Author Topic: A Fable for those considering exclusivity (Read 17855 times)

nruboc · « **Reply #50 on:** September 22, 2010, 17:55 »

Quote from: sharply_done on September 22, 2010, 17:28

Quote from: gostwyck on September 22, 2010, 16:50
Ten of my dollars says Sharply will not be exclusive with Istockphoto in 18 months time. Put this date in your diary __ 22nd March 2012. Will Sharply still be wearing his crown? I doubt it. Any takers for my money?

Hah - I'll take it alright ... I'll even go for more if you're up to it!

Before we proceed, and for fair warning, you should know that cdwheatley is very much 'in the know' about things with me and iStock - it's a good guess that if he's willing to pony up $1000, there just might be more going on than you expect.

http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/buyers-bailing-on-istock/msg161663/#msg161663

djpadavona · « **Reply #51 on:** September 22, 2010, 18:05 »

Since some of us are sharing experiences, I will say that I took a 20% pay cut by going exclusive with iStock. Which I was more than happy with. Making 80% of my previous income with far less work was fantastic.

Honestly I would have stayed exclusive for a long, long time had they not dropped the double bombshells of TS and the royalty cut/agency collection addition. And I would have reconsidered my decision to cancel exclusivity if they had shown the least bit of willingness to bargain with their contributors. I can't say I have ill will toward iStock/Getty. I just don't care anymore. They went their way, and I'm going mine.

In a little less than a month, I'll start rebuilding across the board, and I guarantee I'll never consider exclusivity with another company.

sharply_done · « **Reply #52 on:** September 22, 2010, 18:13 »

Quote from: nruboc on September 22, 2010, 17:55

http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/buyers-bailing-on-istock/msg161663/#msg161663

Does this mean you think I'm on some sort of magic list? How I wish that was true.
I'm sorry if what I wrote inferred anything like that - I merely wanted to say that my experience at iStock is not what gostwyck thinks it is.

nruboc · « **Reply #53 on:** September 22, 2010, 18:31 »

Quote from: sharply_done on September 22, 2010, 18:13

Quote from: nruboc on September 22, 2010, 17:55
http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/buyers-bailing-on-istock/msg161663/#msg161663

Does this mean you think I'm some sort of magic list? How I wish that was true.
I'm sorry if what I wrote inferred anything like that - I merely wanted to say that my experience at iStock is not what gostwyck thinks it is.

Well.... I posted that to let people make their own decisions. But since you are denying it, I will expand later when I have the time. But I think you just opened a can of worms.

sharply_done · « **Reply #54 on:** September 22, 2010, 18:36 »

Quote from: nruboc on September 22, 2010, 18:31

...
Well.... I posted that to let people make their own decisions. But since you are denying it, I will expand later when I have the time. But I think you just opened a can of worms.

Can of worms? There's nothing below-the-table or sinister going on - you're looking for and/or seeing something that just isn't there. Not with me, anyway.

helix7 · « **Reply #55 on:** September 22, 2010, 19:09 »

Quote from: sharply_done on September 22, 2010, 17:28

Before we proceed, and for fair warning, you should know that cdwheatley is very much 'in the know' about things with me and iStock - it's a good guess that if he's willing to pony up $1000, there just might be more going on than you expect.

Think I'd steer clear of that bet, gostwyck.

gostwyck · « **Reply #56 on:** September 23, 2010, 12:37 »

Quote from: sharply_done on September 22, 2010, 17:28

Hah - I'll take it alright ... I'll even go for more if you're up to it!

Before we proceed, and for fair warning, you should know that cdwheatley is very much 'in the know' about things with me and iStock - it's a good guess that if he's willing to pony up $1000, there just might be more going on than you expect.

Good stuff __ we're on! I'll PM you. (apologies for the delay __ just got back from the golf course)

I guess I should give you 'fair warning' too that I'm expecting Istockphoto to deliver at least one more 'crowdshafting' initiative in the next 18 months, their share of the market might fall, Stockfresh will be helping the independents' cause and Istockphoto themselves may be under new ownership by then.

sharply_done · « **Reply #57 on:** September 23, 2010, 14:17 »

Quote from: gostwyck on September 23, 2010, 12:37

Good stuff __ we're on! I'll PM you. (apologies for the delay __ just got back from the golf course)

I guess I should give you 'fair warning' too that I'm expecting Istockphoto to deliver at least one more 'crowdshafting' initiative in the next 18 months, their share of the market might fall, Stockfresh will be helping the independents' cause and Istockphoto themselves may be under new ownership by then.

Right. $10 goes to you if I become independent in the next 18 months.

