Author Topic: how many sites do you feel is practical (Read 17262 times)

tan510jomast · « **on:** March 17, 2009, 08:51 »

this is for you who are successful.
we have so many new sites and i , as an almost one year contributor in a few month to come, am just about feeling that it is almost non-productive for me to belong to say 15 sites when only 4 sites are giving me sales . i admit i need to have a larger portfolio, i just made 200 last month, and this is pittance compared to even many newbies.
so, i now feel that instead of wasting my time uploading to the other 11 sites, that could be better spent in producing new images to get my portfolio larger with the 4 sites that are giving me regular sales since 2009.
what's your own experience in this?

takestock · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2009, 09:01 »

I presently contibute seriously to 5 sites.
Maybe would take on one more, but thats about it!

disorderly · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2009, 09:18 »

I submit actively to nine sites, and have a significant number of images on four more. Seven bring me regular payouts; the other two are sufficiently easy to submit to that I keep at it, hoping against hope they'll justify the effort one day. The main thing is to streamline and automate your upload process. Once you've done that, the incremental effort for a new site won't feel so daunting. The exception of course is iStock, but they've always been exceptional.

cthoman · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2009, 09:22 »

I belong to about 8 sites total, and contribute regularly to 5. My top 3 sites get the most immediate attention, then the next two get images here and there.

Everyone else doesn't really get much uploading. I tried uploading more to them, but didn't really see much of an increase in money. I'm curious. Do you really make money from all 15?

travismanley · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2009, 09:34 »

"how many sites do you feel is practical"

I dont think there is really a good way to answer this question. I dont mind submitting to new sites that might have bad or zero sales because as long as the upload process isnt too tedious you just never know when they are going to blow up and start rejecting all your photos.

I actively submit to around 15 sites, about half of those I actually get regular sales.

tan510jomast · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2009, 09:40 »

good to know, thanks all who came here to add.

Quote from: cthoman on March 17, 2009, 09:22

(edited) I'm curious. Do you really make money from all 15?

lol no. only 4 actually gave me some sales. 2 gives me regular sales although small ones but still actively regular. the others were accepting everything i uploaded when i was a newbie, so i got all excited about them. but dead as a stillborn. lmao
that's why i am now asking this question to see what is my next step for year #2.

lisafx · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2009, 10:00 »

I am on 10 sites, but only 7 of them are making any significant money - the Big 6 plus Bigstock.

fotografer · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2009, 10:14 »

I upload to 7 and they all make me money. Same as Lisa the big 6 +BS.
I also have images at Crestock but gave up uploading after a few weeks as it was all 25c sub sales and not many at that.

melastmohican · « **Reply #8 on:** March 17, 2009, 12:58 »

I have account at 14 sites. Used to upload everywhere but after couple months without results I usually stop so now I actively work with 7.

sharpshot · « **Reply #9 on:** March 17, 2009, 13:11 »

I am on over 20 but I started with 5 and added more as my portfolio grew. Some of the smaller sites are worth using and others are a waste of time. There is only one way to find out, as we all have very different portfolios.

RT · « **Reply #10 on:** March 17, 2009, 13:47 »

Quote from: lisafx on March 17, 2009, 10:00

I am on 10 sites, but only 7 of them are making any significant money - the Big 6 plus Bigstock.

I wish you'd stop copying everything I do

MikLav · « **Reply #11 on:** March 17, 2009, 16:00 »

8 actively, a few more - when have time.
Also have account on several non-earners but don't spend any time on them.

tan510jomast · « **Reply #12 on:** March 17, 2009, 17:12 »

hey awesome ppl. so from your averages here, 4 may be perharps too little.
if lisa and co has 10, then perharps i should at least go for somewhere in between
plus streamlining my ULs so i can spend more time creating more images to increase my still too tiny portfolio. cheers all good to see ya !

StockManiac · « **Reply #13 on:** March 17, 2009, 19:00 »

I submit to at least 50 sites.
File sizes total a few petabytes.
I bought a brand new black Hasselblad.
I gave it away, it was just a fad.
I have a mansion but forget the price
Ain't never been there, they tell me its nice
My Lamborghini does one-ninety-five
I lost my license, so now I dont drive
I have a limo, ride in the back
I lock the doors in case I'm attacked
So I got me an office, all my photos on the wall
Just leave a message, maybe I'll call
Lucky I'm sane after all I've been through
I cant complain but sometimes I still do
It's tough to handle this fortune and fame
Everybody's so different, I haven't changed
They say I'm lazy but it takes all my time
I keep on goin' guess I'll never know why
Life's been good to me so far

null · « **Reply #14 on:** March 17, 2009, 19:32 »

Quote from: StockManiac on March 17, 2009, 19:00

I submit to at least 50 sites.
File sizes total a few petabytes.
I bought a brand new black Hasselblad.
I gave it away, it was just a fad...

