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Author Topic: What are your experiences after becoming exclusive (in 2011/2012)?  (Read 11063 times)

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wut

« Reply #25 on: June 05, 2012, 05:14 »
0
^ If you're on Alamy, note that they too will take 6 months before any deleted images are actually removed (though they will remove them from the search after 3 months).


As I understand it, if you ask for the images to be deleted, they take 3-6 months, but if you actually close out your Alamy account, they come down right away. 

Quicker way is to remove all image data, move the images to a new pseudonym and then delete that pseudonym .

Wow, that's a great advice and it would work at DT as well :D


« Reply #26 on: June 05, 2012, 08:12 »
0
^ If you're on Alamy, note that they too will take 6 months before any deleted images are actually removed (though they will remove them from the search after 3 months).


As I understand it, if you ask for the images to be deleted, they take 3-6 months, but if you actually close out your Alamy account, they come down right away.  



Quicker way is to remove all image data, move the images to a new pseudonym and then delete that pseudonym .

Wow, that's a great advice and it would work at DT as well :D

In DT as well...? how... if you don't mind to tell...! and is it really possible to delete a particular pseudo and its images ?
« Last Edit: June 05, 2012, 08:16 by gemmy12 »

wut

« Reply #27 on: June 05, 2012, 08:48 »
0
^ If you're on Alamy, note that they too will take 6 months before any deleted images are actually removed (though they will remove them from the search after 3 months).


As I understand it, if you ask for the images to be deleted, they take 3-6 months, but if you actually close out your Alamy account, they come down right away.  



Quicker way is to remove all image data, move the images to a new pseudonym and then delete that pseudonym .

Wow, that's a great advice and it would work at DT as well :D

In DT as well...? how... if you don't mind to tell...! and is it really possible to delete a particular pseudo and its images ?

You can definitely edit image info. I'm not sure about pseudonym though.

More great news, after Alamy support told me I can't remove images from partner sites I asked them if they'll remove it if I close my acc. Here's the reply:"If you terminate your contract your images will be removed from the site within 45 days.  We also inform the distributors that the images will not be available for licensing once the account has been cancelled. Please note that sales can occur after this as a result of customers downloading the images before the termination completed."

So in the worst case scenario there's the 5,5 month wait because of DT.

« Reply #28 on: June 05, 2012, 09:05 »
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You can definitely edit image info. I'm not sure about pseudonym though.

More great news, after Alamy support told me I can't remove images from partner sites I asked them if they'll remove it if I close my acc. Here's the reply:"If you terminate your contract your images will be removed from the site within 45 days.  We also inform the distributors that the images will not be available for licensing once the account has been cancelled. Please note that sales can occur after this as a result of customers downloading the images before the termination completed."

So in the worst case scenario there's the 5,5 month wait because of DT.

Okay you meant changing/deleting the info of image. I thought you are talking related to something like pseudo what i dunno. But i guess we cant even clear all the keywords because DT or any other micro agency probably wont allow to save such images (w/o keywords) but alamy certainly allows to do so. If i am not wrong the admin guys (perhaps few of them) of DT and featurepics are same ones and their policies/agreements are also similar AFA removal of image is concerned. I am seriously considering to delete my DT account not because of my sales but for their waiting period to remove images.
« Last Edit: June 05, 2012, 09:08 by gemmy12 »

wut

« Reply #29 on: June 05, 2012, 09:14 »
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You can definitely edit image info. I'm not sure about pseudonym though.

More great news, after Alamy support told me I can't remove images from partner sites I asked them if they'll remove it if I close my acc. Here's the reply:"If you terminate your contract your images will be removed from the site within 45 days.  We also inform the distributors that the images will not be available for licensing once the account has been cancelled. Please note that sales can occur after this as a result of customers downloading the images before the termination completed."

So in the worst case scenario there's the 5,5 month wait because of DT.

Okay you meant changing/deleting the info of image. I thought you are talking related to something like pseudo what i dunno. But i guess we cant even clear all the keywords because DT or any other micro agency probably wont allow to save such images (w/o keywords) but alamy certainly allows to do so. If i am not wrong the admin guys (perhaps few of them) of DT and featurepics are same ones and their policies/agreements are also similar AFA removal of image is concerned. I am seriously considering to delete my DT account not because of my sales but for their waiting period to remove images.

