Author Topic: Uploading to big 4 (stopping exclusivity) (Read 24099 times)

Mactrunk · « **on:** July 02, 2012, 06:40 »

I've finally made the big step and ended my exclusivity at Dreamstime. I can now start selling from the 25th of this month on other sites and I am already uploading my portfolio on other sites. At shutterstock I will put them on hold. At Fotolia I will keyword them and then save them to finish later so I hope I can have 300+ images online at Shutterstock, Istock, Fotolia an Dreamstime at the end or half of next month. Those have my priority but I am also approved at Depositphotos and 123RF. I still have to make an account for Bigstock and I think that will be it. 7 should be enough.

I have been searching allot online. On this website and on online blogs and what I can see is that most people make 3 to 4 times what they make on Dreamstime. I am used to sell as an exclusive member and what I hear from other members that left the exclusivity, they make about 50% to 60% of what they used to so I am counting on 50% which would make my new average $55 at Dreamstime.

IF my port starts selling it SHOULD(?) make me 3 to 4 times that amount only on Shutterstock? I want to be on the save side so lets say 3 times.

I know that there are Poll results on the side but I would like to hear what your personal experiences are. I am very excited to sell at other agency's and it's fun to speculate about the sales I could get there. So how much more % of earnings do you get at Shutterstock and istock at this time compared to Dreamstime? There are many older posts and dated blogs but I would like to see what they are now.

I will keep this post up to date to tell you all my personal findings. My portfolio at Dreamstime is:http://www.dreamstime.com/Twindesign_portfolio_pg1

Thanks!

ShadySue · « **Reply #1 on:** July 02, 2012, 06:45 »

You won't get 300+ images on iStock by the end of next month. You will only get 15 upload slots a week, assuming your files are still images, so the max you could have by then will be 120, if all are accepted.

You might find the June Sales thread interesting as it develops:
http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/june-microstock-earnings/msg261865/?topicseen#new
and also the May sales thread:
http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/may-microstock-income-how-was-it
It'll be interesting to read of your experiences.
Good luck!

Mactrunk · « **Reply #2 on:** July 02, 2012, 06:57 »

I forgot! I read before that istock had this.

And I am also still in approval mode. Did the quiz and passed. Uploaded 3 images that also got approved ad SS but it's been a week and still no answer.

Thanks for your reply and the threads you posted!

nicku · « **Reply #3 on:** July 02, 2012, 06:58 »

Good choice dropping exclusivity. I had made the same move last year. In my case i had manage to get accepted around 400 pics from over 900 on SS, around 65% of FT, and 90% on 123RF.

michealo · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2012, 07:05 »

Nice port

ShadySue · « **Reply #5 on:** July 02, 2012, 07:07 »

Quote from: Mactrunk on July 02, 2012, 06:57

I forgot! I read before that istock had this. And I am also still in approval mode. Did the quiz and passed. Uploaded 3 images that also got approved ad SS but it's been a week and still no answer.

Thanks for your reply and the threads you posted!

Most things on iStock are taking longer than usual. Check the bugs thread:
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=345161&page=1

leaf · « **Reply #6 on:** July 02, 2012, 07:18 »

I'm interested to hear how it goes and what your earnings look like. Getting accepted to Shutterstock is key to making non-exclusivity worthwhile. I'd also consider submitting to all the sites in the middle tier - depending on your time of course.

Poncke · « **Reply #7 on:** July 02, 2012, 07:46 »

I am not sure if BS will add anything to your sales. Most people I know dont have a lot of sales, little to none. I know a few lads with ports the size of about 2000 and above images and not hitting pay out every month. Nothing to do with the quality of the port imo as these guys have been around for ages and their ports do well elsewhere.

I am not saying dont add to BS, but the return might not be worth your time. Their editing and submitting system is a bit cumbersome compared to SS, 123RF and CanStockPhoto but a lot quicker then FT.

