Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction
We appreciate that not everyone who has an amazing video or breath-taking image is aware of how to get their content published and make revenue so we have created this FAQ to help answer some common questions. If you have an query that is not covered by the FAQ below, we really want to help so please contact us at contribs@catersnews.com and we will endeavour to answer as best we can.
To use the FAQ below, please click on a question to reveal the answer.
Let's work together
Who are Caters Media Group?
CMG is a global multimedia agency of seven offices spanning four continents as far and wide as the UK, USA, India and Australia. With a trusted reputation in the media for over 90 years, our various companies, such as Caters News agency and Mercury Press and Media, specialise in creating, producing and licensing media content to most of the World's largest and most well-known publishers, TV shows, websites and social media platforms. Our creative team of journalists, photographers and videographers are skilled in identifying engaging, must-see content on a daily basis which we then syndicate on your behalf to our vast trusted network of more than 1,500 global clients but also many more. For more information go to catersmediagroup.com.
Why should I licence my content through Caters Media Group?
Put simply, licensing your content with us is a great and easy way for you to have your content seen by a global audience whether an amazing video or stunning image and have the opportunity to earn royalty payments, (money for your content), in the process. We currently represent more than 3,000 regular contributors who are constantly providing us with trending and engaging content and as your agent, we understand how to make your content go viral and get it seen quickly. We also are skilled at arranging and handling payment from end users for you, including from our vast network of global media outlets.
How do I know you will represent me properly and make me money from my content?
Firstly, it is important to understand that we are acting as your agent and, like you, are being paid on a revenue share from royalties and the amount paid for any claimed usages so therefore it is in our interest to maximise your content and potential revenue stream. We will proactively promote and distribute your content both to our worldwide buyers as well as our own YouTube and social media pages to generate even greater interest and revenue potential.
Who do Caters Media Group work with?
Whatever your reason for agreeing to work with us, we'll work hard but smart to get your content, or even you in some cases, featured on TV clips shows, newspapers, magazines, international social media pages and the world's biggest websites. We have many decades of experience in the industry with a trusted reputation meaning that we work with clients such as Ladbible, BBC, Yahoo, Good Morning America, The Daily Mail and TV shows such as The Ellen Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live and Ridiculousness as well-known brands and digital platforms.
I have been contacted by someone claiming to represent your company, how do I know if they are genuine?
If you are the owner of a video with viral potential, awesome images or an interesting story, then it is very likely that you have been contacted by one of our team who have a keen eye for spotting content which has the potential to go viral and also earn you money. If you are still unsure then get in touch and we will reassure you info@catersnews.com.
How does it work?
What is Caters Clips?
We have combined content from both Caters News Agency and sister agency Mercury Press and Media on our in-house Content Management System, Caters Clips, which is literally brimming over with 'licensed' produced and UGC video content as well as over 1.2 million breath taking images., We use this amazing resource to upload, ,manage and distribute a daily stream of engaging, newly sourced images and videos to more than 62 countries worldwide and to a range of clients ranging from the World's leading publishers, TV, digital platforms and brands. Additionally and equally important, we use Caters Clips as a tool for reporting revenue from the content not only for ourselves internally but when also reporting to contributors such as yourself so. We will provide you with your own account where you can log in at any time and track any collected payments from the success of your content.
How do I track my sales on your system?
You can track your sales online with your account. Log in to our content management system with your login details to track your sales. Log in to https://contribute.catersnews.com/contributor/login and click the 'My Sales' tab to view your current sales. Please note that you will be paid, once we have received payment from our customers.
I can't access my account - How do I access my account?
If you are struggling to access your account, please ensure that you are using the correct login details such as the password. We have also added a reset password feature for you but if this still does not work, get in touch via info@catersnews.com and we will fix it for you asap.
If I agree to work with Caters, do I still own the video?
The straightforward answer is YES. As the copyright holder, retain ownership as you are purely allowing us a licence to syndicate on your behalf, get you maximum results and when an end user uses the said content, earn revenue.
Would I be asked to delete the video or images off of my own social media or website?
Again the quick answer is NO. You should show off and use your content for personal use however we do ask that you help us in maximising your content by adding a credit that we represent you so that if someone contacts you with interest in the clip or images, they are forwarded on to us at licensing@catersnews.com.
Will I be told before the video/images are published somewhere?
This sadly is not how it works as some clients may source your content from our archive or through trusted partners so it is not industry standard or would not be feasible for us to notify you every time your content is licensed before usage. Once the sale is reported and the client has paid the invoice, the sale will appear in your account.
How are fees agreed?
It is in both of our interests to agree the best fee on your behalf and reaching a figure depends on many factors such whether is used exclusively, the popularity of the content buyer and its purpose. In most cases, fees will be agreed before any usage so it is important that you tell us of any organisation contacting you asap. On other occasions, some trusted buyers will use your content and then adhere to suggested industry and publication rates, but again, it is our job to get you the best fee possible.
It's going viral!
I have been contacted by a TV show, publication or online site who wish to use my content. Can I give it to them?
Please pass on their details or ask them to contact licensing@catersnews.com and we'll be happy to discuss the use of your content for as your agent we are skilled at negotiating the highest amount on your behalf.
They say it's not monetised, but can I give it to them?
