Author Topic: Shutterstock just became iStock 2.0 (Read 114948 times)

Keifer · « **Reply #200 on:** May 26, 2020, 23:42 »

I have nearly $60K in lifetime earnings with SS, but, this new payment scheme will probably make me pull out of this agency. I don't say this lightly nor flippantly as I have many, many, many hours invested in uploading and keywording, etc my nearly four thousand photos and videos currently online. Sure, I will still make something if I stay, but of all the things I ever desired to accomplish with my photography and videography, becoming a prostitute was not one of them!

Artist · « **Reply #201 on:** May 27, 2020, 00:03 »

What does this mean in terms of earning?

For those earning $0.25 or $0.38, how much will earn now?
And on demand? And same for enhanced and single other?

This is so confusing. I went through the SS forum which is on fire right now, with no proper guidance from the officials.

cobalt · « **Reply #202 on:** May 27, 2020, 00:33 »

So it looks like for the smaller subs Pakets 1 and 2 I will get significantly more for subs than now, but for corporate plans I will get a lot less.

But what kind of mix will it be?

Professional uploaders have a chance to get a higher bonus.

Resetting everyone to zero in January is the real cruelty and worse than on istock.

But for some ambitious newbies this system might work better, because reaching 10 000 dollars takes much longer because there are less higher photo sales.

I will pass judgement after seeing results.

Even with only 1550 photos I will be in the 30% bracket this year, but for video it will be less because video sales have dropped.

But overall my portfolio is still very small. With a „normal size“ of say 6000 files my percentage would probably be unchanged except for the beginning of the year.

The worst is they might reset levels every year with new, higher targets.

trabuco · « **Reply #203 on:** May 27, 2020, 00:36 »

It's a great capitalist economy lesson doing this during the Covid pandemic.

gnirtS · « **Reply #204 on:** May 27, 2020, 00:49 »

Quote from: Artist on May 27, 2020, 00:03

What does this mean in terms of earning?

For those earning $0.25 or $0.38, how much will earn now?
And on demand? And same for enhanced and single other?

This is so confusing. I went through the SS forum which is on fire right now, with no proper guidance from the officials.

For subs the official wording is "not less than 10 cents". So i take that to mean probably about 10 cents.

They've refused to publish the new earnings schedule and say it'll go live on June 1st. So refusing to tell anyone in advance what they'll be "earning".

leaf · « **Reply #205 on:** May 27, 2020, 00:49 »

Quote from: Mrblues101 on May 26, 2020, 18:38

Regarding to subscription sales, that always was main sale; we never was paid based on the subscription package that buyer buy. There are 4 subscrption packetes:

10 images for 49usd (Packet 1 or P1)
50 images for 125usd (Packet 2 or P2)
350 images for 199usd (Packet 3 or P3)
750 images for 249usd (Packet 4 or P4)

Based on this and the % presented for SS the earnings per sale under new criteria is:

Level 1   0,74 usd(P1) ---- 0,38 usd(P2) ---- 0,09 usd(P3) ---- 0,05 usd(P4)
Level 2   0,98 usd(P1) ---- 0,50 usd(P2) ---- 0,11 usd(P3) ---- 0,07 usd(P4)
Level 3   1,23 usd(P1) ---- 0,63 usd(P2) ---- 0,14 usd(P3) ---- 0,08 usd(P4)
Level 4   1,47 usd(P1) ---- 0,75 usd(P2) ---- 0,17 usd(P3) ---- 0,10 usd(P4)
Level 5   1,72 usd(P1) ---- 0,88 usd(P2) ---- 0,20 usd(P3) ---- 0,12 usd(P4)
Level 6   1,96 usd(P1) ---- 1,00 usd(P2) ---- 0,23 usd(P3) ---- 0,13 usd(P4)

Thanks for calculating that out. it looks like the left two columns will be more than our current rates and the right two less than our current rate. Now we just need to know what % of sales are the right two columns 🤔

I feel the least they could do is have a rolling 12 month level system - nothing like demotivating people by taking away rewards / levels they've worked hard to achieve over the previous years.

