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Messages - 4seasons
126
« on: May 13, 2008, 06:17 »
Just curious: when some leaves some agency where he is going? To be exclusive on IS? NEVER! At least for me.
From FT forum: "... I'm 92% exclusive, over 6500 images in portfolio and 2-5 sales per work day! ....huuuh realy frustrating. "
That is one more reason not to put all eggs in one basket...
127
« on: May 13, 2008, 06:06 »
Chode, you have "amazing day" and I have "awesome sale" of 1 download today as well! LOL... Normaly ~10.
Interesting idea about petition. Never heard about that. Just checked website. We could sign it (I red Yuri is complaining too) but I don't know if FT will listen and will react on it. Anyway, if some who knows how to do this and will begin, I would sign.
I remember when some time ago Dreamstime changed search algorithm my sales stopped also and contributors were complaining on forums about that. But after a while all things were normalized and now I have good, normal sales. Maybe the same will be on FT?
I hate that worthless therapy from administration about "amazing days" and "awesome sales". I don't need that. Is good when it's true but when a lot of people are reporting conversely they must admit that something is wrong: with search engine or with buyers.
128
« on: May 13, 2008, 05:12 »
My sales dropped 70-80% on FT in a last two weeks and a lot people are reporting the same on FT forum.
Chad: "...sales are down a lot because of European holidays in May."
Holidays always has an impact on sales but not in such scale like we have now and holiday don't last several weeks. The main reason is not May holidays.
Maybe some really serious damages were made with search system or somewhere else, I don't know and I have no time to learn all various website algorithms. It's not my business. All I know is that I have no sales.
Or maybe really buyers moved from FT?
Chad: "I am also sure many of you are having amazing days and just keeping your mouths shut. People still buy Fotolia credits every day. The US just had an awesome sales day on Monday for credits so I know people are still buying images. Maybe some of these sales are starting to spread out to other photographers."
It would be nice to hear some "amazing days" reports in case to hope that in general is alright on Fotolia without reference to my "dry days".
If some are reporting 70% drops and if there are "amazing days" and "awesome sales", so someone could report "WOW! I have 700% increasing!.."
129
« on: May 12, 2008, 05:11 »
greg... mad... I would say there is nothing to show as these images were added a couple of years ago just kind of a test. Two years being on micro is a lot... A link: http://www.art.com/asp/display_artist-asp/_/CRID--43578/Stasys_Eidiejus.htm?ui=07C19C202DA14C8EAB42C5926F998CCAMost sold Wooden cross, 44 times. On artistrising I deleted some images and some new are waiting for approval. Contakt@ agree with you according "fine-art photography is the one last bastion of refuge that I will not touch by lowering my pricing. " and in general according to lowering our prices... Just curious, what could be a masterpiece if someone can pay for it's print 1,500.00?... Or I miss something?
130
« on: May 12, 2008, 01:16 »
After reading your reply I'm surprized any icons sell, since it's so easy for a designer to make them. Actually they sell really well.
Even if they buy vector it's not that easy to change colors. I know, I did it. And if I was a boss of some well paid designer I'd tell him to buy the icons in the right color and work on the desing of the page instead of wasting half an hour to change the colors. It's cheaper that way. Istock has very strict rules, but they accept different colors.
Example:
http://www.istockphoto.com/file_search.php?action=file&lightboxID=1619920
http://www.istockphoto.com/file_search.php?action=file&lightboxID=1441636
Some designer may like my icons, but the color doesn't match. He wouldn't buy them then. Also there are many designers that don't have access to vector editing programs.
CofkoCof @ Please don't offense. We're both in the same boat. I'm doing icons as well and know what?- I'm still surprised that they sell. It's not about yours icons. Your icons are fine. I'm talking in general. There are some very original and professional icons and a lot of really simple icons on micros. I think that if a designer can't do some icons he is not a designer, at least not a professional, not to saying about simple shapes in photoshop. He is just dilettante who don't know photoshop. I don't know why is difficult to change vector colors in Illustrator? It's not a Space Shuttle. Again, a designer who can't change vector's color is not a designer, at least not a professional. Lets make clear, saying "designer" I mean a professional, who knows very well at least main raster and vector graphics, web design editing and layout programs. These programs are his bread and butter. Time is another question. If I was a boss of some well paid designer I'd tell him to seek original and unique icons in right colors. If there are no such icons, then I'd tell him to create. Because he is well paid, that means I care about my website or another project and I want it would be original, unique and professional, as I'm investing big money. Money is third question. You and I are selling our icons because of money. I don't know, who and why are buying mine or your icons, but if they buy, that's mean our stuff was right in colors, in time and in money. That's it. Good luck!
