Author Topic: Let's go back in time!! (Read 5503 times)

ironarrow · « **on:** August 16, 2008, 17:38 »

not too further.. only a few weeks!!

-Let's say StockXpert had not messed with ELs..

-Let's say they just announced that our images are going on to photos.com for only 0.30 cents per DL..

I can hear the crowd shouting and yelling and getting pissed, because not only StockXpert is not giving us the increase we deserve, but also they say our images are going on to photos.com for the same low 0.30 cents..

Yes, we would have made it a much bigger deal!!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

But no! Things did not happen this way.. First, they abused a more sensitive subject!!

ELs!!! + Our copyrights!!!

And we suddenly forgot about the subs.. Seriously, before this happened I was wondering when the increase was going to come.. But NO!!

They abused my copyrights in an unbelievable way so I forgot about the bloody 0.30 cents..

The result?? Much debate!! StockXpert supposedly watching closely!!

Come on, They knew THIS WAS COMING!!!!!!!!!!! IF, they are not idiots, which we know they are not!!

So, they knew we were going to react!!!

Weeks past, and they screen the final movie!! The name of the movie is:

"Oh! Ok! We decided not to abuse your copyrights!"

The movie is on!!! IT IS a blockbuster!! Contributors cheer!!!

This is a VICTORY!!! WOHOOOO!!!

Contributors say: Thank you StockXpert!!! This was a masterpiece!!!

But I have another movie on my dusty shelf!! IT is called:

"Seriously guys!! What happened to subs commissions??"

Pixart · « **Reply #1 on:** August 16, 2008, 22:21 »

Ironarrow, I don't think you were around this forum when StockXpert introduced subs and it did indeed cause a lively debate which led to dozens, perhaps hundreds of contributors to opt-out of sub sales. (StockXpert offered the option to opt-out because of contributor backlash). We have either come to accept the 30 cent commission or we have opted out. A year has not yet passed and StockXpert cannot screw with their client base prices so soon. DT and SS have both increased their subs commissions this year and seem to do so on an annual basis. I would certainly expect when the first term ends StockXpert will raise both their prices and commissions as well, but it may be a longer period now that they are partnered up with these other sites.

I do appreciate that you have the interest of ALL of our rights at heart, but we did protest the subs and StockXpert gave us an opt-in or opt-out. A majority of us take our cheque every month from SS made up of .25 or .38 sub sales, so it is ethically very difficult to initiate a war against the other sites without terminating our #1 or #2 commission earner.

It is very easy to complain, but what can we collectively do to make the business better?

cybernesco · « **Reply #2 on:** August 17, 2008, 02:01 »

Quote

A majority of us take our cheque every month from SS made up of .25 or .38 sub sales, so it is ethically very difficult to initiate a war against the other sites without terminating our #1 or #2 commission earner.

Well said. Denis

sharpshot · « **Reply #3 on:** August 17, 2008, 04:41 »

The fact is that I make less with StockXpert for subs downloads than I do with SS, DT, 123RF and FT. I hope StockXpert wont lag behind the other sites for too long.

The bigger problem is not just StockXpert. I used to like subs before Yuri pointed out how little in percentage terms we make. That was a real shock and now I would like a fair share.

What I would like to see is a percentage of the money from subscription sales going to the contributors, the same as it is with per download sales. For StockXpert, that would be 50%. I know that isn't likely to happen soon and that is why I can't see my long term future being with the microstock subs sites. Hopefully my earnings with alamy, photoshelter and the midstock sites will one day be enough for me to leave the microstock subs sites. The other option is to go exclusive with istock but I don't like having all my eggs in one basket.

Jimi King · « **Reply #4 on:** August 17, 2008, 05:32 »

Well I think it's positive to look at the likely benefits of StockXpert making our content available to a greater market, and having listened to our concerns and made a gesture in our favor, rather than moaning about an element that - particularly if you are a Shutterstock contributor - amounts to a difference of 3c an image (certainly does for most of us I suspect).

In the event that the Photos.com deal starts returning subs downloads that equal Shutterstock figures, I've no doubt that everybody will start ticking that box. To not do so would be somewhat hypocritical. Also, who said that every subs download is of a large or greater size? And even if the customer does download a larger size, but then uses it on a website? Have you then been ripped off? If so then iStock subscriptions are a far worse deal on web size images.