With all the upset people, this is the perfect storm for Adobe to swoop in with a sweat exclusive offering.

Chichikov · « **Reply #206 on:** May 27, 2020, 01:07 »

For those of you who missed it, I've created a poll here:
https://www.microstockgroup.com/shutterstock-com/with-new-earning-structure-made-by-shutterstock-will-you-disable-your-portfolio/msg549841/#msg549841

Horizon · « **Reply #207 on:** May 27, 2020, 01:17 »

Quote from: dbvirago on May 26, 2020, 13:20

I have 27K images with them. I've been uploading 200+ a week for months. No more. I just deleted all pending images.

I will be shocked if this doesn't get reversed. I've never seen such a backlash in my 16 years doing this.

Neither have I and been with them since the start! its an utterly disgusting agenda! ever get the feeling that Getty is the owner behind the scenes??

spike · « **Reply #208 on:** May 27, 2020, 01:25 »

This sounds like bad news, but we all need to keep our cool. Personally, I've been waiting for something like this since video subs were implemented, but that didn't cause such a reaction. If there was ever a time for a coordinated effort by contributors, it's now. Just my portfolio is around 50k assets, and I'm sure that, if needed, we can create a coordinated strong strike. But we need to see how will this affect us, using data, not emotions.

First of all, in the last 4 months, the average earnings by subs was 27% of all monthly earnings (for my portfolio). So, percentage wise, the segment of sales that will be hit the hardest isn't as drastic as I imagined.
Secondly, the idea of resetting the contributor's progress to level 1 at the beginning of each year is absolutely bonkers.
Lastly - the idea of using levels for subs is unacceptable.

So, this is what I suggest our demands should be:

1. Apply the levels structure to on-demand content, but leave subs alone. 10 cents for an image is unacceptable.
2. End the video sub program, just like fotolia ended DollarPhotoClub back in the day. We can do it.
3. Levels must be calculated on a 12-month window, and not be reset at the beginning of each year.

Now, demands don't make sense if there is no threat of penalty.

Again, my suggestions in regards what to do if shutterstock doesn't agree with our demands:

1. Stop uploading for 30 days. Not a single piece of content.
2. If no change - start pulling our portfolios. This needs to be a coordinated effort, like it was with DPC.
3. Reach out - to buyers, people holding their stock. Tweet. Be loud on social media. Make their stock tank. Without contributors like us, they are nothing.

We can create a website (like in the DPC days) and organize ourselves quickly, we've shown strength and solidarity when it was needed. Are you ready to come together now? That's up to you. The response to this post will give us the answer.

tickstock · « **Reply #209 on:** May 27, 2020, 01:59 »

Don't forget SS knows what these numbers mean even if you don't. Who will they hurt? Small producers, small and medium ones, everyone? They have the info, whatever happens they knew it would. I have video with them, they won't get any more. That's my small contribution to the resistance. If we go where the money is we'll all do better.

HalfFull · « **Reply #210 on:** May 27, 2020, 02:04 »

Quote from: spike on May 27, 2020, 01:25

This sounds like bad news, but we all need to keep our cool. Personally, I've been waiting for something like this since video subs were implemented, but that didn't cause such a reaction. If there was ever a time for a coordinated effort by contributors, it's now. Just my portfolio is around 50k assets, and I'm sure that, if needed, we can create a coordinated strong strike. But we need to see how will this affect us, using data, not emotions.

First of all, in the last 4 months, the average earnings by subs was 27% of all monthly earnings (for my portfolio). So, percentage wise, the segment of sales that will be hit the hardest isn't as drastic as I imagined.
Secondly, the idea of resetting the contributor's progress to level 1 at the beginning of each year is absolutely bonkers.
Lastly - the idea of using levels for subs is unacceptable.

So, this is what I suggest our demands should be:

1. Apply the levels structure to on-demand content, but leave subs alone. 10 cents for an image is unacceptable.
2. End the video sub program, just like fotolia ended DollarPhotoClub back in the day. We can do it.
3. Levels must be calculated on a 12-month window, and not be reset at the beginning of each year.

Now, demands don't make sense if there is no threat of penalty.

