MicrostockGroup
Microstock Photography Forum - General => General Stock Discussion => Topic started by: oxman on December 25, 2013, 12:43
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Submitting video: Is it worth it?
I was thinking about shooting video with my 5D Mark II and was wondering if it was worth the time and effort.
Is there really much demand? I hear approvals times are very long. Is the ROI satisfactory? Any advice? Where to submit?
Thanks for your comments. :)
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No at least in my opinion
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Depends what you mean by "worth it" - I started doing simple video with my 5D II a couple of years ago, and submitting to a few agencies.
I don't have a large portfolio and it's mostly simple, static stuff, but I do enjoy trying it out and intend to keep going; it's fun.
As for demand, no, there's not a great deal of it, at least not for easy stuff; I've made a grand total of about $900 or so all year, is all.
The only sites where I have had any sales are SS, Pond5, iStock and ClipCanvas.
The waiting times for approval are very short on SS and Pond5 (a day or two at most), somewhat more on iStock, and I don't know what's happening at ClipCanvas - they used to be quick, but my last few submissions have waited months until I emailed them asking what was happening, at which they were instantly reviewed and accepted. They seem to be having difficulties, which is a shame because I quite liked them.
It does take extra effort, but there are no instant returns in this game; you have the equipment, why not make use of it?
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Depends what you mean by "worth it" - I started doing simple video with my 5D II a couple of years ago, and submitting to a few agencies.
I don't have a large portfolio and it's mostly simple, static stuff, but I do enjoy trying it out and intend to keep going; it's fun.
As for demand, no, there's not a great deal of it, at least not for easy stuff; I've made a grand total of about $900 or so all year, is all.
The only sites where I have had any sales are SS, Pond5, iStock and ClipCanvas.
The waiting times for approval are very short on SS and Pond5 (a day or two at most), somewhat more on iStock, and I don't know what's happening at ClipCanvas - they used to be quick, but my last few submissions have waited months until I emailed them asking what was happening, at which they were instantly reviewed and accepted. They seem to be having difficulties, which is a shame because I quite liked them.
It does take extra effort, but there are no instant returns in this game; you have the equipment, why not make use of it?
Thanks very much for the information! :)
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My success comes with Pond5. They allow you to set your own price. They give you 50% commission. They'll cut you a check for $100 or more. Their uploading for video clips is smooth (I use Filezilla). And SS.....? Low commission. Poor uploading system that's tediously slow. And now you need a minimum $500 before they'll cut you a check. And Pond5 checks arrive more than 3 days earlier than SS. Both agencies accept just about everything and anything and that's where Pond5 has a perfect set-up. The better the clip, the higher the price. SS wants to punish. Pond5 wants to share success equally and despite being far lower on the totem pole, I generate far more clip sales with Pond5 than I do with SS. That's why I don't bother with SS anymore.
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My success comes with Pond5. They allow you to set your own price. They give you 50% commission. They'll cut you a check for $100 or more. Their uploading for video clips is smooth (I use Filezilla). And SS.....? Low commission. Poor uploading system that's tediously slow. And now you need a minimum $500 before they'll cut you a check. And Pond5 checks arrive more than 3 days earlier than SS. Both agencies accept just about everything and anything and that's where Pond5 has a perfect set-up. The better the clip, the higher the price. SS wants to punish. Pond5 wants to share success equally and despite being far lower on the totem pole, I generate far more clip sales with Pond5 than I do with SS. That's why I don't bother with SS anymore.
Great information... MUCH appreciated :)
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Clearly everyone's experience is different... I have more success with SS, though I do like being able to set my own prices on Pond5. Both upload processes are easy, via ftp, no problems.
Don't know about cheques, but if you use PayPal Pond5 will pay out over $25, SS over $75.
In my experience, it would be a mistake not to submit to both.
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Submitting video: Is it worth it?
I was thinking about shooting video with my 5D Mark II and was wondering if it was worth the time and effort.
Is there really much demand? I hear approvals times are very long. Is the ROI satisfactory? Any advice? Where to submit?
Thanks for your comments. :)
I say go for it, you just never know.
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Like everything Else.....Content. Biggest Mistake I made was not getting into footage sooner. Been in about 2 years and I find it very fun and rewarding, Creatively and financially. It paid for my equipment in 6 Months.
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Just as an fyi, depending on your expertize/video themes, you will need something like 200 plus videos to make some money, 1000 plus videos and you can earn a decent living. Just my opinion and experience in market.
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Just as an fyi, depending on your expertize/video themes, you will need something like 200 plus videos to make some money, 1000 plus videos and you can earn a decent living. Just my opinion and experience in market.
What kind of video do you do? Complicated movie creations or simple every day subjects?