Author Topic: Photo+ - new iStockphoto collection for non exclusives (Read 56312 times)

lagereek · « **Reply #150 on:** May 09, 2011, 12:05 »

Well Ive had plenty of P+ sales from morning up till now. Dont get it? why would they suddenly buy more expensive when they were hard pressed buying the ordinary? and I cant see any best match tweak?
I mean it great! just pondering over this.

lisafx · « **Reply #151 on:** May 09, 2011, 12:10 »

Quote from: lagereek on May 09, 2011, 12:05

Well Ive had plenty of P+ sales from morning up till now. Dont get it? why would they suddenly buy more expensive when they were hard pressed buying the ordinary? and I cant see any best match tweak?
I mean it great! just pondering over this.

Me too. P+ selling very well, even over the weekend!

I assume it is because those were my best sellers and were selling anyway, but I didn't pay so much attention when they were mixed in with 6k other photos in my portfolio. Now I am paying attention to those files and noticing when they sell.

I'll say this for Istock. If income continues to pick up due to P+, I will feel less inclined to be critical of them (until the next disaster). More money in my account takes a lot of the fight out of me. YES, I CAN be bought!!

Elenathewise · « **Reply #152 on:** May 09, 2011, 13:05 »

Quote from: jamirae on May 09, 2011, 11:39

Quote from: Elenathewise on May 09, 2011, 11:27
Some of the files that I opted in for Photo+ don't show updated prices. The checkbox is checked (so I can't re-add them), but they are not showing under Photo+ ... Is this the bug people were talking about? Is there a workaround for it?

there was something on the iStock forums about that. said that you need to go to the admin area for the file then hit the "save" button and it shoudl work. try that - I am not yet opting any in so can't verify it for you.

here's the istock thread:
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=328522&messageid=6373046

YES this did work. Thank you very much for the info.

jamirae · « **Reply #153 on:** May 09, 2011, 13:24 »

Quote from: Elenathewise on May 09, 2011, 13:05

Quote from: jamirae on May 09, 2011, 11:39
Quote from: Elenathewise on May 09, 2011, 11:27
Some of the files that I opted in for Photo+ don't show updated prices. The checkbox is checked (so I can't re-add them), but they are not showing under Photo+ ... Is this the bug people were talking about? Is there a workaround for it?

there was something on the iStock forums about that. said that you need to go to the admin area for the file then hit the "save" button and it shoudl work. try that - I am not yet opting any in so can't verify it for you.

here's the istock thread:
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=328522&messageid=6373046

YES this did work. Thank you very much for the info.

that's great. I just may try it out later this week. I'm still trying to decide if I want to be locked in for 6 months or not.

jamirae · « **Reply #154 on:** May 09, 2011, 13:33 »

I was looking through my portfolio and decided that my "istock exclusive images" I will put into the photo+ and see how they do. these are all the images that I took at the several minilypses that I've attended. any image taken at an istock-sponsored minilypse is exclusive to istock - even though they don't really have an 'exclusive image' category at istock, this is something that you agree to when you sign the release forms to attend an istock-sponsored minilypse. I dont really have a problem with that personally.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #155 on:** May 09, 2011, 14:05 »

I still have some time to think about this - and see how others are doing - but it might be a good idea (a) to do what you did with the 'lypse images which can't be anywhere else and (b) soften the blow a little of the cut in both price and commission by putting some proven sellers that I don't think have obvious on-site competition.

I can rationalize it with respect to buyers by thinking that they can easily get the files elsewhere if they wish and the files aren't any more expensive than they are now (as exclusive files)

Edited to add that JJRD just locked a thread in the exclusive forum asking about the (long-ago promised) boost in best match placement for E+ images. In the way he said that it would be coming when they were good and ready and that contributors had to realize that this recent best match change was the biggest they'd ever made, he tacitly acknowledged that there hasn't been any E+ boost yet.

Given how long ago E+ was introduced (at which point this boost in search placement was promised) his comments that some contributors expected things to happen with the flick of a switch seems disingenuous to me - being impatient over one year later (E+ was introduced in April 2010) is hardly expecting things with the flick of a switch.

