Author Topic: Symbiostock Co-op Launched (Read 20509 times)

cascoly · « **on:** February 11, 2014, 08:42 »

Designed for photographers with smaller portfolios or who want to test Symbiostock without investing a lot of time and effort, we're launching a special service. Leave the web design to the web designer. Focus on your real work – creating images. When you sign up, we'll install your basic website, using customized names, logos and descriptions that you provide. All you need to do is upload and process images.

We provide:

-- Wordpress installation with Symbiostock database
-- all hosting costs
-- basic Symbiostock website, ready for uploading your images
-- basic set of configurable categories
-- author information setup
-- inclusion in the 2 global search networks
-- membership in the Co-op search
-- network integration and inclusion
-- basic home page setup
-- 30 days email and website support for uploaing, processing and editing your images.
-- detailed monthly financial reports
-- special access to all features on http://symbiostock-search.com for 1 year (A $10 value)

Cost: $25

You, of course, retain all copyrights to these images, and you are responsible for any required model and property releases.

Royalties are paid on the following scale:

1-50 images 70% royalty paid
51 - 250 images 75% "
250+ images 80% "

Please note: this is a basic installation with default prices, license and categories. All these are changeable by you, or we can assist for a small consuting charge.

If interested or to ask additional questions, contact [email protected]

http://cascoly-images.com

noodle · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2014, 10:07 »

will this offer all or a combination of editorial, rf and rm licenses?
seo individualized or will seo be looked after as an entire site?

the cost is a one-time fee of $25? Is that correct?

Interesting proposal, just need some details

Just posting here so that you dont have to answer the same questions a hundred times

JPSDK · « **Reply #2 on:** February 11, 2014, 10:15 »

who determines the prices?
What licence?
What contributors agreement is there?.

Else an interesting offer and not expensive, if its all included: Host, software etc.

cathyslife · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2014, 10:39 »

Sounds like a good idea...photographers just basically want to shoot, not build websites.

Is there any real, hard data available on how the networking aspect is working out, as far as increasing sales? Why have the whole networking thing included on a site when other wordpress themes may work just as well, as far as sales go?

Edit...just asking.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #4 on:** February 11, 2014, 10:49 »

e4

stocked · « **Reply #5 on:** February 11, 2014, 11:37 »

Great move Steve! Thumbs up!

ShazamImages · « **Reply #6 on:** February 11, 2014, 13:38 »

Just wondering...

Will each artist have a separate WP installation / database? If so, then how will the URLs work?

Or will it be one WP installation / database / URL for all artists?

Ava Glass · « **Reply #7 on:** February 11, 2014, 20:24 »

Will you accept transparent PNGs?

ETA: Oh wait, these are separate websites?

ETA2: So who handles the payment and customer support stuff?

cascoly · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2014, 13:04 »

Quote from: noodle on February 11, 2014, 10:07

will this offer all or a combination of editorial, rf and rm licenses?
seo individualized or will seo be looked after as an entire site?

the cost is a one-time fee of $25? Is that correct?

Interesting proposal, just need some details

Just posting here so that you dont have to answer the same questions a hundred times

my basic goal here is to increase the size, variety & visibility of symbiostock, so i'm trying to keep things as simple as possible -- i'm open to any questions or suggestions.

the $25 one time fee is to partially offset my costs in setting these sites up

each site will be a basic but completely functional, independent site. artists won't have to do anything but load & edit images. there will be default prices & a default RF license. that can be changed by the site owner, but part of the basic idea is to provide a service for people who don't want to do that sort of thing.

i'll include the yoast SEO as part of the install, and will be running SEO for the overall site. all sites will also be included in both symbiostock.info and symbiostock-search.co global searches, etc

cascoly · « **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2014, 13:10 »

Quote from: Ava Glass on February 11, 2014, 20:24

Will you accept transparent PNGs?

ETA: Oh wait, these are separate websites?

