Author Topic: Vetta Illustrations and Video. Who's in? (Read 7139 times)

Chris3fer · « **on:** February 23, 2011, 20:33 »

I am an exclusive illustrator at istock (since 2007). I clicked the allow Vetta collection. I'm now having doubts. On one hand, I don't want to lose placement (even more) in the Best Match Search. On the other, I don't want my files priced higher, so not to deter buyers and I don't want to earn an even lower percentage. What does everyone else think?

Chico · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2011, 01:08 »

I will try. I need something different to break my sales stagnation. My expectations are low, anyway...

But when this "big deal" will run? "Some time this spring", says Istock.

"this spring" means a year or more in Istock time frame.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #2 on:** February 24, 2011, 02:33 »

I had photos in the Vetta collection until September. I opted out then because I did not want my content sold on Getty's sites (where it's a flat 20% and no RCs) and they would not permit contributors to opt out. Secondarily, I thought the price increase was outrageous.

I'm not sure what the rules will be for Illustrations and Video going to Getty (there is already an iStock Vectors collection on Getty Images), but I can't see opting in for Illustrations for me. I have a very small collection of illustrations at iStock and given the new rules about how RCs and royalties are calculated, I can't imagine I'll be creating any more stock illustrations.

ShadySue · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2011, 05:37 »

Quote from: jsnover on February 24, 2011, 02:33

given the new rules about how RCs and royalties are calculated, I can't imagine I'll be creating any more stock illustrations.

I've been wondering about that since September. I wonder how many people are just focussing on their core medium instead of spreading their skills and content, and how much that might be impacting iStock.
It was a totally unfair move, and I say that as a one-medium iStocker. It has certainly put me right off the idea of learning video seriously (i.e. to iStock standards) which was one of my intentions when buying the 5DMk2.

ShadySue · « **Reply #4 on:** February 24, 2011, 08:39 »

Quote from: SuperRufus on February 23, 2011, 20:33

I am an exclusive illustrator at istock (since 2007). I clicked the allow Vetta collection. I'm now having doubts. On one hand, I don't want to lose placement (even more) in the Best Match Search. On the other, I don't want my files priced higher, so not to deter buyers and I don't want to earn an even lower percentage. What does everyone else think?

depends on your current %age, I guess. But it seems that some people at least will only get a 5% raise in what they gain (but with loads more to iStock) while probably losing sales due to the hiked up prices.
If you're on a lower percentage rate, it might work for you.

Chris3fer · « **Reply #5 on:** February 24, 2011, 10:52 »

I'm going to give it a try. I REALLY don't like the 6 month lock-in that happens with Vetta files. I only had a handful the last time. I mainly do cartoons, and don't think a lot of them qualify honestly. I'm going to give it a trial run and see what the results are like.

Honestly, I think raising prices on anything at this point is a bad idea for istock. Maybe if they had the site more together, it would be better. I just don't want to opt out and be reprimanded in the search somehow due to "Best Match."

Risamay · « **Reply #6 on:** February 24, 2011, 13:28 »

Since I'm banned, I'm bravo-ing Joe Lena and Sean here:

Quote

Posted By JoeLena:
I'll be the wet blanket. Fix the problems with the search and all of the other issues, then jack the prices up. , it's like no one there has a clue.

Posted By JJRD:
Different teams, different agendas. Your post is fair and I respect it - all we can say is that we are on an hiring mission within Technology and things are moving in a very positive fashion. With that said, this thread is about Vetta... and nothing else, thanks.

Posted By sjlocke:
You are missing the point of Joe's post. While, workload-wise, yes, one person sits by the pricing button, and another sits by the hamster wheel, that does not eliminate the fact that iStock as a whole is one company.

Here, we have almost daily threads from buyers yelling that the search does not work. The main thing that drives buyers to found _our_ content, and they are not able to use it easily, intuitively or effectively. They ask for ways to filter by collection, by color, by price, some of which used to be available to them. They (and we) have been yelling about this for literally months.

Contributors are upset because record keeping is buggy and untrustworthy, there is fear of fraud, preview colors are wrong, files can't be found, people are getting ZERO money for their downloads, etc. Despite recent posts, I haven't seen anything change in the technology department to clean things up. I see one bug fixed, and another three things stop working, and it takes weeks or months to fix them.

So what is company response? Hey, we're going to raise prices!

I became and stayed exclusive, because I thought we had a great product, a great community and a great team here. I haven't uploaded any new creative content in weeks because of site issues. Do you know how uninspiring taking that action is? That I don't trust the place I believe in to care and market my content due to technology issues? And it isn't just me - I've communicated with many who have the same concerns.

The point is that things should be working, the buyers should be happy, the contributors should be happy, before you go adding new levels of complexity with higher pricing. Happy buyers mean they stick around and may bear the pain of these things, if they have the tools to find what they want, instead of running away, everyday. We may have market share now, but there seems to be some feeling that there is an endless waterfall of buyers waiting to come in the front door. And at some point, something is going to dam up that waterfall, for goodness sake, if you don't keep the river clear and running smooth.

Source: http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=307412&page=6

VB inc · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2011, 14:13 »

Good points BUT I doubt either one of those two stated above will have anything in vector vetta/video. Understandable to not want another collection that your not involved with lowering the visibility of your regular collection

Risamay · « **Reply #8 on:** February 24, 2011, 14:23 »

Quote from: VB inc on February 24, 2011, 14:13

Good points BUT I doubt either one of those two stated above will have anything in vector vetta/video. Understandable to not want another collection that your not involved with lowering the visibility of your regular collection

Me and SuperRufus or Joe Lena and Sean?

I thought their statements were spot on because there has been so much wrong with the site for so long now, and THAT should be the focus at HQ and nothing else, for now - until the site as a whole is fixed and stable.

With regard to the new Vetta programs, I think it's a great opportunity for exclusive videographers and illustrators. Just as it has been for exclusive photographers. Though I'm no longer exclusive and therefore no longer have Vetta files, I still think it's a great program, if you can crack the code necessary to get your work into the club. The club aspect of it is what I never liked about the offering for photographers, though no one with a badge would acknowledge the ultra-exclusive clubbiness of it. Officially, anyway.

ETA: It's a great opportunity, though not without its faults. As kathykonkle, FreeTransform, and others point out:

Quote

Posted By kathykonkle:
You take vetta away from illustrators then add it back and call that "great things we have planned for illustrators? "

Posted By FreeTransform:
Agreed. Please let there be some actual "great things" in store. We've been waiting for an announcement since early September.

Sept. 7: "We have a bigger plan in the works for Vectors and will be telling you more about this in the months to come."

Sept. 10: Please also know that we do have some great things planned for Vectors, however to keep our competitive advantage, we're not able to announce them at this time, but will very shortly.

Source: http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=307412&page=7