I've recently uploaded all my portfolio to CUTCASTER and had a good experience uploading and submiting my files. It was really easy and interesting how we can set the price for our own files or let thei algorithm decide the average sale price.
These are some questions I've made to John Griffin, Founder and CEO of CUTCASTER, who gently anwsered some of my issues. These are the same questions I made to Pixmac CEO, Vitezslav Valka, click here to check out his answers and read the interview with John Griffin, from CUTCASTER below:
1) What does Cutcaster bring to the microstock market?
Cutcaster brings a fresh and unique approach to licensing images and vectors. A contributor to Cutcaster can set their price or choose our patent pending Cutcaster pricing algorithm. In addition, a buyer can purchase content at the price shown or they are able to bid on content. In essence we have created a dynamic licensing exchange where buyers and sellers have more control over pricing and the rights they sell.
I have a hard time classifying Cutcaster as just a microstock site but think we are a mix of microstock, user generated content and traditional royalty free based on our prices and royalty free licensing terms. I like to say we are a mix of “pros” and “joes.”Working with Cutcaster is a partnership and a two way street. Contributors are our life blood and without them we are nothing. At Cutcaster, we have the most responsive customer service and truly care about our members. If you don’t believe me google reviews about us.
Our upload process is one of the easiest around. We don’t require you to categorize your shots and adding a release is very simple. It is a few clicks and your images are uploaded. If your files have IPTC data we will parse that out upon upload so you don’t have to re-keyword your files. We can help you strategize how you want to price your content and give you keyword help based on what buyers are searching for. Also we let contributors know what our buyers are looking for and post image requests on our site. Contributors get one of the highest payouts in the industry at Cutcaster as well.
I would like to continue to see an increase in sales. That is my number one goal. Get as many buyers to Cutcaster as possible and then prove to contributors that we are a true partner who keeps our word and can earn them money.
Buyers have multiple options to purchase content immediately at the listed price using any major credit card, Cutcaster Credits (discounts offered on multiple credit purchases) or by requesting invoices through our simple to use purchase order system (we can send the invoice by snail mail or email, whatever you need). If a buyer chooses, they have the option to “name their price” by bidding on content, which a seller can quickly accept, reject or re-submit a new offer back to the interested content buyer. It’s your choice. You can pay the price that is listed for any file or “name your price.”
Our payment options:
1. Pay as you go (classic micro-payment model)
We accept any major credit card. Add as many files as you want to your cart and pay for only the images or vectors you need with any major credit card. Downloading is instantaneous. It is simple and quick. We accept all major credit cards.
2. Cutcaster Credits
Buy multiple credits at one time and get a huge discount. Purchasing credits to download images and illustrations at Cutcaster gives you one more way to manage your accounting and not have to checkout every time. Checkout is a simple click and your gone.
1 Dollar = 1 Credit
3. Cutcaster Invoice System
Our revolutionary, time saving invoice system helps you keep track of all your statements, invoice requests, the rights you purchased and will notify you when payments are about to go due. You have to see how easy it is to use to believe it.
An invoice can be requested from your “Download Manager” on your studio page or by sending us an email at invoice@cutcaster.com at any time and will be responded to within the hour with your invoice and usage rights included. We will work tirelessly to make life easier on you.
4. Have you ever bid for content? Name your Price is here.
Cutcaster is the only marketplace where you can name your price and negotiate directly with a seller if you choose. If the content is priced higher than your budget or you have extra time to negotiate the price you want to pay for the royalty free license then anyone can name their price.
John Griffin
These are some questions I've made to John Griffin, Founder and CEO of CUTCASTER, who gently anwsered some of my issues. These are the same questions I made to Pixmac CEO, Vitezslav Valka, click here to check out his answers and read the interview with John Griffin, from CUTCASTER below:
1) What does Cutcaster bring to the microstock market?
Cutcaster brings a fresh and unique approach to licensing images and vectors. A contributor to Cutcaster can set their price or choose our patent pending Cutcaster pricing algorithm. In addition, a buyer can purchase content at the price shown or they are able to bid on content. In essence we have created a dynamic licensing exchange where buyers and sellers have more control over pricing and the rights they sell.
I have a hard time classifying Cutcaster as just a microstock site but think we are a mix of microstock, user generated content and traditional royalty free based on our prices and royalty free licensing terms. I like to say we are a mix of “pros” and “joes.”Working with Cutcaster is a partnership and a two way street. Contributors are our life blood and without them we are nothing. At Cutcaster, we have the most responsive customer service and truly care about our members. If you don’t believe me google reviews about us.
Our upload process is one of the easiest around. We don’t require you to categorize your shots and adding a release is very simple. It is a few clicks and your images are uploaded. If your files have IPTC data we will parse that out upon upload so you don’t have to re-keyword your files. We can help you strategize how you want to price your content and give you keyword help based on what buyers are searching for. Also we let contributors know what our buyers are looking for and post image requests on our site. Contributors get one of the highest payouts in the industry at Cutcaster as well.
I would like to continue to see an increase in sales. That is my number one goal. Get as many buyers to Cutcaster as possible and then prove to contributors that we are a true partner who keeps our word and can earn them money.
Buyers have multiple options to purchase content immediately at the listed price using any major credit card, Cutcaster Credits (discounts offered on multiple credit purchases) or by requesting invoices through our simple to use purchase order system (we can send the invoice by snail mail or email, whatever you need). If a buyer chooses, they have the option to “name their price” by bidding on content, which a seller can quickly accept, reject or re-submit a new offer back to the interested content buyer. It’s your choice. You can pay the price that is listed for any file or “name your price.”
Our payment options:
1. Pay as you go (classic micro-payment model)
We accept any major credit card. Add as many files as you want to your cart and pay for only the images or vectors you need with any major credit card. Downloading is instantaneous. It is simple and quick. We accept all major credit cards.
2. Cutcaster Credits
Buy multiple credits at one time and get a huge discount. Purchasing credits to download images and illustrations at Cutcaster gives you one more way to manage your accounting and not have to checkout every time. Checkout is a simple click and your gone.
1 Dollar = 1 Credit
3. Cutcaster Invoice System
Our revolutionary, time saving invoice system helps you keep track of all your statements, invoice requests, the rights you purchased and will notify you when payments are about to go due. You have to see how easy it is to use to believe it.
An invoice can be requested from your “Download Manager” on your studio page or by sending us an email at invoice@cutcaster.com at any time and will be responded to within the hour with your invoice and usage rights included. We will work tirelessly to make life easier on you.
4. Have you ever bid for content? Name your Price is here.
Cutcaster is the only marketplace where you can name your price and negotiate directly with a seller if you choose. If the content is priced higher than your budget or you have extra time to negotiate the price you want to pay for the royalty free license then anyone can name their price.
I saw the link to you blog on the SS forums. Really nice to see a vector microstock blog! Keep it up :)
I'll be watching for sales on Cutcaster. So far they seem to be really slow. Hardly worth the bandwidth which in SA isn't cheap. Good luck
Gub you should have sent also another question or comment!!
Why i am there for 2 months and not a SINGLE sale???
LOL... i don't think it is worth but the upload system is quite simple..! :)
Thanks for posting the interview and taking the time to ask me these questions. Sales on Cutcaster are definitely increasing but not where I want them to be. My goal over the next year is to inform as many image and vector buyers about the site and set them up with buyer/corporate accounts so that the buying of images is as flexible and easy as possible. I can only ask for you guys to be patient as we build our buyers list and gain more traction in this market. I promise you that your hardwork uploading to Cutcaster will pay off. Thanks for your article on us and please let me know what other questions you guys might have.
John