Author Topic: Photo+ - new iStockphoto collection for non exclusives (Read 62114 times)

bunhill · « **on:** May 05, 2011, 16:25 »

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #1 on:** May 05, 2011, 16:36 »

Looks like it's exclusive pricing for files 2-5-10-15-20-etc. for a portion of an independent's portfolio.

It's a tempting thought...

cathyslife · « **Reply #2 on:** May 05, 2011, 16:42 »

Just what istock needs is another collection at another price point. They are just trying to suck people back in so they can stick it to them somewhere down the road. Hmmmm, maybe treating indies like crap didn't go over so well?

caspixel · « **Reply #3 on:** May 05, 2011, 16:51 »

*, *another* stinking collection? Let's just keep making things more and more confusing over there. Ridiculous.

BaldricksTrousers · « **Reply #4 on:** May 05, 2011, 16:54 »

Quote from: jsnover on May 05, 2011, 16:36

Looks like it's exclusive pricing for files 2-5-10-15-20-etc. for a portion of an independent's portfolio.

It's a tempting thought...

If that's right it could reverse the effects of the cuts - it would also add to the RC tally, which might be necessary. My allowance for nominating these things is huge, about a fifth of my entire portfolio which would easily allow all my good sellers in.

Does this effectively reverse the hit we took last year when exclusives got their files repriced and we didn't (we got some slight cuts, as I remember)?

cthoman · « **Reply #5 on:** May 05, 2011, 16:55 »

Doesn't sound too bad. I do notice the word photo on it though. Are the redheaded step children of iStock being left out again?

cathyslife · « **Reply #6 on:** May 05, 2011, 16:58 »

Quote from: cthoman on May 05, 2011, 16:55

Doesn't sound too bad. I do notice the word photo on it though. Are the redheaded step children of iStock being left out again?

Consider yourself lucky.

If they don't change the Best Match, and as many buyers are using Best Match as "they" would have you believe, it really doesn't matter, as non-exclusive files are stuck in the back anyway.

gostwyck · « **Reply #7 on:** May 05, 2011, 16:58 »

Basically this is Istock's attempt to charge exclusive prices ... whilst paying out independent level commissions. Istockphoto's greed is truly boundless.

cobalt · « **Reply #8 on:** May 05, 2011, 16:59 »

There are millions of photographs on istock and 50 000 plus new ones coming every week. The plus collection allows you to identify the best images from a series. These should then get preference in the search, at least that is what would make sense.

I see this first of all as content management solution that gives the artist the choice and control.

Yes, you will earn more. You will get more RC´s. So the next levels will be...well, we will see.

I hope they have something coming for the buyers as well.

PaulieWalnuts · « **Reply #9 on:** May 05, 2011, 17:02 »

And from what I can tell looking at the icon page, there doesn't seem to be an icon for it. So is there no way for buyers to tell between regular and Photo+ other than when they get to the image detail page and see the pricing?

Trying to sneak in a price increase?

BaldricksTrousers · « **Reply #10 on:** May 05, 2011, 17:11 »

Quote from: gostwyck on May 05, 2011, 16:58

Basically this is Istock's attempt to charge exclusive prices ... whilst paying out independent level commissions. Istockphoto's greed is truly boundless.

But isn't it just unifying the price structure for a percentage of files, the way it used to be? They were still being greedy back then and we never considered customers should pay a different rate for exclusive files back then. Independents weren't pleased when exclusives got a rise from higher credit prices and we didn't.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #11 on:** May 05, 2011, 17:39 »

In thinking about why they'd make this change, it seems to me the most likely thing is trying to keep revenues up in the face of declining sales volume. So while it might be fine (and possibly to buyers not so big a shock if they're already willing to pay for exclusive files - when the can find them) in the short term, if the downloads keep dropping, it won't be more than a short term band aid.

The fact that it was some admin I don't remember hearing from before who announced it and they clearly had no idea what an announcement typically would be like - I suppose I should be glad they updated the front page prices - makes it seem rather hasty and not thoroughly planned out. "Could you let me know what kinds of details you are all looking for?" doesn't instill confidence in me that this admin is the right person to handle this launch's communication.

I don't yet see the answer to how the search results will show these files - which seems like a huge deal to me. If buyers can't see these are more expensive from the search results, they're going to be even more upset than they already are

kingjon · « **Reply #12 on:** May 05, 2011, 17:41 »

Hmmm...anyone trying this? It's tempting to try with a few good sellers. Unfortunately, the buyers may just buy something cheaper and the best sellers may stop selling - I don't like the idea of a 6 month lock if it doesn't work. Then again, my sales probably can't get much worse.

mlwinphoto · « **Reply #13 on:** May 05, 2011, 17:56 »

Quote from: kingjon on May 05, 2011, 17:41

Hmmm...anyone trying this? It's tempting to try with a few good sellers. Unfortunately, the buyers may just buy something cheaper and the best sellers may stop selling - I don't like the idea of a 6 month lock if it doesn't work. Then again, my sales probably can't get much worse.

