is the answer I got:

Quote

Hello,

We understand your concern.

One of the reasons behind this change is to provide our contributors with a higher chance to earn higher royalties. Subscriptions can allow more downloads, and higher total earnings, and you will still make the current amount from downloads made using credits.

We encourage you to stay, allowing the chance to see your earnings grow.

We cannot issue payouts beneath $30, if you close your account now you would be forfeiting those earnings.

Please let us know how you would like to proceed.

Kindest regards..

So now I have to wait for another year or so to collect the remaining 18$, then I can leave BS. But stopped uploading immediately

klsbear · « **Reply #131 on:** February 08, 2013, 19:29 »

I wonder what they plan to charge for their sub plan and if it will be same or substantially diffeent than SS's plan. Here's the e-mail I sent in response to the announcement on the changes.

Quote

What the cost will be on the subscription plans? Will you be undercutting the buyer's cost to purchase a similar subscription plan at Shutterstock? If the subscription plans are higher cost for smaller subscriptions or offer substantially different options (ie: small and medium size only for subs) it would be more palatable than if you are offering same or similar to SS but paying us less. As others have said, the higher tiers are a pie-in-the-sky dream given the traffic and industry trends right now. I would like to see the cost on the subsciption plans before it's implemented so I can make some decisions.

Beach Bum · « **Reply #132 on:** February 08, 2013, 23:22 »

I believe, as a lot of you do, that this is just a prelude to Shutterstock adopting the same payment structure. Otherwise, why even bother with Bigstock? It's a low earner site, pretty much irrelevant. It's just a testing ground for Shutterstock. If they do go that route, the psychological impact alone will have a huge impact on contributors. Shutterstock has been the only reliable, fair, and top earning site we have. If they go down that dark hole, then so does the industry as we know it. In a strange way, all of the negativity surrounding the industry today might be a good thing for contributors. The possibility that soon every agency may be screwing us over, combined with the positive developmental projects by Bruce, KonaHawaii, and Justin Brinson at Picturengine may actually be the turning point that we need. "It's always darkest before the dawn."

ruzgar344 · « **Reply #133 on:** February 09, 2013, 00:18 »

Bigstock is the site that I have started 10 days ago.
I saw the topic and also read the email came 2 days ago. Besides this, file review periods is a huge waste of time which I have never faced in istockphoto or depositphotos, I have sent them an email for deleting the pending files and closing my account. They have confirmed and now I cut my relations with BigStock.

nicku · « **Reply #134 on:** February 09, 2013, 03:18 »

It's time to react

let's set a Deactivation date on BigStock

On IS didn't make a big impact but i believe on such a low earner like BS will do. Maybe will make them think about.

The big majority of us can live without the insignificant BS earnings.

Microbius · « **Reply #135 on:** February 09, 2013, 03:59 »

Quote from: nicku on February 09, 2013, 03:18

.....On IS didn't make a big impact .....

I wouldn't say that. It added to the continued decline of IStock that has been ongoing over the last few yeas. They lost a lot of exclusives and a lot files (deactivated and also now never to be uploaded by people who have stopped uploading). They'll be losing traffic from ex-exclusive pointing their customers to new sites too.

Take another look at the Alexa ranking of IStock in a years time and you'll see that all these contributors' reactions are having a very big impact on IStock. It is dying as a crowd sourced micro site. They are having to move more and more Getty content in. In another couple of years they will have negated any reason they had for buying it in the first place.

incarno · « **Reply #136 on:** February 09, 2013, 04:21 »

They are very quick with account deactivation. They asked me for the reason in their deactivation email.

I must say I'm relieved they are 1% of my microstock-earnings and have always been a pita with their seven word description requirement I won't go back to them now even they would change their sub-system.

Phil · « **Reply #137 on:** February 09, 2013, 04:46 »

Sold 802 images there last year so $0.27 - oh joy

.As others have said, the number of new customers is nil so it will just cut customers from elsewhere. I want to send an email but have writers block I cant get past 'you suck'

sharpshot · « **Reply #138 on:** February 09, 2013, 05:11 »

Quote from: Beach Bum on February 08, 2013, 23:22

I believe, as a lot of you do, that this is just a prelude to Shutterstock adopting the same payment structure. Otherwise, why even bother with Bigstock? It's a low earner site, pretty much irrelevant. It's just a testing ground for Shutterstock. If they do go that route, the psychological impact alone will have a huge impact on contributors. Shutterstock has been the only reliable, fair, and top earning site we have. If they go down that dark hole, then so does the industry as we know it. In a strange way, all of the negativity surrounding the industry today might be a good thing for contributors. The possibility that soon every agency may be screwing us over, combined with the positive developmental projects by Bruce, KonaHawaii, and Justin Brinson at Picturengine may actually be the turning point that we need. "It's always darkest before the dawn."

I have serious doubts about Picturengine. I signed up for the free trail, as the site was supposed to be launched very soon. I changed my mind, as I didn't like the thought of that automatic PayPal fee going through. Almost 3 months later, has anything happened? Looks like the free trial was a complete waste of time. Justin should of offered it after the search was fully functional, so we could get some idea if it was worth paying for. I'm also concerned that if Picturengine was a success, how much is it going to cost us? The pre-launch fees seem too high when the search isn't functional, what will they be when it's finally launched? Then there's the problem when we were being told that Picturengine wasn't going to send buyers to the cheapest site but buyers were being told something different. I would suggest that anyone who wants to use Picturengine should read through the threads about it here first.

Beach Bum · « **Reply #139 on:** February 09, 2013, 05:45 »

Quote from: sharpshot on February 09, 2013, 05:11

Quote from: Beach Bum on February 08, 2013, 23:22
I believe, as a lot of you do, that this is just a prelude to Shutterstock adopting the same payment structure. Otherwise, why even bother with Bigstock? It's a low earner site, pretty much irrelevant. It's just a testing ground for Shutterstock. If they do go that route, the psychological impact alone will have a huge impact on contributors. Shutterstock has been the only reliable, fair, and top earning site we have. If they go down that dark hole, then so does the industry as we know it. In a strange way, all of the negativity surrounding the industry today might be a good thing for contributors. The possibility that soon every agency may be screwing us over, combined with the positive developmental projects by Bruce, KonaHawaii, and Justin Brinson at Picturengine may actually be the turning point that we need. "It's always darkest before the dawn."
I have serious doubts about Picturengine. I signed up for the free trail, as the site was supposed to be launched very soon. I changed my mind, as I didn't like the thought of that automatic PayPal fee going through. Almost 3 months later, has anything happened? Looks like the free trial was a complete waste of time. Justin should of offered it after the search was fully functional, so we could get some idea if it was worth paying for. I'm also concerned that if Picturengine was a success, how much is it going to cost us? The pre-launch fees seem too high when the search isn't functional, what will they be when it's finally launched? Then there's the problem when we were being told that Picturengine wasn't going to send buyers to the cheapest site but buyers were being told something different. I would suggest that anyone who wants to use Picturengine should read through the threads about it here first.

Well, it hasn't fully launched yet, but that doesn't mean that nothing's happening. They continue to add new features and work out any bugs in the system. Sure, I would like for it to have launched sooner, but I would rather they launched a good product later than a flawed one sooner. My guess is that the cost at launch will remain the same. Wouldn't make sense to increase the cost on an unproven site. I'm glad I signed up, glad to have gotten the locked in price. If it works out, great! If not, then I'll move on. I'll have a year after launch to make that determination. I think it's worth the gamble, especially considering recent developments in the industry.

sharpshot · « **Reply #140 on:** February 09, 2013, 06:11 »

Quote from: Beach Bum on February 09, 2013, 05:45

...My guess is that the cost at launch will remain the same. Wouldn't make sense to increase the cost on an unproven site...

The sales pitch in previous threads was that the price was going up as soon as the search went live.

Beach Bum · « **Reply #141 on:** February 09, 2013, 06:34 »

Quote from: sharpshot on February 09, 2013, 06:11

Quote from: Beach Bum on February 09, 2013, 05:45
...My guess is that the cost at launch will remain the same. Wouldn't make sense to increase the cost on an unproven site...
The sales pitch in previous threads was that the price was going up as soon as the search went live.

Was not able to find that in previous threads. As far as I know, the sales pitch was that anyone who signed up during beta would be locked in at $40 a month. I haven't seen anything about the price going up at launch. Maybe I missed something.

Mellimage · « **Reply #142 on:** February 09, 2013, 06:52 »

Quote from: jsnover on February 08, 2013, 15:59

And a prompt - if content free - reply from the account executive:

"We really appreciate the feedback. Please know that our goal is to create a royalty model that is fair and competitive.

Please let us know if there's anything we can do for you.

Best,"

You gave them a full list of things they can do for you... and they write "Please let us know if there's anything we can do for you..." - read message in full should be added to the list... .

Poncke · « **Reply #143 on:** February 09, 2013, 07:16 »

Quote from: Mellimage on February 09, 2013, 06:52

Quote from: jsnover on February 08, 2013, 15:59
And a prompt - if content free - reply from the account executive:

"We really appreciate the feedback. Please know that our goal is to create a royalty model that is fair and competitive.

Please let us know if there's anything we can do for you.

Best,"

You gave them a full list of things they can do for you... and they write "Please let us know if there's anything we can do for you..." - read message in full should be added to the list... .

Spot on. I cannot stand it when they do that. I hate it when they ignore your question and give you canned drivel.

I am an account manager and I do have to deal with difficult situations and telling my clients bad news, I get a ton of questions, and I answer them all. They might not like the answer but they do get answers, and I will do everything in my power to make it easier for them to accept, or to get a better result or whatever. And if I think an email might not cut it, I will call them. I know this is a different situation, but dont give us these canned BS (pun intended) emails, and avoid questions and treat us like a moron.

sharpshot · « **Reply #144 on:** February 09, 2013, 08:33 »

Quote from: Beach Bum on February 09, 2013, 06:34

Quote from: sharpshot on February 09, 2013, 06:11
Quote from: Beach Bum on February 09, 2013, 05:45
...My guess is that the cost at launch will remain the same. Wouldn't make sense to increase the cost on an unproven site...
The sales pitch in previous threads was that the price was going up as soon as the search went live.

Was not able to find that in previous threads. As far as I know, the sales pitch was that anyone who signed up during beta would be locked in at $40 a month. I haven't seen anything about the price going up at launch. Maybe I missed something.

I think you did miss something, I remember it quite clearly. Did a quick search, this is one quote from Justin, I'm sure there's more.
"We are offering the beta discount for those helping with and participating in our beta."
So that implies that as soon as the site is launched properly, the price will go up. I'm sure it was stated more clearly than that somewhere but I'm not wasting my time searching for it. Already taken this off topic for too long.

Beach Bum · « **Reply #145 on:** February 09, 2013, 08:55 »

Quote from: sharpshot on February 09, 2013, 08:33

Quote from: Beach Bum on February 09, 2013, 06:34
Quote from: sharpshot on February 09, 2013, 06:11
Quote from: Beach Bum on February 09, 2013, 05:45
...My guess is that the cost at launch will remain the same. Wouldn't make sense to increase the cost on an unproven site...
The sales pitch in previous threads was that the price was going up as soon as the search went live.

Was not able to find that in previous threads. As far as I know, the sales pitch was that anyone who signed up during beta would be locked in at $40 a month. I haven't seen anything about the price going up at launch. Maybe I missed something.
I think you did miss something, I remember it quite clearly. Did a quick search, this is one quote from Justin, I'm sure there's more.
"We are offering the beta discount for those helping with and participating in our beta."
So that implies that as soon as the site is launched properly, the price will go up. I'm sure it was stated more clearly than that somewhere but I'm not wasting my time searching for it. Already taken this off topic for too long.

I think the "beta discount" refers to the locked in price. Should the price go up in the future, the discount would then apply to the beta testers. This doesn't mean that the price would automatically go up at launch.

klsbear · « **Reply #146 on:** February 09, 2013, 11:48 »

Bigstockphoto is below Stockfresh in the polls on the right - it's not even mid-tier right now. Maybe they expect this to bring them and us new revenue but I can't see this move bringing a flood of new buyers anxious to sign up for subs unless it's a lower price than they can get elsewhere.

Tryingmybest · « **Reply #147 on:** February 09, 2013, 12:00 »

I go the same response. I rebutted that the limits were impossible goals for illustrators.

Quote from: jsnover on February 08, 2013, 12:52

I received a reply from BigStock just now - not from Mr. Pfeifer but from an account executive. Not a great start to pass off your brush-off letter to an underling (and I'm sure the account executive is a wonderful person; it's the tone of the response being set by whether you get it from the person you wrote to vs the janitor's second helper)

"Thank you for your email and feedback.

I absolutely understand your concerns. But please keep in mind that with the launch of subscriptions next week we will be adding an additional way to download images. That means, you will continue to receive between $0.50 and $3.00 per image for credit image sales, 30% of partner sales as well as up to $29.70 for Extended License sales. We will continue to keep the Bigstock and Shutterstock website separate targeting different types of customers.
Please be assured that we will closely monitor the performance of subscriptions and how they influence royalties and will keep in touch with our colleagues at Shutterstock. Additionally and as we have in the past, we will keep all of our contributors informed and communicate all and any changes to you.
All of us at Bigstock are very passionate about the company and want our products to be successful and with the help of contributors like you we are sure that we can accomplish that.

We look forward to continuing to work with you and should you have any questions or concerns in the future please reach out at any time!

Warm regards,"

Blah, blah - new business - blah blah - big EL number (I don't think I've ever had one at BigStock) - blah blah - passionate - blah blah - let's tackle this together! - blah blah

Not doing for me. I'm not getting any specific answers to the real concerns and a continuation of this crap about "it's just incremental revenue"

I'll touch my forelock now, thank the govna for the crumbs and go back to my hovel

crashoran · « **Reply #148 on:** February 09, 2013, 12:49 »

Just sent my last payout request, once the money is in my PayPal it's deactivation time.

EmberMike · « **Reply #149 on:** February 09, 2013, 12:55 »

Quote from: TheBlackRhino on February 09, 2013, 12:00

I go the same response. I rebutted that the limits were impossible goals for illustrators.

Same here. These numbers are crazy.

Even if we assumed for a minute that they will become attainable as Bigstock manages to sell more subscriptions, it's not going to happen overnight. It could take years to match the volume that SS does, if that is even possible. In the meantime, we're getting less for sub sales that could have originated at SS, if buyers were encouraged to buy subscriptions over there instead.

They just keep dangling that carrot...

MicrostockGroup Sponsors

Author Topic: BigStock e-mail about subscriptions and an RC-like payment system (Read 69815 times)

hotwalkn

Beach Bum

sharpshot

cidepix

picture5469

mike123

klsbear

Beach Bum

ruzgar344

nicku

Microbius

incarno

Phil

sharpshot

Beach Bum

sharpshot

Beach Bum

Mellimage

Poncke

sharpshot

Beach Bum

klsbear

Tryingmybest

crashoran

EmberMike

Related Topics

Sponsors

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors