Author Topic: StockPhotos.it - My Dreamstime API powered project (Read 33602 times)

cathyslife · « **Reply #25 on:** May 31, 2010, 07:51 »

Quote from: elvinstar on May 31, 2010, 07:40

It is probably the way that DT has their API set up. Rather than provide language that will search all DT photos, their API most likely only includes photographers that are opted into partner program. I would imagine that this saves them having to provide two different versions.

Just a guess.

Sounds logical, guess I won't be participating.

jareso · « **Reply #26 on:** May 31, 2010, 07:56 »

Quote from: FD-amateur on May 31, 2010, 06:10

Quote from: basti on May 31, 2010, 01:47
He just provides extra service to customers like selection of special photos, providing service in more languages that DT doesnt have itself and drive traffic and buyers to DT - he doesnt sell anything himself!
The languages he provides are not from buyers' countries. So where's the advantage? The vast majority of buyers comes from Western Europe and Northern America.

FD-amateur
Well this is of course your right to have your opinion. And maybe you are more or less right. Maybe really more buyers are elsewhere. I don’t have reason to doubt your point.

But who told you that I am going to end up with just EN(IT), SK, CZ versions???

This is just a beginning…

But on the other side, let me also disagree. There is a lot of potecial in Czech and Slovak markets. I must know about it

– I have some active referred buyers (and also photographers) from this countries.
There are also a lot of language specific (SK, CZ) searches going on every day on my project in "search" section...
And I also watch how Czech and Slovak microstock market goes for some years...

Quote from: cclapper on May 31, 2010, 06:52

And yet, as I understand it, the only way we can have our images appear on jareso's site is by OPTING IN TO PARTNER SITES!
Can someone clear that up for me?

cclapper
Yes, you are right. If you want to be part of my project you need to opt in "Alliances and Partnerships" program.

lisafx · « **Reply #27 on:** May 31, 2010, 11:46 »

Jaresco, I see nothing wrong with what you are doing, and have no problem with my images being included, since I am opted in to partner programs on DT.

I am concerned about this portion of the response you got from Serban:

"When we have integrated the dynamic fees, all referral fees for buyers should've been added into the equation, as they contribute to generating the sale. We have delayed this moment in order to avoid significant impact over contributors' earnings. But at some point this will be integrated for all buyers. The royalties will be calculated based on all commission fees involved (distributors, contributor's & Dreamstime's). "

Can someone break this down for me? It sounds like at the moment referral fees are paid by DT out of their roughly 2/3 cut of the royalties.

But am I reading correctly that some new "dynamic fees" are in the works where the referral fees and any other fees will be taken out of the sale BEFORE the royalties are paid to contributors, so we will be getting our % of that reduced amount? If so, it is yet another hit to our already dwindling royalties %.

Somebody tell me I am reading this wrong...Please.

cthoman · « **Reply #28 on:** May 31, 2010, 12:10 »

That does sound a little odd. They should be taken out of DT's share because referrals are basically advertising fees.

cathyslife · « **Reply #29 on:** May 31, 2010, 13:27 »

Quote from: lisafx on May 31, 2010, 11:46

Jaresco, I see nothing wrong with what you are doing, and have no problem with my images being included, since I am opted in to partner programs on DT.

I am concerned about this portion of the response you got from Serban:

"When we have integrated the dynamic fees, all referral fees for buyers should've been added into the equation, as they contribute to generating the sale. We have delayed this moment in order to avoid significant impact over contributors' earnings. But at some point this will be integrated for all buyers. The royalties will be calculated based on all commission fees involved (distributors, contributor's & Dreamstime's). "

Can someone break this down for me? It sounds like at the moment referral fees are paid by DT out of their roughly 2/3 cut of the royalties.

But am I reading correctly that some new "dynamic fees" are in the works where the referral fees and any other fees will be taken out of the sale BEFORE the royalties are paid to contributors, so we will be getting our % of that reduced amount? If so, it is yet another hit to our already dwindling royalties %.

