MicrostockGroup
Agency Based Discussion => Shutterstock.com => Topic started by: eliastheGreek on March 13, 2012, 10:43
-
Hi everyone,
I am a new contributor to SS (less than a year) and my sales started raising exponentially from this January. I had 2 to 3 downloads every day with a portfolio of no more than 90 pictures. But on March, sales have tanked big time. Today is the third consecutive day that I had no sales at all. Anyone noticed something similar ???
The only thing that changed in the last 10 days, is that I emailed them about a case where some of my vectors were found on various sites as free (e.g. vectorfinder) I don't know if is relevant or not, just though I should mention it.
Cheers!
-
If 2-3 DLs per day is your norm, some zero days would be normal as well. Frankly I don't think your portfolio is the sort that can show any sort of overall trend at SS, considering the size and average daily stats.
-
You have really nice portfolio, I started few mounts ago and have about 150 images. March didn't started as good as February but for last few mounts I haven't got a single day without sales.
As someone already said, we both have too few images so can't really tell.
-
Had a below average day yesterday (mainly due to bad non sub sales), but today's sales already exceeded yesterday's by a third, so it looks like business as usual. The month so far is great too, I could have a BME.
-
Hi everyone,
I am a new contributor to SS (less than a year) and my sales started raising exponentially from this January. I had 2 to 3 downloads every day with a portfolio of no more than 90 pictures. But on March, sales have tanked big time. Today is the third consecutive day that I had no sales at all. Anyone noticed something similar ???
The only thing that changed in the last 10 days, is that I emailed them about a case where some of my vectors were found on various sites as free (e.g. vectorfinder) I don't know if is relevant or not, just though I should mention it.
Cheers!
Funny you should mention that, someone posted the identical question on the SS forums. And I'll give you my answer that I posted there.
A couple more subs and March will pass Feb. for me. I doubt if your personal drop is system wide. 8) (I was hoping by the 10th but the weekend was slow as usual.)
Dave's Rules (not to be confused with Gostwyck's first rule), which are basically saying the same thing. ;D
Rule #2 - Sales will go up and sales will go down.
Rule #3 - You can't change rule #2
I need to start cataloging these things and numbering them. Everyone calls all of them "the first rule".
#1: If your images are good enough then they will sell. If they're not then they won't. No point in concocting elaborate conspiracy theories to explain a lack of sales because that is unlikely to be the issue.
-
ss just marches on. For me the 'no sale' days stopped once I had about 180 images, that's with photos no vectors.
-
Low earner here, but since begin of year I haven't "0 sales days", including weekends. Min 2/3 day. I've notice that sell more editorials on weekends. ( BTW, March was my worst month in SS on 2011 ).
Anyway, too earlier to be worried about changes on sales ( Less 2 years of stock LOL )
-
My March so far, is waaaaay up!
To the OP: you want to try to shoot a little bit more variety then just fire and smoke. :)
-
I didn't notice any drop in sales - except normal daily variations.
As others said, it's difficult to make meaningful statistics since you're new and have few photos.
Quality of your pictures seems good, but you need more quantity and variety as well. Just keep submitting and sales will improve.
Furthermore, it's a common opinion that it's useful to continue submitting new pictures at Shutterstock to help sales of your old pictures as well.
-
Hi everyone,
I am a new contributor to SS (less than a year) and my sales started raising exponentially from this January. I had 2 to 3 downloads every day with a portfolio of no more than 90 pictures. But on March, sales have tanked big time. Today is the third consecutive day that I had no sales at all. Anyone noticed something similar ???
The only thing that changed in the last 10 days, is that I emailed them about a case where some of my vectors were found on various sites as free (e.g. vectorfinder) I don't know if is relevant or not, just though I should mention it.
Cheers!
Oh right I see why ur concerned now (having read to the bottom this time). No I don't think ur email has anything to do with it. ss aren't pushing ur images down the pecking order, it's just a coincidence, you're just having a bad run. Also Vectorfinder isn't a free image site, they have image links from micro sites and are getting referral money.
-
Wouldn't say it is bad but certainly no celebration for me. :-\
-
Wow, already a BDE! By far, I'd say at least 25% better then my previous BDE. SS is rocking it, this is just incredible, after an incredible week, a below average day yesterday, sales have spiked, through the roof really. Happy :)
-
March is off to a slow start for me. Maybe the old maxim about March 'In like a lamb out like a lion' will apply to microstock as well as to the weather, and things will pick up in the second half.
I see that BigStock is having a sale; maybe that will help the sales there and make up for SS slugishness.
-
March had been good for me so far. Over the years I have been doing this, March has always been one of the best months of the year.
-
Thanks a lot guys for your answers and your time! I am an amateur photographer and trying to earn some extra money from selling at microstock. Wish I could do that for a living but I still need a lot of time to match the quality of thepros.
Thanks again.
Cheers.
Elias
-
I also noticed a slightly drop of OD sales. Hopefully it pics up in the second half of the month.
-
Hi everyone,
I am a new contributor to SS (less than a year) and my sales started raising exponentially from this January. I had 2 to 3 downloads every day with a portfolio of no more than 90 pictures. But on March, sales have tanked big time. Today is the third consecutive day that I had no sales at all. Anyone noticed something similar ???
