MicrostockGroup Sponsors


Author Topic: How are you doing at BigStock?  (Read 51864 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

« Reply #125 on: August 06, 2009, 06:59 »
0

for my images, BigStock outsells in dollars and in the number of dl's than ALL the other sites I am on put together. That's right, ALL of them. For the last 90 days BigStock is about 25 DL's and $30.00 ahead of all the rest put together.

-Larry

You must be on really bad sites Larry ;)

Your port is great, there is no way BigStock can be the best website saleswise. They maybe great people, but the sales aren't the greatest. You have 2000 something photos on BigStock, and 500 something on dreamstime. If you upload the rest of your port to dreamstime, they will make much more than BigStock.

And what about IS, SS, StockXpert, FT? You must join them as well, Than you will see that BigStock is at best 6th best site saleswise. At best!



Hi CIDEPIX

I tried uploading all of my 2,400 images to DT but they reject like crazy. So everytime they reject a batch of images I went through my portfolio and deleted images similar to them and did not try to upload any of them just to get another rejection. I am now uploading currant images to DT and still can get only a 70% approval rate. And as for the other sites you mentioned. I upload to one or two sites at a time, I am on 4 sites now and will add more later.

BigStock is still my Number one in sales dollars.

-Larry


« Reply #126 on: August 06, 2009, 08:30 »
0
Put SS and IS ahead of the others Larry!

Pick your best 10 for SS' initial application and you will be selling them like hot cakes  ;)

« Reply #127 on: August 06, 2009, 09:32 »
0
Downloads were slow during June and July for me, but now they are starting to pick up. BS is a small but steady earner for me, and it's still worth my time to keep uploading. I'm also very happy with the way they treat their contributors.  :)

WarrenPrice

« Reply #128 on: August 06, 2009, 15:48 »
0
Larry,
I know you are a big supporter and are doing well there.  If I were doing as well, I would be a huge supporter too.  I'm just wondering, what is your secret. 

I've been there just over a year now and have accumulated only $10.50.  I have just over 200 images; not a lot, I realize, but with just 113 images at 123rf I have reached $15.98 in just two months.  I have 3 months and 155 images at StockXpert and just over $10. Dreamstime is averaging an image a day now with 225 images.  Cutcaster is doing nothing now but I did get a payout before it died.

Many, if not most, of my images are the same across all the sites.  What is it that I need to do to sell images at BigStock?

And, I'm not being a smarta$$, Larry.  I really would like some insight.

Thanks,

PS: actually, cutcaster is selling only editorial stuff for me.  is that the kind of discovery I need to make at BigStock?


« Reply #129 on: August 06, 2009, 16:41 »
0
Larry,
I know you are a big supporter and are doing well there.  If I were doing as well, I would be a huge supporter too.  I'm just wondering, what is your secret. 

I've been there just over a year now and have accumulated only $10.50.  I have just over 200 images; not a lot, I realize, but with just 113 images at 123rf I have reached $15.98 in just two months.  I have 3 months and 155 images at StockXpert and just over $10. Dreamstime is averaging an image a day now with 225 images.  Cutcaster is doing nothing now but I did get a payout before it died.

Many, if not most, of my images are the same across all the sites.  What is it that I need to do to sell images at BigStock?

And, I'm not being a smarta$$, Larry.  I really would like some insight.

Thanks,

PS: actually, cutcaster is selling only editorial stuff for me.  is that the kind of discovery I need to make at BigStock?



Warrenprice,

I took a look at your port (every image) and for the most part I see nothing wrong with it as you have a good variety and shot well. But do you have sports where you live? How about big fancy houses with long paved driveways? Kids playing and being just kids? etc.

Take a slow walk through my BigStock port and see what sells for me. Most importantly what does not sell.  ;D

Keep on shooting, sales will come.

-Larry

« Reply #130 on: August 06, 2009, 21:40 »
0
Put SS and IS ahead of the others Larry!

Pick your best 10 for SS' initial application and you will be selling them like hot cakes  ;)

cidepix , there is only one diff about BigStock.
BigStock pays us a higher end commission than IS and SS.

what I am saying is that if you take the number of dls larry gets with BigStock and apply it to IS or SS,
he will be earning much less than with BigStock.
I earn as much with BigStock as I earn with FT, or StockXpert or DT. Only that I have far more dls at the other sites because the end commission is so little .

So, I don't really think getting to IS and SS is a solution if you are successful with BigStock. Their buyers are certainly different from that of IS and SS or even DT.  And you get paid more per dl than the Big 6.