Again, my suggestions in regards what to do if shutterstock doesn't agree with our demands:

1. Stop uploading for 30 days. Not a single piece of content.
2. If no change - start pulling our portfolios. This needs to be a coordinated effort, like it was with DPC.
3. Reach out - to buyers, people holding their stock. Tweet. Be loud on social media. Make their stock tank. Without contributors like us, they are nothing.

We can create a website (like in the DPC days) and organize ourselves quickly, we've shown strength and solidarity when it was needed. Are you ready to come together now? That's up to you. The response to this post will give us the answer.

Agree... I've a 100+ waiting to submit out of 200. I'll just make a record of the ones that haven't gone through yet and not submit them. I can easily focus on work for AS (which differs to SS for me) and not submit anything to SS. It also gives us a chance to see what damage the changes will do to our existing ports, while demonstrating to SS that the supply of new content will dry up and stop. No fresh new images for them, just their competitors. Then the nuke button.

Dimco · « **Reply #211 on:** May 27, 2020, 02:13 »

Quote from: spike on May 27, 2020, 01:25

This sounds like bad news, but we all need to keep our cool. Personally, I've been waiting for something like this since video subs were implemented, but that didn't cause such a reaction. If there was ever a time for a coordinated effort by contributors, it's now. Just my portfolio is around 50k assets, and I'm sure that, if needed, we can create a coordinated strong strike. But we need to see how will this affect us, using data, not emotions.

First of all, in the last 4 months, the average earnings by subs was 27% of all monthly earnings (for my portfolio). So, percentage wise, the segment of sales that will be hit the hardest isn't as drastic as I imagined.
Secondly, the idea of resetting the contributor's progress to level 1 at the beginning of each year is absolutely bonkers.
Lastly - the idea of using levels for subs is unacceptable.

So, this is what I suggest our demands should be:

1. Apply the levels structure to on-demand content, but leave subs alone. 10 cents for an image is unacceptable.
2. End the video sub program, just like fotolia ended DollarPhotoClub back in the day. We can do it.
3. Levels must be calculated on a 12-month window, and not be reset at the beginning of each year.

Now, demands don't make sense if there is no threat of penalty.

Again, my suggestions in regards what to do if shutterstock doesn't agree with our demands:

1. Stop uploading for 30 days. Not a single piece of content.
2. If no change - start pulling our portfolios. This needs to be a coordinated effort, like it was with DPC.
3. Reach out - to buyers, people holding their stock. Tweet. Be loud on social media. Make their stock tank. Without contributors like us, they are nothing.

We can create a website (like in the DPC days) and organize ourselves quickly, we've shown strength and solidarity when it was needed. Are you ready to come together now? That's up to you. The response to this post will give us the answer.

contributors hold significant say in an agency future, but we are so many and scattered all over the globe. if you remember almost 70-80% of SS royalties are paid in eastern europe. the last time in fact the olny time we have made a difference was exactly with boycott fotolia initiative. it was done by ukranian contributors to which we all joined. it has to be done that way.

Jens G · « **Reply #212 on:** May 27, 2020, 02:16 »

Quote from: Mrblues101 on May 26, 2020, 18:38

Regarding to subscription sales, that always was main sale; we never was paid based on the subscription package that buyer buy. There are 4 subscrption packetes:

10 images for 49usd (Packet 1 or P1)
50 images for 125usd (Packet 2 or P2)
350 images for 199usd (Packet 3 or P3)
750 images for 249usd (Packet 4 or P4)

Based on this and the % presented for SS the earnings per sale under new criteria is:

Level 1   0,74 usd(P1) ---- 0,38 usd(P2) ---- 0,09 usd(P3) ---- 0,05 usd(P4)
Level 2   0,98 usd(P1) ---- 0,50 usd(P2) ---- 0,11 usd(P3) ---- 0,07 usd(P4)
Level 3   1,23 usd(P1) ---- 0,63 usd(P2) ---- 0,14 usd(P3) ---- 0,08 usd(P4)
Level 4   1,47 usd(P1) ---- 0,75 usd(P2) ---- 0,17 usd(P3) ---- 0,10 usd(P4)
Level 5   1,72 usd(P1) ---- 0,88 usd(P2) ---- 0,20 usd(P3) ---- 0,12 usd(P4)
Level 6   1,96 usd(P1) ---- 1,00 usd(P2) ---- 0,23 usd(P3) ---- 0,13 usd(P4)

Thanks for the calculations. But it seems more complicated than that.

