Author Topic: iStock in the New Year (Read 69162 times)

dgilder · « **Reply #100 on:** December 09, 2009, 21:45 »

I might consider it if I was already at the Diamond level. As it is I'm a good 5800 off of that mark, so 33,000 to go makes that a lot less attractive given that many of my iStock sales came in the earlier years. There is no way to estimate how much your sales will increase by going exclusive, and there is no way to estimate how much your sales may drop by staying independent. We simply won't know anything until it rolls around and we see how things change.

That's just how iStock works, sometimes changes are good, sometimes bad, and sometimes everything changes with no net differences in the results, but you never know for sure until it happens. So ebb and flow, wait and see, F5, yadda yadda yadda.

Jonathan Ross · « **Reply #101 on:** December 09, 2009, 23:50 »

Never is a long time. I try to never use the word : )

J

helix7 · « **Reply #102 on:** December 10, 2009, 00:26 »

Quote from: averil on December 09, 2009, 13:58

How many independents might now consider going exclusive on istock?

Not a chance. They'd have to jack up the exclusive prices a hell of a lot more in order for it to make any financial sense for me to go exclusive.

sharpshot · « **Reply #103 on:** December 10, 2009, 04:19 »

And if they put up prices too much, it will reduce the number of sales. I don't think most buyers are that bothered about image exclusivity, they buy lots from non-exclusives and the other sites. If they really want to know how many times an image has sold and how it has been used, they need to look at RM.

I don't understand the excuse that they can't track exclusive images. They seem to be able to find images on other sites when someone wants to go exclusive. Getty have image exclusivity, so istock can as well. Some people will abuse the system but 99% will know that will be a costly mistake, if they get caught and their portfolio is removed from istock. I don't think it would be a big problem.

designalldone · « **Reply #104 on:** December 10, 2009, 04:40 »

I'm honestly pretty gutted about the canister changes. I've been working hard to reach gold (currently at 8412) and was all set to hit 10k around March-April next year.

For a long time I'd been thinking about the real possibility of going exclusive once I was gold due to the royalty increase, but the new canister levels will mean it's now going to be years until I reach a gold canister. iStock have pretty much guaranteed I won't be going exclusive as a result.

If they'd given a 6 month notice period for the changes, it would have given those close to the next canister a real opportunity to work hard and reach it

Fran · « **Reply #105 on:** December 10, 2009, 08:35 »

Quote from: KB on December 09, 2009, 19:03

Quote from: Dook on December 09, 2009, 18:35
I can not see anywhere in the statement : Can you still become exclusive with 250 downloads or is it 500 now? Because, if it is 500 downloads now, a lot of newbies will give up of this idea and start uploading to all other sites. And once they reach 500 dls, it will be harder to decide to become exclusive because they have to go through all this hard work of deleting pictures from other sites.
It is 250 now, but 500 after the Feb change. It's been stated several times on that 1000+ post thread.

Nice one, just when I was getting close to 250 after more than a year

IS is incredibly slow for me. They dont like me. But I like them somehow...

FD · « **Reply #106 on:** December 10, 2009, 09:56 »

Quote from: Fran on December 10, 2009, 08:35

IS is incredibly slow for me. They dont like me. But I like them somehow...

Shoot less street lamps and more models doing something

epantha · « **Reply #107 on:** December 10, 2009, 11:18 »

There are a lot of simple vector, type and raster graphics that IS won't take. Those would be gone completely if I went exclusive.

vonkara · « **Reply #108 on:** December 10, 2009, 11:25 »

Quote from: epantha on December 10, 2009, 11:18

There are a lot of simple vector, type and raster graphics that IS won't take. Those would be gone completely if I went exclusive.

True they should open their mind on that a little bit. Especially on rasters. I know Dreamstime accept work from superb raster artist and this make them a little more a special agency to look at.

KB · « **Reply #109 on:** December 10, 2009, 11:30 »

Quote from: designalldone on December 10, 2009, 04:40

If they'd given a 6 month notice period for the changes, it would have given those close to the next canister a real opportunity to work hard and reach it

I agree with what you're saying, but "close" is so relative.

When you're talking about Gold or Diamond, the new distances are so much further than the previous that even 6-months time is not enough.

