Author Topic: Nothing but crumbs..... (Read 5954 times)

loneranger · « **on:** December 10, 2019, 19:17 »

I realize I’m not the first to talk about this and I understand it’s a very competitive business for microstock companies but, seriously, $24.05 for 63 photos sold on Shutterstock, nothing too encouraging for a newbie like me. Rant over, thanks for listening.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #1 on:** December 10, 2019, 19:36 »

If that was 63 images sold in a day, you're off to a great start

I assume it wasn't, but that means you netted just over 38 cents a download.

I've been with SS since 2004 (with a hiatus as an iStock exclusive 2008-11) but for photos only, for November this year, my number was 92.5 cents a download. A lot of that has to do with getting to the highest earnings tier and some to do with the mix of SOD and extended licenses which varies (and is now *much* less than it was just a few years back).

Would you still have been in need of a rant if you'd netted $58.27 for those 63 downloads (what 92.5 cents per would produce)? If so, then time won't fix anything, but if it sounds better, then you'll see improvements as you climb the earnings tiers (and that does take longer now than it did because the volumes for individual contributor are harder to attain just because of the huge library).

And if you aren't also uploading to at least AdobeStock, do that as they're a solid number two these days.

Last thought is that you aren't selling photos, just licensing certain rights to them. So you can license those rights very broadly and repeatedly (if you can produce usable images with good keywords); if you don't get too trendy, images can keep producing income for many years.

ShadySue · « **Reply #2 on:** December 10, 2019, 19:38 »

Quote from: loneranger on December 10, 2019, 19:17

I realize I’m not the first to talk about this and I understand it’s a very competitive business for microstock companies but, seriously, $24.05 for 63 photos sold on Shutterstock, nothing too encouraging for a newbie like me. Rant over, thanks for listening.

Did you research the selling rates before signing up?

loneranger · « **Reply #3 on:** December 10, 2019, 20:12 »

Thanks for the advice and I have had a few sales on other sites ranging from $1 to $8 which I find reasonable so no I probably wouldn’t have felt the need to rant if I made at least $1 per sale!🙂

loneranger · « **Reply #4 on:** December 10, 2019, 20:17 »

Quote from: ShadySue on December 10, 2019, 19:38

Quote from: loneranger on December 10, 2019, 19:17
I realize I’m not the first to talk about this and I understand it’s a very competitive business for microstock companies but, seriously, $24.05 for 63 photos sold on Shutterstock, nothing too encouraging for a newbie like me. Rant over, thanks for listening.
Did you research the selling rates before signing up?

No, I just based my decision on the Microstock Poll Results and started submitting to the top 6 (excluding iStock). I currently have an approx 300-500 photo port depending on the sites.

ShadySue · « **Reply #5 on:** December 10, 2019, 20:41 »

Quote from: loneranger on December 10, 2019, 20:17

Quote from: ShadySue on December 10, 2019, 19:38
Quote from: loneranger on December 10, 2019, 19:17
I realize I’m not the first to talk about this and I understand it’s a very competitive business for microstock companies but, seriously, $24.05 for 63 photos sold on Shutterstock, nothing too encouraging for a newbie like me. Rant over, thanks for listening.
Did you research the selling rates before signing up?
No, I just based my decision on the Microstock Poll Results and started submitting to the top 6 (excluding iStock). I currently have an approx 300-500 photo port depending on the sites.

Weird way to base a decision. (IMO)
Even if it wasn't for the people who deliberately post false results, you have no way of knowing what media the people posting honest figures are submitting: so they might only submit video, or only illos, or a mixture so have no relevance to your port.

k_t_g · « **Reply #6 on:** December 10, 2019, 23:22 »

Get use to it. Gold diggers spoiled it from both sides by being greedy. Gold rush is long over.
Just have to make due and not make it your main focus of income. Obviously.
Do your best, use common sense and be creative. Lots of competition after all.

