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Messages - SuperPhoto
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801
« on: July 18, 2019, 20:46 »
...
However, I do love it how people who are strongly against the subscription model have been presented with information that goes against their preconceptions, so as a result... that means it's 'strange', I may be out by a factor of ten, I'm dreaming etc etc! I'm not preoccupied with selling to the bottom feeders... I'm preoccupied with selling to the top feeders, the middle feeders AND the bottom feeders.
Well, then don't cry/whine when people steal your content and pass it off as their own, i.e., this post you started here: https://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/check-this-pond5-account-see-if-they're-selling-your-content/It's because of people selling assets/their entire portfolio for fractions of pennies, undervaluing their work thinking only of the short-term gain, which causes the problems/race to the bottom.
802
« on: July 13, 2019, 09:10 »
yes, I agree/think simply updating the form on the relevant agencies might be easiest...
803
« on: July 13, 2019, 08:59 »
It's funny... I'm thinking (& in a way, seems quite possible it could come this way)...
Videoblocks/Storyblocks has gone from...
- 100% Commissions to Authors!
- We buy your good clips, so you have crap left to sell, but still get 100%
- 50% Commission to Authors!
- $0.00000000001/clip Commission to Authors, but you get LOTS of it!
To............. next step/e-mail probably will be something like this:
"Hey Authors!
Why not give away your clips for FREE, and YOU get TONS OF EXPOSURE!!! JUST THINK - PEOPLE WILL THEN KNOW WHO YOU ARE, BECAUSE OF ALL THE MASSIVE EXPOSURE YOU GOT, WHICH MEANS YOU COULD GET SALES IN THE FUTURE!
We'll keep all the money from our subscriptions and value you add to our subscription model - because of course we have to eat, pay for fuel for our lambourghini's & mcclarens, which hopefully you understand costs money - but you'll get... EXPOSURE!!! JUST give your clips for free... Freee... FREEEEEEEEEE!!! Think of the POSSIBILITIES! And we've done the math, and its best for you - so anticipated your response - we've already made your clips available for FREE!!! If you want to opt-out, there is a 90-day new waiting period, and you can only remove 10% of your portfolio at a time... oh, and our script for removing stuff is broken, because there is a coding error, don't know why... so strange, we'll get it fixed, might take 3-4 years, but we'll give your clips FREE in the meantime, that's why we need the money... but FREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! AND EXPOSURE FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!! SUCH A GREAT GRAND DEAL AIN'T IT?!?!?"
- The StoryBlocks Team - now making $50 million/year to the owner + a handful of employees because this is a digital business, but helping YOU get EXPOSURE!!!!!!!! Because WE know what's BEST for YOU!
804
« on: July 11, 2019, 09:18 »
What would make more sense is to figure out what paperwork is required to fight infringement, then do that yourselves.
A lot of the processes are routine (i.e., DMCA notice, cease/desist letter/etc) - and could save $$$. The only reason you'd really need the lawyer is if you were going to pursue it (i.e., suing) - but then you'd be looking at lots of $$$$$ for a good one - and better to do a class action type of thing as opposed to an individual by individual case.
805
« on: July 11, 2019, 09:08 »
What I'm a bit confused about is.......
From a programming standpoint - it is NOT that hard to create this type of site!!!!!! It of course requires a SMART
programmer - but if you have that - then its not that hard!
The only cost is programmers, which I am assuming they were - so they could have written the code themselves.
Sure - they may have been working for "free" for 6 months while they did the coding - but NO cost to them!
Running a host - to get "started" & test out the market - is dirt cheap! Like $100-$200! So... if they couldn't afford that...
So it really makes no sense...
806
« on: July 09, 2019, 14:14 »
...
pps... if you'd like clarification, I suggest logging into your account and clicking "partner program" and reading what is written there. OR, you could always ask them if they are sharing 60% of their "total" revenue. (They aren't, but, if you need triple verification that they aren't, that is a good way to do it).