ETA2: So who handles the payment and customer support stuff?

these will be separate symbiostock sites, so anything you can do there you will be able to do here. png's can be uploaded, but I don't have any experience with them

i'll handle payment collection and basic customer support (download problems, etc)

cascoly · « **Reply #10 on:** February 12, 2014, 13:19 »

Quote from: ShazamImages on February 11, 2014, 13:38

Just wondering...

Will each artist have a separate WP installation / database? If so, then how will the URLs work?

Or will it be one WP installation / database / URL for all artists?

originally we'd hope to offer one site with multiple artists, but it's not feasible technically right now. so each site will have a url http://symbiostock-co-op.com/shazamimages,etc and will have a separate database

cascoly · « **Reply #11 on:** March 06, 2014, 15:45 »

Our 2 payment plans for the Symbiostock co-op are described at
http://symbiostock-network.com/

We also offer an installation service for those who want their own hosted Symbiostock sites
http://cascoly-images.com/pix/symbiostock-installation-service/

BD · « **Reply #12 on:** March 11, 2014, 14:30 »

I heard you were offering a discount on the co-op until the end of March? Will this include watermarks on images?

KimsCreativeHub · « **Reply #13 on:** March 11, 2014, 16:37 »

Vectors too...

I love love this!!!!

My Very Best

KimsCreativeHub.com

cascoly · « **Reply #14 on:** March 11, 2014, 17:31 »

Quote from: BD on March 11, 2014, 14:30

I heard you were offering a discount on the co-op until the end of March? Will this include watermarks on images?

Yes, the discount is on the subscription plan -- $7.50 per month for first 6 months, rather than the usual $15/month

there is a default watermark that appears on all images when you upload them to a symbiostock site (excluding the thumbnail minipics)

cascoly · « **Reply #15 on:** March 11, 2014, 17:33 »

Quote from: KimsCreativeHub on March 11, 2014, 16:37

Vectors too...

I love love this!!!!

My Very Best
KimsCreativeHub.com

yes, vectors are included too --

http://cascoly.com/symbio/list.asp?list=72 lists all symbio sites by specialty so you can check out the many vector sites

KimsCreativeHub · « **Reply #16 on:** March 11, 2014, 17:34 »

Thanks! Cool

My Very Best

KimsCreativeHub.com

KimsCreativeHub · « **Reply #17 on:** March 11, 2014, 18:04 »

Steve they look great, sent my I'm interested email... This is just what I was looking for,

BD · « **Reply #18 on:** March 11, 2014, 21:15 »

Thanks for the info! I will think about it!

KimsCreativeHub · « **Reply #19 on:** March 14, 2014, 09:39 »

I've been up n running and Steve has been awesome and so helpful!

I am very happy saved me a lot of time, I've already started uploading

I look at symbiostock as insurance against such uncertainty that surrounds us... And getting it going now so it can grow and get established, so when or if others take my good away I can feed myself with a little help from my friends doing the same thing.

My Very Best

KimsCreativeHub.com

sdeva · « **Reply #20 on:** March 14, 2014, 10:13 »

Must a Symbiostock site be in an individuals' name (photographer) or can it be in a company name instead? (mainly for legal / tax handling reasons).

cascoly · « **Reply #21 on:** March 14, 2014, 13:06 »

Quote from: sdeva on March 14, 2014, 10:13

Must a Symbiostock site be in an individuals' name (photographer) or can it be in a company name instead? (mainly for legal / tax handling reasons).

any name you choose -- a short name for the subdomain, and then any longer name you wish -- see the variety at http://cascoly.com/symbio/list.asp?list=25

mlwinphoto · « **Reply #22 on:** March 14, 2014, 14:32 »

Quote from: cascoly on March 14, 2014, 13:06

Quote from: sdeva on March 14, 2014, 10:13
Must a Symbiostock site be in an individuals' name (photographer) or can it be in a company name instead? (mainly for legal / tax handling reasons).

