MicrostockGroup
Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: PeterChigmaroff on December 08, 2008, 14:34
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I'm not ready to celebrate or anything but are others experiencing a slight increase in sales activity?
Peter
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Yeah, I havn't been ready to get excited yet.. But yes I have noticed a slight increase in sales activity as well.. Still not as good as it used to be though, and who knows how long it will last or if it's just a fluke..
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I did in the first days this month, then it slowed down. But I have made in this first week 40% of the whole month of november in IS.
Regards,
Adelaide
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I would say I am more cautious than optimistic at this point. I did notice some improvement tues - thurs of last week, but friday was tragic and today looks to be pretty slow also.
I hope they have eased up some on the crushing best match but not sure at this point....?
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For me the begin of this month is a total disaster until now. There is not one agency that I upload to which has not outnumbered byestockphoto in the first week of December, and most of them did it by >200% ... It's simply discouraging.
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I had one sale today, after few days of zero...if that's increased activity :D
My portfolio is small
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Yes! I am cautiously optimistic. Already close to passing November's total sales. I noticed the increase starting Dec. 1. Did have a slow few days over the last weekend and now it has picked up again. My old best sellers are still buried but there seems to be a "2nd tier" of new best sellers emerging from some of my older files (less than a year old). Also, more views on newly uploaded files. I never stopped uploading during the slowdown and continue to fulfill my weekly allotment.
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Oops, sorry, actually there is one agency which earned me less than byestockphoto last week: Zoonar. :D
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I think we should start a thread about all the pet names everyone has for istock. We have quite the collection going. ;D
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Huge turn around I got a 10 cent sale there today. Only nine more and I get a whole dollar.
And I've been waiting five days to get my new canister by why should they bother with that?
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No changes for me is seems it is unfortunately rather similar to the bad November...
But there is a thing that worries me much more: I have a disastrous acceptation rateover the last 15 dyas. 10 % or so. This has never happends before and is far below my average...despite I limit the keywords to minimum and use te same selection /control as before...this said it could be just bad luck over a given period...
jean
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I think we should start a thread about all the pet names everyone has for istock. We have quite the collection going. ;D
My all-time favorite is still one that I heard for SS: Shitterstock.
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Sorry, my all time favorite vote goes to CrapHamlet (for SnapVillage) - I only wish I could take credit for it :)
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I'm not optimistic about IS at all - Saturday was my first zero day there in 22 months. (ouch!) Although I could once count on IS for 1000 DLs per month, I'm lately counting myself lucky to get 250. (double ouch!)
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I had my first zero day in a long time on Sunday. The first few days of December looked better but it looks like that was just a blip.
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Sorry, my all time favorite vote goes to CrapHamlet (for SnapVillage) - I only wish I could take credit for it :)
brilliant!
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Not really sure what happened, but Sunday was one of my best days EVER on istock. For that to happen on a Sunday is really odd.
However, Monday came, and I fell right back down to my normal (post October) levels. Not really sure I'm optimistic, but I'm definitely hopeful. ;D
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Dont be curious optimistic! Its the same crummy best match. Just do a few searches and youll see. Further more Ive heard some pretty disturbing rumours that business in general should be at an absoloute rock bottom.
Guess we have to blame it on Obama, or maybe the new Nikon camera? or somebody, eh?
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Further more Ive heard some pretty disturbing rumours that business in general should be at an absoloute rock bottom.
Thank God all the other sites don't know about that ...
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Lathspell! Hi!
Well, dont know it might just be vicious rumors but under the circumstances it wouldnt surprise me at all.
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I'm non-exclusive and an illustrator and if anything is changing it's only getting worse at byeStockphoto. I could blame some of that on myself for not uploading since I realized the best match made it a waste of time, but from what I have read in the forums byeStock has quit reviewing images anyway, but that doesn't matter either as it will soon suspend paying.
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but from what I have read in the forums byeStock has quit reviewing images anyway, but that doesn't matter either as it will soon suspend paying.
Where did you read that?
Seriously, not trying to be argumentative, but I just went looking for some kind of complaint or announcement and only found multiple threads thanking the inspectors for the speedier inspection times of late.
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Lagereek,
if they go down is only because they deserve it.
Right now I can hardly think of one, single, good thing about Istock.
Everything is awkward, painful, complicated, and their latest best match defies all logics.
I want to direct your attention to a new post in their forum.
Super fast reviews, and the waiting list is now down to 32.000 files. (Less than half the number of photos waiting at DT! It may seem great for Istock, but it's not).
Istockers exclusives are congratulating the inspectors for their hard work.
