With all the availability of content on the web it’s important to know what you are getting and how the choices you make affect you and your customer. Today just downloading any image can get you and your client in BIG trouble. As the saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. Or, if you’re not careful, a picture may be worth thousands of dollars in legal fees.
Recently I attended a conference where the principle speaker was using PowerPoint to help convey his message. Several of the slides in the presentation included images that still carried the watermarks of the stock agencies that sold them. After the presentation I had time to ask the presenter where he acquired his images. He proudly explained to me that his designer found them during several photo searches on the web and that the images were available for free. I then took the time to explain to him that the images included in his presentation may be protected by a copyright and that the watermark displayed on the images is the owner’s or legal distributor’s way of protecting the images. I also pointed out that if he put them on his website, as he stated that he was planning to do, he may be liable for fees and damages.
Know your image source! Whether you use PhotoSpin or another royalty free image provider, the most important thing to know is where the images come from. Your customers are counting on you to not only provide a quality piece, but also a finished project without the possibility of negative repercussions that can damage both of your reputations.
Paying a little today may save you thousands tomorrow.
A Shameless Plug…
A few weeks ago in this blog I spoke with Glen Wexler about how to land a big account. He mentioned his newest project; a book entitled “The Secret Life of Cows”. Well it’s now available. If you want to see the true genius of Glen’s work check out his book: http://www.secretlifeofcows.com
Monday, July 23, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
What’s the better value for images: Micro-payments or Subscriptions?
Recently I spoke with a customer who called to renew her annual subscription and she was wondering if we were going to offer a micro-payment style site. I was fortunate that this particular customer had downloaded well over her $299.00 subscription price at even $1.00 per image. So it got me thinking. As a CEO of a subscription site you might expect this to have a certain slant. Truth be told, it does, but not one you would expect.
To gather my data I reviewed about 500 download records from a random list of PhotoSpin subscribers. On average, our typical subscriber downloads about 200 images per year. Viewing that data, micro-payment sites that charge $1.00 per image appeared to be a better value. But, after digging a bit deeper, I discovered that over 30% of the images downloaded from the PhotoSpin site were high-res files. At the most popular micro-payment site the price for the highest resolution image is $15.00. Using simple math, the advantage greatly shifts to support the subscription model. I also found that several of our customers only download high resolution images. For them, the micro-payments are not a value at all. If they download 20 high resolution images in a year, they exceed the subscription price. For the subscription customers, the benefit lies in downloading whatever they need whenever they need it, without the worry of how many credits they have available. I think that one dollar downloads are great if what you use are a small quantity of low-res images. But, if you need images for print or a large quantity of images at under a dollar per day (not a dollar per download), then the subscription model is well worth considering.
To gather my data I reviewed about 500 download records from a random list of PhotoSpin subscribers. On average, our typical subscriber downloads about 200 images per year. Viewing that data, micro-payment sites that charge $1.00 per image appeared to be a better value. But, after digging a bit deeper, I discovered that over 30% of the images downloaded from the PhotoSpin site were high-res files. At the most popular micro-payment site the price for the highest resolution image is $15.00. Using simple math, the advantage greatly shifts to support the subscription model. I also found that several of our customers only download high resolution images. For them, the micro-payments are not a value at all. If they download 20 high resolution images in a year, they exceed the subscription price. For the subscription customers, the benefit lies in downloading whatever they need whenever they need it, without the worry of how many credits they have available. I think that one dollar downloads are great if what you use are a small quantity of low-res images. But, if you need images for print or a large quantity of images at under a dollar per day (not a dollar per download), then the subscription model is well worth considering.
Friday, June 15, 2007
CONTENT CONTENT CONTENT CONTENT!
In case you were wondering, this blog is indeed on content: the lack of it, the importance of it, and the acquisition of it.
Recently we’ve been making a lot of changes here at PhotoSpin, most importantly the addition of our new image server (yes, it's finally up and running). This server allows us to add thousands of new images to our website each month. These images come from some of the finest sources around as we have been fortunate to have signed distribution deals with some of the best image libraries out there. We are doing this to offer our customers a more robust library filled with a large variety of high quality images. See our latest additions.