They stated they knew they "had" to do this, but have been delaying it. Well, that's their huge mistake. What they needed to have done was, when they first figured out they had to do it, to do it , for new accounts. So anyone signing up after Mar 1, 2007, or whatever, would've been subjected to the new rules, and everyone already signed up would be grandfathered in. That was the only fair way to do something like this. But obviously they do not care about fair; it's simply a business decision that needed to be implemented.

sharpshot · « **Reply #110 on:** December 10, 2009, 12:29 »

I wouldn't be surprised if they modify the changes they announced for the canister levels. It seems that the sites often give us really bad news, receive a huge negative reaction, make a small change for the better and then most people think they have been reasonable. It has happened a few times now and is starting to look like a deliberate ploy.

cthoman · « **Reply #111 on:** December 10, 2009, 12:42 »

Quote from: sharpshot on December 10, 2009, 12:29

I wouldn't be surprised if they modify the changes they announced for the canister levels. It seems that the sites often give us really bad news, receive a huge negative reaction, make a small change for the better and then most people think they have been reasonable. It has happened a few times now and is starting to look like a deliberate ploy.

That would actually make sense. They double the canister levels thinking that they'll have to bargain down.

Fran · « **Reply #112 on:** December 10, 2009, 12:54 »

Quote from: FD-amateur on December 10, 2009, 09:56

Quote from: Fran on December 10, 2009, 08:35
IS is incredibly slow for me. They dont like me. But I like them somehow...
Shoot less street lamps and more models doing something

I abandoned street lamps a year ago and am using myself as model... we'll see how it goes

leaf · « **Reply #113 on:** December 10, 2009, 13:34 »

Quote from: Fran on December 10, 2009, 12:54

Quote from: FD-amateur on December 10, 2009, 09:56
Quote from: Fran on December 10, 2009, 08:35
IS is incredibly slow for me. They dont like me. But I like them somehow...
Shoot less street lamps and more models doing something

I abandoned street lamps a year ago and am using myself as model... we'll see how it goes

dont give up the street lamps. I hear they are going to be huge in 2010

I know I have a few I am hopping will finally pay off.

SNP · « **Reply #114 on:** December 10, 2009, 13:36 »

Quote from: sharpshot on December 10, 2009, 12:29

I wouldn't be surprised if they modify the changes they announced for the canister levels. It seems that the sites often give us really bad news, receive a huge negative reaction, make a small change for the better and then most people think they have been reasonable. It has happened a few times now and is starting to look like a deliberate ploy.

I think they will modify it also...I don't know that I would say it is a malicious ploy, more of a testing the waters scenario

ap · « **Reply #115 on:** December 10, 2009, 13:41 »

Quote from: leaf on December 10, 2009, 13:34

dont give up the street lamps. I hear they are going to be huge in 2010
I know I have a few I am hopping will finally pay off.

thanks for the heads up, guys. i'm going to try and get in on the action before it really heats up.

actually, i've been into football stadium lights lately, but i send them to the more arty sites.

cathyslife · « **Reply #116 on:** December 10, 2009, 14:36 »

Quote

more of a testing the waters scenario

They're taking a page from politicians...run it up the flagpole and see if it flys. If the masses revolt, give something back to them and look like the hero. Psychology 101.

nruboc · « **Reply #117 on:** December 10, 2009, 15:40 »

Quote from: hawk_eye on December 10, 2009, 13:36

Quote from: sharpshot on December 10, 2009, 12:29
I wouldn't be surprised if they modify the changes they announced for the canister levels. It seems that the sites often give us really bad news, receive a huge negative reaction, make a small change for the better and then most people think they have been reasonable. It has happened a few times now and is starting to look like a deliberate ploy.

I think they will modify it also...I don't know that I would say it is a malicious ploy, more of a testing the waters scenario

Yup, that's my take too. They already know the numbers they are going with, but they throw out an exponetially higher number so when they bring it back down, they look like the good guys. It's actually quite effective.

I'm very curious to see how big the hit will be independents with these changes. The best match dial is going to be turned so far towards exclusives, it will be like nothing ever experienced before. Independents look out!

travelstock · « **Reply #118 on:** December 10, 2009, 15:53 »

Not sure if people saw this:

I've edited the "Quick Facts" post to remove the part about filtering the different collections. I also added this:
Q: Will people be able to filter out normal Exclusive images or illustrations from searches?
No. The standard Exclusive content will show up in all searches.

So basically even less joy for non-exclusives.

ap · « **Reply #119 on:** December 10, 2009, 15:56 »

Quote from: nruboc on December 10, 2009, 15:40

I'm very curious to see how big the hit will be independents with these changes. The best match dial is going to be turned so far towards exclusives, it will be like nothing ever experienced before. Independents look out!

this doesn't make sense though. if one of their goals is to broaden their less expensive collection, it doesn't help the buyer if they can't find it.

helix7 · « **Reply #120 on:** December 10, 2009, 15:58 »

Quote from: cclapper on December 10, 2009, 14:36

They're taking a page from politicians...run it up the flagpole and see if it flys. If the masses revolt, give something back to them and look like the hero. Psychology 101.

I wouldn't necessarily assume that this is just a test, that they are worried about a revolt. Things like this have happened before, where istock makes a big change and the forums blow up for a few days. In the end, things settle down and usually everyone just gets on with life. This could go the same way. Regardless of the public outcry, istock can do whatever they want and really there isn't much anyone can do about it. They can push this new policy through and contributors have little choice but to accept it or take their business elsewhere. And frankly, I think istock knows what we all know but don't want to admit; that the exclusives aren't going to drop exclusivity over this. I think istock could drop canisters altogether and the contributor landscape at istock would look pretty much the same the next day. No one would quit, few people would drop exclusivity, contributors would just get over it and move on.

I'm not betting on istock conceding anything to the masses in this one. They stand to make a hell of a lot more money from their exclusives by delaying canister increases and jacking up image prices, and it'll be hard to convince any of the upper brass that they should scale this thing back and not rake in all that extra cash. I bet they go through with the whole plan as-is.

madelaide · « **Reply #121 on:** December 10, 2009, 16:14 »

Quote from: sharpshot on December 10, 2009, 12:29

It seems that the sites often give us really bad news, receive a huge negative reaction, make a small change for the better and then most people think they have been reasonable.

Did they get negative reaction? When I read the thread it was all about "well done" and "yiipie".

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #122 on:** December 10, 2009, 16:28 »

Quote from: madelaide on December 10, 2009, 16:14

Quote from: sharpshot on December 10, 2009, 12:29
It seems that the sites often give us really bad news, receive a huge negative reaction, make a small change for the better and then most people think they have been reasonable.
Did they get negative reaction? When I read the thread it was all about "well done" and "yiipie".

Did you read it 2 seconds after the initial post? Cause it is anything but "well done" and "yiipie".

gostwyck · « **Reply #123 on:** December 10, 2009, 16:31 »

Quote from: nruboc on December 10, 2009, 15:40

I'm very curious to see how big the hit will be independents with these changes. The best match dial is going to be turned so far towards exclusives, it will be like nothing ever experienced before. Independents look out!

As I've said before I think this is all about reducing the average percentage commission which must have been rising inexorably as more exclusives achieve higher canister levels. Sales of independent images help keep this figure down so it would be self-defeating to hammer us too much. Certainly they'll want to promote the the more expensive collections, like Vetta and Exclusive Plus, but hopefully we won't be disadvantaged beyond that.

Also there are many independents who produce popular images that they buyers want so if they are hidden too far back then it may reduce the perceived quality of the collection. Additionally Istock want the best independents to sign up for exclusivity so if they artificially reduce their sales then it is going to appear a less attractive option financially.

crazychristina · « **Reply #124 on:** December 10, 2009, 17:10 »

October '08 I think it was that istock decided to encourage contributors who were 'sitting on the fence' (rogermexico's term I think) about exclusivity by favouring best match even more towards exclusives than usual. istock dropped to number 5 position on that poll over on the right, independents got totally hammered, and exclusives still remember those heady days when the dls never stopped. I think that's what's about to happen again.

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Author Topic: iStock in the New Year (Read 69162 times)

dgilder

Jonathan Ross

helix7

sharpshot

designalldone

Fran

FD

epantha

vonkara

KB

sharpshot

cthoman

Fran

leaf

SNP

ap

cathyslife

nruboc

travelstock

ap

helix7

madelaide

Sean Locke Photography

gostwyck

crazychristina

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