Author Topic: A microstock create by contributors ? (Read 5090 times)

microtalk · « **on:** August 27, 2015, 07:41 »

Hello,

It's just an idea but we can create our own microstock self-managed.
We can fix our own price and commission and it's perhaps a way to leave the other microstock
One microstock create by contributors

What do you think ?

PaulieWalnuts · « **Reply #1 on:** August 27, 2015, 07:53 »

I think if you do a search you'll find dozens of posts

I also think anybody who wants to do this should come back and post after they have a business plan and funding

Symbiostock Official · « **Reply #2 on:** August 27, 2015, 10:48 »

We are slowly moving in that direction with Symbiostock. As the developers are contributors themselves, it is being undertaken as a gradual procession from complete dependence on agencies -> some independence -> more independence with networking -> more independence and a networked independent agency.

This way we get to test the waters every step of the way, have time to forge our footprint in the world wide web, and don't have to risk everything in doing so. So far, it's going great, and we're about to embark on step number 3 with the release of Symbiostock 2.0.

YadaYadaYada · « **Reply #3 on:** August 31, 2015, 09:40 »

Quote from: microtalk on August 27, 2015, 07:41

Hello,

It's just an idea but we can create our own microstock self-managed.
We can fix our own price and commission and it's perhaps a way to leave the other microstock
One microstock create by contributors

What do you think ?

Who pays the reviewer, sets standards, pays for the server host and pays to manage software? What software? Who's the accountant, CEO, banker, and keeps track of supplier proof of identification, tax numbers, etc.

We should have an artists union. That means dues a staff and as same as contributor owned site, people won't pay to join. SAA closed in 2011. PPA http://www.ppa.com/about/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1692&navItemNumber=2326 I don't know how they feel about micro.

ArenaCreative · « **Reply #4 on:** August 31, 2015, 09:46 »

There are so many meme's I'd like to post, but I will refrain.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #5 on:** August 31, 2015, 09:51 »

Quote from: ArenaCreative on August 31, 2015, 09:46

There are so many meme's I'd like to post, but I will refrain.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #6 on:** August 31, 2015, 15:37 »

There was such a site, WarmPicture, started by Dan Padavona, through which a number of us sold images. It did generate sales, but not enough for Dan to keep it going.

Putting together a great, fast, good looking, reliable stock image web site isn't an easy task. Finding buyers is the big nut to crack. The other big issue is having a great search engine.

If enough sales materialized, I'm sure there'd be issues managing how the search engine prioritized results - favor new files more; favor best-sellers more; break up the results so you don't see too many from any one artist on the first page; give more weight to views; ignore views completely...

This business is littered with failed agencies and various new hopefuls keep posting here about their amazing new site. If it were that easy, Shutterstock would have a lot more competition than it does.

dbvirago · « **Reply #7 on:** August 31, 2015, 16:19 »

Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on August 31, 2015, 09:51

Quote from: ArenaCreative on August 31, 2015, 09:46
There are so many meme's I'd like to post, but I will refrain.

ObviousTroll · « **Reply #8 on:** August 31, 2015, 21:37 »

Quote from: [email protected] on August 27, 2015, 10:48

We are slowly moving in that direction with Symbiostock. As the developers are contributors themselves, it is being undertaken as a gradual procession from complete dependence on agencies -> some independence -> more independence with networking -> more independence and a networked independent agency.

This way we get to test the waters every step of the way, have time to forge our footprint in the world wide web, and don't have to risk everything in doing so. So far, it's going great, and we're about to embark on step number 3 with the release of Symbiostock 2.0.

Thanks for taking that over for me Robin. I just wasn't cutting it as a cult leader.

ObviousTroll · « **Reply #9 on:** August 31, 2015, 22:07 »

Quote from: microtalk on August 27, 2015, 07:41

Hello,

It's just an idea but we can create our own microstock self-managed.
...

What do you think ?

See footnote *

In the end it sort of ends up being like Scar on the lion king teaming up with the Hyenas, except for the part where scar actually chanced to see some level of success

The walking dead had a version of a contributor-run agency led by "the governor". If that sort of thing appeals to you there are options...

*Nothing beats genuine independence from agencies and other people.

JPSDK · « **Reply #10 on:** September 01, 2015, 00:51 »

at Troll!

What!
If you are Leo, with your last posts, you do a really nice job in cementing how unreliable you are, and were.

etudiante_rapide · « **Reply #11 on:** September 01, 2015, 11:36 »

you end up with a photo club, that's it.
same problem with co-op of painters, musicians,etc ... as many recording artists admit, they are artists not accountants or financial experts.

the thing is you still need financial experts to run a business. not the greedy ppl who go public and pander to the even more greedy shareholders who are never interested in growth...just quick roadkill and move on to the next sucker bait.

the ideal setup is an illusion too, unless you get someone who is truly like a ... um, i don't know, maybe like what sonny rollins used to be. he had his wife run the business, and this made sonny rollins a great success while being also a great jazz artist while the rest fall along the sidewalk with bad management.

ss is now in that bad management sidewalk position. but who knows, tomorrow oringer might wake up with a brain and buy back all the shares and dump the public idea.
then we get the old ss back . (but don't hold your breath)...

Artist · « **Reply #12 on:** September 01, 2015, 23:30 »

See, it is not impossible, but you do require good amount of contributors and then marketing, marketing and marketing... Lot of funding is needed and dedication.