Author Topic: What's happened to Dreamstime? (Read 11674 times)

Justanotherphotographer · « **on:** February 01, 2018, 04:32 »

I would always chime in on DT sales threads to that they have been slowly growing sales wise for me over the years. Nothing crazy, but older files tended to sell there more and over time build their tiers. It was good balance for other sites where new files would sell then quickly disappear.

Then about August last year sales went through the floor and have stayed there. My December 2017 was half of December 2018 and January barely two thirds of last years. That is with constant uploads and increase in quality.

What did they do? Has anyone else experienced this? I have a mix of illustrations and photos, so also interested in illustrators' experience.

jonbull · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2018, 07:38 »

is all relative if our last december was 1000 is still good money for a dead website.
in january i experienced some sales but i tend to sto p uploading there. was my second best earners in the past, with 1,5 rpd in absolute terms. but in the last year falling down.

Mantis · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2018, 07:43 »

I have similar experiences. I think mine started a bit farther back that last Aug. I wasn't making huge money on DT but around $160 a month. Their drop was not over night like some sites like SS. It was gradual over a year or two. Now I am making about $50 a month there (pic only, no vid). They are a low tier for me, just above CanStockPhoto and about tied with 123. Sad.

Justanotherphotographer · « **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2018, 08:44 »

It looks like a combination of both a decrease in RPD and a decrease in sales, so maybe they were losing market share and responded by pushing newer cheaper content, or selling things cheaper? I haven't been keeping track of there promotions or sales packages.
I have been making high 3 figures/ low 4 figures. Now more often middle 3 figure range.
Shame because they were one of the better sites in terms of contributor treatment (well better than IStock, DP, the old pre Adobe FL etc.)

derek · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2018, 09:14 »

DT is just dead! not overnight but over the last 2 years its just faded away. Used to be one of the most stable sites but ever since Serban took a back-seat its gone. See this is what happens when an agency gets stuck in just pushing sub-packages.

sgoodwin4813 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2018, 09:22 »

They always bounce around a lot from month to month but are holding steady. Last year overall was actually slightly better than the year before and January was OK - they were around 4th place, so still hanging in there. Canstock and 123 are the ones that have completely fallen off a cliff for me. Looks like I just dropped a level on 123 so not sure it's worth continuing with them, but DT still gets enough non-sub sales to make them OK.

Ides · « **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2018, 14:18 »

Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on February 01, 2018, 04:32

I would always chime in on DT sales threads to that they have been slowly growing sales wise for me over the years. Nothing crazy, but older files tended to sell there more and over time build their tiers. It was good balance for other sites where new files would sell then quickly disappear.

Then about August last year sales went through the floor and have stayed there. My December 2017 was half of December 2018 and January barely two thirds of last years. That is with constant uploads and increase in quality.

What did they do? Has anyone else experienced this? I have a mix of illustrations and photos, so also interested in illustrators' experience.

I've kept my sales at the same level for years. The end of last year and earlier this year are very very bad. It's first time so bad this way.

Hildegarde · « **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2018, 14:48 »

My sales there have been picking up over the past couple of months.

dpimborough · « **Reply #8 on:** February 03, 2018, 16:57 »

Dreamstime are a waste of space they never made over $200 in a year and 2017 was $143 in total which was lower than 2016 $187 ridiculous for a port of 2,000 images.

Photobomb · « **Reply #9 on:** February 03, 2018, 17:45 »

2015 I averaged about $200 a month (all photos)
in 2016 it was $160 a month
in 2017 it was $130 a month with some wild fluctuations (3 times under $100)

Slowly slipping away.

noodle · « **Reply #10 on:** February 03, 2018, 17:51 »

Dreamstime has fallen asleep at the wheel $:-\$

Pixart · « **Reply #11 on:** February 03, 2018, 18:00 »

I've got one better than you Just. Nov 2017 after refunds I made .36. I guess it's my fault for not uploading.

pics2 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 11, 2018, 07:54 »

First ten days of March, only one tenth of usual. Whats going on over there?

Chichikov · « **Reply #13 on:** February 11, 2018, 07:59 »

Quote from: pics2 on February 11, 2018, 07:54

First ten days of March, only one tenth of usual. Whats going on over there?

Maybe the problem is that we still are in February?

pics2 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2018, 08:31 »

Quote from: Chichikov on February 11, 2018, 07:59

Quote from: pics2 on February 11, 2018, 07:54
First ten days of March, only one tenth of usual. Whats going on over there?
Maybe the problem is that we still are in February?

Haha, thanks! Used some drugs , you have to understand. But, still, the sales are down horrible

changingsky · « **Reply #15 on:** March 03, 2018, 03:49 »

I see they have changed interface - now, being a contributor, i am forced to see pages for buyers, only then my digits are available. Looks like the same scenario as IS, we can interpolate next events.

