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Messages - tickstock
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101
« on: March 25, 2019, 22:48 »
Except I really think you are taking this unique subject theory to the extreme. A buyer would need that unique subject and then a very special video, only available on P5 of that very unique subject. Yes they could sell, but not often.
The example I used was of a non-white family in front of the Eiffel Tower. Is that an extreme view of uniqueness? Would it be very special? Seems like a very simple idea that would have a lot of sales potential but just isn't covered now. I've said it a few times already but a unique clip or image doesn't need to be anything extraordinary, a great piece of art, a subject no one ever thought of before just something in demand that hasn't been covered (or a better take on something that has been covered). There are still a lot of possibilities out there especially for video.
Easy, something that nobody every thought of before. Or I can just fly over to Paris, gets some models of not white and shoot some video of them
There are no short cuts or surefire get rich quick tricks out there. If you are doing this full time it's a job like any other. Sorry Paris isn't closer to your house but to be fair I wasn't trying to give you guidance on what to shoot. If you just want stuff you can shoot around your house with your cellphone I don't think this is going to work out for you. But seriously the example wasn't so crazy and is probably applicable to places near where you live.
102
« on: March 25, 2019, 16:23 »
Except I really think you are taking this unique subject theory to the extreme. A buyer would need that unique subject and then a very special video, only available on P5 of that very unique subject. Yes they could sell, but not often.
The example I used was of a non-white family in front of the Eiffel Tower. Is that an extreme view of uniqueness? Would it be very special? Seems like a very simple idea that would have a lot of sales potential but just isn't covered now. I've said it a few times already but a unique clip or image doesn't need to be anything extraordinary, a great piece of art, a subject no one ever thought of before just something in demand that hasn't been covered (or a better take on something that has been covered). There are still a lot of possibilities out there especially for video.
103
« on: March 25, 2019, 14:59 »
Go ahead and feel free to try and walk into the hospital I create content at and see how it goes :-)
https://www.shutterstock.com/video/search/hospital
142,023 hospital royalty-free stock videos
They've figured it out somehow...
And after going through 142K footages on SS, I won't find what I'm looking for and will definitely go to Pond5 to search for exclusive stuff  Really?
Even with all those videos there are huge gaps in content that would sell very well.
104
« on: March 25, 2019, 13:59 »
What facts are you using to back that up?
None, except of living and breathing microstock industry for the past decade.
But as I said before, I've never considered myself a super unique talent and couldn't try this strategy.
So if you know examples and know how to make it happen, go for it 
There are thousands of ways to create unique content of almost any subject.
105
« on: March 25, 2019, 13:47 »
Eiffel tower rights holder
"SETE - illuminations Pierre Bideau"
I know my English are not that good, but am I missing something?
The lighting is protected which is only on at night.
106
« on: March 25, 2019, 13:33 »
The eiffel tower is ok for commercial use.
During the day  without illuminations.
Or at night if the lights don't work.
107
« on: March 25, 2019, 13:27 »
Obviously you can trade in Adobe or whatever, nonexclusive content is all over the place. I would imagine yes, the strategy is to get people going over there from other sites. If they can find the nonexclusive stuff at the same price or lower and other things they can't find elsewhere that makes it easier.
There is no "unique stuff" that sells If it really sells it will appear in a week "all over the place".
What facts are you using to back that up?
108
« on: March 25, 2019, 13:25 »
How many videos of racially diverse families can you find in front of the eiffel tower? Lots of people from all over the world travel to France to see the Eiffel Tower but not much content represents them.
It would be interesting to see the demand vs. supply for different ethinicities.
I don't do any work with models, but if you do, this might be an area to work in.
Eitherway if i got it right, it will end up editorial. No sales to Benetton Group SpA  
https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/known-image-restrictions.html
The eiffel tower is ok for commercial use.
109
« on: March 25, 2019, 12:48 »
If my go to was SS and I couldn't find what I wanted so I went to P5 it would be useful to just search through content that was only on P5 instead of looking through content I've already seen on other sites and couldn't use.
So it seems that SS is a main promotion to Pond5 then.
Because every your example is about it.
So he will find it and maybe buy for high price once and tomorrow will go back to SS if he needs some generic stuff again.
