Author Topic: Shutterstock Hackathon - What is your idea? (Read 10957 times)

leaf · « **on:** August 18, 2011, 17:41 »

Shutterstock just had an in-house hackathon where all the employees brainstormed for 24 hours trying to come up with new and better ways to run the site or new and better services to offer

I thought though... I bet there are quite a few good ideas out-of-house .... anyone have something for starters? .. maybe they'll put our good ideas into action too!

Slovenian · « **Reply #1 on:** August 18, 2011, 17:45 »

They should start reviewing content like thy use to. Rejecting 100% or almost 100% of uploaded content won't get them anywhere.

klsbear · « **Reply #2 on:** August 18, 2011, 19:48 »

They are taking it outside with an event in NYC this weekend. No telling what will come of it, but it's an interesting way to get fresh input and maybe the added publicity and name recognition will help lure in some curious folks that become buyers. http://photohackday.org/ Having their name plastered on the NASDAQ screen is one way to make a splash. Could we submit that to iStock editorial?

daveh900 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 18, 2011, 22:01 »

I have an idea, although it is likely just wishful thinking.

Instead of rejecting submissions for "Low Commercial Value", allow them to be added but with a probationary period. No sales after 60 days, and then they'll be removed.

I had a vector that was rejected twice for LCV, and finally approved on the third try. It has sold 35 times now in the past 5 weeks. Not amazing results, but certainly has some value.

bizair · « **Reply #4 on:** August 19, 2011, 01:34 »

Quote from: daveh900 on August 18, 2011, 22:01

Instead of rejecting submissions for "Low Commercial Value", allow them to be added but with a probationary period. No sales after 60 days, and then they'll be removed.

This to me seems like a great idea, or some variation of it.

MicrostockExp · « **Reply #5 on:** August 19, 2011, 03:11 »

+1 excellent idea

lthn · « **Reply #6 on:** August 19, 2011, 03:34 »

They'll just keep brainstorimng untill it ends up in a price and comissionn cut, just like everywhere else : )

Slovenian · « **Reply #7 on:** August 19, 2011, 03:52 »

They could open a midstock credit based agency, that pays 60% commissions and offers the best, fresh imagery available

. That would sure be nice. They could just transfer the top 5% of the images there (not just based on sales, but also originality, edginess etc, an A/V like stuff) and leave the weeds at SS.

lthn · « **Reply #8 on:** August 19, 2011, 04:05 »

Quote from: daveh900 on August 18, 2011, 22:01

I have an idea, although it is likely just wishful thinking.

Instead of rejecting submissions for "Low Commercial Value", allow them to be added but with a probationary period. No sales after 60 days, and then they'll be removed.

I had a vector that was rejected twice for LCV, and finally approved on the third try. It has sold 35 times now in the past 5 weeks. Not amazing results, but certainly has some value.

Whats the point of that? Why remove quickly after accepting / why accept something you intend to remove? Nonsense... you think they reject stuff because they dont have enough storage?? for gods sake, there is something like 1 gig ftp space for every single contributor (its 4 gigs on some other places, somtimes 1000-3000 pics) They dont want it to be on display, and thats it

cathyslife · « **Reply #9 on:** August 19, 2011, 07:02 »

Quote from: lthn on August 19, 2011, 03:34

They'll just keep brainstorimng untill it ends up in a price and comissionn cut, just like everywhere else : )

daveh900 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 19, 2011, 10:48 »

Quote from: lthn on August 19, 2011, 04:05

Quote from: daveh900 on August 18, 2011, 22:01
I have an idea, although it is likely just wishful thinking.

Instead of rejecting submissions for "Low Commercial Value", allow them to be added but with a probationary period. No sales after 60 days, and then they'll be removed.

I had a vector that was rejected twice for LCV, and finally approved on the third try. It has sold 35 times now in the past 5 weeks. Not amazing results, but certainly has some value.

Whats the point of that? Why remove quickly after accepting / why accept something you intend to remove? Nonsense... you think they reject stuff because they dont have enough storage?? for gods sake, there is something like 1 gig ftp space for every single contributor (its 4 gigs on some other places, somtimes 1000-3000 pics) They dont want it to be on display, and thats it

The point is that it gives an image a chance instead of being flat out rejected, and I never said anything about having not enough storage.

stockmarketer · « **Reply #11 on:** August 19, 2011, 10:57 »

All we're doing here is talking about things we'd like as contributors... accept more of my images, etc.

I think the point of the Hackathon is to think outside the box on how to grow Shutterstock's business. How can they attract more customers, offer a new product or service that better serves customer needs, etc. (I know some will reply that letting more of your images in will help grow their business... No. Still missing the point.)