This is crucial... :)
-
Thanks a lot guys for your answers and your time! I am an amateur photographer and trying to earn some extra money from selling at microstock. Wish I could do that for a living but I still need a lot of time to match the quality of thepros.
Thanks again.
Cheers.
Elias
We should have started years ago :D Nowadays competition is much larger and is more and more difficult to find a niche. I start out on Oct. 2010 and "still" working as "beta". Try to shoot some different subjects and see if some work better than others and then rise portfolio over these best sellers.
With time You will see more consistent results.
-
March is off to a slow start for me. Maybe the old maxim about March 'In like a lamb out like a lion' will apply to microstock as well as to the weather, and things will pick up in the second half.
That's what I'm hoping for!
My individual sales are down what looks like 30% of last month, but have sold way more OD's so the bottom line looks okay so far.
-
Woooow, 3 ELs just poped up this second! :o
-
Some days are bad but overall I'm looking at another BME, up by 50% compared to last month.
-
Down by 30% compared to last month.
-
Woooow, 3 ELs just poped up this second! :o
8, ELs! :o :o :o
-
Woooow, 3 ELs just poped up this second! :o
8, ELs! :o :o :o
24, ELs!! :o ;D :o ;D :o ;D :o
I mean downloads
-
Sold 2 minutes ago one ELectric Power Station... it counts as "EL" ;D ?
-
Woooow, 3 ELs just poped up this second! :o
8, ELs! :o :o :o
But I still earned more in a short period of time, few minutes apart at most :P ;) (2 from the same buyer)
-
This March is pretty lackluster for me across the board. March has always been my #1 best selling month, but looks like that trend will be broken this year, unless something drastic happens. Might not even live up to February.
-
...Might not even live up to February.
It's beginning to look more and more like this for me too: March earning less than February in spite of having 2 more days.
Remember how IS used to denigrate posts about sales because all sales fluctuations were, to them, random 'ebb and flow' with no cause? I think there must be some cause to this March slowdown, but I am baffled as to what it could be. And since Easter comes in April this year, I fear that that month might also be disappointing. Maybe it's the effects of the solar storm, or the long-predicted end of microstock as we know it? :'(
-
I think there must be some cause to this March slowdown, but I am baffled as to what it could be. And since Easter comes in April this year, I fear that that month might also be disappointing. Maybe it's the effects of the solar storm, or the long-predicted end of microstock as we know it? :'(
I can't imagine either. I do know that schools around here are taking Spring Break in March (rather than around Easter, like they used to). Not sure how much effect Spring Break has on buyers, but it could account for some of it. Still doesn't fully explain it IMO, though.
-
Wow, a sales drop thread that's not about IS.
-
Wow, a sales drop thread that's not about IS.
Is there anybody even left at IS to make sales? ;)
Let me break the sales drop trend...I'm having a good March. About double over Feb., so far anyway. Hope I didn't just jinx it. :)
-
Let me break the sales drop trend...I'm having a good March. About double over Feb., so far anyway. Hope I didn't just jinx it. :)
Congrats Cathy! Out of curiosity, have you been uploading much? I haven't, and I wonder if that may be part of the issue...?
-
Wow, a sales drop thread that's not about IS.
Is there anybody even left at IS to make sales? ;)
Yes, I'm the one. Sound funny but at IS having 20% more $ than SS with more less same port. Despite bad reputation IS is still doing better than SS before and now.
-
I see a lot of folk are having a BME (Best Month Ever) while I am having a WME (Worst Month Ever). Maybe the moon is out of alignment with the earth thus explaining my poor sales?
-
Woooow, 3 ELs just poped up this second! :o
8, ELs! :o :o :o
24, ELs!! :o ;D :o ;D :o ;D :o
36! :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :-\
I mean downloads
-
Its not the worst month. But I will agree for drop in sales....
-
February was my best month yet and am on track to beat it in March. In fact, today I set a personal record for best single day revenue at SS.
-
I think there must be some cause to this March slowdown, but I am baffled as to what it could be. And since Easter comes in April this year, I fear that that month might also be disappointing. Maybe it's the effects of the solar storm, or the long-predicted end of microstock as we know it? :'(
I can't imagine either. I do know that schools around here are taking Spring Break in March (rather than around Easter, like they used to). Not sure how much effect Spring Break has on buyers, but it could account for some of it. Still doesn't fully explain it IMO, though.
I also have been experiencing a lackluster March, particularly the last week or two. Not terrible, but just a hair under Feb, and I have always considered March to be the best month of the year. I have been thinking of a number of theories:
- Early spring break (agreeing with LisaFX)... the silver lining could be that April might end up being a bit better if some are taking the break now
- Heat wave in much of the US (may have prompted people to take days off and enjoy the unusually nice weather)
- St. Patrick's Day extended weekend (OK, so that one's a stretch.)
-
I'm having a great March overall but yesterday was my worst week day in years. Hope I'm not catching the slack downloads disease.
-
I won't be breaking any records this month either!! Not a single EL at SS which is very unusual.
-
Let me break the sales drop trend...I'm having a good March. About double over Feb., so far anyway. Hope I didn't just jinx it. :)
Congrats Cathy! Out of curiosity, have you been uploading much? I haven't, and I wonder if that may be part of the issue...?
I'm having a great month, I'm just about to pass February's earnings and should easily pass January's earnings too, really consistent ODs these days, but normal sub downloads are not letting up either. Downside for me is that I'm struggling to get files online this month, my AR was doing well in both Jan and Feb, this month is a nightmare.