Somebody tell me I am reading this wrong...Please.

I interpreted it as you did...that currently the referral fees are coming out of DT's share, but in the future all fees will be deducted before royalties are paid. Which means a smaller cut for contributors. They don't really define what at some point means.

lisafx · « **Reply #30 on:** May 31, 2010, 14:50 »

Quote from: cclapper on May 31, 2010, 13:27

I interpreted it as you did...that currently the referral fees are coming out of DT's share, but in the future all fees will be deducted before royalties are paid. Which means a smaller cut for contributors. They don't really define what at some point means.

That's what I was afraid of. This is not positive news unless there is some sweetener that will be added when the new royalty scheme is unveiled.

Lee Torrens · « **Reply #31 on:** June 01, 2010, 07:49 »

Quote from: lisafx on May 31, 2010, 14:50

Quote from: cclapper on May 31, 2010, 13:27

I interpreted it as you did...that currently the referral fees are coming out of DT's share, but in the future all fees will be deducted before royalties are paid. Which means a smaller cut for contributors. They don't really define what at some point means.

That's what I was afraid of. This is not positive news unless there is some sweetener that will be added when the new royalty scheme is unveiled.

As I understand it, this is how it works in the traditional part of the industry. When there are multiple levels of distribution, the commissions add up and the contributor can be left with a tiny fraction of the original sale price, even though they're still getting the same percentage they signed up for with their agency.

This is something I personally like about microstock compared to the traditional market and I expect I'm not alone. While photos are in oversupply, I don't expect we'll be hanging on to all of our benefits, but I certainly won't be supporting such a move. I would expect this type of move from iStock (via Getty's hand) long before Dreamstime.

Suljo · « **Reply #32 on:** June 01, 2010, 13:08 »

Jareso
Can you tell me when you catch one referral buyer. Is he you referral just once while he spend his package? Or he is your referral for next 3 years while he will order another packages?

jareso · « **Reply #33 on:** June 02, 2010, 00:03 »

Quote from: Suljo on June 01, 2010, 13:08

Jareso
Can you tell me when you catch one referral buyer. Is he you referral just once while he spend his package? Or he is your referral for next 3 years while he will order another packages?

When I refer new buyer/photographer he/she is my "referred member" for 3 years. And yes I get my 10% from all sales of this person for 3 years. Which is in my opinion GREAT system.

FD · « **Reply #34 on:** June 02, 2010, 01:36 »

Quote from: jareso on June 02, 2010, 00:03

Which is in my opinion GREAT system.

Depends for who. Anyways, I decided to opt out of the partner program reading all this.

Fotonaut · « **Reply #35 on:** June 02, 2010, 02:03 »

Quote from: FD-amateur on June 02, 2010, 01:36

Quote from: jareso on June 02, 2010, 00:03
Which is in my opinion GREAT system.
Depends for who. Anyways, I decided to opt out of the partner program reading all this.

Why so negative to the referral system? The entire MSG site seem to be run on these referrals, both the site with all its links referral links, and with a lot of the MSG members with referral links in their signatures.

Referrals is an incentive driving traffic (and hopefully sales) to the microstock sites.

cathyslife · « **Reply #36 on:** June 02, 2010, 06:25 »

Quote from: Fotonaut on June 02, 2010, 02:03

Why so negative to the referral system? The entire MSG site seem to be run on these referrals, both the site with all its links referral links, and with a lot of the MSG members with referral links in their signatures.

Referrals is an incentive driving traffic (and hopefully sales) to the microstock sites.

I wouldn't necessarily be opposed to the referral system at all. But having to opt in through the partner program is what turns me off. I do not want my images on any site where I have no accounting for how much money I am making or how much money is being taken from me (I am NOT talking about the site being discussed here, I am talking about the other partners, whoever they may be, which is something we often don't know). If DT finds a way to run the referral system without having to opt in to ALL partner programs, then I might have a go.

