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Agency Based Discussion => Dreamstime.com => Topic started by: hali on January 02, 2009, 00:12

Title: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: hali on January 02, 2009, 00:12
what a wonderful surprise, at the  end of the first day of  new year,
to find a  sale reported for 1.1.09.
here's wishing everyone a good year in dl with DST !

cheers !
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: Peter on January 02, 2009, 03:42
I had 2 sales on DT, 7 on SS, 3 on FT. Which is very poor. Hope holiday vacation will end soon, and buyers are going back to work
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: takestock on January 02, 2009, 08:22
Slow for me - still waiting on first.
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: abimages on January 02, 2009, 08:54
I've had sales everywhere so far this year....................er,except IS    :-\
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: shutterdrop on January 02, 2009, 09:39
Happy Year!
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: madelaide on January 02, 2009, 10:07
No sales this year yet. I used to get some late New Year image downloads in many sites, didn't get any this year.  :(

Regards,
Adelaide
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: RT on January 02, 2009, 11:33
I think things will pick up on Monday, certainly in the UK most independant businesses are shut till Monday.
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: borg on January 07, 2009, 09:26
No sales this year yet. My last sale was 20th of December, before that I had sale almost every day...

Am I normal!????  :P ::) ??? :o
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: lisafx on January 07, 2009, 09:46
Sales are still not up to pre-holiday levels for me, but they are improving. 

Borg, I think whether or not a down sales cycle means fewer, or no sales would be dependent on the size of your portfolio.  Hard to say what "normal" is. 
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: abimages on January 07, 2009, 09:50
Right now for me sales at DT are WAY ahead of all the others. Great start! :)
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: araminta on January 07, 2009, 09:55
For me IS seems to be back at the "pre-best match shake" level (which is very cool), but sales at DT are SLOOOW.
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: Pixart on January 07, 2009, 10:56
Boy, it's a slow start to the year, but as bad as it is, I'm a few $ higher than last year at this time.    After that lousy first week, Jan 08 was my BME thanks to quite a few EL's.  Would sure be nice if that happened again this year!
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: sharply_done on January 07, 2009, 12:09
For me IS seems to be back at the "pre-best match shake" level (which is very cool), but sales at DT are SLOOOW.

Ditto.
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: tubed on January 07, 2009, 12:30
For me IS seems to be back at the "pre-best match shake" level (which is very cool), but sales at DT are SLOOOW.

Ditto.

Ditto too.. But I don't want to jinx it.. Knock on wood, cross my fingers, throw some salt etc. etc..
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: araminta on January 07, 2009, 12:50
For me IS seems to be back at the "pre-best match shake" level (which is very cool), but sales at DT are SLOOOW.

Ditto.

Ditto too.. But I don't want to jinx it.. Knock on wood, cross my fingers, throw some salt etc. etc..

Ditto  ;D

Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: hali on January 07, 2009, 20:57
For me IS seems to be back at the "pre-best match shake" level (which is very cool), but sales at DT are SLOOOW.
Ditto.
Ditto too.. But I don't want to jinx it.. Knock on wood, cross my fingers, throw some salt etc. etc..
Ditto  ;D

Good to know that most of us are having some sales to start off 2009.
I even have one from IS, which is awesome considering I have such a small port there.
But unlike  you , DT has given me 2 sales in 2 days and StockXpert one for my newest upload,
...so fast...which is grand.  Now I'm waiting for Fotolia and BigStock to give me a sale each.

One thing though, my sales are of "cute animals" and "bright colours".
Maybe it's still seasonal sales for now. Whatever, I am happy, woo hoo! !   :)
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: tubed on January 07, 2009, 23:33
I had a pretty decent day today.. SS was back up to decent levels, DT gave me some $1 - 2 sales and StockXpert had some sales and I even had a decent sale at IS today as well, a few strgelers at the others.. so at least for today, things seem to be going decently..
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: null on January 08, 2009, 07:15
Right now for me sales at DT are WAY ahead of all the others.


