Author Topic: Is iStock worth it? (Read 35715 times)

epixx · « **Reply #125 on:** March 29, 2017, 10:53 »

Quote from: HughStoneIan on March 28, 2017, 23:05

Quote from: RoamingPro on March 28, 2017, 14:51
Quote from: Freedom on March 25, 2017, 14:39
Pardon me for my ignorance, where do you people see those 19 cents or 9 cents?

From my ESP, I could only see the total, and not the individual sales.

Thanks for enlightening me!
In ESP, go to Royalties - Export
Download the text file - it will look like garbage, but if you then import it into a spreadsheet like Excel or Google sheets, you'll have your details (delimited text file - auto detect or tab-delimited).

Thanks for the guidance, RoamingPro. Opened fine tab-delimited in Libreoffice 5 Calc. Not that I was all that excited about seeing those stats anyway. Oh, well, at least I had only one 15-cent royalty in Jan-Feb---what a comfort....
[To be fair, there were a few >$1 and a couple >$2. Still, not even enough to make payout this month.]

This is actually funny. The downloaded file reminds me of the hex dumps we took from mainframe computers during the seventies. I would assume that the world had moved on slightly since then, but apparently not at Getty's.

Freedom · « **Reply #126 on:** March 29, 2017, 11:05 »

Quote from: ShadySue on March 28, 2017, 19:48

Quote from: tickstock on March 28, 2017, 19:23
That idea was never floated as far as I know. It has however been said on this forum for years. As far back as I can remember no one that left exclusivity (high level) has come back here and said they are making more as an independent, can you think of anyone?
Conversely, has any former high-level exclusive come back here and said they're earning less, in the medium-long term?

ShadeSue, just curious, are you still exclusive? Reason?

Not that I am a fan of Getty, my guess is that the revenue drop may not be as bad for exclusives yet.

LDV81 · « **Reply #127 on:** March 29, 2017, 11:14 »

Quote from: tickstock on March 28, 2017, 21:12

FWIW these first couple months of the year have been very encouraging, I'm more optimistic now than I've been in probably 4 or 5 years but I'll have to see how it plays out in the next few months.

Tickstock, I find your posts extremely entertaining, but do you really believe in what you write?

You'd make a fantastic career as a fiction writer, you're a man of many talents. A modern-day Leonardo da Vinci.

tickstock · « **Reply #128 on:** March 29, 2017, 11:21 »

Quote from: LDV81 on March 29, 2017, 11:14

Quote from: tickstock on March 28, 2017, 21:12
FWIW these first couple months of the year have been very encouraging, I'm more optimistic now than I've been in probably 4 or 5 years but I'll have to see how it plays out in the next few months.

Tickstock, I find your posts extremely entertaining, but do you really believe in what you write?

You'd make a fantastic career as a fiction writer, you're a man of many talents. A modern-day Leonardo da Vinci.

I can see my earnings from this year compared to the last few and they are much better now. About Leonardo da Vinci, I didn't even know he wrote fiction.

LDV81 · « **Reply #129 on:** March 29, 2017, 11:30 »

Quote from: tickstock on March 29, 2017, 11:21

I can see my earnings from this year compared to the last few and they are much better now.

Maybe because you're so exceptional

tickstock · « **Reply #130 on:** March 29, 2017, 11:32 »

Quote from: LDV81 on March 29, 2017, 11:30

Quote from: tickstock on March 29, 2017, 11:21
I can see my earnings from this year compared to the last few and they are much better now.

Maybe because you're so exceptional

Very flattering but I doubt that's why.

PixelBytes · « **Reply #131 on:** March 29, 2017, 11:39 »

Quote from: tickstock on March 29, 2017, 11:32

Quote from: LDV81 on March 29, 2017, 11:30
Quote from: tickstock on March 29, 2017, 11:21
I can see my earnings from this year compared to the last few and they are much better now.

Maybe because you're so exceptional
Very flattering but I doubt that's why.

Well, there must be something special about you because you are literally the only person reporting gains and optimism with istock now.

Old posts from the past where the royalty structure was totally different don't count.

tickstock · « **Reply #132 on:** March 29, 2017, 11:45 »

Quote from: PixelBytes on March 29, 2017, 11:39

Quote from: tickstock on March 29, 2017, 11:32
Quote from: LDV81 on March 29, 2017, 11:30
Quote from: tickstock on March 29, 2017, 11:21
I can see my earnings from this year compared to the last few and they are much better now.

