Author Topic: How are peeps doing at StockXpert? (Read 8890 times)

hatman12 · « **on:** February 08, 2008, 18:23 »

How is everyone doing at StockXpert?

I was interested to see the comment by andresr that his sales are running at only 50% of November levels. My own sales are down 30%, but in money terms the drop is 40%.

The first week of February continues the 40% reduction in income.

I see an increase in subscription sales at the expense of L and XL sales, and this probably explains the drop. I have to say I'm not happy about this.

On present evidence I feel somewhat 'baited and switched'; a year spent uploading based on good sales and 50% commissions, only to find the agency then 'switches' at the expense of my own income.

I hope I am wrong and that this is just a dull period for StockXpert. But my gut feel is that for photographers the good times at StockXpert are over...

rjmiz · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2008, 18:32 »

Oh no, please say it ain't true.... I just joined StockXpert a few weeks ago!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

The MIZ

DanP68 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2008, 18:54 »

I've been with them since October and never understood what all of the buzz was about. They come in about 10-20% under BigStock and slightly ahead of 123RF. It has been pretty consistent for 4 months running. Nice added income to have, but a pretty small portion of my overall earnings.

stokfoto · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2008, 18:56 »

august was my best month there since then I experience decrease. but it still is not too bad all other sites improving but StockXpert going down that may not be a good sign I am afraid

dbvirago · « **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2008, 19:00 »

In January, only Canstock did worse. Feb is looking no better.

Travelling-light · « **Reply #5 on:** February 08, 2008, 19:02 »

BME was October. November was lower, but since then, no change really.

January was about the same as November, December lower as expected.

First week in February is on target to be the same as Nov and Jan.

As happens most months, they are almost exactly level with FT and BS.

Linda

leaf · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2008, 19:03 »

stockxpert is 2x what bigstock is for me.

sharpshot · « **Reply #7 on:** February 08, 2008, 19:07 »

There was a slump over Christmas and January but this week has been back to normal. I think this is just a seasonal thing.

sharply_done · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2008, 19:08 »

StockXpert has never been a prime income source of mine and last month things were even worse than they normally are. Sales are looking healthier this month, though, and my income from them should be back at the expected level. Here's the same thing graphically:

hatman12 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2008, 19:15 »

Fingers crossed that you are right sharpshot, and this thing is just seasonal.

I do, however, have a feeling in me ol' bones, and as you know my bones should not be ignored.......

epixx · « **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2008, 19:24 »

So far this year, my total sales are around 80% over the same period last year. One of very few exceptions is StockXpert, which is sinking at an alarming rate. If they have convinced a lot of customers to go for subscriptions, that may be one of the reasons. I've opted out of that one, and if that is really the case, they may as well die a sudden death if you ask me.

~~Their reviewers seem to have done just that btw. I haven't had an image reviewed there in many weeks. Did they forget to feed them?~~

Correction: suddenly, they have reviewed all my images. They even approved a couple of them

madelaide · « **Reply #11 on:** February 08, 2008, 19:31 »

November was a great month for me, then Dec and Jan slowed down a bit, back to the previous average, now Feb is bad so far and at the current rate this will be a very poor month for me there. Pity, I liked StockXpert so much!

Regards,
Adelaide

Kngkyle · « **Reply #12 on:** February 08, 2008, 19:37 »

It came in 3rd for me last month, down from 2nd. Sales are slowing it seems. Dreamstime on the other hand is really picking up. So is Fotolia and Istock.

vphoto · « **Reply #13 on:** February 08, 2008, 20:43 »

I joined StockXpert 3 weeks ago. 7 sales with 377 images now online.

rjmiz · « **Reply #14 on:** February 08, 2008, 22:16 »

I joined 2 weeks ago.
40 sales with 273 images on line

epixx · « **Reply #15 on:** February 09, 2008, 01:34 »

Quote from: rjmiz on February 08, 2008, 22:16

I joined 2 weeks ago.
40 sales with 273 images on line

Are those subscriptions or regular sales?

rjmiz · « **Reply #16 on:** February 09, 2008, 02:13 »

I'm not to familiar with StockXpert, but when I go to "My Account" I see a mixture of both.
I have .30, .50, and $1.50 DL's

I assume .30 are subcriptions, and thew rest are credits.