Ever considered to be ghostwriter for Eminem? ;-)

tan510jomast · « **Reply #15 on:** March 17, 2009, 21:30 »

Quote from: StockManiac on March 17, 2009, 19:00

Lucky I'm sane after all I've been through

awesome

i like best the above line i singled out .

null · « **Reply #16 on:** March 17, 2009, 22:25 »

The number of sites to handle doesn't depend on the upload if they have FTP, since Filezilla schedules all. It depends on the time spent on the site to submit/categorize/attach MRF.

You can easily submit to 20 if they have a very good site programming quality (especially MRF attach) and no categories, like: CanStockPhoto (the best), MostPhotos, YAYmicro, Featurepics, 123RF.
On the other hand if all sites were high-maintenance like Fotolia or dead slow/clumsy like Zymmetrical, you could only handle 3.

The decision table has 9 fields. Obviously, the top rights are the ones not to add and the bottom lefts are a must to add.

.	Easy upload	Medium upload	Clumsy upload
Low Yield	YAY FP MP CanStockPhoto	CC₁	Vivo
Medium Yield	123RF	StockXpert,BigStock	Zymm₁,IS,FT
High Yield	SS₂	DT	.

₁ Should normally be one position to the left if they didn't have this obnoxious IFRAMES or scrollable windows that make you click and scroll all the time to get anything done. I get FSS (Finger Strain Syndrome) from it.

₂ If you feed the beast with a specific strategy.

tan510jomast · « **Reply #17 on:** March 17, 2009, 22:36 »

very informative FlemishD, i like the way you tabled the info, i will keep that with me, for sure. cheers.

Graffoto · « **Reply #18 on:** March 17, 2009, 22:51 »

Quote from: StockManiac on March 17, 2009, 19:00

I submit to at least 50 sites.
File sizes total a few petabytes.
I bought a brand new black Hasselblad.
I gave it away, it was just a fad.
I have a mansion but forget the price
Ain't never been there, they tell me its nice
My Lamborghini does one-ninety-five
I lost my license, so now I dont drive
I have a limo, ride in the back
I lock the doors in case I'm attacked
So I got me an office, all my photos on the wall
Just leave a message, maybe I'll call
Lucky I'm sane after all I've been through
I cant complain but sometimes I still do
It's tough to handle this fortune and fame
Everybody's so different, I haven't changed
They say I'm lazy but it takes all my time
I keep on goin' guess I'll never know why
Life's been good to me so far

Credit where credit is due, dude

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzxF-M2erx8&feature=related" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzxF-M2erx8&feature=related</a>

Phil · « **Reply #19 on:** March 17, 2009, 22:59 »

it appears I'm uploading to 15 ( +4 I no longer upload to), although I'm about to drop mostphotos.

as mentioned already, it comes down to levels of work involved, most of the small ones I wouldn't bother with if it wasn't for fact it takes a minute or so click through a batch (which I can do during my lunch break, and have superfast internet at work to upload from)

Phil

null · « **Reply #20 on:** March 18, 2009, 01:52 »

Quote from: Phil on March 17, 2009, 22:59

although I'm about to drop mostphotos.

Why drop a free backup?! I use it to verify my IPTC data too before starting the real uploads.

RaFaLe · « **Reply #21 on:** March 18, 2009, 05:02 »

Interesting stuff.
I'm currently subscribed to 9. Although I've only been at this for 3 weeks.
So far, SS has done very well for me, Fotolia 1 sale and the rest are nothing to talk about.
Other than the overly stringent approval process from Fotolia and DT, I can say it's difficult to keep uploading all my stuff to every single site I subscribe to.

But, judging by some of the posts on the forum, I would say it's probably worth my while in the long run.
Kind of like a pension fund I guess.

It's not only how much, but how long. So, earning from microstock photography is a bit like compound interest in a sense

Nice talk for a time of financial crisis - LOL!

tan510jomast · « **Reply #22 on:** March 18, 2009, 10:04 »

Quote from: FlemishDreams on March 18, 2009, 01:52

Quote from: Phil on March 17, 2009, 22:59
although I'm about to drop mostphotos.

Why drop a free backup?! I use it to verify my IPTC data too before starting the real uploads.

hey that's a good reason to upload to some of these non selling sites

FD always looking for a silver lining, you optimist !

lisafx · « **Reply #23 on:** March 18, 2009, 10:08 »

Quote from: RT on March 17, 2009, 13:47

Quote from: lisafx on March 17, 2009, 10:00
I am on 10 sites, but only 7 of them are making any significant money - the Big 6 plus Bigstock.

I wish you'd stop copying everything I do

Can't help it - you're my hero

Moonb007 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 20, 2009, 13:46 »

I am currently a member of 21 lucky sites...and about 10 of them make money (at lest more then 1 sale a year) with about 5 bringing in good sales.

lucato · « **Reply #25 on:** January 15, 2012, 04:22 »

Quote from: lisafx on March 17, 2009, 10:00

I am on 10 sites, but only 7 of them are making any significant money - the Big 6 plus Bigstock.