Pauws99 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 11, 2019, 01:36 »

Which sites are actually netting the most income? One sale a month for $8 is not as much as 63 sales for $24

Pauws99 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 11, 2019, 01:39 »

Quote from: ShadySue on December 10, 2019, 20:41

Quote from: loneranger on December 10, 2019, 20:17
Quote from: ShadySue on December 10, 2019, 19:38
Quote from: loneranger on December 10, 2019, 19:17
I realize I’m not the first to talk about this and I understand it’s a very competitive business for microstock companies but, seriously, $24.05 for 63 photos sold on Shutterstock, nothing too encouraging for a newbie like me. Rant over, thanks for listening.
Did you research the selling rates before signing up?
No, I just based my decision on the Microstock Poll Results and started submitting to the top 6 (excluding iStock). I currently have an approx 300-500 photo port depending on the sites.
Weird way to base a decision. (IMO)
Even if it wasn't for the people who deliberately post false results, you have no way of knowing what media the people posting honest figures are submitting: so they might only submit video, or only illos, or a mixture so have no relevance to your port.

I'm not sure what other information you could base it on that would give a different result other than trial and error. The only anomaly is pond 5 as thats really a video specialist.

ShadySue · « **Reply #9 on:** December 11, 2019, 05:40 »

Quote from: Pauws99 on December 11, 2019, 01:39

Quote from: ShadySue on December 10, 2019, 20:41
Quote from: loneranger on December 10, 2019, 20:17
Quote from: ShadySue on December 10, 2019, 19:38
Quote from: loneranger on December 10, 2019, 19:17
I realize I’m not the first to talk about this and I understand it’s a very competitive business for microstock companies but, seriously, $24.05 for 63 photos sold on Shutterstock, nothing too encouraging for a newbie like me. Rant over, thanks for listening.
Did you research the selling rates before signing up?
No, I just based my decision on the Microstock Poll Results and started submitting to the top 6 (excluding iStock). I currently have an approx 300-500 photo port depending on the sites.
Weird way to base a decision. (IMO)
Even if it wasn't for the people who deliberately post false results, you have no way of knowing what media the people posting honest figures are submitting: so they might only submit video, or only illos, or a mixture so have no relevance to your port.
I'm not sure what other information you could base it on that would give a different result other than trial and error. The only anomaly is pond 5 as thats really a video specialist.

I meant more research would have meant he knew the prices to expect. So i this case, he might have been happily surprised that not all his SS sales were 25c ones. In particular, if he feels that sales of $1 - $8 are reasonable, and that's more Important than overall totals, he could have chosen where to submit accordingly.
Not that that helps with falling prices at e.g. Alamy, but it could have been a starting point and avoided this disappointment.

As the OP says he didn't read all the details, I'll just say that Alamy sales prices are quoted gross, as we've had a number of other people who haven't realised that then been disappointed down the line. If you already know that, that's good.

georgep7 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 11, 2019, 06:22 »

Quote

I just based my decision on the Microstock Poll Results

I understand that your time is valuable. Everyone's is.
But archives by agency serve a specific reason here.
Lots of rumbling inside but lots of useful info also included.

Else, you will be introduced to a world of future"of what just happened?" situations leading to past threads like other people that didn't read the aggreement or didn't counted correct their steps.

Nope. Me either didn't read any aggreement at the first place.Hope you do better than me. Congratulations for the sales, seems you are at the right path

christiano · « **Reply #11 on:** December 11, 2019, 07:13 »

Quote from: loneranger on December 10, 2019, 19:17

I realize I’m not the first to talk about this and I understand it’s a very competitive business for microstock companies but, seriously, $24.05 for 63 photos sold on Shutterstock, nothing too encouraging for a newbie like me. Rant over, thanks for listening.

For my personal experience after 2 years, yes, a lot crumbs. But sometimes, I had some nice surprises. I tried several agencies, but now I stay with the top 6 of the list because the others were not worth it. In short, for me, the pole results reflects reality. After two years, as an amateur photographer (travel, landscape, cityscape and editorial) allowed me to pay for my camera, my lenses, all my equipment (filters, etc.), my photography classes, software, and I just bought myself a mavic pro platinum. It is the accumulation of crumbs that allowed this.

At the end of the second year, I doubled what I did in the first year, I hope to have the same fluctuation at the end of the third year!
As long as I have fun, I will continue ... but do not rely on this income to make a living!

