Author Topic: istock exclusivity question (Read 12570 times)

madman · « **on:** August 07, 2015, 03:13 »

I leave exclusivity a couple month ago and uploaded my images to other sites but my sales not as good as I expected with other sites so I think about turn back to istock exclusivity bu I cannot sure that, if I can catch the old sales potential on istock? Will there be neutral changes in the search results and earnings? Do you think it's too early to think of going back to exclusivity? I am non exclusive for 3 months.

Sebastian Radu · « **Reply #1 on:** August 07, 2015, 03:23 »

I think it would be better to wait at least another 3 months

cobalt · « **Reply #2 on:** August 07, 2015, 03:37 »

That is far too early. You need to give it more than a year at least. Your files have to move into customers lightboxes, get suggested for projects, then approved, then downloaded. Even with the best of work it takes time.

And every agency will have different files or themes that sell and become bestsellers. Once you learn about these differences you can exploit that and make sure all your files can find a good place to make money and sell.

It is up to you, but I would never consider leaving exclusivity without giving it 12-18 months at least.

I mean, even when you upload to istock,do your file sell instantly and become bestsellers? Or do they need 6 months to slowly gain ground, before they take off?

stock-will-eat-itself · « **Reply #3 on:** August 07, 2015, 05:29 »

It took me 6 months to get sales stabilised and go up the royalty ladder as an indie after leaving exclusivity.

It took a lot of work to get there and was a pain to do but the industry is in such a state of flux at the moment if feel better insulated against the agencies slugging it out for supremacy.

If I was to do it over again I would probably stay iS exclusive, key word my portfolio in the IPCT data ready to move quickly and sit it out to see if the iS subs stabilise earnings. Subs are the new reality everywhere not just in Stock images.

Having said that I'm glad I'm indy now and got the pain out of the way a while back.

Waiting to see if Scott at Adobe or Shutterstock up their game with a higher priced collection, that will be the point when things move in the right direction again. Otherwise the onslaught of subs undercutting Macro will continue.

FlowerPower · « **Reply #4 on:** August 07, 2015, 08:20 »

I plan on a year to see how the change works.

Shelma1 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 07, 2015, 08:27 »

You might want to give it more time...especially since this is the slowest time of year. Why not wait to see how the fall/winter holiday season goes?

tickstock · « **Reply #6 on:** August 07, 2015, 09:13 »

Didn't you just start a thread about how terrible iStock was and how there are no sales there? No sales on istock, no sales anywhere else. Maybe move on to another hobby?

Rose Tinted Glasses · « **Reply #7 on:** August 07, 2015, 10:52 »

Quote from: tickstock on August 07, 2015, 09:13

Didn't you just start a thread about how terrible iStock was and how there are no sales there? No sales on istock, no sales anywhere else. Maybe move on to another hobby?

On August 1st to be exact...

"I am very angry with istock for what has happened in recent years, istock doesnt care anymore exclusive artist, lots of exclusives turn to non-exclusive recent years, me too, because of exclusivity has no meaning anymore...

My revenus decrase 4-5 times in recent 2 years while I am in exclusive and now almost 10 times down since I left exclusivity....

I am very angry with istock because I feel like to be fired my job....

I am very angry with istock because istock doesnt care and listen contributors anymore...

I am very angry with istock because our works and efforts serving agencies at very tragic-comic prices and we all lost money..."

I am just wondering if he/she wants a little cheese with that whine or if they skipped their meds.

madman · « **Reply #8 on:** August 07, 2015, 10:53 »

Quote from: tickstock on August 07, 2015, 09:13

Didn't you just start a thread about how terrible iStock was and how there are no sales there? No sales on istock, no sales anywhere else. Maybe move on to another hobby?

yes but I didnt say there have "NO" sales, I say sales much fall down, I do not deny it, but after leaving exclusivity, revenue fall down to 1/3 - 1/4, I didnt expect so, this is what made me think, perhaps, it is the "best of the worst"

Look at earning statistics therein this site, only istock exclusivity sales bigger than first five site total sales, in recent last years istock sales so much fall down but maybe more profitable to staying istock exclusivity, that is what I am searching for...

madman · « **Reply #9 on:** August 07, 2015, 10:55 »

Quote from: Rose Tinted Glasses on August 07, 2015, 10:52

I am just wondering if he/she wants a little cheese with that whine or if they skipped their meds.

I do not understand what you mean.

Rose Tinted Glasses · « **Reply #10 on:** August 07, 2015, 11:29 »

Quote from: madman on August 07, 2015, 10:53

Quote from: tickstock on August 07, 2015, 09:13
Didn't you just start a thread about how terrible iStock was and how there are no sales there? No sales on istock, no sales anywhere else. Maybe move on to another hobby?

yes but I didnt say there have "NO" sales, I say sales much fall down, I do not deny it, but after leaving exclusivity, revenue fall down to 1/3 - 1/4, I didnt expect so, this is what made me think, perhaps, it is the "best of the worst"

Look at earning statistics therein this site, only istock exclusivity sales bigger than first five site total sales, in recent last years istock sales so much fall down but maybe more profitable to staying istock exclusivity, that is what I am searching for...