Same here. The on demand of SS helps, but up till this moment, DT has earned exactly the same as SS in January give and take 0.29$. SS used to be almost the double of DT.

All sales in general are decent, given the economic depression, except Istk after the recent change (?) of best match:  ;D
(http://www.dreamstime.com/shocked-asian-emo-teen-boy-couple-thumb7547645.jpg)
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: travelstock on January 14, 2009, 07:39
Funny - DT was flying ahead last week, but this week seems to have dropped significantly, just when I've been uploading again for the first time in ages....
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: Fran on January 14, 2009, 09:41
DT completely dead for me.

Has also anyone noticed a pretty sharp raise of the quality bar on DT? My AR went down to 40% from 70% average per month and, worst, I can't understand some rejections. I must say they are always quick at answering my emails, but a couple of suggestions on how to improve a shot were quiet weird to understand.
I'm not against higher quality bar at all, cause it pushes me to increase quality, I'm just curious to understand if it's the case.
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: Tuilay on January 14, 2009, 10:02
DT completely dead for me.

Has also anyone noticed a pretty sharp raise of the quality bar on DT? My AR went down to 40% from 70% average per month and, worst, I can't understand some rejections. I must say they are always quick at answering my emails, but a couple of suggestions on how to improve a shot were quiet weird to understand.
I'm not against higher quality bar at all, cause it pushes me to increase quality, I'm just curious to understand if it's the case.

Fran, I personally have had no rejections from DT, but my friend had the odd rejections from them.
Ironically, they were the same rejection remarks made by IS and BST.
Methinks it's a common reviewer who just so happens to be working freelance with the 3 sites.
A bad case of "bum"-luck  (to quote my friend).

Hope you have better luck , maybe a different reviewer soon  ;)
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: hali on January 14, 2009, 10:05
Funny - DT was flying ahead last week, but this week seems to have dropped significantly, just when I've been uploading again for the first time in ages....

For me, I find Dreamstime comes in spurts. It feels like it dies on me and then wham I get a row of downloads. Maybe it's coming to be the same for you.
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: jsnover on January 14, 2009, 10:15

Fran, I personally have had no rejections from DT, but my friend had the odd rejections from them.
Ironically, they were the same rejection remarks made by IS and BST.
Methinks it's a common reviewer who just so happens to be working freelance with the 3 sites.

Unlikely as IS only draws from its exclusive contributors for the inspector pool. I think another explanation should be considered - what's that scientific principle that says the simplest explanation is most likely to be the correct one?
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: Fran on January 14, 2009, 10:23
Unlikely as IS only draws from its exclusive contributors for the inspector pool. I think another explanation should be considered - what's that scientific principle that says the simplest explanation is most likely to be the correct one?

I agree. The simplest explanation is that they are tightening the QA and I need to improve to keep my 70%. As simple as that, not a big deal really.
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: madelaide on January 14, 2009, 10:57
DT performed well in December for me, but very poorly this month.  Oh well.

Regards,
Adelaide

Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: Tuilay on January 14, 2009, 11:08

Unlikely as IS only draws from its exclusive contributors for the inspector pool. I think another explanation should be considered - what's that scientific principle that says the simplest explanation is most likely to be the correct one?

Exclusive contributors as reviewers? Now isn't that even a greater conflict of interest?

That makes 2 possible scientific explanation: 
---either your image stinks (WE KNOW THIS IS THE ONE)
---or your image is so good, that the reviewer wants it not to be in the pool (CONFLICT OF INTEREST)

There is a possibility of the second one happening, as we see some doosies in the exclusives' portfolios with Istock, as history as proven here  ;)
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: null on January 14, 2009, 11:12
what's that scientific principle that says the simplest explanation is most likely to be the correct one?