As far as your fair warning goes, that's nothing but speculation. I can equally speculate that iStock's market share might rise, but it's just as meaningless a guess. What matters is that I have planned things so that I can be as secure as possible for any sort of change that the marketplace undergoes - that's the smart play. I suppose you can make the claim that being independent fundamentally guarantees security, but the things I am doing (I think) are much more efficient/effective than that strategy can ever be.

Best of luck ... you're going to need it!

gostwyck · « **Reply #58 on:** September 23, 2010, 14:29 »

Quote from: sharply_done on September 23, 2010, 14:17

What matters is that I have planned things so that I can be as secure as possible for any sort of change that the marketplace undergoes - that's the smart play.

Hmmm. But did you 'plan' on a massive cut in your commissions for next year? I think Istockphoto's inherent greed will stretch the loyalty of even their most ardent supporter (although I am staggered to find that they still have any at all!). Time will tell!

sharply_done · « **Reply #59 on:** September 23, 2010, 14:36 »

Quote from: gostwyck on September 23, 2010, 14:29

Hmmm. But did you 'plan' on a massive cut in your commissions for next year? I think Istockphoto's inherent greed will stretch the loyalty of even their most ardent supporter (although I am staggered to find that they still have any at all!). Time will tell!

Why do you think I'm getting a massive cut in my commissions next year?

cthoman · « **Reply #60 on:** September 23, 2010, 15:06 »

Quote from: sharply_done on September 23, 2010, 14:36

Why do you think I'm getting a massive cut in my commissions next year?

Sabotage?

Seriously though, it sounds like an interesting bet. It basically sound like you two are betting on the future of IS in the next 18 months.

ichiro17 · « **Reply #61 on:** September 23, 2010, 15:14 »

Quote from: sharply_done on September 23, 2010, 14:36

Quote from: gostwyck on September 23, 2010, 14:29
Hmmm. But did you 'plan' on a massive cut in your commissions for next year? I think Istockphoto's inherent greed will stretch the loyalty of even their most ardent supporter (although I am staggered to find that they still have any at all!). Time will tell!

Why do you think I'm getting a massive cut in my commissions next year?

How else would he argue it? Just because some can't hit the targets means that all can't in some minds.

sharply_done · « **Reply #62 on:** September 23, 2010, 15:18 »

Quote from: cthoman on September 23, 2010, 15:06

...
Seriously though, it sounds like an interesting bet. It basically sound like you two are betting on the future of IS in the next 18 months.

The way I see it, I'm not betting on iStock's future at all - I'm betting on my own. I'm not in a position to judge how the marketplace might change - I don't think anybody here is. But I am in the best possible position to judge how my fortunes might change, and wagering against me when the only knowledge you have might be gleaned from a glance at my iStock portfolio isn't exactly prudent.

Aside from that, the bet is only $10, which makes it more of a joke than anything else.

cthoman · « **Reply #63 on:** September 23, 2010, 15:40 »

Quote from: sharply_done on September 23, 2010, 15:18

The way I see it, I'm not betting on iStock's future at all - I'm betting on my own. I'm not in a position to judge how the marketplace might change - I don't think anybody here is.

Definitely true. I suppose most of us are just guessing based on how we processed the change and assume most others will come to the same conclusions as we did (which they probably won't). In my case, I assume that contributors won't like being paid less than 20% and will start deleting their portfolios in January. But, it's just a guess based on what I will probably do.

Since, I'm guessing... If I was to guess who will win the bet, I'd have to go with Sharply. I think people will leave IS in the new year and things will probably get worse there, but it won't be bad enough for long time contributor to leave. I'll put my magic eight ball away now.

gostwyck · « **Reply #64 on:** September 23, 2010, 15:46 »

Quote from: sharply_done on September 23, 2010, 15:18

Aside from that, the bet is only $10, which makes it more of a joke than anything else.

Exactly. It's just a bit of jousting.

Understand what you mean about the 'commission cut'. I forget that exclusives have such a high RC rate per sale compared to independents. Remaining at 40% isn't arduous as it appears from my own figures. Yet.

ichiro17 · « **Reply #65 on:** September 23, 2010, 15:50 »

Quote from: gostwyck on September 23, 2010, 15:46

Quote from: sharply_done on September 23, 2010, 15:18
Aside from that, the bet is only $10, which makes it more of a joke than anything else.

Exactly. It's just a bit of jousting.

Understand what you mean about the 'commission cut'. I forget that exclusives have such a high RC rate per sale compared to independents. Remaining at 40% isn't arduous as it appears from my own figures. Yet.

For now, 40% is reasonable. We'll what the future holds.

