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Author Topic: Why I love Fotolia!  (Read 36897 times)

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« Reply #25 on: September 11, 2010, 05:26 »
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This seems to actually work for you. I guess for the vast majority going exclusive with Fotolia would be a very bad decision, but you have good sales, a high commission and lots of highly priced quality images. I can't be sure, but it doesn't seem to me you're selling yourself short. Either you're granted some serious perks by Fotolia being one of the few exclusives there, or you're selling images that are highly in demand at that particular site. Either way congratulations on your choice, and thanks for sharing this.

I would never dream of going exclusive anywhere, but it seems to work for some people (at least untill the agency changes the agreement and you're locked in)


« Reply #26 on: September 11, 2010, 05:42 »
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I am pleased it works for you, and agree they have a much better commission structure.
However FT has also cut commissions and had some big issues with contributor relations. Personally they are not high on the sites I trust list (but higher than istock at the moment), I couldnt see me trusting them enough to ever become exclusive with them (thankfully I didnt istock either, mostly because best match shifts)
I am impressed at the amount of ranting etc that istock is allowing, FT would never allow this, half their contributors would be banned. I have also always got a response from istock in regards to questions, whereas a number of times with FT it has been contact the US manager, who then never returns emails.

Phil

Microbius

« Reply #27 on: September 11, 2010, 05:53 »
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Didn't Yuri also say Fotolia did better for him then IStock a while back? so I guess if he was going to go exclusive (which I doubt he ever would) I guess that's where he'd go to.

rubyroo

« Reply #28 on: September 11, 2010, 05:54 »
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Yes... I'm pleased it works for you too, but it's the same problem of having all the eggs in one basket.  If they do something in the future that is irrevocable and unacceptable, I'd be in the same boat as a lot of iStock exclusives are now.

I just don't think exclusivity will ever be something I want to entertain.  It's always seemed to much of a risk to me.

RT


« Reply #29 on: September 11, 2010, 06:38 »
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Right now, as an Exclusive Emerald (equivalent to I-Stock Diamond right?) 

No, in order to be a diamond on iStock you have to have sold a certain number of files no exceptions, if memory serves me right you got your emerald ranking because you became exclusive? There have also been other examples where folk on FT have been bumped up the ranking for one reason or another, and don't forget the huge ranking change fiasco a couple of years back.

The ranking system on FT is a joke, they should scrap it and start a new one based purely on sales figures.

You've chosen to be exclusive on FT for reasons known only to yourself, as has been pointed out there isn't a single full time photographer that has chosen FT to be it's exclusive distributor, and because of past treatment I think the management would have to do something spectacular in order for any full time photographer to even consider going exclusive there, iStocks latest screw over is going to make anyone extremely careful when considering future exclusivity no matter which site it is.

OM

« Reply #30 on: September 11, 2010, 10:27 »
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Behind such violent storms on the sea of stock tranquility, I smell a banksters bum reeking havoc amongst the korporate kleptocracy as it attempts to get it's a** together to preserve their bonuses. Just as a high tide lifts all ships, let us hope that when the tide goes out only IS has been caught swimming nekkid and that FT's lauding here has not been overly premature.
(No need to call me on spelling either!) :)

vonkara

« Reply #31 on: September 11, 2010, 11:33 »
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Believe it Brother!  I'm a freak!  What can I say?

Mat

What did you thought about by writing this thread. You certainly know how the people would react at a such embellishment of Fotolia. They threat their contributors as crap as well. That was nothing else than pure back kissing  :)

« Reply #32 on: September 11, 2010, 11:35 »
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IS figured they could get away with shafting us partly because FT got away with it so many times.

FT lead the charge and DT and IS gladly followed. Thanks FT.

« Reply #33 on: September 13, 2010, 16:53 »
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Not to leave Mat Hayward alone, I too, am exclusive to Fotolia.I had a spring cleaning, around May and closed all my other accounts. Each agency has different ways of uploading, and I found Fotolia's way the easiest, plus a fast editing process, too. Also I'd rather concentrate on my photography, then trying to remember what I sent to who,and whatever. As for pricing, Fotolia offers the most options, exclusive, non exclusive, partial exclusive,and up to now,their payout is one of the highest.Fotolia was for me, the one with a high acceptance rate, easiest upload, fastest editing turnaround, and the one who I made the most money with, so it was a no-brainer when it was time to become exclusive.

grp_photo

« Reply #34 on: September 13, 2010, 17:09 »
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LOL Fotolia is a complete rip-off of istock and they will the next in line that will cut commissions for non-exclusive, I also expecting them to adjust to the new level-system that istock introduced. I don't expect them to cut royalties for exclusive because they lack of an serious exclusive base and are in need for any exclusive material that they can get.

lisafx

« Reply #35 on: September 13, 2010, 17:29 »
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LOL Fotolia is a complete rip-off of istock

To be fair, that isn't exactly true.  They have certainly been the leader in opening up European markets.  Istock has been playing catch-up to Fotolia there. 