-
Let me break the sales drop trend...I'm having a good March. About double over Feb., so far anyway. Hope I didn't just jinx it. :)
Congrats Cathy! Out of curiosity, have you been uploading much? I haven't, and I wonder if that may be part of the issue...?
I'm having a great month, I'm just about to pass February's earnings and should easily pass January's earnings too, really consistent ODs these days, but normal sub downloads are not letting up either. Downside for me is that I'm struggling to get files online this month, my AR was doing well in both Jan and Feb, this month is a nightmare.
I reached a BME yesterday (as well)
-
Let me break the sales drop trend...I'm having a good March. About double over Feb., so far anyway. Hope I didn't just jinx it. :)
Congrats Cathy! Out of curiosity, have you been uploading much? I haven't, and I wonder if that may be part of the issue...?
Thanks! I haven't been uploading much either. I did a shoot about a month ago and have been slowly uploading the results from that, but I only upload about 5 at a time. SS has just come alive for me since the whole fiasco at istock.
-
SS has just come alive for me since the whole fiasco at istock.
+1
iStock hated my stuff when I was still with them. To go through their laborious upload procedure and then to have most things rejected, I gave up trying eventually. In the end they knew what was best for me. Their competitors ;D
-
I'm having a great March overall but yesterday was my worst week day in years. Hope I'm not catching the slack downloads disease.
Yesterday was a zero for me, which only happens on Saturday now. (obviously not true it was a Monday zero, but I mean, usually) Yes small port but I get daily sales.
Today March passed Feb's. total. 11 days to go. BME for any month without counting SDL or ELs. I'm only looking at my standard reoccurring DLs. People who get many ELs and SDL may find a different way of comparing. Mine are to scattered.
I guess I'm lucky to be on the upside of the "Sudden Drop" ???
-
It seems a bit slow on the sub side although I have 3 EL's this month which is not the norm for me. I'll catch one maybe every other month. I still think that SS is playing with the search algorithm to find their sweet spot....just my thinking
-
Now I am pondering if the economy is headed south and the marketing companies are reducing budgets thus effecting our sales?
-
SS has just come alive for me since the whole fiasco at istock.
+1
iStock hated my stuff when I was still with them. To go through their laborious upload procedure and then to have most things rejected, I gave up trying eventually. In the end they knew what was best for me. Their competitors ;D
You're right. I should have listened to them MUCH sooner. :D
-
Hmm I have spoken too soon... 0 sales on last weekend... Then came up again... Anyway,few OD's so far.
-
I have been thinking of a number of theories:
- Early spring break (agreeing with LisaFX)... the silver lining could be that April might end up being a bit better if some are taking the break now
- Heat wave in much of the US (may have prompted people to take days off and enjoy the unusually nice weather)
- St. Patrick's Day extended weekend (OK, so that one's a stretch.)
So funny. Here in Florida a heat wave makes spending time outside nearly unbearable. I forget that "heat wave" actually means nice outdoor weather for much of the country :)
-
The warm weather makes sense for lack of sales! My sales are up for Veer which is located in Seattle, WA were the entire spring has been around 40F and lot's of rain/snow...
-
I have been thinking of a number of theories:
- Early spring break (agreeing with LisaFX)... the silver lining could be that April might end up being a bit better if some are taking the break now
- Heat wave in much of the US (may have prompted people to take days off and enjoy the unusually nice weather)
- St. Patrick's Day extended weekend (OK, so that one's a stretch.)
So funny. Here in Florida a heat wave makes spending time outside nearly unbearable. I forget that "heat wave" actually means nice outdoor weather for much of the country :)
I'd give anything to live in a place with such climate, where only occasional heat waves force ppl to stay home. Of course not me, 35C don't bother me at all
-
I'd give anything to live in a place with such climate, where only occasional heat waves force ppl to stay home. Of course not me, 35C don't bother me at all
You can have it. The heat waves aren't occasional. From mid June through early September the heat here in Tampa Bay is absolutely suffocating. And the Gulf of Mexico is bathwater warm. No point in going out in the summer at all. Winter's great here though, so at least the glass is half full :)
-
I'd give anything to live in a place with such climate, where only occasional heat waves force ppl to stay home. Of course not me, 35C don't bother me at all
You can have it. The heat waves aren't occasional. From mid June through early September the heat here in Tampa Bay is absolutely suffocating. And the Gulf of Mexico is bathwater warm. No point in going out in the summer at all. Winter's great here though, so at least the glass is half full :)
I guess it depends greatly where you live in FL. As I understand, the climate in Miami is lovely, sure, summers are hot and humid, but from what I've heard the conditions are usually (during the summer) not described as suffocating. What about going to the beach, there's always some breeze to cool you and if you sip on a mojito or something similarly refreshing, it should be quite enjoyable. Or even that doesn't help?