FD · « **Reply #37 on:** June 02, 2010, 06:38 »

Quote from: Fotonaut on June 02, 2010, 02:03

Why so negative to the referral system? The entire MSG site seem to be run on these referrals, both the site with all its links referral links, and with a lot of the MSG members with referral links in their signatures.

Is that relevant? At the contrary, it means that the MSG lives from my sweat for a tiny part. I know many members post referral links and for a few, that seems the only reason to be here, not for sharing info. I don't have any referral links in my profile. The system sucks.[/quote]

Quote from: Fotonaut on June 02, 2010, 02:03

Referrals is an incentive driving traffic (and hopefully sales) to the microstock sites.

That might be the case for beginning or less well known sites. Not for well-established giants like DT. Their SEO is pretty good and they are all over Google images. I would prefer they would spend the money that goes to referrals to real marketing, like iStock does. Now, they are relying on a class of useless middlemen.

jareso · « **Reply #38 on:** June 02, 2010, 08:57 »

Quote from: FD-amateur on June 02, 2010, 06:38

Quote from: Fotonaut on June 02, 2010, 02:03
Referrals is an incentive driving traffic (and hopefully sales) to the microstock sites.
That might be the case for beginning or less well known sites. Not for well-established giants like DT. Their SEO is pretty good and they are all over Google images. I would prefer they would spend the money that goes to referrals to real marketing, like iStock does. Now, they are relying on a class of useless middlemen.

FD-amateur
Well, no doubt Dreamstime has excellent SEO and they are all over the Google Images, etc. etc.

But you are forgetting one thing – Google is not everything and is not so popular everywhere around the world as you might think. There are search engines out there that have NO idea at all that Dreamstime even exist! And guess what? Tons of people use them. (And believe it or not some % of them are possible stock buyers/photographers.)

For example in Czech Republic there is a BIG local search engine that gets a LOT of visitors and usage (it has commercials running on TV, etc.). It is no secret at all, that about 90% of Czech (net) population use it. But if you would try to lookup (directly) Dreamsime.com using it you would fail, because it does not index it (almost at all). I tried just now to find out how many pages it has indexed from Dreamstime.com and it found hardly 40 pages. Pages with no pictures on them (leading to search with 0 results – because paradoxically it indexed (for some reason) search results for few Czech keywords – that are not found at DT). So chance of getting to Dreamstime directly through it is low…

But on the other side, chance of getting to Dreamstime indirectly using this search engine is guess what(?) – High. Guess how??? Through those "useless middlemens" - as you said. For example I get a lot of traffic from this search engine and I have a lot of pages indexed in it (and still raising and raising - remember I am just starting) – and all are results with pictures on my StockPhotos.cz site: (large preview pages, search results, catalogue results) and so this people stay at me, search/browse at me (because they see same language as they use). And because of that click-through from my site to DT site is relatively high.

And this is not all, there are more small local search engines… There are hundreds (maybe thousands) of page directories (just in SK, CZ) that for example don’t even include .com domains, or other foreign domains. You have to have .CZ, .SK domain, you have to have site written in Slovak or Czech, etc. etc. just to apply to be included. (Really very restrictive.) I know they don’t receive so much traffic and visitors – but when their traffic potential is summed up all together…

Than they are capable of bringing nice free traffic.

But for what I am telling you this… I know I will not persuade you, I don’t even want to – for what(?) would I?
And I have no need to give away my know-how. Again - for what would I want to do that? To create another competitor for myself? No...

Even through I am doing this as a fan/hobby project, it doesn’t mean I don’t take it seriously. For me is important that I know what I am going to do… and how I am going to do it, even I may be changing my mind from time to time.
I have my overall vision.
I have no reason to persuade anyone...
You are free to have your opinion. (Really, no offense…

But once again. My main aim is not to be Dreamstime competitor, neither to try to take part of their traffic.
(Althrough if I will get nice placement also in BIG and other search engines, such as Google, etc. where DT is already placed - i will not moan of course.