There is different pricing if it's monthly or annual subscription, and if the annual subscription is payed in advance or monthly. Further, if not all images are used in a month, the price per image will in reality be higher.

spike · « **Reply #213 on:** May 27, 2020, 02:28 »

Quote from: Dimco on May 27, 2020, 02:13

contributors hold significant say in an agency future, but we are so many and scattered all over the globe. if you remember almost 70-80% of SS royalties are paid in eastern europe. the last time in fact the olny time we have made a difference was exactly with boycott fotolia initiative. it was done by ukranian contributors to which we all joined. it has to be done that way.

If Russian and Ukrainian contributors are on board, that's great. If anyone speaks russian, microstock.ru is the place to go and ask.
Blackbox could make a statement as well if they have any integrity.

Justanotherphotographer · « **Reply #214 on:** May 27, 2020, 02:33 »

Quote from: Jens G on May 27, 2020, 02:16

Quote from: Mrblues101 on May 26, 2020, 18:38
Regarding to subscription sales, that always was main sale; we never was paid based on the subscription package that buyer buy. There are 4 subscrption packetes:

10 images for 49usd (Packet 1 or P1)
50 images for 125usd (Packet 2 or P2)
350 images for 199usd (Packet 3 or P3)
750 images for 249usd (Packet 4 or P4)

Based on this and the % presented for SS the earnings per sale under new criteria is:

Level 1   0,74 usd(P1) ---- 0,38 usd(P2) ---- 0,09 usd(P3) ---- 0,05 usd(P4)
Level 2   0,98 usd(P1) ---- 0,50 usd(P2) ---- 0,11 usd(P3) ---- 0,07 usd(P4)
Level 3   1,23 usd(P1) ---- 0,63 usd(P2) ---- 0,14 usd(P3) ---- 0,08 usd(P4)
Level 4   1,47 usd(P1) ---- 0,75 usd(P2) ---- 0,17 usd(P3) ---- 0,10 usd(P4)
Level 5   1,72 usd(P1) ---- 0,88 usd(P2) ---- 0,20 usd(P3) ---- 0,12 usd(P4)
Level 6   1,96 usd(P1) ---- 1,00 usd(P2) ---- 0,23 usd(P3) ---- 0,13 usd(P4)
Thanks for the calculations. But it seems more complicated than that.

There is different pricing if it's monthly or annual subscription, and if the annual subscription is payed in advance or monthly. Further, if not all images are used in a month, the price per image will in reality be higher.

Is this correct? Will they pay the actual percentage based on subs used or s**w us to the maximum by paying the minimum (spend/ allowed number of dls regardless of actual ones used)? I have a horrible feeling it's the latter and that will make huge difference to what we are paid.

Pauws99 · « **Reply #215 on:** May 27, 2020, 02:33 »

Quote from: Jens G on May 27, 2020, 02:16

Quote from: Mrblues101 on May 26, 2020, 18:38
Regarding to subscription sales, that always was main sale; we never was paid based on the subscription package that buyer buy. There are 4 subscrption packetes:

10 images for 49usd (Packet 1 or P1)
50 images for 125usd (Packet 2 or P2)
350 images for 199usd (Packet 3 or P3)
750 images for 249usd (Packet 4 or P4)

Based on this and the % presented for SS the earnings per sale under new criteria is:

Level 1   0,74 usd(P1) ---- 0,38 usd(P2) ---- 0,09 usd(P3) ---- 0,05 usd(P4)
Level 2   0,98 usd(P1) ---- 0,50 usd(P2) ---- 0,11 usd(P3) ---- 0,07 usd(P4)
Level 3   1,23 usd(P1) ---- 0,63 usd(P2) ---- 0,14 usd(P3) ---- 0,08 usd(P4)
Level 4   1,47 usd(P1) ---- 0,75 usd(P2) ---- 0,17 usd(P3) ---- 0,10 usd(P4)
Level 5   1,72 usd(P1) ---- 0,88 usd(P2) ---- 0,20 usd(P3) ---- 0,12 usd(P4)
Level 6   1,96 usd(P1) ---- 1,00 usd(P2) ---- 0,23 usd(P3) ---- 0,13 usd(P4)
Thanks for the calculations. But it seems more complicated than that.