Maybe because you're so exceptional
Very flattering but I doubt that's why.

Well, there must be something special about you because you are literally the only person reporting gains and optimism with istock now.

Old posts from the past where the royalty structure was totally different don't count.

There aren't too many exclusives who come here any more. I'm curious to hear how others are doing too. If it is just me then maybe these two months are outliers and I shouldn't get too optimistic.

ShadySue · « **Reply #133 on:** March 29, 2017, 12:36 »

Quote from: Freedom on March 29, 2017, 11:05

ShadeSue, just curious, are you still exclusive? Reason?
Not that I am a fan of Getty, my guess is that the revenue drop may not be as bad for exclusives yet.

I'm still exclusive.
I've given my reason many times. I have no intention atm of uploading anywhere in the knowledge I'd get 25c a sale. When I'm finished with iS, I'm finished with micro, unless something totally uinexpected is round the corner. I'll donate my wildlife pics, many of which aren't in any agency atm, between some charities and that'll be that. I'll probably stay with Alamy/editorial for a while.

My personal revenue drop at iS is very deep. I haven't uploaded for nine months and counting, because some sales, even as an exclusive, are as low as 6c (not even counting Connect). My average RPD for Jan was $1.99, and for Feb it was $1.51, and sales are falling rapidly.
Tickstock is one of the very few who are reporting buoyant sales.

dpimborough · « **Reply #134 on:** March 29, 2017, 12:49 »

Anyway I am now officially on my way out of Getty/iStock

YAY!!!

Freedom · « **Reply #135 on:** March 29, 2017, 12:59 »

Quote from: ShadySue on March 29, 2017, 12:36

Quote from: Freedom on March 29, 2017, 11:05
ShadeSue, just curious, are you still exclusive? Reason?
Not that I am a fan of Getty, my guess is that the revenue drop may not be as bad for exclusives yet.
I'm still exclusive.
I've given my reason many times. I have no intention atm of uploading anywhere in the knowledge I'd get 25c a sale. When I'm finished with iS, I'm finished with micro, unless something totally uinexpected is round the corner. I'll donate my wildlife pics, many of which aren't in any agency atm, between some charities and that'll be that. I'll probably stay with Alamy/editorial for a while.

My personal revenue drop at iS is very deep. I haven't uploaded for nine months and counting, because some sales, even as an exclusive, are as low as 6c (not even counting Connect). My average RPD for Jan was $1.99, and for Feb it was $1.51, and sales are falling rapidly.
Tickstock is one of the very few who are reporting buoyant sales.

Thanks for sharing. I see what you mean.

My drop is about 30% per year. Like you, my port will remain with Getty for now. I have hardly uploaded in recent years. There are other things that I am focusing on.

Perhaps TC is still uploading aggressively?

HughStoneIan · « **Reply #136 on:** March 29, 2017, 13:03 »

Quote from: ShadySue on March 29, 2017, 12:36

Quote from: Freedom on March 29, 2017, 11:05
ShadeSue, just curious, are you still exclusive? Reason?
Not that I am a fan of Getty, my guess is that the revenue drop may not be as bad for exclusives yet.
. . .Tickstock is one of the very few who are reporting buoyant sales.

My sales are buoyant. Because they are in the toilet.

tickstock · « **Reply #137 on:** March 29, 2017, 20:32 »

Quote from: ShadySue on March 29, 2017, 12:36

My personal revenue drop at iS is very deep. I haven't uploaded for nine months and counting, because some sales, even as an exclusive, are as low as 6c (not even counting Connect). My average RPD for Jan was $1.99, and for Feb it was $1.51, and sales are falling rapidly.
Tickstock is one of the very few who are reporting buoyant sales.

I've seen almost no reports of sales from other exclusives. Not uploading for 9 months is a sure way to have sales drop.

everest · « **Reply #138 on:** March 29, 2017, 23:38 »

Quote from: tickstock on March 29, 2017, 11:45

There aren't too many exclusives who come here any more. I'm curious to hear how others are doing too. If it is just me then maybe these two months are outliers and I shouldn't get too optimistic.

