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Author Topic: Will you stay with iStock after the 9/2/14 change or start pulling out?  (Read 23198 times)

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« Reply #50 on: September 05, 2014, 03:17 »
+3
For one of my sales on iStock this week, I received a grand total of $0.00 !!! How does this happen??? Are they giving my images away for free without my permission??


« Reply #51 on: September 05, 2014, 03:32 »
+4
I decided to deactivate my small video portfolio at IS, you get much better sales volume and royalty at P5 and SS. 15% is ridiculously low and my clips getting no views or sales there anyway!

« Reply #52 on: September 05, 2014, 04:04 »
+2
Why wouldn't I stay with iStock after the change?

So far in 2014, my average royalty per download has been $0.91 with iStock.

With the new system all of my images will be priced between $8 and $15, of which I will get 17% which would be $1.36 up to $2.55 - in this scenario it looks like I will get a higher average royalty per download after the change. And those royalties are actually in line with what I get at Shutterstock for Image Packs.

Of course it also means we are likely to see a heavier shift from single image sales to subscriptions but that is already happening step by step since April and might only speed up now.

And it's hard to predict how the download pattern between non-exclusives and exclusives will shift, given that exclusive images are now becoming a bit less overpriced (with the exception of the maybe 200-400k real premium images they have which now are becoming heavily underpriced).

« Reply #53 on: September 05, 2014, 04:27 »
0
As you say, it's hard to predict what effect the reduced differential between Exclusive and non-Exclusive will have.

If I do a similar calculation, my average RPD (on iStock images only, no ELs, GI or PP) for 2014 so far is $11.22.

After the change, my images will be priced between $24 and $45, of which I get 35% which would be between $8.40 and $15.75, depending on the price set for credits; so if the price is something about $11 per credit it will be just about the same.  It all depends on how many downloads.

At least, that's how I understand it.  I'll wait and see how it goes.

« Reply #54 on: September 05, 2014, 04:38 »
0
Actually, I just remembered that it won't be quite that simple; I have several hundred images in the Main collection too, so my average is likely to be a little lower, although at present I don't sell much from there.

As I said, I'll just wait and see how things pan out in the next few months.

« Reply #55 on: September 05, 2014, 05:23 »
+2
For indies, they just become a mid-low tier agency and get uploads according to their new lower priority status.

Yup!

Yup! Indies just took another cut.

I don't follow this - the pay per dl will increase considerably (at least in my case).  Am I missing something?

Shelma1

  • stockcoalition.org
« Reply #56 on: September 05, 2014, 10:29 »
+1
I probably won't take the time to delete files, but I've lost all motivation to upload there. My goal was to create higher-priced files, and that's what I've been concentrating on; now all those files will have substantially reduced prices.

And I have no idea if this is because of the announcement to buyers, but sales for me have all but stopped this week. That portends poorly for the future. Very sad.

« Reply #57 on: September 05, 2014, 10:35 »
0
I probably won't take the time to delete files, but I've lost all motivation to upload there. My goal was to create higher-priced files, and that's what I've been concentrating on; now all those files will have substantially reduced prices.

And I have no idea if this is because of the announcement to buyers, but sales for me have all but stopped this week. That portends poorly for the future. Very sad.
Were you only uploading your higher-priced files to iStock or to other sites as well?

Shelma1

  • stockcoalition.org
« Reply #58 on: September 05, 2014, 10:46 »
+2
I probably won't take the time to delete files, but I've lost all motivation to upload there. My goal was to create higher-priced files, and that's what I've been concentrating on; now all those files will have substantially reduced prices.

And I have no idea if this is because of the announcement to buyers, but sales for me have all but stopped this week. That portends poorly for the future. Very sad.
Were you only uploading your higher-priced files to iStock or to other sites as well?

Why would I only upload them to iStock? If I did that I'd miss out on 75% of my income on those files. But since their upload process is so laborious, I uploaded my more complex files to them.

« Reply #59 on: September 05, 2014, 10:50 »
0
I decided to deactivate my small video portfolio at IS, you get much better sales volume and royalty at P5 and SS. 15% is ridiculously low and my clips getting no views or sales there anyway!

Congratulations...
Better late than never.