Pixel-Pizzazz · « **Reply #66 on:** September 23, 2010, 16:25 »

Quote from: gostwyck on September 23, 2010, 15:46

Quote from: sharply_done on September 23, 2010, 15:18
Aside from that, the bet is only $10, which makes it more of a joke than anything else.

Exactly. It's just a bit of jousting.

Understand what you mean about the 'commission cut'. I forget that exclusives have such a high RC rate per sale compared to independents. Remaining at 40% isn't arduous as it appears from my own figures. Yet.

Does anyone know how the new 6 month lock-in for E+ and other lock-ins, if any, will affect you if you decide to give up exclusivity? Will that end when your exclusivity ends in 30 days or will you be forced to remain exclusive until those commiments expire or will you be allowed to go non-exclusive as per normal but have to leave those images as E+ for whatever time remains of their 6 month commitment?

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #67 on:** September 23, 2010, 16:49 »

Quote from: Pixel-Pizzazz on September 23, 2010, 16:25

Quote from: gostwyck on September 23, 2010, 15:46
Quote from: sharply_done on September 23, 2010, 15:18
Aside from that, the bet is only $10, which makes it more of a joke than anything else.

Exactly. It's just a bit of jousting.

Understand what you mean about the 'commission cut'. I forget that exclusives have such a high RC rate per sale compared to independents. Remaining at 40% isn't arduous as it appears from my own figures. Yet.

Does anyone know how the new 6 month lock-in for E+ and other lock-ins, if any, will affect you if you decide to give up exclusivity? Will that end when your exclusivity ends in 30 days or will you be forced to remain exclusive until those commiments expire or will you be allowed to go non-exclusive as per normal but have to leave those images as E+ for whatever time remains of their 6 month commitment?

There's nothing to stop you from deactivating an E+ image at any time, so logic would suggest that if you become independent, all your Vetta or E+ files would just move to the main collection. Nothing about the 30 day wait was changed in the supplier agreement, and it would have to be if you were required to wait longer than 30 days.

As always, Contributor Relations can give the best answer. You probably have to complete an obstacle course and pay Getty 1/3 of your next 5 years earnings from all sources and you'll be all set

sharply_done · « **Reply #68 on:** September 23, 2010, 17:17 »

Quote from: cthoman on September 23, 2010, 15:40

...
Since, I'm guessing... If I was to guess who will win the bet, I'd have to go with Sharply. I think people will leave IS in the new year and things will probably get worse there, but it won't be bad enough for long time contributor to leave. I'll put my magic eight ball away now.

If there's one thing I've learned the hard way, it's this: There's no such thing as a sure thing.
It may very well turn out that my best course of action is return to being independent. I can't see things changing so much that it'll happen, but you never know.

lisafx · « **Reply #69 on:** September 23, 2010, 17:58 »

redundant of other posts...

Pixel-Pizzazz · « **Reply #70 on:** September 23, 2010, 18:15 »

Quote from: jsnover on September 23, 2010, 16:49

Quote from: Pixel-Pizzazz on September 23, 2010, 16:25
Quote from: gostwyck on September 23, 2010, 15:46
Quote from: sharply_done on September 23, 2010, 15:18
Aside from that, the bet is only $10, which makes it more of a joke than anything else.

Exactly. It's just a bit of jousting.

Understand what you mean about the 'commission cut'. I forget that exclusives have such a high RC rate per sale compared to independents. Remaining at 40% isn't arduous as it appears from my own figures. Yet.
Does anyone know how the new 6 month lock-in for E+ and other lock-ins, if any, will affect you if you decide to give up exclusivity? Will that end when your exclusivity ends in 30 days or will you be forced to remain exclusive until those commiments expire or will you be allowed to go non-exclusive as per normal but have to leave those images as E+ for whatever time remains of their 6 month commitment?

There's nothing to stop you from deactivating an E+ image at any time, so logic would suggest that if you become independent, all your Vetta or E+ files would just move to the main collection. Nothing about the 30 day wait was changed in the supplier agreement, and it would have to be if you were required to wait longer than 30 days.

As always, Contributor Relations can give the best answer. You probably have to complete an obstacle course and pay Getty 1/3 of your next 5 years earnings from all sources and you'll be all set

LOL - I don't have any there - it was just a niggling question that I wondered about. I didn't realize you could just deactivate them before the 6 mths was up - thanks for the info - it satisfied my curiostiy.

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Author Topic: A Fable for those considering exclusivity (Read 17855 times)

nruboc

djpadavona

sharply_done

nruboc

sharply_done

helix7

gostwyck

sharply_done

gostwyck

sharply_done

cthoman

ichiro17

sharply_done

cthoman

gostwyck

ichiro17

Pixel-Pizzazz

Jo Ann Snover

sharply_done

lisafx

Pixel-Pizzazz

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