Author Topic: Pond5 "Great News" (Read 7618 times)

Sean Locke Photography · « **on:** November 07, 2018, 17:33 »

Why does this kind of thing always ring hollow?

"We recently ran a test with a portion of our video collection, offering low-resolution versions of clips in addition to HD and 4K files. The goal was to determine if this would attract new customers — those creating content for the web or social media at lower budgets — along with incremental revenue for our contributors. Most importantly, we wanted to confirm this wouldn’t cannibalize sales of higher-priced HD content.

We’re excited to share that the test was a success. The low-res versions attracted new buyers who were not previously purchasing with us, while sales of HD content in the test group actually outperformed the control population.

On Thursday, November 15 at 12:30pm EST, we’ll be hosting a YouTube Live “Town Hall” event to walk you through all the results of this test. You’ll be able to see all the data for yourself, learn more about this initiative, and have your questions answered live by Scott Koehler, Pond5 GM, Artists & Content. Please RSVP below to join us for the discussion."

nobody · « **Reply #1 on:** November 07, 2018, 17:41 »

seems to be the season now with all theses so called deals for us! They make it sound like a gift under the tree when in fact it is a lump of coal in the stocking for us $:-\$

cascoly · « **Reply #2 on:** November 07, 2018, 19:27 »

what is a 'control' group for videos? -- how were videos put into each group? how do you know what buyers are looking for and prepare 2 sets that differ only in having low-res for 1 group? how large a sample size? etc, etc

trek · « **Reply #3 on:** November 07, 2018, 19:43 »

I learned I was in the test group after requesting an explanation about very low priced video sales. I then requested an opt out.

thor_odt · « **Reply #4 on:** November 08, 2018, 07:36 »

the problem is that now Pond5 accepts too many video with low quality and their algorithm show the results the senior contributor.

so you can upload the best videos of the world and never sell anything if you are contributing since less than 5 years with a big portfolio

SuperPhoto · « **Reply #5 on:** November 08, 2018, 11:01 »

Actually - this is one of the few "great news" that - might not be all that bad.

If you read carefully - they are talking about offering "low res" videos at reduced prices, i.e., basically saying from their tests - they acquired brand new buyers that wanted 'low res' videos that would have not otherwise purchased.

Offering a 720p or lower quality video at a reduced price seems reasonable to me, because if you were a 'casual' youtuber (not necessarily making mega bucks, but wanted a 'nice' video) - you might be reluctant to pay $100 for a single video.

But as long as it is "new" buyers - doesn't canabalize existing sales - then I think this is good...

Orchidpoet · « **Reply #6 on:** November 08, 2018, 12:02 »

I had a couple of sales which were below my asking prices. I also had another sale which is above my asking price.

Not sure if I am in the testing group.

gnirtS · « **Reply #7 on:** November 24, 2018, 21:40 »

This is exactly what Shutterstock did.
Most of us now are seeing a lot of $1.50 video sales replacing the usual $20+ sales and as a result less income.

It would appear in the real world that if someone wants a video, they'll often go for the lower resolution than paying for the higher if given the option so the contributor now makes a lot less.

You have to sell a LOT more smaller res videos to replace the higher resolution one that now didnt get bought.

Hopefully unlike SS there'll be an option to opt out of this OR set the price.

RAW · « **Reply #8 on:** November 26, 2018, 08:40 »

I've no objection to selling 'low res' videos. After all, that's all a HD resolution is when you upload a 4K.

What I object to is the price.

We need an 'opt out'.

ruchos · « **Reply #9 on:** November 29, 2018, 01:41 »

Quote from: RAW on November 26, 2018, 08:40

I've no objection to selling 'low res' videos. After all, that's all a HD resolution is when you upload a 4K.

What I object to is the price.

We need an 'opt out'.

Exactly. Finding out they had sold a 'low res' version of one of my best selling videos (which is normally priced at $65 for HD resolution) for $15 is unacceptable.

Either an opt out or let us set the price or minimum price of these low res options.

Video-StockOrg · « **Reply #10 on:** November 29, 2018, 03:12 »

Quote from: ruchos on November 29, 2018, 01:41

Quote from: RAW on November 26, 2018, 08:40
I've no objection to selling 'low res' videos. After all, that's all a HD resolution is when you upload a 4K.

What I object to is the price.

We need an 'opt out'.

Exactly. Finding out they had sold a 'low res' version of one of my best selling videos (which is normally priced at $65 for HD resolution) for $15 is unacceptable.

Either an opt out or let us set the price or minimum price of these low res options.

I listened to their research about this low res. They will add option to set our own prices for low res, so don't worry. I've been asking for few times, because there are a lot of buyers needing only 480p video and would rather buy on SS where they do offer it. I almost considered converting all my clips to lower resolution and upload it manualy.

gnirtS · « **Reply #11 on:** December 05, 2018, 04:00 »

From their email:-

Quote

We’re about to launch our new Web-resolution offering, designed for Pond5 customers who are searching for video to use in their social media projects.

Our tests have shown that making this format available increases overall revenue, while having no impact on sales of 4K and HD videos — meaning it has the potential to bring your work to a new segment of buyers without affecting established income.

There is nothing you need to do to prepare for the launch, which will take place on December 6. All videos (with the exception of native SD content and Archival footage) will be automatically downconverted for Web-resolution availability.

We recently hosted a live virtual Town Hall and Q&A to talk about this initiative in more detail. If you were unable to attend or would like to rewatch, you can view the entire discussion here.

Still have questions? Please visit our Web Resolution FAQ or reach out to Customer Service and we’ll be happy to help!

Hopefully it'll be possible to set this price to 100% of HD pricing to stop the utter madness and drop in normal sales lots of us experienced on SS when it started.

Brightontl · « **Reply #12 on:** December 05, 2018, 06:36 »

I haven't had any low priced sales at P5 as yet.
I am not sure if this is a good thing or (more likely) a bad one.
What I fail to understand is: what is the point to opt out?
If they implement this new price point, it would be extra competition for our clips, whether we are in or out. Unless every single artist opts out

gnirtS · « **Reply #13 on:** December 05, 2018, 10:38 »

Because what happened on SS was a lot of people were finding that if someone wanted their clip, instead of buying the HD version they bought the lower res cheaper clip.
The result was much less commission than they'd previously have had.

skysense · « **Reply #14 on:** December 12, 2018, 10:54 »

I am ok with this Web resolution thing as long as i can control % and pricing:

"Can I set my own price for Web resolution?
The Web resolution price defaults to 20% of your 4K master price (or 40% of HD price if it’s a native HD file). You can adjust this percentage in your account preferences or on the clip edit item page."

On the other hand ShutterStock offers SD files since forever (as i know) without any chance of touching the price, and i don't see anything bad. Except that one 1.5$ sale (which i reported immediately, and asked to be opt out o any kind of promotion if im in it).

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Author Topic: Pond5 "Great News" (Read 7618 times)

Sean Locke Photography

nobody

cascoly

trek

thor_odt

SuperPhoto

Orchidpoet

gnirtS

RAW

ruchos

Video-StockOrg

gnirtS

Brightontl

gnirtS

skysense

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