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Showing posts 81 - 100 of 228 |
| Royalties, subscriptions and SR-EL update |
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Message edited at 08/13/2009, 14:06:49 PM by Cidepix |
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| Originally posted by Cascoly: |
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Quoted Message: it definitely looks like most of us will be taking a $ hit with these new rates. some possible changes to offset that:
** count EVERY subscription DL towards the level increase
** at least charge 2x for subs att higher levels
steve
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That's already being done. It doesn't offset anything. Let's not be funny.
Do whatever you want! Say whatever you want. But never say we don't lose money here, or some changes will offset this.
I don't care if it offsets or not. I want an increase every month. That's why I contribute, not for a pay cut, not for making the same or less money every month.
I contribute because I want an increase every month.
Well exclusives, wait until DT becomes big enough to cut your commissions too. It is going to happen. Sooner or later. There is nothing that protects you against this in their agreement. That's why it is pointless to become exclusive. No one deserves that kind of trust.
Thanks to another website, we now know it doesn't hurt paying 4 dollars for an additional format sub dl.
and 4 dollars for XXXL size of course. |
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Uploaded files:528 | Total Sales: 4991
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Message posted at 08/13/2009, 14:28:57 PM by Godfer |
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I'm willing to give Dt the benefit of the doubt and wait and see how it all turns out. Dt have always in the past done the best they can for us and this site is now firmly in my top tier of sites. My earnings here have doubled on what they were last year because of the changes brought about by Dt and are growing at a much faster rate than the other sites that I upload to. |
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Canon 5D MK II
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Uploaded files:1066 | Total Sales: 22819
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Message posted at 08/13/2009, 15:31:52 PM by Warrenpricephotography |
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Are sales records being suspended while the change is put into place?
As someone else already asked ... what is the implementation date? |
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Nikon, Canon and Panasonic cameras; Nikon, Canon and Tokina ...
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Uploaded files:876 | Total Sales: 693
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Message posted at 08/13/2009, 15:45:21 PM by Conceptualcreations |
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I'm with Mandy and willing to wait and see what transpires. |
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Canon XTi Rebel, Canon 28-135mm lens.
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Uploaded files:0 | Total Sales: 146
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Message posted at 08/13/2009, 16:01:10 PM by Madelaide |
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| Originally posted by Stuartkey: |
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| Quoted Message: [quote]A suggestion (if there is room for them) for exclusive images by non-exclusive contributors: start at 40% and finish with the same 60% of non-exclusives. |
But where is the incentive for exclusives then? The loyalty of exclusivity should be rewarded with an across-the-board bonus above any rate a non-exclusive can earn... whether it's an exclusive image or not. In my opinion. [/quote]
The image must sell well to reach the same level of exclusive photographers. Exclusives get the 60% from the start. |
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Mainly Canon A620 for microstock
Traditional photograph...
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Uploaded files:215 | Total Sales: 1472
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Message posted at 08/13/2009, 16:09:36 PM by Madelaide |
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| Originally posted by Achilles: |
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| Quoted Message: When doing this math, please referr to the thread mentioned in my initial post. The change in royalties was planned along with that, we just delayed it in order to allow revenue to grow so you will not be affected too much. So if you do the math, include this price change. That will already get you on a positive side, or at least close to being even. |
The increase in credit commission was not as high as the loss non-exclusives see now. Here the cut will be around 20-40%, for level 1-3 images (which are probably the majority). On another site that decreased our commissions, the cut was 10%, but my RPD ended up rising 10-15%. My RPD here has been decreasing, that's why I don't feel so positive.
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Mainly Canon A620 for microstock
Traditional photograph...
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Uploaded files:215 | Total Sales: 1472
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Message posted at 08/13/2009, 16:25:43 PM by Maigi |
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Thank you DT team, for constantly developing and improving the site! |
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Canon 550D, Tamron AF 18-270mm, Canon 50mm, Wacom Intuos4 M,...
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Uploaded files:2040 | Total Sales: 12335
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Message posted at 08/13/2009, 18:27:31 PM by Lisafx |
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| Originally posted by Achilles: |
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Quoted Message: When doing this math, please referr to the thread mentioned in my initial post. The change in royalties was planned along with that, we just delayed it in order to allow revenue to grow so you will not be affected too much. So if you do the math, include this price change. That will already get you on a positive side, or at least close to being even.
