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Microstock Photography Forum - General => General Stock Discussion => Topic started by: Graffoto on April 05, 2010, 08:55

Title: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: Graffoto on April 05, 2010, 08:55
Its spring break here in the US.
Should we expect slow sales this week?
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: Whiz on April 05, 2010, 09:25
Spring break is mostly in March.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: ShadySue on April 05, 2010, 09:26
Its spring break here in the US.
Should we expect slow sales this week?
Friday and/or Monday is a holiday in many countries. so this weekend has been quiet for many.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on April 05, 2010, 10:37
Spring break is mostly in March.

We just got back from being away for the Spring break week - schools in different parts of the US have different vacation schedules. Some others are on vacation this week. I'm guessing it'll be a bit slower than usual.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: Graffoto on April 05, 2010, 10:50
Yeah, my college age daughter was off last week.
But my high school age son had half of last week and all of this week off.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: Red Dove on April 05, 2010, 16:42
Good Friday and Easter Monday in the UK....Feels like four Sundays in a row. Dead slow on sales.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: vonkara on April 05, 2010, 17:20
Same... I want to calculate how many real selling days we get in one year. Here is a estimation.

(weekends) 365 - 104= 261
(holidays) -1 week xmas - 2 weeks vacation - 2 weeks sickness ect - random holidays like easter 10 days... = 216

This is only a average estimation of a designer off days, it can be more or less but,

That make 60% of real selling days
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: lisafx on April 05, 2010, 17:28
April has always been slower than March for me.  I assume it is related to Easter Holiday/Spring Break.  Can't think of another reason for it. 
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: ShadySue on April 05, 2010, 17:42
Its spring break here in the US.
Should we expect slow sales this week?
Friday and/or Monday is a holiday in many countries. so this weekend has been quiet for many.
I'm a teacher; we're off this week and next, but I hardly expect that will affect sales.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: WarrenPrice on April 05, 2010, 17:47
Grandson returns to Maryland tomorrow, returning to classes on Wednesday after spending his break with grandparents in Texas.  I hope that is a reason for my depressingly low sales.   ???
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: gostwyck on April 05, 2010, 17:52
April has always been slower than March for me.  I assume it is related to Easter Holiday/Spring Break.  Can't think of another reason for it. 

Yep. My records indicate that April tends to be about the same as Feb in earnings. The kids are off school for two weeks in the UK (and most of Europe too I think) and its a popular time for families to vacation.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: Sean Locke Photography on April 05, 2010, 18:29
Last year, April was the start of a dip that didn't recover til August.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: Graffoto on April 05, 2010, 18:59
Last year, April was the start of a dip that didn't recover til August.

I hope that was an anomoly and not a trend that will repeat itself this year.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: sharply_done on April 05, 2010, 19:47
Last year, April was the start of a dip that didn't recover til August.

Tell me about it - that happened just as I went exclusive ... d'oh!
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: PowerDroid on April 05, 2010, 20:10
Last year April was my worst month... not in terms of revenue but in decline from previous month.  Sales went south leading into Easter weekend and remained low for about two weeks following, which I attributed to vacations.  (My elementary school aged kids are off the entire week after Easter.)  This year seems to be a repeat of last year so far.  I'm probably off my March numbers by about a third so far.  Trying to comfort myself with the fact that last year May recovered nicely from a lousy April... hoping that repeats this year.

(Last year May and June were good, then July was flat to June.)
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: FD on April 06, 2010, 03:22
Total earnings 1/09 - 2/10
(http://cjoint.com/data/egkvEf2nNf_totl2009.jpg)
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: PowerDroid on April 08, 2010, 12:50
Anyone else seeing a quick rebound to the Easter slump?

I had a pretty awful first five or six days of April, but the last few days have been roaring back.