Hi Lisa! Happy 2012 to you and your family.

What are these big 6? I know just 4 (SS, IS, DT & FL).

Do you submit also to RM sites? What are them if so? I mean, if you want to share it. ;0)

Have a nice weekend.
Lucato.

cascoly · « **Reply #26 on:** January 15, 2012, 12:36 »

Quote from: null on March 17, 2009, 22:25

₁ Should normally be one position to the left if they didn't have this obnoxious IFRAMES or scrollable windows that make you click and scroll all the time to get anything done. I get FSS (Finger Strain Syndrome) from it.

easy fix is to write offline and paste in - i agree that scroll is terrible

lisafx · « **Reply #27 on:** January 15, 2012, 13:16 »

Quote from: lucato on January 15, 2012, 04:22

Quote from: lisafx on March 17, 2009, 10:00
I am on 10 sites, but only 7 of them are making any significant money - the Big 6 plus Bigstock.

Hi Lisa! Happy 2012 to you and your family.

What are these big 6? I know just 4 (SS, IS, DT & FL).

Do you submit also to RM sites? What are them if so? I mean, if you want to share it. ;0)

Have a nice weekend.
Lucato.

Hi Lucato. Happy 2012 to you and yours also! I read your thread about quitting exclusivity, and I really feel for you. 2012 may be a time of rebuilding for you, adding your portfolio to other sites, but in the end I am sure you will find your income recovers and maybe even surpasses what you used to make on Istock alone.

The quote from March 2009, I am not sure which "Big 6" I was referring to. Probably (SS, IS, FT, DT, plus 123RF and Bigstock). Those are the six sites I always did best at. 90% of my income comes from the top 4 though, so if you are uploading and have limited time, those are the ones you want to get your portfolio on first to begin making good money.

After you are established on the Big 4, you might consider adding Canstock, Photodune, and Depositphotos. Those are definitely lower earners, but consistent ones. I get a payout at each of them every month, so very much worth uploading to.

I am on some other small sites, but none of them are bringing in enough money to justify the time uploading your port to them, IMHO. If things improve there it might be worth it.

Hope the above is helpful! Feel free to sitemail me if there's anything I can do to help.

lucato · « **Reply #28 on:** January 16, 2012, 06:38 »

Quote

Hi Lucato. Happy 2012 to you and yours also! I read your thread about quitting exclusivity, and I really feel for you. 2012 may be a time of rebuilding for you, adding your portfolio to other sites, but in the end I am sure you will find your income recovers and maybe even surpasses what you used to make on Istock alone.

Thanks Lisa, I hope so. Maybe its really time to do a new step and quit the "comfort zone", but I can't deny it scares me, not for having extra work, but for having the payment reduced more than the RC system cut, once the bills aren't. ;0)

Quote

The quote from March 2009, I am not sure which "Big 6" I was referring to. Probably (SS, IS, FT, DT, plus 123RF and Bigstock). Those are the six sites I always did best at. 90% of my income comes from the top 4 though, so if you are uploading and have limited time, those are the ones you want to get your portfolio on first to begin making good money.

Ops, i forgot to notice the post date, I'm sorry. Yes, I thought about these 4 too, thanks for the advice.

Quote

After you are established on the Big 4, you might consider adding Canstock, Photodune, and Depositphotos. Those are definitely lower earners, but consistent ones. I get a payout at each of them every month, so very much worth uploading to.

I see, thanks again for the tip. That blog link you gave me in other thread the user seems to have good sales at Veer, but here it seem down the sales, do you submit to Veer? Well, forget it. It is something for the future if I get to manage the 1st 4 sites. :0) Actually if I really drop my crown... be or not to be... kkkk. 90% of chance to happen it, just waiting some threads and e-mails feedbacks.

Quote

I am on some other small sites, but none of them are bringing in enough money to justify the time uploading your port to them, IMHO. If things improve there it might be worth it.

Talking about it, I saw you`ve set your own site/domain with PhotoStore to sell your files. Does it worth the the time uploading, settings, keywording and so on? I mean, if you want to comment about it. You can sitemail me too. ;0)

Quote

Hope the above is helpful! Feel free to sitemail me if there's anything I can do to help.

Certainly it was, thanks a lot for your time, attention and info sharing. I appreciated that.
Cheers

stocker2011 · « **Reply #29 on:** January 17, 2012, 12:34 »

Hi,

Is there no online tool to make this transition process easier? I forgot the name of it.

MicrostockGroup Sponsors

Author Topic: how many sites do you feel is practical (Read 17262 times)

tan510jomast

takestock

disorderly

cthoman

travismanley

tan510jomast

lisafx

fotografer

melastmohican

sharpshot

RT

MikLav

tan510jomast

StockManiac

null

tan510jomast

null

tan510jomast

Graffoto

Phil

null

RaFaLe

tan510jomast

lisafx

Moonb007

lucato

cascoly

lisafx

lucato

stocker2011

Related Topics

Sponsors

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors