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Microstock Photography Forum - General => General Stock Discussion => Topic started by: leaf on December 01, 2010, 03:31

Title: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: leaf on December 01, 2010, 03:31
So how was your November?
Here is the microstock earnings poll http://www.microstockgroup.com/pollsvote/ (http://www.microstockgroup.com/pollsvote/)
For an agency to have an arrow in the side bar they need 50 votes, if we can get more people voting in the polls, we can get more agencies in the 'arrow area' of the results.

For me, November was a little disappointing.  I usually have my best month ever by quite a bit and this time it was only the fourth best month of the year but still a 10% increase from last November which I suppose is good considering my portfolio only grew 8% from last November

Here's my graph
(http://www.microstockgroup.com/holdingbin/nov2010microstockearnings.png)
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: aeonf on December 01, 2010, 04:20
A great month for us!
BME with a 22% increase from last month.
We passed the 500$ mark and 200 d/l's per month mark.
Growth in all other parameters (STM,DPI and RPI).
Exclusives at IS.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: kjorgen on December 01, 2010, 04:22
November was a really good month for me. BME with 23%....I wish every month would have an increase like that  ;)
123rf and canstock were the only ones down!
But, here comes December.....that will probably bring me right back down to earth  ;)
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: leaf on December 01, 2010, 04:27
November was a really good month for me. BME with 23%....I wish every month would have an increase like that  ;)
123rf and canstock were the only ones down!
But, here comes December.....that will probably bring me right back down to earth  ;)

[off-topic]Porsgrunn hey?  Good to see a few more Norwegians on the board :)[/off-topic]
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: kjorgen on December 01, 2010, 04:41
[off-topic]Porsgrunn hey?  Good to see a few more Norwegians on the board :)[/off-topic]

[off-topic]Thank you, Tyler  :) I love your work with microstockgroup! - except that it makes me spend way to much time here ;D[/off-topic]
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: MicrostockExp on December 01, 2010, 04:43
Slow down from previous month and only 10% increase compared to last year but also no EL this month. Only BME at Fotolia, no video sales :(
I added also in my blog some comments about new distribution tools that I tested:
http://microstockexperiment.blogspot.com/2010/11/november-2010-earnings.html (http://microstockexperiment.blogspot.com/2010/11/november-2010-earnings.html)

Cheers
L
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: arquiplay77 on December 01, 2010, 05:21
BME for me too with huge increase. Fotolia was my biggest earner again.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: gostwyck on December 01, 2010, 05:22
Bad, bad, bad and the worrying trend continues.

Up slightly from October but down nearly 13% from Nov 2009. Percentages as follows (with 2009);

IS    30.6 (36.7)
SS   29.3 (22.0)
FT   22.2 (22.2)
DT   11.2 (10.6)
BigStock   5.1 (1.5)

Sales and earnings at Istockphoto were the lowest since Dec 2008 and over 27% down on Nov 2009.  With my commissions to be reduced by 10% next year the future at IS doesn't look particularly promising.

SS still strong and up 14% over Nov 09. PPD sales at SS continue to grow and are now 31% of my earnings there. Last November PPD sales were only 17% of earnings so their introduction has been a great success. Subscription sales also increased over last year.

Both FT and DT were down a bit in earnings compared to last November although roughly the same as percentage of the total. BigStock up almost 300% over last year (BME!) but only due to a couple of chunky EL's that appeared out of the blue (first EL's I've ever had there).

I'm still unsure whether earnings are down due to increased competition or a downturn in the overall market. I suspect it is bit of both but, due to the speed of the reduction since the stellar March we all reported, mainly the latter.  
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: FD on December 01, 2010, 07:30
Compared to November 2009:

SS 20% up.
DT 14% down.
FT 30% up.
123 up.
IS 40% down (after disabling my non-sellers last September)
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: Perry on December 01, 2010, 07:38
Finally a new BME for my big four, been waiting for this since the spring... I have been uploading quite much in this fall, I finally seem to get some money for my work.

IS BME, even without the Partner earnings. This love-hate relationship with IS is really hard: I hate them but they still seem to rake in some cash even for me...
SS Okay month, not good, not bad.
DT Better thant the last few horrible months, things seem to pick up a little
FT Okay month, not good, not bad.

edit: Been around from 2004 (not so seriously in the first years), now about 2000 images at micro sites. Earnings go slowly up, but RPI goes in the other direction :(

Need to shoot and upload more...more....MORE!
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: rubyroo on December 01, 2010, 08:16
iS 31%
SS 21%
DT 20%
FT 9%
123 8%
CanStockPhoto 6%
BigStock 4%
Veer 1%

Nov 2010 sales are approx half of Nov 2009 - but I had a very high production period that time last year.

Annual sales tally so far is almost double 2009 - which is encouraging, because production has been somewhat thwarted this year.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: Suljo on December 01, 2010, 08:45
Good month after all. I'm rather disappointed with Drim. Surprisingly 2 very good months in row at Veer. Canstok is slowly but stedy growing. Others are +/- 1~2% up or down.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: ichiro17 on December 01, 2010, 08:52
BME.  Big increase over Nov 09

Good times.  December seems a bit less promising
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: sc on December 01, 2010, 09:23
SS 39%
iS 25%
FT 11%
DT 9%
Veer 5%
123 3%
CS 3%
BS 2%
FP 1%

BME up 17% over Nov '09
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: stockmarketer on December 01, 2010, 09:28
BME here as well.  About a 17% increase over Oct, which had been basically flat to Sept (probably due to 10 weekend days in Oct).

So I'm about three years in and haven't hit the wall yet.  My trend line has been pretty straight since the beginning. What I'm wondering is... where is the wall?  Those of you in gostwyck's shoes, lamenting big decreases over the past year despite big increases in port size, how long have you been at this?  

As you post your November results, please include how long you've been at microstock -- maybe even port size as well.  It does seem to be a trend that the longer you've been at it, and the larger your port is, the more disappointed you're likely to be with your current numbers.  I don't mean for this to turn into philosophizing as to why it happens -- we know all about the increasing competition, and the phenomenon of cannibalizing our own sales when we run out of uncovered topics... I'm just curious if we can document roughly when the wall is likely to come down, separating the newbies on the rise, from the vets on the decline.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: cthoman on December 01, 2010, 09:37
2nd BME.

Is anyone else missing the 30th at IS? It hasn't been reported in my stats, but I had sales.  ???
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: Perry on December 01, 2010, 09:40
Is anyone else missing the 30th at IS? It hasn't been reported in my stats, but I had sales.  ???

Yes, I'm missing that day too.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: FD on December 01, 2010, 09:45
As you post your November results, please include how long you've been at microstock -- maybe even port size as well.  It does seem to be a trend that the longer you've been at it, and the larger your port is, the more disappointed you're likely to be with your current numbers.
5 years/1K - I hit the glass ceiling half 2008, probably because the shelf life of my earlier images expired and competition became too fierce.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: cthoman on December 01, 2010, 09:50
Is anyone else missing the 30th at IS? It hasn't been reported in my stats, but I had sales.  ???

Yes, I'm missing that day too.

I guess I can do it by hand. IS needs to fix their sh... [wanders off grumbling].
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: PixelsAway on December 01, 2010, 09:56
3 years/2K - still growing, BME overall and in all Big 4 agencies, also in BigStock

So, it looks like I am still keeping the growing trend shown in my recent blog post
even if earnings in December are lower.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: gostwyck on December 01, 2010, 10:01
Is anyone else missing the 30th at IS? It hasn't been reported in my stats, but I had sales.  ???