)

But. My primary/main aim is to add traffic to the DT's existing traffic - my traffic (new users - buyers/photographers) that I collect/catch/pick on places that are not reachable by DT. That’s it.

And this cost everyone of YOU nothing – only 10% from money that wouldn’t be existent without me, because I brought those new money (new users) to DT! And remember - 90% of money is divided between DT and you.
Plus, remember I am paid from DT's share.
So you get this traffic (new possible buyers - that will buy YOUR photos) add-on virtually free.

So I fail to see, what can you see wrong about referral system at all?

(I mean referral system as it is working now – I am not speaking about those new things that will maybe came true in future…that will be maybe different story…)
As I said I really fail to see what can somebody have against referral program?

But anyway as I said, I have no reason to try to persuade anyone...

So, to everyone:
Naturally, feel free to decide as you consider is best for you...

madelaide · « **Reply #39 on:** June 02, 2010, 17:34 »

Quote from: FD-amateur on May 31, 2010, 06:10

East of Berlin, there is a weaker culture of copyright respect, to put it gently. Just look where Rapidshare, Deposifiles, Megaupload and Heroturko are really located.

You can add "south of the Equator" to that, but I have to disagree on one point: Pirate Bay, Kazaa & such were not developed in these areas. I even wonder if the creators of Rapidshare & Co are from these countries or are users of the west that take advantage of the lack of control they find in the east.

You know, Swiss banks are what they are because they accept unlegal money with open arms.

Suljo · « **Reply #40 on:** June 02, 2010, 23:10 »

I dont know why some users have Ants in the pants about that???
As I understand it is like you have you own web site with images which any of image have you referral link and thats it eg like my ref link below and it is Win/Win game?
Somebody of us are unable to make they referral link/s in signature for forum, More of us are unable to make they own blog with adds and ref links, More and More of us are unable to make any kind of they own site with ref links too, More and More and More of us are unable to make referral site with DT API which is for that purpose, and More of 99.99% of us are unable to make real affiliate site like real third part site which present and sell our work like some kind of indirect stock agency.
So I dont know from where there are so much skepticism (Ant in the pants) about Jareso's work???

Maybe Jareso is not successful in photography or illustrations but he want to find his way to success in programming or web developing or in some kind of in this case marketing which is provided by DT API and he know how to use it.
So. Are you "Ants" jealous on Jareso's skills which you dont have, or you are just uninformed and think how he want to screw you and steal few cents from you royalty?

FD · « **Reply #41 on:** June 06, 2010, 06:39 »

Quote from: Suljo on June 02, 2010, 23:10

I dont know why some users have Ants in the pants about that???

I don't have ants in my pants, if you would worry about that. I have been doing some information work in war zones, and I lost that feeling.

Quote from: Suljo on June 02, 2010, 23:10

As I understand it is like you have you own web site with images which any of image have you referral link and thats it eg like my ref link below and it is Win/Win game?

It's not. All the referral sites will deduct the referral cost from their sales. That's fine when the referrals add traffic, not with mainstream sites like DT. I would expect they use the lessened commission from 50 to 30% for some proper marketing to the target group, not for web-based referrals.

Quote from: Suljo on June 02, 2010, 23:10

Somebody of us are unable to make they referral link/s in signature for forum

My dear Suljo, do you think that only your kind of East-europeans can make referral links? You must be kidding. I just refuse them. If it wasn't for our Western-European subsidies (that break our neck by taxes), you would still be suffering under Moscow's rule and we would have much less crime in the Western EU. We are better.

Quote from: Suljo on June 02, 2010, 23:10

More of us are unable to make they own blog with adds and ref links

I have more (co-)blogs than you'll ever know, and a couple are about Eurosceptics. I know politics is not the issue here, but just don't tempt me, guy. You would be nowhere without us.

Quote from: Suljo on June 02, 2010, 23:10

More and More of us are unable to make any kind of they own site with ref links too, More and More and More of us are unable to make referral site with DT API which is for that purpose, and More of 99.99% of us are unable to make real affiliate site like real third part site which present and sell our work like some kind of indirect stock agency.

