Author Topic: Commission cut (Read 59140 times)

Tyson Anderson · « **Reply #75 on:** July 18, 2018, 18:37 »

Oh yeah, you're all right. We should take time away from processing footage to complain and start petitions. No! Not one comment on here or petition signed is going to change their business decision. Weak and powerless is going on a forum to complain like a sissy. Buck up and get back to work if you're strong enough to adapt. Wining is not speaking up for you self interest. Not you or anyone on this forum is actually changing the business decisions of these big companies. So you have the decision to accept the rule change and keep playing the game or sit on the sidelines and complain. I really don't care what ya choose. The more people complain and hold back from uploading, the more money I can potentially make. I'm just trying to keep things positive. And yes I fully understand what's happened here and why everyone's so mad... I just don't think that response is a productive choice when it comes to business. Good luck everyone!

Noedelhap · « **Reply #76 on:** July 18, 2018, 18:51 »

Quote from: Tyson Anderson on July 18, 2018, 18:37

Oh yeah, you're all right. We should take time away from processing footage to complain and start petitions. No! Not one comment on here or petition signed is going to change their business decision. Weak and powerless is going on a forum to complain like a sissy. Buck up and get back to work if you're strong enough to adapt. Wining is not speaking up for you self interest. Not you or anyone on this forum is actually changing the business decisions of these big companies. So you have the decision to accept the rule change and keep playing the game or sit on the sidelines and complain. I really don't care what ya choose. The more people complain and hold back from uploading, the more money I can potentially make. I'm just trying to keep things positive. And yes I fully understand what's happened here and why everyone's so mad... I just don't think that response is a productive choice when it comes to business. Good luck everyone!

Accept and adapt? Oh sure, business-wise I've adapted. I have focused more on freelance assignments and see microstock as nothing more than side income. But accept silently without a fight? No way. Let the agencies know how we think about them.

Do I think they will reverse their decision? Will it change the industry? No. But hopefully my opinion on this may raise awareness and stop others from uploading there. Because there's no need to support greed and unethical businesses.
As for you, if you want to fight a losing battle, working twice as hard for that same lousy income, go ahead. You may succeed in recuperating your losses, accepting the fact that agencies keep chipping away your income until you're exhausted from working too hard. I'm off seeking greener pastures.

KevinM · « **Reply #77 on:** July 18, 2018, 19:13 »

Well spoken, Noedelhap.

Plainly most people get it. If everyone who reads this thread sends an email or signs the petition and gets friends/peers to sign, then that is a significant number of people pledging to stop uploading or even delete their portfolio. Whether or not Videoblocks actually changes their policy, the point is they'll be made aware that cutting commissions means they will lose contributors, content and their good name. NOT responding to a massive, insulting commission cut sends the message to ALL stock companies that they can cut commissions as much as they want and we won't say a word (which is the more accurate definition of a sissy). By action or inaction, we inevitably MUST send one of those two messages. Seems a simple choice.

The petition link again: https://www.change.org/p/tj-leonard-videoblocks-don-t-cut-people-s-pay-in-half

Mantis · « **Reply #78 on:** July 18, 2018, 20:03 »

Quote from: Tyson Anderson on July 18, 2018, 18:37

Oh yeah, you're all right. We should take time away from processing footage to complain and start petitions. No! Not one comment on here or petition signed is going to change their business decision. Weak and powerless is going on a forum to complain like a sissy. Buck up and get back to work if you're strong enough to adapt. Wining is not speaking up for you self interest. Not you or anyone on this forum is actually changing the business decisions of these big companies. So you have the decision to accept the rule change and keep playing the game or sit on the sidelines and complain. I really don't care what ya choose. The more people complain and hold back from uploading, the more money I can potentially make. I'm just trying to keep things positive. And yes I fully understand what's happened here and why everyone's so mad... I just don't think that response is a productive choice when it comes to business. Good luck everyone!

DPC

Rage · « **Reply #79 on:** July 18, 2018, 22:51 »

Quote from: KevinM on July 17, 2018, 18:03

Here is the petition, please sign and share with friends!

https://www.change.org/p/tj-leonard-videoblocks-don-t-cut-people-s-pay-in-half

43 people signed, guys push others to do it as well. I'm sure the remaining are not happy with the mail as well.

