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Author Topic: Is iStock worth it?  (Read 35152 times)

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« on: March 22, 2017, 20:11 »
0
I've been reading through lots of iStock posts and have come to the consensus that most people are furious with iStock's new flat (and low) royalty rates. I'm a newbie to the stock world and am completely and amateur, I just upload as a hobby and enjoy the extra cash on the side when it comes. I've uploaded most of my collection to iStock, but stopped uploading after the site went down at the end of last year. I haven't uploaded since, but I'm thinking of starting up again now that I'm able to see my earnings. I'm not thrilled with the 15% rate but I'm not making too much less than I am on other sites, and the volume I'm selling has gotten me, at least over the past few months, a balance I'm happy with. Should I start uploading again, or should I keep holding out? I'm fine with the amount of money I'm making, but I don't want to be on the wrong side of the battle for decent royalty rates.


« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2017, 20:20 »
+6
I've been reading through lots of iStock posts and have come to the consensus that most people are furious with iStock's new flat (and low) royalty rates. I'm a newbie to the stock world and am completely and amateur, I just upload as a hobby and enjoy the extra cash on the side when it comes. I've uploaded most of my collection to iStock, but stopped uploading after the site went down at the end of last year. I haven't uploaded since, but I'm thinking of starting up again now that I'm able to see my earnings. I'm not thrilled with the 15% rate but I'm not making too much less than I am on other sites, and the volume I'm selling has gotten me, at least over the past few months, a balance I'm happy with. Should I start uploading again, or should I keep holding out? I'm fine with the amount of money I'm making, but I don't want to be on the wrong side of the battle for decent royalty rates.

You already answered your own question.

« Reply #2 on: March 23, 2017, 01:08 »
+8
No. Not any more.

derek

    This user is banned.
« Reply #3 on: March 23, 2017, 01:46 »
+20
If youre a masochist yes if not dont even think about it!  seriously.

« Reply #4 on: March 23, 2017, 03:15 »
+5
I have the same problem. I earn with iStock as much as I earn with SS. I am not doing that well on Fotolia. I only have about 340 images so far. I checked my iStock statement yesterday and  for many of my images i got 6 cents, 7 cents and 8 cents. I would cut my earnings by half if I would delete my iStock account but I find it absolutely wrong to support a company that sells images for 39 cents. They are selling photos to businesses. Businesses can very well afford to pay 2 dollars and more per image. I was told that most companies have a budget of 9 dollars for each image. 6 cents before paying tax and PayPal fees. Is that how we value our hard work?

« Reply #5 on: March 23, 2017, 03:57 »
+21
Every time you upload to istock, it makes it more likely that the other sites will cut the amount they pay us.  Why would sites pay 30 to 50% if we all accept 15%?  And those low prices make it even worse, how will any of us make money if istock keep cutting the amount they pay us?  So it might seem that you're making some extra money but you're actually killing future earnings potential.  Everyone that stops uploading or leaves istock encourages buyers to use other sites, when they can't find what they want with istock.

Justanotherphotographer

« Reply #6 on: March 23, 2017, 04:40 »
+8
If you really can't afford to delete your portfolio on istock you could just stop uploading new content. Then you will have made up for any loss with growth on other sites. Continuing to upload makes it a necessity for other sites to start paying 1c royalties to compete.

« Reply #7 on: March 23, 2017, 05:38 »
+12
iStock is a BIG JOKE these days. I have been a contributor like 8 years. I have seen the good years and now the bad years. After Getty bought the iStock it's been only downhill. It's so fun watch how they trying get there crap toghether but never get anything done. And this has lasted three years...There is always an explanation from iStock to every F**** problem. Plaa plaa plaa. In Shutterstock you have all the good and stuff to upload images, handel your data, etc. But in iStock you dont have nothing! Only some incorrectly calculated diagram. All I can say that...They have  screwed up!

And by the way...After 2013 my income has droped something like 90%. My best month was something about 13 500$ and it realy, realy, REALY far from there!