807
« on: July 09, 2019, 13:50 »
POINT #1 - 60% is NOT of their TOTAL revenue, but rather an ARBITRARY random number they pick out of thin air
the "membership pool" is NOT "60%" of storyblocks ENTIRE membership base. They make about $30 million+ year.
It is NOT a portion of that.
RATHER. It is some arbitrary number they pick out of the air to decide what to split amongst authors. RIGHT in their text, it says:
"Instead of members paying for clips a la carte in the Marketplace, they pay for a subscription to access content in our Member Library. We then create a Member Library Earnings pool, which we divide among all contributors who participate in the program based on how much of their content is downloaded."
So out of that $30 million, maybe they pick $50,000 to split amonst all authors. Maybe less. Maybe more. Chances are - they are
will use simple math to figure out what is the bare minimum they can pay people to get them to participate. But its REALLY important
to note, the 60% is NOT part of that "$30 million" in revenue.
I think this bit's wrong. Sure, the wording isn't exactly the best, but I'm pretty sure the 'we create a member library earnings pool' refers to the amount of money that's left after they've taken their 40%. I.e. the 60% is the pool. If it doesn't mean that, then why would they leave out the 60% cut part? As it stands, there's nothing in the description about that, so it gives the impression they distribute 100% of the earnings pool. The only thing that would make their description accurate would be if the pool is the 60%. I mean, I could be wrong... but you just seem super certain without any kind of supporting evidence other than your interpretation of a couple of sentences.
I don't think even Storyblocks would go so far as to have an earnings structure that's based on an amount of money they've just completely made up.
It's not "interpretation". It's black & white - *exactly* what they say if you go to sign up for the program. Also - the numbers I am quoting are directly from press releases, interviews, etc where they have disclosed figures. The "supporting evidence" is exactly what you see if you go to sign up. And based on how they've done things - they will do what they can to maximize their revenue (which includes paying out the least possible amount they can). So yes, I am pretty certain. But - if you'd like to participate in the program - I know you have a unique collection. Maybe it won't cannibilize all of your sales - because you do have the exclusive account with envato. But for your non-exclusive, I remember just a little while ago you were quite upset because you found a "stolen" profile account on pond5 with actual sales paid out to *another* user. If you don't care about (I'm assuming/educated guess) the $10k/year revenue streams you get from Pond5, Shutterstock, etc - and instead would like that reduced, so you can make a few extra $$ on storyblocks, then go ahead. Also, because of the pirating, you can look forward to playing 'whack-a-mole' as you chase down people reselling your content, instead of focusing on making new content to increase your already well established video stock career/sales. Who knows, maybe you'll have a "BME" (best month ever) making the majority of your sales from storyblocks, while all your other site earnings drop to zero.
808
« on: July 09, 2019, 12:12 »
First, if anyone forgot - storyblocks/videoblocks already proved to be dishonest. They promised "100% earnings for authors" - then only a couple years later - said "meh, we only feel like doing 50-50". So remember that.
Moving on. Reading a few posts - seemed a couple people weren't sure about the math - so decided to make this post. Just in case anyone missed this -
POINT #1 - 60% is NOT of their TOTAL revenue, but rather an ARBITRARY random number they pick out of thin air
the "membership pool" is NOT "60%" of storyblocks ENTIRE membership base. They make about $30 million+ year.
It is NOT a portion of that.
RATHER. It is some arbitrary number they pick out of the air to decide what to split amongst authors. RIGHT in their text, it says:
"Instead of members paying for clips a la carte in the Marketplace, they pay for a subscription to access content in our Member Library. We then create a Member Library Earnings pool, which we divide among all contributors who participate in the program based on how much of their content is downloaded."
So out of that $30 million, maybe they pick $50,000 to split amonst all authors. Maybe less. Maybe more. Chances are - they are
will use simple math to figure out what is the bare minimum they can pay people to get them to participate. But its REALLY important
to note, the 60% is NOT part of that "$30 million" in revenue.
POINT #2 - Test market versus ACTUAL market
Their "test" market, and the actual number of users that participate will see COMPLETELY different earnings.
