Thanks for your thoughtful reply, araminta.

I definitely understand where you are coming from, which is why we offer the opt-in/out on subscriptions.

I don't think the top contributors are going to give up on subscription as long as we can show subscription is an additional source of income, rather than cutting into credit sales. We've said all along that subscription is to target a different set of buyers. If credit sales go down while subscriptions go up, then we also lose money.

An image is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. The same (or different) image could sell for .$30 through subs, $5 through micropay or $100 at midstock. If you are hitting different buyers at each level, then you should be making money, and the top contributors know this.

Deciding your image is not worth $.30 is definitely a respectable position to take, but it might not be the best business decision to make.

We also hope to launch some new opportunities this year aimed at helping you guys earn more money, so hang in there. It's only February.

-Steve

Hi guys,

Sorry for the late response to this. I wanted to share and discuss your comments with others on the StockXpert team and make sure we were all on the same page.

And I'll cut to the chase. While our goal is to grow both credit and subscription components, I've been reassured that the priority is to grow the credit side and make you guys more money.

We don't want subscription to cut into credit sales. Your comments indicate that this might be happening, but it's still too early to see any definite trends, especially as other have indicated with the bad holiday season. It has taken subscriptions a couple months to get to a level where we can begin to accurately compare it against credit sales, so we only have a month or so of real data. But we will closely monitor this.

I just wanted to reiterate our comittment to StockXpert and you guys, and we definitely don't want to do anything that hurts either of us.

Thanks!
-Steve

Thanks, Rene. I've forwarded this to the head of our review team to take action on.

Don't worry. You don't have to be careful what you say in any forum about StockXpert. In part we rely on you guys for your perspective and observations, and we are nothing but appreciative. I think by now we've proven this to you.

-Steve

Microsoft selected a small number of low-res images from StockXpert (with the approval of participating contributors) to distribute through their Office site for free. Notice there is also a link to StockXpert for customers who want to buy the hi-res versions.

All traffic and revenue generated from there still yields 50% for the contributor.

-Steve

Hi Guys!

We've just finalized a deal with Microsoft to have a Stockxpert link appear in the left-hand nav of their very popular Microsoft Office site.

We join a very short list of featured vendors (2 of which are other JI properties), and we definitely expect this to generate more traffic and revenue.

You can see the link here:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx

Thanks!
-Steve

Hi guys,

Just read every one of the posts in this thread. I remember discussing with the StockXpert team whether or not we should include opt-out as a feature. I argued that if we truly believe subscriptions is another opportunity to make the contributors and us money, then we should offer the opt-out because we should have nothing to fear. It's a way of simply being honest with them about our intentions. Everyone agreed.

I think a month later I reported that only a small handful of existing ppd customers actually became subscribers. And of those only a couple were on pace to spend more on credits than subscription. And the average customer is downloading like only 8 or 9 images a day with their subscription.

So basically, most of the subscribers were new customers. And we are still adding many new customers who ppd. I don't have the latest subscriber stats. I will try to look into it, but I cannot imagine subscription is the cause for a noticeable decrease in contributor revenue, especially around the holidays.

We still believe in the subscription model, but we are following this thread with interest.

-Steve

Hi guys,

First the isolation issue.

If in your keywords or description you say the image is isolated against white and it isn't, then it will be rejected. You need to make sure the whole white isolated background is pure white (255, 255, 255). Make sure there are no off-white spots any where, no matter how small.

Second, noise.

Still trying to iron this one out. Seems noise is legitimate in some but perhaps not others.

Third, mass rejection.

There is no mass rejection button. They have to review one image at a time. The fact that they can reject an image where there is a minute area of non white or that they might be a little strict on noise means they are looking closely at each image. Maybe too closely ...


Fourth, everything else:

Ok. Here's the deal. When the site first started we had two reviewers. The great thing about this is that it yields extreme consistency. The bad thing about it is that when one goes down and then two, images don't get reviewed.

Of course we had to hire new reviewers. We did so. We trained them, but experience is always the best teacher.

Unfortunately, there is no microstock image reviewer university that we can just recruit reviewers from and drop into place at full speed. When ever a new reviewer comes onto the team, there is a learning process that involves training and gaining experience. It's about trying to balance their innate subjective tendencies with objective guidelines.

Yes. We've tightened up our property release policy. This is new to our old reviewers and new reviewers. They are learning the new policy. Training cannot account for every possible scenario, so again, the must learn through experience. Unfortuantely, there will probably be some inconsistencies in the review process because of this.

And people make mistakes. Don't take the rejections personally. Just let us know about it.

The site is growing so fast, unfortunately, learning and gaining experience can't happen as fast.

And I must say, as for the number of images we review in a day versus the number of complaints we get, I'd say we are doing pretty good, but we always strive to be better. 

Thanks!
-Steve

Ok. I've just been told it's cool for a photographer to sign as a legal guardian (provided he or she is the legal guardian  ).

Vivid, I'll request your images be put back in the queue.