« Reply #8 on: March 23, 2017, 07:45 »
+5
Not uploading new content is not the solution. It won't hurt iStock if they don't have my 340 images. I don't know how that could work but somehow we should all close our accounts. I am seriously thinking about it. Only other solution would be to go exclusive and get 40% commission. But why reward them for selling images for 39 cents. I make half of my income with iStock but I think I rather earn half of the amount of money than to let them ruin microstock. Microstock should start charging more for images and not less.

« Reply #9 on: March 23, 2017, 08:14 »
+4
Not uploading new content is not the solution. It won't hurt iStock if they don't have my 340 images. I don't know how that could work but somehow we should all close our accounts. I am seriously thinking about it. Only other solution would be to go exclusive and get 40% commission. But why reward them for selling images for 39 cents. I make half of my income with iStock but I think I rather earn half of the amount of money than to let them ruin microstock. Microstock should start charging more for images and not less.

Correct. By leaving your account open and leaving images up, you are sill doing business with them, which to them means you are AOK with whatever they dish out.

« Reply #10 on: March 23, 2017, 08:16 »
+9
If you go exclusive you will NOT get 40%. You have to have sales enough to work your way up the scale. Under the plan during 2016 there was maybe a 1% chance anybody could make it to 40%. I've been exclusive since around 2005 and the various payout scale changes only make me lose percentage and I'm now at 30%. Their grandfather clauses are the only thing that even kept me at 30%. Under the 2017 plan we have no real experience to know if it is even possible to advance within the exclusive scale, let alone we don't know if it is possible to even reach the top. So, unless you are already up the scale, there is no income sense for beginners to sell via iStock.

iS, for a brief while back around 2002, paid royalties of nickels, then dimes, then quarters, while they set out to monetize the business. In those days the sales volumes still made noticeable money for new contributors. Today many of the sales pay less and there is no contributor volume support. It will take many thousands of images selling well as exclusive to make a positive impact on your income scale. Better to move along now and leave iS. If you don't believe me, try it for 6 months. Then look back at your equipment, hours, and travel expenses and compare to the income you have received. If you plan to be financially successful at this business then you need to keep the financial records - even if only a personal spreadsheet. Start now.

« Reply #11 on: March 23, 2017, 08:18 »
+6
Not uploading new content is not the solution. It won't hurt iStock if they don't have my 340 images. I don't know how that could work but somehow we should all close our accounts. I am seriously thinking about it. Only other solution would be to go exclusive and get 40% commission. But why reward them for selling images for 39 cents. I make half of my income with iStock but I think I rather earn half of the amount of money than to let them ruin microstock. Microstock should start charging more for images and not less.
A lot of us have already left istock.  Is there really much to think about now?  You will feel much better getting rid of them and it isn't difficult to make up the small loss of earnings with all their many rival sites that pay us more.

« Reply #12 on: March 23, 2017, 15:45 »
+2
The information here on MSG forum is very confusing: recommendations, not only in this thread, are very clear: stay away from iStock! Yet I see at the right hand side of my screen that they are still firmly ranked as no. 2 of the "big four". Apparently people are still making good money despite the low royalties.  Note that the rating, whatever the number means, increased from 31.9 yesterday to 35 today which at least means that the list is active and kept up to date. As a newbie, why would one not want to contribute to the second best in the list? Unless the list is completely meaningless, I would know where to go....

« Reply #13 on: March 23, 2017, 17:57 »
+6
The information here on MSG forum is very confusing: recommendations, not only in this thread, are very clear: stay away from iStock! Yet I see at the right hand side of my screen that they are still firmly ranked as no. 2 of the "big four". Apparently people are still making good money despite the low royalties.  Note that the rating, whatever the number means, increased from 31.9 yesterday to 35 today which at least means that the list is active and kept up to date. As a newbie, why would one not want to contribute to the second best in the list? Unless the list is completely meaningless, I would know where to go....

That's a good question but for a different reason. I doubt the truthfulness of the poll, especially iStock. Everyone knows iStock had stopped releasing sale info between Dec 2015-Jan 2016. But in those two months, their rating climbed to about 40-ish, 42 perhaps. How could that be?

Fotolia/Adobe is number 2 for me, after SS.

« Reply #14 on: March 23, 2017, 18:16 »
+5
Most of the high earners probably started with istock many years ago.  Many of them might of been exclusive for several years and that would help boost downloads and image placement.  Just a few big earners that have been there for many years can skew the poll results.  It's misleading to new people but it doesn't take long looking on this forum to see how badly istock are doing for most people now.

