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Author Topic: How to fight against lower and lower commissions!?  (Read 43723 times)

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« Reply #75 on: January 22, 2011, 18:58 »
0
Buy or made some kind od skwii shriek soft stress ball or better voodoo doll and write on this doll: KK Konjson or Kelly or iStock etc... names from FotoLija or names from other headqw you dont like.
After that play with this thing in you hands with some big sharp needle or knife from time to time.
Maybe person/s on ball/doll feel hiccough from time to time. Maybe they feel some kind of stroke depend where you stab sharp item on the doll.
Who knows its very fragile knowledge.
In future after they new fantastic announcements how to screw us more you can combine ritual above with old indian rain invoking dance...
 ;D


« Reply #76 on: January 22, 2011, 23:31 »
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Few moments ago I sold one of my photos, large size, I got 2,5$ ...
So:

2,5$=16%
 2,5/16=0,156*100=15,60$

The buyer bought it for $ 15.60, and I earned $ 2.5 ... Excellent! ;D ;D ;D

It's time for own marketing...

You would have gotten $3.12 for that last year, maybe it was time for your own marketing then too... 20% was barely sustainable, now this.

« Reply #77 on: January 23, 2011, 01:02 »
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I had looked a Photographer's Direct a long time ago - once I saw that they didn't work with anyone selling via micros, I stopped investigating. I just had another look this evening after following the link to the article about them.

The big problem is that the site looks awful and the photos are really nothing special. I like the idea of fair trade, but expecting some sort of price negotiation over very ordinary images (many of which just look dated, although perhaps they aren't) seems to require buyers to do a ton of heavy lifting when the prize is a a rather unappealing one anyway.

I think the fair trade idea is well worth pursuing, but you need a state of the art web site, search and great looking images. Don't think Photographer's Direct cuts the mustard. Do they sell a lot? Is the concept working?

« Reply #78 on: January 23, 2011, 10:58 »
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I had looked a Photographer's Direct a long time ago - once I saw that they didn't work with anyone selling via micros, I stopped investigating. I just had another look this evening after following the link to the article about them.

The big problem is that the site looks awful and the photos are really nothing special. I like the idea of fair trade, but expecting some sort of price negotiation over very ordinary images (many of which just look dated, although perhaps they aren't) seems to require buyers to do a ton of heavy lifting when the prize is a a rather unappealing one anyway.

I think the fair trade idea is well worth pursuing, but you need a state of the art web site, search and great looking images. Don't think Photographer's Direct cuts the mustard. Do they sell a lot? Is the concept working?

(I know this thread is going off on a tangent but... )

To me the US$382 per year subscription option seems like much more of a scam to me than anything else.  If they're a credible agency (which is a sort of contradiction to the whole premise of being "photographers direct") why wouldn't they actually have some sort of "who are we" page that lists a company name, address and gives some details of who is actually behind the site?

From what I can see the only person who promotes this site is a blogger called "freetradephotographer" who also happens to be associated with the website itself and does so by ignorantly criticising microstock sites.  I bet he has a good laugh at the "lack of industry-experience of amateur photographers" who pay for subscriptions on his site.

« Reply #79 on: January 23, 2011, 12:43 »
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Their subscription is for promotion and direct contact with buyers without paying commission, but you don't need to subscribe. A friend has had several sales there of his landscapes, and as far as I know he doesn't subscribe.

Cepn

  • Sergey
« Reply #80 on: January 26, 2011, 06:26 »
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Hi all!

I'm a russian stock contributor. At our forum russian authors are actively discussing possibility of cooperation and resisting to decreasing of comission rates at stock agencies.

What do you think about cooperation? I think we could stop uploading our new works on fotolia and remove a small part of portfolio (~50 images) for beginning. When this protest will be supported by thousands of contributors situation could improve.

Here is link about protest at fotolia forum:
http://www.fotolia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=32027&p=1 [nofollow]

« Reply #81 on: January 26, 2011, 07:34 »
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As a protest, I will not upload their 3D renderings and photos.
Deleted the photos and some 3d work. I removed the remainder of the expansion of sales.

« Reply #82 on: January 26, 2011, 07:49 »
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As a protest, I will not upload their 3D renderings and photos.
Deleted the photos and some 3d work. I removed the remainder of the expansion of sales.

+1

« Reply #83 on: January 26, 2011, 08:13 »
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Hi all!

I'm a russian stock contributor. At our forum russian authors are actively discussing possibility of cooperation and resisting to decreasing of comission rates at stock agencies.

What do you think about cooperation? I think we could stop uploading our new works on fotolia and remove a small part of portfolio (~50 images) for beginning. When this protest will be supported by thousands of contributors situation could improve.

Here is link about protest at fotolia forum:
http://www.fotolia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=32027&p=1

I haven't uploaded anything to istock since they announced the commission cut but I'm not sure that's our best option.  I really think we need to get together with a big group of buyers and run our own site, or do a deal with sites that pay good commission.  I think that is likely to happen one day, if prices continue up and commissions are cut.  People say it costs too much to market a site but I don't see that as a problem if contributors work with buyers.  Until then, I'm looking at other ways to make money outside of microstock.

