Author Topic: strategy for uploading lots of pictures (Read 15299 times)

niserin · « **on:** August 19, 2010, 19:36 »

Hi,
I have got like 500 photos to upload after holidays. They are of various categories - some are tourist pics, some are isolations on white, what's more, portraits and strictly conceptual pictures and landscapes.
Do you think it's better to upload the series of the same category at once or totally mix these photos into let's say 5 baskets and send them in 5 turns - each batch consisting of mix of photos from various categories. ?

What do you think ? I'm asking especially people who have had similar situation/s and have experience which strategy proves to be the most effective.

Thank you in advance,
Michal

Kone · « **Reply #1 on:** August 19, 2010, 19:45 »

Quote from: niserin on August 19, 2010, 19:36

Hi,
I have got like 500 photos to upload after holidays. They are of various categories - some are tourist pics, some are isolations on white, what's more, portraits and strictly conceptual pictures and landscapes.
Do you think it's better to upload the series of the same category at once or totally mix these photos into let's say 5 baskets and send them in 5 turns - each batch consisting of mix of photos from various categories. ?

What do you think ? I'm asking especially people who have had similar situation/s and have experience which strategy proves to be the most effective.

Thank you in advance,
Michal

I would upload 10 x 50, mixed images in every "basket".

Regards

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #2 on:** August 19, 2010, 20:00 »

Quote from: niserin on August 19, 2010, 19:36

I'm asking especially people who have had similar situation/s and have experience which strategy proves to be the most effective.

Well, what I do is... ... ...ahhh, you almost got me!

cmcderm1 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 19, 2010, 20:13 »

Spread the wealth - I think the 10x50 basket is good, maybe even 20x25. Every 4-5 days.

rubyroo · « **Reply #4 on:** August 19, 2010, 20:16 »

LOL @ SJLocke

Yes, I would mix it up too. You never know on which day the right buyer(s) will be checking in on the latest uploads.

donding · « **Reply #5 on:** August 19, 2010, 20:29 »

I think if you do it in smaller batches, it may help to avoid the dreaded "To many similar" at Dreamstime. At least do it with them.

niserin · « **Reply #6 on:** August 20, 2010, 05:16 »

Thank you guys,
what I've noticed is that big fishes like yuri do mix their photos while sending to Shutterstock for instance. Sorting by newest first gives the result of totally different photos standing side by side.
From one point of view sending about 15 photos depicting starfish and shells on white would fill the search result only with your photos and a buyer would maybe download the whole batch? On the other hand sending 5 batches consisting of 3 photos would make them more 'individual' , stand out and noticeable for a buyer. It's my dilemma ...

sjlocke - I am not asking you about your -top CIA stamped secret- of microstock success but just wanted to share experiences ...

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #7 on:** August 20, 2010, 05:48 »

Quote from: niserin on August 20, 2010, 05:16

sjlocke - I am not asking you about your -top CIA stamped secret- of microstock success but just wanted to share experiences ...

It all adds up, doesn't it?

niserin · « **Reply #8 on:** August 20, 2010, 05:56 »

Quote from: sjlocke on August 20, 2010, 05:48

Quote from: niserin on August 20, 2010, 05:16
sjlocke - I am not asking you about your -top CIA stamped secret- of microstock success but just wanted to share experiences ...

It all adds up, doesn't it?

No, because what I am asking for is a basic thing which would not harm your business

mtkang · « **Reply #9 on:** August 20, 2010, 06:07 »

what i know about shutterstock, is they sell subscription plan to buyers so that can download certain amount by paying a price.. US249 one month and you can download maximum 25 images a day..

so other than buyers search what they needs, some of the buyers may just search for ''good images" they like every day, that's why they may have downloaded most of the ''most popular" photos, they may just check new uploads everyday..

however, a good quality images that last is still the way.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #10 on:** August 20, 2010, 07:13 »

Quote from: niserin on August 20, 2010, 05:56

No, because what I am asking for is a basic thing which would not harm your business

No, I'm saying it does add up. A little nugget here, a piece there, a tidbit here. The bits and pieces that make up a successful microstock strategy put together could enable competitors.

Anyhoo, you can do your own work, by just viewing portfolios by date of people you think are doing well.

I know, it's a horrible, terrible thing to want to not give it all away, but...

niserin · « **Reply #11 on:** August 20, 2010, 07:47 »

Quote from: sjlocke on August 20, 2010, 07:13

Quote from: niserin on August 20, 2010, 05:56
No, because what I am asking for is a basic thing which would not harm your business

No, I'm saying it does add up. A little nugget here, a piece there, a tidbit here. The bits and pieces that make up a successful microstock strategy put together could enable competitors.

