Author Topic: "The WALL" - What is it Truly? (Read 26598 times)

Ron · « **Reply #25 on:** September 11, 2013, 11:33 »

Quote from: gillian on September 10, 2013, 22:33

Quote from: ShadySue on September 10, 2013, 19:06
I nearly had a fit yesterday when I sold an XS- and got 50c.

I have a fit every day at FT when some XL sells for peanuts. I've stopped uploading there.

You keep saying that, but SS sells XL at the same 25 cents.

ruxpriencdiam · « **Reply #26 on:** September 11, 2013, 12:53 »

SHUTTERSTOCK STATS:
29,167,816 royalty-free stock images

And what I am talking of is marketable.

Quote from: Uncle Pete on September 11, 2013, 11:03

Yes we have, it's been entertaining, but the part I wrote said marketable, which is important. Just shooting something that isn't covered, doesn't mean someone will want it. Searching for obscure keywords, when the buyers will use common terms, doesn't make the image a seller, it just makes it harder to find.

Finding something in demand that isn't well covered would be what your goal and anyone else should be.

For all the reasons that things are going down, I personally see the market as flooded with good quality images and more choices for someone to download, something that meets their specific needs. When there were only a few million images (how does that sound funny?) Less options, so buyers would buy the same images over and over.

Overall sales are up, individual earnings are down.

Now there are 25 million images on SS and slightly less on IS. Slice up that pie and that's why people make less. That's the foundation for The Wall.

Quote from: ruxpriencdiam on September 10, 2013, 20:09
Wrong lots still left out there just no one is looking for or shooting as they walk right past it.

And some of it is as plain as the nose on your face.

I discussed this on SS many times over but no one believes it so discussion ended.

gostwyck · « **Reply #27 on:** September 11, 2013, 14:02 »

Quote from: ACS on September 10, 2013, 18:13

Diversification is the key.

The more you supply in the same subject the more you decrease your sales per image ratio.

A portfolio with 5 apples, 5 oranges and 5 bananas will probably beat the portfolio with 15 apples.

Diversification may be the best way to increase sales ... but not necessarily to simply maintain them.

Take a niche subject like 'widget pins' for example. You happen to know that there exists a reasonable market for pictures of wiget pins as you own say 10 out of the 100-odd images that exist on stock libraries ... so you might have 10% of that market (or possibly more if some of yours are the best-sellers). Over time other contributors will continue to upload more pictures (and probably better pictures) of widget pins so, unless you keep uploading more widget pin images, your share of that market is likely to decrease. Personally I have a deliberate policy of trying to maintain 'my share' of niche markets by endeavouring to maintain a certain percentage of my own images within the top 100 best-sellers in that subject. You also tend to get better at shooting the same subject over and over and with minor variations each time.

'Hitting the wall' is almost a mathematical certainty for virtually all contributors after 5-6 years. I've explained the reasons why in detail a few times before. Essentially the growth of your portfolio each year, in percentage terms, will inevitably slow whilst the age of your portfolio and the higher number of competing images continues to increase. At some point the reducing revenue from the slow death of your older images will equal the increase in revenue from new images. When that happens ... you've 'hit the wall'.

The only ways you can avoid hitting the wall is to;

a) significantly increase your output of new images each year

b) ... or significantly increase the quality of your new images each year

c) ... or both.

lisafx · « **Reply #28 on:** September 11, 2013, 14:13 »

Quote from: stockmarketer on September 10, 2013, 19:31

To beat the wall you'd have to compensate for all three causes.

1. diversify
2. increase output
3. not much you can do about pricing/commission changes except remove your port from agencies making changes you disagree with. Of course, this only makes the wall taller.

I hit the wall about a year ago (my fifth year). Since then, I've diversified and increased output significantly, and I've been seeing slight growth over year-ago revenue. We'll see how long I can keep that up.

Quote from: gostwyck on September 11, 2013, 14:02

The only ways you can avoid hitting the wall is to;

a) significantly increase your output of new images each year

b) ... or significantly increase the quality of your new images each year

c) ... or both.

All very intelligent responses. Glad your increased output helped. I did the increased output and improved quality thing for a couple of years, and it definitely pushed the wall back a bit.

But you haven't really hit "the wall" until you get to the point (and we all have one) where it isn't possible to keep increasing output and quality. At some point, you have maxed out your level of energy, originality, and talent.

