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Author Topic: What is your opinion on Albumo?  (Read 10949 times)

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« on: July 23, 2007, 09:57 »
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Did you have many sells in Albumo?
Is a site were we must upload or is like all the new ones were the $ is a rare thin.


dbvirago

« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2007, 10:02 »
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I don't think they have had many sales yet, but they did get the product ready to go before releasing it. It's obvious they are putting money into the project early. Also, if you upload at least 250 images, they will credit your account $25. (It's still $75 before a payout)

This is the only new one I have uploaded to since LO. They are supposed to start a marketing push soon, so we will see about the sales.  I've had a few views, and there have been some sales on the site.

If interested, here is my referral link.

http://albumo.com/affiliate-referral/400/home

« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2007, 10:20 »
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They are building up the collection before advertising to designers.  Not much point in advertising when there aren't many images.  Unlike most new sites, they have attracted a lot of photographers and have built a good collection quickly.  They seem to realize that this market is growing fast and they want a slice of it quickly.  I can see them being one of the big sites, as long as they continue as they have started.

« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2007, 11:21 »
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they are doing everything that Snapvillage should have done but didn't.

Rumour has it they have over 100k images already and will be advertising to buyers once they hit the 200k images.  There are only 33 100 club memebers so far so I assume that offer will be on the table for a bit longer (though there are a few just below 1000 as there seems to be a slow up in the normally quick review turnaround.

We will see how they go once they start marketing, until then, you cant complian about no sales.

« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2007, 12:16 »
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Since we're in the new sites category, I might offer this suggestion to artists.

1. Get to know the management team.

2. Running a business built on 'credits' is about selling images, but more importantly running a mini economy.  Make sure you know who is running the show.


« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2007, 12:33 »
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From there blurb, they are owned by Home Mines, LLC.

The mailing address is Fair Oaks, California.  I can't find anything else about them.  Would be interesting to know who we are working with.  Anyone know them?

« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2007, 15:31 »
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Seems to be shaping up OK but I find the site a bit slow.

jsnover

« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2007, 15:56 »
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I am in the process of uploading to Albumo, and it was their seriousness in getting the collection built up - i.e. by paying for it - that tipped the scales for me. Also seeing photoshow, andresr, xmasbaby, elenathewise and some other familiar names in their 100 club.

No sales yet, but the newsletter said once they hit 200K images (they are at around 130K now) they plan to start advertising. Given the tease of a higher commission if you're overe 1000 images, I thought it might be worth my while to get my images up there before they start advertising.

It's also intriguing that their pricing encourages buyers to try new images - until you get 5 downloads, you get any size for a credit. Then, as the image picks up steam, you get paid more credits for the larger sizes. Essentially, as contributors we're giving a discount to buyers to try our images. I know DT has the levels notion, but this seems like a more immediate buyer incentive (5 images versus 25) .

We'll see how it pans out, but they have FTP, stored model releases, a bulk editing interface (with a somewhat quirky UI, but it does function once you get the hang of it). And reviews are quick :)

« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2007, 17:36 »
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I eventually signed up I am not too pleased about the price/size structure the big jump from 2mp to 10 mp seems rather daft. How many people are using a 10+ mp camera? I think 4 mp and 8 mp would have been useful size increments.

Hopefully i can get into the top 100 club with 1,000 images which means you get 60% commission instead of 50% and obviously the immediate benefit of the bribe to upload.

Glad to see some of the big players there which shows there is confidence in the site. I suppose if you had 3,000 accepted images but no sales they should send you some money.

My new first agency since StockXpert to join I had forgotten what a pain uploading is thank god they have FTP I just hope the IPTC reader works because a lot of them aren't 100% efficient with my broadband or pixvue

« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2007, 19:31 »
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Make sure you know who is running the show.

So who is it? You know more ;-)

« Reply #10 on: July 23, 2007, 19:49 »
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I've had a quick look and I'm not attracted to it.  Then again I'm not attracted to anything new unless it can offer something better than existing agencies, and without customers that's an impossible task I suppose.

