Author Topic: Thinkstock earnings posted (Read 63679 times)

ap · « **Reply #50 on:** April 17, 2010, 13:19 »

even though the hemera collection only reflects about 1/3 of my original StockXpert photos, i had more dl (same amt of earnings due to the subs). it was also an increase on last month's performance. i'm surprised it's doing better under the thinkstock brand than the old StockXpert brand, probably due to getty heavily promoting it.

ThomasAmby · « **Reply #51 on:** April 17, 2010, 13:21 »

Quote from: cclapper on April 17, 2010, 08:55

Quote from: ThomasAmby on April 17, 2010, 08:33
How come I keep getting money from Thinkstock when I opted out at both StockXpert and iStock? This is really frustrating, I don't want to have my images available there

I understand totally how you feel. I opted out also. I sent emails every day and posted in the IS forum about the problem, over and over. After a lot of "should be next week" answers and some grief from people in the IS forum who had been on IS way less time than I had, my images were totally gone from Thinkstock. I had already been opted out both on StockXpert and IS for a couple of months and my images still went to TS. I was thoroughly frustrated and not very nice about it.

People can make excuses about the snowstorm and how it costs lots of money to set up a server correctly (see another thread here about istock server problems) but in my opinion they were never set up to handle any of this. What good was having the opt out button to check on IS, when images got opted in anyway? It's almost like the checkbox was put there to shut us up when we complained because there wasn't an opt out, but the button was never really connected to anything on the back end.

Yeah that's really annoying. I already contacted iStock once and got the "in a few weeks" reply. Might have to contact them again.

Ploink · « **Reply #52 on:** May 07, 2010, 10:32 »

Just wanted to let you know that StockXpert posted Thinkstock earnings for April today...

studioportosabbia · « **Reply #53 on:** May 07, 2010, 10:54 »

I'm still waiting till they transfer my account to the Hemera Thinkstock collection. I received a message that the proces is still running till early summer:(

cclapper · « **Reply #54 on:** May 07, 2010, 11:05 »

Quote from: Ploink on May 07, 2010, 10:32

Just wanted to let you know that StockXpert posted Thinkstock earnings for April today...

So, how are things looking for you Thinkstock contributors? Just curious.

Ploink · « **Reply #55 on:** May 07, 2010, 11:21 »

Quote from: cclapper on May 07, 2010, 11:05

Quote from: Ploink on May 07, 2010, 10:32
Just wanted to let you know that StockXpert posted Thinkstock earnings for April today...

So, how are things looking for you Thinkstock contributors? Just curious.

When I add up my Thinkstock sales via StockXpert (Hemera) and via IS, I have a lot more subscription sales than before (when StockXpert was still StockXpert) - "a lot more" meaning by a factor of 2 - 3. What is missing, of course, are the PPD sales from StockXpert. I also was not affected by the drastic decline of TS sales that is discussed at the IS forums...

XPTO · « **Reply #56 on:** May 07, 2010, 12:29 »

Quote from: cclapper on May 07, 2010, 11:05

Quote from: Ploink on May 07, 2010, 10:32
Just wanted to let you know that StockXpert posted Thinkstock earnings for April today...

So, how are things looking for you Thinkstock contributors? Just curious.

The amount is somewhat similar to the subscription total sales in StockXpert in Jupiter times. But, since the PPD are missing, I'm only earning a third of what I've used to earn.

lisafx · « **Reply #57 on:** May 07, 2010, 15:50 »

Quote from: XPTO on May 07, 2010, 12:29

The amount is somewhat similar to the subscription total sales in StockXpert in Jupiter times. But, since the PPD are missing, I'm only earning a third of what I've used to earn.

Thanks for the info. Another reason for the lower earnings is most likely the 20% less TS pays for sub sales.

a.k.a.-tom · « **Reply #58 on:** May 07, 2010, 18:28 »

Quote from: cclapper on May 07, 2010, 11:05

So, how are things looking for you Thinkstock contributors? Just curious.

Since you asked, my dear cclapper....

THEY DON'T EXIST!! I WAS opted in on StockXpert and IS from the start and enjoyed fair sales at StockXpert thru StockXpert, photo & JIU.... regular checks blah blah blah.... and as of today, my stuff is STILL not migrated to TS. Blows my mind that all my friends here who DIDN'T opt in for subs.... didn't WANT TO BE opted in for subs... in fact, OPTED OUT for subs... seem to be there on TS... while all of us that were opted in from the start at both IS and StockXpert... ( kind of like, 'hey, we cooperated with you and sub'ed in, while others staunchly refused, we said okay...' like good little loyal robots ) yet we still sit idle WITH NO MONEY COMING IN. HONESTLY, I'M TICKED!!
Maybe I'm over reacting.... NOT! Fact is, seems impossible to get a response from anyone as to when we will get there... some one above said they were told... 'sometime into the summer'.

Frankly, ya gotta wonder. Those that don't want to be there, are... making money.. and those of us that want to be there, aren't... and not making a dime. WTH? Pretzel logic at it's finest.