any name you choose -- a short name for the subdomain, and then any longer name you wish -- see the variety at http://cascoly.com/symbio/list.asp?list=25

Are any of the sites listed co-op sites? I'd like to see one and how it compares to the 'regular' sites in terms of functionality, etc.

cascoly · « **Reply #23 on:** March 14, 2014, 14:48 »

Quote from: mlwinphoto on March 14, 2014, 14:32

Quote from: cascoly on March 14, 2014, 13:06
Quote from: sdeva on March 14, 2014, 10:13
Must a Symbiostock site be in an individuals' name (photographer) or can it be in a company name instead? (mainly for legal / tax handling reasons).

any name you choose -- a short name for the subdomain, and then any longer name you wish -- see the variety at http://cascoly.com/symbio/list.asp?list=25

they're not listed yet but will be shortly -- they'll have the symbiostock-network.com domain name

Are any of the sites listed co-op sites? I'd like to see one and how it compares to the 'regular' sites in terms of functionality, etc.

the sites are identical to any other symbiostock site, installed with its own copy of wordpress - each artist has full admin access if they want to make changes, but the main idea is to supply a base for people who don't want to deal with the website aspects

and, like all symbiostock sites, you can add the professional plugin that gives batch editing, twitter feeds, collections and other advanced features

KimsCreativeHub · « **Reply #24 on:** March 14, 2014, 15:08 »

I'm one of those folks and I'm working on uploading my vector artwork I should be done in a bit, couple days or so and I will post.

For now some learning and when it is ready for prime time I love the idea of networking

My Very Best

KimsCreativeHub.com

KimsCreativeHub · « **Reply #25 on:** March 14, 2014, 15:23 »

Oh and what I'm doing is the small / basic stuff, tweaking my text on front page, uploading ect.

My Very Best

KimsCreativeHub.com

Reef · « **Reply #26 on:** April 01, 2014, 06:51 »

Quote from: cascoly on February 12, 2014, 13:04

my basic goal here is to increase the size, variety & visibility of symbiostock, so i'm trying to keep things as simple as possible -- i'm open to any questions or suggestions.

I'm a Designer who buys stock imagery and illustrations, and even supported Symbiostock for a while. You asked for suggestions (see attached) which, if applied, would at the very least stop other Designers walking away from your site. Guaranteed :) Unfortunately, I don't even know where to start on your typography, so I wont! Good luck.

KimsCreativeHub · « **Reply #27 on:** April 01, 2014, 08:16 »

Quote from: Reef on April 01, 2014, 06:51

Quote from: cascoly on February 12, 2014, 13:04
my basic goal here is to increase the size, variety & visibility of symbiostock, so i'm trying to keep things as simple as possible -- i'm open to any questions or suggestions.

I'm a Designer who buys stock imagery and illustrations, and even supported Symbiostock for a while. You asked for suggestions (see attached) which, if applied, would at the very least stop other Designers walking away from your site. Guaranteed Unfortunately, I don't even know where to start on your typography, so I wont! Good luck.

It is wonderful to here from a designer!

I would love to also here your comments on your "buying experience" as in prices, finding what you need for projects ect.

My Very Best

KimsCreativeHub.com

AYA · « **Reply #28 on:** April 01, 2014, 11:19 »

Is it just me or has Symbiostock gotten more expensive in the last month?
I tried a Photoshelter site and they are only 10$ a month for the basic site that has a store and you keep 90% of the profit.
I'm not trying to be critical here and maybe I'm not seeing the full picture but what is the benefit of Symbiostock ove Photoshelter at that price point?

If anyone want to check out Photoshelter, here's a referal link that gives you a free trial and a dicount: http://www.photoshelter.com/referral/JU6FR5LN8H

Shelma1 · « **Reply #29 on:** April 01, 2014, 11:34 »

It's just you.

cascoly · « **Reply #30 on:** April 01, 2014, 14:23 »

Quote from: Reef on April 01, 2014, 06:51

Quote from: cascoly on February 12, 2014, 13:04
my basic goal here is to increase the size, variety & visibility of symbiostock, so i'm trying to keep things as simple as possible -- i'm open to any questions or suggestions.