Be well,
The MIZ

Bateleur · « **Reply #17 on:** February 09, 2008, 04:50 »

They've gone nuts.

My last batch of images took about 3 weeks to be reviewed. They've just been done and most were rejected for not having a model release. All the rejected pictures, except one, showed people who were either far too small to be identified or were in back view so completely unidentifiable.

The one other that was rejected was of my dog, sitting on an empty road that stretched away towards the horizon. Not a human in sight.

What do they want? A paw-print on the model release? That's what I'm gonna send 'em

maunger · « **Reply #18 on:** February 09, 2008, 07:58 »

I'm confused... how is it the MIZ can join 2 weeks ago and get several hundred images online while i've had 11 images under review for almost 3 weeks?

Pixart · « **Reply #19 on:** February 09, 2008, 10:45 »

Quote from: rjmiz on February 09, 2008, 02:13

I assume .30 are subcriptions, and thew rest are credits.

Miz... you opted in for subs? Shock horror!!

Maunger: Don't they have a dedicated person for new aps? Thinking back when I signed up this individual left and they were training someone and it was delayed. Unless my alzheimers has scrambled my memory...

anonymous · « **Reply #20 on:** February 09, 2008, 11:18 »

Steve-O...you out there?

? Any insight?

Phil · « **Reply #21 on:** February 09, 2008, 18:56 »

july 4.6% (5th)
aug 5.8% (4th)
sep 6.3% (4th)
oct 6% (4th but only few dollars btw StockXpert,ft,123)
nov 4.5% (6th)
dec 3.3% (7th)
jan 3% (7th) picked up in the last week on jan
feb so far 5% (5th above ft by $1.05)

been *hoping* it was just a bad patch and we will back to growing

mwp1969 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 10, 2008, 01:00 »

I was approved about two weeks ago if I remember correctly and am still waiting for a first batch of images to be looked at ...

Mark

rjmiz · « **Reply #23 on:** February 10, 2008, 01:25 »

For those of you waiting weeks for a reviewer, I suspect you did not load your images correctly.

Assuming you used FTP to upload your images, there is one more step you must complete.
the images below will be of some help.

Click My Images on the front page.

Click the tab that says "StockXpert Briefcase"

Finaly transfer any images in the list to "Transfer to Gallery" Button.

Your images are NOW loaded correctly and will now be reviewed.

I hope this helps. Of and one more thought. I have currentl uploaded 281 images in total.
NOT ONE WAS REJECTED for any reason, 100% acceptance.

Best to you all,
The MIZ

Kngkyle · « **Reply #24 on:** February 10, 2008, 02:07 »

The last time I uploaded, which was only a couple days ago, it took less than 24 hours for them to get reviewed. (and approved)

mwp1969 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 10, 2008, 02:34 »

Quote from: rjmiz on February 10, 2008, 01:25

For those of you waiting weeks for a reviewer, I suspect you did not load your images correctly.

Assuming you used FTP to upload your images, there is one more step you must complete.
the images below will be of some help.

Click My Images on the front page.

Click the tab that says "StockXpert Briefcase"

Finaly transfer any images in the list to "Transfer to Gallery" Button.

Your images are NOW loaded correctly and will now be reviewed.

I hope this helps. Of and one more thought. I have currentl uploaded 281 images in total.
NOT ONE WAS REJECTED for any reason, 100% acceptance.

Best to you all,
The MIZ

MIZ,

Were your ears burning? I was just watching your tutorial with the farmhouse that was overshadowed !?

Anyway ... I'll give what you say a shot as I was beginning to wonder ... I didn't think anything of it since I had seen many cases in the forums of long wait times at StockXpert.

Thanks !

