FlashCity FAQ
What kind of content can I sell on FlashCity.com?
Currently we focus exclusively on celebrity content and news driven material.
Does FlashCity.com have a sales team?
Absolutely! FlashCity.com has been fortunate enough to bring on some of the top sales experts in the business. Although our technology and company names are new, our sales team has years of experienced in the sale of celebrity media. We also bring long term relationships with great executives in the entertainment news arena.
How do I begin to submit my material to FlashCity.com? Do I need and FTP?
You can upload videos and images 2 ways: FTP or Browser uploadIn order to begin submitting material to FlashCity.com you must register for a sellers account on our landing page www.FlashCity.com by clicking on the red button labeled sellers register here! Once you’ve finished the registration process your account will be verified and an email will be sent to you welcoming you to FlashCity.com. Once your account has been activated you can log into both your online account and/or your personal FTP: Your FTP log in information is the same as that of your FlashCity.com web account: FTP host name is simply FlashCity.com, the same username and password you use for the website. If you still have questions or just want talk to a live person, email us at support@flashcity.com or call us at 1-800- 704-233 Ext: 3
What’s the commission structure on FlashCity.com?
2 Options
70/30: Paid as invoices are received (Typically 30-90 day time scale) If you choose to wait for your payment to come in to FlashCity's account receivable first the commission for sales is 70% to the photographer and 30% to FlashCity.com. Typically checks are received for outstanding invoices within 14-45 days however this can sometimes be less or more time dependant on the client and their processing of the invoices.
60/40: Paid 24 hours from the time of sale. If you choose 24 hour payments the commission for sales are 60% to the photographer and 40% to FlashCity.com. You can either have checks mailed on the sale date or choose direct deposit by providing FlashCity.com with your banking info, you can email us at support@flashcity.com or call us 1800-704-2339 Ext: 3 to get started. 24 hour payments are for outstanding invoices for most domestic sales to large clients.
How do I get paid for items sold on FlashCity.com?
Payments are made one of three ways paypal, checks mailed to the address provided to us during registration, or direct deposit into your bank account. If you need to change your mailing address you can do so by logging into your FlashCity.com account, clicking profile, and editing contact info.
How do I know when I’ve sold something on FlashCity.com?
When your material sells on FlashCity.com you’ll receive an immediate e-mail notification letting you know what material has been sold, to whom, and for how much in real time. The sale info will also be displayed in the sales section within your account so you can track and monitor the sale of your content. Your material can sell at anytime and since you are posting your content for sale yourself, editors, publishers, and producers can purchase content directly from you on the platform.Uploading and posting events on FlashCity.com Such as war footage and natural disasters images or video files:Today everyday citizen's are capturing breaking news that takes place around the world with their cell phone camera's and home cam corders. Using FlashCity these citizen stringers can distribute their captured material to networks and news outlets who can them decide on whether or not they wish to broadcast and publish these materials for the awareness of greater public. If these such events are uploaded, posted, and distributed through FlashCity, the FlashCity Sales team may give these images out for free or erect a small license fee on behalf of the photographer or content creator in collaboration with charitable organizations that aim to help those effected by the event. FlashCity's aim is to help give back those communities and individuals effected by global disasters, and events of this type. Events such as natural disasters, or war footage are two specific examples of this type of material. FlashCity will never carry out this policey without first alerting the content creator, or photographer first.
I’m not sure about the content I have, who can I speak with about it?
Sure you can e-mail us at support@flashcity.com or call us at 1-800-704-2339 Ext. 3. If you think you may have a big scoop, you may want to call us before uploading the content to your account.
How can I copyright my photos?
In most parts of the world, including the U.S., Canada, EU countries, and Japan, you are automatically granted copyrights to your photos. Remember that you can only copyright images that you own or you have personally taken. This means you can't copyright images that were taken by someone else! Additionally, just because an image does not have a license attached to it, doesn't mean that it is public domain.
Is my content safe on FlashCity?
