Author Topic: considering the latest best match, IS, change! (Read 5126 times)

lagereek · « **on:** September 24, 2011, 10:32 »

What would you do?

On a private mail yesterday evening, European time. This somebody offered me a buy out with copy and everything on 4 images. Just so happens that these 4 images ( oil-industry), have so far brought in well over 3K at IS, and well over 3K, at SS, and thats my percentage, so you can imagine the whole amounts? obviously blue flames, etc.

The offer for the buy out is 45K dollars.

Now considering with the latest IS search, best match, these 4 images are way down in search, actually replaced by these plasticky models with industry that havent even sold at all, hardly.

So, what would you do? delete them from the sites and swallow the offer or let them hang on in there, hoping the search will change?

Its tricky! not very often an offer like this comes along.

Yep! I know I should know this without asking but since we are all pals, this one I need some advice on. Sorry.

thanks and best. Christian

fujiko · « **Reply #1 on:** September 24, 2011, 10:57 »

I would do a complete analysis of the image earnings.

Age, earnings, average, trending... everything. Are they selling as before? The sales are going downhill? How much time it took to get +20K? And to get 20K more? What % of your total earnings comes from those 4 images?

I know this doesn't answer very much, but once you have the data you will know how much time is 45K. Is it 2 years ahead? 3? 5?

Personally, I would start thinking about selling if the time needed is 5 years or more and the % of earnings is less than 5%.

fotografer · « **Reply #2 on:** September 24, 2011, 11:06 »

I'd sell. 45,000 in my hand would be too tempting to me against the possibility of maybe making more and maybe not. It would also be tempting to know that places like IS and Ft wouldn't make a cent from it!!!!

lagereek · « **Reply #3 on:** September 24, 2011, 12:22 »

I Would feel sorry to deprive SS about this, they have actually lately sold more then anybody else. The IS, best match, is here to stay, this is the last one before the migration into TS, the low quality sector.
TS, doesnt need quality, they are quite happy with mediocre images, they survive on that and dragging IS with them down in the mud.

Well I have to think about this one, its happend to me 3 times before and then its been a clear cut case, not this time though.

The thing that speaks for selling out, is the fact that the IS, best match, is just too unstable, it will favour the TS low quality search and their customers doesnt demand more, then just low quality, you know, like the rubbish-bin stuff.

cobalt · « **Reply #4 on:** September 24, 2011, 12:52 »

Have you considered how much money 45000 will give you in return if you invest it wisely? Money like that can be invested (carefully of course) and bring a significant return in the next 5 years.

Or how many image production could you finance with this amount of money? How much would those images earn you?

I'd take it!

You never know if i a year from now you still get an offer like that. The value of images are dropping fast, even if your images are very unique.

SNP · « **Reply #5 on:** September 24, 2011, 14:14 »

Quote from: fotografer on September 24, 2011, 11:06

I'd sell. 45,000 in my hand would be too tempting to me against the possibility of maybe making more and maybe not.

+1

aeonf · « **Reply #6 on:** September 24, 2011, 17:53 »

No question at all.
for 45K take the offer and don't look back.
I wouldn't lose a minutes sleep over this decision.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #7 on:** September 24, 2011, 18:20 »

Quote from: aeonf on September 24, 2011, 17:53

No question at all.
for 45K take the offer and don't look back.
I wouldn't lose a minutes sleep over this decision.

Yes. 45k, or the chance at making maybe 10k? Why not?

markrhiggins · « **Reply #8 on:** September 24, 2011, 18:28 »

sell . Reshoot

rubyroo · « **Reply #9 on:** September 24, 2011, 18:38 »

I'd sell too. With all the commission cuts we've seen + threats of double-dip recession, I don't think you can forecast future earnings on the basis of past earnings.

A certain price now vs an uncertain cumulative value in the future? I'd go for the certainty.

Mshake · « **Reply #10 on:** September 24, 2011, 18:56 »

Obvious decision if you ask me. Sell them. You can always reshoot similar type shots. Invest the money in a good quality mutual fund or bond fund if your more conservative and in 7 to 10 years based on historic returns you will double that investment to $90,000. Not likely that your photos would earn you that much over that time frame.

cathyslife · « **Reply #11 on:** September 24, 2011, 19:07 »

Quote

snip
I Would feel sorry to deprive SS about this, they have actually lately sold more then anybody else.

I don't think you should worry about shortchanging SS out of money...I think you should totally worry about yourself and what is good for you and your business. If that figure sounds good to you, I say do it.

travelstock · « **Reply #12 on:** September 24, 2011, 23:07 »

No question... I'd sell too

LesHoward · « **Reply #13 on:** September 24, 2011, 23:54 »

I'd sell. You've made about $6K on those 4 images so far. There's no guarantee they will continue selling at the same rate. I'd even say it's unlikely because sales will drop as the images become dated. How much confidence do you have that they will continue selling and earn you more than 7 times what they've already earned?

lagereek · « **Reply #14 on:** September 25, 2011, 00:44 »

Thanks guys! yeah i recon I would be mad passing on this one and its true, our images are getting less and less worth. By a stroke of luck, in going through my entire portfolio, there is really only 2 images which needs to be deleted, the other 2 are just similars but with a totally differant toning and also cropped in a differant manner.

Thanks! for all advice. Christian

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Author Topic: considering the latest best match, IS, change! (Read 5126 times)

lagereek

fujiko

fotografer

lagereek

cobalt

SNP

aeonf

Sean Locke Photography

markrhiggins

rubyroo

Mshake

cathyslife

travelstock

LesHoward

lagereek

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