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Microstock Photography Forum - General => General Stock Discussion => Topic started by: vonkara on November 13, 2008, 16:05

Title: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: vonkara on November 13, 2008, 16:05
I'm reading a lot of peoples comments about how some agencies are their best and it appear to be different for everyone. I even read sometimes from some well established photographers that Bigstock and 123RF was in their best earner. Then it's why I added them to the poll.  I'm would like to know which ones are your 3 best agencies in term of earning. Thanks for voting!

(You can add 3 votes)
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: Pixart on November 13, 2008, 16:14
How do you want us to answer this?  For all time?  IS will be in top 3 at year end, but not for this month or last.  Don't know how to answer.
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: Kngkyle on November 13, 2008, 16:29
Shutterstock
Dreamstime
StockXpert

Fotolia close 4th
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: jsolie on November 13, 2008, 16:49
IS, SS & DT.  If I doubled my DT earnings, it would still be less than IS.
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: melastmohican on November 13, 2008, 17:07
I do not have very "stockish" photos (nature mostly) so

1. SS
.
.
.
<long gap>
.
.
.

at %10 of SS
2. 123RF
3. StockXpert

at 50% of above

4. DT
5. IS

Everything else I can count as statistical error :-)
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: stokfoto on November 13, 2008, 17:10
voted:IS SS FT
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: vonkara on November 13, 2008, 17:17
How do you want us to answer this?  For all time?  IS will be in top 3 at year end, but not for this month or last.  Don't know how to answer.
Recently would be good.
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: Pixart on November 13, 2008, 17:26
Since September:
SS
DT
FT

Until August it was always:
SS
IS
DT
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: Dreamframer on November 13, 2008, 17:35
voted SS, DT, IS
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: vonkara on November 13, 2008, 17:41
Actually we have...% of people having in their top 3

SS- 88%
IS- 54%
DT- 45%
FT- 42%
StockXpert- 29%
123RF- 4%

On 24 votes.

Need at least 100 contributors for having a poor representation of reality
1000 would be a professional poll result
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: cathyslife on November 13, 2008, 17:50
IS still my best
DT would be 2nd
and lately StockXpert has been outdoing SS, but they usually run about neck and neck
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: hali on November 13, 2008, 18:10
for the little portfolio i had at the beginning, it was DST BigStock and StockXpert
but now StockXpert and DST, with BigStock sort of sleeping. but easily yes, StockXpert is picking up for me. so, as i said, i am revving up my images to them, and IS just started too,
so maybe the getty partnership is a good thing for me.
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: RT on November 13, 2008, 18:11
I don't think your poll will be very accurate, iStock exclusives only have one option which is going to throw the results off.

And before anybody says it - of course they'll vote
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: WarrenPrice on November 13, 2008, 18:15
I have only three and this poll seems to indicate that any serious contributor would not be exclusive?  

I am interested, however, in the results.  Maybe going exclusive is not such a good idea.
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: dbvirago on November 13, 2008, 18:16
I voted losing last 3 months totals.
SS:DT:BigStock

IS in bottom 3
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: madelaide on November 13, 2008, 18:24
StockXpert-IS-DT - that's been consistently the order lately, with FT close.  Overall IS is my best earner, but my best days there seem to be over.

Regards,
Adelaide
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: CofkoCof on November 13, 2008, 18:54
Overall:
1. SS by a large margin
2. IS
3. StockXpert

DT, 123rf and FT are very close to StockXpert though, last month they were even infront since StockXpert didn't perform well.
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: vonkara on November 13, 2008, 19:30
I don't think your poll will be very accurate, iStock exclusives only have one option which is going to throw the results off.

And before anybody says it - of course they'll vote
I can live with that. But even with these votes IS is behind of SS and very close to DT who's third actually.

