MicrostockGroup
Agency Based Discussion => New Sites - General => Topic started by: luissantos84 on February 09, 2013, 14:06
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just got an invitation from a microstock friend, anybody heard of them before? looking at their FB page they started back in Feb 2012 but looks like going live in a few days/weeks, have been trying to understand who are the owners but nothing so far...
domain registered back in September 2010
p.s: have 5 invitations, if anybody wants one please PM with email (just to let you know I will get 5% referral, agency is only open for now with invitation)
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The owner is James Scarbrough
http://companies.findthecompany.com/l/29901465/Solid-Stock-Art-Llc-in-Sandy-UT (http://companies.findthecompany.com/l/29901465/Solid-Stock-Art-Llc-in-Sandy-UT)
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The owner is James Scarbrough
[url]http://companies.findthecompany.com/l/29901465/Solid-Stock-Art-Llc-in-Sandy-UT[/url] ([url]http://companies.findthecompany.com/l/29901465/Solid-Stock-Art-Llc-in-Sandy-UT[/url])
thanks Kenny
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1 License
(http://www.solidstockart.com/royalty-freedom (http://www.solidstockart.com/royalty-freedom))
Pricing
(http://www.solidstockart.com/royalty-free-pricing (http://www.solidstockart.com/royalty-free-pricing))
Simply upload your royalty-free stock art, and we fill in the meta data, description, and title.
PNG available
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Sounds decent. I'm curious about the pricing. I think the closed system is a good idea for a new site. I guess it depends on how many people they plan to bring on board.
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I got e-mail about StolidStock art last November. We exchanged some e-mails about their ideas and I wished them well but I couldn't see that their concept made any sense for me.
I put all my metadata into my images anyway; they can't know the details about many types of shots - locations, species, ethnicity, etc. - so I wasn't sure how good a job they could do. I didn't see the value of PNG conversion for all files - which at the time they were planning; those files with transparency seem to be the primary target for PNG. Perhaps now it's just for selected files.
I logged back in to check the pricing and it hasn't changed. My take was that it's too cheap given the very broad license terms; their argument was that designers are abusing the standard licenses anyway so you're better off charging them a little more and making it legit
I never did get any clear answers on how they were going to pull in buyers - I think it's a "we will build this and the great features will draw them in" situation - a bit like PictureWhatever from Justin. If it were that easy, StockFresh would be blooming.
I think the closed system is a non-starter. Lots of people seem to love the idea, but from a buyer's perspective I don't see how restricting choice makes any sense. Keep it open and edit the collection more closely if quality or focus is the issue.
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I logged back in to check the pricing and it hasn't changed. My take was that it's too cheap given the very broad license terms; their argument was that designers are abusing the standard licenses anyway so you're better off charging them a little more and making it legit
indeed, that is my "only" concern regarding them and yes the potential buyers
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Simply upload your royalty-free stock art, and we fill in the meta data, description, and title.
I'll send them some rare species from specific locations, not in my port anywhere, and see how they get on. 8)
Sorry, no way would I get into bed with anyone who was going to take over these functions.
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I put all my metadata into my images anyway; they can't know the details about many types of shots - locations, species, ethnicity, etc. - so I wasn't sure how good a job they could do. I didn't see the value of PNG conversion for all files - which at the time they were planning; those files with transparency seem to be the primary target for PNG. Perhaps now it's just for selected files.
100% agree, how can someone do a title and an accurate catalogue of keywords for a work that don´t belong to them.....
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I think the drawback of letting someone else keywords is outweighed by the benefit of keeping spamming out.
If it is an unusual subject you could always request they add critical keywords, I'm sure they would.
99% of microstock is pretty generic (has to be to get the volumes) so can be keyworded by anyone
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I have sent in my request to join them and they accepted me. But before I sign up I want to read their terms, but it seems wherever I click on, I cant find a proper read of their terms. Anyone else?
Should I join them?
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I just finished reading though it all, and I have to agree with Jo Ann. The prices are too low for what is basically an EL.
I think the idea is good though. My top agency is invite only and does all of the keywording. When you are talking about new and small agencies, most of their traffic is going to come from Google. So, SEO optimized titles and descriptions are more important than keywords. Google won't even look at those unless you put them in the title or description. Then, you might run the risk of keyword spamming.
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We've Launched!
We are officially selling to the public!!! After years of hard, work we've hit the ground running... Well, not quite running. We have marketing running at the end of the month. But as of right now, the only traffic we have is just word of mouth. Google hasn't even re-crawled the site.
Spread That Word! You can help! A simple Facebook post about us in your own words could make a huge impact on all of our futures.
It's About Who You Know
If you know even one graphic professional, let them know about us. We are the perfect solution for larger companies that need a cache of stock art!