« Reply #36 on: September 13, 2010, 18:20 »
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Mat, all the facts you have mentioned can be changed by fotolia within the wink of an eye, and we all know it. Other people were singing the same song as you are singing now about istock when fotolia came around the corner with the "You are great, and we are growing, so down goes your commission. But thank you, we are growing and you are great, if you do not like the changes, stuff it".

Xalanx

« Reply #37 on: September 13, 2010, 18:38 »
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If there is an agency  among the big 4 that would deserve a "why I love it" thread, that would undoubtedly be Shutterstock (in my eyes). They have treated contributors with the most fairness among all others. And money-wise, SS is still the best for the vast majority of independent contributors.

« Reply #38 on: September 13, 2010, 18:45 »
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at least they are paying more than 20%... I guess they lack a lot on communication, but lately have improved on my side..

« Reply #39 on: September 13, 2010, 19:49 »
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I give Fotolia credit for understanding the potential in European markets and growing very quickly into a major player because of that.

However, in spite of my loathing for what iStock is currently doing, if anything keeps me as an iStock exclusive it will be Fotolia. They way they behaved during the time I was independent is not something I relish returning to.

« Reply #40 on: September 13, 2010, 20:39 »
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if anything keeps me as an iStock exclusive it will be Fotolia. They way they behaved during the time I was independent is not something I relish returning to.

I also have my resentments towards FT, however one thing they made less painful was the commission cut, because credit prices increased at the same time, so indeed in the end my earnings remained more or less the same, slightly increasing in fact.


zzz

« Reply #42 on: September 13, 2010, 22:16 »
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It's interesting to see how you try to compare your experience and figures with what you believe IS is doing and then you state you've never been a contributor at IS yourself. All your figures don't mean much if you keep the number of sales at each site out of the equation. If you sold 3 to 4 times more photos at IS as an exclusive instead of at FT (given the current percentages given both at IS and FT), don't you think your income would be a lot higher? When I started at FT, I sold roughly 10x more photos at IS. Of course everyone's mileage varies but from anecdotal evidence it seems clear to me that it pays off better to be at IS than FT.

« Reply #43 on: September 13, 2010, 22:31 »
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^^ That may be true for you, but as an independent, I consistently earn more at Fotolia than iStock. It all depends on what you produce, I guess.

zzz

« Reply #44 on: September 13, 2010, 22:42 »
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^^ That may be true for you, but as an independent, I consistently earn more at Fotolia than iStock. It all depends on what you produce, I guess.

Well, how many photos do you have at FT vs. IS? When did you start on both sites? What is your subject? Don't make this a post about me. Mine was just an example and I think I clearly stated that everyone's mileage varies, but that I strongly believe with everything being mostly equal, you are better of at IS because IS outsells FT by far.

lagereek

« Reply #45 on: September 14, 2010, 01:26 »
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^^ That may be true for you, but as an independent, I consistently earn more at Fotolia than iStock. It all depends on what you produce, I guess.

Well, how many photos do you have at FT vs. IS? When did you start on both sites? What is your subject? Don't make this a post about me. Mine was just an example and I think I clearly stated that everyone's mileage varies, but that I strongly believe with everything being mostly equal, you are better of at IS because IS outsells FT by far.

So what!!   at this moment IS might outsell FT  but I bet you after all this mayhem, give a year or two, FT will be there, no doubt about it, FT is already the fastest rising agency, their strategy is great and they dont beef around, they dont waste time on crap as many of the others do.

« Reply #46 on: September 14, 2010, 03:33 »
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Yeah Fotolia really seems on the rise. There is positive trend for years. For me they already overtook iStock some time earlier this year I believe. Exclusivity at Fotolia is actually much more popular for Europe photographers. I believe there are quite a few good German photographers who sell exclusively at Fotolia.

grp_photo

« Reply #47 on: September 14, 2010, 07:31 »
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Yeah Fotolia really seems on the rise. There is positive trend for years. For me they already overtook iStock some time earlier this year I believe. Exclusivity at Fotolia is actually much more popular for Europe photographers. I believe there are quite a few good German photographers who sell exclusively at Fotolia.
Yes they are on the rise and the biggest rival for iStock and especially for long-time contributors they are better than SS (and of course a lot better than DT - DT constantly loosing marketshare), because of their strong position I'm sure they will be next to lowering commission percentage for non-exclusives.

« Reply #48 on: September 14, 2010, 07:46 »
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Yeah, Im awaiting a sneaky and greedy move towards the end of the year.

« Reply #49 on: September 14, 2010, 10:15 »
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Exclusivity at Fotolia is actually much more popular for Europe photographers.
And probably FT is more popular with EU buyers too, considering the low share of sales made to US buyers (given the 30% tax I lose on these).


 

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