I have another theory, why it could be unbearable for most Americans to go out during the summer. You're used to have the AC set to LO all the time, wether you're in a bar, car, at home, in a restaurant. Friends have been in LV, Miami etc during the summer and even though there was 45C (in LV), the temperature in all closed environments was just 16C or so. That's 30C of a difference and I know doctors etc don't recommend setting the temperature (in a car for instance) less than 8C lower than it is outside, but preferably only 4-6C. You could suffer a stroke otherwise. And most friends got sick during their holidays in the states. Or in Mexico, it's recommend to take a sweater with you on the bus, because they bump the AC to the max everywhere. So most ppl get sick in America during the summer, ironically. You usually also drink everything with a ton of ice. Why is that so, setting the AC to such low temperatures? Is it because of lawsuits? A broke a sweat in your restaurant I demand to be reimbursed! ;D
-
6 out of last 7 months have been my best ever at SS [the other was still among the highest], and march is already 3rd BME
-
I guess it depends greatly where you live in FL. As I understand, the climate in Miami is lovely, sure, summers are hot and humid, but from what I've heard the conditions are usually (during the summer) not described as suffocating. What about going to the beach, there's always some breeze to cool you and if you sip on a mojito or something similarly refreshing, it should be quite enjoyable. Or even that doesn't help?
You are absolutely right about depending on where you live. I lived in Miami for 16 years prior to moving here. Even though Miami is almost 300 miles further south than we are, their climate is much milder. Being on the Atlantic coast, rather than the Gulf, gives a much cooler ocean breeze. Also, being on the tip of the peninsula, there is a great cross breeze all the time. Even the hottest summer months, Miami is much more temperate than Tampa.
The people in Tampa area are much friendlier though, and there is a lot less crime where we live here. So there are always tradeoffs. If you decide to come to Florida in the heat of summer, though, I suggest the Atlantic coast. :)
-
It seems a bit slow on the sub side although I have 3 EL's this month which is not the norm for me. I'll catch one maybe every other month. I still think that SS is playing with the search algorithm to find their sweet spot....just my thinking
I am in agreement with you that they are making changes to the search engine and I think the changes they are making to the site are affecting sales as well as review times. Historically September, October, November and March are my best months, however this year they are significantly down even though I have been uploading more than I have in past years. I think they are messing with the most popular search and those images brought in a good portion of my sales. That coupled with the fact that there are major bugs and new images are getting fewer sales means less downloads for my port in general; regardless of the month.
-
Now that the month's nearing it's close, I feel in a better position to respond to this thread.
It's been a very varied month at SS. Sometimes a series of days with terrific sales, followed inexplicably by a series of exceptionally quiet days. At this stage, iStock has overtaken SS in sales this month for me, which is not a situation I'm used to seeing (usually SS sales are at least three times the amount I make on iStock).
This is just based on normal incomes, and doesn't include Thinkstock.
-
Now that the month's nearing it's close, I feel in a better position to respond to this thread.
It's been a very varied month at SS. Sometimes a series of days with terrific sales, followed inexplicably by a series of exceptionally quiet days. At this stage, iStock has overtaken SS in sales this month for me, which is not a situation I'm used to seeing (usually SS sales are at least three times the amount I make on iStock).
This is just based on normal incomes, and doesn't include Thinkstock.
Here's what some others are saying: 8)
http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=121438 (http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=121438)
-
No comfort there then! :D
-
No comfort there then! :D
Yep! I am ready for southern comfort.... ;D
I have also BME, but last two days are bad...
-
This year so far: Jan BME, Feb 2nd BME, Mar: so far BME by over 25%. Everything looks great, I'm more motivated than ever! I've only had 2 shoots this year, but I'm planning 9 in the next couple of months, 3 within a week now. I would have shoot more, but had to wait for certain models, warm weather etc. BTW IS is great too, 3rd BME in a row.
-
:D @ 'Southern Comfort'.
OK it's just me then... all right you swines, stop stealing my sales. :D
-
I spoke too soon (even though I waited long!)
I should never have doubted. Normal service has resumed. ;D
-
I already reached my BME, two days back, the next couple of days will be the icing on the cake. :)
-
BME, even for me :D
Yet, not enough to cover 123RF drop.
-
I have had a strange moth so far. My total number of sales are indicating that this could be a BME, but the lack of ELs makes this month quite mediocre. (I have had only 1 EL this month, last month I had 9 which is more normal).
So this month isn't that great, but because my regular sales are making new records I'm optimistic about the future (at SS, not microstock generally :( )
Now I'm hoping that someone would purchase some ELs from me in the next couple of days so this month would turn out to be a BME.
-
For me, March is doing the opposite of what I expected. It started out weaker than normal, and is closing out extremely strong. Will be another BME by a comfortable margin. Not many ELs at the beginning of the month, but then 12 in the last ten days. SS isn't the only site on the upswing... I'd say it's across the board. Even DT has given me a few ELs this week. This is giving me a more encouraging outlook on April. Normally I dread the March to April drop, but the significant rise this past week suggest the falloff might not be as extreme as normal.
-
Normally I dread the March to April drop, but the significant rise this past week suggest the falloff might not be as extreme as normal.
Why is that, I mean the April drop? Easter, spring break etc? I'm not long enough in this game to have my own pattern of April sales, but last year April was strong
-
Normally I dread the March to April drop, but the significant rise this past week suggest the falloff might not be as extreme as normal.
Why is that, I mean the April drop? Easter, spring break etc? I'm not long enough in this game to have my own pattern of April sales, but last year April was strong
Was wondering the same about April/Easter. Will the Holiday business closures affect sales or does Easter offer a jump in sales?
-
Normally I dread the March to April drop, but the significant rise this past week suggest the falloff might not be as extreme as normal.