« Reply #15 on: March 23, 2017, 18:25 »
+12
I've been reading through lots of iStock posts and have come to the consensus that most people are furious with iStock's new flat (and low) royalty rates. I'm a newbie to the stock world and am completely and amateur, I just upload as a hobby and enjoy the extra cash on the side when it comes. I've uploaded most of my collection to iStock, but stopped uploading after the site went down at the end of last year. I haven't uploaded since, but I'm thinking of starting up again now that I'm able to see my earnings. I'm not thrilled with the 15% rate but I'm not making too much less than I am on other sites, and the volume I'm selling has gotten me, at least over the past few months, a balance I'm happy with. Should I start uploading again, or should I keep holding out? I'm fine with the amount of money I'm making, but I don't want to be on the wrong side of the battle for decent royalty rates.

You answered your own question.

Seriously, what are you making? $20 a month? $30?  Drop it now while it's still insignificant and then you won't miss it.

« Reply #16 on: March 24, 2017, 02:41 »
+4
The information here on MSG forum is very confusing: recommendations, not only in this thread, are very clear: stay away from iStock! Yet I see at the right hand side of my screen that they are still firmly ranked as no. 2 of the "big four". Apparently people are still making good money despite the low royalties.  Note that the rating, whatever the number means, increased from 31.9 yesterday to 35 today which at least means that the list is active and kept up to date. As a newbie, why would one not want to contribute to the second best in the list? Unless the list is completely meaningless, I would know where to go....
Its easier to tell other people to drop I-Stock than actually do it yourself. Personally I'm watching how this develops before pulling the plug and I suspect a lot of others are too.

« Reply #17 on: March 24, 2017, 04:01 »
+2
Its easier to tell other people to drop I-Stock than actually do it yourself. Personally I'm watching how this develops before pulling the plug and I suspect a lot of others are too.
Me too. Istock was my starting point 13 years ago and it will feel like the end of an era to dump them, and scrap all the effort that went into a decade of uploading. But its really starting to feel like when, rather than if, I will decide to do that.
Added to which, I've already dumped Fotolia because I couldn't trust them, and payment method problems mean I'm not on Envanto or Pond 5, so I will be missing 4 of the top 5 earners without istock.
« Last Edit: March 24, 2017, 04:03 by BaldricksTrousers »

« Reply #18 on: March 24, 2017, 04:12 »
+3
Its easier to tell other people to drop I-Stock than actually do it yourself. Personally I'm watching how this develops before pulling the plug and I suspect a lot of others are too.
Me too. Istock was my starting point 13 years ago and it will feel like the end of an era to dump them, and scrap all the effort that went into a decade of uploading. But its really starting to feel like when, rather than if, I will decide to do that.
Added to which, I've already dumped Fotolia because I couldn't trust them, and payment method problems mean I'm not on Envanto or Pond 5, so I will be missing 4 of the top 5 earners without istock.
In a way I'd quite like them to fall into oblivion to make the decision easier.

Justanotherphotographer

« Reply #19 on: March 24, 2017, 04:33 »
+1
Its easier to tell other people to drop I-Stock than actually do it yourself. Personally I'm watching how this develops before pulling the plug and I suspect a lot of others are too.
Me too. Istock was my starting point 13 years ago and it will feel like the end of an era to dump them, and scrap all the effort that went into a decade of uploading. But its really starting to feel like when, rather than if, I will decide to do that.
Added to which, I've already dumped Fotolia because I couldn't trust them, and payment method problems mean I'm not on Envanto or Pond 5, so I will be missing 4 of the top 5 earners without istock.
If you have the option it could be time to take FL back on. They are a different company now what with the new management and all.

« Reply #20 on: March 24, 2017, 05:20 »
+2
Its easier to tell other people to drop I-Stock than actually do it yourself. Personally I'm watching how this develops before pulling the plug and I suspect a lot of others are too.
Me too. Istock was my starting point 13 years ago and it will feel like the end of an era to dump them, and scrap all the effort that went into a decade of uploading. But its really starting to feel like when, rather than if, I will decide to do that.
Added to which, I've already dumped Fotolia because I couldn't trust them, and payment method problems mean I'm not on Envanto or Pond 5, so I will be missing 4 of the top 5 earners without istock.
If you have the option it could be time to take FL back on. They are a different company now what with the new management and all.
I doubt if they would have me back anyway, after I said what they'd done. Plus I gather that The Chad is still hanging there, which is something of a no-no for me.