Solid Stock Art
Beta Testing Sales
If you remember we had a test customer a few months back. We've put those stock art sales through the system!!! So far 68 files have been bought and paid for on our first day! If your file was one of them, you'll see your cut show up on our site in 7 days! Our payment processing system should be live in the next two weeks.
Solid Stock Art
It's Because of YOU!
Solid isn't just ours anymore, it has grown into something more because of all of you! We’d like to thank all of our supporting Artist’s, with special thanks to Andy Dean, Sergey Galushko, Kirsty Pargeter, Dan Bar, Christos Georghiou, Roberto Rizzo, Jason Swarr, Biglike Pirot and Jorgen Mcleman! These artists gave us a chance with so little to go on!
THANK YOU!!!
We also need to thank our great team of examiners! They have worked so hard the last few months to give us a product to stand on.
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Thanks for the update. I saw that too this morning.
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how desperate are contributors to make some dosh? I need a few $ but I cannot understand why contributing to an agency with such a wide license....
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and again I ask myself, how far can we go before agencies end up business with us?
we seen many cases of kicking out for less but contributors willing to offer XS licenses for FREE and this new one giving EL for 2$ look they are still safe...
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and again I ask myself, how far can we go before agencies end up business with us?
we seen many cases of kicking out for less but contributors willing to offer XS licenses for FREE and this new one giving EL for 2$ look they are still safe...
$2 EL .....no comments....
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and again I ask myself, how far can we go before agencies end up business with us?
we seen many cases of kicking out for less but contributors willing to offer XS licenses for FREE and this new one giving EL for 2$ look they are still safe...
$2 EL .....no comments....
ah we get 1$ ;D
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and again I ask myself, how far can we go before agencies end up business with us?
we seen many cases of kicking out for less but contributors willing to offer XS licenses for FREE and this new one giving EL for 2$ look they are still safe...
$2 EL .....no comments....
ah we get 1$ ;D
This is their reply when I asked them about it. I am not going to join them.
Our one royalty free license — comparable to an extended license at competitors — gives us a leg to stand on in the industry. We strongly feel that our one license approach is the next stage in the life of the stock art industry.
Our goal is to create a family with Solid Stock Art and to never forget that it’s all about the artists. We’re not looking for ten million random images; we want an elite group of artists who will upload with us to provide the public high-quality stock art at reasonable prices. We will lock down artist registration from time to time to keep our artist pool small.
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Hi All,
Just an FYI but Fine Art America sells very well for our Spaces Images as art work. We have been very happy with their sales results. They take individuals work as well.
Best,
Jonathan
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This is about Solid Stock Art
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We strongly feel that our one license approach is the next stage in the life of the stock art industry.
I certainly hope not. That would be awful.
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We strongly feel that our one license approach is the next stage in the life of the stock art industry.
I certainly hope not. That would be awful.
I see licensing as a differentiator. A one size fits all approach may simplify things in their mind, but I think it's failure in the making. I won't upload there that's for sure.
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Given that almost all the sites that have started in the past few years have been a complete failure, it probably doesn't matter what license they have. PocketStock cut prices and they still couldn't sell anything. Look at them right at the bottom of the earnings poll. I've had more success with a few small sites that have much higher prices. With very low sales volume, a site needs to make more per image sold or they'll never make any money. Lots of buyers don't seem concerned at paying $50 or more for a microstock image.
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We strongly feel that our one license approach is the next stage in the life of the stock art industry.
I certainly hope not. That would be awful.
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D :-X
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Hi All,
Just an FYI but Fine Art America sells very well for our Spaces Images as art work. We have been very happy with their sales results. They take individuals work as well.
Best,
Jonathan
?
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Is anybody submitting there? Any experience? Any sales?
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I thought I would give them a try. I've had several sales and have an RPD of around the $10 mark, way above any of the other micros.
I thought long and hard about whether or not to sign up because of the wider ranging license but in the end thought it was worth a try because of the decent prices and higher compensation levels. I figure that a lot of buyer will not be making use of the extra terms plus some will be buying that would not have bought an extended license on the other sites and would still me making extended license use of the image.
I am not uploading on an ongoing basis, just uploaded some work to see how it goes. I want to wait to make sure they don't pull any Pocketstock style scams (promising higher prices then selling even cheaper than the competition) or start selling subs with these license terms. If they do I am pulling the lot out.
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I thought I would give them a try. I've had several sales and have an RPD of around the $10 mark, way above any of the other micros.
I thought long and hard about whether or not to sign up because of the wider ranging license but in the end thought it was worth a try because of the decent prices and higher compensation levels. I figure that a lot of buyer will not be making use of the extra terms plus some will be buying that would not have bought an extended license on the other sites and would still me making extended license use of the image.