I'm a Designer who buys stock imagery and illustrations, and even supported Symbiostock for a while. You asked for suggestions (see attached) which, if applied, would at the very least stop other Designers walking away from your site. Guaranteed Unfortunately, I don't even know where to start on your typography, so I wont! Good luck.

my request for suggestions was meant re the idea of the co-op, but the critique of my home page is appreciated. they were all helpful comments & i'll get to work on your suggestions

not sure tho, what you meant by typography -- I use only one font, trying to keep it minimal

cascoly · « **Reply #31 on:** April 01, 2014, 14:30 »

Quote from: newby514 on April 01, 2014, 11:19

Is it just me or has Symbiostock gotten more expensive in the last month?
I tried a Photoshelter site and they are only 10$ a month for the basic site that has a store and you keep 90% of the profit.
I'm not trying to be critical here and maybe I'm not seeing the full picture but what is the benefit of Symbiostock ove Photoshelter at that price point?

....

symbiostock is free, always has been - maybe you're confusing it with the co-op? that's for people who don't want the hassles of running their own sym or Photoshelter site, or who want to try out symbiostock with minimal investment

not sure about photoshelter but a major advantage of symbiostock over smugmug is SEO -- over 70% of my images were indexed by google on my sym site, compared to zilch on smugmug; same for traffic - very little to the smugmug site compared to steady traffic on dym

r2d2 · « **Reply #32 on:** April 28, 2014, 05:39 »

Hi Cascoly,

can i see an existing Website which is running on the CO-OP for example please?

mlwinphoto · « **Reply #33 on:** April 28, 2014, 12:38 »

Quote from: R2D2 on April 28, 2014, 05:39

Hi Cascoly,

can i see an existing Website which is running on the CO-OP for example please?

Ditto. Seriously considering this.

Ava Glass · « **Reply #34 on:** April 28, 2014, 14:19 »

KimsCreativeHub.com is part of the co-op, I believe. Her page opens as "http://kimscreativehub.symbiostock-network.com."

cascoly · « **Reply #35 on:** April 28, 2014, 21:58 »

the other is http://outsideimage.symbiostock-network.com

we're leaving for 5 weeks in turkey on May 12, so if anyone is interested in getting started, I can get the sites going before I leave. while traveling i'll be able to do maintenance and support, but no new installs

steve

r2d2 · « **Reply #36 on:** April 29, 2014, 03:27 »

Ava and Cascoly many thx.

Here is my specific problem in the Agreement:

This standard license agreement is between you (buyer) – the End User – and R2D2.

This means that the contract is concluded directly between R2D2 and the buyer. In German law (I think it is similar throughout the eu) symbiostock-network.com is only a broker.
But this is a Problem because than i have do pay the taxes in germany which depends on every buyers homecountry.
That is very difficult and it is the same i have when i host my own Symbiowebsite.

If is the contract is between buyer and symbistock-network.com i (as a Contributor) have only to report the monthly payment thats much easier. Because than symbistock-network.com is an Agency not a broker.
This is one reason why it is so easy for germans to work with the conventional agencies.
You can see it in the agreements of the big 4 always the angency is contractor for the buyer.

I know it's complicated but it comes here very much on the details.
The idea of symbiostock-network.com is great and i think there is a great need for that!

At this time symbiostock-network.com can only fix the technical issues not the law and tax problems for me.

r2d2 · « **Reply #37 on:** April 29, 2014, 03:28 »

sorry double post please delete.

stocked · « **Reply #38 on:** April 29, 2014, 04:26 »

Quote from: R2D2 on April 29, 2014, 03:27

But this is a Problem because than i have do pay the taxes in germany which depends on every buyers homecountry.