Using easy to understand numbers, Let's say, they've decided to be ultra greedy (proven), and ultra cheap, to split $50,000
amongst authors.
In the test group, they have 10 people. Site wide (educated guess) - they have 10,000+ contributors.
In the test: $50,000/10 = $5,000 per author. (for simplicity, assuming everyone had an equal # of downloads, so equal pay).
Let's say only 10% of the 10,000 contributors sign up (1000 authors).
Now, $50,000/1000 = $50 per author.
But wait! There is more! They have decided only 60% of those funds will be distributed. (Maybe for internal accounting, they've
decided they need a 40%'management' fee for the arbitrary pool funds they set). So $50 * 60% = $30/author.
ANDDDDDDD... of course, if they "feel" it is too little, or too much, they can of course at ANY time adjust the member amount.
POINT #3 - Canabalizing your other sales (maybe a TINY bit more money @ storyblocks - but a LOT LESS everywhere else)
It's already been happening for quite sometime when subscription type models were introduced - but why help storyblocks speed
up the process?
IF they actual did become "THE" "go-to" place for video (they alreayd have a HUGE membership of 150,000+ - but there are still
people on other sites like shutterstock/pond5/etc). But if you take your GOOD videos - and upload here - many will migrate
FROM pond5/shutterstock/etc - and just go to storyblocks/videoblocks. So that means 'byebye' larger sales @ pond5/shutterstock,etc
and welcome to $0.000000000000000001 sales @ storyblocks!
POINT #4 - More of your "stolen" content on the web
It's one thing for someone to "individually" pay $25/clip - and then "resell" it on the web. It's a lot of work, plus costs money.
BUT - if you like the idea of your ENTIRE PORTFOLIO being RESOLD by random individuals on the internet, or given away for free
as "warez" - then this is the way to go! Many individuals have something called "scrapers" - which basically download 1000's and
1000's of clips in hours, or even minutes - and then allows them to re-package it on the web.
And not only will it be incredibly difficult for you to control that, but it will most likely affect ANY kind of LONG term sales you COULD
have had...
SO WHAT CAN YOU DO?
a) DON'T PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM.
b) SHARE THIS WITH OTHER ARTISTS IN WEB FORUMS/EMAIL/FACEBOOK GROUPS
c) "optionally" tell storyblocks what a crappy deal this is and you don't like it. (Unlikely they care, because they didn't last time
people complained. And they might even decide to terminate your account, because they don't like complainers. But, if it makes you feel better, you can).
809
« on: July 09, 2019, 10:32 »
Highly supporting not to participate in this deal... they are obviously desperate and without doubt they need new content... have tried with small sample and got almost nothing in return... do not support them, because they know what they are doing - luring for naive contributors!
it's not that they are "desparate" - its that they are "greedy". They got the pie, they got the crumbs, and now they want to lick the pie plate. It's a really raw deal for contributors because it will canabalize sales on other platforms. PLUS - videoblocks/storyblocks has proven they are a dishonest company - because they promised "100% commissions for life!" for your own content... Then, only a couple years later, they said "Welll... thats not quite true! Only 50%"... And even when there was an outcry by contributors - the canned response was pretty much "well, sucks to be you. we are big, you are little, so we decide what we want to do. so suck it up or go away.". Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
810
« on: July 09, 2019, 09:46 »
VERY VERY STUPID if you participate - because not only will you canabalize your own sales - but it will affects your assets on OTHER agencies as THEY go into the race to the bottom... Then it becomes more or less how much can "churn" out - and only portfolios with say 20,000+ clips will really see the sales they want... or EXTREMELY unique and DESIRABLE content (which, is unlikely for most people).
811
« on: July 09, 2019, 09:36 »
SO...
IF you are thinking about making your content unlimited for storyblocks - DON'T.
ITS STUPID.