That, plus the way Lisa and Joseph of Support treat us, makes it why people like Larry and me
prefer to be with BigStock than go begging for SS with their silly application system .
We are not that much of a sucker for punishment just to be with SS ... wait for their month to month application . Sorry but we have better things to do than go begging to the beast.

Maybe Larry has a different reason . But this is mine.

« Reply #131 on: August 06, 2009, 23:18 »
0
Put SS and IS ahead of the others Larry!

Pick your best 10 for SS' initial application and you will be selling them like hot cakes  ;)

cidepix , there is only one diff about BigStock.
BigStock pays us a higher end commission than IS and SS.


You think so?!

BigStock actually pays you %20.

Check for how much they sell the credit packages. You are in for a rude awakening perseus.  :)

Sure you get %50 of 1 credit. But they charge customers a ridiculous $2.50 per credit.

Good morning sir!  ;D

« Reply #132 on: August 07, 2009, 06:05 »
0
Put SS and IS ahead of the others Larry!

Pick your best 10 for SS' initial application and you will be selling them like hot cakes  ;)

cidepix , there is only one diff about BigStock.
BigStock pays us a higher end commission than IS and SS.


You think so?!

BigStock actually pays you %20.

Check for how much they sell the credit packages. You are in for a rude awakening perseus.  :)

Sure you get %50 of 1 credit. But they charge customers a ridiculous $2.50 per credit.

Good morning sir!  ;D


Prices for BigStock image sales as quoted from their home page:

Image Pricing:Image pricing is flexible and our prices are the lowest in the industry based on the quality and file size you receive:

First you purchase image credits. With these credits you can download images - larger image cost more, smaller images cost less:
Smaller images, 900x675 px = 1 credit
Medium images, 1600x1200 px = 2 credits
Large images, 2800x1800 px = 4 credits
Extra large images, 3800x2900 px = 6 credits
 
Image Credits Cost Your Price Per Credit 
1 $2.50 $2.50
10 $20 $2.00
20 $35 $1.75
30 $45 $1.50
100 $140 $1.40
300 $300 $1.00
 As you can see very clearly that only a very few persons would buy one credit for $2.50. Most serious buyers would buy 300 credits at a dollar each and the photographer gets a full 50% commission on those sales.

Go ahead and list all the other sites price packages and commission rates here to compare.

Yes, I get more downloads at other places but more DOLLARS per month at BigStock. ... and to me that is the only figure that counts. The money you can put in the bank. Additionally image views mean nothing and pay nothing.

Furthermore I also will not jump through hoops and submit images for some pimple face kid to decide if I am good enough to be on their site. I just flat refuse. I have not tried once and I NEVER will.

-Larry.

« Reply #133 on: August 07, 2009, 08:49 »
0
Larry, Larry  ;)

1 to 10 credits = $2.50

You can bet many people get this option, because they don't want to waste more money than $25 on BigStock. I have a friend who buys from dreamstime regularly but instead of getting too many credits at once, he never buys credits and makes the customer pay for the credit in the beginning of every project. So every time it is a small purchase.

And big companies you say?! They don't bother to shop from BigStock anyway.

And I don't want to put the numbers here about IS and SS. You are burning your money by not putting your images on these sites. Trust me. If you had the same number of images on IS and SS you would make about 30 times more on IS than BigStock. This is not a joke.

With a few images less than BigStock, istockphoto makes 30 times more than BigStock for me.

Yup! At least 30 times more Larry! This is serious. You have money to burn! And SS will be 15 to 20 times better than BigStock. And when your images are freshly uploaded you can maybe buy a car from 2200 images on SS in the first month!

I don't know why are you waiting for? Don't waste your time to stand for BigStock  :) I want your goodness!
« Last Edit: August 07, 2009, 08:57 by cidepix »

« Reply #134 on: August 07, 2009, 09:08 »
0
Agree, both SS and IS are certainly worth a try.

« Reply #135 on: August 07, 2009, 10:05 »
0

Furthermore I also will not jump through hoops and submit images for some pimple face kid to decide if I am good enough to be on their site. I just flat refuse. I have not tried once and I NEVER will.

-Larry.

rofl, well spoken Mr. Larry.
I too, although maybe not as senior as gentleman Larry nor esteemed or successful with BigStock,  still, as Mr Larry so well stated, I would prefer to pass on the hoops with the some condescendig pimple faced kid telling me  to try again in a month ( and again..and again.. according to consensus on this forum..). until he/she passes me 7/10 with my application so I can have the shameful dis-honour of feeding the SS beast.
If monthly income is the issue, I'd rather push shopping carts or even panhandle, lol.