Karimala · « **Reply #8 on:** July 02, 2012, 09:39 »

Quote from: Poncke on July 02, 2012, 07:46

I am not sure if BS will add anything to your sales. Most people I know dont have a lot of sales, little to none. I know a few lads with ports the size of about 2000 and above images and not hitting pay out every month. Nothing to do with the quality of the port imo as these guys have been around for ages and their ports do well elsewhere.

I am not saying dont add to BS, but the return might not be worth your time. Their editing and submitting system is a bit cumbersome compared to SS, 123RF and CanStockPhoto but a lot quicker then FT.

SS has the Bridge to BigStock program, where you upload all your images to SS and once approved they go to both SS and BigStock. It eliminates the step of uploading to both sites.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 02, 2012, 09:49 »

Quote from: Karimala on July 02, 2012, 09:39

Quote from: Poncke on July 02, 2012, 07:46
I am not sure if BS will add anything to your sales. Most people I know dont have a lot of sales, little to none. I know a few lads with ports the size of about 2000 and above images and not hitting pay out every month. Nothing to do with the quality of the port imo as these guys have been around for ages and their ports do well elsewhere.

I am not saying dont add to BS, but the return might not be worth your time. Their editing and submitting system is a bit cumbersome compared to SS, 123RF and CanStockPhoto but a lot quicker then FT.

SS has the Bridge to BigStock program, where you upload all your images to SS and once approved they go to both SS and BigStock. It eliminates the step of uploading to both sites.

you need to be invite

Poncke · « **Reply #10 on:** July 02, 2012, 10:21 »

Quote from: Karimala on July 02, 2012, 09:39

Quote from: Poncke on July 02, 2012, 07:46
I am not sure if BS will add anything to your sales. Most people I know dont have a lot of sales, little to none. I know a few lads with ports the size of about 2000 and above images and not hitting pay out every month. Nothing to do with the quality of the port imo as these guys have been around for ages and their ports do well elsewhere.

I am not saying dont add to BS, but the return might not be worth your time. Their editing and submitting system is a bit cumbersome compared to SS, 123RF and CanStockPhoto but a lot quicker then FT.

SS has the Bridge to BigStock program, where you upload all your images to SS and once approved they go to both SS and BigStock. It eliminates the step of uploading to both sites.

Only the few elites have that, I dont have it, and I cant get it either. Its on invite, and probably only if they think your port is worth it.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 02, 2012, 10:27 »

Quote from: Poncke on July 02, 2012, 10:21

Quote from: Karimala on July 02, 2012, 09:39
Quote from: Poncke on July 02, 2012, 07:46
I am not sure if BS will add anything to your sales. Most people I know dont have a lot of sales, little to none. I know a few lads with ports the size of about 2000 and above images and not hitting pay out every month. Nothing to do with the quality of the port imo as these guys have been around for ages and their ports do well elsewhere.

I am not saying dont add to BS, but the return might not be worth your time. Their editing and submitting system is a bit cumbersome compared to SS, 123RF and CanStockPhoto but a lot quicker then FT.

SS has the Bridge to BigStock program, where you upload all your images to SS and once approved they go to both SS and BigStock. It eliminates the step of uploading to both sites.
Only the few elites have that, I dont have it, and I cant get it either. Its on invite, and probably only if they think your port is worth it.

would be interesting to know how they "worth it", my earnings on BigStock are like 40-50x less than SS, BigStock made 2.5% of what SS have done (all time), they were my 14th best agency in 2011

stockastic · « **Reply #12 on:** July 02, 2012, 10:39 »

Quote from: Karimala on July 02, 2012, 09:39

SS has the Bridge to BigStock program, where you upload all your images to SS and once approved they go to both SS and BigStock. It eliminates the step of uploading to both sites.

