Author Topic: Using the same user name across all sites. (Read 6648 times)

Whiz · « **on:** August 25, 2008, 16:02 »

Is there any advantage to having the same user name across all the microstock sites? I was thinking that it might make it a little easier for buyers to find our images. Thanks.

jsnover · « **Reply #1 on:** August 25, 2008, 16:49 »

I always used the same one (except for 123rf where they assigned me a name back when the site was starting up). In part because I'm just very literal and couldn't see a reason to use different ones, and in part because I wouldn't want someone else (perhaps with not so great images) using that name and their bad reputation would then rub off on me.

melastmohican · « **Reply #2 on:** August 25, 2008, 17:06 »

It's like developing brand. One day you might want to have website, domain name or company registered. It also should help search engines to find you. If you got six different names for different sites it would not be easy to find you.

http://www.google.com/search?q=melastmohican

rogermexico · « **Reply #3 on:** August 25, 2008, 17:41 »

Yeah, I use the same handle everywhere I go. Unless there's already a Pynchon fan in which case my other name is Dwight Christmas.

lisafx · « **Reply #4 on:** August 25, 2008, 18:00 »

I agree it is best to have the same name across all sites, so if buyers migrate from one site to another they can easily find your images.

Whiz · « **Reply #5 on:** August 25, 2008, 18:46 »

Something else I just thought of, if I change my user name across all the sites, will my sales be affected? I don't know how this will affect bookmarking and stuff like that.

RT · « **Reply #6 on:** August 25, 2008, 18:52 »

I'm not sure you can change your username.

madelaide · « **Reply #7 on:** August 25, 2008, 20:15 »

I don't know about all sites, but you possibly an ask management to have your nick changed. I did that in DT a couple of weeks after I started there.

I think most sites identify the photographer's page with his nick, so indeed eventual bookmarks would get broken, but I wonder if buyers bookmark us. At least, I doubt they would bookmark me.

Regards,
Adelaide

litifeta · « **Reply #8 on:** August 25, 2008, 20:19 »

I am also curious about the number of people who have more than 1 user name on each site. Curious I am. Often come across the same picture submitted under numerous user names. And when you contact them they are "not concerned" it could be someone ripping off their pics. hmmm...

vonkara · « **Reply #9 on:** August 25, 2008, 20:22 »

You can change it easily at SS and FT. Also at IS but I don't know how

RacePhoto · « **Reply #10 on:** August 25, 2008, 20:30 »

Quote from: RT on August 25, 2008, 18:52

I'm not sure you can change your username.

You are correct! Some sites you need to start a new account and delete the old and all the photos, no sales transfers. I suppose someone could hang on to the old account until a payout and remove it, then upload everything to the new one.

Others will allow you to change you publicly displayed name on the portfolio. So far, SS, FeaturePics, SnapVillage and one other, allowed a name change. Alamy you can have multiple names associated with one account.

Mostphoto wanted to charge me 5 euro to change my name, Panther NO, DT never responded, 123 NO. Bigstock?

I started with the same name on all sites, but when I got to Panther, my name was taken. I think on iStock not only my name but my second pseudonym is in use by a buyer. (possibly myself, but it wasn't worth arguing)

Doesn't matter to me, because I don't think buyers search by photographers as much as they do content/keyword/subject. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I don't think the account name is that important to most buyers. I wonder if buyers go look at a photographers port and see something they can't use and say "Oh wow, I have to have that photo, just because it's by "X".

I'd like to see some opposing opinions on this, if there are any?

madelaide · « **Reply #11 on:** August 25, 2008, 21:38 »

Quote from: litifeta on August 25, 2008, 20:19

I am also curious about the number of people who have more than 1 user name on each site. Curious I am.

I have two accounts in FP, to separate my micro and my macro portfolios. FP allowed me to do that and even transfered images from one account to the other.

Regards,
Adelaide

madelaide · « **Reply #12 on:** August 25, 2008, 21:42 »

Quote from: RacePhoto on August 25, 2008, 20:30

I don't think the account name is that important to most buyers. I wonder if buyers go look at a photographers port and see something they can't use and say "Oh wow, I have to have that photo, just because it's by "X".

I also don't think it's a very normal scenario, although a buyer may bookmark a certain photographer/artist whose portfolio belongs to a specific niche he is constantly interested, so he will search this portfolio first.

Regards,
Adelaide

sharpshot · « **Reply #13 on:** August 26, 2008, 03:35 »

I have a different user name on a lot of the sites. There wasn't much thought behind my decision to do that, I just liked the idea of using different names.

Bateleur · « **Reply #14 on:** August 26, 2008, 03:44 »

I don't know why, but when I started I used different names for different sites. If I was to start all over again think I'd use the same one now.

I don't believe that buyers 'follow' a particular photographer. They're usually looking for a specific image, and they don't give a tinker's cuss who took it. So long as it fits the bill they'll buy.

However, if they have the choice of 2 or more images they may go for the one by the photographer they know. And making a 'name' for yourself does help in other ways.

CvanDijk · « **Reply #15 on:** August 26, 2008, 04:46 »

I wanted my username on the micro's to be different then on the macro's in the future, and at the same time I thought it would be better to have the same username on all the microsites.

So I tried to change my username into the same one on different sites. It's easy on SS, FT, IS (you have to open a ticket), BS, Crestock (sent an email), DT , FP. Snapvillage took some time (3 tickets), because they were not responding, finally I wrote it down here and then Brian took care of it.

Impossible to change are 123, Yay and Stockxpert. With Mostphotos you have to pay for it, I tried, but Something went wrong (the payment), so I still have to change that one.

takestock · « **Reply #16 on:** August 26, 2008, 04:53 »

Same for me when I started off.

Didn't give it much thought - not sure if there are any real benefits either way!

Quote from: Bateleur on August 26, 2008, 03:44

I don't know why, but when I started I used different names for different sites. If I was to start all over again think I'd use the same one now.

I don't believe that buyers 'follow' a particular photographer. They're usually looking for a specific image, and they don't give a tinker's cuss who took it. So long as it fits the bill they'll buy.

However, if they have the choice of 2 or more images they may go for the one by the photographer they know. And making a 'name' for yourself does help in other ways.

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Author Topic: Using the same user name across all sites. (Read 6648 times)

Whiz

jsnover

melastmohican

rogermexico

lisafx

Whiz

RT

madelaide

litifeta

vonkara

RacePhoto

madelaide

madelaide

sharpshot

Bateleur

CvanDijk

takestock

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