Distribution is very important in stock photography and a quite time consuming task. when uploading to multiple agencies.
Isyndica lead the way but unfortunately closed down in 2010. Since then some new tools are available either online or via a desktop program.
Microstocksubmitter, developed by microstock contributor Yermolayev Konstantin is a standalone application capable of uploading pictures to many stock agencies. It is not an "upload once "product, however the big advantage is that, you can (for 7 agencies so far) select categories and your attach model releases from the application itself which is a real time saver. Pop up window sale reports are also available and are working for DT,SS,FT,CSP, 123RF,IS, Veer at the moment.
Automatic submission (model release attached and submitted)
Shutterstock,Fotolia,Dreamstime,DepositPhoto,Veer, Canstockphoto,Bigstockphoto,123RF,Istock,Graphic Leftovers.
Final submission and upload of model releases necessary: Stockfresh,Scanstockphoto,Yaymicro,Zoonar,
(MR not needed), mostphotos (MR not needed).
With the free version of Microstocksubmitter, you can distribute up to 50 files per channel per month. If needed, you can upgrade your account to submit up to 333 files for $7 a month or choose the unlimited uploads option for $15 a month. A version for unlimited uploads not limited in time can be purchased for $250.
Pros: free account available, automatic final submission (categories, model release) for the main 4 stock agencies. Frequent updates.
Cons: the same has to be uploading to each channel
If you are interested by
Microstocksubmitter I will appreciate if you sign up under my email ldambies@gmail.com. Thanks:)
PicWorkflow (referral link included) was developped by Robert Davies, also behind the development of
Picniche. Taking the philosophy of Isyndica PicWorkflow is a powerful platform to upload once and distribute to multiple agencies. Statistics and promoting tools as well as retouching are also avalaible.
For cost calculation, files are segmented by 22MB blocks so most of pictures will cost 1 credit (1 US cent) to distribute to one channel and a 35MB photo for example will cost 2 credits to distribute. A 500MB movie file would cost 25 credits (25 US cents) to distribute per channel.
Once uploaded using an ftp client like Filezilla, files are stored seven days and subsequently deleted.It is however possible to extend their storage life by paying an additional fee. I am using picWorkflow to syndicate videos to Pond5, Clipcanvas, Shutterstock and Revostock and as a former Isyndica user, I am very pleased with the service so far.
Pros: Upload once, multichannel distribution. Footage distribution. Storage option available.
Cons: Login necessary for final submission of pictures. no IPTC reading for footage. Interface not so intuitive.
LighBurner, like picWorkflow, is another ''upload once'' distribution tool developed by David Mail already behind Prostockmaster and Pixamba. It is hard to believe but Lightburner is free so far to distribute pictures to 13 photo agencies. Like picWorfkflow, you have to send your files by ftp then login into the online platform to distribute your work. Lightburner looks promising as Analytics and promotion tools will be included soon as well as a full integration with Prostockmaster. I expect also the platform to be capable to distribute footage in the near future and it will be interesting then to compare fees with picWorkflow.
Pros: Free. Upload once, multichannel distribution.No upload limits. Automatic final submission fo some agencies.
Cons: No footage distribution. Pictures get erased from the server after 3 days with no option available for permanent storage. Bugs still exist (duplicates).
- What are the challenges for distributors?
Challenges are both technical and financial. for distributors. We saw in the past with Isyndica that a great distribution platform alone is not enough, the venture has to be profitable as well. Due to the small amount of contributors willing to pay for this service and the because of the small margins, it has either has to be a one man operation or one of the tool of an existing company.
Distributors can also provide promotion, keywording, statistics, retouching tools which can add value to their product and increase their margin.
Regarding the technical part, contributors with paid accounts expect a reliable good technical support and frequent updates from the distributor and it is not easy task as agencies do not not really support them.
Due to the storage place, distribution is expected to be a challenge as well especially with heavy contributors who have 1000's of clips ready to upload.
