Author Topic: Alamy vs microstock (Read 34267 times)

luissantos84 · « **Reply #50 on:** July 18, 2012, 17:48 »

they have made 10x less than iStock (2009) in terms of revenue but they actually pay 60% (iStock paid 57.2 M vs Alamy 12.5 M)

never had much sales in Alamy and their system kind of holds me back to upload more but I do see many stock friends having 400$ sales and certainly not the best photography work

wut · « **Reply #51 on:** July 18, 2012, 17:51 »

Quote from: Lagereek on July 18, 2012, 16:58

No! this is in fact what I have suspected all along! time to bail out of Alamy. They dont sell, simple as that.

Wow, you've really pulled all your blue&red flames

(and I guess many yellow as well). Respect! For actually doing it and not just talking about it, besides those files really mattered to IS, highly saleable niche images.

Lagereek · « **Reply #52 on:** July 18, 2012, 23:43 »

Quote from: wut on July 18, 2012, 17:51

Quote from: Lagereek on July 18, 2012, 16:58
No! this is in fact what I have suspected all along! time to bail out of Alamy. They dont sell, simple as that.

Wow, you've really pulled all your blue&red flames (and I guess many yellow as well). Respect! For actually doing it and not just talking about it, besides those files really mattered to IS, highly saleable niche images.

Yes, I pulled about 15 blue flames, some of them with over 3K dls and some 30 red flame files. I wont sanction an agency that purposely destroy. My hunch was right though, these files have more then doubled in sales at the other 3 big agencies.

antistock · « **Reply #53 on:** July 18, 2012, 23:59 »

Quote from: Pickerell on July 18, 2012, 13:39

but is it worth your trouble of preparing the images for the market.

NO, not worth it in my experience.

antistock · « **Reply #54 on:** July 19, 2012, 00:04 »

Quote from: Lagereek on July 18, 2012, 16:58

No! this is in fact what I have suspected all along! time to bail out of Alamy. They dont sell, simple as that.

they don't sell much "normal" stock images but they sell fine for editorial/book stuff, actually is one of the best places for this stuff
and i'm selling fine over there, the same images would never fit on micros, they would probably not even pass QC because of no commercial value.

but they're wrong ...if you see an article about bangkok which sort of photos they usually use to illustrate the text ? a night skyline, shops, markets, a crowd of people, the royal palace, some monks in the street, the floating market, girls and red lights in patpong/nana/cowboy ... well as far as i'm concerned this stuff sells OK on alamy ... it's just that every agency has a specific target, alamy is not for micro stuff.

bunhill · « **Reply #55 on:** July 19, 2012, 01:16 »

Quote from: Lagereek on July 18, 2012, 23:43

Yes, I pulled about 15 blue flames, some of them with over 3K dls and some 30 red flame files. I wont sanction an agency that purposely destroy.

Didn't you try to re-activate them again though - I remember you posting that it would be a hassle having to have them go back for inspection again.

ETA: edit - my mistake ... I remember now. That was at iStockphoto not Alamy.

Lagereek · « **Reply #56 on:** July 19, 2012, 02:08 »

No, I have not pulled anything from Alamy, no reason to. Its RF, not micro.

bunhill · « **Reply #57 on:** July 19, 2012, 02:31 »

What made you want to reactivate the images with flames at iStockphoto after you had pulled them ?

Lagereek · « **Reply #58 on:** July 19, 2012, 03:40 »

Quote from: bhr on July 19, 2012, 02:31

What made you want to reactivate the images with flames at iStockphoto after you had pulled them ?

There were some engineering files I wanted to reactivate ( without people), thought they might as well stay there but as soon as its people, MRs, etc, I see no point in having them hanging around page 25 in searches, just a waste of time. Buyers very seldom go beyond page 5 in a search.

ShadySue · « **Reply #59 on:** July 19, 2012, 03:47 »

Quote from: Lagereek on July 19, 2012, 03:40

Quote from: bhr on July 19, 2012, 02:31
What made you want to reactivate the images with flames at iStockphoto after you had pulled them ?

There were some engineering files I wanted to reactivate ( without people), thought they might as well stay there but as soon as its people, MRs, etc, I see no point in having them hanging around page 25 in searches, just a waste of time. Buyers very seldom go beyond page 5 in a search.

1. Evidence from Alamy shows that certain buyers will look through all images in their search: even over 3000.
2. You'd think smart buyers might use smarter keywords to home in on what they want, though adding filters to a keyword search seems to send iStock into fits, especially if trying to exclude things (e.g. isolations). Pollyannas might imagine that will be fixed one day.

Lagereek · « **Reply #60 on:** July 19, 2012, 04:38 »

Quote from: ShadySue on July 19, 2012, 03:47

Quote from: Lagereek on July 19, 2012, 03:40
Quote from: bhr on July 19, 2012, 02:31
What made you want to reactivate the images with flames at iStockphoto after you had pulled them ?

