Quote

Just flicking an 'upload limit' switch, then sitting back to watch the dollars roll in is not likely to cut it.

I'm not sure why removing the upload limit would cause 'the dollars to roll in'. It doesn't increase the number of sales, just the breadth of choice for buyers surely?

Some exclusives fear that removing the limits will lead to a flooding of independent content, making it more likely that the customer chooses indie content. If that happens, istock might earn more percentagewise because they pay less royalty.

Of course indie content is cheaper so I am not sure if that is always true. sometimes an exclusive sale will earn them more money, even if the royalty is higher because the price is higher.

I would be more worried about the dilution, especially longterm. There are a lot more independents than exclusives, so the content mix will tip strongly towards independent content with only best match to save them.

But maybe they will come up with some other idea to promote exclusives even more. The twitter campaign is a nice one.

Maybe the fact that quite a few longterm exclusives have left is making them come up with more benefits and attention, at least where they can make decisions. Like the much faster inspections for exclusives.

Sean,

you don�t have to keyword yourself. Depositphotos has a "VIP" program where a very nice lady goes through all your files, adds keywords, categories and in my case even title and subscription. Just upload files and releases and they will do it for you.

And her keywording is excellent.

I was a little too embarrassed to take them up on it in the beginning, but she very kindly kept offering the service and now I wish everyone would do that!

If they offered it to me (and several other people I know) they must have that option for you.

So I guess this means I can resubmit the files they rejected because I have a German istock model release.

That is precisely why pond5 could start with an improved system. No need to copy the mistakes of other sites.

They have so much fantastic things going for them, I think making individual download numbers private would make them even more popular. There are many good portfolios coming on the market right now. Pond5 could attract a lot of great stuff.

I think for video it is great that you can set your own prices. Some videos might be worth 5000 dollars to license, simply because it is such unique material.

What really bothers me though, are the visible download numbers. This means if you have a clip that sells well, it will be copied really fast and probably offered at a lower price.

These numbers only help the idea thieves. They have no value for the customer, because the video is not exclusive and could have sales elsewhere as well.

I haven't been uploading a lot of the content I have, I have over 2000 files to go through and process and in the last few months I haven't felt comfortable with istock. But I have at least one shoot a month with people from the community here. I also teach photography, so I shoot with the students (although some of that is too extreme for stock).

My portfolio is not as spectacular or as impressive as others, but everyone can see it.

Unlike yours.

I�m sorry to hear that Sue. But when you shoot, don�t you network with people? Over here we have a very strong group of people who work together to save costs and to learn from each other.

And most of us networked via the istock community, it is a fantastic experience to pool resources.

@dirkr

Pond5 and Shutterstock seem to be leading video right now. Maybe that is why they have marginally upgraded what they are paying out, so at least some of the higher end indie content.

I am really curious about getty360. What do you think about it?

@tickstock

The istock exclusive community is about working together to create high quality content.

We share models, locations and stylists, we teach each other tips and tricks, there are facebook groups were great artists demonstrate step by step processing, we lend each other gear, some who teach workshops or organize classes give other exclusives big discounts and wherever you travel you will always find another exclusive to team up with to create great content.

We are all highly networked internationally. We don't hide behind masks or from each other in any way.

The istock community is also open to indies, there are many we network with to shoot together.

istock used to support all that with great workshop and Lypses.

It is a fantastic mix of free spirited people who often make loads of money while having fun.

The supportive community has always been one of the most important "selling points" when people make the decision to go exclusive. Especially when you do stock full time you want to know if your peers and the agency will work together with you.

Which is why it has been so sad to watch how Getty is actively destrying the community. They probably really think it is like flickr and never bothered to understand the business economics of how the great content these artists produce is being created in the first place.

If you have ever spent time on istock and really have a portfolio and income from actually selling files, you would know all that.

You said you want to go from 35% to 40%....how can you afford to pay for all your shooting if you do it alone??

The community also drives a lot of customers, many are buyers/designers anyway. Another reason why it is so bizzarre that Getty brings down the community.

If you want to be a believable anonymous istock exclusive, maybe check back and learn a bit more to understand what it is you are trying to sell.

Or maybe what you describe is indeed the new getty community. Which is why so many of my peers are moving on to spread their risk. But we still all work together, if anything recent events have made the community stronger.

ETA: Ok, I shouldn�t write "we" as I am now fully "indie"... but it has only been four weeks and I am organizing my next shootings with the same people anyway. Some are still exclusive but they are all preparing to sail. If istock sales came back and the company went from "overpromise, underdeliver" to "we announce it - we do it, we impress you with great business logic", people would stay.

@ cathy, I thought your post was well meant too. Peace everyone, we don�t need to bring each other down. Stick together and get rich...I like that!

I think it's a rule that every thread has to have Istock brought into the discussion at some point. 
"I stubbed my toe  "
"That's because of Istock!  I can't wait for them to fail."

BINGO!!!

Which reminds me, my mommy is better than your mommy because she is exclusive!!! 

Beautiful comments!

All the people reading here, considering wether they should go exclusive or not will love to see the community style of the "new exclusives".

You guys are the best advocates for istock exclusivity on msg!!

Let�s hope that more anonymous exclusives sign up here to entertain the crowd!

When you meet up to shoot together, do you wear masks?? Or are there secret initiation rites to become part of the new club?

istock changed my life. But I guess you are right.

But it is very depressing to see how Getty is bringing a once strong community and business down. It will definetly be a textbook case for years to come.

I set all mine to $25.

That is a fantastic price for your images!!! Also a great gift for pond5 because your content will attract a lot of buyers.

Well you seem to enjoy being here and that is good, no?

istock is in a very difficult phase and you are posting as an anonymous exclusive. That will make a lot of people wonder what is going on, that is only normal.

Some people say they are anonymous because they are scared istock reads what they write and will punish them if they are too critical. I think this is terrible and it certainly is a new fear.

There have been all kinds of dramas on istock over the years but only now are people scared to post.

And people are leaving, which is sad. I think if they work hard enough they can bring the community back if they make contributors feel safe.

What do you think about the istock forums? Is that really such an unusual question to ask?