I wish I was in your situation. Despite uploading, my trend of total revenue is slowly going down since 2012. The bleeding has increased another 20% since the last changes. I think by many posts of the monthly revenue thread at Getty forums, most established diamond and blackdiamonds report the same trend to the bottom. So whatever makes you not being in this downward direction... congratulations! I wish I could say otherwise but that is the reality for me.

tickstock · « **Reply #139 on:** March 29, 2017, 23:48 »

Quote from: everest on March 29, 2017, 23:38

Quote from: tickstock on March 29, 2017, 11:45

There aren't too many exclusives who come here any more. I'm curious to hear how others are doing too. If it is just me then maybe these two months are outliers and I shouldn't get too optimistic.

I wish I was in your situation. Despite uploading, my trend of total revenue is slowly going down since 2012. The bleeding has increased another 20% since the last changes. I think by many posts of the monthly revenue thread at Getty forums, most established diamond and blackdiamonds report the same trend to the bottom. So whatever makes you not being in this downward direction... congratulations! I wish I could say otherwise but that is the reality for me.

Thanks for sharing more info is better.

Tay · « **Reply #140 on:** March 30, 2017, 00:51 »

Quote from: everest on March 29, 2017, 23:38

Quote from: tickstock on March 29, 2017, 11:45

There aren't too many exclusives who come here any more. I'm curious to hear how others are doing too. If it is just me then maybe these two months are outliers and I shouldn't get too optimistic.

I wish I was in your situation. Despite uploading, my trend of total revenue is slowly going down since 2012. The bleeding has increased another 20% since the last changes. I think by many posts of the monthly revenue thread at Getty forums, most established diamond and blackdiamonds report the same trend to the bottom. So whatever makes you not being in this downward direction... congratulations! I wish I could say otherwise but that is the reality for me.

Yep, I'm full time diamond and compared to 2012 my income is less by about 85%-90% I just drop the crown. I've been waiting to long to do this.

Justanotherphotographer · « **Reply #141 on:** March 30, 2017, 00:54 »

There are lots of posts from exclusives here and on the istock forum regarding falling sales.

tickstock · « **Reply #142 on:** March 30, 2017, 01:03 »

Quote from: Tay on March 30, 2017, 00:51

Quote from: everest on March 29, 2017, 23:38
Quote from: tickstock on March 29, 2017, 11:45

There aren't too many exclusives who come here any more. I'm curious to hear how others are doing too. If it is just me then maybe these two months are outliers and I shouldn't get too optimistic.

I wish I was in your situation. Despite uploading, my trend of total revenue is slowly going down since 2012. The bleeding has increased another 20% since the last changes. I think by many posts of the monthly revenue thread at Getty forums, most established diamond and blackdiamonds report the same trend to the bottom. So whatever makes you not being in this downward direction... congratulations! I wish I could say otherwise but that is the reality for me.

Yep, I'm full time diamond and compared to 2012 my income is less by about 85%-90% I just drop the crown. I've been waiting to long to do this.

Wow, 90% drop is bad. I hope you'll let us know how it goes as an independent.

Tay · « **Reply #143 on:** March 30, 2017, 01:13 »

Quote from: tickstock on March 30, 2017, 01:03

Quote from: Tay on March 30, 2017, 00:51
Quote from: everest on March 29, 2017, 23:38
Quote from: tickstock on March 29, 2017, 11:45

There aren't too many exclusives who come here any more. I'm curious to hear how others are doing too. If it is just me then maybe these two months are outliers and I shouldn't get too optimistic.

I wish I was in your situation. Despite uploading, my trend of total revenue is slowly going down since 2012. The bleeding has increased another 20% since the last changes. I think by many posts of the monthly revenue thread at Getty forums, most established diamond and blackdiamonds report the same trend to the bottom. So whatever makes you not being in this downward direction... congratulations! I wish I could say otherwise but that is the reality for me.

Yep, I'm full time diamond and compared to 2012 my income is less by about 85%-90% I just drop the crown. I've been waiting to long to do this.
Wow, 90% drop is bad. I hope you'll let us know how it goes as an independent.