Actually there's 39 voters who have voted 102 times. Normally with 3 each it would give 117 times voted. That mean there's 5 people who COULD have voted only once. Maybe that mean 5 people voted only for IS. Knowing that IS should be behind DT by one now.
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: goldenangel on November 13, 2008, 19:48
Voted
1. FT
2. StockXpert
3. DT
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: PixelsAway on November 13, 2008, 20:10
IS + SS = ~75% of earnings overall (almost a year), SS is just about $4 behind IS, but I started with SS 4 months later
                 SS is doing much better than IS this month ...
DT - 3rd place

The entire story on a graph: http://www.pixelsaway.com/C911796005/E20081031213700/index.html
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: GeoPappas on November 13, 2008, 20:43
Why not just look to the right (at the Microstock Poll Results).  Your poll seems to basically be replicating that poll.
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: Kngkyle on November 13, 2008, 20:53
This is my breakdown since the start of the year.
'Other' is mostly Crestock with a little Snapvillage and Canstockphoto. 123RF is not included in this because I have not been submitting there the full year.
(http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/1583/scr1226627516qx3.jpg)
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: vonkara on November 13, 2008, 21:17
Why not just look to the right (at the Microstock Poll Results).  Your poll seems to basically be replicating that poll.
It's a good way to compare though or to make sure that the results of the MSG poll are accurate. At many times I read about how people were voting differently from others and then the MSG polls was not that much accurate. But even with a totally different way to vote, it give quite the same results. I wonder now what would be the results if there was only 1 vote option...
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: RacePhoto on November 14, 2008, 01:28
Why not just look to the right (at the Microstock Poll Results).  Your poll seems to basically be replicating that poll.
It's a good way to compare though or to make sure that the results of the MSG poll are accurate. At many times I read about how people were voting differently from others and then the MSG polls was not that much accurate. But even with a totally different way to vote, it give quite the same results. I wonder now what would be the results if there was only 1 vote option...

Swami looks into the crystal ball and predicts, 49% IS because of exclusives who can't answer anything else (even if they have a "roomate or spouse" who submits at the other sites  ;) ) and 49% SS because of volume, 2% because there's always that 2% that seems to fall out of range on any survey.  ;D Say there's someone who can't get accepted at SS or IS but has a load of photos on the other five. They would be forced to answer something other than the top two. Always those odd complications.

What I'm really saying is, I'd predict a tie.

I suppose one way around that, if there's another survey is have a box for iStock Exclusive, then IS and all the rest as choices for top three. It would be interesting as a secondary category within the survey.
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: vonkara on November 14, 2008, 11:47
Thanks to the 72 voters. Though It would be great to reach the 100.
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: weknow on November 14, 2008, 11:56
I'm in Micro & Midstock for 3,5 months now.
SS only 2,5 months.
Portfolio >200, SS 140 FT: 65
Voted SS (But starters are pushed up for the first month!) 270DLs + 123RF 20DL + StockXpert (14DLs).
My real 2nd is - from start on and regular selling better than 123RF and StockXpert - Snapvillage >24DLs
5th = FP, 6th CC and DT only 7th. FT en CS only 4DL and yesterday had the very first 2 sales on BigStock.

To less and to short probably to make conclusions!? But a different result here from what's common.  
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: fotografer on November 14, 2008, 12:58
I only voted for FT and SS as they are way above the others.  Next come DT IS and StockXpert all about equal so I didn't want to put a third.
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: takestock on November 14, 2008, 13:20
Shutterstock
Dreamstime
StockXpert

Fotolia close 4th
Ditto
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: borg on November 14, 2008, 16:12
SS,IS,DT...

Funny, usually is FT on my 4th place but this month it's BigStock.
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: takestock on November 14, 2008, 16:22
What is noticable here is the low rating og BigStock
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: vonkara on November 14, 2008, 18:44
SS is way in front of everyone. Also DT seem to go in front of IS like the MSG poll is showing actually. Maybe the two new best match's are affecting peoples rating. There's also 4 groups.

SS by itself
DT and IS
StockXpert and FT
123RF and BigStock

It will be interesting to look more closely at the MSG polls for the next months and see if there's some changes
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: madelaide on November 14, 2008, 18:49
What is noticable here is the low rating og BigStock

It's difficult to imagine BigStock and 123RF are anyone's best 3 sites.  I like BigStock and they give me a very regular income, often coming at 5th, but they are far behind the first four (StockXpert,IS,DT,FT) most of the time.  123RF is a very poor performer for me, considering they are an active site.