Is it a working marketing strategy?
Obviously you can trade in Adobe or whatever, nonexclusive content is all over the place. I would imagine yes, the strategy is to get people going over there from other sites. If they can find the nonexclusive stuff at the same price or lower and other things they can't find elsewhere that makes it easier.
110
« on: March 25, 2019, 12:36 »
111
« on: March 25, 2019, 11:56 »
There are lots of subjects out there where there are no good images or videos and a buyer can't really just use something close.
Can you give an example of something? It would be interesting to see what you have in mind.
How many videos of racially diverse families can you find in front of the eiffel tower? Lots of people from all over the world travel to France to see the Eiffel Tower but not much content represents them.
112
« on: March 25, 2019, 11:30 »
While I agree with most of what you have written on this thread, I will disagree about the buyer searching for the perfect image. They don't care if it's "The One" and only one, they want something to illustrate, as a side, as a background or something other than the main point of their use.
...
But buyers don't shop for identical video by price, they shop by price, for what they need, just like consumers. And if they are looking for the subjects and the video that makes up most of Microstock, if they can't find it on one site, they will look on another. I don't think P5 is going to corner any market for Exclusive video, only available here, the only shot of something... that will benefit most artists. The plan would work for someone new maybe?
The point is that buyers don't necessarily need the perfect image but they can't use images of apples to sell oranges and many can't use a bad image of an apple to sell apples. There are lots of subjects out there where there are no good images or videos and a buyer can't really just use something close. The reason having exclusive content is beneficial is that the more times a buyer can only find what they are looking for on P5 the more likely it is to be a buyer's first choice when looking for any content.
113
« on: March 24, 2019, 14:38 »
I'll risk it not selling with a 60% royalty rate rather than risk it selling for much less at 30%. The challenge is to create content that buyers will pay for, that's my goal.
That's a great goal Wish everyone who takes this risk a great luck.
I think you are discounting the risk of not doing it. I'm not surprised anymore when I see companies lower prices or royalty rates for nonexclusive content and I won't be surprised then next time they do it either.
114
« on: March 24, 2019, 14:33 »
The main reason I am going to do it is because I think nonexclusive content will continue to be devalued. I suspect a lot of other people will also go with P5 but that remains to be seen. It will be interesting to see who is joining up in the near future.
What if it's devalued for a reason? They can't sell it otherwise. Simple.
But while non-exclusive will be devalued and sold somehow, expensive "exclusive" will be sitting there just as a marketing hook without sales at all.
This has happend to IS (regardless of all of their "Getty Power"), what makes someone think it won't happen to Pond5 is a mystery to me...
I'll risk it not selling with a 60% royalty rate rather than risk it selling for much less at 30%. The challenge is to create content that buyers will pay for, that's my goal. From my limited video experience P5 seems like it should deliver what I want.
115
« on: March 24, 2019, 14:17 »
It may not be best for you but there are lots of people shooting lots of different subjects with varying degrees of quality. The more generic your or average quality stuff will be less valuable exclusively on one site because it can be undercut by lower prices. I think history has shown what will happen to that content. For me creating different or better content is how I hope to continue. Unique in subject or quality is what I think is needed to do well in the long term. BTW it's not all about selling a product.
Yes, probably such strategy works as well, haven't tried it. Mine works for me and I simply enjoy doing it this way.
But isn't it even more frustrating that your "different or better content" may never be discovered and sold at any price, just because Pond5 will never market just your portfolio, but as their statement goes "Over 20000 new videos added daily", whole their library instead? And maybe they'll get some percentage of global buyers and maybe they will find your works on Pond5, and maybe Pond5 will be here in 10 years...
You have only Pond5, but Pond5 has many others... it sounds like not the best relationship status
The main reason I am going to do it is because I think nonexclusive content will continue to be devalued. I suspect a lot of other people will also go with P5 but that remains to be seen. It will be interesting to see who is joining up in the near future.
116
« on: March 24, 2019, 13:53 »
Are you saying you just shoot exactly the same thing as everyone else and there is nothing new or different about your images than anyone else's? All images are exactly the same and it's a crap shoot as to which one a buyer selects? I doubt you do that. I think most of us try to add something unique to all our shoots that makes it better or at least different than what's already out there (uniqueness if you will).