With the extra budget Dreamstime can attract more buyers. All our buyers are recurring and continue to purchase throughout the next years. What you may lose now (though I said it will be done gradually) will be quickly absorbed and you will see your revenues growing.
Then, when criticizing Dreamstime for its approach, I remind you that for 5 years we've kept a royalty of 50% for all non exclusives against 20% which was the minimum of the industry. The agency awarding you 20% had bigger prices than us and lower commissions. Which means better budgets to drive traffic. We continue to keep the highest royalties. And we award you 60% instantly (no threshold) if you become exclusive with us. Honestly, I think that you either need to be exclusive with us or direct your critique somewhere else.
I do value your understanding, it's after all a decrease. You don't have all the stats we work with, but do trust us. We've been through similar debates in the past. Remember the discussion we had when we cut the bonuses from a max. 80% to a real 50-60%? No one ended up losing, most people enjoyed great months after that announcement and higher RPD.
There are some good remarks in this thread and we will keep them in mind. Even if they can't be integrated right away they worth being explored later. |
All excellent points, Achilles. :-)
I am glad you can appreciate the nervousness this causes and have allowed us to voice our concerns.
Phil is right that part of the reaction is probably because of the way this was handled (badly) elsewhere.
To be fair to DT, they have probably been at a competitive disadvantage by offering the highest royalties. From their perspective they must have felt they had to do this. At least they announced it well in advance and timed it with the raise in prices to minimize the negative affects.
Not to mention Achilles is in the forums taking questions himself and dealing with contributor concerns. It is a vast improvement over the poor communication on other sites. |
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Canon 5D, 40D, Various lenses, flashes, studio lights, light...
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Uploaded files:6663 | Total Sales: 59109
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Message posted at 08/13/2009, 19:50:43 PM by Pancaketom |
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Time will tell what this end result of this is, but the 40% drop in royalty does hurt. DT was my first microstock site and I always appreciated the 50%.
I like the increase for higher level subs sales, especially as they seem to be more frequent compared to regular downloads for me lately. Are there any plans for charging more credits for the larger sizes too?
I do appreciate your effort to communicate with contributors, even if it is just to tell us we are getting a raw deal at some time in the future, it looks like the % decrease is the only bad news in this announcement, and some of the others look like positive steps.
Perhaps the image you chose to illustrate this notice really does explain it, a flaming car going backwards really fast. I hope not.
In any case on average DT has shown a slow and steady increase on average, and I hope it continues to do so. Good luck with the marketing efforts with the new $.
--=Tom |
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Canon Powershot A80, S3 IS, 400D, any other camera I get a c...
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Uploaded files:1705 | Total Sales: 3290
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Message edited at 08/13/2009, 20:08:14 PM by Ampyang |
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As a non-exclusive, DT is just another micro site. No difference to elsewhere. They can do whatever they pleased to the site they're owned. In business perspective, they need to compete.
We, contributors are just participants to the ride.
Will a concerned or criticism can actually change their decision? Perhaps.
However, they need us to understand their "already given" decision and support them. All we can do is just keep on upload and hope that the changes will bring a positive impact in the long run. No guarantee to what we are going to be faced in the future. No guarantee that the site will remain independent. It really is just a typical business model: just a matter of revenue & profit growth. A matter of $$$
Luckily, i still can spread my work elsewhere. There are another established sites and there will be new and promising site rise which need to attract participants to their ride by giving a such generous share (what DT once was) :)
We have learned from the industry that no market can be monopolized by a single company. There will be a competition. Some rise, some fall. And there will be another breakthrough to the overly saturated or stagnant business model.
To my understanding, in this game, the exclusive is the one that should be concerned more.
As for me, I shall remain independent and loyal only to my self ;)
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Canon EOS 350D, 7D, 17-40 f4L, 70-200 f4L, 24-70 F2.8L
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Uploaded files:749 | Total Sales: 1398
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Message edited at 08/14/2009, 02:52:23 AM by Admin |
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Ampyang your strategy can easily backfire or at least has a downside. You simply are not independent, you depend on the agent that you support and you should choose them based on their experience, ethics, knowledge etc. Similar on getting married, trust someone after the long run not on your first date.