I am not uploading on an ongoing basis, just uploaded some work to see how it goes. I want to wait to make sure they don't pull any Pocketstock style scams (promising higher prices then selling even cheaper than the competition) or start selling subs with these license terms. If they do I am pulling the lot out.
I haven't tried them but I see a few top contributors doing such, anyway to keep a 10$ RPD looks quite hard not to mention such a wide license, don't think this is the right approach if we want stock "sustainable" in the future, we are talking about "an EL" for a > 20 MP (16$ our share) or a 500px for 1$
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Agreed you definitely shouldn't go into it without giving it a lot of thought. Personally I think most of my sales weren't made to people who would have bought an extended license on the other sites. As long I maintain a high enough RPD there I will leave my work on the site. If I see it drop to somewhere close to the other micros I will be pulling my work. I had some back and forth with the owner from the outset and it seemed to me they have thought through the implications.
I certainly wouldn't push anyone to make the leap, take a look and decide for yourselves.
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the site looks amateur, even i am not a professional designer i find something is wrong with it ha.
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the site looks amateur, even i am not a professional designer i find something is wrong with it ha.
It does look a bit busy for my liking, they definitely need to tone it down a bit.
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I thought I would give them a try. I've had several sales and have an RPD of around the $10 mark, way above any of the other micros.
I thought long and hard about whether or not to sign up because of the wider ranging license but in the end thought it was worth a try because of the decent prices and higher compensation levels. I figure that a lot of buyer will not be making use of the extra terms plus some will be buying that would not have bought an extended license on the other sites and would still me making extended license use of the image.
How large is your portfolio with them?
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I have joined. Got an invitation from referral. I'll give them a try. I will say, however, their release procedure is confusing to me. They have two folders on the FTP. :-\ I wish it was simpler.
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and again I ask myself, how far can we go before agencies end up business with us?
we seen many cases of kicking out for less but contributors willing to offer XS licenses for FREE and this new one giving EL for 2$ look they are still safe...
$2 EL .....no comments....
ah we get 1$ ;D
We will lock down artist registration from time to time to keep our artist pool small.
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Are you serious! Why as an artist would I spend a lot of time uploading (and yes it's an investment of time) my portfolio only to have it "locked down" possibly at sometime????
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anyone have any sales here... Should I spend my time and upload my images here?
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anyone have any sales here... Should I spend my time and upload my images here?
why would you or other? they are offering EL in every license :o
http://www.solidstockart.com/royalty-freedom (http://www.solidstockart.com/royalty-freedom)
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and again I ask myself, how far can we go before agencies end up business with us?
we seen many cases of kicking out for less but contributors willing to offer XS licenses for FREE and this new one giving EL for 2$ look they are still safe...
$2 EL .....no comments....
ah we get 1$ ;D
We will lock down artist registration from time to time to keep our artist pool small.
Are you serious! Why as an artist would I spend a lot of time uploading (and yes it's an investment of time) my portfolio only to have it "locked down" possibly at sometime????
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It is not your portfolio that they lock down. They only "lock down" signup for new contributors from time to time.
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I was emailing back and forth with Taylor back in July. I think he really wants Solid Stock Art to work and be a place that contributors want to be a part of. But like I told him, to me we're just too far apart in what we can do. I'm not looking to get involved in any new companies where I'm getting a worse deal than I get at most other places. And even at the highest price point, at Solid I'd be getting something like $24 for what amounts to an EL when I'm getting $28 at SS. And that's only for the stuff that's priced at the highest level. A lot of my stuff I'm sure would be priced lower.
To his credit, though, Taylor was responsive to the criticism I had about the licensing terminology, particularly the frequent use of the word "unlimited" in describing the license. I suggested that the term "unlimited" sends the wrong message, making customers think they can do anything with the images they purchase. They have since changed much of the terminology on the site and made it more clear that there are indeed limits to the license.
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had the same experience Mike but nothing changed and I am not willing to get 1$ for a XS EL license
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This site is sooo going bankrupt.. :D
do they think we are in 2004 or what?
no newcomer is going to conquer "2013 contributors" with sad and depressing business models like this..
we live in a time where if you are an agency you have to:
- offer %50-70 royalties to contributors,
- let them set their own prices, (their prices are very low if EL's are included)
- have licensing terms that are not a disgrace,
if you want to attract serious contributors.. otherwise you are going to be stuck being a "hobbyist magnet" which will not take you too far..
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and again I ask myself, how far can we go before agencies end up business with us?
we seen many cases of kicking out for less but contributors willing to offer XS licenses for FREE and this new one giving EL for 2$ look they are still safe...
$2 EL .....no comments....
ah we get 1$ ;D
We will lock down artist registration from time to time to keep our artist pool small.
Are you serious! Why as an artist would I spend a lot of time uploading (and yes it's an investment of time) my portfolio only to have it "locked down" possibly at sometime????