Blablabla. Get a life. Where was the Internet invented? You're all doing well as imitators there, but I'm still waiting for the meat. I just don't like "referrals" from my work, just as you. That's why I opted out of DT's partner program. I only have one referral at DT, of a lady that begged me so since I helped her out. Most "referral" sites and links are hidden, so people just stumble in there. I wish sites would delete that program and give us a raise. And I'm sure, so would you.

Quote from: Suljo on June 02, 2010, 23:10

So I dont know from where there are so much skepticism (Ant in the pants) about Jareso's work???

You underestimate Jareso. From what I saw, he's a good photographer.

Quote from: Suljo on June 02, 2010, 23:10

Maybe Jareso is not successful in photography or illustrations but he want to find his way to success in programming or web developing or in some kind of in this case marketing which is provided by DT API and he know how to use it.

My dear fellow, we know how to use that too. I as not attacking Jareso, if you read well, but the sites that allow referrals instead of putting their money from us in proper marketing themselves.

Quote from: Suljo on June 02, 2010, 23:10

So. Are you "Ants" jealous on Jareso's skills which you dont have, or you are just uninformed and think how he want to screw you and steal few cents from you royalty?

My dear Suljo. I'm not jealous of Jareso at all. I'm involved with a design/programing company (not in Mumbai like the moron spammer here but..) in Chennai. We prefer Indians over Easterneuropeans because they are less drama and low maintenance, and most of all, cheaper. For support, we use Filipino call centers, also less drama. When we explored Moscow, we were frightened away by the corruption and the crime, although there is plenty of talent. India has more talent, it just needs to be harvested. So, just don't think we are morons. Photography is just a nice hobby for me. Never take anything for granted, and do something about your English.

click_click · « **Reply #42 on:** June 06, 2010, 07:46 »

Quote from: lisafx on May 31, 2010, 11:46

Jaresco, I see nothing wrong with what you are doing, and have no problem with my images being included, since I am opted in to partner programs on DT.

I am concerned about this portion of the response you got from Serban:

"When we have integrated the dynamic fees, all referral fees for buyers should've been added into the equation, as they contribute to generating the sale. We have delayed this moment in order to avoid significant impact over contributors' earnings. But at some point this will be integrated for all buyers. The royalties will be calculated based on all commission fees involved (distributors, contributor's & Dreamstime's). "

Can someone break this down for me? It sounds like at the moment referral fees are paid by DT out of their roughly 2/3 cut of the royalties.

But am I reading correctly that some new "dynamic fees" are in the works where the referral fees and any other fees will be taken out of the sale BEFORE the royalties are paid to contributors, so we will be getting our % of that reduced amount? If so, it is yet another hit to our already dwindling royalties %.

Somebody tell me I am reading this wrong...Please.

I think you are reading this correctly.

It's the same procedure we've seen at Alamy. That's "ok" by me if the sale amount is several hundred $ but if DT's API is selling mostly Level 1, XS sized images, we'll end up with Thinkstock commissions for credit purchases. This shouldn't be happening.

This all ends at the same place we talked about before: Is DT dying or is Microstock dying?

While DT nor Microstock will be dying as a company/industry it's the individual contributor that cannot afford running their business (if they make a living off of it). This whole development will push away many of the big shooters (except of the best of the best) and open the doors to many hobbyists who do this on the side not relying on that income.

Well, by now we all figured that out anyway, so no more complaining.

dorin · « **Reply #43 on:** June 05, 2018, 12:47 »

Hello,

As a contributor, Dreamstime is asking me for title and description
I saw that in API and on your site is only the title - Where is the Description ?

Dorin

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Author Topic: StockPhotos.it - My Dreamstime API powered project (Read 33602 times)

cathyslife

jareso

lisafx

cthoman

cathyslife

lisafx

Lee Torrens

Suljo

jareso

FD

Fotonaut

cathyslife

FD

jareso

madelaide

Suljo

FD

click_click

dorin

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