« Reply #84 on: January 26, 2011, 09:05 »
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I quit uploading to FT the first time they cut commissions. I will just let it wither on the vine.  The agency shake-out is occurring and will continue, so will contributors.

When the buyers' quit, is when the market ends. Buyers are the real control on the life or death of an agency.

Some contributors thing they can upload images and the buyers will show. That is not true, you can open a store and the shoppers will still go to Wal-Mart.

cmcderm1

  • Chad McDermott - Elite Image Photography
« Reply #85 on: January 26, 2011, 16:23 »
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With discipline we could effect buyers habits:

1. Rank the Top 6 microstock sites in terms of Royalty % to contributors;
2. Upload new content only to the #1 microstock site first;
3. Wait 1 month before uploading the same new content to the #2;
4. Wait another month, upload the same new content to the #3;
and so on.....
7. Market the #1 site only on our web pages and in forums.

Buyers looking for fresh, new images would start to gravitate towards the new images on the #1 ranked site, and we would get the better Royalty %.

It takes discipline from us all though!!!

« Reply #86 on: January 26, 2011, 16:50 »
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With discipline we could effect buyers habits:

1. Rank the Top 6 microstock sites in terms of Royalty % to contributors;
2. Upload new content only to the #1 microstock site first;
3. Wait 1 month before uploading the same new content to the #2;
4. Wait another month, upload the same new content to the #3;
and so on.....
7. Market the #1 site only on our web pages and in forums.

Buyers looking for fresh, new images would start to gravitate towards the new images on the #1 ranked site, and we would get the better Royalty %.

It takes discipline from us all though!!!

This is similar to what I've been doing the last few months. I basically decided what I think is sustainable for my business. What percentage I want to get and how much I want to receive per sale were my major factors for sustainability. I'm targeting the agencies that meet those criteria and uploading my files to those. All the rest, I'm taking a break from. I'm not sure how it will work out, but I think it is a valid experiment. If I can make those my top agencies, then I guess it will have worked.

photografix

  • Wage peace, not war
« Reply #87 on: May 18, 2011, 14:06 »
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Maybe this would be a good advocate for Microstock: http://searchapa.us/wordpress/wordpress/?page_id=16

« Reply #88 on: August 18, 2011, 02:13 »
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Here we go again!

We have to find something...
It seems this is way to go only down for now...
Let's talk about this problem....

« Reply #89 on: August 18, 2011, 12:35 »
0
With discipline we could effect buyers habits:

1. Rank the Top 6 microstock sites in terms of Royalty % to contributors;
2. Upload new content only to the #1 microstock site first;
3. Wait 1 month before uploading the same new content to the #2;
4. Wait another month, upload the same new content to the #3;
and so on.....
7. Market the #1 site only on our web pages and in forums.

Buyers looking for fresh, new images would start to gravitate towards the new images on the #1 ranked site, and we would get the better Royalty %.

It takes discipline from us all though!!!

+1

Slovenian

« Reply #90 on: August 18, 2011, 13:08 »
0
With discipline we could effect buyers habits:

1. Rank the Top 6 microstock sites in terms of Royalty % to contributors;
2. Upload new content only to the #1 microstock site first;
3. Wait 1 month before uploading the same new content to the #2;
4. Wait another month, upload the same new content to the #3;
and so on.....
7. Market the #1 site only on our web pages and in forums.

Buyers looking for fresh, new images would start to gravitate towards the new images on the #1 ranked site, and we would get the better Royalty %.

It takes discipline from us all though!!!

+1

It's better than nothing and those who don't have the stones to delete whole ports on sites like FT and IS (DT is another candidate as well as 123RFs x00 MB TIFFs, paying the lowest commissions in the industry, 13.3%), can stick to such half measures.

That being said, I won't delete my IS port just now, I would be willing to follow that strategy. However I will delete my FT port after I get my next payout. I've stopped uploading right after the broad daylight robbery that they presented as something they had to do to follow the market.

« Reply #91 on: August 18, 2011, 13:08 »
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Again,promote ONLY sites with good deal for us...
We also have to know that is big part of job on their side, so promoting agencies with +40% is the best way for all of us...
New content ONLY on these sites...!


« Reply #92 on: August 18, 2011, 13:39 »
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I hate to be a wet blanket but Istock alone added 25,000 contributors in the past year. And, the majority of buyers don't have time to worry about us getting shafted or not. They want the best value for their money. So, while your efforts are correct and noble, I'm afraid you are trying to dam up the Amazon river with sticks you find on the riverbank.

I was one of the exclusive Illustrators that voiced my protest against the Vetta royalty cut and we got to keep our royalty percentage. That was in March and my sales have been down since then. I don't know if that's the reason or just coincidence, but its true regardless.

I expect quality to rise higher and prices to stay the same or go lower until the influx of new contributors slows down. If you increase supply and demand stays the same, prices go down.

« Reply #93 on: August 18, 2011, 13:55 »
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Here we go again!
We have to find something...
It seems this is way to go only down for now...
Let's talk about this problem....

