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Author Topic: What's holding you back from joining Symbiostock?  (Read 76856 times)

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« Reply #25 on: July 15, 2013, 09:48 »
0
I really want to join. But it's definitely too complicated for me (i have no idea whatsoever about coding and dont have time to learn now) and i am nervous every time something does not work. I have a site with Photoshelter and am happy with it. I would be ready to pay the same  monthly subscription (without the sale commission bit) to have another site with Symbiostock if one day Leo can offer some service similar to that. I dont really need all the features that Photoshelter offer, but i need someone to take care of the coding part and  take care of the maintenance and bugs.



Leo does provide this service. He can take care of getting your site up and running for you for a fee, so you dont need to know coding


remember seeing that a while ago (http://www.symbiostock.com/symbiostock-site-setup-services-maintenance-assistance/)


travelwitness

« Reply #26 on: July 15, 2013, 10:00 »
+1
It's very confusing, there are so many Symbiostock threads that I don't know where to find the basic information that I need to get started. Some links would help.

Yep.  It honestly just looks like way to much work right now to figure out how to modify, customize, upload, etc.   And I don't want to upload, and change data, only to find the whole things changes and I have to one-by-one something again.

It's actually a lot more simple than Ktools to install and maintain. You don't have customise any of it, just put in a banner image, set your prices and upload.

I can understand the hesitance though, lots of dead forum threads lying around make it look misleadingly complicated.

« Reply #27 on: July 15, 2013, 10:04 »
0
any topic regarding best match at http://www.symbiostock.info/ ?

« Reply #28 on: July 15, 2013, 10:05 »
+1
I've been distracted from stock (mostly) for the last few months, but spent a part of Friday trying to catch up with Symbiostock to figure out what it would take to get a site up and running for my portfolio of ~2,000 images (and possibly some vectors).

I already have a web site hosted by Bluehost

I already have WordPress installed

I already have a personal PayPal account.

I already have a watermark and logo

I read posts here; I looked at the help and tutorial sites.

I read a bit on PayPal's site trying to figure out what I'd need to change to become a merchant (and I couldn't figure out if I could have one bank account connected to two PayPal accounts or what would be the issues for my other uses of PayPal - sending birthday presents to people in other countries, for example - if I switched to a business account)

I read a bit on BlueHost's site trying to see if I'd have to upgrade my plan if I were to host a stock web site (assuming at first there wouldn't be much traffic).

I looked at existing Symbiostock sites and their various licenses - not sure if I have to come up with my own license or just may if I want to. Some licenses referred to extended licenses but I don't see how that can be purchased.

I see all the sites have Blogee (? where did that odd name come from) Sm, Med, Large sizes - do I have any choices in names/sizes

And the real biggie is how much time to upload, watermark, import to WordPress and whatever else is needed 2,000 full size images

After all that I still don't have any clear answers. I have much more information, but I don't know if I have to commit a week to get this running or a day or two, or...

I need to know what I'm getting into before I start and I haven't been able to gather that level of detail. Other people doing it or saying "it wasn't that hard" doesn't really help me figure that out.
« Last Edit: July 15, 2013, 10:09 by jsnover »

travelwitness

« Reply #29 on: July 15, 2013, 10:14 »
0
A day at most to install set up your menus and upload your watermark (or use whats already there).

You can then FTP your key worded files directly into your site or upload using the theme uploader.
Honestly there's not that much more to it.

You can tweak settings and add plugins to improve speed and SEO but its not really needed as it's pretty good out of the box - images show up in goggle image searches relatively quickly.

SEO is excellent I show as number 3 in google for 'Royalty Free Travel'.

jareso

  • Boris Jaroscak
« Reply #30 on: July 15, 2013, 10:15 »
0
Just out of interest is there anyone out there considering Symbiostock but is holding back?
Definitely extremely complicated bureaucracy/legislation/tax requirements that must be meet if someone wants to sell virtual goods directly from his own online store.
(At least from where I am based. Slovakia, European Union.)
I mean those requirements are REALLY complicated.
Most of you probably cannot even imagine not even in your wildest dreams how can be some of those legislation requirements complicated here!

In contrast selling through stock agencies is relatively easy from point of view of bureaucracy/legislation/tax requirements, because those complicated/problematic parts of business are left on stock agency.
« Last Edit: July 15, 2013, 10:25 by jareso »

« Reply #31 on: July 15, 2013, 10:22 »
+1
I love the "idea" of having my own site but have no desire to process individual rf transactions.  I'm also careful to make sure my paypal transactions are less than 200 per year.  I don't want to trigger the dreaded double 1099 reporting. 

I would happily pay a percentage of sales for an easy upload to a semi-customisable template (with common sense licensing terms in place) and central processing of sales with a monthly payout. 