Anyhoo, you can do your own work, by just viewing portfolios by date of people you think are doing well.

I know, it's a horrible, terrible thing to want to not give it all away, but...

Far be it from me to do my work by just viewing porfolios by date of people I think are doing well, as you unfortunately stated it. I also have never wanted any ego boosted strategy for microstock, even a bit or piece. Just asked a question about, yeah, strategy but about smth veeery general and sharing this info would not harm anyone's business nor enable competition I think.

Blufish · « **Reply #12 on:** August 20, 2010, 08:59 »

Maybe I'm the only one, but lock really amuses me. I just can't seem to get offended by you

PaulieWalnuts · « **Reply #13 on:** August 20, 2010, 09:00 »

Quote from: niserin on August 20, 2010, 07:47

Quote from: sjlocke on August 20, 2010, 07:13
Quote from: niserin on August 20, 2010, 05:56
No, because what I am asking for is a basic thing which would not harm your business
No, I'm saying it does add up. A little nugget here, a piece there, a tidbit here. The bits and pieces that make up a successful microstock strategy put together could enable competitors.Anyhoo, you can do your own work, by just viewing portfolios by date of people you think are doing well.I know, it's a horrible, terrible thing to want to not give it all away, but...
Far be it from me to do my work by just viewing porfolios by date of people I think are doing well, as you unfortunately stated it. I also have never wanted any ego boosted strategy for microstock, even a bit or piece. Just asked a question about, yeah, strategy but about smth veeery general and sharing this info would not harm anyone's business nor enable competition I think.

Nisern, we are all competitors here to some extent.

Some people here are hobbyists, have other income, and don't mind sharing because this is hobby income and therefore it's somewhat friendly non-threatening competition.

Other people here use their earnings as their primary income to (sometimes barely) pay their mortgage and put food on the table for their families. For a lot them, but not all, this is a business and any competition can potentially take food off the table and is therefore bad competition.

Maybe some day if you ever get to a point where this is your primary income you may view things differently. What if you found out your day job employer was interviewing people for your position. And those interviewees came to you asking for advice of how to do your job. Would you gladly teach them?

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #14 on:** August 20, 2010, 09:01 »

Quote from: Blufish on August 20, 2010, 08:59

Maybe I'm the only one, but lock really amuses me. I just can't seem to get offended by you

I do have "adorable" on my resume.

Blufish · « **Reply #15 on:** August 20, 2010, 09:08 »

I'm positive You do.

microstockphoto.co.uk · « **Reply #16 on:** August 20, 2010, 09:16 »

uploading series of same category *would* make sense in my opinion

but usually results in mass rejections for "similar", even when pictures are not similar at all - so I usually mix

niserin · « **Reply #17 on:** August 20, 2010, 09:33 »

Quote

Nisern, we are all competitors here to some extent.

To some extent we are indeed. But for me it's a friendly competition and I would definitely not compare it to normal job market.

gaja · « **Reply #18 on:** August 20, 2010, 09:36 »

I see why someone wouldn't want to share information, but I do not see why they would want to frequently share that they do not want to share information. Why come in to a thread and write; "I do not want to answer your question".

Regarding the main topic; I would mix and split, and upload smaller batches. You never know when you'll meet a happy reviewer or an angry one.

mtkang · « **Reply #19 on:** August 20, 2010, 09:48 »

It is so true. ha.

Quote from: gaja on August 20, 2010, 09:36

I see why someone wouldn't want to share information, but I do not see why they would want to frequently share that they do not want to share information. Why come in to a thread and write; "I do not want to answer your question".

Regarding the main topic; I would mix and split, and upload smaller batches. You never know when you'll meet a happy reviewer or an angry one.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #20 on:** August 20, 2010, 09:53 »

Quote from: gaja on August 20, 2010, 09:36

I see why someone wouldn't want to share information, but I do not see why they would want to frequently share that they do not want to share information. Why come in to a thread and write; "I do not want to answer your question".

'cause I'm bored sometimes, and I also get tired of people pontificating why their sales are down.

cmcderm1 · « **Reply #21 on:** August 20, 2010, 10:12 »

Quote from: sjlocke on August 20, 2010, 09:01

Quote from: Blufish on August 20, 2010, 08:59
Maybe I'm the only one, but lock really amuses me. I just can't seem to get offended by you

I do have "adorable" on my resume.

GREAT!! Now I have to take it OFF my resume (CV) haha

niserin · « **Reply #22 on:** August 20, 2010, 10:31 »

Quote from: gaja on August 20, 2010, 09:36

I see why someone wouldn't want to share information, but I do not see why they would want to frequently share that they do not want to share information. Why come in to a thread and write; "I do not want to answer your question".