But can you just delete it? 6 month lock in wouldn't make no sense, if so. Everyone wanting to become exclusive would do it. If that's possible, it would really be great :)

wut

« Reply #30 on: June 05, 2012, 09:31 »
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One more important thing: what's the procedure like when applying for exclusivity? Do you apply, they take a look and tell you exactly which sites you have to take images down from, or do you have to delete them and then wait for their response? If it's the latter option and you have to wait for a week or so, before they check for your images, you're loosing hundreds if not thousands of dollars (well I wouldn't loose thousands, obviously:). Because I know you even have to remove images from photo.net etc (I guess there is some way of buying photos there, although you can sell prints)

You have to remove all images from other sites first, or your application will be rejected until you do.

Note too that some sites require notice (up to 6 months) before they will remove your portfolio.

So the best approach seems to be to apply, let them tell you exactly which sites you have to take your images down from (and you also have that in writing) you do it, and reapply for exclusivity. That way you don't loose as much earnings in the meantime.

lisafx

« Reply #31 on: June 05, 2012, 11:59 »
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On the subject of removing data from all your images at DT, this has been tried before.  DT is aware of that tactic.   Others who have tried it report that once they have removed data from some images, their images are locked and they can't remove any more keywords. 

Also, there is not the way to create multiple pseudonyms at DT like at Alamy. 

AFAIK you really do have to wait out the 6 month removal period at DT.  OTOH, I have found that in those 6 months a lot can change.  Several times the DT waiting period has saved me from making a hasty decision to go exclusive. 

« Reply #32 on: June 05, 2012, 12:34 »
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Not sure if this is still true...

You will be allowed to disable a total of thirty (30%) percent of your total images submitted within the past six (6) months. Images that were disabled and then enabled again will be counted as new submissions, no matter of their original upload date.

If you disable the newer ones first, you might be able to shave a couple months off of the 6 months.

wut

« Reply #33 on: June 05, 2012, 12:59 »
0
Not sure if this is still true...

You will be allowed to disable a total of thirty (30%) percent of your total images submitted within the past six (6) months. Images that were disabled and then enabled again will be counted as new submissions, no matter of their original upload date.

If you disable the newer ones first, you might be able to shave a couple months off of the 6 months.

Wow, sounds great! I just have to double check this, or else I can add another six months, instead of shaving them off.

« Reply #34 on: June 08, 2012, 04:58 »
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Given the numbers you have shared about your income % between agencies I believe it is pretty straightforward to see you would probably be making more as an exclusive than as independent.

Being exclusive you have said you would reach 30%. That means you would already be doing 76,5 % more just for that.

Higher commissions. Based on my experience for a standard port, low V&A files, some E+ but non of them best sellers, you can expect a RPD between 4$ and 5$. The more V&A and the more E+ successful files you have you can higher that number dramatically. There is people making money in the range of RPD 10$-20$. It depends on the quality of your port. You can judge yourself comparing with your numbers how much that makes. 3X wouldnt be that difficult just because of this concept.

It is said your files improve their best match position when going exclusive. I really dont know about this, I became exclusive at 250DLs and they did, but I guess there are other contributors with extensive experience being independent and then exclusive that have better insight about this.

Getty royalties. They arent great for the moment, at least for me, but you can expect some extra every month. We will see how E+ contributes to our royalties but as long as they dont cut our commissions at istock it cant hurt. Say you make 5% more. If you are already making 4X just for being exclusive that 5% means a 20% more compared to your original istock income.

It is true that many people are seeing drops in DL and $$, but it is also true that some are seeing growth. Also bear in mind that many people making progress do not bother to post in the monthly threads. Trends vary over time and it is not difficult to loose your touch on what is selling. I guess most of the people doing good numbers just dont want their ports to attract attention  ;) . I am a gold member  (@35%) and I still see growth after 4 years. DLs have been more or less steady over the last year but $$ have had a more than reasonable increase. I am not a big fish, 1,9 k files, upload an average of 1 file a day and my V&A port is small and does not sell well.

