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Author Topic: Is Dreamstime dying?  (Read 80972 times)

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WarrenPrice

« Reply #100 on: April 21, 2010, 16:33 »
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I want to succeed at Dreamstime.  I want to succeed at all the agencies to which I contribute.  I want them to succeed so that I can succeed.  

BUT ... for the life of me I can't understand why Achilles continues to be so obstinate about the latest pricing structure.  Sure, it makes sense that subscriptions drive the images to higher levels.  BUT ... are the higher level images being downloaded?  If so ... what sizes are being downloaded?

I'm selling lots (for me) of subscription images at "Maximum" size for 35 cents.  Any credit sales are small or xsmall.  And, I have not sold one single Level 3 image since the new structures began.  What good is Level Three when no one downloads them?  Am I the only one with a 53 cent RPD?

Sorry, Achilles, I tried to keep my mouth shut.  Do whatever you must.  I have to call 'em as I see 'em.   >:(


« Reply #101 on: April 21, 2010, 16:49 »
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Yes they are.  I would say that about 30 -40% of my sales are from level 4 and 5 images.   My RPD has been over 2$ for 7 months now and for the last 3 months have  been close to 3$.
 
 BUT ... are the higher level images being downloaded?  



WarrenPrice

« Reply #102 on: April 21, 2010, 19:08 »
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Yes they are.  I would say that about 30 -40% of my sales are from level 4 and 5 images.   My RPD has been over 2$ for 7 months now and for the last 3 months have  been close to 3$.
 
 BUT ... are the higher level images being downloaded?  



Ahhhhh...there's the problem.  I don't have level 4 & 5 images.  If these Leve 3 images don't sell, how will I ever get one?   ::) ;D

« Reply #103 on: April 21, 2010, 21:52 »
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I have one level 5, seven level 4, 25 level 3.  They do sell for credits, but more commonly in the smaller sizes.  It's basically the subs that get the larger sizes.  But then, this is what the credit prices vs subs prices tend to do: it just gets more attractive to buy a subs package. 

If DT and FT did not offer subs, most buyers would probably stay buying credits, more selectively.  See IS subs model and how credits still prevail by large there. 

« Reply #104 on: April 22, 2010, 02:50 »
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I just looked at the figures on a random level 5 image and found some surprising results.

Of the last 50 sales at DT only 11 were sub sales (the first 25 sales were still at level 4)
The credit sales  were
3 x maximum
1 x extra large
3 x large
11 x medium
8 x small
14 x extra small
total earnings on the 50 sales - 204$

I looked at the same image at Istock and found
xxl x 4
xl x 1
L x 10
med  x 11
small  x 7
xs x 17
total earnings on the 50 sales - 73.74$

At IS I only made more than 5$ on one  of the sales and at DT I made more than 5$ on 18 of the sales.
This month so far the image has been sold only 5 times at DT but has sold 25 times at IS. (although last month in general sales I had  2x more sales at IS than DT but made more earnings at DT.

« Reply #105 on: April 22, 2010, 03:16 »
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For that, I think FT is more "fair" about what images are being "found" by the search .
or at least, I am guessing this must explain why newest images sell fastest  on FT, while DT seems to take
weeks.. months.. whatever.

any speculations  from experts here why this may be so?

Always depends where your image shows in the search engine. I have one image which sold like 7 times at DT and which I uploaded 2 weeks ago or so. No sales on the other agencies. Then I have an image which you expect to be a real bestseller and is has just one sub download and others where you really wonder why don't they get downloaded. So basically a lot of luck is involved. However focus on quality helps to get sales once you have a lucky position in the search.

« Reply #106 on: April 22, 2010, 08:55 »
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No Dreamtimes is not dying with stats like this
Photographers: 90,470
Users online: 2,763
Guests online:  5,661
 ;D

« Reply #107 on: April 22, 2010, 10:39 »
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I just looked at the figures on a random level 5 image and found some surprising results.

Interesting indeed, and as suprising as mine with IS as the highest RPD.  DT would have been higher excluding subs.  I looked back at my sales this year, to see the high numbers.  I had a L4 XL earning me 6.06, a L4 M earning me 5.0, a L4 M earning me 5.19 and a L4 M earning me 3.75.  Nothing else above US$3.