We know our customers have choices as to how and when they buy images, so our continued goal is to offer the best collection at an affordable price. By adding 1000’s of new images per month we hope to earn and keep your loyalty.
Recently we’ve been making a lot of changes here at PhotoSpin, most importantly the addition of our new image server (yes, it's finally up and running). This server allows us to add thousands of new images to our website each month. These images come from some of the finest sources around as we have been fortunate to have signed distribution deals with some of the best image libraries out there. We are doing this to offer our customers a more robust library filled with a large variety of high quality images. See our latest additions.
We know our customers have choices as to how and when they buy images, so our continued goal is to offer the best collection at an affordable price. By adding 1000’s of new images per month we hope to earn and keep your loyalty.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
John Steinbeck was right! or How many clichés can I fit into one blog?
Well as the saying goes… “ The best-laid plans of Mice and Men”. In my last blog, I was touting our new image server and our ability to upload 1000’s of images per month. Well, today I sit here with egg on my face while the server that is being built is experiencing a few delays. So, I now understand Murphy's Law – What ever can go wrong will go wrong! I’ve been told that we are having software configuration problems and I'm beginning to think that I'm floating on a slow boat to China.
Now, when I meet with the web team, I attempt to get to the bottom of it and hammer out the details. They act as nervous as cats in a room full of rocking chairs. I’ve asked everyone at PhotoSpin to wake up and smell the coffee. I told them that this mission impossible is our top priority and don't let the grass grow under their feet. We really need to snap to it and not let this project fall by the wayside. When push comes to shove, we as a company need to go like the wind and leave no stone unturned until the server is working like a charm.
Ahh... but every cloud has a silver lining, if I can draw any pearls of wisdom. I find tomorrow is another day, knowing all too well that a rolling stone gathers no moss. Our web team promised that they will move heaven and earth to get this done. They know it’s crunch time! The image server will go live this month or, as the saying goes, heads will roll! Because you only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
Now, when I meet with the web team, I attempt to get to the bottom of it and hammer out the details. They act as nervous as cats in a room full of rocking chairs. I’ve asked everyone at PhotoSpin to wake up and smell the coffee. I told them that this mission impossible is our top priority and don't let the grass grow under their feet. We really need to snap to it and not let this project fall by the wayside. When push comes to shove, we as a company need to go like the wind and leave no stone unturned until the server is working like a charm.
Ahh... but every cloud has a silver lining, if I can draw any pearls of wisdom. I find tomorrow is another day, knowing all too well that a rolling stone gathers no moss. Our web team promised that they will move heaven and earth to get this done. They know it’s crunch time! The image server will go live this month or, as the saying goes, heads will roll! Because you only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Jpeg vs. Tiff- Why did you do it?
After receiving a few emails and calls from our customers about our decision to discontinue offering Tiff images, we felt compelled to give you a brief overview of why we made this decision.
Is quality really an issue here? Prior to making the decision to discontinue offering the Tiff files, we did extensive testing and found no noticeable quality loss when comparing a Tiff image to the same image as a Jpeg level 12.
After discovering that, we then looked at our download records to see what file formats our customers were downloading and found that less than 1% of our entire customer base downloaded the Tiff file format.
Another thing that we considered was, for the last three years, none of our contributing photographers submitted Tiff files or scanned images, all of the images submitted were digital.
All that said, we found that Jpeg file formats allow for quicker download times and free up storage space, a plus for the time-crunched designer that needs to download a lot of images.
And best of all, by offering jpeg file formats instead of the larger tiff formats we will be able to serve more images to our customers each month. We are currently in the process of adding an image server to increase our product offerings and, by offering the smaller jpeg file formats, it will help us to expedite the time it will take to upload new content. This will allow us to upload 1000's of new images per month instead of the 400+ new images we currently offer. Visit our site this month and begin to see difference in the quantity of image uploads.
Our intent is to be able to give you more content and faster delivery all at an affordable price.
Is quality really an issue here? Prior to making the decision to discontinue offering the Tiff files, we did extensive testing and found no noticeable quality loss when comparing a Tiff image to the same image as a Jpeg level 12.
After discovering that, we then looked at our download records to see what file formats our customers were downloading and found that less than 1% of our entire customer base downloaded the Tiff file format.