YadaYadaYada · « **Reply #12 on:** December 11, 2019, 07:20 »

Quote from: ShadySue on December 11, 2019, 05:40

Quote from: Pauws99 on December 11, 2019, 01:39
Quote from: ShadySue on December 10, 2019, 20:41
Quote from: loneranger on December 10, 2019, 20:17
Quote from: ShadySue on December 10, 2019, 19:38
Quote from: loneranger on December 10, 2019, 19:17
I realize I’m not the first to talk about this and I understand it’s a very competitive business for microstock companies but, seriously, $24.05 for 63 photos sold on Shutterstock, nothing too encouraging for a newbie like me. Rant over, thanks for listening.
Did you research the selling rates before signing up?
No, I just based my decision on the Microstock Poll Results and started submitting to the top 6 (excluding iStock). I currently have an approx 300-500 photo port depending on the sites.
Weird way to base a decision. (IMO)
Even if it wasn't for the people who deliberately post false results, you have no way of knowing what media the people posting honest figures are submitting: so they might only submit video, or only illos, or a mixture so have no relevance to your port.
I'm not sure what other information you could base it on that would give a different result other than trial and error. The only anomaly is pond 5 as thats really a video specialist.
I meant more research would have meant he knew the prices to expect. So i this case, he might have been happily surprised that not all his SS sales were 25c ones. In particular, if he feels that sales of $1 - $8 are reasonable, and that's more Important than overall totals, he could have chosen where to submit accordingly.
Not that that helps with falling prices at e.g. Alamy, but it could have been a starting point and avoided this disappointment.

As the OP says he didn't read all the details, I'll just say that Alamy sales prices are quoted gross, as we've had a number of other people who haven't realised that then been disappointed down the line. If you already know that, that's good.

My Alamy results are real, not gross, How do you assume to know what everybody else reports?

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #13 on:** December 11, 2019, 09:19 »

Quote from: YadaYadaYada on December 11, 2019, 07:20

Quote from: ShadySue on December 11, 2019, 05:40
Quote from: Pauws99 on December 11, 2019, 01:39
Quote from: ShadySue on December 10, 2019, 20:41
Quote from: loneranger on December 10, 2019, 20:17
Quote from: ShadySue on December 10, 2019, 19:38
Quote from: loneranger on December 10, 2019, 19:17
I realize I’m not the first to talk about this and I understand it’s a very competitive business for microstock companies but, seriously, $24.05 for 63 photos sold on Shutterstock, nothing too encouraging for a newbie like me. Rant over, thanks for listening.
Did you research the selling rates before signing up?
No, I just based my decision on the Microstock Poll Results and started submitting to the top 6 (excluding iStock). I currently have an approx 300-500 photo port depending on the sites.
Weird way to base a decision. (IMO)
Even if it wasn't for the people who deliberately post false results, you have no way of knowing what media the people posting honest figures are submitting: so they might only submit video, or only illos, or a mixture so have no relevance to your port.
I'm not sure what other information you could base it on that would give a different result other than trial and error. The only anomaly is pond 5 as thats really a video specialist.
I meant more research would have meant he knew the prices to expect. So i this case, he might have been happily surprised that not all his SS sales were 25c ones. In particular, if he feels that sales of $1 - $8 are reasonable, and that's more Important than overall totals, he could have chosen where to submit accordingly.
Not that that helps with falling prices at e.g. Alamy, but it could have been a starting point and avoided this disappointment.

As the OP says he didn't read all the details, I'll just say that Alamy sales prices are quoted gross, as we've had a number of other people who haven't realised that then been disappointed down the line. If you already know that, that's good.

My Alamy results are real, not gross, How do you assume to know what everybody else reports?

Maybe because so many others just don't take the time to report real earnings numbers instead of sales gross?

Personally I report real net, but I can't speak for the rest of the people.

ShadySue · « **Reply #14 on:** December 11, 2019, 10:40 »

Quote from: YadaYadaYada on December 11, 2019, 07:20

Quote from: ShadySue on December 11, 2019, 05:40
As the OP says he didn't read all the details, I'll just say that Alamy sales prices are quoted gross, as we've had a number of other people who haven't realised that then been disappointed down the line. If you already know that, that's good.

My Alamy results are real, not gross, How do you assume to know what everybody else reports?