Ditto

Quote

Regarding the main topic; I would mix and split, and upload smaller batches. You never know when you'll meet a happy reviewer or an angry one.

Reviewing is not the case, the are of good quality, it's rather about optimizing visibility of such a big amount of pictures.
Yeah, perhaps I will give it a shot and split them into 5-10 batches of mixed pictures. Hope it'll work.

anc · « **Reply #23 on:** August 20, 2010, 10:44 »

Quote from: sjlocke on August 19, 2010, 20:00

Quote from: niserin on August 19, 2010, 19:36
I'm asking especially people who have had similar situation/s and have experience which strategy proves to be the most effective.

Well, what I do is... ... ...ahhh, you almost got me!

sjlocke is one funny dude, people actually looked around at me at work when i laughed at this

vonkara · « **Reply #24 on:** August 20, 2010, 13:48 »

Quote from: sjlocke on August 20, 2010, 05:48

Quote from: niserin on August 20, 2010, 05:16
sjlocke - I am not asking you about your -top CIA stamped secret- of microstock success but just wanted to share experiences ...

It all adds up, doesn't it?

Watch out, you have 19 useful posts registered...

WarrenPrice · « **Reply #25 on:** August 20, 2010, 14:27 »

Quote from: Vonkara on August 20, 2010, 13:48

Quote from: sjlocke on August 20, 2010, 05:48
Quote from: niserin on August 20, 2010, 05:16
sjlocke - I am not asking you about your -top CIA stamped secret- of microstock success but just wanted to share experiences ...

It all adds up, doesn't it?

Watch out, you have 19 useful posts registered...

That's right and you are ignored by only one more than me.

rubyroo · « **Reply #26 on:** August 20, 2010, 14:37 »

Quote from: Blufish on August 20, 2010, 08:59

Maybe I'm the only one, but lock really amuses me. I just can't seem to get offended by you

You're definitely not the only one

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #27 on:** August 20, 2010, 14:58 »

Quote from: Vonkara on August 20, 2010, 13:48

Watch out, you have 19 useful posts registered...

Those are probably the ones wherein I spank various spammers.

Digital66 · « **Reply #28 on:** August 20, 2010, 16:32 »

Quote from: PaulieWalnuts on August 20, 2010, 09:00

Nisern, we are all competitors here to some extent.

Some people here are hobbyists, have other income, and don't mind sharing because this is hobby income and therefore it's somewhat friendly non-threatening competition.

Other people here use their earnings as their primary income to (sometimes barely) pay their mortgage and put food on the table for their families. For a lot them, but not all, this is a business and any competition can potentially take food off the table and is therefore bad competition.

Maybe some day if you ever get to a point where this is your primary income you may view things differently. What if you found out your day job employer was interviewing people for your position. And those interviewees came to you asking for advice of how to do your job. Would you gladly teach them?

+1
Yes, we are competitors.

Nisern, even when it is a friendly competition, some information is not to be shared.
Your question is not so general. What you are asking is information on how to improve your sales.

Snufkin · « **Reply #29 on:** August 20, 2010, 18:39 »

Actually SJ gives the best advice here: "do not give any advice".

If you want to be a succesful microstocker that is the best advice you can get. However not everyone wants to become a succesful microstocker, some people prefer to be 'cool'.
I have learned so much from SJ, I really appreciate it

ShadySue · « **Reply #30 on:** August 20, 2010, 19:56 »

Quote from: niserin on August 20, 2010, 05:56

Quote from: sjlocke on August 20, 2010, 05:48
Quote from: niserin on August 20, 2010, 05:16
sjlocke - I am not asking you about your -top CIA stamped secret- of microstock success but just wanted to share experiences ...

It all adds up, doesn't it?

No, because what I am asking for is a basic thing which would not harm your business

Ah, but even though you may be operating in different spheres than Sean, 'the walls have ears', meaning that his post would be visible to any number of people who might be shooting in the same genre ergo are possible rivals.

WarrenPrice · « **Reply #31 on:** August 20, 2010, 20:00 »

Quote from: ShadySue on August 20, 2010, 19:56

Quote from: niserin on August 20, 2010, 05:56
Quote from: sjlocke on August 20, 2010, 05:48
Quote from: niserin on August 20, 2010, 05:16
sjlocke - I am not asking you about your -top CIA stamped secret- of microstock success but just wanted to share experiences ...

It all adds up, doesn't it?

No, because what I am asking for is a basic thing which would not harm your business
Ah, but even though you may be operating in different spheres than Sean, 'the walls have ears', meaning that his post would be visible to any number of people who might be shooting in the same genre ergo are possible rivals.