Thanks for pointing that out (they have finally arrived). Because my Stat's page had advanced to December I assumed that Nov must be complete. That explains why my projection for IS was strangely out. Final figures therefore a tad better than originally reported.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: gostwyck on December 01, 2010, 10:09
What I'm wondering is... where is the wall?  Those of you in gostwyck's shoes, lamenting big decreases over the past year despite big increases in port size, how long have you been at this?  

My earnings rose fairly steadily for just over 5 years, peaking in March this year, before the decline started. I usually upload between 600-800 new images per year. It looks like I might have to increase my output if I want to remain avoiding having  to work for a living  ;)
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: cthoman on December 01, 2010, 10:49
Now that my complaining is over, I guess it is sharing time. My list gets weirder looking every month.

IS - 26%
SS - 21%
CL - 11%
DT - 11%
FT - 7%
CA - 6%
MY - 6%
BS - 3%
VS - 3%
V - 2%
123 - 1%
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: Pixart on December 01, 2010, 11:14
This month was dead in the middle, but not bad first and last week which made it a little better.  DT was frighteningly bad, but made up a little at the end of the month so only down 50% for the year.  Maybe the influx of Istock Exclusives has taken effect?  Does Bigstock seem to be just a little bit more active?
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: luissantos84 on December 01, 2010, 11:17
another BME (will post in my blog after receiving all sales)
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: pancaketom on December 01, 2010, 11:35
Is anyone else missing the 30th at IS? It hasn't been reported in my stats, but I had sales.  ???

Yes, I'm missing that day too.

Maybe it is one of their new "punk'dem" days where they take 100% royalty.

ETA, BME for me (it has been a while since I had one). mainly due to stellar performance at SS and an EL at Featurepics and no really pathetic performance anywhere. been at it since 2006, but really started in 2007, each year seems to keep going up, but things slowed down a lot after 2008. I upload around 500 +- images of which most seem to have limited commercial value.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on December 01, 2010, 11:42
A really good month. Best month ever for $$ - up 25% over October and 34% over November last year (which has always been my biggest month of the year)

DLs were up 12% over October but down 19% over November 2009

I was already over my prior BME before I got my increased royalty rate on November 25th and the week of November 14 - 20 was a best week ever (no ELs that week). I do have Christmas images, but I didn't upload any new ones this year - may have turned out OK as some weeks IS seems to have tweaked best match so solder images predominate. That can be good if you have older stuff in your portfolio :)

I've been doing microstock for 6 years; current portfolio is about 2500 images.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: ShadySue on December 01, 2010, 12:42
Is anyone else missing the 30th at IS? It hasn't been reported in my stats, but I had sales.  ???

Thanks for pointing that out (they have finally arrived). Because my Stat's page had advanced to December I assumed that Nov must be complete. That explains why my projection for IS was strangely out. Final figures therefore a tad better than originally reported.
iStock daily stats updates have been late in the evening (GMT) for several weeks now. They don't all seem to be updated together - yours is up but mine isn't so far (it's usually a couple of hours later than this). Some people on the iStock forums have been reporting 2 or 3 day lags. However, the 'live' sales at the bottom of the page are updating throughout the day.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: aeonf on December 01, 2010, 13:09
Is sharing real monthly $$$ income considerd rude ?
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: lisafx on December 01, 2010, 13:25
What I'm wondering is... where is the wall?  Those of you in gostwyck's shoes, lamenting big decreases over the past year despite big increases in port size, how long have you been at this?  

My earnings rose fairly steadily for just over 5 years, peaking in March this year, before the decline started. I usually upload between 600-800 new images per year. It looks like I might have to increase my output if I want to remain avoiding having  to work for a living  ;)

My story is the same.  Sales rose steadily for about 5 years and only this year have started to decline.  I produce over 1000-1200 new images a year.  Can't really output much more than that without a decrease in quality, which would be counterproductive...

For me, Nov. 2010 is up 5% from October 2010, but down 7% on November 2009.  Shutterstock and Dreamstime are significantly up from last year, but couldn't make up for the big drop at Istock, or the moderate one at Fotolia.  100% day at Dreamstime was very good to me, so that has skewed their numbers a bit, but even excluding that, download numbers at DT were still better than last year. 

Istock really has fallen off a cliff for me.  My graph for them this year has November matching up with July and August.  Unheard of in past years. 

                    (% +/- from Nov 09)
ISP   34%      (-16%) 
SS   17%      (+15%)
DT   15%      (+32%)
Fot   21%      (-11%)
BigStock   4%        (+33%)
123RF  2%     (-08%)
Crest   0%        (-58%)
CanStockPhoto   2%        (+104%)
Almy   4%        (+71%)
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: grp_photo on December 01, 2010, 13:46
Now that my complaining is over, I guess it is sharing time. My list gets weirder looking every month.

IS - 26%
SS - 21%
CL - 11%
DT - 11%
FT - 7%
CA - 6%
MY - 6%
BS - 3%
VS - 3%
V - 2%
123 - 1%
what is VS,MY and CL?
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on December 01, 2010, 13:50

...Istock really has fallen off a cliff for me.  My graph for them this year has November matching up with July and August.  Unheard of in past years. 

                    (% +/- from Nov 09)
ISP   34%      (-16%) 
...


I have to wonder if they've been tweaking the best match a little to try and assist some groups in making their redeemed credits targets for 2011 - i.e. if they're worried about too many exclusives dropping the crown. It isn't just exclusive vs. independent - if you look at the thread on the IS forums there are lots of very unhappy exclusives whose sales for November weren't what they expected.

Happy as I am that I had a stellar November, I can't see any reason why - especially as I was so bummed I did no new Christmas stuff this year. If all exclusives did especially well, that might explain it - but that's not the case.

I oped out of Vetta and Agency back at the end of September, so it isn't the extra boost of those sales. I don't do exclusive plus either.

If you factored IS out of your numbers completely (and I know at one point they were close to half the total) does the picture look any different in terms of growth or decline over 5 years? If that is growing overall, then I think declines are  nothing to do with your content and everything to do with getting a less favorable placement on the store shelves at IS (for reasons we could speculate endlessly about :))
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: cthoman on December 01, 2010, 13:56
what is VS,MY and CL?

VS- Vectorstock, CL - Clipartof & MY - my own site (See my signature below).
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: grp_photo on December 01, 2010, 13:58
what is VS,MY and CL?

VS- Vectorstock, CL - Clipartof & MY - my own site (See my signature below).
ah thanks I'm not into vector :-) but surprisingly good sales from your own site - congrats :-)
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: cthoman on December 01, 2010, 14:00
I have to wonder if they've been tweaking the best match a little to try and assist some groups in making their redeemed credits targets for 2011 - i.e. if they're worried about too many exclusives dropping the crown. It isn't just exclusive vs. independent - if you look at the thread on the IS forums there are lots of very unhappy exclusives whose sales for November weren't what they expected.
It's been pretty stable for me as an independent, so I can't say it's been a search change.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: cthoman on December 01, 2010, 14:03
ah thanks I'm not into vector :-) but surprisingly good sales from your own site - congrats :-)

Thanks. I was a little surprised too. It's definitely an encouraging sign. Hopefully, it continues.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: lisafx on December 01, 2010, 14:05

I have to wonder if they've been tweaking the best match a little to try and assist some groups in making their redeemed credits targets for 2011 - i.e. if they're worried about too many exclusives dropping the crown. It isn't just exclusive vs. independent - if you look at the thread on the IS forums there are lots of very unhappy exclusives whose sales for November weren't what they expected.