Today will be my BDE thanks in large part to 3 ELs at SS!  But even without those, this would be a strong day... back to where the great days of March left off.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: ap on April 08, 2010, 13:09
for me, the rebound started yesterday, with ods and  and one el at ss. even dt joined the party, a little.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: rubyroo on April 08, 2010, 14:39
Yes, I'm really surprised too.  Things picked up yesterday and today has been terrific with more ppd sales than subs.  I thought this whole week was going to be bleak.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: FD on April 08, 2010, 22:29
Anyone else seeing a quick rebound to the Easter slump?
Yes: sub sales down at DT and large credit sales up. It started wednesday.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: Albert Martin on May 06, 2010, 17:19
What sales? LOL!

I mean what slowdown?

;-)
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: lisafx on May 06, 2010, 17:49
What sales? LOL!

I mean what slowdown?

;-)

Uhm...  I'm afraid I am totally missing your point - if there is one.

This thread is a month old.  Spring break is over and won't rear its head again for another year. 
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: borg on May 07, 2010, 03:52
Hahahahaha!

Spring break, summer slowdown, Halloween break, Christmas and new year holidays, few natural disasters, weekends and one day holidays  etc.

After that we have maybe cca 30-50 normal working days  ;D ;D ;D  :P
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: lagereek on May 07, 2010, 05:51
Yep!  the end is near!  soon its time for all buyers to take their snotty nosed kids into their delapedated caravans, drinking beer and whiskey, red-eyed and smelly they open their laptops.  Bah!!  buying shots?  piss off!

best.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: Kone on May 07, 2010, 12:01
Hahahahaha!

Spring break, summer slowdown, Halloween break, Christmas and new year holidays, few natural disasters, weekends and one day holidays  etc.

After that we have maybe cca 30-50 normal working days  ;D ;D ;D  :P


Are we trying to blame everything else but ourselves for the lack of sales?
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: lagereek on May 07, 2010, 12:46
Hahahahaha!

Spring break, summer slowdown, Halloween break, Christmas and new year holidays, few natural disasters, weekends and one day holidays  etc.

After that we have maybe cca 30-50 normal working days  ;D ;D ;D  :P


Are we trying to blame everything else but ourselves for the lack of sales?

The photographer is ALWAYS in the right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: borg on May 07, 2010, 14:20
Hahahahaha!

Spring break, summer slowdown, Halloween break, Christmas and new year holidays, few natural disasters, weekends and one day holidays  etc.

After that we have maybe cca 30-50 normal working days  ;D ;D ;D  :P


Are we trying to blame everything else but ourselves for the lack of sales?

Probably, we are looking for some kind of comfort and hope that bad period will pass... :)
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: WarrenPrice on May 07, 2010, 14:44
Hahahahaha!

Spring break, summer slowdown, Halloween break, Christmas and new year holidays, few natural disasters, weekends and one day holidays  etc.

After that we have maybe cca 30-50 normal working days  ;D ;D ;D  :P


Are we trying to blame everything else but ourselves for the lack of sales?



Probably, we are looking for some kind of comfort and hope that bad period will pass... :)

Haven't you heard?  The world comes to an end on December 21, 2012. 

Quit saving and SPEND!!!   :o
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: lisafx on May 07, 2010, 15:46
Hahahahaha!

Spring break, summer slowdown, Halloween break, Christmas and new year holidays, few natural disasters, weekends and one day holidays  etc.

After that we have maybe cca 30-50 normal working days  ;D ;D ;D  :P


Are we trying to blame everything else but ourselves for the lack of sales?

Is it just me, or did all the smileys and Hahahahas indicate he was JOKING? 
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: Kone on May 07, 2010, 21:41
Hahahahaha!

Spring break, summer slowdown, Halloween break, Christmas and new year holidays, few natural disasters, weekends and one day holidays  etc.

After that we have maybe cca 30-50 normal working days  ;D ;D ;D  :P


Are we trying to blame everything else but ourselves for the lack of sales?

Is it just me, or did all the smileys and Hahahahas indicate he was JOKING? 

Yes, I know, but I am not joking. It is not just about Borg, it's about me, you and everybody else. We seem to be blaming our low sales on things other than ourselves. In another thread about my struggling on DT, I was trying to find the problem, but in the end, I think it's just me. So we should either stop complaining and take this seriously, or continue blaming others, not changing anything, and not making money.

