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Author Topic: Anything happening?  (Read 8975 times)

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« on: May 02, 2007, 05:35 »
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I see in the April results thread that BigStock doesn't seem to figure very highly in most peep's income results.  I opened an account with BigStock when I started off in this nusiness back at the end of January, but within three weeks I got a feel that 'something was wrong'; no views, no downloads, just dead.

I haven't uploaded anything there since then and I imagine I've now got through the 90 days notice period.  So I'm thinking of closing that account.

Anyone got any positive experiences, or reasons to be optimistic for the future?


« Reply #1 on: May 02, 2007, 06:19 »
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Hi there,

Views don't mean anything at BigStock. Somehow that function is not working properly at all. Last month I had 39 downloads and only 3 views :D, go figure:).

I get monthly payouts at BigStock, so I average 30 bucks a month. I also notice that at BigStock more diverse and various images get downloaded which is a nice change than only see your bestsellers sell.

Based on my experience, don't give up on BigStock.

« Reply #2 on: May 02, 2007, 07:04 »
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I am making about $70 a month now with BigStock.  Not a lot for 2,000 photos but over a period of time the money adds up nicely.  They have sold some photos that other sites have rejected for not being stock photos.  It is nice to make some money from photos rejected by the other sites.

« Reply #3 on: May 02, 2007, 08:16 »
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I just started uploading yesterday -- I noticed that Bigstock was one of the "big 6" but I hadn't, for some odd reason, checked it out.  Saw that on many folks monthly results they were having some success there so started uploading some of my shots.  I'm glad to hear some of the less popular ones get accepted and sold - sorry to hear it's not working so well for all.

« Reply #4 on: May 02, 2007, 09:03 »
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I am making about $70 a month now with BigStock. ...

3.1/2 cents/image/month ... yikes, that's a low ROI.
Thanks for the info, sharpshot!
« Last Edit: May 02, 2007, 09:21 by sharply_done »

« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2007, 10:06 »
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For the past year, BigStock has consistently provided 4 - 6% of my monthly income from the Big 6.  What I like most about them is there aren't any big surprises, like substantial drops in income or extreme fluctuations month to month.  I can pretty much count on them for stable earnings that increase as my portfolio grows.

« Reply #6 on: May 02, 2007, 12:58 »
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Yes, thanks sharpshot, and to everyone else for their comments.

I'll shut down my account with BigStock; $70 a month for 2,000 images is an appalling result (no offence intended sharpshot - your portfolio is excellent and sells well elsewhere), and with the amount of uploading work involved that probably works out at a return below most western countries minimum hourly wage.  I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I reckon every image of mine takes a couple of hours for finishing, keywording etc, so $70 a month for 4,000 hours work just doesn't stack up.  Okay, I know I'd be doing this work anyway for the other agencies, but you know what I mean.  I'd rather spend the time creating more images and submitting them to agencies that can actually sell product.

With sharply's focus on ROI and other statistics I can see he'd rather shoot himself than generate this poor return.  I think I'll join him.  On the other hand I'll just close the account.

I want to be able to focus on just three or four agencies, not all of them.  I'm happy with IS and DT, optimistic for StockXpert, suspicious of FT but making sales, and I'm playing the game at SS (but SS doesn't figure in my long term plans).  Corbis will be along soon.  I certainly don't think BigStock cuts the mustard, particularly as sharpshot's portfolio is way above average quality and diversity.

« Reply #7 on: May 02, 2007, 13:14 »
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I'll shut down my account with BigStock; $70 a month for 2,000 images is an appalling result
You've already done the work, why would you close your account?  $70 per month may be disappointing, but that's $840 per year that you wouldn't otherwise have. 

I'd say just stop uploading for now.   I can only imagine how many hours you spent submitting 2000.  And, who knows, maybe they will turn around and you will upload again.

Edit:  duh.. I seemed to have hatman and sharpshot confused.
« Last Edit: May 02, 2007, 15:13 by Pixart »

« Reply #8 on: May 02, 2007, 14:11 »
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They were down in the dumps all April for me, but have had an awesome start to May already.

« Reply #9 on: June 12, 2007, 22:26 »
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Seems silly to close an account. I'm in the same boat as you but plan on keeping my account open with BSB as long as they're around. Doesn't hurt either way.

« Reply #10 on: June 13, 2007, 00:10 »
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My experience with BigStock has been very poor.  I don't have that many pictures online (85) but mainly pics that sell fairly well on other sites and after almost a year I am $1 short of my first payout.  That's $34 in 11 months - so I understand hayman12 and will probably do the same once I got that ellusive last Dollar. 

I mean, really, what's my incentive for uploading there again?  I do microstock for the money, sure, but an extra $34?  Living in Silicon Valley $34 won't even buy a nice dinner for my husband and me.  So I do microstock also for the thrill of selling my pics. When I check my account (daily, at least) I want to see some progress, not stagnation.  I get nothing out of uploading at BigStock, not even fun.  So why bother?


« Reply #11 on: June 13, 2007, 06:54 »
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I am sure if you increase the size of your portfolio, you will get more sales.  Other than one weekend day, I have had at least one sale each day with BS for the last 40 days.  I sold 9 images in one day last week.

My earnings per month with them are slowly climbing and I hope to have a $100 month before Christmas.  The sales are there, some people make a lot more than I do.

« Reply #12 on: June 13, 2007, 10:57 »
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Thanks for the input.  How many pics do you have there? 
I am debating to try StockXpert where I am currently not selling but I can't hbnadle too many sites on top of work and family.  Any insights as to BigStock vs. StockXpert?

Thanks

« Reply #13 on: June 13, 2007, 11:27 »
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Any insights as to BigStock vs. StockXpert?
StockXpert sells more and is easier to upload to with ftp and one button submit.  BigStock sells less, has ftp but you have to do categories for each photo.

Out of the two, StockXpert wins hands down.  Now only if they had a submitte referal program, I would spam this page with links.  ;D ;D ;D ;D

« Reply #14 on: June 13, 2007, 11:32 »
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Yes, I would post my referral link somewhere too, that CJPhoto would get all those referrals alone ;-)

« Reply #15 on: June 13, 2007, 13:29 »
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Thanks for the input.  How many pics do you have there? 
I am debating to try StockXpert where I am currently not selling but I can't hbnadle too many sites on top of work and family.  Any insights as to BigStock vs. StockXpert?

Thanks

I have over 2,000 photos but a lot of those are not great stock shots, just things I have photographed while out with my camera..

I do sell more with StockXpert and their upload is one of the easiest.  Lucky Oliver has the most simple upload and my sales are improving there but it will be a while before they catch up with the older sites.

« Reply #16 on: June 19, 2007, 02:24 »
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Maybe interesting... Just a comment BigStock sent to me with a paypal payout:
"In case you were wondering about BigStock last week, we lost two critical Servers two days apart and we managed to keep most things online although we had to publish a DNS change for one server. But we are almost back to normal. Just taking care of a few rough edges.  All user functions are fine now. All will be totaly back to normal very shortly. Thanks for your patience! Have a fantastic week!"


 

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