I can't physically shoot exactly the same as someone else it will be different anyway. And kind of unique.
But I shoot red heart-shaped boxes with red roses on Valentine's. Because this is what is recognized and needed on Valentine's day.
Not green leaf on purple stones with snowflakes on the foreground saying "Happy Valentine's"... Sorry, I'm still confused what we call "unique" here.
I shoot everyday stuff and a lot of it. Well, I mean commercially viable, that can sell something or at least can be a background for the ad.
Because again, stock (well, from my experience maybe) - is a generic, multi-functional content, and it works only if there is a huge supply. The main customers are corporations, they need an astonishing amount of new media every day now with social media and online magazines and 24/7 global marketing (I see where my images are used).
And customers buy stock with only one purpose: to sell and promote products. And 99% of the time it is simple products for simple people, every single day.
It may not be best for you but there are lots of people shooting lots of different subjects with varying degrees of quality. The more generic your or average quality stuff will be less valuable exclusively on one site because it can be undercut by lower prices. I think history has shown what will happen to that content. For me creating different or better content is how I hope to continue. Unique in subject or quality is what I think is needed to do well in the long term. BTW it's not all about selling a product.
117
« on: March 24, 2019, 13:04 »
If the content is only on P5 a premium can be charged so a less in demand subject can end up being a lot more profitable and even relatively more in demand.
Well, this sounds so great in theory. But I can't imagine how to build a stock business that brings regular money with such philosophy...
So:
1 - I have to shoot something that is "unique";
2 - I have to do it all the time;
3 - then hope that a customer will find some website called Pond5;
4 - and then will be willing to pay that high price...;
5 - and then will be willing to do it regulary so I will have a stable income.
I won't be able to do that I'd be inspired by anyone who could do that on a regular basis and have a living from it, it's a true unique talent!
And I think in that case it would be more profitable to have your own website, market it yourself for unique niche customers and get rid of distractions such as other artists portfolios etc. And it is completely another business model.
Are you saying you just shoot exactly the same thing as everyone else and there is nothing new or different about your images than anyone else's? All images are exactly the same and it's a crap shoot as to which one a buyer selects? I doubt you do that. I think most of us try to add something unique to all our shoots that makes it better or at least different than what's already out there (uniqueness if you will).
118
« on: March 24, 2019, 12:41 »
Not every city, building, landmark, food, etc.. has been shot yet. Those would be unique even if they aren't that interesting.
Yes, right.
But some unrecognizable statue in the middle of nowhere will never beat the Eiffel Tower in terms of customer's demand. Just because everyone goes to Paris and there is a huge industry around it.
The point is that every subject hasn't had the perfect picture that every buyer wants taken yet, there are lots of unique takes that have value and aren't interchangeable with other images (more so for video). For the most part pictures of the Eiffel Tower are a commodity (although I think great unique shots can probably be made of almost any subject) there are many other subjects that aren't. If the content is only on P5 a premium can be charged so a less in demand subject can end up being a lot more profitable and even relatively more in demand.
119
« on: March 24, 2019, 12:17 »
If you produce work that is unique and in demand buyers can't just get a cheaper non-exclusive version. If you are producing nearly the same thing as everyone else then what you say is true. Also you won't be competing against yourself on price.
True. If you work in some other industry maybe...
The nature of stock is a generic, multi-functional content, that can be used in many different situations and by many different customers. It is a strong, but simple message that you "get" in a second. Because marketing and especially "super fast" marketing nowadays, when you have a fraction of a second to show your ad on facebook etc...
What can be THAT unique here?
I'm sure there is "someone". But I can't remember the name of any successful microstock producer who does that mysterious "unique" stuff... And I'm here more than 10 years. Unfortunately, I've never seen anyone like that. And I'm not sure there is a customer for that. Because "unique" and overly complicated doesn't sell products, so they don't use it in advertising. Visuals of happy people do sell products, that's why agencies asking and begging for such content, isn't it?
Unique - is truly exclusive and made by custom request.
Not every city, building, landmark, food, etc.. has been shot yet. Those would be unique even if they aren't that interesting. Get into combinations of people and activities and there are many ways of doing it that are barely touched on. Unique doesn't mean great art. What's nice about P5 is that you could shoot great art or unique clips and price them accordingly, you don't need to compete on price.