I suspect you are right JoAnn, about the best match tweaking.  I had an excellent Sept, and decent October at IS, so November sales being comparable to the worst of the summer slump doesn't make sense.  

Quote
If you factored IS out of your numbers completely (and I know at one point they were close to half the total) does the picture look any different in terms of growth or decline over 5 years?

Very good question!  Without Istock in the mix, I am dead even with last year.  Less than $50 difference.  And last year StockXpert was 7% of my totals.  Exclude StockXpert and I would be up 7%.  So yes, the losses at Istock over the past year are a big reason for my decline. 

Looks like Getty has screwed me twice in the past year - once through StockXpert and once through Istock.   Not much I can do about that I guess, but at least it suggests that my work is still marketable.  Just not at IS ;)
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: stockmarketer on December 01, 2010, 14:21
Thanks to everyone who responded about how long they've been at it and their port size.  I think this kind of info is really enlightening, in terms of getting a general sense of where the dreaded wall is.  Yes, everyone is different, but there does seem to be a trend here...

-------

THE 3-YEAR CLUB
Myself - port size about 1,500 - steady growth, maintaining straight trendline from day 1 - not IS exclusive
PixelsAway - port size about 2,000 - still growing, steady growth - not IS exclusive

-------

THE 5-YEAR CLUB
Gostwyck - port size ? - rose fairly steadily for just over 5 years, peaking in March then decline - not IS exclusive
FD-Regular -  port size 1,000 - hit the glass ceiling in 2008 - not IS exclusive
LisaFX - port size ? - rose steadily for about 5 years and only this year have started to decline - not IS exclusive
jsnover - port size 2,500 - still seeing steady growth - IS exclusive

-------

Could it be that the dreaded wall typically appears around 4 to 5 years in and after you hit about 1 to 2 K images?  (But some at this for less time but also with 1K or 2K ports are still growing, so port size itself may not be a factor).

And further, could IS exclusivity be a key to breaking through the wall?  I've always cringed at the idea, and don't see myself seriously considering it anytime soon, but this is definitely worth collecting more stats.  

How about you?  What's your story?  Copy the above info, put yourself in one of the groups or start a new one, and we'll see if this trend continues or falls apart.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on December 01, 2010, 14:34

...And further, could IS exclusivity be a key to breaking through the wall?  I've always cringed at the idea, and...


I knew Getty was the elephant in the living room when I became exclusive in August 2008; I just bet/hoped that it'd take them a while longer to start stomping around.

I'd say that anyone established (i.e. with a good size portfolio) who contemplated it now would have to have (a) a very high tolerance for risk and (b) a cool and pragmatic disposition about business issues.

I still think that the direction Getty wants to go is minimizing the slice of the pie going to contributors. If they could grow the pie enough, that might still be OK, but I haven't seen anything so far that shows that - getting new business. If they're just focused on income for the current fiscal year regardless of the consequences for the business 2 or 3 years out, then not so much :)
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: cthoman on December 01, 2010, 14:41
Thanks to everyone who responded about how long they've been at it and their port size.  

Sorry, I missed your original post.

4 years/ 3K images/ slower growth, but still growing at some sites. Growth was a lot better from 1K to 2K images than from 2K to 3K. I guess I need to change up what I'm doing.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: luissantos84 on December 01, 2010, 14:41
I am small small fish but I don't see or think that exists a trend on different portfolios, every portfolio is unique, some have this some have that.. as we know stock is all about finding niches and also quality, size isn't "important" (a little ok)..

it will never be possible to see trends, unless on your own work or if there is a very similar photographer..
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: Anyka on December 01, 2010, 15:22
I am very (and pleasantly) surprised that November turned out to be a BME, but only JUST (with 2% over March and 4% over November last year).  Still, it is good news, considering the loss of StockXpert this spring.

BME is thanks to Shutterstock, Dreamstime, Fotolia, 123rf and Canstock (all BME's), but despite Istock, Bigstock (VERY bad), and, of course : Rodeo.

As for Rodeo, it is not a surprise at all that they're more than 30% down from last year : they haven't added an image since July.  I have a queue waiting of more than 500 images, including lots of holiday photos. 
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: microstockphoto.co.uk on December 01, 2010, 16:58
Thanks to everyone who responded about how long they've been at it and their port size.  I think this kind of info is really enlightening, in terms of getting a general sense of where the dreaded wall is.  Yes, everyone is different, but there does seem to be a trend here...

I'm a little over the 3 years club, and my sales are still growing but a bit less than before. More logarythmic than linear. I fear the dreadful wall is approaching in the form of an horizontal asymptote.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: djpadavona on December 01, 2010, 17:03
Is anyone else missing the 30th at IS? It hasn't been reported in my stats, but I had sales.  ???

Yes, I'm missing that day too.

I guess I can do it by hand. IS needs to fix their sh... [wanders off grumbling].


This has been going on for over a month.  It now takes them usually until the late evening to catch up on the previous day's sales figures.  It's amazing the amount of problems that site has.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: lisafx on December 01, 2010, 18:28

-------

THE 3-YEAR CLUB
Myself - port size about 1,500 - steady growth, maintaining straight trendline from day 1 - not IS exclusive
PixelsAway - port size about 2,000 - still growing, steady growth - not IS exclusive

-------

THE 5-YEAR CLUB
Gostwyck - port size ? - rose fairly steadily for just over 5 years, peaking in March then decline - not IS exclusive
FD-Regular -  port size 1,000 - hit the glass ceiling in 2008 - not IS exclusive
LisaFX - port size ? - rose steadily for about 5 years and only this year have started to decline - not IS exclusive
jsnover - port size 2,500 - still seeing steady growth - IS exclusive

-------

Could it be that the dreaded wall typically appears around 4 to 5 years in and after you hit about 1 to 2 K images?  (But some at this for less time but also with 1K or 2K ports are still growing, so port size itself may not be a factor).

And further, could IS exclusivity be a key to breaking through the wall?  I've always cringed at the idea, and don't see myself seriously considering it anytime soon, but this is definitely worth collecting more stats.  

How about you?  What's your story?  Copy the above info, put yourself in one of the groups or start a new one, and we'll see if this trend continues or falls apart.

Very interesting observations.  I realize I left off my port size.  Currently around 6,100 at all sites.  When I hit the wall the beginning of this year it was around 5k. 

I still do think that the economy has some effect on hitting the wall.  Also things like StockXpert being closed, and royalty cuts at the top sites are playing a part.  If the economy were ever to turn around, those of us still building our portfolios might see a recovery in our sales.  I hope :)
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: travelstock on December 01, 2010, 20:20
BME in $$ terms for me  - the first since March this year, and the first since going exclusive. DLs at iStock are at their highest level this year, but still down on all-time highs.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: klsbear on December 01, 2010, 22:22
I'm relatively new at this and have only been uploading seriously for the past few months.  I have about 45 - 50 images on most of the sites and saw at least a few sales on the majority of them.  SS was and always has been my best site with consistant sales every week this past month (I more than doubled what I'd done in October).  The other sites had just a few sales here and there.  I'm encouraged by the growth and steady sales and I sure hope that the dark clouds of doom that seem to be hovering over the industry will disapate because I'm really enjoying this despite all the concerns that seem to be expressed here.

