This is not a planned post.
It is more a reaction to a nice occurrence I feel compelled to share as it happened. For the ones suspecting people can still be anonymously generous with their time and for absolutely no gain inclined to commit random acts of niceness: this is your proof.
Part of my daily routine is the “morning patrol” of main microstock sites we are affiliated with. This I’m doing for several reasons: to upload and keyword media, to check sells and to address any questions buyers have regarding our content – mainly on websites where we upload AfterEffects, since these projects often require additional technical assistance.
A few days ago, while on Dreamstime, I noticed a new site-mail. It was from a fellow contributor that found one of our better-selling photos on a travel website. The site mail read: “Hi Daniela. I think it will please you. I found your photos on this site.”
The site-mail refers to this photo linked here with its original Dreamstime location:
I was thrilled: having one of our photos used on the home page of a web is an excellent marketing opportunity for a very prolific (and lucrative) online venue: travel related content. I wrote in a previous post this niche (travel photography) is one we purse in an effort to diversify our business at AND Inc. It is also a hobby both Adrian and I share, and fun being acknowledged as work was double the reward.
First, I have to say that Dreamstime contributors are the most generous crowd I know (with their time and comments). The kindest in language and help as well.
Second, this link-to-art is not something entirely new: most microstock forums have “As Seen On” sections with links to the real or virtual (foster) homes where microstock content: photo, illustration or video, ends up. These forum threads are in large numbers geared to contributors, giving them chances to advertise capabilities or to encourage buyers to check out portfolios by virtue of example. I know this for a fact because I did it, and found this method to be an efficient marketing tool with immediate results.
It is however less likely a fellow contributor would do the find-and-link work for another, since the time taken to link and write a site-mail is time taken from uploading, key-wording and posting comments in forums. Not to say that in the world of internet marketplace “competition” and “competing” are in a league of their own. I often believe there is a reason why the term “communication etiquette” needs its own web definition: “netiquette”. And the way I see it, it’s not in the latter’s favor.
Is real-life business ethic so much different than the one conducted anonymously online?
Well, for once I will depart from my typical skepticism and say “no”. This random act of generosity with one’s e-time, helping another’s marketing effort is proof enough “niceness” is real even in the uber-competing online commerce.
Oh, and did I say Adrian and I really-really like Cancun?
Maybe this happening is a good omen for a chance to take a vacation there in the near future. Maybe.
Until next time, be well.