You are aware it's only 7% and you can offset it with the 19% VAT you have paid for lenses, cameras etc. It's not a problem people just tend to make a problem out of it.
If you wanna be on the save side just report the 7% VAT on every sale, you still make 93% of every sale and the German tax office will love you

r2d2 · « **Reply #39 on:** April 29, 2014, 05:01 »

Quote from: stocked on April 29, 2014, 04:26

Quote from: R2D2 on April 29, 2014, 03:27

But this is a Problem because than i have do pay the taxes in germany which depends on every buyers homecountry.

You are aware it's only 7% and you can offset it with the 19% VAT you have paid for lenses, cameras etc. It's not a problem people just tend to make a problem out of it.
If you wanna be on the save side just report the 7% VAT on every sale, you still make 93% of every sale and the German tax office will love you

Yes you can handle it like this and this can fix the tax issue (and i falling in love with my tax office

) .
But this only one site of the problem. There a maybe law issues when you not only deal with an Agency.

I think an Agency solution would orgen for a massive grow of Symbio.
Make things easy and the people will come to Symbio and would leave the convetional Agencies

.

stocked · « **Reply #40 on:** April 29, 2014, 05:06 »

Quote from: R2D2 on April 29, 2014, 05:01

There a maybe law issues when you not only deal with an Agency.

What law issues? You are always responsible for your photos regardless if you sell over an agency or direct!
You see problems where aren't any!

r2d2 · « **Reply #41 on:** April 29, 2014, 06:02 »

"You are always responsible for your photos regardless if you sell over an agency or direct"
Yes i know thats not my problem.

I mean problems in connection with the conduct of websites.

Some questions:
Which law is applicable when I am a contributor of symbiostock-network.com and I live in Germany?
How should i make an invoice to the buyers when i have no direct contact to them?
Do I need somthing like AGB, Widerufsrecht, Datenschutzerklärung, Impressum?

When you host a Symbiostocksite by your self and you live in germany:
Which law is applicable?
Do I need somthing like AGB, Widerufsrecht, Datenschutzerklärung, Impressum?

I will not create problems. These are questions that interest me and prevent me to start my own Symbisotock-Website.
And I think it is similar to many others.

stocked · « **Reply #42 on:** April 29, 2014, 06:31 »

You have to follow the same rules like with any website.
If Symbiostock is your first website you may join a webdesign forum.

jsfoto · « **Reply #43 on:** April 29, 2014, 06:38 »

Hi R2D2

this is Jochen from Germany. I run www.flashstockphoto.com within the Symbiostock network since almost one year now.

I understand your concerns ... I had the same when starting my site. What I did was building my site, then presenting it to my lawyer.

After some minor changes in my texts he said: Everything is fine now. Of course I can't give you any legal guarantee, but feel free to have a look to my site or send me an e-mail via my contact form for further exchange of ideas.

oboy · « **Reply #44 on:** April 29, 2014, 09:35 »

How is it with sales taxes if I am living in the US? Do I have to deals with sales taxes then?

Also is it possible to start with Plan B and change it later to Plan A? Is the fee for "Symbiostock sitemap plugin" a one time fee?

r2d2 · « **Reply #45 on:** April 29, 2014, 10:07 »

Quote from: stocked on April 29, 2014, 06:31

You have to follow the same rules like with any website.
If Symbiostock is your first website you may join a webdesign forum.

sorry it is no question of webdesign. It is a question of international commercial law.
I can assure you this is not my first project of eCommerce.
Also, I can install wordpress or an cms.

Hey Jürgen great site!
But for me is currently only a co-op solution in question.

cascoly · « **Reply #46 on:** April 29, 2014, 16:17 »

Quote from: oboy on April 29, 2014, 09:35

How is it with sales taxes if I am living in the US? Do I have to deals with sales taxes then?