Sure

that is my plan. I will give you charts, data etc but you have to wait about 2-3 months for this

tickstock · « **Reply #144 on:** March 30, 2017, 01:14 »

Quote from: Tay on March 30, 2017, 01:13

Quote from: tickstock on March 30, 2017, 01:03
Quote from: Tay on March 30, 2017, 00:51
Quote from: everest on March 29, 2017, 23:38
Quote from: tickstock on March 29, 2017, 11:45

There aren't too many exclusives who come here any more. I'm curious to hear how others are doing too. If it is just me then maybe these two months are outliers and I shouldn't get too optimistic.

I wish I was in your situation. Despite uploading, my trend of total revenue is slowly going down since 2012. The bleeding has increased another 20% since the last changes. I think by many posts of the monthly revenue thread at Getty forums, most established diamond and blackdiamonds report the same trend to the bottom. So whatever makes you not being in this downward direction... congratulations! I wish I could say otherwise but that is the reality for me.

Yep, I'm full time diamond and compared to 2012 my income is less by about 85%-90% I just drop the crown. I've been waiting to long to do this.
Wow, 90% drop is bad. I hope you'll let us know how it goes as an independent.
Sure that is my plan. I will give you charts, data etc but you have to wait about 2-3 months for this

Great, good luck.

ShadySue · « **Reply #145 on:** March 30, 2017, 03:49 »

Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on March 30, 2017, 00:54

There are lots of posts from exclusives here and on the istock forum regarding falling sales.

Yes, and several here, on the iS forums and on Fb iS groups who are dropping exclusivity because of falling sales combined with falling rpd.
Also I see that at least a few BDs and high-ranking Diamonds haven't uploaded for months. There could be lots of reasons for that, but presumably at least some of them stopped because of concerns about falling sales, lowering rpd or overall fall in income.

ShadySue · « **Reply #146 on:** March 30, 2017, 03:58 »

Quote from: tickstock on March 29, 2017, 20:32

Quote from: ShadySue on March 29, 2017, 12:36
My personal revenue drop at iS is very deep. I haven't uploaded for nine months and counting, because some sales, even as an exclusive, are as low as 6c (not even counting Connect). My average RPD for Jan was $1.99, and for Feb it was $1.51, and sales are falling rapidly.
Tickstock is one of the very few who are reporting buoyant sales.
I've seen almost no reports of sales from other exclusives. Not uploading for 9 months is a sure way to have sales drop.

Not necessarily, as for a long time best match was favouring older, lower selling files - my bestsellers just dropped off the radar. Add to their long-standing refusal (I'm sure it's Getty, not iS's nice Team Keywords ) to add new keywords to the CV.
However, the bottom line is that my rôle in life is not to help pay off some company's debt, neither is it to make images for commercial companies to use for peanuts.
But I'm in a stronger position than most. No-one starves because of my decisions; my time, not my money, is needed.

ShadySue · « **Reply #147 on:** March 30, 2017, 04:31 »

dpimborough · « **Reply #148 on:** March 31, 2017, 03:44 »

The sad thing about this iStock/Getty debacle is that once upon a time they made up 25% of my earnings. I started with them in 2009 as one my first agencies.

Since the "exciting news" their sales revenue has dwindled to so little now my earnings overall have not been affected but increased as earnings from other agencies picked up the slack.

Now they contribute only about 5% and in 90 days they will cease to contribute anything at all having requested and been accepted for contract cancellation.

jjneff · « **Reply #149 on:** March 31, 2017, 05:40 »

I was a Diamond level video artist when I dropped about this time last year. My sales have still been decent as when you drop they don't move your clips into the cheap section. If I upload more material then they all go in the cheap seats and I get peanuts. Is it more work uploading to other sites? YES but I am happier and enjoy shooting again and I don't stress over the $0.11 video sales anymore. I would be happy to upload to iStock/Getty if my files where not sold in the cheaper section. I have around 10,000 files there and was exclusive for over 10 years. Earnings are better but not amazingly better I just have more peace.

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Author Topic: Is iStock worth it? (Read 35715 times)

epixx

Freedom

LDV81

tickstock

LDV81

tickstock

PixelBytes

tickstock

ShadySue

dpimborough

Freedom

HughStoneIan

tickstock

everest

tickstock

Tay

Justanotherphotographer

tickstock

Tay

tickstock

ShadySue

ShadySue

ShadySue

dpimborough

jjneff

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