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

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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).

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

You guys have been extremely patient--with everything.

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