Apparently StockXpert will address the subs payout issue soon. OK so if you're not currently happy opt out. Wait and see what's offered down the line.

Like I said. I'm in, and happy to be there.

Microbius · « **Reply #5 on:** August 17, 2008, 08:05 »

Quote from: cybernesco on August 17, 2008, 02:01

Quote
A majority of us take our cheque every month from SS made up of .25 or .38 sub sales, so it is ethically very difficult to initiate a war against the other sites without terminating our #1 or #2 commission earner.

Well said. Denis

Yep, absolutely right!
This is the source of the sub dilemma. It's the fact that the model is based on selling images at a price so low that compensation for contributors can only be paid when buyers do not download all of their purchased images.
It creates a very artificial market, which has the added problem that the agencies make more money when less content is downloaded, exactly the opposite to their artists who they are supposed to represent.
If only we could be organized enough to pull all our work from SS in one go this could be solved over night-- without loss of income as buyers would be forced to go elsewhere and the other agencies would be scared into line. But getting artists to act together is like herding cats

ironarrow · « **Reply #6 on:** August 17, 2008, 08:55 »

Quote from: Microbius on August 17, 2008, 08:05

Quote from: cybernesco on August 17, 2008, 02:01
Quote
A majority of us take our cheque every month from SS made up of .25 or .38 sub sales, so it is ethically very difficult to initiate a war against the other sites without terminating our #1 or #2 commission earner.

Well said. Denis
Yep, absolutely right!
This is the source of the sub dilemma. It's the fact that the model is based on selling images at a price so low that compensation for contributors can only be paid when buyers do not download all of their purchased images.
It creates a very artificial market, which has the added problem that the agencies make more money when less content is downloaded, exactly the opposite to their artists who they are supposed to represent.
If only we could be organized enough to pull all our work from SS in one go this could be solved over night-- without loss of income as buyers would be forced to go elsewhere and the other agencies would be scared into line. But getting artists to act together is like herding cats

That is another thing.. Not only we are getting a very small commission, but also the less downloads, the happier the agencies!!

There are 1659 members of this forum currently.. There are other forums, and other people.. I believe if it is really wanted, some cross-forum action can be organized..

All emails are stored in the databases of these forums.. We should be able to reach all the big guys too.. I am sure all the most important contributors are also contributing to some other forums, if not this one..

We can at least reach 3000 top contributor list and send them mails.. The loss will be compensated in only a few weeks by other agencies I am sure..

Shutterstock sounds good.. It is the mother of all subs agencies.. If we can show them what this is all about, we can show anyone..

The problem is: how many of the contributors are brave enough to sink shutterstock over night???

ironarrow · « **Reply #7 on:** August 17, 2008, 09:02 »

It would be a revolution.. Revolution is in our blood.. History had witnessed it many times..

If the king can be taken down, SS can be taken down too!!!

WE ARE THE FORCE!! WE ARE THE CREATIVE POWER!!

They can only sell our work the way we choose!!

Karimala · « **Reply #8 on:** August 17, 2008, 10:45 »

Quote from: Pixart on August 16, 2008, 22:21

Ironarrow, I don't think you were around this forum when StockXpert introduced subs and it did indeed cause a lively debate which led to dozens, perhaps hundreds of contributors to opt-out of sub sales. (StockXpert offered the option to opt-out because of contributor backlash). We have either come to accept the 30 cent commission or we have opted out. A year has not yet passed and StockXpert cannot screw with their client base prices so soon. DT and SS have both increased their subs commissions this year and seem to do so on an annual basis. I would certainly expect when the first term ends StockXpert will raise both their prices and commissions as well, but it may be a longer period now that they are partnered up with these other sites.

Not only did StockXpert provide us with an opt-out option, they increased the commission from 25 cents to 30 cents before launch, which in October was right in line with all the other sites (except 123RF).

Paddy from JI said on the conference call that a commission increase will be forthcoming...just not immediately. The program is still less than a year old, and they want to see the numbers first before raising the commissions. Sounds reasonable to me. StockXpert has always been responsive to our concerns and criticisms, and I think we can trust that they will increase our commissions after their numbers come in as Paddy said.

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Author Topic: Let's go back in time!! (Read 5503 times)

ironarrow

Pixart

cybernesco

sharpshot

Jimi King

Microbius

ironarrow

ironarrow

Karimala

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