Why is that, I mean the April drop? Easter, spring break etc? I'm not long enough in this game to have my own pattern of April sales, but last year April was strong
Was wondering the same about April/Easter. Will the Holiday business closures affect sales or does Easter offer a jump in sales?
Roughly generalizing, there's a reason why every month doesn't earn up to expectations.
The Sky Is Falling!
I'll leave it at that.
-
Normally I dread the March to April drop, but the significant rise this past week suggest the falloff might not be as extreme as normal.
Why is that, I mean the April drop? Easter, spring break etc? I'm not long enough in this game to have my own pattern of April sales, but last year April was strong
Was wondering the same about April/Easter. Will the Holiday business closures affect sales or does Easter offer a jump in sales?
Every single year I've been at this, I've seen a significant drop from March to April. It's due to March traditionally being my month that rises the most, and April being pretty awful due to Easter and spring break. I suppose if your port is disproportionately loaded with Easter and spring-related pics you might avoid a drop, but even then most buyers would have made such purchases in the weeks leading up to April, making your drop even worse.
-
March is BME +25%
-
I have had a great March at SS, with 4 ELs.
-
Normally I dread the March to April drop, but the significant rise this past week suggest the falloff might not be as extreme as normal.
Why is that, I mean the April drop? Easter, spring break etc? I'm not long enough in this game to have my own pattern of April sales, but last year April was strong
Was wondering the same about April/Easter. Will the Holiday business closures affect sales or does Easter offer a jump in sales?
Easter images will have been sold already, maybe long ago. You only need to look at your Dec 25 stats to see what holidays do to sales.
-
March was grt for me.
i started in feb this year,
from 8th feb to end of feb 52 images online and 22 downloads,(first day 2DL thn one week nothing and so on)
from first march to 31st 136 images online and 131 downloads (153 total)
i guess all you need to do is keep uploading and make sure you trying to get in all the sections. not only backgrounds.
Cheers
-
If you are brand new, and starting from nothing a couple of months ago, you pretty much have nowhere to go but up, and will probably see sales continue to increase through April. I did my first year.
But once you are established and have a year or two under your belt, sales stabilize and you will see the seasonal fluctuations more.
And yes, sales generally do fall off some in April. Over time some places have uncoupled spring break from Easter - they did here where I live - and people had spring break in March. But I am sure there are still quite a few taking off this week, next, or both.
-
SS 20% down and 50% less EL
IS 20% up
For me IS is still doing best next is SS and the rest are far what I earn on these two sites.
-
If you are brand new, and starting from nothing a couple of months ago, you pretty much have nowhere to go but up, and will probably see sales continue to increase through April. I did my first year.
But once you are established and have a year or two under your belt, sales stabilize and you will see the seasonal fluctuations more.
And yes, sales generally do fall off some in April. Over time some places have uncoupled spring break from Easter - they did here where I live - and people had spring break in March. But I am sure there are still quite a few taking off this week, next, or both.
Thanks for sharing your experience Lisa. My sales are affected almost as your forecast says lol and here i started my april with 3 ODs with other subs. It seems spring vacation gonna end there lol
-
Thanks for sharing your experience Lisa. My sales are affected almost as your forecast says lol and here i started my april with 3 ODs with other subs. It seems spring vacation gonna end there lol
Hope things get better for you Gemmy :) Maybe it will work for all of us that Easter is so early in the month this year. Perhaps people will get back to work and go on a buying frenzy for the rest of the month? After all, the economic news seems to be good.
We can hope!
-
Thanks for sharing your experience Lisa. My sales are affected almost as your forecast says lol and here i started my april with 3 ODs with other subs. It seems spring vacation gonna end there lol
Hope things get better for you Gemmy :) Maybe it will work for all of us that Easter is so early in the month this year. Perhaps people will get back to work and go on a buying frenzy for the rest of the month? After all, the economic news seems to be good.
We can hope!
:) ya. as april started for me i am hopeful... Good luck !
-
Hi everyone,
I am a new contributor to SS (less than a year) and my sales started raising exponentially from this January. I had 2 to 3 downloads every day with a portfolio of no more than 90 pictures. But on March, sales have tanked big time. Today is the third consecutive day that I had no sales at all. Anyone noticed something similar ???
The only thing that changed in the last 10 days, is that I emailed them about a case where some of my vectors were found on various sites as free (e.g. vectorfinder) I don't know if is relevant or not, just though I should mention it.
Cheers!
Lovely images ;)
-
I think I figured it out. The few people who dropped, vs the many people who went up... we stole all their downloads. Sorry about that. ;D
March was clearly greater than Jan. and Feb. combined, also BME not counting ELs. April is already going along the same levels.
My latest triple cheeseburger, ona plate, isolated on white... hasn't sold once, but it was fun making it. (then eating it) As always I enjoy the concept and creation, the money comes after that fun. A few more weeks and I'm out and about at the races, camping and searching the back roads for interesting subjects in the evenings.
(http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/111418/98392703/stock-photo-triple-cheeseburger-with-lettuce-tomato-pickle-on-sesame-bun-isolated-on-white-98392703.jpg) Invented Triple Cheeseburger Sandwich
Not the biggest or best but surprise it was accepted. If it ever gets 12 sales and it pays for itself? LOL (plate was either 49c or 99c at Goodwill, I stocked up this Winter)
-
Now that the month's nearing it's close, I feel in a better position to respond to this thread.