SS - 64%
IS - 6%
DT - 12%
FT - 10%
123 - 0%
CanStockPhoto - 0%
BS - 3%
DP - 4%
CRE-0%
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: ShadySue on December 02, 2010, 04:50
iStock exclusive.
Thanks to a very good (for me, for this year) last two days, Nov edged into BMY.
However, it's well below Nov 09 and miles below Nov 08, which is still my BME, by a very long way.
DL figures: Nov 10: 172;  Nov 09: 269;  Nov 08: 565.
Hmmmm
On the positive side, my 2010 total $$ has overtaken last year's total, and with a following wind in December, might possibly match or overtake the 2008 total. But December started quietly for me.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: spike on December 02, 2010, 07:20
Is sharing real monthly $$$ income considerd rude ?
my question also.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: gostwyck on December 02, 2010, 07:31
iStock exclusive.
... DL figures: Nov 10: 172;  Nov 09: 269;  Nov 08: 565.

Being as your downloads have shrunk by a staggering 70% over the last two years why on earth are you still wearing a crown? Don't you just want to rip the thing off and shove it up Istock's a**e?
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: redo on December 02, 2010, 08:18
                         (+/-% from Nov 09)
IS         26%      (-9%)
FT        26%      (+4%)
DT        20%      (+9%)
SS        19%      (-3%)
others     9%      (-1%)

2010 = 2009 +19%
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: ShadySue on December 02, 2010, 08:29
iStock exclusive.
... DL figures: Nov 10: 172;  Nov 09: 269;  Nov 08: 565.

Being as your downloads have shrunk by a staggering 70% over the last two years why on earth are you still wearing a crown? Don't you just want to rip the thing off and shove it up Istock's a**e?

At the moment, I don't have time to upload elsewhere. I never did have, so I don't know the ins and outs of other sites.
When/if that changes, I'll obviously look at the situation at that time.
No point in just becoming unexclusive for the sake of it; they'd get to pay me even less %ge with no benefit to me.
I'm also following some blogs of new independents, with interest. Seems anecdotally they're getting more rejections than might have been expected.

That said, almost all my uploading efforts over the past year have gone to Alamy RM, as editorial is really my area of interest, rather than adverts. That's a long-term strategy, though.
Actually, the thing which would most likely make me turn in my crown is the increased freedom I'd have over what I do with my non-stock images.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: FD on December 02, 2010, 09:07
Maybe it is one of their new "punk'dem" days where they take 100% royalty.
Is that really sustainable? Why not 110% and what's the difference between 100% and 85%?  ::)
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: rubyroo on December 02, 2010, 09:09

Maybe it is one of their new "punk'dem" days where they take 100% royalty.

"punk'dem" days.

LMAO

Brilliant!
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: jamirae on December 02, 2010, 10:52
iStock exclusive.
... DL figures: Nov 10: 172;  Nov 09: 269;  Nov 08: 565.

Being as your downloads have shrunk by a staggering 70% over the last two years why on earth are you still wearing a crown? Don't you just want to rip the thing off and shove it up Istock's a**e?

At the moment, I don't have time to upload elsewhere. I never did have, so I don't know the ins and outs of other sites.
When/if that changes, I'll obviously look at the situation at that time.
No point in just becoming unexclusive for the sake of it; they'd get to pay me even less %ge with no benefit to me.
I'm also following some blogs of new independents, with interest. Seems anecdotally they're getting more rejections than might have been expected.

That said, almost all my uploading efforts over the past year have gone to Alamy RM, as editorial is really my area of interest, rather than adverts. That's a long-term strategy, though.
Actually, the thing which would most likely make me turn in my crown is the increased freedom I'd have over what I do with my non-stock images.

I don't have a lot of time either but believe me --- the upload process at the 3 other sites I joined is heads and tails quicker and easier than istock.  If you keyword, title and description in your metadata then it will be an amazing breeze!  plus they store your releases right there in a library and you just pick the one that goes with the file(s).  no worries about uploading an MR every single time.  I dropped the crown last month and I'm loving it.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: Phadrea on December 02, 2010, 11:44
Terrible month. Photo sales have dropped every month this year so far. Dec up to now is even worse. Absolutely awful.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: MarkHayes on December 02, 2010, 12:55
OK so first full month as an independent after giving up iStocks crown in October.

Amounts are % of income and total files online.   The big time factor is still keywording everything into the file itself which I hadn't done with most of my library.   Still focusing on the big 4 (or 3 in my case).   Expect things to pick up speed on uploads after the first of the year when my wedding business is taking no time at all.   

iStock          46.62%   3006
Dreamstime   9.22%   689
Shutterstock   37.30%   545
Fotolia             2.74%   188
Bigstock             0.95%   502
Canstock              1.49%   460
123RF            1.00%   130
Veer                     0.50%      9
Depositphotos   0.18%   171

Income up 5% from last month when I made the break.   While combined income is still about 80% on average of my exclusive income - it's certainly not the worst month this year - I had several months this summer slower than this with the crown.   
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: aeonf on December 02, 2010, 13:46
Is sharing real monthly $$$ income considerd rude ?
my question also.

Well I dont mind sharing this piece of info. We made 580$ in Nov.
Exclusives at IS with a port of ~1.5K
Would love to hear other people figures.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: luissantos84 on December 02, 2010, 13:50
Is sharing real monthly $$$ income considerd rude ?
my question also.

that's your own business, if you want to share why are you rude??
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: melastmohican on December 02, 2010, 13:58
I got record month in October so now it is back to average :-)
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: madelaide on December 02, 2010, 15:27
November was as low as October. IS was stable, DT up, FT down.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on December 02, 2010, 17:21
Is sharing real monthly $$$ income considerd rude ?
my question also.

Well I dont mind sharing this piece of info. We made 580$ in Nov.
Exclusives at IS with a port of ~1.5K
Would love to hear other people figures.


If you want to share, I don't think anyone will chastise you, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for others to do the same.

When I was salaried, I didn't routinely go around telling people what I made and certainly wouldn't have posted it in a public forum. It's information I would share in some circumstances, but it'd be a case by case basis. Don't feel there's any difference with my stock income.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: leaf on December 02, 2010, 18:20
Is sharing real monthly $$$ income considerd rude ?
my question also.

Well I dont mind sharing this piece of info. We made 580$ in Nov.
Exclusives at IS with a port of ~1.5K
Would love to hear other people figures.

I'm guessing most people appreciate it that you show hard numbers.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: cthoman on December 02, 2010, 18:57
I'm guessing most people appreciate it that you show hard numbers.

I know I do. I always find it interesting when people post their concrete numbers, but there is a lot of secrecy. I guess the poll reflects a numbers range now too which is nice and still gives some anonymity. I think most people reserve the numbers for their blog. It gives you a little more control to delete the info if you want.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: luissantos84 on December 02, 2010, 20:15
Is sharing real monthly $$$ income considerd rude ?
my question also.