131
« on: May 11, 2008, 08:46 »
I uploaded two versions of the same buttons, aqua and green colored. Aqua ones got accepted but green ones got rejected for "Similar image accepted". I understand that you can change the color yourself if you download the vector format, but I've had many .jpg sells on buttons and you can't change the color that easily there. And color makes all the difference if you are doing a design for your page. That's why I find this rejection just plain stupid. What do you think?
No, it's not stupid. Looking from contributor's side, you may be right because there a different colors. Looking from agency's side, it's a very normal. Think about that: if a real professional is doing an original design, he will make a very original buttons for website himself and will not buy wholesales buttons on agencies, especially like your buttons: these simple buttons any designer can do himself in a few minutes. Or buys a vector buttons where he can change colors or even shapes. If someone is doing design and is seeking for a buttons, he already knows what colors he needs and if he needs blue, maybe will buy yours, bet if he needs grey, o red, or brown, you anyway can't upload all possible colors and variants. In this case you must upload 10-20 different colors with hope some color will fit designer's demand. In your case the blue is more universal color and green is more specific that's why blue was accepted. Just think not only about what you can do but what designer needs and what is agency's viewpoint. Try to do more universal than specifically, especially when doing simple stuff. Leave place for designer to change colors: maybe upload separate buttons backgrounds, for ex. 6 colors and separate black isolated forms- all in one file. Then designer himself can choose color, crop the form, fill color and do button that fits his website design. I do that, when I'm doing jpgs.
132
« on: May 11, 2008, 06:41 »
redfig@ good luck! madelaide@ I asked these questions yesterday, now waiting for answer. All first 16 my images were selected to art.com and only 3 to allposters. As I understand, time after time they are selecting images from all new uploads to AR and migrating them to these sites. But how often they do that and what is criterion of choosing I don't know. If they are selecting by sells on AR then no one image can by selected as there are no sales at AR yet. My two last sells were day before last from art.com. Views yesterday 75, today 8. I would suggest you just upload more selected photos and illustrations. I checked your portfolio, there are really fine works that can be used as a poster: your illustrations, flowers, maps, some beautiful sketches etc... 
133
« on: May 10, 2008, 10:01 »
My bestsellers are sunset by ocean, food collage in retro style, space illustration, evening landscape.
You can check all three websites (artistrising.. art.. allposters...) and see freely shown bestsellers from all their collections.
There is a difference between stock and art. If stock image we call "material for product", than artwork is "finished product". Of course, a lot of stock images are already prepared for posters and prints, but be sure to AR upload only finished products without reservation. Some of my micros' bestsellers were rejected because they were "material" only.
Just try freely with 50 selected images you can imagine that someone can print a poster from them and hang on a wall- in a kitchen, bedroom, kids room, office etc. After a while you'll see your reports on traffic and sells and will be more sure what sells.
134
« on: May 10, 2008, 09:00 »
You are welcome and good luck!
135
« on: May 10, 2008, 08:47 »
Gregor, they have no ref program, only art.com has affiliates for buyers. You can register here for sell: http://artist.artistrising.com/Community/ArtistPostLoginPage.aspxWith "only" ~180000 artworks and ~33400 artists in comparison with millions images and hundred thousands photogs on micro, its kind a 'very young agency'... But the main question is: how much of your works will be migrated to art.com, which is the main seller with a huge net of buyers. I'm very serious about that and will upgrade to Premium membership. I just uploaded all my quota of 50 images and emailed them with some questions about membership, payments, migrating to art.com etc... Will let you know after their answer. regards.
136
« on: May 10, 2008, 06:56 »
INTERESTING.... a lot of discussions on HOW MUCH will rise? It's time for bet! Prognosticated from 5 cents to 1 dollar. In case the rise will be "pleasant surprise" it should be not less than 50 cents, I think. But I doubt about that... More chances it will be differentiated according to sales. Anyhow, prepare for new "Thank you..." thread 
137
« on: May 09, 2008, 22:37 »
yeah, I red on forums about no sales from A|R. Mine sales almost all come from art.com and several from allposters.com, no sales from artistrising. But there is no difference for me while images uploaded on AR migrated to art.com.