It's been a very varied month at SS. Sometimes a series of days with terrific sales, followed inexplicably by a series of exceptionally quiet days. At this stage, iStock has overtaken SS in sales this month for me, which is not a situation I'm used to seeing (usually SS sales are at least three times the amount I make on iStock).
This is just based on normal incomes, and doesn't include Thinkstock.
Here's what some others are saying: 8)
[url]http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=121438[/url] ([url]http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=121438[/url])
Congratulations to all of them. And congratulations to the buyers who used to pay $250 for an image but now can get 750 images for $250.
I wonder how long the sales volume can last to make BMEs out of peanuts? How much longer will subscription last before it kills the other sites and then itself?
-
Now that the month's nearing it's close, I feel in a better position to respond to this thread.
It's been a very varied month at SS. Sometimes a series of days with terrific sales, followed inexplicably by a series of exceptionally quiet days. At this stage, iStock has overtaken SS in sales this month for me, which is not a situation I'm used to seeing (usually SS sales are at least three times the amount I make on iStock).
This is just based on normal incomes, and doesn't include Thinkstock.
Here's what some others are saying: 8)
[url]http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=121438[/url] ([url]http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=121438[/url])
Congratulations to all of them. And congratulations to the buyers who used to pay $250 for an image but now can get 750 images for $250.
I wonder how long the sales volume can last to make BMEs out of peanuts? How much longer will subscription last before it kills the other sites and then itself?
applying to IS exclusivity this minute, thanks! ;D
-
applying to IS exclusivity this minute, thanks! ;D
I did! :) Not doing too bad either. Anyway, I agree with Paul, I do not like subscription and see it as a slow death for many here.
-
Now that the month's nearing it's close, I feel in a better position to respond to this thread.
It's been a very varied month at SS. Sometimes a series of days with terrific sales, followed inexplicably by a series of exceptionally quiet days. At this stage, iStock has overtaken SS in sales this month for me, which is not a situation I'm used to seeing (usually SS sales are at least three times the amount I make on iStock).
This is just based on normal incomes, and doesn't include Thinkstock.
Here's what some others are saying: 8)
[url]http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=121438[/url] ([url]http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=121438[/url])
Congratulations to all of them. And congratulations to the buyers who used to pay $250 for an image but now can get 750 images for $250.
I wonder how long the sales volume can last to make BMEs out of peanuts? How much longer will subscription last before it kills the other sites and then itself?
applying to IS exclusivity this minute, thanks! ;D
Wait, let me get my referral link for you.
At least IS is trying to raise prices.
-
Now that the month's nearing it's close, I feel in a better position to respond to this thread.
It's been a very varied month at SS. Sometimes a series of days with terrific sales, followed inexplicably by a series of exceptionally quiet days. At this stage, iStock has overtaken SS in sales this month for me, which is not a situation I'm used to seeing (usually SS sales are at least three times the amount I make on iStock).
This is just based on normal incomes, and doesn't include Thinkstock.
Here's what some others are saying: 8)
[url]http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=121438[/url] ([url]http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=121438[/url])
Congratulations to all of them. And congratulations to the buyers who used to pay $250 for an image but now can get 750 images for $250.
I wonder how long the sales volume can last to make BMEs out of peanuts? How much longer will subscription last before it kills the other sites and then itself?
applying to IS exclusivity this minute, thanks! ;D
Wait, let me get my referral link for you.
At least IS is trying to raise prices.
yeah, they're great, aren't they? Raise prices, cut commissions - that just makes them greedy *%*$*%
-
Now that the month's nearing it's close, I feel in a better position to respond to this thread.
It's been a very varied month at SS. Sometimes a series of days with terrific sales, followed inexplicably by a series of exceptionally quiet days. At this stage, iStock has overtaken SS in sales this month for me, which is not a situation I'm used to seeing (usually SS sales are at least three times the amount I make on iStock).
This is just based on normal incomes, and doesn't include Thinkstock.
Here's what some others are saying: 8)
[url]http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=121438[/url] ([url]http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=121438[/url])
Congratulations to all of them. And congratulations to the buyers who used to pay $250 for an image but now can get 750 images for $250.
I wonder how long the sales volume can last to make BMEs out of peanuts? How much longer will subscription last before it kills the other sites and then itself?
applying to IS exclusivity this minute, thanks! ;D
Wait, let me get my referral link for you.
At least IS is trying to raise prices.
yeah, they're great, aren't they? Raise prices, cut commissions - that just makes them greedy *%*$*%
Not saying I agree with it, but I understand it. It's a business. Like most businesses the goal is optimizing revenue and profits. I'm not expecting them to place a priority on handing out hugs and smooches like so many other people.
-
Congratulations to all of them. And congratulations to the buyers who used to pay $250 for an image but now can get 750 images for $250.
I wonder how long the sales volume can last to make BMEs out of peanuts? How much longer will subscription last before it kills the other sites and then itself?
Well, subscriptions have been with us for well over 7 years on SS (with DT and FT not far behind) and they don't seem to have killed themselves or any others so far.
What you fail to acknowledge in your sweeping statement is that the growth in SS is almost entirely driven by OD's, EL's and Single Image sales. Funny that for a 'subscription site' that apparently is going to ruin it all for everyone.