If you are lucky, that happens at a point that you are well enough established to get by on what you are earning and can even afford to lose some.

heywoody · « **Reply #29 on:** September 11, 2013, 17:06 »

Quote from: gillian on September 10, 2013, 22:33

Quote from: ShadySue on September 10, 2013, 19:06
I nearly had a fit yesterday when I sold an XS- and got 50c.

I have a fit every day at FT when some XL sells for peanuts. I've stopped uploading there.

Personally, have no problem at ~~selling~~ licencing images for peanuts where volumes are high, after all I still own them. The problem is when it's infrequent peanuts. My (far fewer with more images) sales at IS lately have paid less than the PP or even 123.

Back to topic, observation indicates the secret of success is finding something that works commercially and then milking it to death. I can't take my own advice because I haven't got that killer concept and I really could not be arsed repeating the same thing over and over because then it would be work and the day job pays much better.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #30 on:** September 11, 2013, 18:26 »

Can you give an example? I think we tried this before on the SS forums and maybe I missed it, but you showed some keyword searches that were extremely specific, but in the broader search, the area was covered.

Come on, show me the left handed widgets that need to be shot or some area that's lacking.

Don't give away any top secrets, just one example of an under covered, marketable subject?

I can shoot green tomatoes because red and yellow are all covered 17,000 times. But how much demand is there for that color variation? I'm interested in one subject or object that isn't well produced already.

And the point isn't anything against you, it is, with 26 million images, going on 27 million, pretty much everything that buyers want, has been shot and covered. And I would agree, if anyone can find something that's not, it would be in their best interest to fill that void.

So show me just one? (and everyone here will bury it!) LOL

Quote from: ruxpriencdiam on September 11, 2013, 12:53

SHUTTERSTOCK STATS:
29,167,816 royalty-free stock images

And what I am talking of is marketable.

ruxpriencdiam · « **Reply #31 on:** September 11, 2013, 19:12 »

So lets see you have a football team right?

If so there is an idea for you and I am not talking about shooting the NFL players cause that is a no go pretty much everywhere.

But you can shoot something else like the stadium?

Lambeau Field Stock Photos, Illustrations, and Vector Art
(1-42 of 42 results)

The courthouse.

Brown County Courthouse Stock Photos, Illustrations, and Vector Art
(1-10 of 10 results)

Bay Beach Amusement Park Stock Photos, Illustrations, and Vector Art
(1-26 of 26 results)

Start by looking in your own backyard.

Quote from: Uncle Pete on September 11, 2013, 18:26

Can you give an example? I think we tried this before on the SS forums and maybe I missed it, but you showed some keyword searches that were extremely specific, but in the broader search, the area was covered.

Come on, show me the left handed widgets that need to be shot or some area that's lacking.

Don't give away any top secrets, just one example of an under covered, marketable subject?

I can shoot green tomatoes because red and yellow are all covered 17,000 times. But how much demand is there for that color variation? I'm interested in one subject or object that isn't well produced already.

And the point isn't anything against you, it is, with 26 million images, going on 27 million, pretty much everything that buyers want, has been shot and covered. And I would agree, if anyone can find something that's not, it would be in their best interest to fill that void.

So show me just one? (and everyone here will bury it!) LOL

Quote from: ruxpriencdiam on September 11, 2013, 12:53
SHUTTERSTOCK STATS:
29,167,816 royalty-free stock images

And what I am talking of is marketable.

gostwyck · « **Reply #32 on:** September 11, 2013, 19:48 »

Quote from: ruxpriencdiam on September 11, 2013, 19:12

So lets see you have a football team right?

If so there is an idea for you and I am not talking about shooting the NFL players cause that is a no go pretty much everywhere.

But you can shoot something else like the stadium?

Lambeau Field Stock Photos, Illustrations, and Vector Art
(1-42 of 42 results)

The courthouse.

Brown County Courthouse Stock Photos, Illustrations, and Vector Art
(1-10 of 10 results)

Bay Beach Amusement Park Stock Photos, Illustrations, and Vector Art
(1-26 of 26 results)

Start by looking in your own backyard.

Quote from: Uncle Pete on September 11, 2013, 18:26
Can you give an example? I think we tried this before on the SS forums and maybe I missed it, but you showed some keyword searches that were extremely specific, but in the broader search, the area was covered.

Come on, show me the left handed widgets that need to be shot or some area that's lacking.

Don't give away any top secrets, just one example of an under covered, marketable subject?

I can shoot green tomatoes because red and yellow are all covered 17,000 times. But how much demand is there for that color variation? I'm interested in one subject or object that isn't well produced already.