Well I dont mind sharing this piece of info. We made 580$ in Nov.
Exclusives at IS with a port of ~1.5K
Would love to hear other people figures.

why exclusive?
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: qwerty on December 03, 2010, 06:11
BME for me :)

4 years - approx 500 photos (very much a hobby for me)

this month
IS = 28%
SS = 34%
DT = 19%
CS = 13%  (due to fotosearch regular sales)
The rest = 15%
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: RacePhoto on December 03, 2010, 19:00
BME for me :)

4 years - approx 500 photos (very much a hobby for me)

this month
IS = 28%
SS = 34%
DT = 19%
CS = 13%  (due to fotosearch regular sales)
The rest = 15%

Not to pick on you, but this is just a good example.

So that would be:
$2.80 on IS, $3.40 on SS, $1.90 on DT and if you sell one EL on SS it would be the BME by 800%?  :o  ;D

I know it's not, but the fact is, percentage of what is kind of important. BME of what? And as I pointed out at least once before, if someone would delete their duplicates, similar files and non-sellers, their RPI would skyrocket!

Lets say I make $15 a month on SS or IS, on average. (which is close to reality for the feeble 200 image attempt) That's the 50% / 50% boring income from Micro I get, month after month. One EL makes the totals change to SS = 70% and IS = 30% which is kind of misrepresenting the truth. $100 a year with each agency is about right. Nothing to jump for joy and it covers battery expenses and the electricity to charge them. I wonder what that is in pay per hour for uploading and keywording. Good news, I stopped uploading, so my average hourly wage will go up next year. ;)

The polls on the right need to be taken with a grain of salt too. Some smaller agency with 10 shills could have them reporting fabricated sales to boost the numbers. Especially when the messages on the forum say, 2-3 dollars total (from some very reliable and active stockers) since they opened and the poll is reporting $20 a month average. I'd be kind of suspicious?  ::)

I'd have the most faith in the annual survey that Leaf has done, because it brings out the people who may not write much, or don't come here often, because they are busy working! LOL

Hey it's Friday, a snowstorm is coming, I backed up the #2 desktop and copied the files off the #4 machine to an external drive. I should have a real party until the roads clear. Organizing, culling and editing. Also have a memorial DVD project, scanned photos and music, that needs to be done by early next week.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: aeonf on December 03, 2010, 23:15
Is sharing real monthly $$$ income considerd rude ?
my question also.

Well I dont mind sharing this piece of info. We made 580$ in Nov.
Exclusives at IS with a port of ~1.5K
Would love to hear other people figures.

why exclusive?

Because my goal is to earn money. being exclusive helps me with my goal. ($$ per hour).
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: SNP on December 04, 2010, 00:44
coming up on four years in February/5,800 images/Nov 2010 2nd BME for $ and 3rd BME for dls/iStock exclusive
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: luissantos84 on December 04, 2010, 00:54
Is sharing real monthly $$$ income considerd rude ?
my question also.

Well I dont mind sharing this piece of info. We made 580$ in Nov.
Exclusives at IS with a port of ~1.5K
Would love to hear other people figures.

why exclusive?

Because my goal is to earn money. being exclusive helps me with my goal. ($$ per hour).

I was just thinking that you might make more money without the istock exclusivity but I guess you have tried out that before
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: Oldhand on December 04, 2010, 04:56
3 years in: Portfolio ranging from 4,000 down. Removed most of IS pics in protest over recent developments., so they don't figure much.

Nov rolled in at around $1,000. SS makes up nearly 50% DT/FT $100 each - rest make up the extra $300.

Going forward this is passive income - I took a regular job two months ago. I upload 40-50 over the weekend, and so far sales have remained at 1K.

If this model remains sustainable, then I'm happy. If you get to the wall stage, you have to decide. Keep banging your head against it and get frustrated - quit (as in me) or become on image factory with all that entails. Maybe this is simplifying things somewhat, but you get the idea.

Oldhand
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: lisafx on December 04, 2010, 12:25

If this model remains sustainable, then I'm happy. If you get to the wall stage, you have to decide. Keep banging your head against it and get frustrated - quit (as in me) or become on image factory with all that entails. Maybe this is simplifying things somewhat, but you get the idea.


If you hit the wall at a stage where you can be fairly satisfied financially, with the money coming in, you can continue for awhile like that.  You have to keep uploading, and the emotional satisfaction of knowing you are building something isn't there.  It's more like running in place.  But at least it is still paying the bills. 

I know I could never increase production to image-factory levels.  I don't want to partner up, and I can't give over any more of my life to this.  I already put in about 40-50 hours a week.  But as long as it keeps paying the bills, I will have to content myself with running in place. 

Good on you, though, Old Hand, for taking a real job.  That is bound to yield much more reliable income ITLR :)

Even though I make more - right now - doing stock than my husband makes as a teacher,  if I had to choose between my job or his, I would definitely choose to have him keep teaching.  He can still count on doing that 20 years from now, whereas I don't know if I'll be earning my living at this 5 years in the future...
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: -m-o-l-k-a- on December 04, 2010, 14:16
My first post, so Hi to everyone :)

4 years with micros, 2000+ photos and BME. +11% from last november. I am very satisfied with the little effort I have put into this...
Shutterstock, Fotolia and iStock working best for me, others come far behind...
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: lisafx on December 04, 2010, 14:20
My first post, so Hi to everyone :)

4 years with micros, 2000+ photos and BME. +11% from last november. I am very satisfied with the little effort I have put into this...
Shutterstock, Fotolia and iStock working best for me, others come far behind...

Cmon Molka.  You know this isn't your first post.  Are you just trying to get around the 40 people who had you on ignore?  

Personally, I wasn't ignoring you anymore because your posts are pretty entertaining, but I suspect that
people will see through your -D-I-S-G-U-I-S-E-  ;)
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: grp_photo on December 04, 2010, 14:30
i dont think its the same molka
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: -m-o-l-k-a- on December 04, 2010, 14:40
i dont think its the same molka

Thank you for noticing that :). I really am a different person than the one who has been writing here... that is one reason why I signed in. I have had this name in micros for 4 years, so it was very odd to see someone writing here with the same name... just wanted to make clear that there are two different molkas...
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: Jonathan Ross on December 04, 2010, 15:17
Hi luissantos84,

 I made $1254.77 at Istock last month with 1400 images as a non-excusive, it was not a BME for me but it was close. I also like to hear numbers because percentages only shows us what the changes are from company to company not what we are actually earning. For me real numbers help me to establish what work would sell best where as well as many other things. I know a lot of people here don't like it but I am happy to share.

Best,
Jonathan
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: lisafx on December 04, 2010, 16:11
I apologize Molka.  I can see from your links that you are not this other person.  It is not a very common screen name, so forgive my confusion.  FWIW, the other Molka is a well known troll around here.  I am sorry to have been unwelcoming to you, thinking you were him.

Welcome aboard!  :D
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: -m-o-l-k-a- on December 04, 2010, 16:41
I apologize Molka.  I can see from your links that you are not this other person.  It is not a very common screen name, so forgive my confusion.  FWIW, the other Molka is a well known troll around here.  I am sorry to have been unwelcoming to you, thinking you were him.

Welcome aboard!  :D

No problem... I was prepared for some kind of confusion :).
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: leaf on December 04, 2010, 18:50
I apologize Molka.  I can see from your links that you are not this other person.  It is not a very common screen name, so forgive my confusion.  FWIW, the other Molka is a well known troll around here.  I am sorry to have been unwelcoming to you, thinking you were him.

