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Messages - cthoman
3426
« on: December 18, 2009, 01:10 »
I have a feeling that things are going to be changing in ways we haven't even predicted, once all of these new changes are in place. Agreed and there is still probably a bomb or two that hasn't dropped yet.
3427
« on: December 17, 2009, 17:04 »
Interesting. This looks similar to what I have noticed, except for iStock. I've been surprised by how much they have grown despite having less images. Anyway, I agree that Fotolia is growing, Dreamstime seems to be shrinking, and Shutterstock while still good may have stagnated a little. Maybe, it's time for Shutterstock to do some Spring cleaning.
3428
« on: December 17, 2009, 16:52 »
I had this happen to me the other day for the first time. I had 15 of 16 rejected. I just assumed it was karma for talking about iStock exclusivity. 
3429
« on: December 17, 2009, 16:25 »
Vector artist here. I recalculated my November numbers using the new prices. It was a 4% increase with the new prices, but I can understand people's anger towards this. The emotional side of me wants to get the torches and pitchforks out of the closet, but the rational side says it's a raise. I definitely don't think this move will sway anyone eyeing iStock exclusivity to stay at Fotolia.
3430
« on: December 17, 2009, 10:32 »
This actually doesn't look too bad. Yes, it is a backhanded raise like the last one, but it still looks like a raise. I'll get paid more on everything but XS and Vectors. It stinks about the vectors. I'm not sure why Fotolia keeps dumping on vector artists. Also, the max vector costs less than the XL. How does that make sense?
3431
« on: December 17, 2009, 01:33 »
You definitely have to look at the future. While none of us can predict it, we can look at our past stats to guess what will happen. Which agencies grew this year? Which shrunk? Is it still worth the effort to upload at this agency? Who is going out of business?
Those are all things I will look at before I make any decision.
3432
« on: December 17, 2009, 01:16 »
Spike, I don't know what you're doing wrong. In two months, you should have made enough to retire and buy your own tropical island.  I'm kidding, of course. Everyone has their own experiences and it takes time to build a portfolio that sells. Some people see immediate results and others it takes longer. Some agencies work for some people, but are lousy for others. My advice, would be to monitor your sales and do what you think works best for you. You can always change your mind.
3433
« on: December 16, 2009, 17:37 »
Yeah, I can't say I've ever changed careers either. I went to school for illustration and have been doing that and graphic design ever since. I've changed jobs several times, but that seems like a necessity nowadays.
3434
« on: December 16, 2009, 15:21 »
Does SS still have the new contributor bump?
I think it still exists. I still see new contributors complaining about slumping sales compared to their first couple months.
3435
« on: December 16, 2009, 15:16 »
I hope they don't close either. They still sell well for me and they tend not to reject my images. They definitely seem to have a lot of underdog support from contributors and possibly buyers as well. Hopefully, that support will jeep them going.
3436
« on: December 14, 2009, 22:41 »
Subs don't bother me too much, but I don't really see a pattern. I sell the whole spectrum small, max, additional and subscriptions. The only thing I notice about the subs is that people will buy multiple images in a series frequently. Which is weird because Dreamstime likes to reject images that are in a series. If you're reading Dreamstime, think about it. I'm just saying this because the customer is always right.
3437
« on: December 14, 2009, 18:42 »
Makes sense. Thanks for the perspective everybody. I guess it is not a problem until it happens to me. Just kidding.
3438
« on: December 14, 2009, 14:40 »
I'm still not convinced, but it could be the structure of my portfolio. I don't really have any super popular files in my portfolio just a bunch of solid sellers. So, I may be more immune to wild swings in changes to search rankings. Usually when I see someone complaining about the best match, they are complaining about their best seller getting buried in the search.
3439
« on: December 14, 2009, 13:43 »
It's definitely a tough question to go exclusive. I was looking at it again today. Even if I could make a clean break with all sites and go exclusive the next day, it would still take a couple months to get all my unuploaded files uploaded to iStock to make it profitable. It starts to look like how much do I want to lose now, so maybe I can make more later? 
3440
« on: December 14, 2009, 13:00 »
Is this part of the increased prices and lower commissions that they announced a few months ago?
http://www.microstockgroup.com/dreamstime-com/royalties-subscriptions-and-sr-el-update-on-dreamstime/
That's a good question. I was wondering that too. I remember them talking about increased prices and level bumps before, but I'd never seen a boost to sales. Maybe, they just hadn't implemented it. Regardless, it is good news. I hope other sites are paying attention too. I really don't want to go exclusive with iStock.
3441
« on: December 14, 2009, 10:48 »
I thought only exclusives complained about the best match. I've never really seen it affect my sales. As a non-exclusive, I've always been at the back. I just assumed people used the other searches to find my files.
3442
« on: December 13, 2009, 02:19 »
Wow! Add istock exclusive urbancow to the mix. Those are off first page downloads for terms like handshake and piggy bank. Not too subtle. I think piracy prevention is the new frontier for stock art.
3443
« on: December 12, 2009, 19:43 »
Let's see I've probably been a member of one gym or another for about 10 or 15 years. I usually go about 4 days a week (2 days cardio and 2 days weights).
1. What to you are the most important factors in joining a gym?
Aside from proximity to my house, having all the equipment I need is usually the biggest factor, then price is always nice too.
2. What would make you cancel your membership and leave?
I've usually canceled because I've moved. One time the gym moved, and I canceled it as well.
3. For you personally say you could choose 10 pieces of equipment for a personal gym what would you choose?
You need the ellipticals, treadmills and the full spectrum of free weights. The machines and hammer machines are nice too, but it probably wouldn't be a deal breaker.