I think you are crazy.
When Photodune came with their crappy deal, you hurried to upload your stuff there.
Why do you come complaning about cuts when you were one of the people who showed the agencies that they would accept even the most crappy deal? I wrote in the other thread that we should expect commission cuts.  :P
I hope you muppets are making a fortune on Photodune, but if I were FT I would cut your commissions furthermore, say to 0.15 - you will accept aynthing anyway.

« Reply #94 on: August 18, 2011, 14:00 »
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How to fight against lower and lower commissions!?
Well, it's quite easy actually.
I decided to delete my port from agencies, where RPD drops below certain level I'm happy with. I review sites every month and make a decision based on two or three latest ones, following which trend they show.
And the overall result is that my average RPD gradually grows and volume grows as well as I continually add new images. Microstock as a business is on a rise for me and I'm happy with it. I don't see any problems about "millions of others" who will sell their images on the site what I have dropped. Let them weep on microstock forums why commissions are so low. If you choose to work with agencies with low commission, then you just have to deal with it. I decided to drop them and my stats show that it has been a good decision.

« Reply #95 on: August 18, 2011, 14:09 »
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I think you are crazy.
When Photodune came with their crappy deal, you hurried to upload your stuff there.
Why do you come complaning about cuts when you were one of the people who showed the agencies that they would accept even the most crappy deal? I wrote in the other thread that we should expect commission cuts.  :P
I hope you muppets are making a fortune on Photodune, but if I were FT I would cut your commissions furthermore, say to 0.15 - you will accept aynthing anyway.

Probably I am!
On first sight it seems so... But I still believe  that they will raise up our part soon!
That is main reason...
I upload there all content that I have on Istock, so 25% is still better than 16% what I have there...
For next year I have completely different plan...
« Last Edit: August 18, 2011, 14:15 by borg »

« Reply #96 on: August 18, 2011, 14:17 »
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1. get 1000 photographers to threaten to delete account on fotolia


Here's the thing.  You can get 1000 upset contributors to delete their accounts, but they will all be lower level contributors, those making just a few hundred dollars a month there.  The agencies won't care... they'll be happy to see them go.  They see the lowest earning contributors as the ones submitting repetitive images that simply aren't needed and won't sell.  Fewer Grand Canyon shots?  Handshakes?  Fruit on white?  Agencies will say fewer of these will make for a better user experience.

The agencies will only care if the top earning contributors pull out, those submitting the most unique and in-demand content and earning several thousand dollars a month.  There are at least a hundred of these.  How many of those will pull out?  Zero.  And they won't be joining a union, either.

The only solution for the average microstocker is to take a look at what you're doing and decide to step up your game and meet a market need that isn't already being met 1000 times over.  Doing something unique and actually in demand will start earning you much higher sales, and agencies will stop seeing you as a commodity.   Create enough unique and in-demand stuff and you'll get to the point at which your departure might actually hurt the agencies.

« Reply #97 on: August 18, 2011, 14:25 »
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Probably I am!
On first sight it seems so... But I still believe  that they will raise up our part soon!
That is main reason...
I upload there all content that I have on Istock, so 25% is still better than 16% what I have there...

1. No, you won't get a significant raise. They would raise royalties if people hadn't uploaded or deleted their ports.
2. Don't look at percentages, look at dollar amounts. The dollar amount is your "threshold of pain". The agencies see that you can be paid peanuts for an XL credit sale and you don't feel pain so your royalties are gradually adjusted on other sites.

 

« Reply #98 on: August 18, 2011, 14:52 »
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Here's the thing.  You can get 1000 upset contributors to delete their accounts, but they will all be lower level contributors, those making just a few hundred dollars a month there.  The agencies won't care... they'll be happy to see them go.
Actually, little contributors add up. That's why they let them (us) in. If enough leave or focus their attentions elsewhere, then the agency might actually take a look at their business practices. Where did all our suppliers go? Why did they leave? What would it take to get them back? The survey that iStock sent out today is an encouraging sign that these stock sites might actually pay attention to the needs of the little guy.

« Reply #99 on: August 18, 2011, 15:12 »
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Actually, little contributors add up. That's why they let them (us) in. If enough leave or focus their attentions elsewhere, then the agency might actually take a look at their business practices. Where did all our suppliers go? Why did they leave? What would it take to get them back? The survey that iStock sent out today is an encouraging sign that these stock sites might actually pay attention to the needs of the little guy.

I agree with you on ideological grounds.  That's the way it SHOULD work.  But I think the reality is that it would take a LOT of smaller contributors to make the dent that a single large contributor departing would create.   A small (low-earning) contributor is small because he/she isn't connecting with the customer.  Either the port isn't unique or it just isn't subject matter that the customer wants.  What does an agency lose from a mass exodus of these contributors?  By definition, the lost images are low-sellers and/or redundant subject matter.  I think the agencies would see this as spring cleaning.  I hate to be so cynical, but I'm just thinking like a business person, and I think every microstocker has to think that way these days.  Otherwise, we're all just commodities and will continue to be treated as such.


 

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