There is different pricing if it's monthly or annual subscription, and if the annual subscription is payed in advance or monthly. Further, if not all images are used in a month, the price per image will in reality be higher.

not the case as they state the amount is based on the full package. "If a customer buys a pack or sub, but doesn’t use it all, how are my earnings calculated?

When a customer buys a pack or subscription, your commission is calculated based on the price per asset assuming full usage of the pack or subscription. For example, if a customer buys a 10 images per month subscription at $49 per month, the price per image is $4.90. Your earnings percentage is based on $4.90 regardless of how many images the customer downloads from their allotment. " Not even I stock do that

leaf · « **Reply #216 on:** May 27, 2020, 02:53 »

Quote from: Jens G on May 27, 2020, 02:16

Quote from: Mrblues101 on May 26, 2020, 18:38
Regarding to subscription sales, that always was main sale; we never was paid based on the subscription package that buyer buy. There are 4 subscrption packetes:

10 images for 49usd (Packet 1 or P1)
50 images for 125usd (Packet 2 or P2)
350 images for 199usd (Packet 3 or P3)
750 images for 249usd (Packet 4 or P4)

Based on this and the % presented for SS the earnings per sale under new criteria is:

Level 1   0,74 usd(P1) ---- 0,38 usd(P2) ---- 0,09 usd(P3) ---- 0,05 usd(P4)
Level 2   0,98 usd(P1) ---- 0,50 usd(P2) ---- 0,11 usd(P3) ---- 0,07 usd(P4)
Level 3   1,23 usd(P1) ---- 0,63 usd(P2) ---- 0,14 usd(P3) ---- 0,08 usd(P4)
Level 4   1,47 usd(P1) ---- 0,75 usd(P2) ---- 0,17 usd(P3) ---- 0,10 usd(P4)
Level 5   1,72 usd(P1) ---- 0,88 usd(P2) ---- 0,20 usd(P3) ---- 0,12 usd(P4)
Level 6   1,96 usd(P1) ---- 1,00 usd(P2) ---- 0,23 usd(P3) ---- 0,13 usd(P4)
Thanks for the calculations. But it seems more complicated than that.

There is different pricing if it's monthly or annual subscription, and if the annual subscription is payed in advance or monthly. Further, if not all images are used in a month, the price per image will in reality be higher.

It doesn't matter if all images are used or not. They have specified that if it is an image pack for $10 for 10 images, then our share is a % of $1.00 per image. Even if only 1 image is downloaded.

panicAttack · « **Reply #217 on:** May 27, 2020, 02:55 »

did anyone experience sale increase after yesterday announcement?

Jens G · « **Reply #218 on:** May 27, 2020, 03:04 »

Quote from: leaf on May 27, 2020, 02:53

Quote from: Jens G on May 27, 2020, 02:16
Quote from: Mrblues101 on May 26, 2020, 18:38
Regarding to subscription sales, that always was main sale; we never was paid based on the subscription package that buyer buy. There are 4 subscrption packetes:

10 images for 49usd (Packet 1 or P1)
50 images for 125usd (Packet 2 or P2)
350 images for 199usd (Packet 3 or P3)
750 images for 249usd (Packet 4 or P4)

Based on this and the % presented for SS the earnings per sale under new criteria is:

Level 1   0,74 usd(P1) ---- 0,38 usd(P2) ---- 0,09 usd(P3) ---- 0,05 usd(P4)
Level 2   0,98 usd(P1) ---- 0,50 usd(P2) ---- 0,11 usd(P3) ---- 0,07 usd(P4)
Level 3   1,23 usd(P1) ---- 0,63 usd(P2) ---- 0,14 usd(P3) ---- 0,08 usd(P4)
Level 4   1,47 usd(P1) ---- 0,75 usd(P2) ---- 0,17 usd(P3) ---- 0,10 usd(P4)
Level 5   1,72 usd(P1) ---- 0,88 usd(P2) ---- 0,20 usd(P3) ---- 0,12 usd(P4)
Level 6   1,96 usd(P1) ---- 1,00 usd(P2) ---- 0,23 usd(P3) ---- 0,13 usd(P4)
Thanks for the calculations. But it seems more complicated than that.