« Reply #60 on: September 05, 2014, 10:51 »
-3
I probably won't take the time to delete files, but I've lost all motivation to upload there. My goal was to create higher-priced files, and that's what I've been concentrating on; now all those files will have substantially reduced prices.

And I have no idea if this is because of the announcement to buyers, but sales for me have all but stopped this week. That portends poorly for the future. Very sad.
Were you only uploading your higher-priced files to iStock or to other sites as well?

Why would I only upload them to iStock? If I did that I'd miss out on 75% of my income on those files. But since their upload process is so laborious, I uploaded my more complex files to them.
Just curious why you'll stop creating high priced files because of the change at iStock?  The prices aren't much different than other sites.

Shelma1

  • stockcoalition.org
« Reply #61 on: September 05, 2014, 10:56 »
+3
I didn't say I'd stop creating them. I said I'm not motivated to upload to iStock. If you're going to respond to my remarks, read them carefully and respond to the actual words I write, not the ones in your head.

« Reply #62 on: September 05, 2014, 10:59 »
+3
I didn't say I'd stop creating them. I said I'm not motivated to upload to iStock. If you're going to respond to my remarks, read them carefully and respond to the actual words I write, not the ones in your head.
I guess I miss understood you, no need to get angry.  I thought you were saying you lost motivation to create high priced files "My goal was to create higher-priced files".  'was' your goal as in not your goal anymore, that's how I read your statement.

« Reply #63 on: September 05, 2014, 12:01 »
0
I didn't say I'd stop creating them. I said I'm not motivated to upload to iStock. If you're going to respond to my remarks, read them carefully and respond to the actual words I write, not the ones in your head.

Somebody got out of bed the wrong side. :(
« Last Edit: September 05, 2014, 12:04 by john_woodcock »

« Reply #64 on: September 05, 2014, 15:37 »
+8
I decided to deactivate my small video portfolio at IS, you get much better sales volume and royalty at P5 and SS. 15% is ridiculously low and my clips getting no views or sales there anyway!


Me too.  Deleted all the video clips.  Ridiculous commission that's really insulting and bad for our business.

« Reply #65 on: September 05, 2014, 18:01 »
+1
speaking of staying with istock. If I do decide to stay with them after joining in July
 I'm not getting any views on my port a total of around 10 on 250 images that's it. I don't get it,they want more contributors and their stuff but there is no buyers to view them. :-\

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #66 on: September 05, 2014, 20:07 »
+2
For one of my sales on iStock this week, I received a grand total of $0.00 !!! How does this happen??? Are they giving my images away for free without my permission??

Several weeks ago, someone noted this on a Fb group and was asked by an admin to contact CR.
Certainly you should do the same, but replies have been taking 4-8 weeks for months now.
Please feed back what they say.

Uncle Pete

« Reply #67 on: September 05, 2014, 21:22 »
-2
If that's the change, I'm leaving.  :) Next they will want us to pay to give away our work.

So someone tell me, is it official = now? Have the flipped the switch and 5 = 1 and no more sizes, and collections have merged Etc.

My last two DLs after the 2nd have been listed as large for $1.25 commission. This is better than the .44 for a small that I got on the 2nd.

Just like that, it's in effect now? Wouldn't we expect down time for the big switch? I didn't notice anything, didn't see the usual messages here "is IS down...".

Yes I know it's a little soon, but if this is the new system, I'm going to like it.


For one of my sales on iStock this week, I received a grand total of $0.00 !!! How does this happen??? Are they giving my images away for free without my permission??

Several weeks ago, someone noted this on a Fb group and was asked by an admin to contact CR.
Certainly you should do the same, but replies have been taking 4-8 weeks for months now.
Please feed back what they say.

KB

« Reply #68 on: September 05, 2014, 22:12 »
+2
So someone tell me, is it official = now? Have the flipped the switch and 5 = 1 and no more sizes, and collections have merged Etc.

My last two DLs after the 2nd have been listed as large for $1.25 commission. This is better than the .44 for a small that I got on the 2nd.

