Dt was going great until about October 20.  It was on pace to be over $100 by month's end.  That didn't happen until last week.  After requesting payment and having my balance brought back to zero, there has been one sale for $2.50.  My new balance, however, shows $1.25.  Bad accounting?  I've always liked DT, but I am very disappointed in the last four weeks.  I'm hoping it's a fluke.

I thought something was broken.  October was looking really good until 10/25.  Then nothing the rest of the month.  Today a tiny sale, so I guess they're not broken, but it does seem odd.  I like when they have bursts of sales, but despite my continuously uploading I do not see anything I would call growth.  Quien sabe?

Zero for me too, but it's only been a month.  I also uploaded my proven winners, pics that sell every day, but zip, zero, nada.

Just curious here.  Ten of my pictures were accepted at iStock last week, all the same models and same subject.  One picture has had 128 views, the other nine have had 0,1, or 2.  The one is not any better than the others.  Is it more available to view?  I find it strange, and I am in the dark.  Any thoughts?

Thank you,

Tom�s

Has anyone heard of a company called Design Pics?  I don't see them in the poll results, and they are buying my last RM agency.  Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks

Thanks, Anita.  I had seven images accepted about ten days ago, but they have disappeared.  Do you think that's some computer glitch, or did they re-edit, change their mind, and not bother to tell me?

Photo + has probably been around for a bit, but I just discovered it.  Is it worth it?  Are you putting your best sellers there?  Your worst?  How is it working for those of you far more in the forefront than me?  Thanks.

After six months there are 1200 files online.


Sold Files: 165
By Credits: 32
By Subscription: 129
By SMS: 4

Shutterstock is fabulous, I agree.  Exclusivity with any agency is suicide.  I have been shooting stock professionally for 30 years.  I have seen the changes (I wish I had seen them sooner).  I have seen exclusivity put photographers out of business.  Even with RM it is insane.  With RF and micro it is catastrophic.  The agents are in no way exclusive to you.  With 50,000+ photographers they do not care about you.  They don't need to.  Someone else can shoot what you shoot, and they do not care whose picture sells.

I have only been in Microstock since November 2009, and I wish I had done it sooner.  I started when my best RM agent said "We're getting killed by microstock."  We?  No way.  I started submitting and shooting for the micros as well as the RM's.  The income is well below what I earned a decade ago, but the micro income is very important and covers the drop in income from the RM's.  I have no idea where stock is going.  I'd like to think it couldn't possibly get any cheaper, but I do not know.  Do you?

Please, fellow stock shooters, do not even consider exclusivity with any agent.  If you do please research and study the possible outcomes.  I have always wished I could have just one agent.  It would be so much easier.  It doesn't work.  We cannot be lazy if we wish to succeed.  Take the time it takes to upload to ten agents.  All your eggs in one basket is an exit visa.  Don't do it.

In the two and a half years I have been shooting for micro I have accumulated ten agencies.  I have never spoken with a single human being at any of those agencies.  Ever.  That tells me something.

Aloha,

Tom�s

I've been with Alamy for several years.  Total files 3000, 800 of which have been uploaded in the past year.  Sales averaged between $2400 and $3000 per year.  For the first quarter of 2011 I have made less than $300.  In March I have made 42 cents!  Alamy was never big for me, but I like the 3 grand a year.  With a 25% increase in images available it is disappointing to see sales so slow.  The original 2200 files were RM, the last 800 RF.  Is microstock killing Alamy?  Should I not send them RF files?  Is Alamy a factor in stock any longer? 

I appreciate any inputs. 

Thanks,

Tom�s

I like Veer.  So far the sell the fewest shots, but for the highest price.  I never had great expectations, but I am pleased, and my expectations are rising.

Veer was a non player for me after my initial uploads, and they still sell less than the others.  Their sales, however, are quite good.  One $3.50 sale is better than a dozen Fotolia sales at .25.  I have high hopes for them.  I'll get my first payout, other than what they paid for the initial submissions, this month.