I wonder though, have the inspectors really worked that hard, or did photographers simply stop uploading?
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Oh okay, so the "rumor" is that istock is going to suddenly stop paying their contributors?
Hmm... sounds reasonable.
So I guess you can all look forward to the imminent onslaught of all the newly disenfranchised exclusives uploading at all the other sites where the real money is!!
WOO YAY! Here we come!!!!! 8)
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Don't they only suspend payments for holidays?
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Don't they only suspend payments for holidays?
Oh is THAT what they are talking about?? :D ;D :D
wow. just. wow.
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Whatalife :)
You're one the nicest exclusive I've ever 'met' :)
Nobody really wishes Istock to go bust, but if it does, you're most welcome everywhere!
Can't wait to compete with you, but I don't really think it will happen :)
Best,
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but from what I have read in the forums byeStock has quit reviewing images anyway, but that doesn't matter either as it will soon suspend paying.
Where did you read that?
Seriously, not trying to be argumentative, but I just went looking for some kind of complaint or announcement and only found multiple threads thanking the inspectors for the speedier inspection times of late.
I agree Whatalife. I have had pretty quick reviews the last few weeks. I figured it was from all the disgruntled independents who have stopped or suspended uploading.
FWIW the iptc problem is also a big disincentive to upload there. As long as it usually takes, now it is taking double.
As to the original question about sales, mine are like Norebbo's - right around the same as November (which is NOT good).
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So I guess you can all look forward to the imminent onslaught of all the newly disenfranchised exclusives uploading at all the other sites where the real money is!!
(I know you are being sarcastic, but thought I would respond anyway :) )
This is the last thing any micro contributor should want. The flood of talent that would ensue if istock alienates its exclusives will vastly dilute the sales on other sites and not result in much of a rise for any of us on istock.
As far as I am concerned I hope istock keeps it's exclusives happy and sporting those crowns :)
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Geez Christian, who peed in your coffee this week? I've never heard such gloom and doom. I hope something happens soon to cheer you up.
BTW, inspections are moving along fine.
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Geez Christian, who peed in your coffee this week? I've never heard such gloom and doom. I hope something happens soon to cheer you up.
I have been thinking the same thing. It's almost like his grumpy alterego has been borrowing his account. ;)
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anaire!
Well I personally know 6 contributors, among them one Diamond and Gold, who will never upload anymore. Im a Gold-non excl. and Im certainly not uploading until they change attitude.
Im not blowing my trumpet or anything but its very strange all this. I myself and Lisa have actually got pretty unique material, very hard to come by imagery, involving getting into places, releases and everything. Not many can imitate many of our corporate industrial shots.
Anyway, simply have to give future shots to others.
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Geez Christian, who peed in your coffee this week? I've never heard such gloom and doom. I hope something happens soon to cheer you up.
BTW, inspections are moving along fine.
Hi Sean!
Well my wife got herself two more horses ( shes the one with the serious dosh). do you understand why Im in a bad mood?
best Christian
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Maybe you'll like something here:
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=80935
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Replied to the topic sjlocke was referring:
Great news. Now just fix best match so that users can find and buy my files with these increased prices
Got a reply from kkthompson:
Watch for some best match news in the next fews hours, directly from the horse's (CEO's) mouth.
I'm a bit optimistic now. It hopefully can't get worse.
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Maybe you'll like something here:
[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=80935[/url]
I love the vocabulary, woohoo, awsome dude, etc. Man I am getting old.
I only see responses from exclusives. I still see a slow demise of iStock based on this progression of only rewarding exclusives. I know, I know Sean you don't agree.
Peter
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Independents get a reward in raised prices for regular imagery. That's not too bad, is it?
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Maybe you'll like something here:
[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=80935[/url]
Hi again and thanks!
Yes! this sounds intresting indeed! havent been into the forum lately, missed it but its some good news anyway. Although it wont help much when blown out of the best match.
cheers Christian
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Replied to the topic sjlocke was referring:
Great news. Now just fix best match so that users can find and buy my files with these increased prices
Got a reply from kkthompson:
Watch for some best match news in the next fews hours, directly from the horse's (CEO's) mouth.
Ring the bell!!! A new best match
There's a lot of things in one announcement now. If anyone see the new best match thread on IS or something please POST IT
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I'm not ready to celebrate or anything but are others experiencing a slight increase in sales activity?
Peter
I have noticed a steady sales increase week after week and ample reward for the hours i have spent learning and building my fine stock portfolio ;)
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best match change - now.