I don't know only how they are doing that: are they choosing from your portfolio on AR some images and move them to art.com? Or they are moving automatically to art.com?
A quote from their statement: "We are excited to announce that again, additional selected works by Artist Rising artists are now available for sale on Art.com and Allposters.com!" prompts that not all images are migrating but only some "selected". Though first time my all 16 images were added to art.com.
138
« on: May 09, 2008, 16:23 »
renewing old post...
I'm working with art.com almost two years. I tried with free account and uploaded allowable 16 images. Just a week ago I checked and found out that now free account can upload up to 50 images.
I think it is not a worst chance to sell some photos or graphic. I sold 156 posters at all. Biggest price was $19, average a few dollars per sell. With "portfolio of 16 images" it's kind of good result. On some microstock agencies you get less with hundred times bigger portfolio. This month I have 3 sells and earned more than on istockphoto with ~500 images...
I red in their forums that some contributors earn a huge amounts every month.
By now I'm uploading full 50 quota and perhaps will upgrade to full membership. Full member can upload up to 2000 images and can possibility to set up Fine Art sells.
art.com has a well known name across the world and is doing a good marketing through his other brands: allposters.com, artists | rising etc. Often I find my posters on ebay by art.com and some other names.
BR,
139
« on: May 09, 2008, 13:56 »
OMG, you are really blessed! I'm waiting already a week... I can't believe this village is "empowered by Corbis"! With snail speed, * "up to 5" uploads and a secondary design and logo.... I think some cousin from Corbis permitted to his nephew student to use Corbis name by playing stock agency... If it would be really Corbis the things were different...
140
« on: May 09, 2008, 10:39 »
Hello all, I just made my first submission to SS and managed the 7/10 to get an acceptance. The first real day of sales looks good. 16 DL for 7 images. I guess I could just hang back and wait but am curious what sort of DL curve for any particular image takes over time. Does it start off hot and then crash or is there a build then gradual decrease?
it's a rule on SS: after first submissions first days and weeks downloads always a huge. Then they will normalize to market's demand level. Some will last download in years (I wish...), some not. I remember I was shocked a couple years ago when I got hundreds downlds in first days. Keep uploading to see steady downloads. And perhaps you will be influenced with general situation on SS. Read forums what's going on...
141
« on: May 09, 2008, 10:15 »
this month only on fotolia my downloads decreased catastrophically. DT, SS, IS, StockXpert, BigStock go as always in the last 5 months with short ups and downs.
I think there are several reasons we're reading on tons of threads...
142
« on: May 09, 2008, 09:57 »
Maybe your 25 are from the same buyer using up their daily credits so are you lucky that you sold 25 or unlucky that you sold 25? Maybe you will be super lucky when they come back to buy a special license for one or two of the photos.
But I do have to agree that full sized subs just suck.
My sales at StockXpert are just pathetic, they got even worse when I opted from of subs, now I'm opted back - so I when I noticed 5 sub sales on Monday it kinda irked me ... but then I noticed that they were all of the same subject matter and I realized that it just HAD to be the same buyer. So - perhaps I'm lucky I got more than one. I don't know. At least 4 of 5 were for M size. When you get a $5 sale on the same site the next day for one photo with the same usage rights it just boggles the mind.
I agree with you according the fact that full sized images sold for 20 cents- in general, not only on some particular agency. But this is the market we all made. We spoiled buyers by letting them buy our photos for pennies. I'm thinking more and more about opting out all subscriptions but after a tons of downloads and some nice money I stopped again. And yes- noticed that several times on different agencies: two downloads same day of the same image- one for 25 cents and other for $3... I'm sure it was the same buyer who just spend his sub downloads. And of course, I'm happy for that. On other hand, I'm a bit angry with myself when my works "are worth" only pennies... But this is the kind of "don't sell if you don't like"...
143
« on: May 09, 2008, 08:52 »
hello all, my first post here. I got today 25 subscription downloads 0.30 each in total of $7.5 on Stockxpert. This is why I hate subscription downloads 0.10 - 0.30 per image on StockXpert, DT, IS or SS... Of course, it's my choice to upload, rejoice and be thankful for that. But time is going and amount of money I was happy with 3 years ago is a nonsense today, as images' quality grows, sizes grows, skills grows etc... (and maybe appetite grows...)
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