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Poll

Do you send buyers to Istock?

Independant-use Istock's referral program
Independant-continue to send buyers without using referal program
Independant-avoid sending anyone to IS
Exclusive-use Istock's referral program
Exclusive-continue to send buyers without using referal program
Exclusive-do not send anyone to IS

Author Topic: Do you send buyers to Istock?  (Read 5820 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

« on: November 12, 2011, 23:11 »
0
Personally I think that the new referral system is a disaster. Complicated, probably voluntary to avoid paying people. Not reliable and financially not interesting. Doing all this work for 20$ doesn't interest me (especially knowing that there is no guarantee that system works).
Before September 2010 I sent many buyers, without using the ridiculous 10$ referral system, simply because I liked IS. Now our relationship is strictly financial so if I can earn one more dollar by sending buyers to another site I'll do it. I'm still exclusive but I don't think there is no future for IS and throwing the crown is only question of time.
I'm curious if you continue to put IS links on yours websites. Do you use IS referral system?
I voted last option.


grp_photo

« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2011, 04:55 »
0
No never I try to send them to Alamy if too expensive than DT

Paulo M. F. Pires

  • "No Gods No Masters"
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2011, 07:07 »
0
As Independent and beginner , with or without referrals, I want buyers to any agency. Perhaps one day I can afford to buy a war with a specific agency... not now.

helix7

« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2011, 10:08 »
0

The only logical reason for an independent artist to send a buyer to istock would be if that artist was only participating in the istock referral program and no other program. And even that doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Other than that, I see no logical reason why you'd send someone to istock.

Cogent Marketing

« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2011, 10:17 »
0
Never - and never have done and never will.
I always suggest Shutterstock or Dreamstime. If a customer or client asks about IS I simply email them a link to the forums where members are legitimately raising concerns and are getting berated and locked out of discussions. Always seems to do the trick. They never usually mention IS again.
Most of them do speak highly of SS quality and easy to navigate website when they are referred there which is good.

« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2011, 10:44 »
0
you should add one answer: I dont send buyers anywhere, I dont promote my work

« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2011, 11:06 »
0
No way. For an independent it doesn't make any sense whatsover - it is UNSUSTAINABLE.
They should raise my commissions significantly and I will reconsider.

Microbius

« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2011, 11:25 »
0
....and that's why IStock's traffic is plummeting so fast.
I hope eventually, when IStock has gone from No.1 to second tier, the other sites sit up and pay attention.
None of them are too big to be brought down by their contributors, who made them.

lagereek

« Reply #8 on: November 13, 2011, 11:58 »
0
....and that's why IStock's traffic is plummeting so fast.
I hope eventually, when IStock has gone from No.1 to second tier, the other sites sit up and pay attention.
None of them are too big to be brought down by their contributors, who made them.

Some truth in that. Im not sure about your contributor theory but one thing is for sure, nobody is too big or important for anybody.

« Reply #9 on: November 13, 2011, 16:27 »
0
I suggest SS, DT and 123rf.

« Reply #10 on: November 13, 2011, 17:27 »
0
We used to use Istock a lot, especially for their interior home shots.  But now we use SS as primary and DT secondarily.

« Reply #11 on: November 13, 2011, 18:43 »
0
....and that's why IStock's traffic is plummeting so fast.I hope eventually, when IStock has gone from No.1 to second tier, the other sites sit up and pay attention.
None of them are too big to be brought down by their contributors, who made them.

Exactly. Very good poll.

lisafx

« Reply #12 on: November 14, 2011, 16:51 »
0
Like most other independents, I no longer send people to Istock, and as of Sept. 2010 began to actively encourage the designers I know to shop elsewhere.  For my own images, I send them to my site, and for other images I recommend DT first, and SS second.
« Last Edit: November 14, 2011, 16:53 by lisafx »

« Reply #13 on: November 14, 2011, 17:35 »
0
Why would any independent send anyone to IS? The worst microstock site on the planet!

« Reply #14 on: November 14, 2011, 21:15 »
0
Nope.  I only refer folks to places willing to share a fair slice of the pie with their contributing partners.  IS isn't on that list.

nruboc

« Reply #15 on: November 15, 2011, 01:30 »
0
Do I send buyers to Istock? LOL... for two years I've been sending my anti-IStock flier to companies displaying the "Getty" or "IStockphoto" credits on their websites. Letting them know of the better alternatives out there. I could care less if I'm making a difference, I just keep telling myself it is, and watching IStock tank in front of my eyes is pure bliss.....Ha..ha..haa

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #16 on: November 15, 2011, 07:04 »
0
It seems that iStock don't actually want people to refer buyers to them - certainly not if it means they have to pay a $20 referral fee (so why make a song and dance about the new referral scheme?)
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=336131&page=17#post6527371

« Reply #17 on: November 24, 2011, 14:59 »
0
the forum moderators at istock are especially snarky.  been thinking of starting with shutterstock or one of the others because istock is just so unpleasant, you really don't want to ask a question about anything.   they also have a lot of cheer leaders inside the forums bragging about their great sales & how much they're making etc.  I find it amazing how they take & process all those pix yet still want to spend time writing forum comments!

lagereek

« Reply #18 on: November 24, 2011, 15:34 »
0
the forum moderators at istock are especially snarky.  been thinking of starting with shutterstock or one of the others because istock is just so unpleasant, you really don't want to ask a question about anything.   they also have a lot of cheer leaders inside the forums bragging about their great sales & how much they're making etc.  I find it amazing how they take & process all those pix yet still want to spend time writing forum comments!

The only forum at IS, worth something is the photography-forum,  the rest is just depressing, really depressing!  and you can tell people are afraid to even touch sensitive subjects, watching their words really carefully before posting.
This is just the beginning, wait untill after the migration,  be like the cold-war.


 

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