Maybe some kind of engine in which a customer can enter his website URL and have Shutterstock crawl its content and then suggest images that match the themes and even style of the site? Can it be done? I'm no programmer, but it seems possible to me.

I think ides like this are more in the spirit of what the Hackathon is about.

jcpjr · « **Reply #12 on:** August 19, 2011, 14:59 »

I would think they are more interested in selling subs and not the images. The less images the buyers take the less money SS makes. Isn't that how they make out?

sharpshot · « **Reply #13 on:** August 19, 2011, 17:15 »

They could try an exclusive images collection, with higher prices and commission. They could do a lot more to sell video clips, I really don't think they have put as much effort in to that as they have stills. What about all the times we have stills and video clips of the same subject? Perhaps buyers might want both, if there was a way to show them on the same page.

I don't know if it would work but I have wondered why the sites can't get in to the markets that sites like zazzle and redbubble are in. Just selling products and prints of microstck images wont work but they could select the content most suitable and use that.

cathyslife · « **Reply #14 on:** August 19, 2011, 17:59 »

Quote from: stockmarketer on August 19, 2011, 10:57

All we're doing here is talking about things we'd like as contributors... accept more of my images, etc.

I think the point of the Hackathon is to think outside the box on how to grow Shutterstock's business. How can they attract more customers, offer a new product or service that better serves customer needs, etc. (I know some will reply that letting more of your images in will help grow their business... No. Still missing the point.)

Maybe some kind of engine in which a customer can enter his website URL and have Shutterstock crawl its content and then suggest images that match the themes and even style of the site? Can it be done? I'm no programmer, but it seems possible to me.

I think ides like this are more in the spirit of what the Hackathon is about.

Shutterstock: Yeah, let's go to the community and enlist their help...and we won't even have to pay! They will be happy to give us some new ideas for putting more money in our pockets and taking more from theirs!

Sounds like istock with their survey.

rimglow · « **Reply #15 on:** August 19, 2011, 18:01 »

Offer PNG format. Once iStock implements it (soon), everybody else will have to fall in line to compete.

lthn · « **Reply #16 on:** August 19, 2011, 19:05 »

Quote from: daveh900 on August 19, 2011, 10:48

Quote from: lthn on August 19, 2011, 04:05
Quote from: daveh900 on August 18, 2011, 22:01
I have an idea, although it is likely just wishful thinking.

Instead of rejecting submissions for "Low Commercial Value", allow them to be added but with a probationary period. No sales after 60 days, and then they'll be removed.

I had a vector that was rejected twice for LCV, and finally approved on the third try. It has sold 35 times now in the past 5 weeks. Not amazing results, but certainly has some value.

Whats the point of that? Why remove quickly after accepting / why accept something you intend to remove? Nonsense... you think they reject stuff because they dont have enough storage?? for gods sake, there is something like 1 gig ftp space for every single contributor (its 4 gigs on some other places, somtimes 1000-3000 pics) They dont want it to be on display, and thats it

The point is that it gives an image a chance instead of being flat out rejected, and I never said anything about having not enough storage.

You never said, but logic implies it. It's either about costs of having the picture, but the shot is already up there, or handling (review) but thats done anyway too, so we are left with them wanting it on display or not. I think you didn't understand what "having it on display" means in this case. SS sells subscription which means the represantational value of a pic is more important to them, they want the site to look convincing enough to make someone buy a subscription, they loose money on most downloads. So reviewing for them is very much about shaping what incoming customers see, making that as attractive as possible... also if they want their 'image' go thru bit of a transformation, thats their tool to do it.

klsbear · « **Reply #17 on:** August 19, 2011, 21:11 »

Quote from: cclapper on August 19, 2011, 17:59

Shutterstock: Yeah, let's go to the community and enlist their help...and we won't even have to pay! They will be happy to give us some new ideas for putting more money in our pockets and taking more from theirs!

Sounds like istock with their survey.

I'd prefer to see a company ask their vendors and customers for input on what they'd like to see improved, changed and added rather than just keep their head in the sand as if a select few within their inner circle had the corner on good ideas.

There is also one difference between what SS is doing and what iStock is doing that seems pretty clear - iStock is asking for suggestions on what is broken and how to fix it whereas SS has the attitude that there are a lot of fantastic new options and directions out there and they are seeking ideas from a wide variety of sources to take their business to the next model.