Another thing that we considered was, for the last three years, none of our contributing photographers submitted Tiff files or scanned images, all of the images submitted were digital.
All that said, we found that Jpeg file formats allow for quicker download times and free up storage space, a plus for the time-crunched designer that needs to download a lot of images.
And best of all, by offering jpeg file formats instead of the larger tiff formats we will be able to serve more images to our customers each month. We are currently in the process of adding an image server to increase our product offerings and, by offering the smaller jpeg file formats, it will help us to expedite the time it will take to upload new content. This will allow us to upload 1000's of new images per month instead of the 400+ new images we currently offer. Visit our site this month and begin to see difference in the quantity of image uploads.
Our intent is to be able to give you more content and faster delivery all at an affordable price.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Stock Photographers May Need A New Home
“Hope has two daughters: Anger and Courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are.”—Saint Augustine
This past week has been filled with Getty acquiring MediaVast and adding WireImage, FilmMagic and ContourPhotos to the already vast Getty collection.
And now recent headlines are stating that Getty is in negotiation with Jupiter Images. If Getty does acquire Jupiter images what does it mean for the artists who have contributed to these collections?
Many in the community are crying foul: "Is Getty trying to monopolize the Stock industry or is this just sound business?". Are the customers and artists the losers in this “Brave New World” approach to business? Will the customers be forced to pay higher prices? Will the creators (artists) be squeezed out of business? In the past when Getty acquired Artville, many of the artists were dropped from the collection only to give birth to BrandX, now a Jupiter asset. Will Getty again follow the same trend? It’s possible and only time will tell. Artists will have two choices: accept the consolidation or look for new opportunities. The choice is yours. For those of you with the courage to look for new opportunities consider PhotoSpin.
This past week has been filled with Getty acquiring MediaVast and adding WireImage, FilmMagic and ContourPhotos to the already vast Getty collection.
And now recent headlines are stating that Getty is in negotiation with Jupiter Images. If Getty does acquire Jupiter images what does it mean for the artists who have contributed to these collections?
Many in the community are crying foul: "Is Getty trying to monopolize the Stock industry or is this just sound business?". Are the customers and artists the losers in this “Brave New World” approach to business? Will the customers be forced to pay higher prices? Will the creators (artists) be squeezed out of business? In the past when Getty acquired Artville, many of the artists were dropped from the collection only to give birth to BrandX, now a Jupiter asset. Will Getty again follow the same trend? It’s possible and only time will tell. Artists will have two choices: accept the consolidation or look for new opportunities. The choice is yours. For those of you with the courage to look for new opportunities consider PhotoSpin.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Super Boring Commercials
Wow! With all the pre Super Bowl build up regarding the advertising spots for this year’s Super Bowl, I expected to see some really great stuff. Was it just me or were the majority of the Super Bowl ads just plain boring? I watched this year’s Super Bowl commercials with anticipation, wanting to see what was built up as the “Best of what Madison Avenue” had to offer. With an audience of over 90 million people and an average cost of 2.6 million for a 30 second spot, I thought we would really see something spectacular. Although, some of the advertisers definitely had some winners: Snickers, Coke, and, one of the better spots in my opinion, the amateur Doritos campaign, the others were a bit too safe or just lacked creativity altogether. What was the most memorable Super Bowl ad? For me, it still is a 22 year old ad by Apple computers entitled “1984”.
To view the commercial and info on the man who created it:
http://www.ciadvertising.org/SA/fall_02/adv382j/qwkag/assign2/master.htm
For additional info regarding the making of this commercial:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_(television_commercial)
Am I missing the true genius of the advertising Giants? Or, are the big agencies losing touch with the consumer? With the internet constantly bombarding us with unwanted ads, are we just becoming numb to advertising? What are your thoughts?
To view the commercial and info on the man who created it:
http://www.ciadvertising.org/SA/fall_02/adv382j/qwkag/assign2/master.htm
For additional info regarding the making of this commercial:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_(television_commercial)
Am I missing the true genius of the advertising Giants? Or, are the big agencies losing touch with the consumer? With the internet constantly bombarding us with unwanted ads, are we just becoming numb to advertising? What are your thoughts?
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