Tryingmybest

  • Stand up for what is right
« Reply #32 on: July 15, 2013, 10:23 »
0
Just out of interest is there anyone out there considering Symbiostock but is holding back?

If you are hesitant - what would persuade you to start using Symbiostock?

It sounds interesting, but I'm still a little unclear on why I should use it.  ???

« Reply #33 on: July 15, 2013, 10:27 »
0

I need to know what I'm getting into before I start and I haven't been able to gather that level of detail. Other people doing it or saying "it wasn't that hard" doesn't really help me figure that out.

You need to set up your watermark only once. You upload original full size files (without watermark) and they will be processed into different sizes and watermarked at the same time. While still keeping your original file, BTW.

You won't need another webspace at Bluehost. Just use the one you already have.

To be completely honest, it took me about one week to install and customize my site the way I wanted it (while at the same time uploading a few images to see how it works and looks). But I have never worked with Wordpress before so the bigger part of that customization process has to do with Wordpress, not Symbiostock.
Once you're set up, it's pretty smooth sailing and if you do your homework (like IPTC data), it'll be easier and faster than contributing to Alamy.

« Reply #34 on: July 15, 2013, 10:49 »
+4
Just out of interest is there anyone out there considering Symbiostock but is holding back?

If you are hesitant - what would persuade you to start using Symbiostock?

It sounds interesting, but I'm still a little unclear on why I should use it.  ???

It's pretty sweet getting 100% royalties.

« Reply #35 on: July 15, 2013, 10:52 »
+4
Just out of interest is there anyone out there considering Symbiostock but is holding back?

If you are hesitant - what would persuade you to start using Symbiostock?

It sounds interesting, but I'm still a little unclear on why I should use it.  ???

It's pretty sweet getting 100% royalties.

And no rejections for spurious, unfathomable reasons.

« Reply #36 on: July 15, 2013, 11:36 »
0
I don't want to start my own (mainly due to laziness), still waiting for an open symbio site for contributors in general :)

biggest problem there would be distribution of profits, since sym really is designed for independents, there's no reporting mechanism for multiple artists - all payments are handled thru paypal, and the tracking is thru the site itself



« Reply #37 on: July 15, 2013, 11:39 »
0
It's very confusing, there are so many Symbiostock threads that I don't know where to find the basic information that I need to get started. Some links would help.

Yep.  It honestly just looks like way to much work right now to figure out how to modify, customize, upload, etc.   And I don't want to upload, and change data, only to find the whole things changes and I have to one-by-one something again.

the design out of the box works great, so there's no requirement to change.  installing is much easier than setting up a finearts, zazzle or smugmug site (all of which i've done).

any changes  you make to watermarks, or the images themselves won't be affected by future updates - that's the beauty of a theme running on wordpress - years experience there

« Reply #38 on: July 15, 2013, 11:51 »
0
I really want to join. But it's definitely too complicated for me (i have no idea whatsoever about coding and dont have time to learn now) and i am nervous every time something does not work. I have a site with Photoshelter and am happy with it. I would be ready to pay the same  monthly subscription (without the sale commission bit) to have another site with Symbiostock if one day Leo can offer some service similar to that. I dont really need all the features that Photoshelter offer, but i need someone to take care of the coding part and  take care of the maintenance and bugs.



Leo does provide this service. He can take care of getting your site up and running for you for a fee, so you dont need to know coding


remember seeing that a while ago (http://www.symbiostock.com/symbiostock-site-setup-services-maintenance-assistance/)


I saw that, but what i need is not a one time start-up service, i need a regular maintenance and trouble shoot, that's why i am ready to pay monthly fees instead of one time starting fee.

« Reply #39 on: July 15, 2013, 11:54 »
+2
I've been distracted from stock (mostly) for the last few months, but spent a part of Friday trying to catch up with Symbiostock to figure out what it would take to get a site up and running for my portfolio of ~2,000 images (and possibly some vectors).

I already have a web site hosted by Bluehost
I already have WordPress installed
I already have a personal PayPal account.    Personal works, Premier is probably better as you get an auto-return to site option, you do not need merchant as far as I can see, I think you need different bank account and email address for each PP account
I already have a watermark and logo   Watermark - is it PNG and the correct size (I would need to look that up).  Logo - need site logo for header, avatar, image for symbiocard - can be the same or a picture of you, and if you wish a logo to go on the Paypal page.  Amanda created a set of templates and there is a link at the top of the Settings page within the Symbiostock Bee area.