I'm not quite sure what's wrong with me today, but I just feel like I had to comment on this, nothing personal.  :)
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: Suljo on May 07, 2010, 22:23
For me it seams that I am on Spring slow down, buyers are OK...
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: borg on May 08, 2010, 04:25
Hey people!

I was joking, thanks Lisa and Kone!  It's called "exaggeration in facts"... :D

But as Kone says, truth can be mix of lot of reasons, few of them are probably our property...
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: lisafx on May 08, 2010, 16:07

Yes, I know, but I am not joking. It is not just about Borg, it's about me, you and everybody else. We seem to be blaming our low sales on things other than ourselves. In another thread about my struggling on DT, I was trying to find the problem, but in the end, I think it's just me. So we should either stop complaining and take this seriously, or continue blaming others, not changing anything, and not making money.

I'm not quite sure what's wrong with me today, but I just feel like I had to comment on this, nothing personal.  :)

Ah.  I see your point.  We do try to find reasons outside ourselves for dropping sales.  However not everyone who is complaining is failing to take this seriously.  Quite the contrary - the pros have a lot more to complain about when they see their income falling.

Probably it is a combination of factors - things we can't control (but LOVE complaining about ;) ) such as competition, search position, low royalties, etc.  And things that we can control, such as improving technique, increasing output, broadening our subject matter, etc. 

The frustration comes when you have been working on upping your game and increasing your output, but are still seeing falling sales.  That suggests that there are larger factors at work.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: Jonathan Ross on May 09, 2010, 10:37
Hi Lisa,

I agree Lisa. Especially about upping your game as a shooter and seeing your sales stay the same or start to drop, how can you control such a thing. It is frustrating.

Best,
Jonathan
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: Sean Locke Photography on May 09, 2010, 17:15
Probably it is a combination of factors - things we can't control (but LOVE complaining about ;) ) such as competition, search position, low royalties, etc.  And things that we can control, such as improving technique, increasing output, broadening our subject matter, etc. 

I agree that it is such a macro market with so many influencing factors, that it is really hard to nail down reasons for overall movement one way or another.  You might be able to on a specific image - a new competing image in a niche subject, a change in the sort, etc., but overall, it's tough.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: RacePhoto on May 09, 2010, 17:28
Hahahahaha!

Spring break, summer slowdown, Halloween break, Christmas and new year holidays, few natural disasters, weekends and one day holidays  etc.

After that we have maybe cca 30-50 normal working days  ;D ;D ;D  :P


Are we trying to blame everything else but ourselves for the lack of sales?

YES! That's why I get a good laugh at these never ending excuses why sales are going to be bad next week.  ??? Holiday, global warming, seasonal, non-seasonal, reviews are slow, agency changed the best match mysteriously every other day, exclusives get better placement, reviewers reject competing images, too many images, spammed keywords, old images with more sales, too many agencies, snow, rain, volcano, tornado... the great fuzzy wuzzy wasn't. (was he?)

It's almost as good as when one person gets a batch of sales at agency X and discovers that agency Y went down that month, it must be the customers are changing to X and leaving Y. LOL

Memorial day is coming up, and to be honest if students on break makes a big difference to sales, not only are we in deep trouble, the whole Summer should stink as well, because schools out. There are holidays and vacations all year long. It all evens out in the long run. Micro analyzing Micro, isn't the answer.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: lisafx on May 09, 2010, 18:16

Memorial day is coming up, and to be honest if students on break makes a big difference to sales, not only are we in deep trouble, the whole Summer should stink as well, because schools out. There are holidays and vacations all year long. It all evens out in the long run. Micro analyzing Micro, isn't the answer.

