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Author Topic: So sad :( iStock has been getting slaughtered this month  (Read 7748 times)

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« on: June 21, 2007, 08:08 »
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I don't really know what it is, but my earnings at iStock have gotten completely destroyed.  Last month had earnings of $90 (yes, its not a lot of money, but its slowly helping to pay for camera equipment) and now its only at $13.57 for the month so far.  Thats horrible and disappointing because I'd be having a stellar month otherwise, even considering Fotolia's trainwreck.

In addition, I got accepted to Alamy (first try, all 10 good to go) and that was really cool.  Hopefully I make some sales there but I really don't know how well I'm going to do there.



« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2007, 08:25 »
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iStock is down, but so are all the others. June & July are commonly reported as bad months. They were for me last year and this year is not looking any different.

However, your percentage drop at istock seems drastic. My istock results have been in a slide the last three months (including this one) but I'm still only marginally down on last month - around 20% down.

« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2007, 09:11 »
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The first half of June was extremely slow for me as well. However, this week has really picked up quickly and is back on track as normal.  It looks like they're tweaking the search engine again or tweaking something anyway.  At our expense, of course  >:(

vicu

« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2007, 10:16 »
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At our expense, of course  >:(

at whose expense?

« Reply #4 on: June 21, 2007, 10:22 »
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When they change the best match the site doesn't lose sales over it, but individual contributors see an increase or decrease in sales.  If they never changed it the same people would get the best exposure always.  This time it has worked out very well for me the last time it killed off most of my best sellers but I was lucky enough that a few of my new ones took off. It's all swings and roundabouts.

« Reply #5 on: June 21, 2007, 16:40 »
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My iStock sales are down about 15% this month compared to May.  It's not the summer slowdown (too early yet) so it must be all the search changes, best match changes and God knows what....

At the same time I've noticed a big increase in volatility of sales: my sales used to be pretty steady every day; now they are up and down like a yo-yo with near record sales one day followed by a slump the next.

Edit:  I meant to add that at the same time my sales at DT are heading very nicely north and this will easily be my BME there, so at least that compensates for the volatility at IS.

« Reply #6 on: June 21, 2007, 19:36 »
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My earnings are slowing down overall, but in IS I noticed a more clear trend.  Other sites oscillate.  Maybe the fact that I was away last month so no uploads in the period, but I don't think this really makes much difference.

Regards,
Adelaide

« Reply #7 on: August 01, 2009, 12:13 »
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When they change the best match the site doesn't lose sales over it, but individual contributors see an increase or decrease in sales.  If they never changed it the same people would get the best exposure always.  This time it has worked out very well for me the last time it killed off most of my best sellers but I was lucky enough that a few of my new ones took off. It's all swings and roundabouts.

Not to sure about that ( loosing sales ) would be interesting if IS published their monthly figures :-\  a Neighbors Company is one Customer lost due to the misunderstanding of a pricing increase with the latest best match change, just one who has voted with their feet however if my July stats are anything to go by with IS where I have my main Portfolio being -35% with  significant gains at my other Agencies He is not alone.


PaulieWalnuts

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« Reply #8 on: August 01, 2009, 12:20 »
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This should get a blast from the past award or something

« Reply #9 on: August 01, 2009, 12:29 »
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This should get a blast from the past award or something

Thanks for a message :)
I was going to reply to this thread - did not notice dates :)

« Reply #10 on: August 01, 2009, 12:59 »
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Oops good point.... nothing new then

« Reply #11 on: August 01, 2009, 15:59 »
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This should get a blast from the past award or something

Thanks for pointing that out.  I was almost drawn in too.

« Reply #12 on: August 01, 2009, 16:43 »
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HaHa that's why I don't remember writing my post.  I thought somebody had got into my account and written it as i know i didn't write it last month

« Reply #13 on: August 04, 2009, 00:15 »
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I would appreciate here concrete information.
how many photos have you online. How much money do you have invested, from equipment to battery charging, models, fuel, editing, uploading , compter and overall shooting time.
Add the imaginable value of yur creativity.
How much is your return in Number to this investment.

as more people will post this, as better is our picture at the end aboout what we are doing in microstock, and if we maybe all should reconsidder.

« Reply #14 on: August 04, 2009, 00:23 »
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Lisa4,

 My company paid $67,000 dollars to produce 3,500 Micro images, it broke down to $18.67 per image. The half I uploaded first paid for themselves ( which includes all my costs from insurance, down to toilet paper and the talent and locations and post with uploading and key wording, EVERYTHING including my meager salary ) in just under six months at 5 sites. The other half are in the process of uploading now and we have expanded to 10 sites. I hope that helps.

Best,
Jonathan

« Reply #15 on: August 04, 2009, 03:03 »
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Hi,

Great input, jonathan..

I've produced 2500 at anywhere between $4 (shot in studio one model) to $40 (shot on location with 5 models on a not so great day) per shot. In just under 4 months, my first shoot paid for itself on an istock exclusive account.. I was only able to go exclusive first in march 09, so the going was slow to start off with. Like Mr. Ross, i do pay for keywording, uploading & post production.

On average, (based on research as i've only been active 7-8 months now) images have a shelf-life of 18 months before they start to slow down with earnings.. however, I believe some images can sell for years without slowing down.

Would love to see some images Lisas4, maybe PM a link sometime.

All the best,
Josh

« Reply #16 on: August 04, 2009, 11:10 »
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Hi Pixdeluxe,

 What I try to remember is there is no one way to make a living in stock. There are many paths to success that differ greatly but they can all lead to great financial reward. When we started the stock co-op www.BlendImages.com there were 23 of the top stock photographers in Macro as owners working together. One of the most interesting things I found was they were all very successful in their own stock endeavors but they all had completely different methods to their business models. More than one way to skin a cat. OHH! that's not the best Metaphor is it.

Cheers,
Jonathan
« Last Edit: August 04, 2009, 18:38 by Jonathan Ross »


« Reply #17 on: August 06, 2009, 03:58 »
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Hi Pixdeluxe,

 What I try to remember is there is no one way to make a living in stock. There are many paths to success that differ greatly but they can all lead to great financial reward. When we started the stock co-op www.BlendImages.com there were 23 of the top stock photographers in Macro as owners working together. One of the most interesting things I found was they were all very successful in their own stock endeavors but they all had completely different methods to their business models. More than one way to skin a cat. OHH! that's not the best Metaphor is it.

Cheers,
Jonathan


Thanks Jonathan, great insight! Can't agree more.

I would possibly point to the need for everybody to keep expanding and keep pushing themselves with what they produce. For some macro pros, micro may seem like a step back (especially in budget). However, i think for the thousands of amateurs (myself included) its really important that we continue to expand our styles and methods at every possible opportunity. Its most likely clich-ish but you really need to carve out a name for yourself and really need to stand apart.. I believe there is untapped potential for this in microstock, however discouraging it may be to see 1000s of images added to each agency every day.

All the best,

Josh


 

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