MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => Cutcaster => Topic started by: chrisdorney on September 26, 2012, 04:11

Title: Worthwhile or not?
Post by: chrisdorney on September 26, 2012, 04:11
Hi,  I have only submitted about 100 images onto Cutcaster for the time-being.  I was just wondering what your opinions are of Cutcaster?  Have you had many sales?

I know that Cutcaster is at (or near) the bottom of the Microstock Poll Results but I was just checking if there are any "bright lights at the end of the tunnel" for Cutcaster submitters?

Thanks,

Chris :)
Title: Re: Worthwhile or not?
Post by: Carl on September 26, 2012, 04:56
Not for me.  I have a thousand files there, and a grand total of three sales.  One in November of last year, one in February of this year, and one in July (this year).  "Your mileage may vary."
Title: Re: Worthwhile or not?
Post by: fotografer on September 26, 2012, 05:06
4 sales in August giving me less than 9$ and not a single sale so far this month but really easy upload so I stick with them.
Title: Re: Worthwhile or not?
Post by: CD123 on September 26, 2012, 07:18
Removed (sorry, was referring to wrong site)  :-[
Title: Re: Worthwhile or not?
Post by: chrisdorney on September 26, 2012, 08:22
Thanks for your replies so far.  Yeah I heard that the sales are more of a trickle than a cascade.  I suppose there is no harm in submitting all of your files there - even if it brings in one pay-cheque a year it's something.  And you can rely on the other agencies to bring in the real dough :-)
Title: Re: Worthwhile or not?
Post by: BaldricksTrousers on September 26, 2012, 08:43
A trickle would be wonderful. I've made $1.96 there this year from 1,200 files and last year they made over $10!!!!
Title: Re: Worthwhile or not?
Post by: sharpshot on September 26, 2012, 09:21
I still upload there occasionally.  Get a trickle of sales but nothing to get excited about.  Some of these small sites have a few good months every now and then and that just about makes it worth uploading.  Definitely not worth it for people just starting out or those that don't get regular payouts but if you're selling lots on the big 4, its an easy upload and they seem like nice people to work with.
Title: Re: Worthwhile or not?
Post by: luissantos84 on September 26, 2012, 09:40
they seem like nice people to work with.

apart from kicking out people after saying they are dead in terms of sales ;D
Title: Re: Worthwhile or not?
Post by: stockastic on September 26, 2012, 10:21
I didn't make sales there and decided to remove my portfolio mainly in the interest of simplicity.  One positive thing I will say about them is that leaving their agency was no problem, a single email was all it took, they immediately deleted everything and replied with a confirmation.   This is not a small matter, as there are other sites where getting out is a major pain.
Title: Re: Worthwhile or not?
Post by: m@m on September 26, 2012, 10:22
Hi,  I have only submitted about 100 images onto Cutcaster for the time-being.  I was just wondering what your opinions are of Cutcaster?  Have you had many sales?

I know that Cutcaster is at (or near) the bottom of the Microstock Poll Results but I was just checking if there are any "bright lights at the end of the tunnel" for Cutcaster submitters?

Thanks,

Chris :)

Check out past threads on the subject, and make your own conclusion ;)
Title: Re: Worthwhile or not?
Post by: EmberMike on September 26, 2012, 11:20
Quote
Worthwhile or not?

Unfortunately, no.

Title: Re: Worthwhile or not?
Post by: tab62 on September 26, 2012, 14:35
Not  :-\

Title: Re: Worthwhile or not?
Post by: corareed on September 26, 2012, 16:11
Thanks for your replies so far.  Yeah I heard that the sales are more of a trickle than a cascade.  I suppose there is no harm in submitting all of your files there - even if it brings in one pay-cheque a year it's something.  And you can rely on the other agencies to bring in the real dough :-)

This is a great attitude to have.  I personally submit to about 20 agencies.  I get a check a year from each of the small ones, 6 checks from the middle ones, and one a month from the usual suspect.