I don't like the 'photo sharing' idea, which seems there to generate 'traffic' that will not produce income for Microstock photographers.

I also don't like the fact that they are seeking advertisers; that's not usual in microstock and suggests they might use microstock generated views to earn advertising income which will also not benefit photographers.

So I'm not convinced, but time will tell.

« Reply #11 on: July 24, 2007, 02:12 »
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There is a lot of talk about exclusivity versus multiplicity, I think care should be taken uploading to sites that are selling photos too cheap

Just checked Albumo's numbers again if you upload an 8mp photo you will earn 50-60c per download regardless of the size until you reach 50 downloads when you can earn $1.

Whereas the same 8mp photo would be earning

StockXpert $2.50
DT $1.50
FT $1.33
iS $1.14

Extended licences (with your 50% cut) are even worse can you opt out?????

Basic licence $4.50 up to 500 copies
Enhanced $6 up to 25,000 copies
Extended $8 up to 100,000 copies
Unlimited  $10 unlimited copies multiple products

I wish I looked at those numbers closely before I uploaded still waiting to keyword so i may delete them.


« Last Edit: July 24, 2007, 03:40 by fintastique »

« Reply #12 on: July 24, 2007, 05:36 »
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Steve, I believe you are right to be cautious.  Our images have taken months if not years to produce; if we just hand them over to any new agency for uncompetitive returns we are simply diluting our hard work and accepting lower returns.  That's wrong IMO.

If new agencies want our work, they should not only be prepared to pay decent rates, but also demonstrate exactly how they are going to invest to grow their customer base and produce an economic return on our product.

We should be denying our product to anyone who cannot show the commitment and returns of an agency like StockXpert for instance, who are investing and growing AND paying good commissions.

David F

« Reply #13 on: July 24, 2007, 05:58 »
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Give them a few months.  There isn't much point them spending money to attract buyers when they have a small collection of photos.  Don't forget that most of the sites started off giving their photos away for nothing or a very small amount and have taken several years to grow.

El's make up such a small proportion of my earnings that I am not too concerned by Albumo's low prices.  StockXpert have high EL prices and I haven't sold one EL there.  That is strange, as I have sold lots at lower prices.  Lower prices will probably make people buy the EL rather than download the file and ignore the EL.

« Reply #14 on: July 24, 2007, 08:33 »
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I upload some photos to Albumo yesterday and today i cant login in the site.
The photos are approved (i receive a mail) and now when i try to login the site give one error "the page dont exist".
Is this normal?

« Reply #15 on: July 24, 2007, 09:37 »
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I cant get in today either.  I assume they are having issues.

« Reply #16 on: July 24, 2007, 10:58 »
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The site is working again for me, had problems earlier today


jsnover

« Reply #17 on: July 24, 2007, 13:03 »
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Just checked Albumo's numbers again if you upload an 8mp photo you will earn 50-60c per download regardless of the size until you reach 50 downloads when you can earn $1.

As I read their license info, it's after 5 downloads (on one image) that you then get 2 credits for the maximum size (and then 3 credits after 15 downloads).  Above 50 downloads you get 3 or 4 credits (not clear to me which if the Original size is less than 4000 x 2400).

And the bottom line, to me, is not the price per image, but the monthly take - which depends upon volume. SS only pays me 30 cents a pop, but (this month anyway; iStock is having a down month for me) it's the #1 earner.

As to whether Albumo will develop the volume, we'll have to see, but Fotolia was able to do a lot with aggressive marketing in a relatively very short time. Albumo should just not hire any of FT's laid off software engineers :) And as I've got past the 1K mark, I've got my commission up to 60% when the sales/marketing push starts.

vicu

« Reply #18 on: July 24, 2007, 13:09 »
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There is a lot of talk about exclusivity versus multiplicity, I think care should be taken uploading to sites that are selling photos too cheap

Just checked Albumo's numbers again if you upload an 8mp photo you will earn 50-60c per download regardless of the size until you reach 50 downloads when you can earn $1.

