I just received an email inviting me to join the Agency collection. As it seems, once you opt in, the inspectors will pick out suitable files from your portfolio.

I am unsure if it is wise financially to join or not. Has anybody else received this email? What is your take on it?

Any info appreciated!

You need to be invited.

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=253532&page=1 [nofollow]

Concerning invitation-only I must have confused it with the wording in the email "sent to select contributors only". Apologies for any misrepresentation.

I have noticed you have some files in the Agency collection Sean. Albeit early, how would you say it has been performing so far?

Initially it did say invitation only, but now it is opt in for anyone exclusive.

My files that were Vetta and selling are still selling in Agency.

...
Is it wise?  If you like selling files less frequently for more money, it may be 'wise' for you.

It's a dilemma alright.

There is a saying - "Sell to the classes, live with the masses.  Sell to the masses, live with the classes."

Which means - if you run an expensive, exclusive restaurant which sells fine, gourmet food to the wealthy and discriminating, you will probably not get rich.  But the person who owns a chain of drive-thrus which sell happy meals to the proletariat will become filthy rich.

I don't know if it's true in this case but as they say, business is business.  Is it possible to experiment by splitting similar images between the premium aisle and the bargain bins and seeing which ones come out on top?  I suppose that it makes a lot of difference whether the search results are skewed or not and whether customers have a fair chance of finding either the AAA prime steak or the hamburger depending on their preference.

Quote from: sjlocke on October 28, 2010, 06:50

...
Is it wise?  If you like selling files less frequently for more money, it may be 'wise' for you.

It's a dilemma alright.

There is a saying - "Sell to the classes, live with the masses.  Sell to the masses, live with the classes."

Which means - if you run an expensive, exclusive restaurant which sells fine, gourmet food to the wealthy and discriminating, you will probably not get rich.  But the person who owns a chain of drive-thrus which sell happy meals to the proletariat will become filthy rich.

I don't know if it's true in this case but as they say, business is business.  Is it possible to experiment by splitting similar images between the premium aisle and the bargain bins and seeing which ones come out on top?  I suppose that it makes a lot of difference whether the search results are skewed or not and whether customers have a fair chance of finding either the AAA prime steak or the hamburger depending on their preference.

Very well said, pet-chia