YOU'LL HURT YOURSELF & EVERYONE ELSE IN THE INDUSTRY. YOU'LL MAKE STORYBLOCKS EVEN FATTER & WEALTHIER THAN THEY ARE, WHILE HURTING YOUR SALES FROM OTHER AGENCIES AND MAKING YOU A WHOLE LOT LESS IN THE LONG RUN.I'd say videoblocks (aka storyblocks) was probably one of *the* first companies to really make a big push for the subscription based model of content back in I think it was around 2011/2012... In an environment where companies where charging 'per clip'. They very quickly (within a couple years) grew to $30+ million in revenue... Other companies started introducing "their" subscription models - which meant a lot less sales for the majority of authors. Then in 2015, introduced the 'membership' program - where basically they'd purchase any clips that sold to add to their library (no risk for them, but massive sales data) - and pay the author a token amount... Then when that was exhausted - have now decided to go for "unlimited" downloads! And give you a "percentage" cut of the number of downloads you get... The "pilot" program they say was successful... May very well have been, I mean 3x earnings of virtually nothing, is still something... and for a tiny test group - splitting earnings amongst "them" would skew the results so they could "honestly" say that they saw "3x" earnings (assuming they are being honest about that in the first place)... But now, if you get people jumping on the bandwagon, which they will - desperate to make sales - videoblocks library overnight grows by 100x (quite possibly 1000x, 10000x, I am not sure how tiny their test group was, but I do know there are a LOT of authors signed up)... makes VIDEOBLOCKS tons of cash because they market themselves as "the" place to get CHEAP CHEAP content... but now you make even LESS than you did before - because earnings are now are split 100, 1000, 10000x amongst the test group (and subscribers are not going to download 1000x the clips they did before)... So this is a REALLY CRAPPY deal for authors... only people that are really benefiting is storyblocks... Which, of course - puts pressure on the other agencies to make knee jerk reaction moves (i.e., they see a cut of their sales being eaten at - figure out its videoblocks/storyblocks - so then THEY introduce THEIR "unlimited subscription model") - and voila. NOT MENTION.......... If you like having your content upload on "warez" sites, other people "re-packaging" your content and selling it - then this is the precisely the type of thing that will most likely happen when you do. (i.e., motionarray which "forced" people to go unlimited downloads now regularly sends out "dmca" notices because of people reselling/repackaging content.... they sometimes even brag "we sent out 2,000+ notices just recently"... "2000"  do you REALLY want your content being given FREE or for RESALE by others on 2,000+ sites???) $0.0001 sales for you! SO........... IF you are thinking about making your content unlimited for storyblocks - DON'T.
ITS STUPID.
YOU'LL HURT YOURSELF & EVERYONE ELSE IN THE INDUSTRY.
812
« on: June 30, 2019, 07:35 »
i've been using it for quite some time - and really like it. Did a great job of denoising some of my nighttime footage.
813
« on: June 27, 2019, 10:46 »
Best month ever for me. They must have been playing with the search engine.
I'm curious - pretty much over the last year whenever someone has talked about a downward trend in stock - you have always piped up "OH BEST MONTH EVER FOR ME!"... is your small portfolio of video stock really always increasing like that? if so, I'm rather impressed it's doing that well, and that consistently...
SpaceStockFootage produce animations is a big difference ... matter less quantity, but quality. 10% of my portfolio r animations and yes i have an increase in "animation" sales ...a good month for me 
Strange. I have a good set of animations too, and those don't seem to sell too much. Wondering if it is because my portfolio is primarily 'stock' (so when people 'browse' a portfolio, they don't easily find the other animations?)
814
« on: June 27, 2019, 09:07 »
Best month ever for me. They must have been playing with the search engine.
I'm curious - pretty much over the last year whenever someone has talked about a downward trend in stock - you have always piped up "OH BEST MONTH EVER FOR ME!"... is your small portfolio of video stock really always increasing like that? if so, I'm rather impressed it's doing that well, and that consistently...
815
« on: June 26, 2019, 23:19 »
what is this app you speak of?
816
« on: June 26, 2019, 22:15 »
while rather new to shutterstock (only about 6 months), was surprised to see 0 sales this month with a portfolio of videos of 3,000+...