We supported these royalties for 5 years. We could've lowered them years before but did our best to keep them high because we could. We would've been happier, way happier to keep the royalties as they were or even increase them. The issue is that all people complaining here support competitors providing low royalties and allowed them to grow. Do you want your best royalty provider or the lowest to be the leader of the industry?
Keeping the exclusives' royalties unaffected proves that we wouldn't decrease the royalties if we wouldn't be forced. The last price increased would've allowed us to decrease them slightly.
Our message is not "quit the other sites and get exclusive with us". We never pushed exclusivity aggressively and never packaged it nicely to fool contributors.
If this decrease is unfair, why do you feel lower royalties are fair elsewhere? Why do you complain here but support them (quietly or not) elsewhere? |
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Nikon D300 / Nikon N80 | Nikon 10.5mm f/2.8G ED AF DX Fishey...
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Uploaded files:2669 | Total Sales: 21470
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Message posted at 08/14/2009, 02:53:00 AM by Sophieso |
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| Originally posted by Stuartkey: |
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Quoted Message: Big 'YAY!' on the subscription increase, especially for Level 5 images, and also on keeping exclusive benefits the same.
I'm sure non-exclusives will not be pleased, but as I've said before, you can't have your cake AND eat it! ;)
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Stewart! Gasp! :-) Nobody is going to resent the generous percentage you've earned for your loyalty and trust. You've earned it, and it's nice to see that Dreamstime truly values their contributors, especially those who have been exclusive. Congratulations.
It looks good all the way around, which isn't at all surprising. |
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Uploaded files:244 | Total Sales: 1052
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Message edited at 08/14/2009, 05:18:14 AM by Thefinalmiracle |
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What Serban says is right. DT has already done a huge favor by giving 50% to non-exclusives like me, but personally I never found exclusivity attractive just for 60% I still find great profits at 30% remaining non-exclusive knowing that all sites have different buyers. The agency has to stay competent and in profit to give us the benefit of this 30% as well. So at the moment it is a right move from DT for STAYIN' ALIVE! |
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Canon Rebel XSI / 450D with Canon 18-55mm IS Lens & Tamron 7...
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Uploaded files:4459 | Total Sales: 11125
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Message posted at 08/14/2009, 07:04:22 AM by Niserin |
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I would agree even on 10% royalities if the general monthly revenue increased. Unfortunetaly Dreamstime seems to not like old members and the revenue is dropping month by month (especially in last 3 months). Even RPD lowered in August to $1.04 in my case.
I have never supported competitors and never will. Would love to see DT on the first place in this industry (I've always felt the strongest bond of sympathy to you), but all in all it's the earnings balance after each month that counts.
Uploading high quality photos on regular basis doesn't help - so please don't say it.
Wish you guys all the best with marketing strategies and new plans and hope to see things getting better in coming weeks.
Your photographer,
Michal
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Nikon D300, many lenses and accessories
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Uploaded files:2785 | Total Sales: 10518
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Message posted at 08/14/2009, 07:06:57 AM by Kcphotos |
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| Originally posted by Achilles: |
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Quoted Message: ...The issue is that all people complaining here support competitors providing low royalties and allowed them to grow. ...
...If this decrease is unfair, why do you feel lower royalties are fair elsewhere? Why do you complain here but support them (quietly or not) elsewhere? |
Couldn't agree more. It seems odd that suddenly DT is the bad guy by adjusting its business model to be more competitive in an extremely competitive marketplace. Contributors who upload to multiple sites undercut DT by obviously accepting and supporting competitor's lower royalties, To me it is this contributor behavior that has forced the issue, not something DT wants or has planned all along to do. I still feel DT gives the best value, has the best service and appreciation for its contributors, and most innovative products. I look forward to exciting new undertakings as we move forward! |
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Nikon D300, D70s, Nikon 70-200mm f2.8VR, Nikon 105mm f2.8VR,...
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Uploaded files:1647 | Total Sales: 9875
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Message edited at 08/14/2009, 09:34:45 AM by Admin |
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The main thing that a contributor supports an agency with is by submitting images.
