Hi,
As I approached 3 years in stock, I thought I would share my general experience. Interested to see how compares with others. Interested in how images decline in sales over time and 3 years a picture might be forming.
The first year I had a slow start and then a rapid rise off maybe 500 or so images submitted into what is now 12 libraries. All the major ones. Shutterstock is 60% of sales and iStock is 20%. With the numbers of images I still have to edit I really should drop all other libraries and concentrate on uploading more content!
I am now at 1100 odd images uploaded. In the last year I have uploaded far less, mainly due to scanning family slides for past few months. Sales have flatlined at around US$700 a month. Its a nice bonus at this amount and pays for all camera gear, internet, phones, TV etc. Basically the family is seeing some proper benefit now. Though obviously its not enough to do much else with.
My concern that even though im uploading less, I would expect to see increasing sales. They are ever so slightly on average, maybe US$20 a month. I am starting to see perhaps the decline over time of sales for most images. My best sellers still sell as much as ever but ones that sold occasionally now dont sell. I really feel 50 images are 95% of earnings. Some newer images have become good sellers which is good but way too many havent sold at all. If I had a big effort I feel I could go further and I will. But no doubt rate of increase has decreased.
My bet is that most people peak at about amount im doing. They then either stay same as this is their second job, or go to the next level and do proper stock shoots etc. Most my stock is tacked onto family holidays and revolve around travel etc.
How are others finding over a few years?
Chris