 No thanks, I'll rather stick it out with BigStock .
« Last Edit: August 07, 2009, 11:38 by perseus, Who ? »

« Reply #136 on: September 04, 2009, 16:47 »
0
Humm I just dont understand why  I dosent have one sale. Even just one will show something is going on at BigStock. But zero sells show me just a dead side with many uploder and less buyer.

I just checked your portfolio on BigStock. Your correct you have no sales ...... BUT you have no images to sell either. Put some photos on BigStock and I am sure the sales will come.

-Larry


hehehe - true!

anyway, also for me bigstock is a superlow seller. i am uploading on 9 sites at the moment. BigStock is definitely the first one i would skip (my port has about 500 pics)...

« Reply #137 on: September 04, 2009, 17:49 »
0
After 3 years I've deleted my portfolio. It was a big mistake to wait so long.  20% commissions are unacceptable for almost no selling site.

KB

« Reply #138 on: September 04, 2009, 19:12 »
0
They're my #6 or #7 income producer, so I certainly don't spend much time on them.

But:
o Their UL procedure is relatively painless.
o NO SUBS!
o 2nd highest average RPD (due to NO SUBS! ;D )
o Usually (not always) consistent reviews
o Good customer service

I'm not going to drop them any time soon, but I would like to seem them sell more (but not if it means adding subs).

« Reply #139 on: September 05, 2009, 00:08 »
0
@Larry~

I am very impressed with your ability to sell your photos at Bigstock.  I've just struggled there.  I have over 100 images there, but only have earned $6.50 over the past year.  I'm very frustrated with myself and ability to sell photos there.

Could you take a peak at my portfolio and maybe give me some insight as to where I'm going wrong with Bigstock? 

I'd really appreciate it much.  Its so hard to be motivated to upload pictures there when week after week I check my account and no sales!  :(

Is Bigstock a site where you must constantly continue to upload files to get old files looked at?

« Reply #140 on: September 05, 2009, 07:45 »
0
I'm surprised you aren't doing better than that...you have many nice photos in your port.

I do know that it took me well over 100 images when I first started to see the sales rolling in. The only advice I can offer is to keep shooting and uploading. I notice you have many animal photos and many underwater photos. They are great, but perhaps you just picked a subject that doesn't do well here.

Try diversifying your photos a little more, that may help. My two cents worth.

« Reply #141 on: September 05, 2009, 07:49 »
0
@Larry~

I am very impressed with your ability to sell your photos at Bigstock.  I've just struggled there.  I have over 100 images there, but only have earned $6.50 over the past year.  I'm very frustrated with myself and ability to sell photos there.

Could you take a peak at my portfolio and maybe give me some insight as to where I'm going wrong with Bigstock? 

I'd really appreciate it much.  Its so hard to be motivated to upload pictures there when week after week I check my account and no sales!  :(

Is Bigstock a site where you must constantly continue to upload files to get old files looked at?


Your house shots: Are cropped too tight. Leave room to show the yard and driveway.
Pets: Everyone loves them but no one buys them. (Like flowers)
Now add about 1 or 2,000 more images for steady sales. This is a numbers game!

Sales update for me: Dreamstime is now in the lead with only 1/5 the number of images as BigStock. Last month DT sold twice as many shots and earned twice as much money.

Good luck and keep on shootin'

-Larry

« Reply #142 on: September 05, 2009, 13:11 »
0
Larry ~ Thanks for your time and for looking over my BigStock portfolio.  I will definitely heed your advice.  I have some more residential home photos I can upload.  I'll see if I can do better on the crop to include more of the landscaping.

As for the pet photos, I would like to dispel the misnomer surrounding these type of photos, actually they DO sell quite well on my other Microstock Sites. In fact, with only 30 images in my portfolio on Istock I sold an extended license on a dog photo, just as one example.   (Trust me, I wouldn't have so many shots if they weren't selling somewhere  ;)).  I guess BigStock is just not the place for them. 

Thanks for your honesty and constructive criticism.  I will try and put my nose to the grindstone and upload more images.  Its just been hard to get motivated because it seems like a lot of work for little reward so far.  BUT... I plan to hang in there. ;D

Thanks Again!

« Reply #143 on: September 05, 2009, 14:19 »
0
BigStock is a slow but steady seller for me.  Over the years I've made about the same in BigStock as in CanStockPhoto and 123 combined.  This year CanStockPhoto is high above them because of the Fotosearch sales, but overall I am happy with BigStock (and they have not conceded to subs!).