An agency works with content and budgets for its marketing plans. There are lots of other things that participate, but content is a strategic advantage and affects pricing. If it's not exclusive with your favorite agency, then you are not fully supporting it. A competitor with a higher price and lower royalties will be able to attract more customers thanks to your support. |
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Nikon D300 / Nikon N80 | Nikon 10.5mm f/2.8G ED AF DX Fishey...
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Uploaded files:2669 | Total Sales: 21470
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Message posted at 08/14/2009, 10:26:13 AM by Bradcalkins |
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| Originally posted by Achilles: |
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| Quoted Message: The main thing that a contributor supports an agency with is by submitting images. |
Something a non-exclusive has to consider is that for DT to increase a contributor's revenue every month DT must compete with those other agencies - and success for DT means lowering the other agencies' share. Hard to expect growth at all agencies, with the same images, when they compete with one another. As Achilles points out, offering your images elsewhere and accepting lower royalties there isn't helping DT to keep royalties high, either. |
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Canon 7D, various prime and L series lenses
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Uploaded files:2574 | Total Sales: 14632
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Message posted at 08/14/2009, 10:26:38 AM by Warrenpricephotography |
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We are in business, as well, Achilles. Just as the large producers like Yuri Acurs, Lee Torrens, and Monkey Business, all of whom spread their portfolios over many agencies. The people who write the How To books all tell us ... spread it around.
You have said before, I think, that NOONE gets special consideration. Aren't they a large part of your database? Do you really expect them to delete their portfolios at other sites?
I'm nobody, Achilles, but, I assume you put some credence in NEW contributors, otherwise, your referral program would be for buyers only.
Yes, you have to compete. So do we. We're asking a fair shake, especially on the exclusive images. An image is an image. Buyers don't care if we are exclusive. Thay only care to find the image they need. If they want my image, I deserve to be treated fairly. Otherwise, what is the benefit of offering an image exclusively to DT?
Thanks for listening to us.
Warren Price
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Nikon, Canon and Panasonic cameras; Nikon, Canon and Tokina ...
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Uploaded files:876 | Total Sales: 693
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Message edited at 08/14/2009, 10:53:21 AM by Starletdarlene |
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I have been reading everones comments and at times didn't understand what everyone was unhappy about, (guess I'm just too simple minded). With the more I read the more I became confused about weither to go exclusive or not. But I think it is more clear now.
I have to agree with Achilles when he says:
If this decrease is unfair, why do you feel lower royalties are fair elsewhere? Why do you complain here but support them (quietly or not) elsewhere?[/quote]
So we (photographers) have all contributed to the problem by supporting other sites who have lower commissions.
Maybe I'm makeing it too simple, but for me it has to be simple, Do I understand all the facts? maybe not, but I have to base my decesion on what I understand. We all have to deside what will work for us based on what we understand. I'm just getting started in this business and it is all new to me and still a bit confusing so my opinion is based on limited knowledge, maybe a year or two down the road I'll feel different or maybe not, I don't know.
I do know this is a very competative business, for us as well as for DT. And things can never stay the same anywhere, everything is always changing weither we like it or not, so we either have to go with the change or get out. You have to ask yourself what are my choices? Leave here and go to another stock site, what are they going to pay you? better than here? Just some questions I've had to ask myself, and answer them honestly.
This is just my opinion, and mine alone.
Thank you DT for letting me give my opinion. |
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Uploaded files:744 | Total Sales: 2083
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Message posted at 08/14/2009, 12:38:09 PM by Jacus |
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| Originally posted by Achilles: |
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Quoted Message:
If this decrease is unfair, why do you feel lower royalties are fair elsewhere? Why do you complain here but support them (quietly or not) elsewhere? |
Excellent question.
I don't really care about earnings's percentage, only final result ($) is important. While today, every month, on other site (with lower commissions) I earn 4-9 times more then here (with 50% commission), what I'll earn with 30% ? I would be happy to support you but are you sure to support me? |
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My photos are downsized from bigger RAW files
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Uploaded files:0 | Total Sales: 2079
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Showing posts 81 - 100 of 228
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