Welcome aboard!  :D

No problem... I was prepared for some kind of confusion :).

welcome here m-o-l-k-a-, glad you decided to come out of the woodwork :)
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: aeonf on December 04, 2010, 18:54
Hi luissantos84,

 I made $1254.77 at Istock last month with 1400 images as a non-excusive, it was not a BME for me but it was close. I also like to hear numbers because percentages only shows us what the changes are from company to company not what we are actually earning. For me real numbers help me to establish what work would sell best where as well as many other things. I know a lot of people here don't like it but I am happy to share.

Best,
Jonathan

Glad to see some others are posting real numbers (As oppsoed to worthless %%).  1250$ for a port of 1400 sounds like a very good ratio to me.
I will keep on posting our numbers. December started pretty lousy though.
how much do you make over-all if I may ask ???
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: luissantos84 on December 04, 2010, 19:55
Hi luissantos84,

 I made $1254.77 at Istock last month with 1400 images as a non-excusive, it was not a BME for me but it was close. I also like to hear numbers because percentages only shows us what the changes are from company to company not what we are actually earning. For me real numbers help me to establish what work would sell best where as well as many other things. I know a lot of people here don't like it but I am happy to share.

Best,
Jonathan

Hi Jonathan, I am also a sharing guy :) (since I have started almost, you can have a look at my blog)
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: Jonathan Ross on December 04, 2010, 22:55
Hi luissantos84,

 I make almost the same from every site each month give or take a couple hundred. Istock keeps growing because I can only upload so many images a week. The other sites have more of my images but make about the same as my Istock, but Istock has my best RPI and should pass the others here soon as my monthly leader. This month SS was $1316 which was a bad month, I usually always see $1500+ consistantly. My Dreamtime was also down from $1500 to $1300 ( i am not clear how to get an exact monthly amount out of their site maybe someone could point it out to me, all I get is the graph and it has me somewhere between 1300-1400 so I am not dead on for them but I have another 1000 images to add to that collection as well so hopefully more growth there. Fotolia is coming in at $ 735.24 a down month, this has been my biggest disappointment they used to make me good money like the rest but they have dropped the fastest for me. The other 7 agencies add up to about $1500 a month all together so my monthly total for November was $6105 give or take a few bucks, x 12 = $73,260 if all the months averaged out to be the same as this month. I make about $200 dollars a day. This is from images I uploaded two years ago and have not uploaded since. I hope this helps.

Best,
Jonathan
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: luissantos84 on December 04, 2010, 23:10
Hi luissantos84,

 I make almost the same from every site each month give or take a couple hundred. Istock keeps growing because I can only upload so many images a week. The other sites have more of my images but make about the same as my Istock, but Istock has my best RPI and should pass the others here soon as my monthly leader. This month SS was $1316 which was a bad month, I usually always see $1500+ consistantly. My Dreamtime was also down from $1500 to $1300 ( i am not clear how to get an exact monthly amount out of their site maybe someone could point it out to me, all I get is the graph and it has me somewhere between 1300-1400 so I am not dead on for them but I have another 1000 images to add to that collection as well so hopefully more growth there. Fotolia is coming in at $ 735.24 a down month, this has been my biggest disappointment they used to make me good money like the rest but they have dropped the fastest for me. The other 7 agencies add up to about $1500 a month all together so my monthly total for November was $6105 give or take a few bucks, x 12 = $73,260 if all the months averaged out to be the same as this month. I make about 17-21 dollars a day. This is from images I uploaded two years ago and have not uploaded since. I hope this helps.

Best,
Jonathan

Thanks for sharing but I want to say that I have never asked for this.. My two only comments on this topic were regarding why being exclusive at istock (talking to aefon) and another telling that in my opinion sharing stock figures is not rude, it is our business if we want to share or not :)
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: Jonathan Ross on December 05, 2010, 00:47
Hi luissantos84,

Sorry for the mistake my post were directed at aeonf. Thanks for pointing it out.

Best,
Jonathan
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: microstockphoto.co.uk on December 05, 2010, 03:22
My Dreamtime was also down from $1500 to $1300 ( i am not clear how to get an exact monthly amount out of their site maybe someone could point it out to me, all I get is the graph and it has me somewhere between 1300-1400


in http://www.dreamstime.com/stats.php (http://www.dreamstime.com/stats.php) there should be a table just below the graph, with earnings month by month
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: Oldhand on December 05, 2010, 06:02
Many thanks Mr. Ross. Great info, and well done to you.

I hope your success continues - hard work pays off...

Rgds

Oldhand
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: cathyslife on December 05, 2010, 06:13
Here are my stats:
          Nov 09    Nov 10    Change
IS       57.45%   41.64%   (-15.81%)
SS      20.65%   17.41%    (-3.24%)
DT      15.44%   27.30%   (+11.86%)
Veer     0%        7.68%     (+7.68%)
BigStock     6.46%    5.97%     (-.49%)

I am not surprised that IS's share of the pie is dropping. And it looks like, for me, DT might take up that share.
edit: also I have not uploaded anything new since about August at IS, and only uploaded a small amount of files at SS, DT and BigStock. Started uploading my port to Veer and earnings are reflected, but they do not include the Dash for Cash promo monies.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: PixelsAway on December 05, 2010, 08:28
I am showing real earnings numbers in my blog through October 2010. November was ~10% up.

Earnings from Microstock Photography – 3 Year Trends (http://microstock.pixelsaway.com/earnings-from-microstock-photography-3-year-trends)

I am going to update my graph after 1st quarter of 2011 to see how the IS situation is affecting my earnings. I am trying not to pay too much attention to the month to month fluctuations.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: Jonathan Ross on December 05, 2010, 10:23
Hi microstockphoto.co.uk,

 Thanks for sharing unfortunately it dropped my sales by 1k. I am doing terribly at Dreamstime. They are at $540. This is very disapointing when they used to bring in so much more. So drop my monthly sales to more like 5.5k+. I can see the drop off at Fotolia and Dreamstime but my IS and SS has always been stable. Hope sales pick back up there.

Best,
Jonathan
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: aeonf on December 05, 2010, 10:42
Hi microstockphoto.co.uk,

 Thanks for sharing unfortunately it dropped my sales by 1k. I am doing terribly at Dreamstime. They are at $540. This is very disapointing when they used to bring in so much more. So drop my monthly sales to more like 5.5k+. I can see the drop off at Fotolia and Dreamstime but my IS and SS has always been stable. Hope sales pick back up there.

Best,
Jonathan

Your numbers are incrediable! 5.5K per month is VERY respectable. Gives us a lot of motivation to keep up the hard work. 0.58K is not enough :)
We should reach the silver canister + the 30% level sometime next year which will greatly help us up our income. (I hope IS dont raise the 12,500 redeemed credits goal, we will seriusly consider dropping the crown if they do!).
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: microstockphoto.co.uk on December 05, 2010, 13:27
Hi microstockphoto.co.uk,

 Thanks for sharing unfortunately it dropped my sales by 1k. I am doing terribly at Dreamstime. They are at $540. This is very disapointing when they used to bring in so much more. So drop my monthly sales to more like 5.5k+. I can see the drop off at Fotolia and Dreamstime but my IS and SS has always been stable. Hope sales pick back up there.

