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Author Topic: Slow november?  (Read 24037 times)

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GraniteCove

« Reply #50 on: November 22, 2017, 00:16 »
+2
My feeling is that up to about a year or two ago the system was still more or less merit based. If an image was good/relevant it still had a chance of climbing the ranks and making a reasonable return. Today though things are very different.  New images have less and less chance of gaining traction, and even if they do the life cycle at the top (where the money is) is so much shorter than it used to be. Increased competition is definitely a large part of it, but it's not the whole story. Agencies are understandably giving more search weight to new images than they have in the past in an effort to keep their libraries looking fresh to buyers. That's good for the agencies and buyers of course, but in the long run not good for contributors. It has essentially removed merit from the equation and disincentivised many producers.


Uncle Pete

  • Great Place by a Great Lake - My Home Port
« Reply #51 on: November 22, 2017, 14:23 »
+1
What I've noticed is, unless you have some files on the first page for Popular and Best match for main keyword, you're pretty much doomed.

Not quite first page, but my top ten for popular or best match are on the couple pages, one search or the other. I use the top three keywords for each. Some didn't make top ten pages for best match but did for popular.

Question would be what's the cause? Is the rank making sales or sales making the rank? Are my sales causing the page rank, in which case the doom isn't from the rank and the rank actually shows the sales popularity for those keywords, and based on sales the correct rank. Nothing we wouldn't expect if the system is fair, right?

You are correct but I think for the wrong conclusion. Sales and popularity, means better rank for popularity and best match, not the other way around. Placement doesn't create sales, it's the result of them. Recent sales.

Looked at my top ten, either top performers from contributor landing page or image galley stats. Then I used the Downloads per Keyword: took the top three words and used that, as suggested. All of mine are on page one or two for popular. They didn't get there because SS loves me more than you or the search is broken, but because these are  among the top selling images for those three words.

Claim that a new file has no chance doesn't appear to hold true for my newest, consistent seller. Uploaded March 2016, 234 sales, #1 for the three word search that matches my most used three words for that image. Maybe 234 sales in 20 months isn't enough for what others here call a success? But SS tells me what words are best and what buyers used and then I take that and look, and there I am, #1. Others are first few lines.

Anyone who doesn't remember me from the past, many of my images are one of a kind, where I upload one from an entire shoot or idea. I've expanded some lately and one group I uploaded four variations. Whoo Hoo!  ;D I also look for under covered subjects and concepts. Doesn't mean I'm right or they will strike downloads, but when they do, it pays back.

I posted on SS forums a year ago that I had one of the only triple cheeseburgers on the site. (ps it either has no sales or two, so don't get excited) the point was twofold. Niche ideas and forum copy cats. There were 68 then, one page, now there are 348 and some are very well done. Mine was weak and just a joke from the start. I made it from a couple Whopper Jrs or a Big Mac and a single, all stacked up? But the idea is still there. Find things that aren't well covered and might make sales. Part two: don't tell anyone, because your best buddy will copy your concepts and bust your sales.

None of this is about the Editorial that I shoot which is a different deal and not going to make me rich. But I like what I'm doing with that.

New photos do have a chance if you shoot something useful, that buyers want, that hasn't been shot 10,000 times already! If you are going to upload 50 shots of the SOS that's been feeding Microstock for years, no wonder that your sales will drop.

GraniteCove

« Reply #52 on: November 22, 2017, 17:40 »
+1
Just for fun we should all shoot a triple cheeseburger, submit them at the same time, and see what happens. Might be very telling.

JimP

« Reply #53 on: November 23, 2017, 10:24 »
0
Great question,  I'll get the popcorn 🍿

I think you call that a rhetorical question? Laurin probably won't answer, Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. I think we should hear the true story of how that all happened. I can't tell because I don't know the details and there are a few versions.
« Last Edit: November 23, 2017, 10:37 by JimP »

Semmick Photo

« Reply #54 on: November 23, 2017, 12:21 »
+1
Great question,  I'll get the popcorn 🍿


I think you call that a rhetorical question? Laurin probably won't answer, Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. I think we should hear the true story of how that all happened. I can't tell because I don't know the details and there are a few versions.


http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/did-a-test-a-istock/

« Reply #55 on: November 24, 2017, 12:41 »
0
Great question,  I'll get the popcorn 🍿


I think you call that a rhetorical question? Laurin probably won't answer, Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. I think we should hear the true story of how that all happened. I can't tell because I don't know the details and there are a few versions.


http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/did-a-test-a-istock/


Interesting story! Do you know if he was forgiven by IS?

« Reply #56 on: November 24, 2017, 12:58 »
0
November, in my memory, should at least be an average month.

This November is indeed very slow in video sales for me. Any reason behind it?

JimP

« Reply #57 on: November 25, 2017, 10:01 »
0
November, in my memory, should at least be an average month.

This November is indeed very slow in video sales for me. Any reason behind it?

Thanksgiving in the US, long weekend.


Interesting story! Do you know if he was forgiven by IS?