Asthebelltolls · « **Reply #16 on:** March 03, 2018, 16:59 »

For what its worth I thought I could chime in and let you all know that today was my best day ever with Dreamstime. Multiple sales from many multiple buyers outselling Shutterstock 12 to 1 and the day isn't over. Why a Saturday of all days - who knows but I think its one of those lovely little anomalies that we all experience once in a while in the stock business.

I've been with Dreamstime for 7 years and for me its an agency that's never ruffled feathers. Their site is straight forward and easy to load. Their rates are as good as and often better than most agencies. They've been consistent and predictable since day one.

Dodie · « **Reply #17 on:** March 04, 2018, 02:04 »

Quote from: Asthebelltolls on March 03, 2018, 16:59

For what its worth I thought I could chime in and let you all know that today was my best day ever with Dreamstime. Multiple sales from many multiple buyers outselling Shutterstock 12 to 1 and the day isn't over. Why a Saturday of all days - who knows but I think its one of those lovely little anomalies that we all experience once in a while in the stock business.

I've been with Dreamstime for 7 years and for me its an agency that's never ruffled feathers. Their site is straight forward and easy to load. Their rates are as good as and often better than most agencies. They've been consistent and predictable since day one.

Yes, that happened to me too once, last December. A long row of big sales one after the other but when I look at lifetime earnings, DT is no better than BS or DP, not for me anyway.

SpaceStockFootage · « **Reply #18 on:** March 04, 2018, 02:10 »

I made about $110 with them in 2017. Just in February 2018, I made $58... so reasonably promising. Although I made nothing in January, have made nothing so far in March, and I probably won't make anything for another few months! Still one of my lowest earners.

rinderart · « **Reply #19 on:** March 16, 2018, 23:55 »

It's so sad what has happened to DT. they were always in My top 3. it really is a drag. I fear for them.

Mantis · « **Reply #20 on:** March 17, 2018, 08:39 »

DT and 123 are in the same death spiral. This will be the third consecutive month I did not make payout on 123, when just about a year ago I was making around $200 a month there. DT is at about the same rate now. Just under $50 a month, very lack luster. I'm glad I landed some juicy commissioned work.

Zero Talent · « **Reply #21 on:** March 17, 2018, 09:08 »

Quote from: Mantis on March 17, 2018, 08:39

DT and 123 are in the same death spiral. This will be the third consecutive month I did not make payout on 123, when just about a year ago I was making around $200 a month there. DT is at about the same rate now. Just under $50 a month, very lack luster. I'm glad I landed some juicy commissioned work.

I'm being paid monthly by DT, since more than 2 years, no exception. The amounts are rather stable.
123 is better than DT, but on a declining path, indeed.
My overall MS income is surprisingly stable, (+/- 10% on a monthly basis) for the past 2 years.
This means that all this is just a shift from one bucket to another.

derek · « **Reply #22 on:** March 17, 2018, 09:14 »

Quote from: rinderart on March 16, 2018, 23:55

It's so sad what has happened to DT. they were always in My top 3. it really is a drag. I fear for them.

Yes very sad! used to be brilliant and I remember when sales were plenty and for possibly the best prices of all micros. I think Serban is gone?? because there was a very different attitude within the agency when he was there, search-changes didnt just slaughter he used to make sure everyone got a fair deal. Just dont happen anymore!

Mantis · « **Reply #23 on:** March 17, 2018, 09:55 »

Quote from: Zero Talent on March 17, 2018, 09:08

Quote from: Mantis on March 17, 2018, 08:39
DT and 123 are in the same death spiral. This will be the third consecutive month I did not make payout on 123, when just about a year ago I was making around $200 a month there. DT is at about the same rate now. Just under $50 a month, very lack luster. I'm glad I landed some juicy commissioned work.

I'm being paid monthly by DT, since more than 2 years, no exception. The amounts are rather stable.
123 is better than DT, but on a declining path, indeed.
My overall MS income is surprisingly stable, (+/- 10% on a monthly basis) for the past 2 years.
This means that all this is just a shift from one bucket to another.

If this holds true, that is better than a tumbling customer base.

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Author Topic: What's happened to Dreamstime? (Read 11674 times)

Justanotherphotographer

jonbull

Mantis

Justanotherphotographer

derek

sgoodwin4813

Ides

Hildegarde

dpimborough

Photobomb

noodle

Pixart

pics2

Chichikov

pics2

changingsky

Asthebelltolls

Dodie

SpaceStockFootage

rinderart

Mantis

Zero Talent

derek

Mantis

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