Also is it possible to start with Plan B and change it later to Plan A? Is the fee for "Symbiostock sitemap plugin" a one time fee?

yes you can switch from B to A at any time -- royalties rates will change when plan A is activated. You can switch from B to A at the end of any 3 month period.

I take care of any US taxes (which only affects people in WA state who buy from my site)

to answer other questions:
if you run your own website for symbiostock, then the laws of your home are in effect.

if you submit thru the co-op, then it's similar to a stock agency, where you don't have direct contact with the buyer, and receive a royalty/commission from Cascoly, based in US

one difference however, is that unlike agencies, I will also pass on the buyer's information to the artist and they can contact the buyer directly if they wish

the fee for the sitemap plugin or PRO plugin is a onetime fee - you can transfer it if you move to another plan or host

r2d2 · « **Reply #47 on:** April 30, 2014, 02:29 »

Quote from: cascoly on April 29, 2014, 16:17

if you submit thru the co-op, then it's similar to a stock agency, where you don't have direct contact with the buyer, and receive a royalty/commission from Cascoly, based in US

yes in the practical application. But not necessarily in relation to Law.

It is possible to include in the End User License Agreement that the contract between the buyer and symbiostock-network.com comes about?

cascoly · « **Reply #48 on:** April 30, 2014, 05:32 »

yes the license can be modified by each artist

r2d2 · « **Reply #49 on:** April 30, 2014, 11:12 »

Quote from: cascoly on April 30, 2014, 05:32

yes the license can be modified by each artist

and cascoly/symbiostock-networks.com also agree to be contractor for the buyers of images?

Can i see the contract for sign up Plan B?

cascoly · « **Reply #50 on:** April 30, 2014, 12:42 »

Quote from: R2D2 on April 30, 2014, 11:12

Quote from: cascoly on April 30, 2014, 05:32
yes the license can be modified by each artist

and cascoly/symbiostock-networks.com also agree to be contractor for the buyers of images?

Can i see the contract for sign up Plan B?

again, Cascoly handles all financial aspects of the site - artists are paid a royalty on sales

the details are given on the pages above -- you can leave at any time and your files will be available for transfer - paying the fee indicates your agreement

7Horses · « **Reply #51 on:** May 02, 2014, 05:34 »

Another approach could be that the artist build his own site and all the e-commerce stuff is handled by plugins which links to a unique coop symbiostock cie.
eg :
- plugin for coop central regristration
- plugin for coop licenses
- plugin for coop checkout
- ...

KimsCreativeHub · « **Reply #52 on:** May 02, 2014, 08:15 »

I am just thrilled and so happy with my symbio co -op site Steve has been so helpful it's great to pay someone a reasonable fee so I can spend time doing what I do best, illustration

My Very Best

KimsCreativeHub.com

mlwinphoto · « **Reply #53 on:** May 02, 2014, 09:28 »

Quote from: 7Horses on May 02, 2014, 05:34

Another approach could be that the artist build his own site and all the e-commerce stuff is handled by plugins which links to a unique coop symbiostock cie.
eg :
- plugin for coop central regristration
- plugin for coop licenses
- plugin for coop checkout
- ...

I like this idea, if it's possible. Linking individual websites, with their own personal designs, into a central e-commerce 'hub' and searchable database.....

cascoly · « **Reply #54 on:** May 02, 2014, 17:37 »

Quote from: mlwinphoto on May 02, 2014, 09:28

Quote from: 7Horses on May 02, 2014, 05:34
Another approach could be that the artist build his own site and all the e-commerce stuff is handled by plugins which links to a unique coop symbiostock cie.
eg :
- plugin for coop central regristration
- plugin for coop licenses
- plugin for coop checkout
- ...

of course that would also negate the main point of the co-op, since each artist would have to have a symbiostock site with their own hosting in order to use plugins...

but if someone wants to write those plugins....

I like this idea, if it's possible. Linking individual websites, with their own personal designs, into a central e-commerce 'hub' and searchable database.....