Ockham's Razor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam%27s_razor)
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: null on January 14, 2009, 11:18
That makes 2 possible scientific explanation: 
---either your image stinks (WE KNOW THIS IS THE ONE)
---or your image is so good, that the reviewer wants it not to be in the pool (CONFLICT OF INTEREST)

Correct. But they need the non-exclusives of course, so they can give the exclusives that good feeling of being discriminated positively. A sadist always needs a masochist to stay happy. Imagine iStock with only exclusives? How would they feel good then, knowing they don't have non-exclusives to bash.  ;D
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: Tuilay on January 14, 2009, 12:55
That makes 2 possible scientific explanation: 
---either your image stinks (WE KNOW THIS IS THE ONE)
---or your image is so good, that the reviewer wants it not to be in the pool (CONFLICT OF INTEREST)

Correct. But they need the non-exclusives of course, so they can give the exclusives that good feeling of being discriminated positively. A sadist always needs a masochist to stay happy. Imagine iStock with only exclusives? How would they feel good then, knowing they don't have non-exclusives to bash.  ;D

 ;D ;D touche, FlemishDreams  (sorry, speaking French only because I don't know how to say the same in your language).
oh btw from the other topic:  you asked why not  the name FlemishDreams for the new SS and FTL joint-venture . I think that's possible too. How much money do you intend to coughup to be a main shareholder of PhotoFleaMart, um I mean...FlemishDream?   ;D
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: araminta on January 14, 2009, 14:06
DT is almost DEAD for me this month... but IS is again and by far my top earner: this is the only agency I'm (very) happy with this month so far. If this is the result of their new "best of the world" best match algorithm... I'm happy with that  :)

How strange and unpredictable things are sometimes.
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: hali on January 14, 2009, 15:46
DT is almost DEAD for me this month... but IS is again and by far my top earner: this is the only agency I'm (very) happy with this month so far. If this is the result of their new "best of the world" best match algorithm... I'm happy with that  :)

How strange and unpredictable things are sometimes.

Obviously something is working well for you at IStock, congralutions araminta.
I have a bit of strange change too with Istock , sold 2 ... little ones but not enough to run out into the street to celebrate, ha!ha!.  But the approval is still a bit mysterious, I must say, eg. two identical
shoots both same lighting setup done within 10 minutes, just changing the subject, leaving all else unchanged, camera on tripod. No post processing on either one,except for Levels.
One approved the other rejected for "lens flare and overprocessed".
Confusing? Yes. But oh well, that's life in Istock.
  ::) 
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: borg on January 20, 2009, 05:59
Same to me!!!!

Veeery very low this month!
The enthusiasm from December is completely dissolved....
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: DanP68 on January 20, 2009, 06:33
DT performed well in December for me, but very poorly this month.  Oh well.


A lot of people are convinced there is a rotation in place at DT which affects your search placement.  Nobody can provide proof of course, but I believe it to be true.  I have full months which are unbelievably strong, immediately followed by months where sales are terrible.

Overall they are my second best earner, just ahead of iStock, so I couldn't be happier.  I just accept that their ups and downs will be far more dramatic than other agencies I work with.
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: Dreamframer on January 20, 2009, 08:32
DT was always good for me
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: LostOne on January 20, 2009, 08:37
DT performed well in December for me, but very poorly this month.  Oh well.


A lot of people are convinced there is a rotation in place at DT which affects your search placement.  Nobody can provide proof of course, but I believe it to be true.  I have full months which are unbelievably strong, immediately followed by months where sales are terrible.
I'm noticing the same pattern. It's funny to see that many of us ride the high wave while others are on a low wave. But after a month the roles are reversed.
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: madelaide on January 20, 2009, 09:34
I'm suffering that too.  DT was my best earner last month, now it's 6th.

Regards,
Adelaide
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: borg on January 20, 2009, 10:52
Rotation of contributors doesn't make sense (but can be true), search matching have to be at first place...
Title: Re: 2009 starting well... one sale in 1.1.09
Post by: tan510jomast on January 20, 2009, 11:01
If there is such thing as rotation as Dan suspects, why is it not a good thing?
This levels the playing field , especially for those with little in their portfolio. Size doesn't count , does it?  I'm not talking about that other s--- word, I referring to this s word ... stock  :D