-
yeah, they're great, aren't they? Raise prices, cut commissions - that just makes them greedy *%*$*%
Not saying I agree with it, but I understand it. It's a business. Like most businesses the goal is optimizing revenue and profits. I'm not expecting them to place a priority on handing out hugs and smooches like so many other people.
Now I really can't get all your love for them... ???
That being said, yes, I'm glad they're raising the prices, but as gostwyck pointed out, they neutralize it with cuts. Neutralize really isn't the right word, since most ppl earn less, then they did
-
Congratulations to all of them. And congratulations to the buyers who used to pay $250 for an image but now can get 750 images for $250.
I wonder how long the sales volume can last to make BMEs out of peanuts? How much longer will subscription last before it kills the other sites and then itself?
Well, subscriptions have been with us for well over 7 years on SS (with DT and FT not far behind) and they don't seem to have killed themselves or any others so far.
What you fail to acknowledge in your sweeping statement is that the growth in SS is almost entirely driven by OD's, EL's and Single Image sales. Funny that for a 'subscription site' that apparently is going to ruin it all for everyone.
Yes! there is no doubt, ODs and ELs, are more then plenty and in my books they represent a hell of a lot more revenue then subs.
-
Congratulations to all of them. And congratulations to the buyers who used to pay $250 for an image but now can get 750 images for $250.
I wonder how long the sales volume can last to make BMEs out of peanuts? How much longer will subscription last before it kills the other sites and then itself?
Well, subscriptions have been with us for well over 7 years on SS (with DT and FT not far behind) and they don't seem to have killed themselves or any others so far.
What you fail to acknowledge in your sweeping statement is that the growth in SS is almost entirely driven by OD's, EL's and Single Image sales. Funny that for a 'subscription site' that apparently is going to ruin it all for everyone.
This is absolutely true. SS is moving things in the right direction, and not cutting royalties in the bargain.
It's several years since Istock could fairly be said to be holding up industry standards and prices. I really don't believe Istock can be taken as a single entity anymore. Their absorbtion into Getty is pretty much complete, and Getty certainly has jumped onto the subscription bandwagon with both feet.
Getty's subscription offerings, Photos.com and Thinkstock offer a far less appealing deal to contributors than SS does. Not only are their commissions to a majority of their contributors far less than SS, they also do not credit contributors on the site, and offer no transparency whatsoever.
The list of their shortcomings in comparison to Shutterstock is long and has been discussed here ad nauseum. So please don't hold Istock/Getty up as any sort of example of moving the industry in the right direction.
-
Yes! there is no doubt, ODs and ELs, are more then plenty and in my books they represent a hell of a lot more revenue then subs.
So EVERYONE makes their money from EL's and OD's ......or just a select few? Anyway, I can't stand the thought of selling anything for peanuts so I don't. That's the path I have chosen.
-
Yes! there is no doubt, ODs and ELs, are more then plenty and in my books they represent a hell of a lot more revenue then subs.
So EVERYONE makes their money from EL's and OD's ......or just a select few? Anyway, I can't stand the thought of selling anything for peanuts so I don't. That's the path I have chosen.
i completely support your position and encourage the rest of my competitors to follow your example
-
Yes! there is no doubt, ODs and ELs, are more then plenty and in my books they represent a hell of a lot more revenue then subs.
So EVERYONE makes their money from EL's and OD's ......or just a select few? Anyway, I can't stand the thought of selling anything for peanuts so I don't. That's the path I have chosen.
i completely support your position and encourage the rest of my competitors to follow your example
Time will tell :)
-
Yes! there is no doubt, ODs and ELs, are more then plenty and in my books they represent a hell of a lot more revenue then subs.
So EVERYONE makes their money from EL's and OD's ......or just a select few? Anyway, I can't stand the thought of selling anything for peanuts so I don't. That's the path I have chosen.
i completely support your position and encourage the rest of my competitors to follow your example
Time will tell :)
Why people are complaining about less sales and lower income is kind of surprising. What did they think? Unlimited growth forever? No competition? And then those same people compete with themselves based on price, (driving value and income down further) by selling on every Fly-By-Night site that comes along promising more sales. It's nothing but self predation and the dilution of the market.
We have reached saturation, maybe over saturation, there's bound to be some kind of major market adjustment in the near future.
Yes, I do better with the ODs than I did with just subs. No I don't sell many ELs. But I don't have as good of a selection of good fresh or original market products as most of the people here. I don't shoot people, I have one model released image and it has never sold. I guess I should feel lucky it was accepted? ;D
My SS sales and income have continued to grow, while IS continues to drop. It's just fine with me.
-
Yes! there is no doubt, ODs and ELs, are more then plenty and in my books they represent a hell of a lot more revenue then subs.
So EVERYONE makes their money from EL's and OD's ......or just a select few? Anyway, I can't stand the thought of selling anything for peanuts so I don't. That's the path I have chosen.
Not in any way suggesting that exclusivity is the wrong move but, on the peanuts front, my RPD on DT is 40% higher than IS and I have never had a single digit (in US cents) download anywhere besides IS...
-
Yes! there is no doubt, ODs and ELs, are more then plenty and in my books they represent a hell of a lot more revenue then subs.
So EVERYONE makes their money from EL's and OD's ......or just a select few? Anyway, I can't stand the thought of selling anything for peanuts so I don't. That's the path I have chosen.