You appear to be addressing me but I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, and I was neither talking to, nor referring to you.
In the past, we have had various newbies complaining about their Alamy payout because they hadn't done their basic homework and didn't realise that in the easiest to access sales reporting page on Alamy, prices are quoted gross. I didn't mention, nor did I even think about you, (sorry to disappoint).
As you can see, I didn't even "assume" that the OP didn't know.

offisapup · « **Reply #15 on:** December 11, 2019, 11:14 »

Well, I would say you're doing rather well. I've made 14 dollars with 56 downloads. Beat that...

But yeah, only a fool would make this their primary source of income in 2019.

loneranger · « **Reply #16 on:** December 11, 2019, 12:29 »

Quote from: christiano on December 11, 2019, 07:13

Quote from: loneranger on December 10, 2019, 19:17
I realize I’m not the first to talk about this and I understand it’s a very competitive business for microstock companies but, seriously, $24.05 for 63 photos sold on Shutterstock, nothing too encouraging for a newbie like me. Rant over, thanks for listening.

For my personal experience after 2 years, yes, a lot crumbs. But sometimes, I had some nice surprises. I tried several agencies, but now I stay with the top 6 of the list because the others were not worth it. In short, for me, the pole results reflects reality. After two years, as an amateur photographer (travel, landscape, cityscape and editorial) allowed me to pay for my camera, my lenses, all my equipment (filters, etc.), my photography classes, software, and I just bought myself a mavic pro platinum. It is the accumulation of crumbs that allowed this.

At the end of the second year, I doubled what I did in the first year, I hope to have the same fluctuation at the end of the third year!
As long as I have fun, I will continue ... but do not rely on this income to make a living!

Thanks for sharing your positive experience. Aside from the occasional rant, most of the time I view this venture as an opportunity to practice my favorite hobby, to get better at it and to make a few bucks in the process. All is good!

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #17 on:** December 11, 2019, 17:47 »

Quote from: loneranger on December 11, 2019, 12:29

Thanks for sharing your positive experience. Aside from the occasional rant, most of the time I view this venture as an opportunity to practice my favorite hobby, to get better at it and to make a few bucks in the process. All is good!

I'd agree kemosabe.

Most people have discovered that this Microstock business, isn't going to make us rich or any living wage. That doesn't stop some people from doing very well.

My lifetime return per download on SS is around 72¢ that's coming from a slacker, who doesn't upload much, and when I do, limited effort. Yet that number is going up. Annual income however, is flat, maybe going down, because less downloads. Many people see a different trend, lower RPD.

Smart people who try harder, do much better. I realize that for the effort I put into this, I do just fine and get what I deserve, but I'm with you, time doing what I love and making some money at the same time.

christiano · « **Reply #18 on:** December 11, 2019, 21:13 »

Quote from: loneranger on December 11, 2019, 12:29

Quote from: christiano on December 11, 2019, 07:13
Quote from: loneranger on December 10, 2019, 19:17
I realize I’m not the first to talk about this and I understand it’s a very competitive business for microstock companies but, seriously, $24.05 for 63 photos sold on Shutterstock, nothing too encouraging for a newbie like me. Rant over, thanks for listening.

For my personal experience after 2 years, yes, a lot crumbs. But sometimes, I had some nice surprises. I tried several agencies, but now I stay with the top 6 of the list because the others were not worth it. In short, for me, the pole results reflects reality. After two years, as an amateur photographer (travel, landscape, cityscape and editorial) allowed me to pay for my camera, my lenses, all my equipment (filters, etc.), my photography classes, software, and I just bought myself a mavic pro platinum. It is the accumulation of crumbs that allowed this.

At the end of the second year, I doubled what I did in the first year, I hope to have the same fluctuation at the end of the third year!
As long as I have fun, I will continue ... but do not rely on this income to make a living!
Thanks for sharing your positive experience. Aside from the occasional rant, most of the time I view this venture as an opportunity to practice my favorite hobby, to get better at it and to make a few bucks in the process. All is good!

that's how I think. Have fun!

Stock4Me · « **Reply #19 on:** December 12, 2019, 07:09 »

Quote from: ShadySue on December 11, 2019, 10:40

Quote from: YadaYadaYada on December 11, 2019, 07:20
Quote from: ShadySue on December 11, 2019, 05:40
As the OP says he didn't read all the details, I'll just say that Alamy sales prices are quoted gross, as we've had a number of other people who haven't realised that then been disappointed down the line. If you already know that, that's good.