The poll results can be as accurate or misleading as you want them to be.

For some people it makes total sense to be exclusive for RF images with Istock and for others it makes no sense at all. Both options have their pros and cons and neither option is necessarily the only right way to go as it is strictly a personal choice that one has to make.

What works for me may not work for you and vice versa.

You simply need to find your own path and deal with it.

tickstock · « **Reply #11 on:** August 07, 2015, 11:31 »

Quote from: madman on August 07, 2015, 10:53

Quote from: tickstock on August 07, 2015, 09:13
Didn't you just start a thread about how terrible iStock was and how there are no sales there? No sales on istock, no sales anywhere else. Maybe move on to another hobby?

yes but I didnt say there have "NO" sales, I say sales much fall down, I do not deny it, but after leaving exclusivity, revenue fall down to 1/3 - 1/4, I didnt expect so, this is what made me think, perhaps, it is the "best of the worst"

Look at earning statistics therein this site, only istock exclusivity sales bigger than first five site total sales, in recent last years istock sales so much fall down but maybe more profitable to staying istock exclusivity, that is what I am searching for...

You just did the test by dropping exclusivity, no one has better information on how you will do than you do.

madman · « **Reply #12 on:** August 07, 2015, 11:43 »

Quote from: tickstock on August 07, 2015, 09:13

Didn't you just start a thread about how terrible iStock was and how there are no sales there? No sales on istock, no sales anywhere else. Maybe move on to another hobby?

by the way, this is nat a hobby for me, this was main income source for me past years, I have almost 5000 microstock images...

Mikeme · « **Reply #13 on:** August 07, 2015, 11:45 »

No offence mate but you've got to vent your frustrations somwhere else. Not happy with being exclusive or indie then do something. Come up with some good images and you'll see the difference. No matter if exclusive or not, your pics got to stand out because of the the huge competition!!!

Mikeme · « **Reply #14 on:** August 07, 2015, 11:50 »

Quote from: madman on August 07, 2015, 11:43

Quote from: tickstock on August 07, 2015, 09:13
Didn't you just start a thread about how terrible iStock was and how there are no sales there? No sales on istock, no sales anywhere else. Maybe move on to another hobby?

by the way, this is nat a hobby for me, this was main income source for me past years, I have almost 5000 microstock images...

and suddenly stumbled on this forum...
just a banter

madman · « **Reply #15 on:** August 07, 2015, 12:09 »

Quote from: Tom23 on August 07, 2015, 11:50

Quote from: madman on August 07, 2015, 11:43
Quote from: tickstock on August 07, 2015, 09:13
Didn't you just start a thread about how terrible iStock was and how there are no sales there? No sales on istock, no sales anywhere else. Maybe move on to another hobby?

by the way, this is nat a hobby for me, this was main income source for me past years, I have almost 5000 microstock images...

and suddenly stumbled on this forum...
just a banter

is it so interesting?

wds · « **Reply #16 on:** August 07, 2015, 12:12 »

Quote from: madman on August 07, 2015, 11:43

Quote from: tickstock on August 07, 2015, 09:13
Didn't you just start a thread about how terrible iStock was and how there are no sales there? No sales on istock, no sales anywhere else. Maybe move on to another hobby?

by the way, this is nat a hobby for me, this was main income source for me past years, I have almost 5000 microstock images...

Do you already have your entire library of 5000 images on other sites? If not, get it all uploaded and give it some time as others are saying.

cobalt · « **Reply #17 on:** August 07, 2015, 13:08 »

Even if he uploads them all he won't get the same income immediatly. Those 5000 files were slowly uploaded over several years, got lightboxed gradually and if he came in early there might have been little competition.

On a new site nobody knows you and chances are "your " niche has already been taken by others. So you have to compete against established 10 year portfolios.

If he took those 5000 files and became a brandnew istock exclusive, he also wouldn't earn the same.

You really have to want to be indie and fight for your place in the stock food chain.

Like opening another food stall on a busy road, just because you were the biggest success in your old town, you need to fight your way back to the top.

But if you make it, you will be free, all agencies have problems, but you can work with them all and have a much more reliable income.

Shelma1 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 07, 2015, 13:17 »

Quote from: wds on August 07, 2015, 12:12

Quote from: madman on August 07, 2015, 11:43
Quote from: tickstock on August 07, 2015, 09:13
Didn't you just start a thread about how terrible iStock was and how there are no sales there? No sales on istock, no sales anywhere else. Maybe move on to another hobby?

by the way, this is nat a hobby for me, this was main income source for me past years, I have almost 5000 microstock images...