Bottom line: don't base any decision about putting files into P+ on an assumption of improved search results placement.

Sadstock · « **Reply #156 on:** May 09, 2011, 14:57 »

Quote from: jsnover on May 09, 2011, 14:05

I still have some time to think about this - and see how others are doing - but it might be a good idea (a) to do what you did with the 'lypse images which can't be anywhere else and (b) soften the blow a little of the cut in both price and commission by putting some proven sellers that I don't think have obvious on-site competition.

I can rationalize it with respect to buyers by thinking that they can easily get the files elsewhere if they wish and the files aren't any more expensive than they are now (as exclusive files)

Edited to add that JJRD just locked a thread in the exclusive forum asking about the (long-ago promised) boost in best match placement for E+ images. In the way he said that it would be coming when they were good and ready and that contributors had to realize that this recent best match change was the biggest they'd ever made, he tacitly acknowledged that there hasn't been any E+ boost yet.

Given how long ago E+ was introduced (at which point this boost in search placement was promised) his comments that some contributors expected things to happen with the flick of a switch seems disingenuous to me - being impatient over one year later (E+ was introduced in April 2010) is hardly expecting things with the flick of a switch.

Bottom line: don't base any decision about putting files into P+ on an assumption of improved search results placement.

---------------------------------------
Bottom bottom line: Don't take anything JJRD ever says at face value $:-\$

BaldricksTrousers · « **Reply #157 on:** May 09, 2011, 15:05 »

Quote from: jamirae on May 09, 2011, 11:39

Quote from: Elenathewise on May 09, 2011, 11:27
Some of the files that I opted in for Photo+ don't show updated prices. The checkbox is checked (so I can't re-add them), but they are not showing under Photo+ ... Is this the bug people were talking about? Is there a workaround for it?

there was something on the iStock forums about that. said that you need to go to the admin area for the file then hit the "save" button and it shoudl work. try that - I am not yet opting any in so can't verify it for you.

here's the istock thread:
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=328522&messageid=6373046

Give it another 24 hours and the new price will kick in.

As for Cathy's idea that they could suddenly decide never to let the files out again - I think that would be illegal unless we were notified and given the chance to remove them at the point where the new policy was announced.

One crowdsourced website tried to screw me with "new rules" they hadn't informed me about but they backpedalled super-fast once I got heavy with them. It ended up with the site owner emailing me direct and agreeing that the rules I signed up to applied, not those that had been brought in a year or two ago.

lagereek · « **Reply #158 on:** May 09, 2011, 15:31 »

Quote from: lisafx on May 09, 2011, 12:10

Quote from: lagereek on May 09, 2011, 12:05
Well Ive had plenty of P+ sales from morning up till now. Dont get it? why would they suddenly buy more expensive when they were hard pressed buying the ordinary? and I cant see any best match tweak?
I mean it great! just pondering over this.

Me too. P+ selling very well, even over the weekend!

I assume it is because those were my best sellers and were selling anyway, but I didn't pay so much attention when they were mixed in with 6k other photos in my portfolio. Now I am paying attention to those files and noticing when they sell.

I'll say this for Istock. If income continues to pick up due to P+, I will feel less inclined to be critical of them (until the next disaster). More money in my account takes a lot of the fight out of me. YES, I CAN be bought!!

Only trouble is, our better stuff would probably have sold anyway, regardless. In the long run an identical but cheaper image would probably sell more often? evens out really in my books. What do you say?

gostwyck · « **Reply #159 on:** May 09, 2011, 15:38 »

Quote from: jsnover on May 09, 2011, 14:05

Edited to add that JJRD just locked a thread in the exclusive forum asking about the (long-ago promised) boost in best match placement for E+ images. In the way he said that it would be coming when they were good and ready and that contributors had to realize that this recent best match change was the biggest they'd ever made, he tacitly acknowledged that there hasn't been any E+ boost yet.

Given how long ago E+ was introduced (at which point this boost in search placement was promised) his comments that some contributors expected things to happen with the flick of a switch seems disingenuous to me - being impatient over one year later (E+ was introduced in April 2010) is hardly expecting things with the flick of a switch.