Absolutely! FlashCity.com was created with the most recent Internet security measures so that you can rest assured that your content is safe and secure from unlicensed use and theft. We know how much our users rely on us for content security, which is why all FlashCity.com media buyers are placed through a verification process and only accredited media buyers are able to view and purchase media on FlashCity.com. Moreover, only you can view items uploaded and saved to your portfolio. Once they are placed on sale verified buyers can also view them. All images that go on sale on FlashCity.com are watermarked, electronically tagged, and shown in a lower resolution. Also remember that the sales page within you FC account shows you exactly who has purchased and/or licensed your material, so you’ll know if an image/video has been used without permission.
What are the seller guidelines for FlashCity?
Sellers on FlashCity.com are required to agree to the User Agreements and Community Guidelines. Users must understand the terms of sale. Failure to adhere to the rules can and will result in account termination and/or criminal or civil prosecution. USERS MUST OWN THE COPYRIGHT TO THE MATERIAL THEY WISH TO SELL. CONTENT CANNOT BE STOLEN, FALSIFIED, OR OTHERWISE DEAMED INAPPROPRAITE. Any falsified images, videos or documents, proof of copyright infringement, or any unprofessional business practices will be grounds for immediate dismissal from FlashCity.com and may result in Criminal or Civil prosecution. If you have an image and you’re not sure about the copyright DON’T NOT POST IT. If you want help you can e-mail our support staff and someone will respond right away by assisting you in determining whether the item(s) are saleable. Any item(s) questioned either by media buyers or FlashCity.com staff will be immediately removed from our site and if determined fake or stolen may result in additional action.
Can anyone sell on FlashCity?
Both novice and professionals can currently sell media on FlashCity.com. However new users whom are not professionals must have a particular item in hand they wish to sell before being approved for a seller account. You must register for a sellers account and be approved before you are granted access to FlashCity.com. If you are a freelance photographer and would like to create a sellers account please visit our landing page at www.FlashCity.com and click on the "sellers register here" button if you unsure and still have questions you can contact us at support@flashcity.com or visit our “contact us” page and we will contact you about creating a sellers account.
Who can buy content on FlashCity?
Only accredited and verified media buyers can purchase content on FlashCity.com. If you would like to create a buyers account please visit our home page and go through the buyer registration process. Approval usually takes only a few minutes, once your account is verified an activation email will be sent notifying you that your account is active. This process typically takes only a few minutes, however for international users it can take a little longer.
What are the rules for using FlashCity?
Please refer to the user agreement.
Uploading Questions:
What’s the recommended file type and size for uploading on FlashCity?
For Stills we accept both Jpegs and tiff formats. We recommend images be Jpegs in the highest resolution possible at least 1750x1750 mp’s but ideally around 5100x3300 or more In 1 to 100 mega bytes. Images smaller than 1 MB or taken with lower res camera or camera phones can still be uploaded however may not be sold unless they are news driven or story related. Video formats we accept AVi, MOV, Mpeg and Mpeg4 from 1 MB and up to 2 GB, However make sure to condense your videos so that it only contains the areas that are relevant. If you have further questions about video or still uploads please contact support@flashcity.com
MetaData
All Images that are uploaded to FlashCity.com should be Tagged so that both the user and FlashCity can monitor and track image use. Also adding MetaData to your images provides Editors with important information about your material, such as, when the image was obtained, who owns it, who to contact for usage, where to contact them, it also helps FlashCity.com track Infringements. You can tagg your material yourself or FlashCity can do this for you when you upload or FTP it.
How do I Know Who owns the copyright to a picture or video?
If you took the picture/video personally, in a public setting and without being contracted/with prior agreement, then you own the copyrighted material.
I’m unsure about licensing my photos. I need help?
Contact our Customer Service Department by e-mailing us at support@flashcity.com with the subject title ATTN: Customer Service or visit our “contact us” page.
What’s the difference between a license and a buyout?
An image or video License is a period of time that you allowing a purchaser to use your content and you retain the copyright of the licensed material. A buyout is the outright sale of your image and it’s copyright, which means you no longer own the image. If you have more questions contact us at support@flashcity.com or visit our “contact us” page.
Should I license or sell the copyright?
That’s a matter of preference, some photographers don’t mind selling their copyrights, while others want to maintain ownership. Typically professional photographers choose to license their material so that they can allow various people/organizations to use and publish their content while retaining ownership/copyright of their work.