But that is not all that counts. It depends on your profile, risk you can bear, etc. Putting all your eggs in one basket is not a decision for everyone. Lowering your risk by spreading your port over multiple sites has also its value. The risks you face have been very well explained in this thread and similar ones over time. How much it is worth just depends on oneself. I dont rely on micro income for anything. I am making decent money but I could live without it so if the moment comes when I have to go independent I can get the hit of lowering my income in the short term by leaving exclusivity and start working with other agencies. It is difficult I could do the same numbers as independent just with the same port. I am making about 6.5-7$/DL so just imagine the hit I would suffer going down to 1.5-2$/DL. But not everyone can do that. Can you? That is a question you should make yourself. Some need this money and take the safe and probably sound decision of being independent. Some are exclusives that would have serious problems during months if they went independent, when they see their income drop one month after another they do nothing but remain exclusives because they are afraid of the big drop. How long can they remain like that? how knows, but they are effectively bound to their exclusivity by a golden leash.

So make your numbers, take you decision and then tell us how it is going ;-)

Good luck.

wut

« Reply #35 on: June 08, 2012, 14:48 »
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Great post, very helpful. I'm glad I still have over 5 month to see how things go, what is the ratio between SS and IS going to be (I've lost all hope of any other agency showing any meaningful growth in their share of my earnings), if IS will keep up. Could be that IS just want to motivate indies more, but more likely wanting to start taking bigger share of sales. If it's the latter, it's kinda scary, since it wouldn't make sense to become exclusive then (not that noticeable best match boost). Although judging from the earnings thread at IS, that's not the case, most exclusive had a good or even great month, many BMEs, even from diamonds. I think just exclusives with the biggest ports, even if they're super successful (like Sean etc) and those with low quality ports are loosing out. At least it seems like that when reading the thread and checking poster's ports. And of course, I'm still waiting if SS will make the move, but I doubt it, I know it's just my wishful thinking. And this month has started great at SS, already got a few triple SODs (as in triple of the standard royalty) and an EL today. IS is pretty good too, keeping on delivering like it did in the second half of May. Yesterday was pretty bad, by new standards, so that put me in a relatively bad mood. But today's sales are already at least double, so for now, all is well.

wut

« Reply #36 on: June 14, 2012, 09:10 »
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Well, it's starting to look like the ride is over. After a below average day yesterday, I got only 1 sale so far today. I know you can't judge trends over 1,5 days, especially if you're a small player with low volume of sales, but it looks like my plans of exclusivity are starting to fall apart. So I'll just stick to uploading to IS, SS and FT. I might drop FT soon if sales won't really pick up. Risk wise, it's of course better to have your income split on two agencies, they can't both go down at the same time, well not for a longer period of time anyway. SS is not loosing steam, in fact it's earning more and more although we're on the brink of summer. I just hope they'll resolve the rejections issues fast, because there's no long term growth without new uploads.

Wim

« Reply #37 on: June 14, 2012, 10:11 »
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Well, it's starting to look like the ride is over. After a below average day yesterday, I got only 1 sale so far today. I know you can't judge trends over 1,5 days, especially if you're a small player with low volume of sales, but it looks like my plans of exclusivity are starting to fall apart. So I'll just stick to uploading to IS, SS and FT. I might drop FT soon if sales won't really pick up. Risk wise, it's of course better to have your income split on two agencies, they can't both go down at the same time, well not for a longer period of time anyway. SS is not loosing steam, in fact it's earning more and more although we're on the brink of summer. I just hope they'll resolve the rejections issues fast, because there's no long term growth without new uploads.

I (and probably a lot more then myself) told you so mate ;)
Microstock is very unstable these days with inconsistent reviews, sales and search engine optimizations so one would be mad to go exclusive anywhere.
Even I know that by now and I only have 1 year of experience in this business.

Now you just have to re-apply at all agencies again, lol!

wut

« Reply #38 on: June 14, 2012, 10:55 »
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I'll just go with don't fix it if it ain't broken approach. Sales are starting to come in at IS though. Well I have 5 more month tk see where things are going anyway :) . And after all 3 agencies are not that many and I'll probably UL to FT only when I'll have too much time on my hands


 

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