I look forward to seeing your work!!!
Title: Re: Worthwhile or not?
Post by: stockastic on September 26, 2012, 17:00
As it is now, everyone is trying to sell everything to everyone.   In the long run, I hope to see the small agencies find ways to distinguish themselves from the big ones, in terms of marketing and content.  Eventually, those of us with small portfolios of  unusual or niche material should be able to find small agencies that are something of a 'match',  and then it would be worthwhile for us to submit to them.   
Title: Re: Worthwhile or not?
Post by: corareed on September 27, 2012, 17:35
As it is now, everyone is trying to sell everything to everyone.   In the long run, I hope to see the small agencies find ways to distinguish themselves from the big ones, in terms of marketing and content.  Eventually, those of us with small portfolios of  unusual or niche material should be able to find small agencies that are something of a 'match',  and then it would be worthwhile for us to submit to them.

I agree with you in a lot of ways.  I have been in micro from day two or so and found that many sites, when they start up, let's say the first 3 million or so images, will take just about anything, or import an unedited api.  I think that's a mistake.  I think the first 3 million are critical, and having a clean site from the beginning is key.  A slower boat of higher quality. 

Just thoughts.  I am writing a book on the subject (108 topics so far, kill me) from the inside out.  I think a lot of the slower sales at bigger sites is due in part to a glut of images and search fatigue. 
Title: Re: Worthwhile or not?
Post by: luissantos84 on September 27, 2012, 18:09
As it is now, everyone is trying to sell everything to everyone.   In the long run, I hope to see the small agencies find ways to distinguish themselves from the big ones, in terms of marketing and content.  Eventually, those of us with small portfolios of  unusual or niche material should be able to find small agencies that are something of a 'match',  and then it would be worthwhile for us to submit to them.

I agree with you in a lot of ways.  I have been in micro from day two or so and found that many sites, when they start up, let's say the first 3 million or so images, will take just about anything, or import an unedited api.  I think that's a mistake.  I think the first 3 million are critical, and having a clean site from the beginning is key.  A slower boat of higher quality. 

Just thoughts.  I am writing a book on the subject (108 topics so far, kill me) from the inside out.  I think a lot of the slower sales at bigger sites is due in part to a glut of images and search fatigue.

donīt forget to write about how to deal with contributors ;D
Title: Re: Worthwhile or not?
Post by: stockastic on September 27, 2012, 20:12
I think a lot of the slower sales at bigger sites is due in part to a glut of images and search fatigue.

This is the elephant in the room.   
Title: Re: Worthwhile or not?
Post by: gillian vann on November 17, 2012, 04:32
so my 2 sales from a mere 48 files is not so bad?
Title: Re: Worthwhile or not?
Post by: Dan on November 17, 2012, 05:43
     I  hope  they're  worthwhile.  Just  uploaded  some  editorial.  Have  just  a  few   reg  pics  but  still  too  few  too   judge.
Title: Re: Worthwhile or not?
Post by: gillian vann on November 27, 2012, 05:16
As it is now, everyone is trying to sell everything to everyone.   In the long run, I hope to see the small agencies find ways to distinguish themselves from the big ones, in terms of marketing and content.  Eventually, those of us with small portfolios of  unusual or niche material should be able to find small agencies that are something of a 'match',  and then it would be worthwhile for us to submit to them.

I agree with you in a lot of ways.  I have been in micro from day two or so and found that many sites, when they start up, let's say the first 3 million or so images, will take just about anything, or import an unedited api.  I think that's a mistake.  I think the first 3 million are critical, and having a clean site from the beginning is key.  A slower boat of higher quality. 

Just thoughts.  I am writing a book on the subject (108 topics so far, kill me) from the inside out.  I think a lot of the slower sales at bigger sites is due in part to a glut of images and search fatigue.
this might be a dumb question, or often asked, but why don't agencies start culling non selling images after an arbitrary time period (say, 3 years?)