Perhaps my stuff just sux that bad? And they don't want it? Not likely, as I'm still getting regular checks from IS.

=tom

Dook · « **Reply #59 on:** May 08, 2010, 04:23 »

I'm experiencing the same thing. This is all very confusing. Not opted in pictures through SX at TS. But, I havn't heard of people who opted out making money at TS through Hemera, or whatever, collection. Where did you hear this?

lisafx · « **Reply #60 on:** May 08, 2010, 16:11 »

Quote from: Dook on May 08, 2010, 04:23

I'm experiencing the same thing. This is all very confusing. Not opted in pictures through SX at TS. But, I havn't heard of people who opted out making money at TS through Hemera, or whatever, collection. Where did you hear this?

I never opted in and my pictures AREN'T there. Thank God. I can live without the paltry .25, thanks.

BTW, Tom. I wouldn't be too discouraged. If you read the IS thread, the people who are opted in and have images selling there aren't making money either. Nobody except Getty (and their wholly owned collection) are making any significant money on TS.

Ploink · « **Reply #61 on:** May 08, 2010, 16:56 »

Quote from: lisafx on May 08, 2010, 16:11

BTW, Tom. I wouldn't be too discouraged. If you read the IS thread, the people who are opted in and have images selling there aren't making money either. Nobody except Getty (and their wholly owned collection) are making any significant money on TS.

I, respectfully, beg to differ - I am making significant money. A least compared to what I am making on my regular IS sales. I'm not yet convinced that the March results on IS are correct for everyone, I can't imagine people going from 700 to 70 sales on TS in a single month - Rob promised to look into it, and the final word is still out...

VB inc · « **Reply #62 on:** May 08, 2010, 23:59 »

Quote from: Ploink on May 08, 2010, 16:56

I, respectfully, beg to differ - I am making significant money. A least compared to what I am making on my regular IS sales.

Now why are you false advertising? Even if you were making significant money, you wouldnt want to advertise it here and infect your competition with desperate thoughts

talk about advertisement tho , i see thinkstock banners everywhere.

Dook · « **Reply #63 on:** May 09, 2010, 05:43 »

Quote from: Ploink on May 08, 2010, 16:56

Quote from: lisafx on May 08, 2010, 16:11
BTW, Tom. I wouldn't be too discouraged. If you read the IS thread, the people who are opted in and have images selling there aren't making money either. Nobody except Getty (and their wholly owned collection) are making any significant money on TS.

I, respectfully, beg to differ - I am making significant money. A least compared to what I am making on my regular IS sales. I'm not yet convinced that the March results on IS are correct for everyone, I can't imagine people going from 700 to 70 sales on TS in a single month - Rob promised to look into it, and the final word is still out...

They added many more Getty family collections to TS during last month. So, now, Istock is just a small part of TS. It does make sense for sales to go down with the same number of pictures from Istock portfolio. They havn't added any of my pictures last month and my sales halved.

Eireann · « **Reply #64 on:** May 09, 2010, 08:12 »

Hi Dook,
I see things differently.
You aren't making significant money on TS. In fact, you aren't making any money at all. Not a single cent.
Getty is not advertising ThinkStock to some new, 'untapped market', - the Irish dairy farmers on Wicklow mountains.
They're advertising TS to your existing, already thinly stretched, list of customers. Every single sale on TS is a lost sale on your other, better paying sites.
But this has been discussed ad nauseam already, and I'm wasting my time.
It's the power of money, nothing compares to it.

By the way, IStock contributors seem to experience a decline in sales. Perhaps now is the time to stop the so called 'test' and take down TS adds from IStock's own site?

Collections on ThinkStock
A couple of days ago I read a thread on Istock. Contributors performed a few searches on ThinkStock. The results are clear. IStock is not a 'small' part of TS, lost among other, larger collections, but as much as half of it.
Half of the images on TS come from IStock. You're well represented there, you should be selling.
And I don't think it's a bug either. I don't think Rob can help you.
ThinkStock is a subscription site.
Have you ever bought a subscription?
You need fresh content on a daily basis. The more the merrier.
100.000 new, fresh images coming in every week at Shutterstock.
How many on TS?
20.000 at best? How many of those are fresh, new images?
This is where the problem is. Content is king and you haven't got it at ThinkStock. The way things are set up right now you never will.
But it's a good thing. Keep your fingers crossed for the status quo.
ThinkStock is a badly implemented site and it deserves to fail.

lisafx · « **Reply #65 on:** May 09, 2010, 15:20 »

Quote from: Ploink on May 08, 2010, 16:56

I, respectfully, beg to differ - I am making significant money. A least compared to what I am making on my regular IS sales.

I am glad you are happy with what you are making. However there may be a pretty wide latitude in what would be considered "significant" money I guess. If your income from TS is comparing favorably to your IS income we may have different ideas about what significant money is.

