MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => Dreamstime.com => Topic started by: litifeta on July 17, 2008, 16:24

Title: Taste of DT buyers has changed, any clues?
Post by: litifeta on July 17, 2008, 16:24

At the same time I have increased my portfolio by 100% at DT, my sales have decreased by the same percentage.

I have checked keywords, loaded more photos to suit the best sellers, but something has changed over the past 12 months.

DT buyers are buying something different. Now checking out what is popular seems to show "all time popularity". Is that true? Am I missing something?

Any thoughts on what is selling these days?

Title: Re: Taste of DT buyers has changed, any clues?
Post by: jsnover on July 17, 2008, 16:46

I have no real information, but your problem may not be subject matter. My sales on DT have plummeted. I'm assuming some search engine changes, but don't know. I don't upload there any more, but that's certainly not your issue!

Title: Re: Taste of DT buyers has changed, any clues?
Post by: hoi ha on July 17, 2008, 22:49

I am experiencing the opposite - my downloads are increasing over time as opposed to the other sites I upload to - But I wouldn't say they are exactly taking off either ... it's more of a slow, creeping - but at least steady - increase.

I have noticed that there are a lot of new and very accomplished contributers that have joined Dreamstime over the past year so I think the "quality competition" is heating up big time as well.

Title: Re: Taste of DT buyers has changed, any clues?
Post by: faber on July 17, 2008, 23:21

Erratic sales figures for me at DT, up and down and up and down....despite constant uploads.

Title: Re: Taste of DT buyers has changed, any clues?
Post by: epixx on July 17, 2008, 23:31

Quote from: faber on July 17, 2008, 23:21

Erratic sales figures for me at DT, up and down and up and down....despite constant uploads.

Same for me. Yesterday was BDE, but most days are just..... yaaaawn. They are struggling to keep their fourth position. Used to fight with IS for second.

Title: Re: Taste of DT buyers has changed, any clues?
Post by: Graffoto on July 18, 2008, 00:30

I have stopped uploading to DT as I am planning to see how being an exclusive at IS works.

Having said that, it was never a fast sell through for me there, even though I had an 'editors choice' once.
That file did turn out to be my best volume seller there, but not the biggest $$ maker. That honor went to a file with an extended license.

Bottom line, I can't find rhyme nor reason as to what their buyers want, but I can't discern any changes either.

Title: Re: Taste of DT buyers has changed, any clues?
Post by: sharpshot on July 18, 2008, 01:41

I have had a nice steady increase in earnings there.  Much more consistent than istock.  Sales are a little bit slower this month but it is the summer vacation season, so that is to be expected.

Title: Re: Taste of DT buyers has changed, any clues?
Post by: fotografer on July 18, 2008, 02:42

This month DT and FT are doing great but SS despite uploading what I think are some of my best photos yet and IS are between 30 and 40% down.  The other smaller sites are about normal.

Title: Re: Taste of DT buyers has changed, any clues?
Post by: vonkara on July 18, 2008, 09:58

Look to keep your acceptance ratio high

Title: Re: Taste of DT buyers has changed, any clues?
Post by: peep on July 18, 2008, 10:04

Oh, I do not know about the change of buyers´ taste. But I do know another thing. A lot of buyers who used to pay me a dollar a download or more are now using their bloody subscription and pay only a fragment or the original price for the very same files. I have not noticed any decrease in the number of downloads or any significant change of the themes. But I have noticed a great decrease in money paid for the files.

Title: Re: Taste of DT buyers has changed, any clues?
Post by: rjmiz on July 18, 2008, 11:19

I make over $300 every month with DT. Nothing has changed since I have been with them since July 2005.

In order to judge, or get a feel for how a sites sales are going, you can't do it in a months time.
You will need to do it over a minimum period of 12 months.

Image demand varies on season, holidays, current events, etc.

Cranky MIZ
The voice of reason

Title: Re: Taste of DT buyers has changed, any clues?
Post by: vphoto on July 18, 2008, 13:23

I make stagnant $40-45 for 5th consecutive month. My portfolio is increasing, but not the sales. I do not blame DT. Only 3 microstock sites worth concentrating on are SS, IS and DT.