MicrostockGroup
Agency Based Discussion => New Sites - General => Topic started by: timtpp on December 14, 2010, 16:04
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Ok. So having looked through some previous threads on this I can see it's a tricky issue, now don't all shoot me down at once please.........I'm starting a little project for the creative industry called The Picture Pod.com. Before you all switch out let me explain a little.......
I run a small creative agency here in the UK called Pear Tree Design. We're 10 years old, working in the brand development/comms arena. As an end user of these stock sites we have become frustrated with the industry and we thought that rather than sit around and moan about it we'd have a go at bringing something a bit different to you as contributors and our fellow creatives. Enter The Picture Pod.com
In brief. A high quality stock site for creatives by creatives.....
• No credits required.
• Single price point split 50/50 with photographers. (20GBP)
• Very fast search for customers.
• One hi res file to download.
• Your fees sent to you on your request at any time electronically.
• Bulk upload tool, (or send them to us on wetransfer.com and we will do it for you for the first 3 months.)
• Marketed direct to creatives initially here in the UK, then further afield.
• We are committed to having a positive impact on those around us and creating opportunity for people to develop.
• No nonsense. The overall mission is to make this simple, simple, simple and fast fast and faster for a customer.
Creatives are in and out in no time at all, nothing to distract buyers, just a clean simple interface, and hopefully creatives finding what they need sharpish.
We ask for 3 shots for us to approve and that's it.
If you would like to be part of something we think, and hope, will be a little bit different then we would be very keen to hear from you at [email protected].
Thank you
Tim
PS we are a bit new to this, so please, all comments welcome, forgive me if this is in the wrong place.
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I'm only against new sites that follow the same formula that all the other new failed sites have followed. If you can come up with something different, then I'm interested.
Contributors and buyers complain about the current big sites but I see a huge reluctance to do anything about it. However bad they get, people still keep using them.
So I have to ask how are you going to get buyers if you are selling the same images other established sites are selling at lower prices? High quality doesn't seem to help, I gave up on image vortex and crestock. There has to be something else to attract enough buyers to make it worth people using your site. I think a big exclusive collection might do it but that would be very hard to get without paying people lots to upload.
There are probably other ways but I really think you should take some time to differentiate your site as much a possible from all those that haven't had an impact. As I'm from the UK, I would love to see a British site that makes money for me and I wish you success. I might apply in the new year, if you come up with some good ideas.
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I'm also interested in a UK agency, if I have good reason to feel it will be successful.
A few initial questions:
Are you not going to charge a higher fee for an extended licence?
Can you describe the basic licence you're selling for £20.00?
What will you do if a customer buys an image with a fraudulent credit card?
When will your site be up and running?
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I agree with both posts above. I'd love more details.
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Thank you all 3 for your comments. Leave them with me for some further development and I'll post some updates soon.
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I'm the smallest of small fish in this pond, but naturally I have opinions. My real issue with the big microstocks is the one-size-fits-all pricing. 25 cent commissions only work if you have 'blockbuster' images. If you have niche images, and you know that a buyer will come along only occassionally BUT will probably be willing to pay a few dollars - that knowldege does you no good, as you have not the slightest control over the pricing of your products.
A couple of newer agencies now exist, which have flexible pricing, or pricing tiers. So far they aren't able to generate many sales. But at least when I do make a sale, I feel good about it.