MicrostockGroup

Well, here's another reason not to go exclusive
(not that anyone is seriously considering going exclusive with Crestock)
but I think it strongly demonstrates the danger of relying on any one agency.
Basically I have been unable to upload since December, and, despite numerous attempts through different channels, Crestock support apparently doesn't seem to care much.
Fortunately, Crestock represents a very small portion of my earnings, and I am definitely glad I don't depend on them for anything.

My post on this issue at the Crestock forums:

http://www.crestock.com/forum/Topic4636-3-1.aspx

106

General Stock Discussion / Re: Is this "Massive keyword spamming" ?

« on: January 28, 2008, 03:47 »

Thanks to everyone for their feedback.
I will try my luck trying to justify my keywords with the reviewer.
Wish me luck!

107

General Stock Discussion / Is this "Massive keyword spamming" ?

« on: January 25, 2008, 15:44 »

I just got a message from one of the reviewers at Stocxpert

8955002: Massive Keyword spamming. Please ensure that you are using right set of keywords to describe a main subject. Please remove all unwanted keywords and then let me know when you finnish.

This is the picture:

Basically for an icon set done in chinese calligraphy style I thought all the keywords were appropriate:

asian brush bun Calligraphic calligraphic ceramic china chinese chopsticks clay clip-art clipart cookie cuisine dishes dumpling eat fish food fortune hot hotpot icons illustration ink meals meat oriental painting pot rice soup spoon style tea teapot wok

I need your opinions on this. Is this really keyword spamming, and if it is, what should I remove? It's not really a big deal (i've been in microstock for almost 3 years, so i'm quite thick skinned by now), but this is the first time i've been accused of keyword spamming, massive or otherwise, and I don't feel it's justified.

Link here: http://www.stockxpert.com/browse.phtml?f=view&id=8955002

108

StockXpert.com / Re: how strict should they be?

« on: October 13, 2007, 07:00 »

I too am upset by the current high rejection rates at StockXpert.
It's not the fact that photos are rejected, or that the standards have improved. Rejections seem arbitrary, inconsistent and rushed.

Back in the end of 2005 (if I recall correctly) Shutterstock's approval standards rose significantly. Photos that previously would be accepted easily were now rejected. They were now much stricter about technical standards, especially noise. The sudden change in standards was like a slap in the face for me and many others in my situation. However, the increased standards were consistent and made sense. After the initial panic, I was able to learn and improve.

What's going on at the moment at StockXpert just seems strange. It's a valid strategy to maintain higher standards of quality; it's another matter to properly recognize it. I am beginning to suspect the reviewers have been set a target but not adequately trained to achieve it. Perhaps someone at StockXpert would care to elaborate on what's going on?

109

General Stock Discussion / Ways different microstock companies make announcements

« on: September 08, 2007, 11:24 »

Istockphoto's forums are down, with the following announcement:

"Sorry! iStock’s forums have been temporarily deactivated. What a great chance to get some work done. You do have work to do, right? We’ll have them back soon… we promise."

This got me to thinking about the different ways different microstock companies make announcement. How would other microstock companies handle the same announcement?

Dreamstime (honest, stoic) : Our forums are down due to massive hardware failure. Our programmers are working hard to fix the problem soon. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Fotolia (lie like hell) : There's nothing wrong with our forums. These are not the droids you're looking for.

Lucky Oliver (borderline lunatic): Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe

110

Microstock News / Re: Zymmetrical is the best

« on: August 10, 2007, 21:33 »

Wow. Just wow. I'm just shaking my head in disbelief.

Keith, you seem relatively level-headed. Copy and paste this entire discussion and show this to someone experienced in business that you respect, and he/she can explain the sort of horrid damage that Paul Melcher is doing to your business.

Remember, it's difficult to aid the success of a business while you are brimming with contempt for a key stakeholder (in this case, your suppliers). As for me personally, I don't think I'll be contributing to a company with this sort of attitude to customer service. But then again, you guys don't want me or my kind either.

By the way, I do agree that the initial reactions from the group were somewhat abrasive. However, it doesn't matter who is right or wrong, or who started the fight. This is not kindergarten; this is business. If you do not act professionally, you will not be treated professionally.

yingyang0: point 2 had me laughing out loud