4. have you used a power plate? If so do you like it and why?
No. I'm not familiar with that.
Hope that helps. Good luck!
3444
« on: December 12, 2009, 17:42 »
Yeah, put me in the not sure camp. I'm definitely looking at it. There's the not putting all your eggs in one basket, but there is also wrangling all the different agencies. Also, I worry about some agencies growth in the future.
3445
« on: December 11, 2009, 17:51 »
Note that you can keep your account with most agencies in case of step back.
That should be the correct strategy, keep the acount but disable the photos. Is it ok with iStock? I mean keeping accounts with other sites? I guess so.
Let us know how it will go, Vonkara.
Claude
I wondered about this too. I do decent with Shutterstock affiliates, so it would be nice to keep earning from that.
3446
« on: December 11, 2009, 17:21 »
Not at all surprising.
I never in a million years thought I would reconsider going exclusive with Istock, but with royalties dropping at the other sites, the potential 40% increase in contributor revenues that exclusives stand to gain is mighty tempting. I posted my thoughts in the IS year end thread, but to summarize, exclusivity may make the most economic sense going forward.
The things I would watch before making a final decision are:
1. Is best match going to go haywire again?
2. Will many customers leave as a result of the price increase? and
3. What will the other sites do to counter the appeal of what IS is offering?
Certainly the lure of exclusivity has definitely grown a lot with this announcement, I will be putting a final decision on hold until I see how the above questions are resolved.
I don't have any advice for you since I am in a similar boat, but I will be watching the thread to see what others advise.
Yeah, I never thought I would be talking about it either. It's not like I was sitting on the fence. I had looked at the the fence, decided not to climb it and walked away. I will definitely be watching how the changes go, but for now, I thought I'd stop uploading to any sites with restrictions [cough, Dreamstime, cough]. Speaking of Dreamstime, I think I read that wording half a dozen times and still don't understand it. It's the deleting 30% of your portfolio that is throwing me.
3448
« on: December 11, 2009, 17:12 »
OK, here is my little research project for today. These are the agencies that I submit too. Feel free to add to the list. DreamstimeContributors are required to keep at least seventy (70%) percent of their portfolio online with Dreamstime.com for a period of at least six (6) months. You may disable all files older than six months from the date of review at any time. You will be allowed to disable a total of thirty (30%) percent of your total images submitted within the past six (6) months. Images that were disabled and then enabled again will be counted as new submissions, no matter of their original upload date.ShutterstockYou have the right to remove any of your Submitted Content from the Shutterstock website at any time for any reason whatsoever. However, you may not remove Red Carpet Images for a period of two (2) years from the date any Red Carpet Images are accepted by Shutterstock.iStockphotoI didn't see any wording on image removal, but they did talk about termination of account. This Agreement is effective until terminated. You may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving thirty (30) days written notice to iStockphoto using [email protected] or such other means of written notice acceptable to iStockphoto which enables confirmation of your identity and your intention to terminate.FotoliaI didn't see any wording on image removal, but they did talk about termination of account. You may at any time terminate this Agreement by logging into your Membership Account on the Website and then sending a termination request to Fotolia.
StockXpertBoth parties can terminate your membership account for any reason with a written notice and proof of identity. Upon termination Stockxpert removes all your Images from the Website.Big Stock PhotoOnce submitted to the Image Approval Queue, Member may not remove images from site until after they have been posted for 90 days, regardless of whether the Member chooses to terminate their account.123RFI didn't see any wording on termination or image removal. CrestockI didn't see any wording on termination or image removal. Can Stock PhotoWithin thirty (30) business days after receiving written notice from Supplier to remove any Data Files, Company shall use reasonable efforts to remove such Data Files from the Site, and shall use reasonable efforts to cause such Data Files to be removed from the web sites of any sub-distributors. Any withdrawal or removal of Data Files will not affect existing rights or licenses granted by Company or sub-distributors to end users.
Veer MarketplaceYou may request the removal of Content from the Site at any time, however, Content may persist in a Users shopping cart up to sixty (60) days, and if purchased by a User, will remain available for download and sublicensing by such User for a sixty (60) day period. Further, Content may appear for a longer period on affiliate and partner sites, however Veer Marketplace will use reasonable efforts to cause Content to be removed form the Sites of any affiliates and partners within sixty (60) days from the removal from the Site.VectorstockThis Agreement is effective until it is terminated. You can terminate this Agreement by removing the content from VectorStock.com. The Agreement also terminates without notice from VectorStock if at any time you fail to comply with any of its terms.ClipArtofClipArtOf.com has the right to remove any image from the site or not accept an image for any reason at any time. In such a case, you will be notified with a reason. Contributors also have the right to remove any of their images or terminate their account at any time for any reason.
Graphic LeftoversI didn't see any wording on termination or image removal.
3449
« on: December 11, 2009, 14:37 »
After reading the recent news at iStock, I'm definitely considering becoming exclusive. I've got a while to think over the decision.
I was wondering if anyone had some advice on making the transition. I know Dreamstime is a 6 month wait and I think BigStock is 3 months. Were there any other pitfalls from other agencies that I need to be aware of?
I haven't made up my mind on the final decision, but I'd like to start the long term preparations now.
3450
« on: December 11, 2009, 13:19 »
There are definitely a lot of conspiracy theories and people trying to convince themselves that the end is nigh in this thread.
My question in stock has always been how can I make more. iStock seems to be coming up with an answer directed right at that question. I don't know how it will play out, but I'm paying attention.
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