Seeing my most popular picture (already on my 2nd to last page) pushed back to second to last picture of my entire portfolio after it miraculously managed to acquire another DL is just a travesty. HOW CAN ISTOCK PUNISH FILES THAT HAVE AN EXCEPTIONALLY LOW VIEW/DL RATIO?
best match change now. best match change now.
Watch me eat my words if the NEW and IMPROVED best match algorithm crushes the remaining DLs that I am getting.
Waiting for Armageddon ...........
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best match change - now.
Seeing my most popular picture (already on my 2nd to last page) pushed back to second to last picture of my entire portfolio after it miraculously managed to acquire another DL is just a travesty. HOW CAN ISTOCK PUNISH FILES THAT HAVE AN EXCEPTIONALLY LOW VIEW/DL RATIO?
best match change now. best match change now.
Watch me eat my words if the NEW and IMPROVED best match algorithm crushes the remaining DLs that I am getting.
Waiting for Armageddon ...........
Thanks for the info, but mine didn't changed already
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When has istock ever announced a best match change?
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Independents get a reward in raised prices for regular imagery. That's not too bad, is it?
Of course it's not bad. But I'd take a 50% cut in rates with a guaranteed placement on the first page of every search. Better.
Peter
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When has istock ever announced a best match change?
It didn't say they were announcing a change... just that there will be "best match news". Maybe they are getting rid of it! :P
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BEST MATCH is one of 7 options the buyer has to search the library.if you have a large portfolio with diversity then anyBM change should not effect you,If you have only 2-6 good sellers then i can understand you throwing your toys out of the pram when they no longer sell so....go create more..simple
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The announcement has been made!!!
;D ;D ;D(where is that jumping up and down smiley???) ;D ;D ;D ;D
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My point is - my most succesful picture targets a very specific niche. So the buyer who looks for just this image and who (used to) see it on the first page bought it to the tune of 6 views/DL. The current best match disfavors this low view/DL ratio. Since now the file is not being seen by anybody anymore - since it literally is on the last page - the view/DL ratio has no chance of improving towards the 10 range that seems to be the optimum.
Hoping for the best..........
Just saw the announcement ............
Bracing for the results ..........
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Dont be curious optimistic! Its the same crummy best match. Just do a few searches and youll see. Further more Ive heard some pretty disturbing rumours that business in general should be at an absoloute rock bottom.
So do today's announcements coincide with what's on tap for istock according to your sources?
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Looks as if Im barred from IS now, cant even log into the site anylonger.
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Really? Why is that? Did something happen?
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Looks as if Im barred from IS now, cant even log into the site anylonger.
Same problem here.
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Looks as if Im barred from IS now, cant even log into the site anylonger.
All your images seem to have turned to voodoo dolls with pins sticking in them
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Looks as if Im barred from IS now, cant even log into the site anylonger.
All your images seem to have turned to voodoo dolls with pins sticking in them
SSSSSSHHHHHHHH!
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Looks as if Im barred from IS now, cant even log into the site anylonger.
All your images seem to have turned to voodoo dolls with pins sticking in them
Blimey! Oh well thats it then Im gonna start lighting black candles and draw Pentagrams.
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Looks as if Im barred from IS now, cant even log into the site anylonger.
All your images seem to have turned to voodoo dolls with pins sticking in them
Blimey! Oh well thats it then Im gonna start lighting black candles and draw Pentagrams.
Black candles and pentagrams? Cool. Don't forget to take some pictures to submit ;)
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Today I'm even with all of last months sales. Still really lousy but better than slap up the side of the head with a frozen salmon.
Peter
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Well. I have to report and dont ask me how come cause I havent got a clue but for the last three days Ive had good days at IS, not as they were but about 70% there. Maybe after all tere is a silverlining here for us, outcasts.
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I'm at $15 for the month.
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I am also even with last months plunge. Good to see I hope it keeps up.
Best,
AVAVA
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the picture doesn't look good to me so far it's even worse than november I look forward to the best match change although I don't know how it will affect me but I don't think it could get any wore than that!
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My sales are still terrible. Just started uploading a few video clips and it looks like they are being penalized like vector files at the moment. I think I will just stop uploading until they make the changes the best match.
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I would love to be optimistic about the new best match, but to be honest I really don't see anything in Bruce's announcement for independents to get excited about.
The only thing that would improve any of our sales would be removing the heavy bias toward exclusivity in the best match. If that isn't done then none of the rest of it will make any difference to me or most other independents.
Why should I care which criteria are being used to sort the exclusive images at the front of the search when all mine are at the back anyway?