My Alamy results are real, not gross, How do you assume to know what everybody else reports?
You appear to be addressing me but I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, and I was neither talking to, nor referring to you.
In the past, we have had various newbies complaining about their Alamy payout because they hadn't done their basic homework and didn't realise that in the easiest to access sales reporting page on Alamy, prices are quoted gross. I didn't mention, nor did I even think about you, (sorry to disappoint).
As you can see, I didn't even "assume" that the OP didn't know.

Where do you see what we enter the gross in the poll or are quoting gross in sales on forum? How do I know that I'd like to watch.

ShadySue · « **Reply #20 on:** December 12, 2019, 17:48 »

Quote from: Stock4Me on December 12, 2019, 07:09

Quote from: ShadySue on December 11, 2019, 10:40
In the past, we have had various newbies complaining about their Alamy payout because they hadn't done their basic homework and didn't realise that in the easiest to access sales reporting page on Alamy, prices are quoted gross. I didn't mention, nor did I even think about you, (sorry to disappoint).
As you can see, I didn't even "assume" that the OP didn't know.

Where do you see what we enter the gross in the poll or are quoting gross in sales on forum? How do I know that I'd like to watch.

Are you in the same parallel universe as YYY?!

Stock4Me · « **Reply #21 on:** December 13, 2019, 15:26 »

Quote from: ShadySue on December 12, 2019, 17:48

Quote from: Stock4Me on December 12, 2019, 07:09
Quote from: ShadySue on December 11, 2019, 10:40
In the past, we have had various newbies complaining about their Alamy payout because they hadn't done their basic homework and didn't realise that in the easiest to access sales reporting page on Alamy, prices are quoted gross. I didn't mention, nor did I even think about you, (sorry to disappoint).
As you can see, I didn't even "assume" that the OP didn't know.

Where do you see what we enter the gross in the poll or are quoting gross in sales on forum? How do I know that I'd like to watch.
Are you in the same parallel universe as YYY?!

I understand what he asked that you didn't answer how do you know what he enters and what I asked that you didn't answer except to write an insult. How do you know what anybody enters gross or net and how do you know newbies are complain because they haven't done their homework. Are you a teacher critic poll monitor for all of us?

ShadySue · « **Reply #22 on:** December 13, 2019, 16:32 »

Quote from: Stock4Me on December 13, 2019, 15:26

Quote from: ShadySue on December 12, 2019, 17:48
Quote from: Stock4Me on December 12, 2019, 07:09
Quote from: ShadySue on December 11, 2019, 10:40
In the past, we have had various newbies complaining about their Alamy payout because they hadn't done their basic homework and didn't realise that in the easiest to access sales reporting page on Alamy, prices are quoted gross. I didn't mention, nor did I even think about you, (sorry to disappoint).
As you can see, I didn't even "assume" that the OP didn't know.

Where do you see what we enter the gross in the poll or are quoting gross in sales on forum? How do I know that I'd like to watch.
Are you in the same parallel universe as YYY?!

I understand what he asked that you didn't answer how do you know what he enters and what I asked that you didn't answer except to write an insult. How do you know what anybody enters gross or net and how do you know newbies are complain because they haven't done their homework. Are you a teacher critic poll monitor for all of us?

If you had taken the time to actually read what I have written, you'd know that I nowhere said anything about Alamy re the msg poll.

I know some newbies complain because some have complained here some on Alamy's own forum, a few on both. But about what I was talking about (red above), nothing to do with the poll here.

marthamarks · « **Reply #23 on:** December 13, 2019, 18:34 »

Quote from: christiano on December 11, 2019, 07:13

As long as I have fun, I will continue ... but do not rely on this income to make a living!

I've been at this for decades longer than you have, but I see it exactly as you do.

If I actually had to make a living these days, microstock wouldn't be my method of choice.

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Author Topic: Nothing but crumbs..... (Read 5954 times)

loneranger

Jo Ann Snover

ShadySue

loneranger

loneranger

ShadySue

k_t_g

Pauws99

Pauws99

ShadySue

georgep7

christiano

YadaYadaYada

Uncle Pete

ShadySue

offisapup

loneranger

Uncle Pete

christiano

Stock4Me

ShadySue

Stock4Me

ShadySue

marthamarks

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