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Author Topic: What are you doing about istock?  (Read 18140 times)

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« Reply #100 on: September 10, 2013, 13:50 »
+4
If that theory is correct why not just sell on the one site that gives you the best returns?  I think it's clear that buyers switching  isn't going to make up the difference in lost sales. Look at how nearly 100% of this forum said nothing would happen when Yuri left all those agencies, no buyers would follow.

It's not an all or nothing proposition. It's a balancing act.


« Reply #101 on: September 10, 2013, 13:56 »
0
Removing images from iStock will increase sales on other agencies, I have no doubt about that. I am waiting to see the totals for the next couple of months (September/November) to make a decision, which would be purely business. If the totals are meager, and it looks like they will be right now, removing files would make sense, since I'd have nothing much to lose and a little to gain. It's simple arithmetic.
Even since Istock introduced exclusivity, I thought - the day will come when they start pushing out non-exclusives. And that's what they're doing right now, by practically giving away our work.

curiously you have uploaded 467 pictures this year

Why curiously? At this point it still makes (made?) financial sense. Other issues like GGD (don't want to open that can of worms here) were at least addressed, so for the time being I feel that my content is relatively safe there. As I said in my post, I'll wait and see what my monthly totals are going to be, and if the income would be worth the time and trouble of dealing with their medieval upload system. I will also keep a close look on sales on other agencies and see if lowering the prices on Istock affects my sales there.

« Reply #102 on: September 10, 2013, 14:09 »
+3
If that theory is correct why not just sell on the one site that gives you the best returns?  I think it's clear that buyers switching  isn't going to make up the difference in lost sales. Look at how nearly 100% of this forum said nothing would happen when Yuri left all those agencies, no buyers would follow.

That's what we all SHOULD do... only sell at the agency with the highest royalty. Then the agencies would have to compete by raising the roaylty and give us other benefits to get any contributors to join them. It would be our market.

But of course, that's just a dream... it'll never happen.

« Reply #103 on: September 10, 2013, 14:14 »
+1
Removing images from iStock will increase sales on other agencies, I have no doubt about that. I am waiting to see the totals for the next couple of months (September/November) to make a decision, which would be purely business. If the totals are meager, and it looks like they will be right now, removing files would make sense, since I'd have nothing much to lose and a little to gain. It's simple arithmetic.
Even since Istock introduced exclusivity, I thought - the day will come when they start pushing out non-exclusives. And that's what they're doing right now, by practically giving away our work.

curiously you have uploaded 467 pictures this year

Why curiously? At this point it still makes (made?) financial sense. Other issues like GGD (don't want to open that can of worms here) were at least addressed, so for the time being I feel that my content is relatively safe there. As I said in my post, I'll wait and see what my monthly totals are going to be, and if the income would be worth the time and trouble of dealing with their medieval upload system. I will also keep a close look on sales on other agencies and see if lowering the prices on Istock affects my sales there.

that is what most do, keep on waiting for a change (years of patience) while still feeding them but always with a foot more inside than outside, wonderful life of a stock contributor!
« Last Edit: September 10, 2013, 14:16 by luissantos84 »

« Reply #104 on: September 10, 2013, 14:28 »
+2

that is what most do, keep on waiting for a change (years of patience) while still feeding them but always with a foot more inside than outside, wonderful life of a stock contributor!

Luis, it's not about waiting for a change - it's about "is it worth my time and effort" at this point in time. It is very subjective, and the answer is different for everyone, since it depends on so many factors like size and content of your portfolio, whether or not you do this for a living, how much is your cost of living, etc. For someone in Eastern Europe for example getting the money that Istock pays is still very lucrative, and there are a lot of talented people there. For me in Canada it may end up not being worth my effort anymore pretty soon, so I'd have to switch to other things. But the business we're in is global, and we're competing with talented people for whom 1000 USD a month is very good money. Stock companies know that, so they're balancing their royalty payments taking this into account. With global business like this, you just can't form a union and "force" the company to pay more - you can only decide if this works for you personally or not.