... and who can blame JJRD? Don't people realise that he's been putting his donkey on the line for each and every one of us ungrateful contributors? We know this because he keeps telling us.

jamirae · « **Reply #160 on:** May 09, 2011, 15:55 »

Quote from: jsnover on May 09, 2011, 14:05

I still have some time to think about this - and see how others are doing - but it might be a good idea (a) to do what you did with the 'lypse images which can't be anywhere else and (b) soften the blow a little of the cut in both price and commission by putting some proven sellers that I don't think have obvious on-site competition.

I can rationalize it with respect to buyers by thinking that they can easily get the files elsewhere if they wish and the files aren't any more expensive than they are now (as exclusive files)

Edited to add that JJRD just locked a thread in the exclusive forum asking about the (long-ago promised) boost in best match placement for E+ images. In the way he said that it would be coming when they were good and ready and that contributors had to realize that this recent best match change was the biggest they'd ever made, he tacitly acknowledged that there hasn't been any E+ boost yet.

Given how long ago E+ was introduced (at which point this boost in search placement was promised) his comments that some contributors expected things to happen with the flick of a switch seems disingenuous to me - being impatient over one year later (E+ was introduced in April 2010) is hardly expecting things with the flick of a switch.

Bottom line: don't base any decision about putting files into P+ on an assumption of improved search results placement.

this is the sort of stuff that really irritates me. these statements that continue to spew out of them is unbelievable. This is why I'm rarely in the forums anymore and only care about my own bottom line. (as dismal as that is after they royally screwed me with the RC system).

Mantis · « **Reply #161 on:** May 09, 2011, 16:04 »

Quote from: stockastic on May 09, 2011, 09:47

Quote from: BaldricksTrousers on May 09, 2011, 09:44
Quote from: stockastic on May 09, 2011, 09:23
I'm thinking this probably doesn't make sense unless we're promised better search placement - and of course there would be no way to verify whether we even got it.

I'm sure that if IS thought that this plan would boost their numbers and actually cut ours, they'd still be pushing it.

How can it increase istock's profits without increasing the profits for the photographers?

For now this is the way I see it. I just don't trust them.
Oh, I have no idea. I was just making the point that there's no reason to assume IS even cares if we'd benefit. Maybe they want to reduce the price spread between vetta/exclusives and the rest of us peasants so their plan to push the high-priced stuff meets less resistance. Maybe, like Buzbuzzer says, it boosts the short term at the expense of the long term. I would just look at anything they offer contributors right now with the highest degree of suspicion.

lisafx · « **Reply #162 on:** May 09, 2011, 16:28 »

Quote from: lagereek on May 09, 2011, 15:31

Only trouble is, our better stuff would probably have sold anyway, regardless. In the long run an identical but cheaper image would probably sell more often? evens out really in my books. What do you say?

I could be wrong, and of course it's a gamble, but I am betting that the difference between a main collection image and a P+ image is not enough for most buyers to change their choice of image. The difference between regular exclusive and E+ might be.

Bear in mind that the same top sellers already sell at DT for higher prices than P+ on Istock, as do the images of anyone emerald or higher on FT. Even on my own site the prices are much more comparable to the P+ prices than the regular Istock ones.

gostwyck · « **Reply #163 on:** May 09, 2011, 16:49 »

Quote from: lagereek on May 09, 2011, 15:31

Only trouble is, our better stuff would probably have sold anyway, regardless. In the long run an identical but cheaper image would probably sell more often? evens out really in my books. What do you say?

When the price for exclusive images increased (to the same as P+ now) there was no loss of sales reported by exclusives or increase in sales of cheaper independent images.

cathyslife · « **Reply #164 on:** May 09, 2011, 17:03 »

deleted because it's irrelevant

VB inc · « **Reply #165 on:** May 09, 2011, 18:22 »

i thought the best match was skewed towards price. If P+ files are the same price as regular exclusive files, wouldnt it mean that it is essentially on the same best match placement as exclusive files? anyone do some tests on this yet?

lisafx · « **Reply #166 on:** May 09, 2011, 18:33 »

Quote from: VB inc on May 09, 2011, 18:22

i thought the best match was skewed towards price. If P+ files are the same price as regular exclusive files, wouldnt it mean that it is essentially on the same best match placement as exclusive files? anyone do some tests on this yet?