It is not your portfolio that they lock down. They only "lock down" signup for new contributors from time to time.
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Thanks for clarifying.
Quantity is great if it is quality :)
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Check this out:
http://www.solidstockart.com/stock-photo-illustration-quality (http://www.solidstockart.com/stock-photo-illustration-quality)
A page on their site where 'quality' is spelled wrong at every turn: the labels say Quailty (?) and they frequently spell it as 'quaility'. Very unprofessional.
Secondly, they falsely claim to pay out the highest royalty percentage in the industry (50%), while for example GLStock pays 52%.
Thirdly, they say: "At Solid, you search for "apple tree", you'll get images of an apple tree. Not pine trees. Not a bowl of apples."
When I search for apple tree, I'm getting:
- a bunch of apples without the tree: http://www.solidstockart.com/stock-photo-fresh-tropical-wax-apples-for-sale-at-the-farmers-market-136553 (http://www.solidstockart.com/stock-photo-fresh-tropical-wax-apples-for-sale-at-the-farmers-market-136553)
- a woman holding an apple: http://photo.solidstockartcontent.com/stock-photo-close-up-portrait-of-smiling-blonde-woman-in-black-ruffle-dress-with-gloves-holding-green-apple-438811.png (http://photo.solidstockartcontent.com/stock-photo-close-up-portrait-of-smiling-blonde-woman-in-black-ruffle-dress-with-gloves-holding-green-apple-438811.png)
- a grunge tree icon: http://www.solidstockart.com/stock-photo-grunge-tree-icon-with-reflection-385492 (http://www.solidstockart.com/stock-photo-grunge-tree-icon-with-reflection-385492)
- a woman with a bowl of apples: http://www.solidstockart.com/stock-photo-autumn-country-woman-with-wicker-basket-361419 (http://www.solidstockart.com/stock-photo-autumn-country-woman-with-wicker-basket-361419)
- more bowls of apples: http://www.solidstockart.com/stock-photo-ripe-apples-in-the-grass-next-to-a-wicker-basket-full-of-apples-136369 (http://www.solidstockart.com/stock-photo-ripe-apples-in-the-grass-next-to-a-wicker-basket-full-of-apples-136369)
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I'm uploading images there because:
1) No subscription plans. I do science fiction and fantasy renders, which I think is too niche and doesn't have the volume for $.42 returns. That's what I probably got when one of my renders appeared on a Penguin/Roc cover.
2) They don't make me convert my renders to JPEG and remove the transparency. My transparent PNGs are displayed on a nice checkered background.
That said, I'm not expecting a huge amount of sales right away.
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I'm uploading images there because:
1) No subscription plans. I do science fiction and fantasy renders, which I think is too niche and doesn't have the volume for $.42 returns. That's what I probably got when one of my renders appeared on a Penguin/Roc cover.
2) They don't make me convert my renders to JPEG and remove the transparency. My transparent PNGs are displayed on a nice checkered background.
That said, I'm not expecting a huge amount of sales right away.
so are you happy having clients using your pictures as EL if needed without paying something like 85$ at SS?
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I've seen too many cases where people were likely using a subscription or an on-demand SL for an EL use. Not with my images, but with others'.
While my stuff might appear on a web template, most of it is geared toward book covers, which are SL most of the time anyway.
Except for when premade book covers are concerned.
In the self-publishing world, many designers sell a single-use book cover mock-up to self-published authors. The designers change the sample text for the authors' names and titles. Even though only one customization happens per book cover, many agencies see these covers as templates or merchandise, meaning EL and not SL. Commissioning a custom cover would be SL use.
However, many designers didn't and probably still don't know this. They think "ebook covers=SL use."
http://www.kboards.com/index.php?topic=155206.0 (http://www.kboards.com/index.php?topic=155206.0)
I'd rather these book cover designers use my stuff while complying with a license agreement. I'd also rather get $5 or $10 per download than $.42 while hoping for the rare $50.
In short: yeah I've given this a lot of thought.
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In short: yeah I've given this a lot of thought.
In short: royalties from 4$ (1200px and Solid collection) to 16.495$ (5600px and Solid collection)
we have all gave this a big thought and selling an EL in every purchase doesn't look reasonable, not to mention it is undercutting all other agencies we are contributing already, close to 10% of my income at SS come from EL
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Sure. Whatever works best for your situation, but remember I spent two posts explaining how mine is a bit different.
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Sure. Whatever works best for your situation, but remember I spent two posts explaining how mine is a bit different.
appreciated your explanation, cheers!
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I don't understand their "Width and height above 3200 pixels."
It means from 3200 to 5600, right?
5600 pixels if far to be considered as Large file, no? (I would consider it as XXL :) )
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Well 3200x2700 px = 9x12 @300dpi, for reference :)