Mark

mwp1969 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 10, 2008, 02:39 »

Quote from: rjmiz on February 10, 2008, 01:25

For those of you waiting weeks for a reviewer, I suspect you did not load your images correctly.

Assuming you used FTP to upload your images, there is one more step you must complete.
the images below will be of some help.

Click My Images on the front page.

Click the tab that says "StockXpert Briefcase"

Finaly transfer any images in the list to "Transfer to Gallery" Button.

Your images are NOW loaded correctly and will now be reviewed.

I hope this helps. Of and one more thought. I have currentl uploaded 281 images in total.
NOT ONE WAS REJECTED for any reason, 100% acceptance.

Best to you all,
The MIZ

MIZ,

Actually I remember that I didn't use FTP on this site. I was uploading in small batches over a period of several days ... but I appreciate the advice for when I do use the FTP

Mark

araminta · « **Reply #27 on:** February 10, 2008, 04:46 »

I had big hopes for StockXpert: it was #3 throughout 2007 and even take the #1 place in november!! Alas, it then dropped and is now on par with DRM and FOT for me. I also get a big drop in earnings for IS and SS since november however, but it was a stellar month for me and I guess it is normal to go back to earth

I've opted out from subscription at StockXpert this month as I saw subscription sales going from less than 8% of my sales before december to more than 20% in january. It also seems to me that I've now a lot more S/M and less L/XL than previously.

I'm afraid I put too much hopes in StockXpert... let's see what will happen now.

But I have no problem with reviewing time or acceptance ratio.

steve-oh · « **Reply #28 on:** February 12, 2008, 20:44 »

Hi guys,

Sorry for the late response to this. I wanted to share and discuss your comments with others on the StockXpert team and make sure we were all on the same page.

And I'll cut to the chase. While our goal is to grow both credit and subscription components, I've been reassured that the priority is to grow the credit side and make you guys more money.

We don't want subscription to cut into credit sales. Your comments indicate that this might be happening, but it's still too early to see any definite trends, especially as other have indicated with the bad holiday season. It has taken subscriptions a couple months to get to a level where we can begin to accurately compare it against credit sales, so we only have a month or so of real data. But we will closely monitor this.

I just wanted to reiterate our comittment to StockXpert and you guys, and we definitely don't want to do anything that hurts either of us.

Thanks!
-Steve

araminta · « **Reply #29 on:** February 13, 2008, 03:10 »

Thanks for answering, Steve.

I've opted out from subscription, but I cannot tell whether or not subscription sales do cannibalize credit sales. I guess you have more information on this point and you probably know whether subscription give you more customers or do they shift from credit purchase to subscription? But I guess you will not share this information here

My main reason for this decision is to see photo sold for $0.30 commission which I found more and more difficult to accept as credit commission do increase on most sites.

At StockXpert you have quite high commission from the beginning, but now with the recent increases at IS, DT (new level definition) and FT (new XS size which increase the commission for bigger sizes), I become accustomed to $2+ commission per download.

And it is thus more and more difficult to accept subscription model for me, whether it is as SS, StockXpert or DT or other smaller sites.

When reading forums like this one, it is clear that "serious" photographers do not like subscription model most of the time. There are now some (hopefully) interesting new opportunities with midstock (Featurepics) and macrostock sites (Alamy) or even print & goodies sites (Zazzle) and I guess many are investigating new opportunities. Another option being the IS exclusivity.

It is why I think that subscription model has no future from a contributor point of view. But of course there is also the buyer point of view and you have to take them both into account

But my feeling is that within a few years, the best contributors (the one who bring you 80% of your earnings I guess) may give up with subscription sites.

Just my 2 cents.

steve-oh · « **Reply #30 on:** February 13, 2008, 06:48 »

Thanks for your thoughtful reply, araminta.

I definitely understand where you are coming from, which is why we offer the opt-in/out on subscriptions.

I don't think the top contributors are going to give up on subscription as long as we can show subscription is an additional source of income, rather than cutting into credit sales. We've said all along that subscription is to target a different set of buyers. If credit sales go down while subscriptions go up, then we also lose money.