« Reply #144 on: September 05, 2009, 16:09 »
0
BigStock is a slow but steady seller for me.  Over the years I've made about the same in BigStock as in CanStockPhoto and 123 combined.  This year CanStockPhoto is high above them because of the Fotosearch sales, but overall I am happy with BigStock (and they have not conceded to subs!).
I have to agree...it is a slow but steady machine with sales from $.50 to $2.50 per DL. And Larry is correct, regardless of web site, you're going to need more than 100 photos to make an impact. I only have around 600 (this is not what I do for a living...I actually BUY everybody elses photos for web and print work...so if you guys really want to know how buyers think/where they purchase from/what they are willing to pay-I have the skinny) but they seem to have a slow-but-steady traction. I don't even mind that they bumped their payout to $50...still lower than most.

« Reply #145 on: September 05, 2009, 18:36 »
0
OK Anonymous- You said you know what the skinny is on "how, where and what buyers will pay". What is the skinny? I really would like to know.
Thanks Smiling Jack

« Reply #146 on: September 06, 2009, 00:03 »
0
I second that!  What's the skinny.... please DO tell!  Please tell us "how, where and what buyers will pay"  we are all ears.  Everyone here, I'm sure, would seriously want to know this valuable information.

« Reply #147 on: September 06, 2009, 11:21 »
0
I second that!  What's the skinny.... please DO tell!  Please tell us "how, where and what buyers will pay"  we are all ears.  Everyone here, I'm sure, would seriously want to know this valuable information.
Okay...(hoping I'm not highjacking the thread)
I work for 2 companies...one is a Fortune 1000, the other I own. I do all kinds of design - web, print, trade shows, etc. I (we) have never purchased a subscription (thusly, we've never used anything from SS). While 50% of the images we purchase have been from IS, the other 1/2 of the time they're purchased elsewhere (even with their large inventory, IS doesn't have everything). I also purchase from 123, BS, Scanstock, CS, and pretty much any site that has what the client needs. I am not near as concerned with the "technical" quality of the shot (I'm quite able to use Photoshop to fix stuff) as I am the dynamic aesthic. Give me something that makes me laugh, cry, scratch my head...anything that makes me look twice. Since I pass the cost on to the client (with a slight markup), I will pay $1.00 to $100...if the image is right, price is not an issue. Only on rarest occasions have we had to use RM photos...RF inventories are so large that you can (almost) always find what you need without ponying up $$$.
I've also done a large amount of work for "entertainment" establishments (billboards, magazine ads, interior wall artwork, stages). A lot of MS sites do not carry these types of images for whatever moral reasons, thusly I HAVE to go to other sites to obtain them - In January, some lucky photogs had a VERY nice month (we purchased about $4000 worth of images to be used in the entry way of a new club in the Caribbean)...

Summary:
1. buyers will pay pretty much whatever is needed
2. in my 15 years of design, I've never purchased a photo of flowers, people shaking hands, or a globe...i DO buy images that strike an emotion..ANY emotion. And I LOVE series photos - a good but varied series can make all the difference when designing an ad campaign...I like fisheye closeups of mean-nasty dogs, erotic lingerie, strange looking people, strange locations, etc.
3. don't go exclusive as I have no loyalty to any one MS site...everyone i work with has no loyalty to any one MS site. We DO have loyalty to our clients and will go wherever to obtain the images that will make their campaign/ad work.
4. variety - shoot different stuff. I never know one week from the next what I'm going to need
5. In 2008, we spent just under $22,000 on stock and 90% of the photos purchased were not "typical" stock photography. So the next time you get one of those lovely "not suitable for stock", "type of photograph", "not what we're looking for" rejection, submit it to another site because SOMEBODY will have use for it.

So get out there and shoot some stuff I can use -QUICK! :)
« Last Edit: September 06, 2009, 11:25 by anonymous »

« Reply #148 on: September 06, 2009, 11:28 »
0
^^^ Thanks for that anonymous. A good read and very interesting __ that has to be worth a Heart!

« Reply #149 on: September 06, 2009, 12:44 »
0
Anonymous, I agree with what you say because, apart of sounding knowledgable in these issues they make perfect sense.  I always wondered why I sell what I sell at Alamy and this is just the answer. 


 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
4 Replies
4799 Views
Last post April 16, 2008, 21:02
by dianajo
9 Replies
6377 Views
Last post May 12, 2009, 08:13
by Milinz
61 Replies
26572 Views
Last post April 23, 2010, 07:25
by ThomasAmby
15 Replies
9968 Views
Last post June 10, 2010, 16:54
by click_click
2 Replies
3634 Views
Last post May 03, 2010, 15:20
by Xalanx

Sponsors

Mega Bundle of 5,900+ Professional Lightroom Presets

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors