Frim Achilles - see chart here - http://www.dreamstime.com/thread_31236

Tomorrow we will be releasing the new price structure, the one we've been testing the last weeks. It distributes our collection in a more uniform way, giving a better chance to new files. They seem to get better and better, thanks to our talented contributors. Due to the high volume of submissions we felt that too many great files sell at a lower price point than elsewhere and this update will address that. The higher level files have seen a more modest increase, so we don't expect too many negative effects for buyers.

In short terms, what will happen starting tomorrow is that new files will be automatically allocated to level 1, instead of level 0. All existent files that have downloads will shift with one level up. New files (or existent files) that didn't sell for more than 24 months will be level 0.

In order to keep the royalties the same, we had to decrease them one per level. Because files went up one level they will actually bring you the same royalties, with the only drawback being that level 5 files have seen a cut. I hope this to be minimal though, thanks to the decrease in the number of downloads required (25 from 50d.). We have decided to keep the same royalties structure for subscriptions, as well as for exclusive contributors (you can apply for exclusivity here ).

This change expects to bring an average of 15-20% increase in contributors revenue, with higher values for new or lower sized portfolios.

In order to keep the royalties the same, we had to decrease them one per level. Because files went up one level they will actually bring you the same royalties, with the only drawback being that level 5 files have seen a cut. I hope this to be minimal though, thanks to the decrease in the number of downloads required (25 from 50d.). We have decided to keep the same royalties structure for subscriptions, as well as for exclusive contributors (you can apply for exclusivity here ).

Another scam. All I can say for these spin doctors is, they're all scum!

I was already woo-yaying in another thread, thinking we'll actually get a raise. I'll never ever repeat that mistake.

20% royalty (level 0) is a insult.

All this broad daylight robberies will make SS look better and as a consequence, stronger.

But it can't be any different in the world where the managers are payed by short term (yearly, quartely) success. Everyone just tries to bump up the profits in short term, get a couple of great bonuses and then gets . out. Unless it's a company that's to big to fail/go bankrupt and gets bailed out. It's complete madness, this system.

How utterly predictable, if tiresome, that there's another "Good news! We raised prices and you get the same as before, not more!!"

If you're cutting the contributor's share of the payout, at least have the decency to be explicit about it.

More for the agency. Woo yay!!

Bottom line is, we're gonna be getting 20-45% instead of 25-50%

It's interesting. I've been curious if deleting my non-sellers and low sellers would actually increase my revenue there. But, I was worried I might delete too many files. This actually solves some of that. They basically bumped up all my level 1 files, so all I have to worry about is the non-sellers.

It's a sound theory. Some of my files are just turning 2 years old. I just might do that . At least when it comes to similars, why would I undercut my earnings...

I hate the commission cut.  They aren't doing well for me and every time I consider starting uploading more, they take away my incentive.

When will sites learn that they would do better by paying us a bit more commission?  If I earn more, I spend more time doing microstock.  If my commission is cut, I spend more time doing other work.

I'm also sick of the way sites try to make commission cuts look like a good thing.  I lose respect when they try to claim this will make us more money.  It never has in the past, the only site making me more money is the one that hasn't hiked prices and slashed commissions, Shutterstock.

bottom line is at the end of the annoucement! enjoy  

Quote from: wut on April 26, 2012, 12:04

Bottom line is, we're gonna be getting 20-45% instead of 25-50%

We're getting something up the bottom line is more accurate!!!...

Indeed! (I've made a small adjustment to your quote, just to make it clear to everyone;)

How utterly predictable, if tiresome, that there's another "Good news! We raised prices and you get the same as before, not more!!"

If you're cutting the contributor's share of the payout, at least have the decency to be explicit about it.

More for the agency. Woo yay!!

Perfectly summed up.

^^What about L5?

Quote from: wut on April 26, 2012, 12:40

^^What about L5?

Also level 5

Yes, I can see it now