I'm going throw a few of my better sellers into this and see what happens. Any prospect of offsetting my drop to a 15% commission rate is worth the try. At least iStock is giving us a choice.

ShadySue · « **Reply #14 on:** May 05, 2011, 17:58 »

Quote from: cobalt on May 05, 2011, 16:59

There are millions of photographs on istock and 50 000 plus new ones coming every week. The plus collection allows you to identify the best images from a series. These should then get preference in the search, at least that is what would make sense.

It might make sense, it's even what was promised with E+, but as you know, it hasn't happened, even though the thread on that very issue hasn't 'settled'.

cobalt · « **Reply #15 on:** May 05, 2011, 18:07 »

I think it would make a lot more sense to do this now when all the artist can choose their best files. At least if they want this to be primarily to help manage the huge collection.

lisafx · « **Reply #16 on:** May 05, 2011, 18:35 »

Forgive the cross post, but here are my concerns about this:

A year ago I would have jumped all over this. Now I am not so sure. I worry about adding to customer confusion, and falling sales for my best sellers if I were to do add anything to P+. The reports I have read about sales of E+ images aren't at all promising.

I would need to know more about best match placement before considering putting anything in P+. Also, the 6 month commitment worries me. I have a 6 month commitment elsewhere, but no other site changes as dramatically or as often as Istock. 6 months is a long time if there is no stability.

Also, I don't see where the royalty % question has been answered. Would we be receiving our same (unfortunate) royalty for the P+ images, or even lower royalty?

Another question - will the P+ images, with their 6 month lock-in, be forced onto partner sites? If so, would there be any boost in the royalty rates paid through the PP, or the same pitiful .28?

sweetgirll · « **Reply #17 on:** May 05, 2011, 18:35 »

That photo+ shows only for images, and does not show for vectors...So i guess vectors are not included ....

pancaketom · « **Reply #18 on:** May 05, 2011, 19:14 »

I wouldn't be surprised if they lock a bunch of images in for at least 6 months, then surprise - they are all getting moved over to thinkstock. Then after 6 months if you pull the plug, it will still take months for them to come off of their subs site...

If it seems like a nefarious idea, that is probably what they are going to do. (this is the new kind of trust that IS has now, I trust them to try to screw us).

cathyslife · « **Reply #19 on:** May 05, 2011, 19:22 »

I'm astonished that people are even considering this, especially with a 6-month lock! A new round of koolaid must have been passed out.

cathyslife · « **Reply #20 on:** May 05, 2011, 19:50 »

Geez, I think it was just a week ago when I started the thread "No crisis du jour at istock?" I knew they couldn't go too long without creating some sort of drama (or scam).

Mantis · « **Reply #21 on:** May 05, 2011, 19:58 »

Quote from: cclapper on May 05, 2011, 19:22

I'm astonished that people are even considering this, especially with a 6-month lock! A new round of koolaid must have been passed out.

I wouldn't touch that offer with a 12-inch turd, especially with the way they have lied, misled and cheated their contributors out of hard earned and well deserved commissions.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #22 on:** May 05, 2011, 20:01 »

Quote from: sweetgirll on May 05, 2011, 18:35

That photo+ shows only for images, and does not show for vectors...So i guess vectors are not included ....

They aren't for exclusive vectors either - i.e. E+ is photos only. I think there was a promise of vectors "soon" or "later", but it hasn't happened yet.

mlwinphoto · « **Reply #23 on:** May 05, 2011, 20:07 »

Quote from: cclapper on May 05, 2011, 19:22

I'm astonished that people are even considering this, especially with a 6-month lock! A new round of koolaid must have been passed out.

I'd be interested in hearing your reasoning.

Here's mine for opting a few in:
1.The possibility of better best match placement: mine are near the end of the stack so why not see if there's a boost?
2. I'm getting 15% as it is now. I'd rather take a chance on getting 15% on 10 credits than 15% on 5 credits, for example.
3. Will it result in lower sales for those images? Perhaps but with 1 and 2 above I probably won't notice the difference as my income is virtually meaningless as it is now. Guess I'm willing to take the chance.
4. 6-month lock....again, with sales the way they are for me personally a potential dip in income over 6 months for a select few images isn't significant.

I look at this as an experiment, one which may fail. If it proves to be beneficial then good for me and I'll opt more in, if not then at least I'll know not to continue after 6 months. Nothing ventured, nothing gained and, in my case, little lost.

cathyslife · « **Reply #24 on:** May 05, 2011, 20:16 »

Maybe reread the Epic Fail thread. There's a whole bunch of reasons.

Everyone is free to do what they choose. If you don't see any downside, go for it. Maybe you will be right.

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Author Topic: Photo+ - new iStockphoto collection for non exclusives (Read 62114 times)

bunhill

Jo Ann Snover

cathyslife

caspixel

BaldricksTrousers

cthoman

cathyslife

gostwyck

cobalt

PaulieWalnuts

BaldricksTrousers

Jo Ann Snover

kingjon

mlwinphoto

ShadySue

cobalt

lisafx

sweetgirll

pancaketom

cathyslife

cathyslife

Mantis

Jo Ann Snover

mlwinphoto

cathyslife

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