I read a bit on BlueHost's site trying to see if I'd have to upgrade my plan if I were to host a stock web site (assuming at first there wouldn't be much traffic)  I will worry about that when the time comes - my host says unlimited if part of the site, not just storage so will wait and see

I looked at existing Symbiostock sites and their various licenses - not sure if I have to come up with my own license or just may if I want to. Some licenses referred to extended licenses but I don't see how that can be purchased.  There are two licences you can base yours on - Jamie provided one and I did the other, no idea if legal .  I have written a note for customers to contact me if they want anything other than basic licence

I see all the sites have Blogee (? where did that odd name come from) Sm, Med, Large sizes - do I have any choices in names/sizes  I think I read that this will come with the premium theme that Leo is developing, sounds like it will have a lot more options

And the real biggie is how much time to upload, watermark, import to WordPress and whatever else is needed 2,000 full size images  It depends on how much work you want to do -  SEO IS important and that takes a while.  I unload a few, process them - generally related and tend to bulk categorise, then open each one in new tab for final editing, SEO tweaking etc which takes about 30-45 seconds for each one now when I have a good connection, as I am producing all new images do do not have to change titles etc.

After all that I still don't have any clear answers. I have much more information, but I don't know if I have to commit a week to get this running or a day or two, or...
there is enough information now to get it running in about an hour I would think if you have all your logos, EULA etc ready.  I would also spend some time working on your categories before you start uploading as it is faster to categorise once than go back and add images to a category later.  Add a Child theme before you make any changes so that any changes you might make are not lost if if there are updated versions or you upgrade

I need to know what I'm getting into before I start and I haven't been able to gather that level of detail. Other people doing it or saying "it wasn't that hard" doesn't really help me figure that out.    It is impossible to tell how long it will take you, everyone is different and we are all on a learning curve  :)

travelwitness

« Reply #40 on: July 15, 2013, 12:06 »
+2
Just out of interest is there anyone out there considering Symbiostock but is holding back?

If you are hesitant - what would persuade you to start using Symbiostock?


It sounds interesting, but I'm still a little unclear on why I should use it.  ???


To shift the balance towards the artists - if numbers reach critical mass then there's leverage.

http://www.symbiostock.info

It may be an idealistic venture, but then again it might become a game changer - you'll never know unless you try.

Ron

« Reply #41 on: July 15, 2013, 12:38 »
+3
Anybody who wants to sell direct needs to compare the work and cost of setting up a website from scratch to that with the cost and work to set up a SYS site.

A website from scratch costs you a lot more time and money than setting up a free SYS site.
Ktools, Smugmug, zenfolio, etc etc all cost the same amount of effort including purchasing a 300 dollar software pack or a monthly subscription, and some sites even take commission.

Ktools and other software also need to be updated when they roll out new upgrades etc.

For me, the only thing I ever wanted was to get my own website. I looked at all the options and never could make the decission which way to go.

Then along came Symbiostock. It's all I ever wanted. It took me 2 days to set up, and some hours of tweaking. Once that was done, I started uploading my images, after work, few evenings per week. The only reason it took so long because I changed all titles and did all the SEO per image.  Only because those image needed to have different titles from what is on the agencies to give them a better chance,

Now, I upload to my site first. Its just as fast as submitting to shutterstock or anywhere else. The only thing is that I choose to do SEO. Still not an issue, its still a lot faster than Alamy and Fotolia.

Honestly, if you are in doubt because you are afraid its too complicated or too much work, its not. And secondly if you think its too much work, than you need to ask yourself, how much work is too much to get 100% royalties?

I had one sale after 3 weeks with half my portfolio and already made more then I made on CanStockPhoto, PD, GL and DP individually making SYS my 4th earner. I know its low amounts, but the feeling is sooooooooooooooooooooo much better and rewarding.

Just do it, go SYS !


ETA: All the information is out there and the support from the community is here. Also great efforts are being made to collect the information and make it easy to access. Its a new project, things are getting better everyday. Dont let this opportunity pass you by because the forum is a bit chaotic.


Just do it, go SYS !  ;D
« Last Edit: July 15, 2013, 14:15 by Ron »

« Reply #42 on: July 15, 2013, 12:42 »
0
I am not an expert for web, codes etc. Maybe it's not to hard, but I don't have much time to learn...
So I am waiting complete optimization and excellent tutorial which can explain literally everything, step by step...
It's too experimental for me because I have no will to learn about web....

That's it for me too!

Ron

« Reply #43 on: July 15, 2013, 12:43 »
0
I am not an expert for web, codes etc. Maybe it's not to hard, but I don't have much time to learn...
So I am waiting complete optimization and excellent tutorial which can explain literally everything, step by step...
It's too experimental for me because I have no will to learn about web....

That's it for me too!
You dont have to know any of that. I dont either, many dont, they all got their sites up and running with a bit of work.  :)

Most of the talk about coding is done by Leo and some people helping with the development. Setting up the site doesnt require that. ALso some people are doing heavy customization, thats also a choice.