Yes, No. Seems they over reacted for something that we don't know happened in the first place or if he made it up. The time and number changed depending on where you read it or what version, what day. No putting together coherent story when it changed by the day. For all I know he could have made up the whole test and got kicked out for a forum claim.

« Reply #58 on: November 25, 2017, 10:41 »
+1
November, in my memory, should at least be an average month.

This November is indeed very slow in video sales for me. Any reason behind it?

Thanksgiving in the US, long weekend.


Is it unusual to have Thanksgiving in November?

« Reply #59 on: November 25, 2017, 10:44 »
0
November, in my memory, should at least be an average month.

This November is indeed very slow in video sales for me. Any reason behind it?

Thanksgiving in the US, long weekend.


Is it unusual to have Thanksgiving in November?

No.
It has been celebrated as a federal holiday every year since 1863, when, during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens," to be celebrated on the last Thursday in November.

« Reply #60 on: November 25, 2017, 11:27 »
0
November, in my memory, should at least be an average month.

This November is indeed very slow in video sales for me. Any reason behind it?

Thanksgiving in the US, long weekend.


Is it unusual to have Thanksgiving in November?

No.
It has been celebrated as a federal holiday every year since 1863, when, during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens," to be celebrated on the last Thursday in November.

As long as I can remember it has always been the 4th Thursday in November in the USA.

« Reply #61 on: November 25, 2017, 12:16 »
0
Yes, I am also an old-timer since 2006. This November is really unusual for me.

« Reply #62 on: November 26, 2017, 02:45 »
+1
If the UK is anything to go by the rest of the world is now taking a day off on "Black Friday" to go shopping too :'(

« Reply #63 on: November 27, 2017, 07:18 »
0
More than a day off and they're unfortunately not shopping for stock images!  Pretty much dead everywhere.

« Reply #64 on: November 27, 2017, 08:57 »
+3
Is it me or its really a slow november start?

Now that we're at the 27th let me say, it's terrible. I know the holidays knock off a few days, but pretty slow beyond that. Hoping for a strong finish.

« Reply #65 on: November 28, 2017, 12:11 »
0
Slightly below average for me but not much so nothing surprising...it all the minnow sites that are struggling for me. Canstock in particular has died.

Semmick Photo

« Reply #66 on: November 28, 2017, 14:48 »
0
Between 200 and 300 dollar - 3000 images (2500 crap)

Bigstock takes the cake with just over a dollar, back to the old days (for me 2012) and the reason I quit them the first time. They have completely died for me.
« Last Edit: November 28, 2017, 14:51 by Semmick Photo »


« Reply #67 on: November 28, 2017, 15:14 »
+2
Good post-Thanksgiving comeback for me on SS today! Close to $200, helped by a mega-SOD.
Overall, I'm pleased with my 4 digits month (port of ~1000 images).

Brasilnut

  • Author Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock & Blog

« Reply #68 on: November 28, 2017, 15:45 »
0
Quote
Overall, I'm pleased with my 4 digits month (port of ~1000 images).

Excellent result! :)

Tyson Anderson

  • www.openrangestudios.com
« Reply #69 on: November 28, 2017, 17:58 »
0
Oct was my BME and Nov is getting close.  Must have been some kinda Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale because I've had a surge in sales the last couple days.  Last year the holiday months were bad for me so I shot a bunch of winter stuff to help this season.

« Reply #70 on: November 28, 2017, 18:39 »
0
I also had a surge in sales in the last few days, starting on Sunday. I don't know what SS is doing, but I was 1 download away from matching my best daily sales day yesterday. Today is also a big day and the day is not over yet.

namussi

« Reply #71 on: November 28, 2017, 23:38 »
0
My 30day moving average of downloads/day has doubled since 22 October. Yeehaw.

[OOOPS --- this is the Shutterstock thread. I'm not on Shutterstock. Apologies]
« Last Edit: November 29, 2017, 08:43 by namussi »

Brasilnut

  • Author Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock & Blog

« Reply #72 on: November 29, 2017, 07:11 »
0
Quote
. I also had a surge in sales in the last few days, starting on Sunday. I don't know what SS is doing, but I was 1 download away from matching my best daily sales day yesterday. Today is also a big day and the day is not over yet. 

I've also experienced that lately. No SODs or enhanced though but a decent enough month, hopefully ending with a "golden key" (Brazilian expression)

namussi

« Reply #73 on: November 29, 2017, 08:43 »
+1
Quote
. I also had a surge in sales in the last few days, starting on Sunday. I don't know what SS is doing, but I was 1 download away from matching my best daily sales day yesterday. Today is also a big day and the day is not over yet. 

I've also experienced that lately. No SODs or enhanced though but a decent enough month, hopefully ending with a "golden key" (Brazilian expression)

Is a "golden key" like a "happy ending"?


« Reply #74 on: November 29, 2017, 09:27 »
0
My 4th BME, maybe 3rd, depends on the dl-s today and tomorrow, thanks to some EL, video, SOD sales and also above average number of ODDs. But overall, number of downloads was poor.


 

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