I stopped hearing anything about "Bridge for Bigshots" long ago. As far as I know there's no way to even beg to get in on it. And it seems to be a Bridge to Nowhere anyway.

cthoman · « **Reply #13 on:** July 02, 2012, 11:16 »

Quote from: luissantos84 on July 02, 2012, 10:27

would be interesting to know how they "worth it", my earnings on BigStock are like 40-50x less than SS, BigStock made 2.5% of what SS have done (all time), they were my 14th best agency in 2011

Bigstock has never been a strong seller for me either. I'd put that as pretty low priority (or no priority) if I was starting out uploading today. Can Stock has always been a lot better earner. I'd choose that over Bigstock or Depositphotos.

lisafx · « **Reply #14 on:** July 02, 2012, 14:15 »

I am always surprised when I hear people doing so poorly on Bigstock. It's not in the top 4, to be sure, but they are consistently 5-6% of my earnings each month, which puts them in the #5 spot, above all other mid and lower tier agencies. 123RF, for example, is only at 3%, netting half what BigStock does.

Strange to see such wide variance among who does well on which site...

WarrenPrice · « **Reply #15 on:** July 02, 2012, 15:04 »

Quote from: lisafx on July 02, 2012, 14:15

I am always surprised when I hear people doing so poorly on Bigstock. It's not in the top 4, to be sure, but they are consistently 5-6% of my earnings each month, which puts them in the #5 spot, above all other mid and lower tier agencies. 123RF, for example, is only at 3%, netting half what BigStock does.

Strange to see such wide variance among who does well on which site...

Yes it is ... strange. And annoying. $:-\$

I was doing quite well at the beginning of the year thru April. Then, it came to a screeching halt. Nothing - NADA since June 5.
More of the mystery behind changes to search criteria?

Poncke · « **Reply #16 on:** July 02, 2012, 17:01 »

Quote from: lisafx on July 02, 2012, 14:15

I am always surprised when I hear people doing so poorly on Bigstock. It's not in the top 4, to be sure, but they are consistently 5-6% of my earnings each month, which puts them in the #5 spot, above all other mid and lower tier agencies. 123RF, for example, is only at 3%, netting half what BigStock does.

Strange to see such wide variance among who does well on which site...

123RF is my second earner, sharing 2nd place with FT.

lisafx · « **Reply #17 on:** July 02, 2012, 18:59 »

Quote from: Poncke on July 02, 2012, 17:01

123RF is my second earner, sharing 2nd place with FT.

I have read of a lot of people doing great on 123. I never have done too well there. Although the last couple of months have shown marked improvement. Don't want to jinx myself by complaining, but they are still half what BigStock brings in for me. $:-\$

Mactrunk · « **Reply #18 on:** July 03, 2012, 01:15 »

Thanks for the reply's! Oke. No Bigstock for me then. Saves a lot of work and I don't think I want to wait for payouts every 8 months. I'm accepted at istock! I emailed them and the next day I got approved. I can upload 18 images per week so my first 18 bestsellers are uploaded. Lets hope they get accepted.

So from the 25th of this month I will start selling at:

Dreamstime
Fotolia
Shutterstock
istock
123RF
Depositphoto's

Meanwile Dreamstime is selling great. $25,96 in 2 days. It's almost as if they are showing me reasons not to leave them haha. But I can still profit from exclusivity this month so I hope I will get a BME just before leaving them.

I must say that uploading to Dreamstime is nicer than some others. I like Istock. They are also fast and simple to upload. Fotolia is also nice. Shutterstock takes me the longest time to submit.

Thanks for all the kind feedback! I will keep you up to date!

Poncke · « **Reply #19 on:** July 03, 2012, 04:18 »

Quote from: Mactrunk on July 03, 2012, 01:15

Thanks for the reply's! Oke. No Bigstock for me then. Saves a lot of work and I don't think I want to wait for payouts every 8 months. I'm accepted at istock! I emailed them and the next day I got approved. I can upload 18 images per week so my first 18 bestsellers are uploaded. Lets hope they get accepted.

So from the 25th of this month I will start selling at:

Dreamstime
Fotolia
Shutterstock
istock
123RF
Depositphoto's

Meanwile Dreamstime is selling great. $25,96 in 2 days. It's almost as if they are showing me reasons not to leave them haha. But I can still profit from exclusivity this month so I hope I will get a BME just before leaving them.

I must say that uploading to Dreamstime is nicer than some others. I like Istock. They are also fast and simple to upload. Fotolia is also nice. Shutterstock takes me the longest time to submit.