Regards,
Adelaide
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: CofkoCof on November 14, 2008, 18:57
What is noticable here is the low rating og BigStock

It's difficult to imagine BigStock and 123RF are anyone's best 3 sites.  I like BigStock and they give me a very regular income, often coming at 5th, but they are far behind the first four (StockXpert,IS,DT,FT) most of the time.  123RF is a very poor performer for me, considering they are an active site.

Regards,
Adelaide
Well 123rf is at nr 3 for me this month. With current trend (read sucky best match and nice growth at 123rf :D) it will surpass IS next month.
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: vonkara on November 15, 2008, 12:15
Here we go with almost 100 voters. You can now see the results as pourcentage


% of people having in their top 3

SS- 76%   1st
---------
DT- 56%   2nd group
IS- 52%
----------
FT- 37%   3rd group
StockXpert- 31%
----------
BigStock- 6%    4th group
123RF- 5%

Dreamstime seem to be officially in front of Istock now, even more if there was exclusive voters, and Shutterstock is still the best one for almost everyone
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: RacePhoto on November 15, 2008, 13:16
What is noticable here is the low rating og BigStock

It's difficult to imagine BigStock and 123RF are anyone's best 3 sites.  I like BigStock and they give me a very regular income, often coming at 5th, but they are far behind the first four (StockXpert,IS,DT,FT) most of the time.  123RF is a very poor performer for me, considering they are an active site.

Regards,
Adelaide

Someone may not be accepted at StockXpert or have a very small portfolios on IS.  ;)  The non-exclusive limit at IS that makes it difficult to get any big numbers of photos up at 15 per week Max. and rejections nibbling into that. Then there are "some people" who have given up on FT, 123 and IS, which will make the other four the top three. Hypothetically SS is #1 then you are forced to pick two of these, StockXpert,BS,DT.

Just some ideas how BS or StockXpert are #3 in some cases. Elimination.  ;D
 

Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: vonkara on November 15, 2008, 13:30

---Someone may not be accepted at StockXpert or have a very small portfolios on IS---



Mine was SS, DT and IS. But I want to remember that there is some photographers with small portfolio or sales who are actually able to vote like the IS exclusive. Microstock is an overall community and in a way, those votes reflect exactly what microstock is today with exclusive, non exclusive, veterans and new comers. Those votes are appreciated from anyone.
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: RGebbiePhoto on November 15, 2008, 13:49
Ours being the 100th vote, I'm chiming in...
SS is our #1
DT is a VERY close 2nd
StockXpert has shown such an improvement, even with subs, so it came in at 3rd

IS.. well, if we are lucky, we get two or three sales a month, so they are our #8

If we had to choose a site to go exclusive with, it would be DT, hands down.
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: AnnaHalo on November 19, 2008, 18:15
My results:
SS
IS
StockXpert
Of course, Shutterstock makes much-much more in money than IS, but in correlation of sales-money Istock goes much better than others, almost without ELs:).
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: hali on November 19, 2008, 18:24
vonkara, is this going to be a month to month poll, or just for today?
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: vonkara on November 19, 2008, 18:49
vonkara, is this going to be a month to month poll, or just for today?
Maybe once a couple of months because things could not change every months, but others can do their own. Also it seem to be pretty the same results as the MSG poll on the right. Then maybe the next one could have a different question.
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: tubed on November 20, 2008, 00:56
If we had to choose a site to go exclusive with, it would be DT, hands down.

Agreed!!
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: hali on November 20, 2008, 15:21
 :o :o perharps i should stop saying StockXpert is the best, as ever since i did that,
my review time has expanded to become almost like IS,
ie. from almost instantly to the same day, to now being over a week  ::)

where are your reviewers Steve? ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: RT on November 20, 2008, 17:19
:o :o perharps i should stop saying StockXpert is the best, as ever since i did that,
my review time has expanded to become almost like IS,
ie. from almost instantly to the same day, to now being over a week  ::)

where are your reviewers Steve? ??? ??? ???


You should send them a site mail, I uploaded a batch yesterday and they were approved overnight all except one file which was corrupted, I reuploaded it this morning and it's been approved already.

Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: hali on November 20, 2008, 17:47
You should send them a site mail, I uploaded a batch yesterday and they were approved overnight all except one file which was corrupted, I reuploaded it this morning and it's been approved already.
y'know, maybe i should. as before, my images were always approved with a few hours. i 've had 100% for quite a while, except for 2 images that were rejected due to PR.
i hope they did not forget about me.
a week in my case with StockXpert is looooonng.
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: epixx on November 20, 2008, 17:56
SS, IS and DT are still my top selling agencies, but this month, BS is not far behind, on a strong 4th position competing with FT. StockXpert is sinking like a stone for me   :(
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: Aetherial on November 21, 2008, 01:03
for me SS is the best followed very closely by StockXpert, then by FT, DT and unfortunately trailing IS.

I'm new, I have ~150 photos online on each site (except IS).
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: CofkoCof on December 08, 2008, 07:34
It's interesting to see IS drop to fourth place in the poll results on the right. The only site from the big6 that's going down.
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: nebojsak on December 12, 2008, 11:15
I'm only nearly 5 months in microstock business, doing vector illustrations only. This is my experience so far:

StockXpert is definitely my best earner, it's stable and relies mostly on quality of images uploaded. RPI above 1, I can say it's nearly 1,5. Also, other aspects of the site work quite satisfying, regarding support, payment, approval time and so on.

SS is the second one. But I seriously doubt it will be in the future, cos I'm not a mass-producer type of guy. There is slow but steady drop in my sales since the beginning.

DT is on a third place. Weird site, with probably the best interface, but unpredictable. Also very unfair policy towards contributors.

BS is there just in case. Sales here and there, but their low payout limit is enough for me.

Regarding IS, my third test file is pending approval. From what I have read on this forum (and variety of others), no luck for the non-exclusives, but I'm going to wait and see.
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: leaf on December 12, 2008, 12:01
wow, interesting to hear that StockXpert is doing so well for you. 
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: nebojsak on December 12, 2008, 12:50
Don't know, it seems StockXpert does well for illustrators. Not a single reason for complaints so far.
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: madelaide on December 12, 2008, 16:03
I never tried uploading vectors to StockXpert, only rasters.  BTW, this month StockXpert is performing very poorly for me - 5th place.  I didn't expect it.

Regards,
Adelaide
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: nebojsak on December 12, 2008, 16:34
I never tried uploading vectors to StockXpert, only rasters.  BTW, this month StockXpert is performing very poorly for me - 5th place.  I didn't expect it.

There is absolutely not a single reason for doing so. Vectors sell very well on StockXpert.
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: madelaide on December 12, 2008, 16:46
Do we need to resubmit the images, or is there a way to have the vector files included?  Do they sell rasters of the vectors too?

Regards,
Adelaide
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: nebojsak on December 12, 2008, 17:03
I think you can upload your vector file via Edit function, never tried uploading jpeg then eps. Regarding rasters from vectors, I usually make XXL size exporting from AI at 300 dpi, and then they make sizes from XS to biggest available from source file.
Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: RacePhoto on December 12, 2008, 17:59
Some suggestions to make the poll a little better. This is not nasty nit picking, just some modifications that you may want to make.

Which is are your 3 best agencies in term(s) of overall downloads and earnings (Recently)
It's plural so you would want that to be are, not is, and add an "s" to term.

Also you ask for the three best overall downloads and earnings. The two are not always tied together. SS is the best example. Many downloads at a low commission .25 cents, but BS or StockXpert may generate $1 per download. Most downloads doesn't equal best earnings. Pick one or the other and I suppose the question would be based on how much do we make, Example:

Which three agencies are currently your highest in terms of earnings?

It may be that everyone understood what you were asking, but if you asked downloads, I would have picked a different two out of the three than if you had asked earnings.  ;D

Just can't wait for the January poll to see how things are looking. Dec. appears to be the worst month of the year for stock, from looking at traffic and sales for the past years.

Title: Re: Your best agencies -Poll-
Post by: nebojsak on December 12, 2008, 18:29
Looking at he first 12 days' earnings, December is going to be BME of the BMEs for me.

Again, I'm all in vectors. Maybe that fact makes things slightly different. Xmas/NY items sells are outstanding.