Best,
Jonathan

Don't forget to add "Referral earnings" (if any): they are not included in the "Earnings" column.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: ceeker on December 07, 2010, 16:48
I made $358 at Istock in November (Not a BME, but close, BME was actually October - $423) which represents about 60% of my income across 5 agencies (IS,SS,DT,FT,CS,DP)

I have had fairly steady growth at IS this year, having increased my port from 250 to 580 images.
As IS represents such a large chunk of my income, I am strongly considering going exclusive next year and have already dropped BS and Veer.
I am a little concerned now however as quite  few people seem to be experiencing a drop in IS income. Just wondering if any IS exclusives are seeing this trend also?
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: lisafx on December 07, 2010, 17:05

I am a little concerned now however as quite  few people seem to be experiencing a drop in IS income. Just wondering if any IS exclusives are seeing this trend also?


Here's Istock's November stats thread.  Vast majority of the posters there are exclusive.  You can draw your own conclusions:

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=278072&page=1 (http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=278072&page=1)
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: KB on December 07, 2010, 18:15
I am a little concerned now however as quite  few people seem to be experiencing a drop in IS income. Just wondering if any IS exclusives are seeing this trend also?
I became exclusive around mid-year, and I did not notice a change in the downward trend of sales after becoming exclusive. I wouldn't count on exclusivity making much, if any, of a positive impact on the number of sales. But with the bump in prices for exclusive images, plus a 25% commission increase (from 20% to 25%), for someone making 60% of their income at iStock exclusivity might make sense. (It would have been a no-brainer before the announcement this Summer, but now it's difficult to recommend exclusivity to anyone.)
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: ceeker on December 07, 2010, 18:24
Thanks Lisa, very enlightening, looks like a mixed bag but the majority seem to be doing OK.

KB, thanks so much for sharing your info.

my projections really only take into account the almost 100% price increase by moving to exclusive, so the 25% commision increase is a bonus, and any extra sales would be fantastic, but not really counting on that.

Thanks again guys
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: KB on December 07, 2010, 18:40
Yeah, I should've added (probably more helpful) that my average RPD increased by about 150% (i.e., it's about 2.5x what it was).
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: ceeker on December 07, 2010, 18:48
Thanks KB,

That makes me feel much better about my decision!
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: aeonf on December 07, 2010, 23:01
Thanks KB,

That makes me feel much better about my decision!

I can guarantee you will make more money then today. you can expect at least double income from your (very impressive) port.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: KB on December 07, 2010, 23:08
If I had looked at his port first, I wouldn't have given him the info!  ;)
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: ceeker on December 07, 2010, 23:27
Thanks for your kind words KB and aeon! And your help and advice!

...even if a little backhanded KB  ;)
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: KB on December 07, 2010, 23:50
Kidding, of course (Sean's advice notwithstanding), but I am very envious of your work.  Outstanding stock.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: ceeker on December 08, 2010, 00:06
No problem, KB, got the humor.

Glad you like my stuff. Flattery is always welcome!!
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: lisafx on December 08, 2010, 13:55
Wow!  Indeed, very beautiful portfolio!  :)
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on December 08, 2010, 14:19
I made $358 at Istock in November (Not a BME, but close, BME was actually October - $423) which represents about 60% of my income across 5 agencies (IS,SS,DT,FT,CS,DP)

I have had fairly steady growth at IS this year, having increased my port from 250 to 580 images.
As IS represents such a large chunk of my income, I am strongly considering going exclusive next year and have already dropped BS and Veer.
I am a little concerned now however as quite  few people seem to be experiencing a drop in IS income. Just wondering if any IS exclusives are seeing this trend also?

You have a lovely portfolio and with a bit more growth should see steady income from IS. What you need to look at before deciding on exclusive status is what your redeemed credits might be for 2011 (which will set your 2012 royalty rate).  Vetta, Agency and XXXL sizes all help boost those numbers and thus your royalty.

When I switched from independent to exclusive I was gold and thus went from 20% to 35%. This year has been excellent for me - partly the doubling of exclusive prices on XS, partly portfolio growth, partly price increase. Before the September announcements, I think I'd have said to wait until you could get to gold to go exclusive, but with the drop in IS income you'll see in January if you don't go exclusive (you'd drop to 16%?) and the percentage of your income from IS, taking the 25% and the huge risk might be a reasonable bet for you.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: ceeker on December 08, 2010, 16:21
I made $358 at Istock in November (Not a BME, but close, BME was actually October - $423) which represents about 60% of my income across 5 agencies (IS,SS,DT,FT,CS,DP)

I have had fairly steady growth at IS this year, having increased my port from 250 to 580 images.
As IS represents such a large chunk of my income, I am strongly considering going exclusive next year and have already dropped BS and Veer.
I am a little concerned now however as quite  few people seem to be experiencing a drop in IS income. Just wondering if any IS exclusives are seeing this trend also?


You have a lovely portfolio and with a bit more growth should see steady income from IS. What you need to look at before deciding on exclusive status is what your redeemed credits might be for 2011 (which will set your 2012 royalty rate).  Vetta, Agency and XXXL sizes all help boost those numbers and thus your royalty.

When I switched from independent to exclusive I was gold and thus went from 20% to 35%. This year has been excellent for me - partly the doubling of exclusive prices on XS, partly portfolio growth, partly price increase. Before the September announcements, I think I'd have said to wait until you could get to gold to go exclusive, but with the drop in IS income you'll see in January if you don't go exclusive (you'd drop to 16%?) and the percentage of your income from IS, taking the 25% and the huge risk might be a reasonable bet for you.

Thanks again everyone for the compliments!   :D

Hi js,

Thanks for the advice. Everyone is so helpful here! I hope I can return the favour sometime in the future!

Regarding the royalty rate, I am currently on 11433 credits (as of December 8th), so I am uploading like crazy in the hopes that I can squeeze out the last 1067 credits before the end of December which would make the move to exclusive much more attractive.

Unfortunately, my camera (D3) does not quite produce XXXL unless I res the files up which I am reluctant to do for fear of rejection! So I may need to invest in a D3x to get the larger file sizes.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: adijr on December 10, 2010, 17:19
I made $358 at Istock in November (Not a BME, but close, BME was actually October - $423) which represents about 60% of my income across 5 agencies (IS,SS,DT,FT,CS,DP)

I have had fairly steady growth at IS this year, having increased my port from 250 to 580 images.
As IS represents such a large chunk of my income, I am strongly considering going exclusive next year and have already dropped BS and Veer.
I am a little concerned now however as quite  few people seem to be experiencing a drop in IS income. Just wondering if any IS exclusives are seeing this trend also?



You have a lovely portfolio and with a bit more growth should see steady income from IS. What you need to look at before deciding on exclusive status is what your redeemed credits might be for 2011 (which will set your 2012 royalty rate).  Vetta, Agency and XXXL sizes all help boost those numbers and thus your royalty.

When I switched from independent to exclusive I was gold and thus went from 20% to 35%. This year has been excellent for me - partly the doubling of exclusive prices on XS, partly portfolio growth, partly price increase. Before the September announcements, I think I'd have said to wait until you could get to gold to go exclusive, but with the drop in IS income you'll see in January if you don't go exclusive (you'd drop to 16%?) and the percentage of your income from IS, taking the 25% and the huge risk might be a reasonable bet for you.