In my latest 60 sales, 38 were credits.  In the 22 subs, most were obviously XL-max-add - I would do that too if I were a buyer.  On a side note, I was curious about the additional format - a vector - as I don't have a record of having uploaded a vector to DT.

Anyway, of the 38 credit sales, the concentration is on L1-L2 and on smaller sizes (see below, that's credits only).  L3+L4 were 8 in credits and 7 in subs - not a real difference.

WarrenPrice

« Reply #108 on: April 22, 2010, 10:40 »
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No Dreamtimes is not dying with stats like this
Photographers: 90,470
Users online: 2,763
Guests online:  5,661
 ;D

what do those numbers mean, Jack?  Are you comparing them to last year?  To iStock? or shutterstock?  123rf doesn't have a forum.  can they be compared?
Is it about growth from last year or are those totals intended to show market share?

I'm all for DT being successful, as I stated in the previous post.  I simply chose this thread as a place to post my rant.  I've watched my RPD steadily decline from $1.24 a year ago to 89 cents today.  I'm selling fewer images for less money.

Time between payouts has increased; not decreased.  Shutterstock is making twice as much money for me in half the time.  123rf is making more money for me than DT with about the same size port.  I have far fewer images at SS and three times the sales.  

I just wish there was some way for DT to relate the size of an image to the price.  It is not working for me.  For those with the level 5 images.  Congratulations.  I do hope your success continues.  I think it would, even if Achilles decided to do something about the size of subscription images.  

I know someone will throw in some more numbers; RPI for instance.  That's fine.  I real read and try to understand.  The only number that really matters, however, is how much is going into my bank account.

And, as you old timers like to point out, I don't do this for a living.  I do use the money, however.   :P

gbcimages

« Reply #109 on: April 22, 2010, 10:50 »
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for me it's dying. last 20 sales 18 subs  2 credit. I've notice a gradual decline

Xalanx

« Reply #110 on: April 22, 2010, 11:41 »
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For me DT is slightly improving in the last month.

CCK

« Reply #111 on: April 22, 2010, 12:53 »
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Already the best month since August for me. My RPD is $1.26 at the moment, that is a best ever for me.

lisafx

« Reply #112 on: April 22, 2010, 13:32 »
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My RPD at DT has been between $1.40-1.60 for over a year.  I still find that credit sales (for me) outnumber subscription sales, and I sell several level 4-5 images every weekday.

So basically no complaints.  I would be even happier if my sales volume was increasing instead of remaining static, but all in all it's not bad.

« Reply #113 on: April 22, 2010, 15:04 »
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Since I started this thread, DT is slightly improving so I should start another one. ;) ;D
Here we go, my numbers are:
In my last 100 sales, 57 were credits and 43 subs (mix of them) (same period last year 64 credits and 36 subs)
Credits:
1 credit - 15
2 credits - 0
3 credits - 9
4 credits - 11
5 credits - 6
6 credits - 0
7 credits - 7
8 credits - 2
9 credits - 1
10 credits - 2
11 credits - 3
16 credits - 1
« Last Edit: April 22, 2010, 15:11 by Kone »

« Reply #114 on: April 22, 2010, 15:47 »
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Since I started this thread, DT is slightly improving so I should start another one. ;) ;D
Here we go, my numbers are:
In my last 100 sales, 57 were credits and 43 subs (mix of them) (same period last year 64 credits and 36 subs)
Credits:
1 credit - 15
2 credits - 0
3 credits - 9
4 credits - 11
5 credits - 6
6 credits - 0
7 credits - 7
8 credits - 2
9 credits - 1
10 credits - 2
11 credits - 3
16 credits - 1

Very interesting exercise.... I just looked at my last 100 sales at DT, and here's how they break down...