Thanks for all the kind feedback! I will keep you up to date!

I find FT the slowest and SS is fairly quick for me. Kind of oposite to you

You might as well throw in Canstockphoto, they are same level as Deposit for me, but their uploading is seriously the quickest after 123RF. That would be no hassle at all. CanStockPhoto will start slow but if you keep adding sales will start to come.

Grisho · « **Reply #20 on:** July 03, 2012, 06:30 »

I took the same step last year around September. I dropped Dreamstime's exclusivity and started to upload in SS and IS. I had ~ 250 images in my portfolio at that time. Only around 10 % of them were accepted in Shutterstock and iStock. The amount of money I earned for the next several months.. well, you can guess. I was making around $200/month as exclusive at Dreamstime, so I kind of had some expectations, obviously wrong ones. I decided to go back as an exclusive at DT. And I don't regret it. It seems that the stuff I upload fits this agency only.

Mactrunk · « **Reply #21 on:** July 04, 2012, 01:51 »

Quote from: Grisho on July 03, 2012, 06:30

I took the same step last year around September. I dropped Dreamstime's exclusivity and started to upload in SS and IS. I had ~ 250 images in my portfolio at that time. Only around 10 % of them were accepted in Shutterstock and iStock. The amount of money I earned for the next several months.. well, you can guess. I was making around $200/month as exclusive at Dreamstime, so I kind of had some expectations, obviously wrong ones. I decided to go back as an exclusive at DT. And I don't regret it. It seems that the stuff I upload fits this agency only.

10% is not very much. I am hoping for a minimum of 50%. How do you get $200/ month with only 250 images? You only have about 1380 sales since 2009. That would be an average of $75 if I calculate that correct? My experience is that 500 sales is about $1000. Anyway... I hope my experience is difference and I am making the right decision. If not I will go back being exclusive at Dreamstime. Thanks for your reply!

Grisho · « **Reply #22 on:** July 04, 2012, 02:56 »

Quote from: Mactrunk on July 04, 2012, 01:51

Quote from: Grisho on July 03, 2012, 06:30
I took the same step last year around September. I dropped Dreamstime's exclusivity and started to upload in SS and IS. I had ~ 250 images in my portfolio at that time. Only around 10 % of them were accepted in Shutterstock and iStock. The amount of money I earned for the next several months.. well, you can guess. I was making around $200/month as exclusive at Dreamstime, so I kind of had some expectations, obviously wrong ones. I decided to go back as an exclusive at DT. And I don't regret it. It seems that the stuff I upload fits this agency only.

10% is not very much. I am hoping for a minimum of 50%. How do you get $200/ month with only 250 images? You only have about 1380 sales since 2009. That would be an average of $75 if I calculate that correct? My experience is that 500 sales is about $1000. Anyway... I hope my experience is difference and I am making the right decision. If not I will go back being exclusive at Dreamstime. Thanks for your reply!

I signed up in 2009, but started uploading in the late 2010. The average is $150, but there are months I'm hitting $200+.

Mactrunk · « **Reply #23 on:** July 04, 2012, 07:09 »

That explains! Your doing very good then!!! My best mont ever was $145.

JPSDK · « **Reply #24 on:** July 04, 2012, 09:14 »

Remember at shutterstock only your good stuff sells.
The competition is high.
When you have a good picture the earning potential is many times more than on DT.
on good pictures Fot, IS + SS will give you at least 10 times of what you get on DT.

If you are one of those who was nursed into dependancy and had not kept up with evolution.
You might be into a hard awakening.

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Author Topic: Uploading to big 4 (stopping exclusivity) (Read 24099 times)

Mactrunk

ShadySue

Mactrunk

nicku

michealo

ShadySue

leaf

Poncke

Karimala

luissantos84

Poncke

luissantos84

stockastic

cthoman

lisafx

WarrenPrice

Poncke

lisafx

Mactrunk

Poncke

Grisho

Mactrunk

Grisho

Mactrunk

JPSDK

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