Plus need to keep up the mailing. I got a random stock reply as well about how this will help me earn more in the long run

Rage · « **Reply #80 on:** July 18, 2018, 22:59 »

Quote from: Tyson Anderson on July 18, 2018, 18:37

Oh yeah, you're all right. We should take time away from processing footage to complain and start petitions. No! Not one comment on here or petition signed is going to change their business decision. Weak and powerless is going on a forum to complain like a sissy. Buck up and get back to work if you're strong enough to adapt. Wining is not speaking up for you self interest. Not you or anyone on this forum is actually changing the business decisions of these big companies. So you have the decision to accept the rule change and keep playing the game or sit on the sidelines and complain. I really don't care what ya choose. The more people complain and hold back from uploading, the more money I can potentially make. I'm just trying to keep things positive. And yes I fully understand what's happened here and why everyone's so mad... I just don't think that response is a productive choice when it comes to business. Good luck everyone!

I hope you've read animal farm. The " i must work twice as hard" mentality is what got the horse killed. Asking for a fair price for our work is not being a sissy, not asking at all is.

Let the upload volume drop significantly and there will be questions asked from TJ. We still continue to sell freelance, P5 and others, we lose a small part of potential sales (maybe). The art producers still make their stuff, we still sell, its just that it won't be through SB till they clarify what craziness they are doing.

Chichikov · « **Reply #81 on:** July 19, 2018, 00:55 »

Quote from: msg2018 on July 16, 2018, 14:46

Fifty lines to say that you cut our commissions?

C'mon, CEO... I don't even mind about the cut in this case (50% of zero is still zero) but try to avoid insulting your contributors next time

The problem is not "50% of zero"
The problem is that doing so they will drive down the prices of the whole market…

msg2018 · « **Reply #82 on:** July 19, 2018, 01:01 »

Quote from: Chichikov on July 19, 2018, 00:55

Quote from: msg2018 on July 16, 2018, 14:46
Fifty lines to say that you cut our commissions?

C'mon, CEO... I don't even mind about the cut in this case (50% of zero is still zero) but try to avoid insulting your contributors next time

The problem is not "50% of zero"
The problem is that doing so they will drive down the prices of the whole market…

Why? They're not lowering prices, they are "just" cutting our share, which in my case is already irrelevant.

By the way, most of us knew from the start that their business model couldn't work.

If they wish to turn into a normal stock site, they need to get rid of (or greatly demote) their owned collection and start promoting the paid collection for real.

If they wish to earn a little more by the commission cut alone, they need do nothing: their plan is already perfect, but it will end in tears for them before too long.

Anyone betting which way they'll choose? I bet the second.

Of course, they'll introduce subs sooner of later, and will try to undercut the competition on that.

everest · « **Reply #83 on:** July 19, 2018, 01:39 »

I can bear the cut although I don't like it. In any case 100% was for sure not sustainable in many ways.

BUT the HD price is way to low for some files . Or they let set prices by suppliers or part of my content will just not go there. I will not cannibalize Pond5, which is the only agency left that I think is somehow contributor friendly and on top lets you set the value of your footage.

SuperPhoto · « **Reply #84 on:** July 19, 2018, 01:45 »

Quote from: everest on July 19, 2018, 01:39

I can bear the cut although I don't like it. In any case 100% was for sure not sustainable in many ways.

BUT the HD price is way to low for some files . Or they let set prices by suppliers or part of my content will just not go there. I will not cannibalize Pond5, which is the only agency left that I think is somehow contributor friendly and on top lets you set the value of your footage.

Doesn't matter if it wasn't "sustainable" (which, actually isn't really true based on how they've designed their site). The main point is they broke their word. They've proven that their word means nothing.

They will just abritrarily decide to do whatever they feel like. So. Maybe the future you'll get a new e-mail that says "Upon further reflection, we've decided we need 75%..." then later..." Actually, we need 90%"... And then, maybe "Well, we'll pay you $0.10/video, because of 'competition'", etc, etc...