Not in any way suggesting that exclusivity is the wrong move but, on the peanuts front, my RPD on DT is 40% higher than IS and I have never had a single digit (in US cents) download anywhere besides IS...
I looked at your port! love it! brillant stuff. How . do you do that? the sub under the iceberg is stunning.
Having said this, I recon you need a bigger port, I know its tough and timeconsuming but with stuff like this, sooner or later the bucks will fly your way.
best. :)
-
:-[ :) they are a bit too niche and time consuming to produce to make actual money unfortunately. The sub is one I like myself and just a bunch of squashed spheres and cylinders stuck together and one of my first IS rejects ;D
-
March was BME, I get a feeling the drop will happen this month :/
-
This is absolutely true. SS is moving things in the right direction, and not cutting royalties in the bargain.
It's several years since Istock could fairly be said to be holding up industry standards and prices. I really don't believe Istock can be taken as a single entity anymore. Their absorbtion into Getty is pretty much complete, and Getty certainly has jumped onto the subscription bandwagon with both feet.
Getty's subscription offerings, Photos.com and Thinkstock offer a far less appealing deal to contributors than SS does. Not only are their commissions to a majority of their contributors far less than SS, they also do not credit contributors on the site, and offer no transparency whatsoever.
The list of their shortcomings in comparison to Shutterstock is long and has been discussed here ad nauseum. So please don't hold Istock/Getty up as any sort of example of moving the industry in the right direction.
Well said.
-
This is absolutely true. SS is moving things in the right direction, and not cutting royalties in the bargain.
It's several years since Istock could fairly be said to be holding up industry standards and prices. I really don't believe Istock can be taken as a single entity anymore. Their absorbtion into Getty is pretty much complete, and Getty certainly has jumped onto the subscription bandwagon with both feet.
Getty's subscription offerings, Photos.com and Thinkstock offer a far less appealing deal to contributors than SS does. Not only are their commissions to a majority of their contributors far less than SS, they also do not credit contributors on the site, and offer no transparency whatsoever.
The list of their shortcomings in comparison to Shutterstock is long and has been discussed here ad nauseum. So please don't hold Istock/Getty up as any sort of example of moving the industry in the right direction.
Well said.
+ ♥
-
You are absolutely right about depending on where you live. I lived in Miami for 16 years prior to moving here. Even though Miami is almost 300 miles further south than we are, their climate is much milder. Being on the Atlantic coast, rather than the Gulf, gives a much cooler ocean breeze. Also, being on the tip of the peninsula, there is a great cross breeze all the time. Even the hottest summer months, Miami is much more temperate than Tampa.
The people in Tampa area are much friendlier though, and there is a lot less crime where we live here. So there are always tradeoffs. If you decide to come to Florida in the heat of summer, though, I suggest the Atlantic coast. :)
I thought the weather was pretty much the same in the Tampa area and in the Miami area. It gets a little cooler in Tampa during the "winter", but not much. For the most part, you get beautiful weather from October to April. Then, a hot, muggy summer from May through September.
-
Hello all. I'm new in this forum and in microstock too. My experience with SS is becoming more and more weird. Maybe you can help and explain what's happening.
I passed the test in march, from the second attempt, and was very happy about it. I was uploading to other sites for about a month, and I thought, now with SS, I'm in wonderland. I must say that I have entry level equipment, and I shoot for about one year and a half, one year with a bridge and then with a DSLR. I'm a beginner and I shoot for fun, but my numbers are I'd say, too low, and the graphic showing an incredible decline, despite I submitted more photos:
march - 44 files - 7dls - 1.75$
april - 74files - 19dls - 35.76$, and I thought, ya man, this is SS
may -113 files -29dls - 12.14$, beginning to come back on Earth
and then...june...
25.06 - 168 files - 21dls - 5.25$...
Another interesting thing is that, in the first month, with 20-30 files, my record of dls per day was 3. After about 4 months, this remains the maximum number of dls per day- this month with only one day like this.
Curious about your beginner experiences at SS, maybe I'm wrong about it. Thank you all.
-
Hello all. I'm new in this forum and in microstock too. My experience with SS is becoming more and more weird. Maybe you can help and explain what's happening.
I passed the test in march, from the second attempt, and was very happy about it. I was uploading to other sites for about a month, and I thought, now with SS, I'm in wonderland. I must say that I have entry level equipment, and I shoot for about one year and a half, one year with a bridge and then with a DSLR. I'm a beginner and I shoot for fun, but my numbers are I'd say, too low, and the graphic showing an incredible decline, despite I submitted more photos:
march - 44 files - 7dls - 1.75$
april - 74files - 19dls - 35.76$, and I thought, ya man, this is SS
may -113 files -29dls - 12.14$, beginning to come back on Earth
and then...june...
25.06 - 168 files - 21dls - 5.25$...
Another interesting thing is that, in the first month, with 20-30 files, my record of dls per day was 3. After about 4 months, this remains the maximum number of dls per day- this month with only one day like this.
Curious about your beginner experiences at SS, maybe I'm wrong about it. Thank you all.
Shutterstock is very well known for boosting new files. If a file gets quite a few downloads in the first few days it will show up high in the best match results. if it doesn't perform well when given this boost it will fall very quickly to lower in the search.
Buyers also often sort by newest and download all the new images which is why you see an increase in downloads when you first upload files. The downloads then drop off after a few months.