Thanks!
-Steve

Sorry no one replied to you about this. I think they were waiting for a definitive answer. In fact, I know our legal team is reviewing the policy of photographers signing as legal guardians.

I'll let you know what the outcome is.

In the meantime, don't delete the photos. We can always put them back in the queue and re-review( ).

Thanks!
-Steve

My two cents on Z3 and Z2 is that you don't have enough "space" around the main subject of the photos. The crops are too tight, thus eliminating a focal point. The stick/shadow (Z3) and tree (Z2) take up too much space in the frame.

-Steve

Hi Kirsten!

What you put into an image is what you will get out of it.

You need to decide how committed you are to microstock and set reasonable expectations based on the time you are willing to put into it.

For many of the better sellers, you'll learn that research, planning, and workflow go a long way.

When viewing images pay attention to lighting and composition, as well as subject matter.

Like sharply said, think conceptually as well as literally. What message are you trying to convey; what subject matter, composition and lighting would be best to convey it?

Good luck!
-Steve

Might be a caching issue with your browser. Try a hard refresh.

-Steve

Was down briefly last night for database upgrade, but has been working fine for a while now. Are you still getting the "attention" message?

-Steve

Hi guys,

Just wanted to let you know we are going to be simplifying the pricing structure of vector images.

Basically, we are going to have only two vector pricing tiers:

5 credit and 10 credit, and we will be updating the current vector prices to reflect this, so:

1 credit vectors > 5 credits
5 credit vectors > 10 credits
10 credit vectors > 10 credits
20 credit vectors >10 credits

We're doing this for a couple reasons. Many of you have indicated you don't want to sell vectors at 1 credit, and there seems to be little difference between existing 5 credit and 10 credit vectors.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, let us know.

Thanks!
-Steve

We will be hiring new reviewers. However, this won't speed things up immediately. Now matter how familiar a new reviewer is with the site, they still need to be trained and acquire experience to become fast and accurate.

It's just human nature. We can only make the process so objective. There is still that subjective aspect new reviewers bring. It seems you guys know instantly when we hire a new reviewer, so we can't bring on too many at once.

Please, just remember model and property releases and keywords. They will be rejecting images that don't have those. This is one reason the queue grew. We kept waiting for some contributors to add these items and they never did.

And it's unfair to those who do provide this information because it takes up reviewer time to request this info from those who don't.

Thanks!
-Steve

Guys,

the queue has been cleaned and you can resume uploading.

Thanks again for your patience and understanding through all of this!

-Steve

Full access was restored a couple hours ago. You should all be receiving your payments now or soon.

If you do not receive you pending PayPal payment today, let me know.

Again, sorry for the terrible delays, and thank you so much for your patience.

We don't expect this to happen again.

-Steve

Checks are not tied to PayPal. I'm just not sure how long it takes for checks to be cut and mailed. You can definitely put in the request if you'd like.

Thanks!
-Steve

Guys,

One option we've come up with is if you open a moneybookers account we can pay you that way.

You will have to e-mail us using the contact us form to cancel you pending Payment to PayPal and make a new request using Moneybookers.

We will have your money on Tuesday. We don't know how long PayPal will be. We call them everyday. ANd check would not be any sooner.

Thanks!
-Steve

I know it's frustrating. I completely understand, especially around this time of year. I keep thinking of Frank Capra's movie "It's a Wonderful Life". Although, in our case the money exists, and we're not about to jump off any bridges.

This is what happened. PayPal flagged us for having two employees access the same account at the same time from different locations. They thought this was suspicious activity and immediately without question or warning restricted our access.

So we contacted them to have our access restored. They requested documents. We provided them. A few days later we would hear from them again requesting more documents, we would provide them.

A few days ago they indicated they have all the documents. Now we're waiting for them to restore access.

It's frustrating for us too. I am still trying to find ways to pay you quickly. Check won't get you the money any sooner. I've been told wire is impossible. I'm still looking for other ways.

*, I'd personally write you checks if I had the money.

-Steve

Hi guys,

As I'm sure you're aware, we are still experiencing delays with your reviews, and we truly apologize for this. To get through the backlog of images and return to the fast review times, we will be suspending new uploads for 1 week starting Wednesday, December 12th at 5pm ET. We will resume uploads on December 19th, 2007 at 5 pm ET.

You will still be able to upload and attach model and property releases.

If you have any questions in the meantime, just post them here.

Thank you so much for your patience and continued support!

-Steve (and the rest of the StockXpert team).

Hi guys,

We have removed Lione's keyword-spammed images from the site until he fixes them.

Thanks!
-Steve

I will definitely let you know. I'm on top of it. Believe me.

You guys have been extremely patient--with everything.

Thanks!
-Steve

Guys,

PayPal put a temporary block on our account. We are trying to clear it up now.

Moneybookers and other payment methods should be working fine.

Thanks!
-Steve

Hi guys.

Sorry for not responding sooner. We are aware of this. We are going to take action, and I'm in the process of putting together a proposal to address this issue.

Thanks!
-Steve