Shank_ali · « **Reply #18 on:** August 20, 2011, 03:34 »

The trouble with Shutterstock is the size of the library.They need to reduce the library of non selling files.With contributrors having the option to send these non selling files to a new colllection>>>FREE MICROSTOCK LIBRARY.
Now for it to work there needs to be a few simple steps/restrictions.Buyers will need to spend a set amount a month to gain access to these free files.A set amount of 'FREE' content can only be downloaded within that month.If after,a set period of time,these non selling files still attract no downloads they get deactivated.
NEWSFLASH:SHUTTERSTOCK NOW OFERS FREE FILES.
That's what brainstorming is all about.Original and thought provoking ideas....Can/will it work???

RacePhoto · « **Reply #19 on:** August 29, 2011, 20:07 »

With the new developments on IS yes, I'll stump again for SS exclusive! I don't care if we get 1 penny more, anything to encourage people to drop the rest and feed the beast. LOL

SS is The Beast!

gbalex · « **Reply #20 on:** September 05, 2011, 15:08 »

Quote from: klsbear on August 19, 2011, 21:11

Quote from: cclapper on August 19, 2011, 17:59

Shutterstock: Yeah, let's go to the community and enlist their help...and we won't even have to pay! They will be happy to give us some new ideas for putting more money in our pockets and taking more from theirs!

Sounds like istock with their survey.

I'd prefer to see a company ask their vendors and customers for input on what they'd like to see improved, changed and added rather than just keep their head in the sand as if a select few within their inner circle had the corner on good ideas.

There is also one difference between what SS is doing and what iStock is doing that seems pretty clear - iStock is asking for suggestions on what is broken and how to fix it whereas SS has the attitude that there are a lot of fantastic new options and directions out there and they are seeking ideas from a wide variety of sources to take their business to the next model.

I agree, it is time to listen to their contributors. Something that has been missing for a very long time.

cthoman · « **Reply #21 on:** September 05, 2011, 15:38 »

I'm not sure there is really much they can do to improve. Maybe adding collections, but their huge database of files makes that a large undertaking. They kind of backed themselves into a corner with the subs model. I guess they could go the opposite route and offer more individual sales, but I assumed that was what the acquiring BigStock was for. And that seems to have been kind of a bust (at least from my perspective). It will be interesting to see what they come up with though.

lthn · « **Reply #22 on:** September 05, 2011, 16:02 »

Quote from: Shank_ali on August 20, 2011, 03:34

The trouble with Shutterstock is the size of the library.They need to reduce the library of non selling files.With contributrors having the option to send these non selling files to a new colllection>>>FREE MICROSTOCK LIBRARY.
Now for it to work there needs to be a few simple steps/restrictions.Buyers will need to spend a set amount a month to gain access to these free files.A set amount of 'FREE' content can only be downloaded within that month.If after,a set period of time,these non selling files still attract no downloads they get deactivated.
NEWSFLASH:SHUTTERSTOCK NOW OFERS FREE FILES.
That's what brainstorming is all about.Original and thought provoking ideas....Can/will it work???

Free files that you can only download if you pay. You are a genius : )

cascoly · « **Reply #23 on:** September 05, 2011, 18:25 »

Quote from: cthoman on September 05, 2011, 15:38

I'm not sure there is really much they can do to improve. Maybe adding collections, but their huge database of files makes that a large undertaking. They kind of backed themselves into a corner with the subs model. I guess they could go the opposite route and offer more individual sales, but I assumed that was what the acquiring BigStock was for. And that seems to have been kind of a bust (at least from my perspective). It will be interesting to see what they come up with though.

one possibility would be to phase out the current subs and replace them with subs that limit the size of image you can download, or charge more credits per download, etc

re the probationary acceptance - that's a great idea -
and would take few resources to implement - the probationary files could have a flag set, and then the system would automatically delete images with that flag and < Y sales after X days, otherwise the flag would be removed; so no further human attention would be needed

cthoman · « **Reply #24 on:** September 05, 2011, 19:05 »

Quote from: cascoly on September 05, 2011, 18:25

one possibility would be to phase out the current subs and replace them with subs that limit the size of image you can download, or charge more credits per download, etc

I'd love that, but it doesn't really seem in their best interest. FT just dumped their program that did that. I guess my point was that SS doesn't necessarily benefit when its contributors sell more, so it's hard to say what their goal is to improve things. Are they improving things for them, us, buyers or a balance between?

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Author Topic: Shutterstock Hackathon - What is your idea? (Read 10957 times)

leaf

Slovenian

klsbear

daveh900

bizair

MicrostockExp

lthn

Slovenian

lthn

cathyslife

daveh900

stockmarketer

jcpjr

sharpshot

cathyslife

rimglow

lthn

klsbear

Shank_ali

RacePhoto

gbalex

cthoman

lthn

cascoly

cthoman

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