It may not solve the problem, but it  can provide some comfort.  Haven't you heard - misery loves company ;D

Seriously though, comparing notes about sales on these forums is really helpful in detecting industry trends, vs. individual sales fluctuations. It may seem pretty random and pointless at first, but once your sales volume reaches the level where they are supporting you the trends become easier to spot, and they also matter a heck of a lot more to you.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: Sean Locke Photography on May 09, 2010, 19:57
Memorial day is coming up, and to be honest if students on break makes a big difference to sales, not only are we in deep trouble, the whole Summer should stink as well, because schools out. There are holidays and vacations all year long. It all evens out in the long run. Micro analyzing Micro, isn't the answer.

BTW, Memorial Day isn't just students out on Monday.  The entire US gets Monday off, and most take Friday to make a 4 day weekend at the lake, or whatever.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: SNP on May 09, 2010, 22:58
when sales slide significantly from one week to the next, I don't ask myself what I am doing wrong. I see a trend in my stats--from end of April to just before school begins again in North America--of slower sales numbers over the last three years. but I am relieved to know that some holidays have been happening too. I thought it was a little late for spring break.

on IS, I think we are seeing the combination of server issues, E+ best match shifts, regular best match shift, beginning of summer slowdown. I think there are other factors we probably aren't aware of too. it is what it is. I build my port regularly, but I use the summer to travel and get a lot of outdoor shooting in while the weather is consistently good.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: RacePhoto on May 10, 2010, 00:43
Memorial day is coming up, and to be honest if students on break makes a big difference to sales, not only are we in deep trouble, the whole Summer should stink as well, because schools out. There are holidays and vacations all year long. It all evens out in the long run. Micro analyzing Micro, isn't the answer.

BTW, Memorial Day isn't just students out on Monday.  The entire US gets Monday off, and most take Friday to make a 4 day weekend at the lake, or whatever.

OP was asking if students out for Spring Break was going to affect sales, I was going with the general, any off work holiday will reduce sales, and higher advertising holiday say Thanksgiving to Christmas in the US will increase sales. I was questioning if students make up that large of a percentage of buyers. Meanwhile I could just as well track sales according to phases of the Moon, or snowfall in Antarctica and make as much of an unscientific claim as some we've seen.

My favorite is site X has really dumped this month, haven't had an EL in two months, I think they are going under, which brings back... Odd, I just had my BME there and my ELs are up. :D

If there was some way to honestly and accurately track agency sales, and trends, it would be of great interest.

When I get downloads of Christmas images in April, it makes me wonder WHY?

What I'm trying to get at is longer trends across many months, are more telling than day to day, week to week, or any short period of time. Say a one day holiday, which there are many during the year, in the end they come and go like trolleys. Miss one and another is coming down the track to pick up anything missed.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: ShadySue on May 10, 2010, 02:18
When I get downloads of Christmas images in April, it makes me wonder WHY?
Because the designers are on a long lead-in time?
I get regular views and occasional sales of my Christmas and Chanukah pics all year round.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: PowerDroid on May 10, 2010, 05:11
Seriously though, comparing notes about sales on these forums is really helpful in detecting industry trends, vs. individual sales fluctuations. It may seem pretty random and pointless at first, but once your sales volume reaches the level where they are supporting you the trends become easier to spot, and they also matter a heck of a lot more to you.

I'm with you, Lisa.  This is why I've complained in the past that seeing earning percentages isn't helpful... I want to see actual sales to see if others are having the same experiences as me, and if not, where are the opportunities I'm missing? 

Myself, I'm finding that as my port and sales rise, the numbers seem to become more consistent and predictable with fewer wild fluctuations.  And of course as you mentioned, the overall trends become more and more important to me as my sales become a significant part of my overall income.

So in the interest of sharing sales trends, I can offer this... my April was pretty lousy, giving me my first significant month-to-month decline in 18 months.  But comparing 2010 to 2009, I see that last April was my most disappointing month last year as well.  May gave me a nice sales rebound, and looking at this May so far, I think that pattern is repeating.  This month should end up my BME, with overall sales up about 10% over April (so far... knocking wood.)