Just like that, it's in effect now? Wouldn't we expect down time for the big switch? I didn't notice anything, didn't see the usual messages here "is IS down...".
From their posted FAQ:
When will these changes go live on the website?
We are planning a September 15th launch but changes may start to appear as early as September 13th. The site will require a limited weekend outage but you will be notified in advance.


I don't actually understand your confusion. Your last 2 DLs were L size for $1.25, and the previous sale was an S size for $0.44. Since an S is 2 credits and an L is 5, those royalties don't seem unusual to me.

« Reply #69 on: September 06, 2014, 00:30 »
0
For one of my sales on iStock this week, I received a grand total of $0.00 !!! How does this happen??? Are they giving my images away for free without my permission??

Several weeks ago, someone noted this on a Fb group and was asked by an admin to contact CR.
Certainly you should do the same, but replies have been taking 4-8 weeks for months now.
Please feed back what they say.

Thank you ShadySue. I will do that.

« Reply #70 on: September 06, 2014, 05:09 »
+1
So someone tell me, is it official = now? Have the flipped the switch and 5 = 1 and no more sizes, and collections have merged Etc.

My last two DLs after the 2nd have been listed as large for $1.25 commission. This is better than the .44 for a small that I got on the 2nd.

Just like that, it's in effect now? Wouldn't we expect down time for the big switch? I didn't notice anything, didn't see the usual messages here "is IS down...".
From their posted FAQ:
When will these changes go live on the website?
We are planning a September 15th launch but changes may start to appear as early as September 13th. The site will require a limited weekend outage but you will be notified in advance.


I don't actually understand your confusion. Your last 2 DLs were L size for $1.25, and the previous sale was an S size for $0.44. Since an S is 2 credits and an L is 5, those royalties don't seem unusual to me.

People are leaving because of a change that hasn't launched. He's seeing downloads increase before the change. Somebody said their SS sales went down when IS made this change. Goes back to people seeing before it happens or clairvoiance. That explains the question why no shut down though.

« Reply #71 on: September 06, 2014, 08:54 »
+2
speaking of staying with istock. If I do decide to stay with them after joining in July
 I'm not getting any views on my port a total of around 10 on 250 images that's it. I don't get it,they want more contributors and their stuff but there is no buyers to view them. :-\
Nobody is getting many views. Apparently it's something to do with only views by logged in buyers counting. What I find much more worrying is that those logged in buyers seem to be buying a lot less of my work. Views are nice but there are no $$ for them.
Also, if yours is the PF that I think it is, then with all due respect, I think you need to have a think about what you are shooting. There are an awful lot of fairly easily found isolated objects already there, and more being uploaded daily. Those shots are unlikely to generate many DLs these days IMHO.

« Reply #72 on: September 06, 2014, 09:57 »
0
speaking of staying with istock. If I do decide to stay with them after joining in July
 I'm not getting any views on my port a total of around 10 on 250 images that's it. I don't get it,they want more contributors and their stuff but there is no buyers to view them. :-\
Nobody is getting many views. Apparently it's something to do with only views by logged in buyers counting. What I find much more worrying is that those logged in buyers seem to be buying a lot less of my work. Views are nice but there are no $$ for them.
Also, if yours is the PF that I think it is, then with all due respect, I think you need to have a think about what you are shooting. There are an awful lot of fairly easily found isolated objects already there, and more being uploaded daily. Those shots are unlikely to generate many DLs these days IMHO.

ya,I agree with u on my port.  definitely need to re think my shooting.

Sheriff

« Reply #73 on: September 06, 2014, 16:49 »
-12
Either you stay on the wagon ladys and gents or get off of it.  Not a difficult decision- thus lets all get back to work...

dpimborough

« Reply #74 on: September 07, 2014, 04:11 »
0
Put it this way the one price fits all sizes smells like dollar photo klub.

15% royalty for none exclusives is a sick joke (like getty/istuck) don't make enough money.

Even after adding 500 photos in the last 4 months sales are moribund.

If this new system means even lower earnings then they can go just blow it out of their backends.

 >:(

P.S. If they wanted to improve sales why don't they get rid of that dumb as controlled vocabulary system??

Any image with unusual keywords is impossible to find both on iStock and Thinkstock!!

« Last Edit: September 07, 2014, 04:20 by Teddy the Cat »


 

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