An image is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. The same (or different) image could sell for .$30 through subs, $5 through micropay or $100 at midstock. If you are hitting different buyers at each level, then you should be making money, and the top contributors know this.

Deciding your image is not worth $.30 is definitely a respectable position to take, but it might not be the best business decision to make.

We also hope to launch some new opportunities this year aimed at helping you guys earn more money, so hang in there. It's only February.

-Steve

araminta · « **Reply #31 on:** February 13, 2008, 08:30 »

Quote from: steve-oh on February 13, 2008, 06:48

I don't think the top contributors are going to give up on subscription as long as we can show subscription is an additional source of income, rather than cutting into credit sales.

True, but is is very difficult do show it. There are so many factors to take into account that it is almost impossible to clearly know whether subscription is an additional source of income or not.

However, as soon as I'm convinced you are true, I may reconsider my decision

Quote from: steve-oh on February 13, 2008, 06:48

An image is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

You are talking from a business point of view here which is normal as you are here to do business. And you are right... from a business point of view.

But you are wrong from a contributor point of view. As a photographer, I define my own "price" for my images and I consider that some of them are worth more than $0.30 or even $10 or $100 or whatever. Of course, I do not expect that buyers will agree with my price, but I have the option not to put those images on sale or only on macrostock sites.

Microstock is indeed a quite special business as many contributors are not professionals. Microstock is not ONLY about business and you are in the difficult situation to satisfy both the buyer and the photographer because your business depends on both. Not an easy task for sure

helix7 · « **Reply #32 on:** February 13, 2008, 10:57 »

Since introducing subscriptions, my credit sales at StockXpert have gone up significantly. January was my BME at StockXpert, and I expect February to match or exceed it.

That is not to say that my credit sales wouldn't have gone up anyway, and for all I know the jump in sales is totally unrelated to subscription. It is possible that I'd be earning even more if subscriptions weren't around. But there is no way to know that at this point, and right now my sales are up anyway, so I'm happy.

graficallyminded · « **Reply #33 on:** February 13, 2008, 11:04 »

I love StockXpert - so glad I joined a while back. It's been a heavy hitter. The only problem I personally have is getting images approved

I tried a few vectors and got them rejected for not being eps 8.0 (they were saved as illustrator 8.0 eps, so I don't get it)

araminta · « **Reply #34 on:** February 13, 2008, 11:22 »

Vector must be EPS 8, but there are other constraints which have to be met. Have a look at iStock FAQ which is quite clear.

For example, your vector must not contain any open path, transparency effect or rasterized gradient.

epixx · « **Reply #35 on:** February 13, 2008, 11:58 »

Quote from: steve-oh on February 13, 2008, 06:48

I don't think the top contributors are going to give up on subscription as long as we can show subscription is an additional source of income, rather than cutting into credit sales. We've said all along that subscription is to target a different set of buyers.

If subscription sales are not cutting into credit sales, what are they cutting into?

What is this "different set of buyers" you are talking about?

Pixart · « **Reply #36 on:** February 13, 2008, 14:19 »

SteveOh, I would really like to see a sub opt-in for individual photos. I'm opted out right now, but I might opt in some aging files if I had the option.

How do sub sales affect search engine ranking. More overall sales push it to the top of the heap?

vphoto · « **Reply #37 on:** February 20, 2008, 13:17 »

Quote from: vphoto on February 08, 2008, 20:43

I joined StockXpert 3 weeks ago. 7 sales with 377 images now online.

now it is 16 sales (non subs, of course) with 430 images. More sales than at BigStock or 123rf.

madelaide · « **Reply #38 on:** February 20, 2008, 16:32 »

I'm having a very slow month in StockXpert. Right now it's resting as my 4th earner, a hair above BigStock and Zymm. How sad... Subs are not the culprit (20% of dlds), I'm simply getting far less sales.

Regards,
Adelaide

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Author Topic: How are peeps doing at StockXpert? (Read 8890 times)

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