They've proven their word means nothing.

rod-09 · « **Reply #85 on:** July 19, 2018, 02:20 »

Istock did that years ago... I deleted all my port and never looked back.

ShadySue · « **Reply #86 on:** July 19, 2018, 04:46 »

Quote from: SuperPhoto on July 19, 2018, 01:45

Quote from: everest on July 19, 2018, 01:39
I can bear the cut although I don't like it. In any case 100% was for sure not sustainable in many ways.
BUT the HD price is way to low for some files . Or they let set prices by suppliers or part of my content will just not go there. I will not cannibalize Pond5, which is the only agency left that I think is somehow contributor friendly and on top lets you set the value of your footage.
Doesn't matter if it wasn't "sustainable" (which, actually isn't really true based on how they've designed their site). The main point is they broke their word. They've proven that their word means nothing.

Worse, they've proved their lack of judgement in imagining that 100% could be sustainable.

treps · « **Reply #87 on:** July 19, 2018, 05:57 »

Quote from: ShadySue on July 19, 2018, 04:46

Worse, they've proved their lack of judgement in imagining that 100% could be sustainable.

The 100% has always been a lure to fill their gallery and attract customers then incite them to subscribe, their model has always been to sell subscriptions not to have people buy our stuff from the market place !

Now that the market place is probably making enough money by itself they want their share.

ShadySue · « **Reply #88 on:** July 19, 2018, 06:16 »

Quote from: treps on July 19, 2018, 05:57

Quote from: ShadySue on July 19, 2018, 04:46
Worse, they've proved their lack of judgement in imagining that 100% could be sustainable.

The 100% has always been a lure to fill their gallery and attract customers then incite them to subscribe, their model has always been to sell subscriptions not to have people buy our stuff from the market place !

Now that the market place is probably making enough money by itself they want their share.

Lack of integrity then. But that's in overall short supply in the micro business.

helloitsme · « **Reply #89 on:** July 19, 2018, 06:46 »

We as contributors/creators are in control of how much we should get per sales, not them. We can do this by simply deleting our works from sites that don't respect us. So easy!!

SuperPhoto · « **Reply #90 on:** July 19, 2018, 08:50 »

More specifically - they probably feel that they've found all the 'low hanging' fruit (i.e., people that WOULD sign up for subscriptions) - and their marketing efforts in that area aren't producing the same results...

So now, they are going after the other market...

Quote from: treps on July 19, 2018, 05:57

Quote from: ShadySue on July 19, 2018, 04:46
Worse, they've proved their lack of judgement in imagining that 100% could be sustainable.

The 100% has always been a lure to fill their gallery and attract customers then incite them to subscribe, their model has always been to sell subscriptions not to have people buy our stuff from the market place !

Now that the market place is probably making enough money by itself they want their share.

Rage · « **Reply #91 on:** July 19, 2018, 22:44 »

Its definitely worth a shot to get the commission increased or custom pricing started.

I've reached out to friends who've shot or modelled for videos and gotten them to sign and drop TJ an email. It affects them as well if we get paid less.

For the people saying that this is their livelihood and they can't burn bridges. Well, if the return per video goes down then your livelihood goes down as well. You should be the most enthusiastic about leading this charge and ensuring that this continues to be a good way to earn a living.

Sign the petition and more importantly drop TJ and the contributor id a mail. No uploads till this is resolved

https://www.change.org/p/tj-le...don-t-cut-people-s-pay-in-half

Kevin, can you edit the petition and add the two email ids there. That way each one who signs can drop in a mail as well.

KevinM · « **Reply #92 on:** July 20, 2018, 00:06 »

Done. Updated petition with email addresses for people who want to email TJ and Videoblocks. For some reason the link in your post was truncated and therefore didn't work. The full link to the petition is https://www.change.org/p/tj-leonard-videoblocks-don-t-cut-people-s-pay-in-half

Video-StockOrg · « **Reply #93 on:** July 20, 2018, 02:47 »

Did anyone make petition when:
- istock/getty started dumping prices on images and videos?
- when shutterstock invented $1.5 prices for stock clips?
- when Pond5 started offering membership?
- when Revostock closed down site and steal our money?
- when Dissolve threaten contributors with lower prices?
- etc...

why so much interest in dumping agency such as VB? Which lowered our value of footage from the beginning. You shouldn't even UPLOAD to such agencies.