Do you already have your entire library of 5000 images on other sites? If not, get it all uploaded and give it some time as others are saying.

Hmmm....that sounds like a sure way to get 4,999 images buried in the search.

wds · « **Reply #19 on:** August 07, 2015, 22:28 »

Quote from: Shelma1 on August 07, 2015, 13:17

Quote from: wds on August 07, 2015, 12:12
Quote from: madman on August 07, 2015, 11:43
Quote from: tickstock on August 07, 2015, 09:13
Didn't you just start a thread about how terrible iStock was and how there are no sales there? No sales on istock, no sales anywhere else. Maybe move on to another hobby?

by the way, this is nat a hobby for me, this was main income source for me past years, I have almost 5000 microstock images...

Do you already have your entire library of 5000 images on other sites? If not, get it all uploaded and give it some time as others are saying.

Hmmm....that sounds like a sure way to get 4,999 images buried in the search.

There are thousands of images uploaded every day. Whether you upload 5 images or 500 in a day, each of your uploads is competing with thousands and thousands of other new uploads. So how is it any different if you upload 5 vs. 500 a day?

PixelBytes · « **Reply #20 on:** August 08, 2015, 00:33 »

Quote from: madman on August 07, 2015, 10:55

Quote from: Rose Tinted Glasses on August 07, 2015, 10:52
I am just wondering if he/she wants a little cheese with that whine or if they skipped their meds.

I do not understand what you mean.

He is insulting you by suggesting that you are either whiny like a baby, or else mentally crazy and needing medication.

Very nasty and not necessary comment.

PixelBytes · « **Reply #21 on:** August 08, 2015, 00:36 »

Quote from: Tom23 on August 07, 2015, 11:45

No offence mate but you've got to vent your frustrations somwhere else.

Why? Everyone else vents them here?

Difydave · « **Reply #22 on:** August 08, 2015, 04:58 »

As you can see you're unlikely to get much sympathy for falling sales / what do I do / poor me threads these days.

This Summer so far has seen the worst falls I've seen in ten years. Seems to be the same for a lot of people. Having said that, August seems to have picked up a tiny bit for me. It's all anybody's guess what will happen.

As far as the exclusivity thing goes, you have to make your choice and stick with it as far as possible. No one can tell you what will work for you, but skipping from exclusivity and back to it isn't the answer. Give whatever you do a chance to work before trying something else.

German · « **Reply #23 on:** August 08, 2015, 07:16 »

Like others said before, you need to wait longer and continue to develop your portfolio on other sites. I've dropped iStock exclusivity at the beginning of this year and from my experience, you have to be patience and stay positive.

Rose Tinted Glasses · « **Reply #24 on:** August 08, 2015, 09:48 »

Quote from: PixelBytes on August 08, 2015, 00:33

Quote from: madman on August 07, 2015, 10:55
Quote from: Rose Tinted Glasses on August 07, 2015, 10:52
I am just wondering if he/she wants a little cheese with that whine or if they skipped their meds.

I do not understand what you mean.

He is insulting you by suggesting that you are either whiny like a baby, or else mentally crazy and needing medication.

Very nasty and not necessary comment.

Or maybe she is just being sarcastic about being bipolar from week to week. I hate Istock one week and then I want back to Istock another week. So in a sense you nailed it, "whiny like a baby".

Downtown Pearl · « **Reply #25 on:** August 08, 2015, 14:24 »

i released my exclusivity from istock then went back after three months, my sales increased slightly when i returned. iStock is a part time income for me so i didn't think the analysis required to change and test other sites etc merited my time spent, so i went back and that was three years ago. Also the same problems are pretty much fluid in other stock sites. Very possibly could be worth it if you depend on the income. best of luck!

madman · « **Reply #26 on:** September 01, 2015, 09:28 »

I am non exclusive for a couple monts, as I see, my istock revenue down to almost half but the other site sales going well, for now, my other site's total revenues are bigger than istock earnings, so it was better for me to be a non exclusive

KB · « **Reply #27 on:** September 01, 2015, 16:40 »

Quote from: madman on September 01, 2015, 09:28

I am non exclusive for a couple monts, as I see, my istock revenue down to almost half but the other site sales going well, for now, my other site's total revenues are bigger than istock earnings, so it was better for me to be a non exclusive

Ha, perhaps that explains my results this year. Maybe I became non-exclusive this year, I just didn't know it.

Congrats on making the transition so smoothly and successfully.

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Author Topic: istock exclusivity question (Read 12570 times)

madman

Sebastian Radu

cobalt

stock-will-eat-itself

FlowerPower

Shelma1

tickstock

Rose Tinted Glasses

madman

madman

Rose Tinted Glasses

tickstock

madman

Mikeme

Mikeme

madman

wds

cobalt

Shelma1

wds

PixelBytes

PixelBytes

Difydave

German

Rose Tinted Glasses

Downtown Pearl

madman

KB

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