MicrostockGroup
Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: PenelopeB on November 16, 2007, 13:51
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to the prices of things because I don't understand.
On iS, since October 16, I've had 13 downloads on this one file, 7 of which have been size Medium (4 credits) - yet when I click on the Royalties for this picture it show "medium" with the price credited to me of $1.00, $0.88, $0.92, $0.84, $1.04, etc etc - all Medium, different price, none of them are old license?
Are they cheaper if downloaded in the morning or am I missing something? Doh!
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(Sharply gave the explanation below)
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Sales price fluctuates on IS because of how buyers purchase credits. Credits are are bought in bulk. As the number of purchased credits increases, the price per credit decreases, which in turn decreases the sales price, which lowers your commission.
Go here (http://www.istockphoto.com/istock_credit_offer.php?) to see what I mean.
[Edit: I think currency plays a part in things as well. It certainly would explain some minute fluctuations.]
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I understand the logic behind your explanation Sharply, and agree that is probably the reason, but that kinda sucks for us.
If someone purchases more credits for less money, that probably won't affect me much as they will use those credits all over iStock, not all on my portfolio. That sounds like a "Win - Win" for iStock and the client.
I guess on the grand scale of things, it induces purchasing. I like the volume at iStock.
Thanks.
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I was unsure about the results when they announced the change a while ago, but as far as I paid attention, only twice I got less than 0.20 for an XS and once less than 0.40 for an S. And anyway prices overall have increased, haven't they? If I remember it right, 20c was the earning of an S image, as XS didn't exist before.
Or am I making a huge mess?
Regards,
Adelaide
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No Mess for me. I'm just confused - Seniors moment! ;D
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If someone purchases more credits for less money, that probably won't affect me much as they will use those credits all over iStock, not all on my portfolio. That sounds like a "Win - Win" for iStock and the client.
I wouldn't call it a "win-win". Before iStock would absorb the costs of offering discounts for bulk purchases. Now they pass on that cost, but they also increased the cost of those credits at the same time. The net result (at least for me) has been a net increase in $ per download.
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I am getting nowhere with istock. Haven't had a BME for months, despite uploading lots. Most of the other sites are showing growth. With StockXpert, I am paid 50% commission as a non-exclusive and they absorb the price of the bulk discounts. The upload process takes very little time. istock pay me 20% and it takes a lot of my time using their upload procedure.
The only reason I upload to istock is that they do have good sales but in the long run are we getting a poor deal and could we put pressure on them to pay a decent commission to non-exclusives? 30% and absorbing the costs of bulk discounts would be more like it. That would bring them closer to the lowest commission sites.
I know the argument is that they spend more on advertising but they also make much more than sites that give us a fair cut. I would prefer more of that money going to the contributors than the share holders.
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@sharpshot - none of your top images (first page +) are targeted toward the largest market, the US. None of your images that show up in the best match search on the first page of your portfolio would be usable in the US. Since the US is over 50% of the market at IS, you should be targeting some of your images to the US market. There are no double decker buses in the US, etc.
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....None of your images that show up in the best match search on the first page of your portfolio would be usable in the US.
I disagree with you there. Most of my downloads are from the US, to say none of those images is usable in the US is preposterous.
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I agree with sharpshot some of his best match images aren't particularly suitable for the majority of US buyers but ridiculous to say that none are.
....None of your images that show up in the best match search on the first page of your portfolio would be usable in the US.
I disagree with you there. Most of my downloads are from the US, to say none of those images is usable in the US is preposterous.
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....None of your images that show up in the best match search on the first page of your portfolio would be usable in the US.
Most of my downloads are from the US
And how do you know that, as far as I am aware you are unable to find out who downloads your images at IS or most other sites.
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....None of your images that show up in the best match search on the first page of your portfolio would be usable in the US.
Most of my downloads are from the US
And how do you know that, as far as I am aware you are unable to find out who downloads your images at IS or most other sites.
I don't get many downloads before the US wakes up.
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....None of your images that show up in the best match search on the first page of your portfolio would be usable in the US.
I disagree with you there. Most of my downloads are from the US, to say none of those images is usable in the US is preposterous.
You're right, "none" was too strong. I should just said that a large percentage of your portfolio isn't targeted toward the US market. For example: Euros, double decker bus, blue police tape, British telephone box, British mailbox, etc.
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Funny though, my photos of euros, reals and now my litas sell there, and my dollars seldom sell. It may be just because of the different types of photos, but even on the similar ones.
We're only 1-3 hours aways from the USA Atlantic coast, depending on the time of the year, so sales to the Brazilian market may be mistaken as US/Canada.
Regards,
Adelaide