Justanotherphotographer

« Reply #21 on: March 24, 2017, 06:28 »
0
Its easier to tell other people to drop I-Stock than actually do it yourself. Personally I'm watching how this develops before pulling the plug and I suspect a lot of others are too.
Me too. Istock was my starting point 13 years ago and it will feel like the end of an era to dump them, and scrap all the effort that went into a decade of uploading. But its really starting to feel like when, rather than if, I will decide to do that.
Added to which, I've already dumped Fotolia because I couldn't trust them, and payment method problems mean I'm not on Envanto or Pond 5, so I will be missing 4 of the top 5 earners without istock.
If you have the option it could be time to take FL back on. They are a different company now what with the new management and all.
I doubt if they would have me back anyway, after I said what they'd done. Plus I gather that The Chad is still hanging there, which is something of a no-no for me.
That sucks. I can't remember the details of your case but I was also not a fan to say the least. They have burnt so many bridges, hopefully they they will learn from their mistakes. Is Chad a big deal there? does he actually make the decisions or is he just the guy who answers the emails and comments on the forum? If the latter, unless they actually booted you, I would give them another shot.

« Reply #22 on: March 24, 2017, 07:20 »
+2
That sucks. I can't remember the details of your case but I was also not a fan to say the least. They have burnt so many bridges, hopefully they they will learn from their mistakes. Is Chad a big deal there? does he actually make the decisions or is he just the guy who answers the emails and comments on the forum? If the latter, unless they actually booted you, I would give them another shot.
It was a payment issue - it's probably not fair to go into it again with new owners in place. As for Chad, I found him gratuitously offensive and I have no desire to work in association with him. Fortunately I can afford to indulge my indignation. I've done very little with stock for the last couple of years but now I've got time on my hands and it's something to occupy me. The days when I was making very decent money out of it are long gone and not coming back, so avoiding boredom is more of an incentive than the cash.

« Reply #23 on: March 24, 2017, 07:30 »
+1
The information here on MSG forum is very confusing: recommendations, not only in this thread, are very clear: stay away from iStock! Yet I see at the right hand side of my screen that they are still firmly ranked as no. 2 of the "big four". Apparently people are still making good money despite the low royalties.  Note that the rating, whatever the number means, increased from 31.9 yesterday to 35 today which at least means that the list is active and kept up to date. As a newbie, why would one not want to contribute to the second best in the list? Unless the list is completely meaningless, I would know where to go....
Its easier to tell other people to drop I-Stock than actually do it yourself. Personally I'm watching how this develops before pulling the plug and I suspect a lot of others are too.
I didn't find it difficult.  What I found really difficult was only getting whatever crazy low percentage they were paying me, I couldn't visit the site because I didn't want to see how low it was.  The loss in earnings is easy to make up on other sites.  Leaving gave me determination not to lose money.  I actually make more than my peak earnings with istock on one site I hadn't bothered with before.  Came as quite a surprise but maybe that's good karma :)

Justanotherphotographer

« Reply #24 on: March 24, 2017, 07:38 »
0
That sucks. I can't remember the details of your case but I was also not a fan to say the least. They have burnt so many bridges, hopefully they they will learn from their mistakes. Is Chad a big deal there? does he actually make the decisions or is he just the guy who answers the emails and comments on the forum? If the latter, unless they actually booted you, I would give them another shot.
It was a payment issue - it's probably not fair to go into it again with new owners in place. As for Chad, I found him gratuitously offensive and I have no desire to work in association with him. Fortunately I can afford to indulge my indignation. I've done very little with stock for the last couple of years but now I've got time on my hands and it's something to occupy me. The days when I was making very decent money out of it are long gone and not coming back, so avoiding boredom is more of an incentive than the cash.
Fair enough, life's too short to work with a**holes if you can avoid it!


 

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