And the point isn't anything against you, it is, with 26 million images, going on 27 million, pretty much everything that buyers want, has been shot and covered. And I would agree, if anyone can find something that's not, it would be in their best interest to fill that void.

So show me just one? (and everyone here will bury it!) LOL

Quote from: ruxpriencdiam on September 11, 2013, 12:53
SHUTTERSTOCK STATS:
29,167,816 royalty-free stock images

And what I am talking of is marketable.

... and this contributes to the OP's question and the topic exactly how?

We really do need a system that precludes idiotic numpties from the SS forum from contaminating MSG with their incessant miss-informed drivel.

Ok, I've had a beer __ it's my birthday!

Me · « **Reply #33 on:** September 11, 2013, 23:53 »

Quote from: ruxpriencdiam on September 11, 2013, 19:12

So lets see you have a football team right?

If so there is an idea for you and I am not talking about shooting the NFL players cause that is a no go pretty much everywhere.

But you can shoot something else like the stadium?

Lambeau Field Stock Photos, Illustrations, and Vector Art
(1-42 of 42 results)

The courthouse.

Brown County Courthouse Stock Photos, Illustrations, and Vector Art
(1-10 of 10 results)

Bay Beach Amusement Park Stock Photos, Illustrations, and Vector Art
(1-26 of 26 results)

Start by looking in your own backyard.

Quote from: Uncle Pete on September 11, 2013, 18:26
Can you give an example? I think we tried this before on the SS forums and maybe I missed it, but you showed some keyword searches that were extremely specific, but in the broader search, the area was covered.

Come on, show me the left handed widgets that need to be shot or some area that's lacking.

Don't give away any top secrets, just one example of an under covered, marketable subject?

I can shoot green tomatoes because red and yellow are all covered 17,000 times. But how much demand is there for that color variation? I'm interested in one subject or object that isn't well produced already.

And the point isn't anything against you, it is, with 26 million images, going on 27 million, pretty much everything that buyers want, has been shot and covered. And I would agree, if anyone can find something that's not, it would be in their best interest to fill that void.

So show me just one? (and everyone here will bury it!) LOL

Quote from: ruxpriencdiam on September 11, 2013, 12:53
SHUTTERSTOCK STATS:
29,167,816 royalty-free stock images

And what I am talking of is marketable.

And how big do you think the market, or demand, is for each of those search terms? It is demand that makes an image marketable, not search results. As already stated, you are using VERY specific search terms so of course the results will be small, but who is going to search using those exact words?

Apart from someone living/working in Bay Beach, who else is going to want images of their amusement park? Surely in the majority of cases, a generic amusement park will meet most requirements unless it is editorial and specifically about Bay Beach? Same goes for Lambeau Field Stadium (which you would probably need a property release for).

Uncle Pete has already tried to explain this and you just don't seem to understand - or choose not to because then that would mean you are wrong.

Go back to SS forum and let the grown ups talk.

Mantis · « **Reply #34 on:** September 12, 2013, 08:00 »

Quote from: gostwyck on September 11, 2013, 19:48

Quote from: ruxpriencdiam on September 11, 2013, 19:12
So lets see you have a football team right?

If so there is an idea for you and I am not talking about shooting the NFL players cause that is a no go pretty much everywhere.

But you can shoot something else like the stadium?

Lambeau Field Stock Photos, Illustrations, and Vector Art
(1-42 of 42 results)

The courthouse.

Brown County Courthouse Stock Photos, Illustrations, and Vector Art
(1-10 of 10 results)

Bay Beach Amusement Park Stock Photos, Illustrations, and Vector Art
(1-26 of 26 results)

Start by looking in your own backyard.

Quote from: Uncle Pete on September 11, 2013, 18:26
Can you give an example? I think we tried this before on the SS forums and maybe I missed it, but you showed some keyword searches that were extremely specific, but in the broader search, the area was covered.

Come on, show me the left handed widgets that need to be shot or some area that's lacking.

Don't give away any top secrets, just one example of an under covered, marketable subject?

I can shoot green tomatoes because red and yellow are all covered 17,000 times. But how much demand is there for that color variation? I'm interested in one subject or object that isn't well produced already.

And the point isn't anything against you, it is, with 26 million images, going on 27 million, pretty much everything that buyers want, has been shot and covered. And I would agree, if anyone can find something that's not, it would be in their best interest to fill that void.

