Author Topic: Selling all rights to an image (Read 5872 times)

Allsa · « **on:** November 06, 2012, 11:14 »

I've been contacted by someone who is interested in buying all the rights to one of my images. It's a popular image, but not one of my best sellers. They want to print it on a variety of items such as notebooks, pens, cups, postcards, ect. Here's the image: http://www.shutterstock.com/cat.mhtml?gallery_id=2423#id=5204542
I have no idea what to charge for it, if I do decide to sell it. Even though it's not a top seller, it's one of my favorite images, and I'm reluctant to let it go. Any ideas what I should charge if I sell it?

rimglow · « **Reply #1 on:** November 06, 2012, 11:22 »

$2500 - $3000. That would be about the rate for a commissioned buyout illustration of this type.

Poncke · « **Reply #2 on:** November 06, 2012, 11:36 »

Where can you find that number?

I am in the understanding its based on the potential income an image has.

If the image makes you 1000 dollar a year, then would hang on to it instead of selling it for 3000

But I am not experienced in this, thats why I am asking.

rimglow · « **Reply #3 on:** November 06, 2012, 14:18 »

Quote from: Poncke on November 06, 2012, 11:36

Where can you find that number?

I am in the understanding its based on the potential income an image has.

If the image makes you 1000 dollar a year, then would hang on to it instead of selling it for 3000

But I am not experienced in this, thats why I am asking.

The price is based on what I get for commissioned work. That's how I would approach it's worth. How many images, in your portfolio, are earning $1000 a year? Allsa has already stated that it's not a top seller. If the buyer is for real, this is a reasonable price.

click_click · « **Reply #4 on:** November 06, 2012, 16:44 »

Quote from: rimglow on November 06, 2012, 11:22

$2500 - $3000. That would be about the rate for a commissioned buyout illustration of this type.

Two things:

1. It depends on what you believe your work is worth

2. Who is the client? Is it Microsoft or is it Joe the plumber from around the corner who needs a couple of bumper stickers printed and maybe a couple hundred business cards?

I know what my images are worth and shoot out my quotes but I also have to mention that many potential clients simply declare you insane for asking $1,000.00 or more for any sort of usage rights (not talking about Microsoft sized clients of course).

There is a software called fotoquote which helps you to determine licensing costs as long as you know what and how the client wants to use your stuff. If you add up all the licensing costs for the uses he had in mind and it amounts to let's say $5,000.00 or more then it's more than fair to charge $2,500 to $3,000 for an unlimited usage license as a one off thing (non-exclusive of course).

If however, the client planned on printing a set of business cards and a few bumper stickers - even if he had the money they'd rather license a similar image from Alamy paying $185 for the business cards license and $98 for the bumper sticker license. Nobody pays $3,000.00 for such small uses.

RacePhoto · « **Reply #5 on:** November 06, 2012, 22:33 »

Except for the fact that they may want to make a line of products with that image, they could just as easily purchase five ELs and not pay all that money. I don't see $1000 as too much for losing your ability to earn 39 cents now and then? What's it worth to you in earnings and what's a realistic value to sell all rights?

It's not the same as someone contracting you to create an image for their private use.

But in the end, you should ask the potential buyer for specific usage and projected quantity before you can make an intelligent evaluation.

Pixart · « **Reply #6 on:** November 06, 2012, 22:51 »

But, usage and quantity means nothing when you Sell The Rights!

RacePhoto · « **Reply #7 on:** November 06, 2012, 23:07 »

Quote from: Pixart on November 06, 2012, 22:51

But, usage and quantity means nothing when you Sell The Rights!

It tells you how they are using it and how much they need the image for their project. Like click_click said, it can depend on who it is as well. As with any RM sale, the production, location and volume determine the price. It's not like RF.

So selling all rights you should know if it's for Mattel, Avery, or a small store. Are they going to sell it for ten tyears on ten million items or is it going on 1000 books, 1000 clip boards, some notebooks and a pencil case.

That's why yes it does matter what use and who, for determining the value.

If it's just against the future sales, heck, $300 sounds good? Because that may be the lifetime earnings in microstock for the next ten years. (which is stupid but makes the point that eventual usage and quantity do matter?)

Pixart · « **Reply #8 on:** November 07, 2012, 01:36 »

But it doesn't matter if they are Matell, they can sell it to Matell for 20,000!

nicku · « **Reply #9 on:** November 07, 2012, 07:14 »

Quote from: Pixart on November 07, 2012, 01:36

But it doesn't matter if they are Matell, they can sell it to Matell for 20,000!

...or they can choose another image.

Calculate how much the image had earned until now/ year and multiply the sum by 3,4 or 5. i believe is a decent sum.

RacePhoto · « **Reply #10 on:** November 07, 2012, 11:45 »

Quote from: nicku on November 07, 2012, 07:14

Quote from: Pixart on November 07, 2012, 01:36
But it doesn't matter if they are Matell, they can sell it to Matell for 20,000!

...or they can choose another image.

Calculate how much the image had earned until now/ year and multiply the sum by 3,4 or 5. i believe is a decent sum.

Yes I think that's what I was trying to get at. But basically it's an exclusive RM sale with all rights forever.

People always want to know where their photos are going and what are they used for, and who's buying it. I think that would have some bearing on the asking price. It's not unreasonable to ask the buyer what they are going to do with it, how many copies, and what kind of distribution, to determine the value?

If Sports Illustrated wants to buy one of my shots, the price is different than if the Podunk County Advertiser wants to buy it. This isn't Microstock RF pricing.