SpaceStockFootage · « **Reply #94 on:** July 20, 2018, 02:59 »

Quote from: helloitsme on July 19, 2018, 06:46

We as contributors/creators are in control of how much we should get per sales, not them.

You must be new!

lucagavagna · « **Reply #95 on:** July 20, 2018, 04:26 »

I signed the petition.
I think that they cannot tell us that they'll pay us a 100% commission to convince us to upload and then after they have enough clips to go to the market they change the agreements,
it's not fair. They treat us like stupid ones.

Noedelhap · « **Reply #96 on:** July 20, 2018, 06:01 »

I sent them an email (directed to their CEO) and at least their support desk responded - with the following email:

Quote

We completely understand where you are coming from and I want to help clarify.

The reality is this: we have been proud to offer 100% commission since the launch of the Marketplace, and we made major investments in its success, but we need a more sustainable way to manage the operating costs going forward. After weighing every option available, we have determined the only way to maintain long-term health and success of the Marketplace is an even share in commission.

We get that this isn’t ideal, and it’s not what we’d hoped for either. That’s why we want to show our continued commitment to our contributor community by making impactful changes. Our plan is to increase the promotion of Marketplace content to those customers who are purchasers. This will lead to more sales for you.

We will also continue to educate all new and existing customers about the benefits of the Marketplace as part of their subscription. We definitely want to support you moving forward. Please let us know if you have any questions. Thanks!
If there is anything I can do to assist, please let me know.

Rage · « **Reply #97 on:** July 20, 2018, 06:34 »

Quote from: lucagavagna on July 20, 2018, 04:26

I signed the petition.
I think that they cannot tell us that they'll pay us a 100% commission to convince us to upload and then after they have enough clips to go to the market they change the agreements,
it's not fair. They treat us like stupid ones.

Its called a bait and switch

jonbull · « **Reply #98 on:** July 20, 2018, 06:57 »

the problem is those who shoot video thought they were on a safer side compared to photos shooters. it's not like this. video market is already after a very short time over saturated, and demand is still more limited than photos. soon video will be paid like photos. all the industry is on a race to the bottom, better said they are digging under the bottom. there is nothing we can do apart hoping to earn something from best content. the future will be even worst...new generation rugged from instagram will see micro and photography as the only means to live a workless life. so they will join the industry. that means much more content and much less demand. only quality and uniqueness win at this point.

SuperPhoto · « **Reply #99 on:** July 20, 2018, 07:39 »

They didn't read the message then. I got a virtually identical response.

Quote from: Noedelhap on July 20, 2018, 06:01

I sent them an email (directed to their CEO) and at least their support desk responded - with the following email:

Quote
We completely understand where you are coming from and I want to help clarify.

The reality is this: we have been proud to offer 100% commission since the launch of the Marketplace, and we made major investments in its success, but we need a more sustainable way to manage the operating costs going forward. After weighing every option available, we have determined the only way to maintain long-term health and success of the Marketplace is an even share in commission.

We get that this isn’t ideal, and it’s not what we’d hoped for either. That’s why we want to show our continued commitment to our contributor community by making impactful changes. Our plan is to increase the promotion of Marketplace content to those customers who are purchasers. This will lead to more sales for you.

We will also continue to educate all new and existing customers about the benefits of the Marketplace as part of their subscription. We definitely want to support you moving forward. Please let us know if you have any questions. Thanks!
If there is anything I can do to assist, please let me know.

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Author Topic: Commission cut (Read 59140 times)

Tyson Anderson

Noedelhap

KevinM

Mantis

Rage

Rage

Chichikov

msg2018

everest

SuperPhoto

rod-09

ShadySue

treps

ShadySue

helloitsme

SuperPhoto

Rage

KevinM

Video-StockOrg

SpaceStockFootage

lucagavagna

Noedelhap

Rage

jonbull

SuperPhoto

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