So show me just one? (and everyone here will bury it!) LOL

Quote from: ruxpriencdiam on September 11, 2013, 12:53
SHUTTERSTOCK STATS:
29,167,816 royalty-free stock images

And what I am talking of is marketable.

... and this contributes to the OP's question and the topic exactly how?

We really do need a system that precludes idiotic numpties from the SS forum from contaminating MSG with their incessant miss-informed drivel.

Ok, I've had a beer __ it's my birthday!

Well Happy BIRTHDAY, Gostwyck. But I have to ask...A BEER? or A FEW BEERS? lol

luissantos84 · « **Reply #35 on:** September 12, 2013, 08:12 »

happy birthday gostwyck!

lisafx · « **Reply #36 on:** September 12, 2013, 13:13 »

Quote from: luissantos84 on September 12, 2013, 08:12

happy birthday gostwyck!

Happy Birthday from me too

You share a birthday with my favorite brother-in-law. He's an opinionated guy with a sharp wit too.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #37 on:** September 15, 2013, 21:43 »

I won't go the direction that things have slid, but how many people want the Brown County Courthouse? BTW over 100 miles from home.

What I was getting at is something that isn't well covered, that buyers want. That's "marketable" in my opinion.

And my contention is that if a subject is good enough for download demand, it's covered. If it's not, jump all over it and don't tell anyone else.

My question is, can you find one marketable, subject, that people will download, that isn't well covered? And I asked for one that you wouldn't shoot, so it won't cost you anything to reveal it. Same for anyone who reads this. I'd like to see one. And then we can carpet bomb it and make it well covered. LOL

My triple cheeseburger was one of these. Never sold once. When I made it, there were none or maybe one. That's generic enough that I presumed that it would get some DLs. I was wrong. I think my bowl of curried lamb has DLs and that was an experiment, terrible red background.

farbled · « **Reply #38 on:** September 15, 2013, 22:37 »

Quote from: Uncle Pete on September 15, 2013, 21:43

I won't go the direction that things have slid, but how many people want the Brown County Courthouse? BTW over 100 miles from home.

What I was getting at is something that isn't well covered, that buyers want. That's "marketable" in my opinion.

And my contention is that if a subject is good enough for download demand, it's covered. If it's not, jump all over it and don't tell anyone else.

My question is, can you find one marketable, subject, that people will download, that isn't well covered? And I asked for one that you wouldn't shoot, so it won't cost you anything to reveal it. Same for anyone who reads this. I'd like to see one. And then we can carpet bomb it and make it well covered. LOL

My triple cheeseburger was one of these. Never sold once. When I made it, there were none or maybe one. That's generic enough that I presumed that it would get some DLs. I was wrong. I think my bowl of curried lamb has DLs and that was an experiment, terrible red background.

I can, and have found some very common everyday items that few have covered. Even in a huge market shooting food, there are some staples that haven't really been done (or done well). The other thing is looking at getting the right keywords to get those everyday things into popular or tendy niche searches. Some I've found by accident, others take some research.

Regarding your triple cheeseburger, it might only really appeal to one demographic, while your curried lamb has world-wide potential.

My 2 cents.

leaf · « **Reply #39 on:** September 15, 2013, 22:57 »

I'd agree that there are certainly some holes that can be plugged. Especially if you start using 3 keywords the results start to get pretty thin. I also regularly visit picniche for ideas.

cobalt · « **Reply #40 on:** September 16, 2013, 09:31 »

Isn´t "the wall" more related to how the agency itself grows or shrinks and loses customers?

You can upload as much as you want, but if they are not expanding their customer base or convincing the ones they have to spend more, there is nothing you can do.

And sites that rely on yearly targets are particularly vulnerable because the artist has absolutely no influence on the marketing of the site itself. Fighting dilution and incoming new competition is a challenge you can handle as an artist, but if the management decided that agency X will now be their favorite and all their advertising money and attention goes there, there is absolutely nothing you can do.

And with smaller sites, I would think they are restricted by the budget they have or simply by reaching a critical mass that is enough to feed the owner and his or her team. they don´t need to double and triple their revenue every year, if they reach a certain target range and just stay in that size because this is where they feel comfortable.

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Author Topic: "The WALL" - What is it Truly? (Read 26598 times)

Ron

ruxpriencdiam

gostwyck

lisafx

heywoody

Uncle Pete

ruxpriencdiam

gostwyck

Me

Mantis

luissantos84

lisafx

Uncle Pete

farbled

leaf

cobalt

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