But, doesn't that dilute the usefulness of this forum?
Why bother coming here if you are in fear of revealing classified information?

FD · « **Reply #32 on:** August 20, 2010, 20:42 »

Quote from: WarrenPrice on August 20, 2010, 20:00

But, doesn't that dilute the usefulness of this forum?
Why bother coming here if you are in fear of revealing classified information?

For nagging of course, and spanking spammers.

FD · « **Reply #33 on:** August 20, 2010, 20:46 »

Quote from: ShadySue on August 20, 2010, 19:56

Ah, but even though you may be operating in different spheres than Sean, 'the walls have ears', meaning that his post would be visible to any number of people who might be shooting in the same genre ergo are possible rivals.

There is a part of this forum thats is not accessible to lurkers where you can tell all you want. You'll get access after a number of posts.

youralleffingnuts · « **Reply #34 on:** August 20, 2010, 20:53 »

What I find amusing is that the ones who feel threatened and complain about competition the most, are the ones that bring in the competition with their endless referals.

niserin, your upload strategy should differ from agent to agent. No use uploading a batch of similars at an agent who's known for knocking back images because they're similar.

Good luck.

FD · « **Reply #35 on:** August 20, 2010, 21:11 »

Quote from: Tom on August 20, 2010, 18:39

I have learned so much from SJ, I really appreciate it

The main lesson I learned from SJ is in his profile. If you feel the urge to make a blog and/or a site, go for the buyers, not for other photographers. Raking in new photographers and teaching them the ropes is bad for business, raking in buyers is good.

youralleffingnuts · « **Reply #36 on:** August 20, 2010, 21:51 »

What I've learnt from him is that as soon as IS goes down the pan, he's going with them.

FD · « **Reply #37 on:** August 20, 2010, 22:11 »

Quote from: sunnymars on August 20, 2010, 21:51

What I've learnt from him is that as soon as IS goes down the pan, he's going with them.

You wish. If IS would go down the pan, SL will call Jon (SS) and Serban (DT) and FT and cut a deal. The next day a few DVD's are fedexed and before you know, he dominates all searches there. On IS, he's isolated and he can't do that much harm.

He can even organize an auction for his referral link at SS. I would start bidding at 1000$.

youralleffingnuts · « **Reply #38 on:** August 21, 2010, 01:10 »

No I don't wish. I personally prefer IS continues to operate on a slow downhill slump and sjlocke sits there waiting for it to pick up again while other more userfriendly sites boom.

ShadySue · « **Reply #39 on:** August 21, 2010, 04:32 »

Quote from: FD-regular on August 20, 2010, 20:46

Quote from: ShadySue on August 20, 2010, 19:56
Ah, but even though you may be operating in different spheres than Sean, 'the walls have ears', meaning that his post would be visible to any number of people who might be shooting in the same genre ergo are possible rivals.
There is a part of this forum thats is not accessible to lurkers where you can tell all you want. You'll get access after a number of posts.

Yes, but this forum isn't one of them, and this is where the question was asked. And in that forum, there are plenty of people shooting in Sean's genre.

youralleffingnuts · « **Reply #40 on:** August 21, 2010, 05:08 »

If sjlocke is so concerned about giving anything away, he should deregister and sit in a corner of a dark room with his trade secrets. This is supposed to be a forum where people discuss all things microstock. People here share their sales every month and whinge when sales are low and always ask for the opinion of others. Depending on who's asking the question, they'll either get a decent answer or if they're not in the 'in crowd', be told something stupid like "I'm not going to hold your hand". I copped the same response when I first posted here. The OP has every right to ask a microstock question in a microstock forum and if you don't want to help out or share, then bugger off. It wasn't as if the OP was directing their question at sjlocke only. He doesn't like giving business strategies away because it's bad for business, fair enough, don't respond at all. What he does give away is that he's an egotistical wa... ahhh I better not say it... but that can't be good for business either can it?

ShadySue · « **Reply #41 on:** August 21, 2010, 05:40 »

Quote from: sunnymars on August 21, 2010, 05:08

If sjlocke is so concerned about giving anything away, he should deregister and sit in a corner of a dark room with his trade secrets.

Sean is one of the most helpful people in the business, certainly among the big sellers. But he's got an untypical sense of humour, which I admit I also didn't 'get' at first.

michealo · « **Reply #42 on:** August 21, 2010, 05:45 »

Quote from: sjlocke on August 20, 2010, 09:01

Quote from: Blufish on August 20, 2010, 08:59
Maybe I'm the only one, but lock really amuses me. I just can't seem to get offended by you

I do have "adorable" on my resume.

But isn't it prefixed by "I have never been accused of being"

;-)