I would assume that. Mine are sure selling like hotcakes today. Maybe Gostwyck, the testmeister, will come through with some info...?

Risamay · « **Reply #167 on:** May 09, 2011, 18:42 »

Quote from: jamirae on May 09, 2011, 15:55

Quote from: jsnover on May 09, 2011, 14:05
Bottom line: don't base any decision about putting files into P+ on an assumption of improved search results placement.

this is the sort of stuff that really irritates me. these statements that continue to spew out of them is unbelievable. This is why I'm rarely in the forums anymore and only care about my own bottom line. (as dismal as that is after they royally screwed me with the RC system).

+1!

luissantos84 · « **Reply #168 on:** May 09, 2011, 19:01 »

Lisa my sales are low low but I had already 3 on photo+

lisafx · « **Reply #169 on:** May 09, 2011, 22:24 »

Quote from: luissantos84 on May 09, 2011, 19:01

Lisa my sales are low low but I had already 3 on photo+

Congrats Luis! Let's see it as a hopeful sign

KB · « **Reply #170 on:** May 09, 2011, 22:30 »

Quote from: VB inc on May 09, 2011, 18:22

i thought the best match was skewed towards price. If P+ files are the same price as regular exclusive files, wouldnt it mean that it is essentially on the same best match placement as exclusive files? anyone do some tests on this yet?

If this were correct, then E+ files would have a noticeable boost over regular, exclusive files. From everything I've read and seen, this has not been the case (despite the fact that it was indeed a promised benefit).

lagereek · « **Reply #171 on:** May 10, 2011, 00:00 »

Lisa and Gotswyck!

What would happen in this scenario? I have 8 blue flames and around 20 dark-red ones at IS, industrials, that is. Now Dreamstime is the only agency that offers " image-exclusivity" what would happen if I remove these and stick them all into Dreamstime, image-exclusivity?

Lisa is reporting great exclusivity sales at Dreamstime and so are many others. Im curious about this.

P+, is doing fine but Im still unhappy about the best match, in my categories, too much generic rubbish on first pages, you know chimneys, smoke and all that and theyre not going to tweak the best match any further, creates too much troubles.

gostwyck · « **Reply #172 on:** May 10, 2011, 05:00 »

My sales over the last 3 days, since I bumped about 500 of my best-selling images to P+, have resulted in an RPD of $1.69. That's almost a 50% increase over my previous RPD which averaged $1.13. Very nice indeed.

bunhill · « **Reply #173 on:** May 10, 2011, 05:17 »

Quote from: gostwyck on May 10, 2011, 05:00

My sales over the last 3 days, since I bumped about 500 of my best-selling images to P+, have resulted in an RPD of $1.69. That's almost a 50% increase over my previous RPD which averaged $1.13. Very nice indeed.

That's excellent. Did it result in increased downloads of those images or any other obvious pattern shift ?

gostwyck · « **Reply #174 on:** May 10, 2011, 05:37 »

Quote from: bunhill on May 10, 2011, 05:17

That's excellent. Did it result in increased downloads of those images or any other obvious pattern shift ?

It's far too early to tell for sure but it appears that sales have continued at about the same rate. It seems that the "60-10 rule" certainly applies to my portfolio though. The vast majority of my sales are from the top-selling 10% of my port.

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Author Topic: Photo+ - new iStockphoto collection for non exclusives (Read 56312 times)

lagereek

lisafx

Elenathewise

jamirae

jamirae

Jo Ann Snover

Sadstock

BaldricksTrousers

lagereek

gostwyck

jamirae

Mantis

lisafx

gostwyck

cathyslife

VB inc

lisafx

Risamay

luissantos84

lisafx

KB

lagereek

gostwyck

bunhill

gostwyck

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