But then, how could that be in iStock's interest to give me $10 just because a new buyer has clicked on my profile ?

...

signed up and bought something 

so far for my neglected butterfly images

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http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup.php?id=2212794
http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup.php?id=2258737
http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup.php?id=2258741
http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup.php?id=2258754
http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup.php?id=2307080

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just a remark. What hidesy did was totally different.  She made a lightbox from her images only.  That's what I'm doing too.  But I like the idea to have a lightbox of several images AND include the banner in all images that's new and would certainly increase the traffic to the lightbox.

the bigest problem with BigStock is that you can only use an images ONCE.  If you can buy the same image for the same money and use it unlimited ... that's makes a real difference.

personally I think you're fishing in the wrong pond.  The question is not what we (photogs) want but what the customers want.

If your site generates enough sales, even when conditions for photogs are not so good (see istock), there will be enough contributors. Just because they can earn something at your site.

So I would set up a survey for stock buyers (both micro and macro) and ask them what they are missing (in more questions than just this one of course).  Give some prices away for those desingers filling in the survey ... blablabla ...

Then you have a goal ... now you're just thinking in the wild.

his web site ends in .be 

so that makes me a BElgian

I'm from Oevel, I guess you have to look that up on a chart

Hi all,

after I joined micro's late summer 2006, I wrote a 26 page article about these stocksites.  Main intend was to attract new contributors and earn something that way. (for the link ... those who search will find  )

But I've found it always a little strange to attract / motivated new competitors.

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Trying to attract new buyers makes much more sense.  First you earn something with their subscription but secondly and most important, they will increase the success of microstocks in general.  This is very important for the future of these sites and therefor our future 

So I made an article intended to attract new photo buyers.

Of course I don't mind collecting some referral fees, but this isn't my main intention.  Proof is that I put ad-words on the article, so fees will be invested in advertising 

Why do I post this here ?

I have 2 suggestions / wishes  :

OR you guys with websites make something similar as I did

OR promote my article

either way, the idea is to attract more buyers, spread the worth, here we will all  benefit from.

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Aren't all buyers already be informed ?

I don't think so. 

The main site-developers will surely know these sites.  But

- the smaller website developers
- people in europe, asia
- normal people who want a print on the wall
- ...

They certainly don't all know that you can buy a very nice high-res photo for less than $5.  So I'm looking for niche area's to promote my article / guidance.

what do you guys think ?

for the record, the url :

http://www.perrush.be/art_buy_stock_images_01.html

(and it's a shame I'm not a website builder  )

Well actually he has a fine price for those large prints on canvas (they are on canvas I think)

10 EUR + 24 (!?) EUR S&H isn't that bad for a 70*100 print on canvas.