Please pass on their details or ask them to contact licensing@catersnews.com. They may wish to use your content for free but in some cases, the page or platform may not specifically be monetised but they generate money from several other ways and using your video brings some value to themselves). If they'd like to use the clip, we ask that you please have them contact us at licensing@catersnews.com and we'll work with them and discuss how they can use the clip.
They say it's not monetised but I do want them to use it for my own publicity. Is that allowed?
If this is your wish, again, we would ask that you please pass on their details or ask them to contact licensing@catersnews.com so we can speak with them directly to understand the nature of the use and discuss the details. We ultimately represent you so try to have your best interests at heart whilst also protecting your content which is obviously of interest to others.
I have started to see my content go viral but how do I know that it is via Caters Media Group?
We work closely with a vast range of clients of (social media pages, websites, TV shows, etc), including some of the largest players like (LADbible, BBC, Unilad, Daily Mail, The Jimmy Kimmel Show, Ridiculousness and The Dodo), all of whom work closely with us and know that they must pay for content. We monitor usages internally but also use third party partners in certain countries to report and chase any potential usages and payments also.
I think that my content is being used by someone without my permission or it would appear not from you? How and what should I do?
There could be variety of answers to this question and based on the individual case and our discretion, we may decide to contact this person to politely ask for payment or pursue them for their infringement. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU LET US HANDLE THE MATTER AS IT MAY BE A LEGITIMATE SALE THAT JUST HASN'T BEEN REPORTED YET. If not the case and it is a genuine infringement, we may decide to issue take down notices or seek payment by other means as but again, please feel free to flag up any cases you are concerned about and let us handle them on your behalf.
Getting paid
How will I be paid?
It is firstly important to note that you will be paid, once we have received payment from our customers. We keep track of usages, both ourselves and via our trusted partners, to ensure that you are paid and the collected money is paid to you via bank transfer or PayPal.
Where can I see my sales?
Log in to https://contribute.catersnews.com/contributor/login and click the My Sales tab to view your current sales. You will have received an email from clips@catersnews.com with your password. Once we have received payment, you will be able to see any collected sales in your CMG clips account at the start of each month, you will be emailed a report if there has been any payment activity in the previous month. The sales report will contain information about how to request payment.
Can you explain the difference between direct sales and revenue share?
DIRECT SALES - If a website, TV show or social media page wants to use your video or image we will work with them to negotiate the best licensing fee ahead of them being able to use this content. Some of our team have been working with some of our customers for more than 20 years and as such are in the best position to negotiate the best rates for your content.
REVENUE SHARE - A website or social media page may use your video or image and place advertising around it to generate money. We will share the amount of money generated with you. Depending on a few factors, including how popular your content is and how long it's in demand, you could earn different amounts. As we work with partners in a few countries, there are occasions where we need to be a bit more patient for reports to filter back which can take slightly longer than direct sales but you will be paid, once we have received payment from our customers.
REVENUE SHARE - A website or social media page may use your video or image and place advertising around it to generate money. We will share the amount of money generated with you. Depending on a few factors, including how popular your content is and how long it's in demand, you could earn different amounts. As we work with partners in a few countries, there are occasions where we need to be a bit more patient for reports to filter back which can take slightly longer than direct sales but you will be paid, once we have received payment from our customers.
Are all payments added in real time?
Sadly and as explained in the previous answer, not all sales are reported in real time as some of our partners report on monthly or quarterly billing cycles and those sales may appear in your CMG Clips account only after the usage has been reported by them to us. We will of course monitor these payments so will ensure they are paid.
How often will I get paid?
There is no set answer to this question as some content is very much 'of the moment' and will see an initial spike in interest so it is important that you allow us to maximise the content's potential whereas others may accumulate steadily and be of ongoing interest to buyers so will keep appearing in your account.
My sales tab is empty by I've seen my content being used. How come?
If your sales tab is empty, it means we have yet to be paid for a usage. Please appreciate that some payments take longer to be reported to us by our customers and partner so please allow a couple of months from when you saw your content to when you would expect to see it on your sales tab and then contact contribs@catersnews.com so we can look in to the matter for you but be assured that we are chasing.
I have emailed contribs@catersnews.com and have not received a response. Has my email been seen?
Do not worry, if you have received an auto reply, your query has been received and if it contains a specific query, we will get back to you. Due to the volume of queries we receive, we hope to reply to your query on 5 working days but please be patient as we will reply.
I have made an error or wish to change my account details, what do I do?
It may be possible that we do not have the correct details for you so if you feel this is a case please contact us via contribs@catersnews.com to confirm or amend.
How long should I wait before contacting you about payments?
It usually takes around 60 days for us to receive payment from our customers, but due to the volume of queries we receive this can take more time depending on the customers and the type of sales. Anything that becomes overdue is chased by our credit control team. We ask our contributors to wait for sales to accumulate before requesting payment to ensure minimal bank fees. Multiple small payments can result in high bank fees. Also, please note that if you provide us with the incorrect bank details, a fee can be charged to you by the bank.
If you have a query that is not covered by the above FAQ, we really want to help so please contact us at contribs@catersnews.com and we will endeavour to answer as best we can. Please be aware that the information within this FAQ page is to help explain our services but not a substitute for terms within any agreed contract.