I have no personal experience of TS, so am drawing my conclusions from the 15+ page thread on IS. Your personal experience is very valid for you, but it seems to be in the minority, at least of the people posting.

michealo · « **Reply #66 on:** May 09, 2010, 15:33 »

Quote from: lisafx on May 09, 2010, 15:20

Quote from: Ploink on May 08, 2010, 16:56

I, respectfully, beg to differ - I am making significant money. A least compared to what I am making on my regular IS sales.

I am glad you are happy with what you are making. However there may be a pretty wide latitude in what would be considered "significant" money I guess. If your income from TS is comparing favorably to your IS income we may have different ideas about what significant money is.

I have no personal experience of TS, so am drawing my conclusions from the 15+ page thread on IS. Your personal experience is very valid for you, but it seems to be in the minority, at least of the people posting.

The op puts it in context, your comment just comes across as pompous

WarrenPrice · « **Reply #67 on:** May 12, 2010, 12:25 »

Copied the following from StockXpert site. It was posted today, May 12.

Hi everyone. I think I'll start a new thread for this just so that the news doesn't get lost.

I've just heard the latest about the migration process of StockXpert content to Thinkstock.

They are working right now on the final batch of approximately 1.2 million files. These are the last remaining StockXpert files that are opted-in for Thinkstock which haven't yet been moved over there.

Right now they are adding a few thousand every day. The entire process should be completed in about 6 weeks.

lisafx · « **Reply #68 on:** May 12, 2010, 12:52 »

Quote from: michealo on May 09, 2010, 15:33

The op puts it in context, your comment just comes across as pompous

Oh well. You are entitled to your opinion. $:-\$

For clarity's sake, lets say $100 (minimum payout level) per month would be "significant". I have followed the threads closely and don't see many claiming to make anywhere near that on TS.

If anyone is making that much or more at Thinkstock on a regular basis then I hope they will post here and clear up my misconception that TS is only paying pocket change.

RacePhoto · « **Reply #69 on:** May 12, 2010, 13:22 »

Quote from: WarrenPrice on May 12, 2010, 12:25

Copied the following from StockXpert site. It was posted today, May 12.

Hi everyone. I think I'll start a new thread for this just so that the news doesn't get lost.

I've just heard the latest about the migration process of StockXpert content to Thinkstock.

They are working right now on the final batch of approximately 1.2 million files. These are the last remaining StockXpert files that are opted-in for Thinkstock which haven't yet been moved over there.

Right now they are adding a few thousand every day. The entire process should be completed in about 6 weeks.

So the announcements that said soon, which started in Feb. can be translated as six months? (maybe?)

Yes, I can see the angry mob now running into the streets shouting YEAH BABY!

(I wasted hours making this, I needed an excuse to use it again...)

Until everything gets moved or not moved and the IS images get into the partner program or not, which is all up in the air, I will suspend my opinion of whether this is folly, pocket change or income. My expectations are pocket change.

Ploink · « **Reply #70 on:** May 19, 2010, 04:06 »

Quote from: lisafx on May 12, 2010, 12:52

For clarity's sake, lets say $100 (minimum payout level) per month would be "significant". I have followed the threads closely and don't see many claiming to make anywhere near that on TS.

If anyone is making that much or more at Thinkstock on a regular basis then I hope they will post here and clear up my misconception that TS is only paying pocket change.

I won't post absolute numbers here, but in February ThinkStock sales made 20% percent of my total IS income, in March it was 35% - with a portfolio of approx. 500 of what must be the worst stockphotos ever

So if someone with a "good portfolio" would opt their photos in, I'm sure there is significant money to be made - the question remains, of course, about the long term effect on sales on IS and - for non-exclusives - on all other sites...

FYI: April earnings from ThinkStock have started to trickle into my IS account today...

njnightsky · « **Reply #71 on:** June 08, 2010, 10:01 »

May earnings have been posted today

cthoman · « **Reply #72 on:** June 08, 2010, 10:23 »

Quote from: lisafx on May 12, 2010, 12:52

For clarity's sake, lets say $100 (minimum payout level) per month would be "significant". I have followed the threads closely and don't see many claiming to make anywhere near that on TS.

If anyone is making that much or more at Thinkstock on a regular basis then I hope they will post here and clear up my misconception that TS is only paying pocket change.

I would say that amount is achievable. I had 3 payouts there averaging about $40. I can't say if that was per month because the payout schedule was kind of convoluted and one of them was a final payout. It was a new site too, so I would think it would build buyers as it goes along (especially with all the advertising).

I ended up closing my account because the site seemed to have a lot of early hiccups and it was attached to a dead StockXpert account. That said, I'm definitely not ruling out signing back up.

lisafx · « **Reply #73 on:** June 08, 2010, 11:39 »

Thanks for keeping this thread updated. I still am opposed to TS because I don't want them cannibalizing the higher paying sites, but it is helpful to know what the trends are there.

Dook · « **Reply #74 on:** June 08, 2010, 13:01 »

Lisa, here is some more information. They moved half of my StockXpert portfolio to Hemera TS collection in last few weeks. Before that nothing. Today my balance at StockXpert account was higher for few dollars. I guess it is for last month, but I had only few days of May there. So, I let you know what happens next month.