Whereas the same 8mp photo would be earning

StockXpert $2.50
DT $1.50
FT $1.33
iS $1.14

Extended licences (with your 50% cut) are even worse can you opt out?????

Basic licence $4.50 up to 500 copies
Enhanced $6 up to 25,000 copies
Extended $8 up to 100,000 copies
Unlimited  $10 unlimited copies multiple products

I wish I looked at those numbers closely before I uploaded still waiting to keyword so i may delete them.

I was also shocked at the EL pricing. I guess some people don't care, but coupled with the 400 days required to keep images online, I am remaining very leery.

« Reply #19 on: July 24, 2007, 16:47 »
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I hadn't paid much attention to the price scheme, but in the Quick Guide they say "Price in Credits (from)", doesn't it mean prices for the many types of special licenses also increase as an image is downloaded?  I agree however that the most flexible license is indeed very cheap.

Regards,
Adelaide

« Reply #20 on: July 24, 2007, 19:41 »
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"Albumo.com also reserves the right to reject any accepted Content at any time if Albumo.com finds it's defective, of poor quality or contravenes any right, and the right to deny any account for any reason including fraudulent downloads, obscene materials and materials that can be harmful to others. Member also forfeits the right to remove submitted and approved for sale Content for 400 days since the date of initial upload. Albumo.com has sole right to remove such content if necessary.  After 400 days has passed, member can remove the Content at any time for any reason at all by request to our Support."

Enough said.

« Reply #21 on: July 25, 2007, 03:14 »
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Member also forfeits the right to remove submitted and approved for sale Content for 400 days since the date of initial upload.

Enough said.
To trial a new site for any less than 1 year doesn't seem worth it.  It will take them a few months to even start marketing. 

Longterm though, the 400 days does seem a bit long.  They have already "verballly" said they will only enforce this if you accept the upload bonus.  If they dont put that in writing then I see issues.

I have no issues with a lock in period of 3-6 months (as long as you can pull single images off for special reasons).

vicu

« Reply #22 on: July 25, 2007, 10:07 »
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Longterm though, the 400 days does seem a bit long.  They have already "verballly" said they will only enforce this if you accept the upload bonus.  If they dont put that in writing then I see issues.

And anybody agreeing to something is writing that differs from what they are being told verbally is setting themselves up for an unpleasant surprise. Once you agree to the written terms as they are written, you are bound by them, no matter what anyone might tell you to disregard or try to explain away. It is what it says until it says something else and right now that condition is in no way linked to the upload bonus, affiliate bonus, or anything outside of your uploading your image for sale. period.

« Reply #23 on: July 25, 2007, 11:39 »
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Longterm though, the 400 days does seem a bit long.  They have already "verballly" said they will only enforce this if you accept the upload bonus.  If they dont put that in writing then I see issues.

And anybody agreeing to something is writing that differs from what they are being told verbally is setting themselves up for an unpleasant surprise. Once you agree to the written terms as they are written, you are bound by them, no matter what anyone might tell you to disregard or try to explain away. It is what it says until it says something else and right now that condition is in no way linked to the upload bonus, affiliate bonus, or anything outside of your uploading your image for sale. period.

What I was trying to say was taht I am happy iwth the 400 days at the moment.  If I decide to upload any more, I will need to decide again but I would probably wait for a push on them to change their terms to a 3-6 month period.

grp_photo

« Reply #24 on: July 25, 2007, 23:16 »
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I don't like the site because i don't think there is a need to lower the current pricepoint. I like the 50 Dollar prices of snapvillage and the sidebar of LO and not to forget featurepics. Most of my images are not generic enough to sell for one dollar they simply won't make the volume to make it worth it.


 

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