Thanks again everyone for the compliments!   :D

Hi js,

Thanks for the advice. Everyone is so helpful here! I hope I can return the favour sometime in the future!

Regarding the royalty rate, I am currently on 11433 credits (as of December 8th), so I am uploading like crazy in the hopes that I can squeeze out the last 1067 credits before the end of December which would make the move to exclusive much more attractive.

Unfortunately, my camera (D3) does not quite produce XXXL unless I res the files up which I am reluctant to do for fear of rejection! So I may need to invest in a D3x to get the larger file sizes.


First of all, hooray for you! :)

I was in a similar decision-situation in september- most of my income was coming from istock anyway. I became exclusive in September (my port is a whopping 18 files though. I know, I'm such a noob). Anyway, the result was a nice bump in earnings! For reference, the highest bar on the Graph (Nov 2010) is ~300$. Good luck with your decision!

(http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=bvs&chd=t:7.51,7.91,20.51,162.25,39.60,48.09,23.72,34.98,40.06,40.77,51.33,63.04,154.87,153.35,302.127&chs=500x200&chl=Sep09|Oct|Nov|Dec|Jan10|Feb|Mar|Apr|May|Jun|Jul|Aug|Sep|Oct|Nov&chds=0,312.12)

P.s. I have a whopping 2682 credits . I'm not attempting to make the 12,500 mark :)
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: Jonathan Ross on December 10, 2010, 20:05
Hi adijr,

 Thank you for sharing the numbers, this is a super big help. Sounds like a good November, keep it up.

Cheers,
Jonathan
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: PaulieWalnuts on December 10, 2010, 21:12
First of all, hooray for you! :)

I was in a similar decision-situation in september- most of my income was coming from istock anyway. I became exclusive in September (my port is a whopping 18 files though. I know, I'm such a noob). Anyway, the result was a nice bump in earnings! For reference, the highest bar on the Graph (Nov 2010) is ~300$. Good luck with your decision!

([url]http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=bvs&chd=t:7.51,7.91,20.51,162.25,39.60,48.09,23.72,34.98,40.06,40.77,51.33,63.04,154.87,153.35,302.127&chs=500x200&chl=Sep09[/url]|Oct|Nov|Dec|Jan10|Feb|Mar|Apr|May|Jun|Jul|Aug|Sep|Oct|Nov&chds=0,312.12)

P.s. I have a whopping 2682 credits . I'm not attempting to make the 12,500 mark :)


Pretty impressive sales performance. 18 files with 400 sales in a little over a year. This debunks any argument that you need to hit some magic number of uploads before starting to make sales.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: PaulieWalnuts on December 10, 2010, 21:16
No problem, KB, got the humor.

Glad you like my stuff. Flattery is always welcome!!

Yes, very nice portfolio.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: adijr on December 10, 2010, 22:35
First of all, hooray for you! :)

I was in a similar decision-situation in september- most of my income was coming from istock anyway. I became exclusive in September (my port is a whopping 18 files though. I know, I'm such a noob). Anyway, the result was a nice bump in earnings! For reference, the highest bar on the Graph (Nov 2010) is ~300$. Good luck with your decision!

([url]http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=bvs&chd=t:7.51,7.91,20.51,162.25,39.60,48.09,23.72,34.98,40.06,40.77,51.33,63.04,154.87,153.35,302.127&chs=500x200&chl=Sep09[/url]|Oct|Nov|Dec|Jan10|Feb|Mar|Apr|May|Jun|Jul|Aug|Sep|Oct|Nov&chds=0,312.12)

P.s. I have a whopping 2682 credits . I'm not attempting to make the 12,500 mark :)


Pretty impressive sales performance. 18 files with 400 sales in a little over a year. This debunks any argument that you need to hit some magic number of uploads before starting to make sales.


Yea I'm quite happy with it. I love doing this but I don't really have time, (I am a grad student right now) so the files go up very slow. Nonetheless, despite the numerous rejections and slow throughput pace, I think iStock is doing quite well for me so far. We'll see how it goes in the future.

Keep up the good work everyone!
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: RacePhoto on December 10, 2010, 23:04
First of all, hooray for you! :)

I was in a similar decision-situation in september- most of my income was coming from istock anyway. I became exclusive in September (my port is a whopping 18 files though. I know, I'm such a noob). Anyway, the result was a nice bump in earnings! For reference, the highest bar on the Graph (Nov 2010) is ~300$. Good luck with your decision!

([url]http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=bvs&chd=t:7.51,7.91,20.51,162.25,39.60,48.09,23.72,34.98,40.06,40.77,51.33,63.04,154.87,153.35,302.127&chs=500x200&chl=Sep09[/url]|Oct|Nov|Dec|Jan10|Feb|Mar|Apr|May|Jun|Jul|Aug|Sep|Oct|Nov&chds=0,312.12)

P.s. I have a whopping 2682 credits . I'm not attempting to make the 12,500 mark :)


Pretty impressive sales performance. 18 files with 400 sales in a little over a year. This debunks any argument that you need to hit some magic number of uploads before starting to make sales.


Don't be so humble yourself, you don't have a huge collection and you have very good sales volume.

Proof that some people make it on volume, some make it on very selective quality products. There's no single simple answer to how various people have made stock a success.
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: ceeker on December 12, 2010, 16:50
First of all, hooray for you! :)

I was in a similar decision-situation in september- most of my income was coming from istock anyway. I became exclusive in September (my port is a whopping 18 files though. I know, I'm such a noob). Anyway, the result was a nice bump in earnings! For reference, the highest bar on the Graph (Nov 2010) is ~300$. Good luck with your decision!

([url]http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=bvs&chd=t:7.51,7.91,20.51,162.25,39.60,48.09,23.72,34.98,40.06,40.77,51.33,63.04,154.87,153.35,302.127&chs=500x200&chl=Sep09[/url]|Oct|Nov|Dec|Jan10|Feb|Mar|Apr|May|Jun|Jul|Aug|Sep|Oct|Nov&chds=0,312.12)

P.s. I have a whopping 2682 credits . I'm not attempting to make the 12,500 mark :)


Pretty impressive sales performance. 18 files with 400 sales in a little over a year. This debunks any argument that you need to hit some magic number of uploads before starting to make sales.


Hi adjir,

Thanks so much for posting this info. What fantastic results! Definitely made me much more positive about my decision!  Unfortunately, I have to wait until next Feb to go exclusive due to lock ins with other agencies, but very much looking forward to it now. Thanks again! Keep up the good work!
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: ceeker on December 12, 2010, 20:38
No problem, KB, got the humor.

Glad you like my stuff. Flattery is always welcome!!

Yes, very nice portfolio.

Thanks Paulie!
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: adijr on December 12, 2010, 23:40
Hi adjir,

Thanks so much for posting this info. What fantastic results! Definitely made me much more positive about my decision!  Unfortunately, I have to wait until next Feb to go exclusive due to lock ins with other agencies, but very much looking forward to it now. Thanks again! Keep up the good work!

'pleasure, Good luck with your decision/caring it out.!
Title: Re: November 2010 Microstock Earnings Thread
Post by: ceeker on July 17, 2011, 17:08
Not sure if anyone is still watching this thread, but just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their kind advice.

Been exclusive at istock for 4 months now and all is going very well. My RPI has increased by about 40% and the increased upload limits have allowed me to add to this income.

So once again, thanks to everyone!!!

Courtney