817
« on: June 21, 2019, 16:33 »
except... the study is kind of useless - because it is discounting thing like say........
"city slickers" that sit on their butt all day, and farmers who are actually working in the field day in, day out...
could be excercise... could be lack of pollution compared to say NYC/L.A... could be more natural foods, could be many other things...
but taking one item - and isolating it to the exclusion of everything else is like saying since all astronauts drink water, drinking water makes will make you an astronaut...
Ummmm. Did you actually read any of this piece?
"The cheese-eating habits of a whopping 130,000, 35-70 year-olds, representing a staggering 21 countries were examined"
Sorry, but that doesn't sound to me like a study that "took one item and isolated it to the exclusion of everything else."
pps, i.e., does that mean the 1 BILLION chinese people, and the 1 BILLION east indians, and half a BILLION arabs, who don't have a steady cheese diet, are at "44.4%" higher risk of those diseases? (somehow, they seem to be doing pretty well on the diet they do have)...
818
« on: June 21, 2019, 16:29 »
nope, actually I didn't read that...
still then - there are so many other variables at play, and so easy to manipulate statistics to prove the point you want.
like saying 9 out of 10 dentists recommend ______. you pick then 9 dentists you want to 'prove' your point, and then 1 you don't to make it seem legitimate.
a lot of farmers are also subsidized (gov't intervention/food control/etc) - and so if they have a surplus of cheese (which most likely they do), its in their best interest to commission a report that "proves" you "need" cheese.
same way, if pizza, pop & potato chips ever went out of style, I'm sure numerous "reports" and "studies" would pop up "proving" that a steady diet of pizza, pop & potato chips was detrimental to your health, because you were lacking "electrolytes" (salt), "protein" (the meat), etc, etc.
819
« on: June 21, 2019, 16:08 »
except... the study is kind of useless - because it is discounting thing like say........
"city slickers" that sit on their butt all day, and farmers who are actually working in the field day in, day out...
could be excercise... could be lack of pollution compared to say NYC/L.A... could be more natural foods, could be many other things...
but taking one item - and isolating it to the exclusion of everything else is like saying since all astronauts drink water, drinking water makes will make you an astronaut...
820
« on: June 14, 2019, 13:50 »
Curious - how are you finding your own videos on these other portfolios? Are they just using the same title when uploading?
821
« on: June 14, 2019, 08:32 »
question - have you ever uploaded any of your videos to one of those unlimited 'subscription' sites (i.e., envaot elements, motionarray, etc)? i'm wondering if this is the main location people are stealing from then simply reselling on other sites...
822
« on: June 12, 2019, 22:28 »
People r so happy with Storryblocks...just look at this guy, look at his smile...sooo happy
Why do u want to ruin the joy of a man 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO6qBa8tWJA
the guy actually looks a bit creepy, including the fake smile
823
« on: June 08, 2019, 21:56 »
I'd say it has commercial value. Two black people doing laundry - could be used for laundry/cleaning commercials/flyers/etc, race related material (i.e., black families, events, etc - as a stretch - the guy 'could' look a bit east indian), family event flyers, looks like it could either be a husband/wife, or father/daughter (because of the grey hair), could be for a sports team because of the jersey and white soccer socks (although it looks like he is into football, and she into soccer), could be for afro day, could be unpacking boxes, etc, etc...
you don't 'necessarily' need to have eyes, because it is 'stylistic' - although that is one of the things I did notice (woman not so much, because her hair 'could' be covering them, whereas the guy was more noticeable)...
so yes, lots of commercial value...
824
« on: June 05, 2019, 11:41 »
I'd say no - doesn't appear to have any recognizable faces/etc.
825
« on: May 27, 2019, 09:44 »
I've got some AE templates on AS, which I like, because they're "compiled" into .mogrt format. On the other sites, you actually sell an AE file, right? What's to stop anyone from stealing some of the underlying expression code or anything else?
Nothing, and people do.
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