There is different pricing if it's monthly or annual subscription, and if the annual subscription is payed in advance or monthly. Further, if not all images are used in a month, the price per image will in reality be higher.

It doesn't matter if all images are used or not. They have specified that if it is an image pack for $10 for 10 images, then our share is a % of $1.00 per image. Even if only 1 image is downloaded.

Thanks for the clarification. Not very fair.

Justanotherphotographer · « **Reply #219 on:** May 27, 2020, 03:22 »

What an absolute F*****G joke. So we are here making all these tables and getting outraged over only getting 15% when the reality is we will be getting a tiny fraction of even that in real terms.

The percentages they speak about are all just a slight of hand. We ALL will be making a fraction of what we made before.

Mason Surley · « **Reply #220 on:** May 27, 2020, 03:27 »

There is nothing to lose now. Hopefully many of us turn off our portfolios now. But I am not sure that it will sufficiently strong voice for Shutterstock management. So I asked for help. Please share! #BoycottShutterstock #ShutdownShutterstock

newbielink:https://twitter.com/mason_surley/status/1265541418623401985?s=21 [nonactive]

Pacesetter · « **Reply #221 on:** May 27, 2020, 03:32 »

I think this idea on ss forum...

'Seriously if the contributor community want to make an impact there needs to be organizing as many contributors together to effectively disrupt the new model. I see suggestions to opt-out of sales from 1 June. No need to delete ports unless contributors want to. Just turn them off. There needs to be a clear and concise message and instruction to fellow contributors on various forums on how to opt-out on 1 June, perhaps for a period of two weeks (initially) to send a clear message. A 10% to 20% shutdown of content would suffice to achieve this as shareholders won't be happy with a significant drop in sales and profits.

Key is the contributor community need to strike while the iron is hot because this is the only chance you have to make a difference before emotions settle and a new normal sets in. There won't be another chance.'

dragonblade · « **Reply #222 on:** May 27, 2020, 04:26 »

Welcome to shitstock where we'll do everything we can to bleed you dry. Just when you feel like you've been ripped off in the worst possible way, we'll find exciting new ways of ripping you off even more. Don't delay - contribute today. We value your content.

Pauws99 · « **Reply #223 on:** May 27, 2020, 04:48 »

Just to add to the depression this now means if SS drop prices on their packages it feeds straight to us rather than having the "safety net" of the subs income at a certain level.

SpaceStockFootage · « **Reply #224 on:** May 27, 2020, 05:00 »

Quote from: Pacesetter on May 27, 2020, 03:32

A 10% to 20% shutdown of content would suffice to achieve this as shareholders won't be happy with a significant drop in sales and profits.

But what drop in sales would that result in, realistically? 10 to 20% less content wouldn't automatically result in 10 to 20% less sales... could just result in 10 to 20% of all sales being from content that is still on the platform, rather than content that's not. Take all the steak off your menu, then you're probably going to get people looking for alternative restaurants to eat at. Get rid of just the 12 oz. steak when you still have 8/9/10/11 oz. and 13/14/15/16 oz. steaks available... people are more likely to just buy one of those instead.

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Author Topic: Shutterstock just became iStock 2.0 (Read 114948 times)

Keifer

Artist

cobalt

trabuco

gnirtS

leaf

Chichikov

Horizon

spike

tickstock

HalfFull

Dimco

Jens G

spike

Justanotherphotographer

Pauws99

leaf

panicAttack

Jens G

Justanotherphotographer

Mason Surley

Pacesetter

dragonblade

Pauws99

SpaceStockFootage

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