120
« on: March 24, 2019, 11:49 »
I know I buy things at the cheapest places
So do the buyers.
I really can't understand it...
"Exclusive" RF asset is more expensive, it is available in only one store and the whole "aura" of exclusivity is so misleading, it is never ever exclusive. What is the benefit of paying more? And still being ready that your competitor will buy the same stuff.
In addition to this, agencies make more money on non-exclusive content. So basically, they use the word "Exclusive" to sell more non-exclusive stuff.
This is what is happening on IS, I can buy a subscription to get non-ex, or I can buy a subscription and get ex+non-ex. So non-ex content has 100% chance to be sold, while ex content has only 50% chance. And in those 50% they will still compete with cheaper non-ex library.
Looking at this closely...
Exclusivity is a pure scam for an artist and a perfect marketing "story" for the agency.
If you produce work that is unique and in demand buyers can't just get a cheaper non-exclusive version. If you are producing nearly the same thing as everyone else then what you say is true. Also you won't be competing against yourself on price.
121
« on: March 24, 2019, 11:39 »
I don't think everyone has to shop around for the impacts to be felt. I bet I'm not alone in shopping at the cheapest place when buying most anything.
122
« on: March 24, 2019, 11:17 »
On the flip side. Putting your work on all the sites makes it a commodity with royalties and pricing likely determined by the worst of the bunch. There is a race to the bottom. I know I buy things at the cheapest places, how many people buy video/photo gear from the local camera store (assuming any are still around) and how many buy it from BH or Amazon? I would rather risk it on a company paying 60%. What would happen to the sites paying less if everyone did the same?
123
« on: March 23, 2019, 18:28 »
Can you explain how encouraging people to buy clips with a 30% royalty because P5 is giving 40% makes any sense? Seems to me that the anger should be directed towards the sites with lower royalty rates.
Just because 30% royalty is terrible, that doesn't mean 40% isn't bad as well. ANY lowering of our cut is bad, it's all part of a race to the bottom in what we get paid for our work. So I agree that pressure should be directed to the lowest paying sites as well, but that doesn't excuse Pond5 from cutting our rate. The petition encourages buyers to buy from Storyblocks, which still has a 50/50 split.
It kind of does, doesn't it? If contributors are willing to put the same exact clips on sites with 30% why should any site pay more?
When I sign with a company the deal is for a certain rate. Whatever that rate is, if the company lowers it, I push back. Both because they're taking earnings from me and because rate drops anywhere can feed an industry-wide race to the bottom. You seem to only want to empathize with the agency side, so tell you what, why don't you contact Pond5 and invite them to lower your commission to 30% because that's what other companies pay? Then if any other agency drops commissions further, be sure to update Pond5 about it so they can match it. If that sounds inane because it's lacking in rational self-interest, well then now you know how your posts sound.
For me, I'll stop uploading to other sites and put everything up exclusively with Pond5. I was leaning towards doing that before this change. It's not that I want royalty rates lower it's that it seems inevitable if people put the same work on different sites. The value will move towards the worst place. Sites that pay lower royalties can use that money to market more or make the site nicer and in turn sell more content. From the agencies' side if contributors are happy accepting less then why should they pay more, what's the benefit for them?
124
« on: March 23, 2019, 17:08 »
Can you explain how encouraging people to buy clips with a 30% royalty because P5 is giving 40% makes any sense? Seems to me that the anger should be directed towards the sites with lower royalty rates.
Just because 30% royalty is terrible, that doesn't mean 40% isn't bad as well. ANY lowering of our cut is bad, it's all part of a race to the bottom in what we get paid for our work. So I agree that pressure should be directed to the lowest paying sites as well, but that doesn't excuse Pond5 from cutting our rate. The petition encourages buyers to buy from Storyblocks, which still has a 50/50 split.
It kind of does, doesn't it? If contributors are willing to put the same exact clips on sites with 30% why should any site pay more?
125
« on: March 23, 2019, 16:37 »
Can you explain how encouraging people to buy clips with a 30% royalty because P5 is giving 40% makes any sense? Seems to me that the anger should be directed towards the sites with lower royalty rates.
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