« Reply #44 on: July 15, 2013, 13:10 »
0
Okay, all the SY supporters are insisting how it's not a big deal to set it up.

But my big unanswered question is still this: who is making money at it?

It's great that SEO is working well for some of the sites, but if potential customers see it, does it compel them to buy?  I've always been skeptical of individual sites, just because as a customer, I would see it and think, "Okay, this site has one image I like, but then I'd have to go open another account at a different site to get that other image I need.  Why not just open one account at SS, FT, DT, etc. and get it altogether?"

So far, I think there's little evidence of SY sites getting over this hump.  But I'd like to be proven wrong, to be convinced there's real opportunity here, so please chime in with your reports of great sales, and maybe you'll convince me to join.

Ron

« Reply #45 on: July 15, 2013, 13:14 »
0
Okay, all the SY supporters are insisting how it's not a big deal to set it up.

But my big unanswered question is still this: who is making money at it?

It's great that SEO is working well for some of the sites, but if potential customers see it, does it compel them to buy?  I've always been skeptical of individual sites, just because as a customer, I would see it and think, "Okay, this site has one image I like, but then I'd have to go open another account at a different site to get that other image I need.  Why not just open one account at SS, FT, DT, etc. and get it altogether?"

So far, I think there's little evidence of SY sites getting over this hump.  But I'd like to be proven wrong, to be convinced there's real opportunity here, so please chime in with your reports of great sales, and maybe you'll convince me to join.

You are questioning direct sales, not Symbiostock. Any website, Symbiostock or not, has to deal with that hump.

The big difference is that Symbiostock is a lot easier and cheaper to set up. Plus you are part of a network.

If a customer wants an image, they will get it. And there are many customer that dont want to buy a subscription or a pack of credits. Just spend the money on one image.

« Reply #46 on: July 15, 2013, 13:15 »
0
Okay, all the SY supporters are insisting how it's not a big deal to set it up.

But my big unanswered question is still this: who is making money at it?

It's great that SEO is working well for some of the sites, but if potential customers see it, does it compel them to buy?  I've always been skeptical of individual sites, just because as a customer, I would see it and think, "Okay, this site has one image I like, but then I'd have to go open another account at a different site to get that other image I need.  Why not just open one account at SS, FT, DT, etc. and get it altogether?"

So far, I think there's little evidence of SY sites getting over this hump.  But I'd like to be proven wrong, to be convinced there's real opportunity here, so please chime in with your reports of great sales, and maybe you'll convince me to join.

All of my new files are exclusive to Symbiostock, and I intend to remove older files from agencies in the future. So how will a buyer obtain these files from the agencies if they are not there?

« Reply #47 on: July 15, 2013, 13:47 »
0
All good theories.  I like Symbiostock, believe me.  Leo has done outstanding work.  I like how it networks everyone together, and those links build strong SEO. 

All this is fantastic, and there are a number of people with sites in place to start drawing in the sales.

But where are they?  I'm still waiting to hear from someone whose had more than a few.

And here's a real fear I have... what if some of the established agencies decide they'd rather not carry the work of people who have set themselves up as competitors to them?  Yes, I understand that being non-exclusive should give you the right to sell work on your own.  But the agencies could see a difference between offering your work on a portfolio-type site and grouping together with a bunch of other contributors to establish a network, in effect, an agency to compete with the established players.  I hope it never happens... but look how the wonderful folks at FT threatened their contributors who sell on DP.    It's very possible, and just the thought of it would give me jitters about setting up a SY site.

Ron

« Reply #48 on: July 15, 2013, 13:52 »
0
I that theory PicturEngine would also be a problem then.

« Reply #49 on: July 15, 2013, 14:01 »
0
I really want to join. But it's definitely too complicated for me (i have no idea whatsoever about coding and dont have time to learn now) and i am nervous every time something does not work. I have a site with Photoshelter and am happy with it. I would be ready to pay the same  monthly subscription (without the sale commission bit) to have another site with Symbiostock if one day Leo can offer some service similar to that. I dont really need all the features that Photoshelter offer, but i need someone to take care of the coding part and  take care of the maintenance and bugs.



Leo does provide this service. He can take care of getting your site up and running for you for a fee, so you dont need to know coding


remember seeing that a while ago (http://www.symbiostock.com/symbiostock-site-setup-services-maintenance-assistance/)


I saw that, but what i need is not a one time start-up service, i need a regular maintenance and trouble shoot, that's why i am ready to pay monthly fees instead of one time starting fee.



Send leo a PM...he might be ok with that. I just dont want to speak for him, but i know he has /is helping a couple of people.


 

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