If my 2009 pattern holds, I'll look for sales to slow in June, stall again in July and slowly pick up in August, then have some great months in Sept-Dec. ... that is unless I experience the "sales are falling no matter what I do" overall trend that many others on this thread are reporting.  Maybe I'm still too new to this and that time is coming... I hope not.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: RacePhoto on May 10, 2010, 12:48
Its spring break here in the US.
Should we expect slow sales this week?

The thread is going off track.

OP asked... Does student break which varies from school to school and country to country or region to region make a difference in sales?

Is the educational system that big of a part of sales that it can make a noticeable difference to sales?

My micro over-analyzing of sales comment was, about looking for tiny things that make a change in the big world picture. Of course trends over years make sense and are good data to track, but week to week or one day holiday seems a little bit excessive.
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: lisafx on May 10, 2010, 14:47

The thread is going off track.

OP asked... Does student break which varies from school to school and country to country or region to region make a difference in sales?

Is the educational system that big of a part of sales that it can make a noticeable difference to sales?


Well, yeah, the only reason this thread is still being discussed is because it went off track ;).  April holidays were over in...April... and won't be relevant for another year.

But on the school holidays issue, yes, they do make a difference in sales.  That's why summers are slow too.  Most working adults take vacations and 46% (according to census) have minor children living at home, so when their kids are off buyers are going to be fitting in their vacation time. 

Not to mention that other than Summer holidays the other holidays (Christmas, Easter, Memorial Day, Labor Day, etc.) are work holidays too. 
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: lisafx on May 10, 2010, 14:51

So in the interest of sharing sales trends, I can offer this... my April was pretty lousy, giving me my first significant month-to-month decline in 18 months.  But comparing 2010 to 2009, I see that last April was my most disappointing month last year as well.  May gave me a nice sales rebound, and looking at this May so far, I think that pattern is repeating.  This month should end up my BME, with overall sales up about 10% over April (so far... knocking wood.)


I am envious - I'm not on track for BME this month, but hopefully it will be an improvement over April, which was down 12% from March and 7% from April 09.  That drop from one year to the next is the one that has me concerned. 

From what I can gather of the sales trends you have shared Droid I think you are quite a ways off from hitting the fabled "point of diminishing returns". You have clearly found what works for you and I am sure will be enjoying growth for several years to come :D
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: Sean Locke Photography on May 10, 2010, 14:52
OP was asking if students out for Spring Break was going to affect sales, I was going with the general, any off work holiday will reduce sales, and higher advertising holiday say Thanksgiving to Christmas in the US will increase sales. I was questioning if students make up that large of a percentage of buyers. Meanwhile I could just as well track sales according to phases of the Moon, or snowfall in Antarctica and make as much of an unscientific claim as some we've seen.

It isn't that "students" are buying, but that the parents of those students tend to be off work at those particular times as well, imo.  Either voluntary vacation (like summer) or national hoiday...
Title: Re: Spring Break = Sales slowdown?
Post by: RacePhoto on May 10, 2010, 18:23
OP was asking if students out for Spring Break was going to affect sales, I was going with the general, any off work holiday will reduce sales, and higher advertising holiday say Thanksgiving to Christmas in the US will increase sales. I was questioning if students make up that large of a percentage of buyers. Meanwhile I could just as well track sales according to phases of the Moon, or snowfall in Antarctica and make as much of an unscientific claim as some we've seen.

It isn't that "students" are buying, but that the parents of those students tend to be off work at those particular times as well, imo.  Either voluntary vacation (like summer) or national hoiday...

Thank you and Lisa. Sometimes I miss the side issues and go head first into the obvious, reading it literally. Spring Break for students... I didn't think of the parents headed down to Florida to do body shots and sit on the beach with them. (yeah kidding about that last part, but that's what I think of when someone says students Spring Break)

I keep thinking that in some sense, weekends begin on Friday about Noon and then people go back to work, plan and get ready for the week, which shoots half of Monday out the window. Effectively making a four day week for best sales potential. Throw in a holiday and now the week is three days. :D

I still think that people keep finding reasons why things are bad or dwelling on the minute negative interruptions instead of seeing it as a long term continuing growth process.