« Reply #105 on: September 10, 2013, 14:39 »
+2
If that theory is correct why not just sell on the one site that gives you the best returns?  I think it's clear that buyers switching  isn't going to make up the difference in lost sales. Look at how nearly 100% of this forum said nothing would happen when Yuri left all those agencies, no buyers would follow.

That's what we all SHOULD do... only sell at the agency with the highest royalty. Then the agencies would have to compete by raising the roaylty and give us other benefits to get any contributors to join them. It would be our market.

But of course, that's just a dream... it'll never happen.

Ok, I am going to start an agency tomorrow and offer 90% royalties. Everyone would join me and .... I don't have any money or skills to advertise. So what good would my agency be if I can't deliver any sales? Istock pays 15% but they provide a lot of sales, and the numbers add up. So it's not that simple. And didn't Yuri just did exactly same thing - went exclusive with the agency that gave him highest royalty? :-)

« Reply #106 on: September 10, 2013, 14:46 »
-2
;
« Last Edit: May 12, 2014, 10:49 by Audi 5000 »

« Reply #107 on: September 10, 2013, 14:49 »
-1

that is what most do, keep on waiting for a change (years of patience) while still feeding them but always with a foot more inside than outside, wonderful life of a stock contributor!

Luis, it's not about waiting for a change - it's about "is it worth my time and effort" at this point in time. It is very subjective, and the answer is different for everyone, since it depends on so many factors like size and content of your portfolio, whether or not you do this for a living, how much is your cost of living, etc. For someone in Eastern Europe for example getting the money that Istock pays is still very lucrative, and there are a lot of talented people there. For me in Canada it may end up not being worth my effort anymore pretty soon, so I'd have to switch to other things. But the business we're in is global, and we're competing with talented people for whom 1000 USD a month is very good money. Stock companies know that, so they're balancing their royalty payments taking this into account. With global business like this, you just can't form a union and "force" the company to pay more - you can only decide if this works for you personally or not.

sorry but that is not correct, if I had my SS portfolio at iStock I would do a few more bucks I am sure of that BUT I rather eat less grapes at 2 pounds "each" or buy some "value" apples than uploading to an agency that is in fact pulling all agencies down, FT doesn't pay 20% (white ranking) because they come up with that idea, iStock helped them and other agencies paying the flat 20% and then 15% (FT indies can climp up to 46%)

if we talk mainly about business/money we would even accept 1% because it is still more than 0%

don't tell me you need more money than me or anybody else, we are all in this for that not because we want to hear wow that is one lovely picture

lisafx

« Reply #108 on: September 10, 2013, 22:25 »
0
Removing images from iStock will increase sales on other agencies, I have no doubt about that.

Elena, I put a lot of stock in what you say about the industry because I know you are smart, observant, and cautious. 

Can you share why you are certain that removing photos from istock will definitely increase sales at other sites?

Thank you Lisa:)  I know from speaking to buyers that many search for images across several agencies. If they're looking for something on iStock and don't find it there they'd get it from others. Of course someone may argue that instead of your image they can get a "substitute" from someone else's portfolio, but if you have fairly unique style and content that wouldn't be an issue.
Another factor to consider is that many buyers are also looking for better price, I've had enough feedback on that. If Istock undersells other agencies, your content there will be sold for less and your royalties will be the lowest possible. If you don't have your image on Istock and the buyer still wants it they'd go for the next best deal, including buying from your own site (happened to me many times).
My interactions with buyers also tell me that many don't mind paying up to 50 USD per image for high quality content, so lowering the prices on agencies like Istock and Fotolia seems to be purely due to competitive price wars, not reflecting actual buying potential.

Thanks very much for posting such a thoughtful and detailed response Elena :)

Your reasoning seems very sound to me.  I haven't quite reached the point of no return with Istock, but it is something I think about, and good to thoroughly examine all our options. 


 

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