There were some engineering files I wanted to reactivate ( without people), thought they might as well stay there but as soon as its people, MRs, etc, I see no point in having them hanging around page 25 in searches, just a waste of time. Buyers very seldom go beyond page 5 in a search.
1. Evidence from Alamy shows that certain buyers will look through all images in their search: even over 3000.
2. You'd think smart buyers might use smarter keywords to home in on what they want, though adding filters to a keyword search seems to send iStock into fits, especially if trying to exclude things (e.g. isolations). Pollyannas might imagine that will be fixed one day.

Well yes at Alamy and other RF, RM agencies Im sure they look, pictures are far more expensive and they recon they want value for money I suppose. The micro buyer will probably just flick a few pages and select.

sharpshot · « **Reply #61 on:** July 19, 2012, 05:02 »

I'm not put off uploading to alamy. The most interesting numbers for me are in the monthly earnings threads. There's still people doing well there. And there's always the chance of a really big sale, the odds are slim but you never know. If the bad economic situation around the world improves over the next few years, things could pick up again for alamy

I'm doing OK there, I'm not even thinking about it until I have at least 2,000 photos that aren't on the microstock sites. Then I might have more of an idea of the potential earnings.

wut · « **Reply #62 on:** July 19, 2012, 08:27 »

When you get excited to see 3 new sales, but after a second you realize, they're probably in the 2-5$ range and then you check out the details, and this sheat comes up

18 July 2012   Novel use   Novel Use Scheme 1
$ 1.00
18 July 2012   Novel use   Novel Use Scheme 1
$ 1.00
18 July 2012   Novel use   Novel Use Scheme 1
$ 1.00

ETA: note that this are gross sales and that on top of all you don't get 60% under novelty use

ShadySue · « **Reply #63 on:** July 19, 2012, 08:50 »

You can opt out of the novelty use scheme (only during April).
If you decide to become iStock exclusive, word from CR, posted on iStock forums, was that you can't be in the NU scheme. (But that was just one CR's opinion.)

Novel Use
Novel use has been devised as platform to launch a number of initiatives, giving us greater flexibility when selling your images. If you sign up to the Novel Use scheme you are giving Alamy permission to sell your images at any price and by any method we feel is appropriate. This opens up your images to new opportunities thus giving you additional potential revenue streams for your images.
Benefits to you:
An optional scheme.
Opportunity to sell your images in new, emerging markets.
Continue to see when sales are made, and the territory or territories in which your images are being used.
The Novel Use scheme will not cannibalise our traditional sales.

How it works:
Once you have opted in, your images will be available within the scheme until 31st March 2013.
Your images remain part of the large Alamy collection and continue to be sold under existing licence types.
In April of every year you have the option to opt out of Novel Use.
If you do not want to opt-out, you don’t need to do anything.

The scheme is very much in its infancy and exciting ways to sell your imagery in this way are being developed.

http://www.alamy.com/contributor/help/additional-revenue-opportunities.asp

Wim · « **Reply #64 on:** July 19, 2012, 09:08 »

Quote from: wut on July 19, 2012, 08:27

When you get excited to see 3 new sales, but after a second you realize, they're probably in the 2-5$ range and then you check out the details, and this sheat comes up

18 July 2012   Novel use   Novel Use Scheme 1
$ 1.00
18 July 2012   Novel use   Novel Use Scheme 1
$ 1.00
18 July 2012   Novel use   Novel Use Scheme 1
$ 1.00

ETA: note that this are gross sales and that on top of all you don't get 60% under novelty use

That's your own fault for being opted into that microstock-clone-scheme.
Common lad, you're smarter then that!

Leaf, ban Wut please, for stupidity

wut · « **Reply #65 on:** July 19, 2012, 09:21 »

Quote from: ShadySue on July 19, 2012, 08:50

You can opt out of the novelty use scheme (only during April).

I know! That's why I'm gonna close my acc in case I decide to go exclusive in that case they remove it in 45 days if I remember correctly

wut · « **Reply #66 on:** July 19, 2012, 09:26 »

Quote from: Wim on July 19, 2012, 09:08

Quote from: wut on July 19, 2012, 08:27
When you get excited to see 3 new sales, but after a second you realize, they're probably in the 2-5$ range and then you check out the details, and this sheat comes up

18 July 2012   Novel use   Novel Use Scheme 1
$ 1.00
18 July 2012   Novel use   Novel Use Scheme 1
$ 1.00
18 July 2012   Novel use   Novel Use Scheme 1
$ 1.00

ETA: note that this are gross sales and that on top of all you don't get 60% under novelty use

That's your own fault for being opted into that microstock-clone-scheme.
Common lad, you're smarter then that!

Leaf, ban Wut please, for stupidity

What do I know, the site is a bit confusing when it comes to those schemes and to be honest, Alamy is right along the small agencies for me, if I get payed in double digits, I don't even care about details

. So I'm leaving Alamy and all the agencies out of my top 4 earners unattended. I just collect those nickels and dimes without having anything to do with them and when I'll go exclusive I'll just delete all my accounts.

Wim · « **Reply #67 on:** July 19, 2012, 10:07 »

Yeah I know what you mean mate, hey, good luck with exclusivity btw.
My IS earnings are 1/3 (if that) of SS so in my case it's a big no go.

