MicrostockGroup
Microstock Photography Forum - General => General Stock Discussion => Topic started by: jjneff on July 12, 2012, 11:43
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Hello All,
I am an exclusive artist at IS but want to start a site called GlamourCritters. I can sell others pictures just not my own :-)
We are pleased to announce www.GlamourCritters.com (http://www.GlamourCritters.com) This site is dedicated to displaying your unique amazing and humorous photos and illustrations of mammals, reptiles, birds, insects and sea life. We are offering a 50/50 split on royalty for your hard work, after all why should we earn more than you from your art! Image prices will be based on image size for $2 $5 $8 and $10. We are offering a “Super Glamour” category where you can name your own price. This category is for the very rare and truly amazing shots only. All images will have to pass an inspection process as we want Glamour Critters to live up to it’s name. We hope to increase awareness of the wonderful critters all around us and to take better care of our planet for the next generation to enjoy. As this site grows with your critters we plan to offer more products for your customers to enjoy. We do not care what camera you shoot with we care about the unique image. We need you to make sure the image is in focus and it is unique to be considered in our library. Thank-you for your interest and we look forward to working with you and providing an amazing place to sell your art. Just critters, no humans in shot critters alone or with other critters. You must name your critter with the correct name and specie or the picture will be rejected. Looking for critters from around the globe.
All I am looking for is to provide great customer support and have a fun site. I would like for the site to be able to bring in enough to cover the hosting but not expecting a boat load of cash!
I have felt it would be a great experience and something my two boys can help with over time. The Site is up but only as the generic CMSaccount script. I have a web designer on hold to finish
the site with logo and design. Your thoughts on this endeavor are very appreciated. is this a waste of time? Is a niche animal site even worth bothering with? Just be honest. I know this industry
well as I shoot stock as a full-time job so don't be afraid to say what you think, I can handle it :-) Hosting is with Media Temple.
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what are you planning to do in terms of buyers?
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For buyers I have an SEO expert, I will use Google Adwords and make an general blitz through podcast blogs and the like that I already have connections to. I am willing to put in some cash to attract buyers. I can also turn on an affiliate program to make it beneficial to both buyers and contributors.
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You will have to get John Lund http://www.johnlund.com/ (http://www.johnlund.com/)
and Nico Smit http://www.dreamstime.com/Ecophoto_info (http://www.dreamstime.com/Ecophoto_info) to sign up.
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Two great ones and on my list to contact, Thanks!
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I applaud your entrepreneurship in this market. I've said many times that specialization with excellent exclusive content --plus a superior search engine (such as Google) is the only way that will prove successful in the long run. Keep the image quality and creativeness top notch along with marketing you can afford as you grow and I think you've got a good shot at success.
I love the name "GlamourCritters" (Hope you've got it trademarked) and can envision various site image based products to sell such as paper/canvas prints, coffee mugs, greeting cards, etc. both to image contributors and the general public.
Great idea to solicit known animal photographers. I'd add to that critter clubs and animal lover sites that might be a good source of candid shots particularly in the humor department. It sounds like you have some in-house Photoshop expertise that could "rescue' some of the extraordinary images from non-pros that normally would be rejected.
Good Luck!
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Thank-you! I figure after being in this market since 2006 that specializing was my only option. I have a "Critter Store" planned in the future with products as you mentioned. Yes the name is currently in the process of being registered.
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I forgot to add the idea of a pet photo contest to the amateur/pro photographers whereby the winners and all selected photos are added to the site and have the potential for earning future money for the entrants.
I'm also thinking about classic "Can you draw this?" contests that sold drawing lessons. Why not "Is your pet photograph better than this?" If so send us...
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You will have to get John Lund [url]http://www.johnlund.com/[/url] ([url]http://www.johnlund.com/[/url])
and Nico Smit [url]http://www.dreamstime.com/Ecophoto_info[/url] ([url]http://www.dreamstime.com/Ecophoto_info[/url]) to sign up.
Thank you Lorraine for the recommendation. I am hesitant to join yet another new site, but this is an interesting concept and I will definitely follow the progress of the site.
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Yeah Nico, I think you could/should have your own agency and I'm pretty sure you would do very well!
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Eco, it would be an honor to have you on board! I too just wouldn't jump on any new site so I hope to work smart and hard to earn your business. All great ideas here and yes contest are going to be a lot of fun. Thanks for the encouragement!
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Are your images going to be exclusive?
I do think that a place that has quality niche images correctly keyworded (I am always amazed at the incorrectly named images on some sites) could do well, but I think it would be hard to attract exclusive submissions without sales and hard to get sales w/o images...
keep us posted on how things go. I always like taking critter pics when I am out and about. Unfortunately they rarely turn out as well as I'd like...
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I wasn't planning on anyone having to be exclusive but that is a thought. I am hoping to attract some great Pros with with "Super Glamour" category. Will keep you posted and let everyone know about the full roll-out when all the testing is done.
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Yuri posted recently about his experience of building his own stock platform naming some issues that he ran into.
If you haven't read it yet, you may want to have a peak.
I think it's worth tapping into niche markets in the microstock sector. You could be on to something.
The security and stability of a stock site would be my major concerns but what do I know...?
Therefore I would make sure you have a very good host that gives you plenty of room to grow and let's you easily add necessary resources.
Best of luck!
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Don't promise the whole world a certain number of images when you launch; it could all end in yawns.
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Not going to promise anything at this point, my goal is to do this right. I will start by asking certain artist to upload good material, when I feel there is enough I will them make a press release.
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I don't have a huge portfolio of animal images but I would certainly look seriously contributing. I also have some friends who specialize in wildlife but are not with any microstock agency. Keep me informed.
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By "GlamourCritter" are you looking for the cutsie, studio type image or is wildlife included?
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By "GlamourCritter" are you looking for the cutsie, studio type image or is wildlife included?
The name sounds like the first, but the thread suggests also the second.
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Both, great in the wild and studio. A one stop shop for amazing images of all creatures great and small.