MicrostockGroup

I've read that IStock is one of the top sites for sales in Microstock.  I've had great success as a newbie with Shutterstock.  I've just been uploading for 1.5 months and I have over 88 sales.  For me, this is a big deal.  I've been uploading to DT since Aug. and I've only seen 26 sales there.  I was really hoping Istock would be similiar to SS for me.  I've uploaded about 15 images so far and have only had 1 sale.  Do people think my portfolio is just too small to see sales, yet. 

I guess I was really spoiled by SS, I only had a 2 photos on-line there and already had 7 sales.  I was shocked.  I was sorta thinking IS would go that way too, but so far, not happening for me....

Depends on what you have.  Care to show us?  I think you need  100-150 pictures there ( if it´s not supergood peopleshoots) to see steady sales.  Steady sales for me is 1/day, for others it´s 300/day...

I think you're doing pretty well.

I'm subscribed to 9 sites yet iStock won't even accept me.
I've tried 3 times and they keep rejecting my applications without much reason.

I'm also pretty new at this (overall) and from what I gather, there's a simple formula to this:

No. of Sales is directly proportional to the number of quality images on your portfolio.

See #12 here : http://seanlockedigitalimagery.wordpress.com/2009/02/23/youve-been-accepted/

Also, actually linking to your images would help people point out issues.

Sean, I've never seen your blog for newbies....it is great, and particularly funny now that I'm a pseudo vet, having been on iStock since Jan '07, in my third year now....wow.

"I'm a terror".....roflmao....at times you have had me quivering pitifully in the forums....


to the OP - I hate to be too critical, so let me begin by saying the airdale shot with the red scarf is adorable.....but otherwise, generally speaking...you really need to read about shooting stock and upload much betetr quality images than those in your initial portfolio if you expect to be successful on iStock. good luck.

Fred - your images are beautiful, I'm surprised you had problems at SS.

I submit to six sites, and istock is my favorite of the bunch. I find the reviews are fair and the community of contributors is alive and vibrant. My portfolio is small - just 166 images currently, but I see sales daily - usually between two and five downloads per day and growing. I live in Calgary where the istock HQ is located, and I have gotten to know people who work for istock. I believe they are a solid and ethical company. In my opinion, if you can get in, it is worth it. They are in it for the long term. IS and SS make up 85% of my monthly sales. BS and FT make up 12%. DT and SX compete for last place. I understand my port is small and some of the sites take time before they start to perform - so I keep at it and hope for the best. Thank goodness IS and SS are there to keep me motivated to continue shooting and uploading. Without them I would have thrown in the towel!

Wow! Your portfolio is great and where I thought I should be heading.  Surprised you have any problems selling anywhere.

c h e e r s
fred

I don't mind the constructive criticism at all.  I would rather have someone be honest with me, than not.  I'm confused though, with "much better quality images".  Do you mean the pictures have bad technique or the subject is not right for microstock?  Please expound on your meaning of "quality" so I can try and improve. 

Thanks!

It's like the real me, but on demand .

Get a room.

Oh, geez.

What are you seeing Dan?  My port looks like it has for a number of weeks. 

It is heavy on old flaming images in the first few pages, with a sprinkling of newer ones mixed in.