Poncke · « **Reply #68 on:** July 19, 2012, 11:03 »

Try and delete your account at DT

Milinz · « **Reply #69 on:** July 19, 2012, 11:23 »

Quote from: Poncke on July 19, 2012, 11:03

Try and delete your account at DT

Quote

Posted By Berc:
I've been thinking about it lately and I wonder just how much of a bump in earnings can I expect? What's the average increase od DLs due to increased exposure? What happens to RPD? As I can see E+ is doing well lately, contributing a lot to higher RPD. It would be interesting to hear from someone who's exclusive for half a year or so (so the info is up to date and at the same time statistically meaningful)

Joined May 2008, I'm eligible for my 1st payout Jul 28/10, 2:30

Berc is going exclusive too. 710 photos. http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?id=3406081 Wut can ask him about exclusive at IS.

You get 50 cent download at IS 33 cent download at SS many more volume and $1 for Alamy but people complain that Alamy doesn't pay enough? 90 days DT right. Alamy keeps photos active in case there's a pending sale. Some places like FT ignore you and have hundreds of partners who ignore us. Start now and hope for 2013.

wut · « **Reply #70 on:** July 19, 2012, 13:30 »

Quote from: Poncke on July 19, 2012, 11:03

Try and delete your account at DT

What are you getting at?

wut · « **Reply #71 on:** July 19, 2012, 13:32 »

Quote from: Milinz on July 19, 2012, 11:23

Quote from: Poncke on July 19, 2012, 11:03
Try and delete your account at DT

Quote
Posted By Berc:
I've been thinking about it lately and I wonder just how much of a bump in earnings can I expect? What's the average increase od DLs due to increased exposure? What happens to RPD? As I can see E+ is doing well lately, contributing a lot to higher RPD. It would be interesting to hear from someone who's exclusive for half a year or so (so the info is up to date and at the same time statistically meaningful)

Joined May 2008, I'm eligible for my 1st payout Jul 28/10, 2:30

Berc is going exclusive too. 710 photos. http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?id=3406081 Wut can ask him about exclusive at IS.

You get 50 cent download at IS 33 cent download at SS many more volume and $1 for Alamy but people complain that Alamy doesn't pay enough? 90 days DT right. Alamy keeps photos active in case there's a pending sale. Some places like FT ignore you and have hundreds of partners who ignore us. Start now and hope for 2013.

What's the point in asking someone with no experience about his experience after going exclusive?

I don't get the second paragraph, well the first half of it.

Poncke · « **Reply #72 on:** July 19, 2012, 16:54 »

Quote from: wut on July 19, 2012, 13:30

Quote from: Poncke on July 19, 2012, 11:03
Try and delete your account at DT

What are you getting at?

That you cant delete your account at DT, its going to take you about 6 months if I am correct. if you have an account at DT. But I am sure you know this already.

Quote

You can disable all files approved more than six months ago at any time. You are allowed to disable 30% of files uploaded in the recent six months however 70% must be kept online for six months from their approval date. You can disable each of your remaining 70% after the six months pass.

Batman · « **Reply #73 on:** July 19, 2012, 20:58 »

Quote from: wut on July 19, 2012, 13:32

Quote from: Milinz on July 19, 2012, 11:23
Quote from: Poncke on July 19, 2012, 11:03
Try and delete your account at DT

Quote
Posted By Berc:
I've been thinking about it lately and I wonder just how much of a bump in earnings can I expect? What's the average increase od DLs due to increased exposure? What happens to RPD? As I can see E+ is doing well lately, contributing a lot to higher RPD. It would be interesting to hear from someone who's exclusive for half a year or so (so the info is up to date and at the same time statistically meaningful)

Joined May 2008, I'm eligible for my 1st payout Jul 28/10, 2:30

Berc is going exclusive too. 710 photos. http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?id=3406081 Wut can ask him about exclusive at IS.

You get 50 cent download at IS 33 cent download at SS many more volume and $1 for Alamy but people complain that Alamy doesn't pay enough? 90 days DT right. Alamy keeps photos active in case there's a pending sale. Some places like FT ignore you and have hundreds of partners who ignore us. Start now and hope for 2013.

What's the point in asking someone with no experience about his experience after going exclusive?

I don't get the second paragraph, well the first half of it.

You can ask yourself how hard is it to close all the other accounts and go exclusive. DT isn't easy, Alamy takes 90 days, some partners are unresponsive. But percentage is the part that needs to be make up.

oyt · « **Reply #74 on:** July 20, 2012, 03:17 »

I am an exclusive istockphoto contributor. I know i can upload photos to Alamy as RM . But i wonder can ı upload the photos those got rejection on Istockphoto to Alamy as RM?

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Author Topic: Alamy vs microstock (Read 34267 times)

luissantos84

wut

Lagereek

antistock

antistock

bunhill

Lagereek

bunhill

Lagereek

ShadySue

Lagereek

sharpshot

wut

ShadySue

Wim

wut

wut

Wim

Poncke

Milinz

wut

wut

Poncke

Batman

oyt

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