In my last 100 sales, 75 were credits and 25 subs (mix of them) but haven't looked into same period in 2009 yet to compare...
Credits:
1 credit - 21
2 credits - 2
3 credits - 15
4 credits - 4
5 credits - 9
6 credits - 1
7 credits - 7
8 credits - 1
9 credits - 5
10 credits - 5
11 credits - 4
12 credits - 1

« Reply #115 on: April 22, 2010, 19:05 »
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For me April has been absolutely dreadful.  I get plenty of views but no downloads this month at all.  I wish the review times were better 150+ hours is obnoxious and eps files should be reviewed at the same time the jpgs are like everywhere else I'm at.  I wish things would turn around there really.  I hate being like this but that's how I feel.

« Reply #116 on: April 28, 2010, 14:35 »
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My RPD has really plummeted these last 2 months, the number of sales is about the same, but mostly sub and 1 credit sales now. Out of the last 20, I have 3 multi credit sales (4, 7, 7), 6 - 1 credit sales, and 11 subs, one of which was level 4. I don't know if DT is pushing level 1 images now because they get a greater % or what, but it is a little frustrating to have my sales be about the same # but the return for me to be so much lower. Maybe DT is getting just as much or more so they don't care.

Still, it is frustrating and I'd like to see it turn around.

« Reply #117 on: April 28, 2010, 15:13 »
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For my small port for past 12 months: RPD 1.46
2010 credits/levels, including for higher level images, working well
« Last Edit: April 28, 2010, 15:20 by ann »

« Reply #118 on: April 28, 2010, 16:07 »
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Sales have slowed right down, as have the sales amounts...been questioning whether to bother uploading more work. reminds me of that good old Aussie saying if this car were a horse I'd shoot it.

« Reply #119 on: April 28, 2010, 16:54 »
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I haven't tried to run the numbers but just flipping back through the pages of my sales it does seem like the cheap subscrption sales are steadily increasing as a percentage of downloads.  Just like the other sites. 

« Reply #120 on: April 29, 2010, 01:49 »
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It's good to hear that some people are achieving satisfying sales on Dreamstime, however, I in my case, sites such as 123RF and CanStockPhoto have well and truly overtaken it.  In the first couple of years on the site, it was up there amongst the top three for me.  Now, in order of sales, the sites run this way for me: Shutterstock, iStock, 123RF, CanStockPhoto, DT, FT etc. etc. etc.

« Reply #121 on: April 29, 2010, 02:31 »
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Last month I made 18 times more at DT than at 123rf.  It amazes me to hear somebody say that they are doing better at 123rf.  Wow and just noticed that you aslso do better at 123 than at FT where I made 25x more.
In my case, sites such as 123RF  have well and truly overtaken it.
« Last Edit: April 29, 2010, 02:34 by fotografer »

lagereek

« Reply #122 on: April 29, 2010, 04:19 »
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I just searched "engineer"  up comes 995 PAGES!!  first 2 and 3 pages are full of shots with ZERO downloads, almostn ZERO views and with all respect lousy material.
See, this is what its all about.
« Last Edit: April 29, 2010, 04:28 by lagereek »

« Reply #123 on: April 29, 2010, 09:36 »
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I have the solution to make everyone happy.  If you're not selling well at Dreamstime, and filled with so much anger about it that you have to keep badmouthing DT here, stop uploading.  You'll save yourself a lot of hassle and frustration.  And you'll be providing less clutter for those of us who are doing extremely well at DT these days.  Plus, buyers won't have to sift through so many images they don't want, and the DT reviewers will have less work to do.  It's win-win-win-win!

WarrenPrice

« Reply #124 on: April 29, 2010, 10:01 »
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I have the solution to make everyone happy.  If you're not selling well at Dreamstime, and filled with so much anger about it that you have to keep badmouthing DT here, stop uploading.  You'll save yourself a lot of hassle and frustration.  And you'll be providing less clutter for those of us who are doing extremely well at DT these days.  Plus, buyers won't have to sift through so many images they don't want, and the DT reviewers will have less work to do.  It's win-win-win-win!

Sorry ... we have no where else to badmouth.  the DT forum is restricted to cheerleaders.   :P
I noticed the recent explanation of the pricing structures has disappeared from DT forum?  Or, maybe I browsed to fast and missed it?


 

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