MicrostockGroup
Microstock Photography Forum - General => General Stock Discussion => Topic started by: RRPT on January 13, 2019, 15:28
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Hi,
just thought it would be interesting to open a discussion regarding top 10 best microstock agencies, focused on Footage. Sometimes the information one reads is ambiguous as to whether people are giving their opinion on the photo market or the footage.
so.. i'm currently uploading to the following:
Shutterstock
Pond5
Dreamstime
AdobeStock
Videoblocks
Videohive
i'm still very new to the game so i really don't have relevant data regarding sales and performance, but i will notice that of the 5 above SS has the most confortable workflow (metadata etc.) and videoblocks has the longest waiting times for me (although it's also quite easy to use). Videohive has a limitation of 15 keywords and monthly upload limit, which hinders and slows down the process...
I'm thinking of starting in a few months to upload to 4-5 new agencies... so far i listed these as potencial new ones:
123rf
motion elements
Depositphotos
...
what are your thoughts here? i really am focusing totally on footage... so that's on that basis that i'm inviting discussion. i'd love to hear opinions and suggestions to other agencies! thanks
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I upload to all the ones you've mentioned. The last three I wouldn't have bothered if I knew then what i know now.
DepositPhotos generates 0% of my total revenue.
123RF generates about 0.1% of my total revenue
MotionElements generates about 1% of my total revenue.
You might do better you never know. The only one you haven't listed which generates me more than 1% is iStock, which comes in at 3% of my total revenue... but the commission split is terrible and they're far from the best of agencies, so it's up to you whether you give them a try or not.
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Simplify your life and go exclusive at Getty / iStock.
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Simplify your life and go exclusive at Getty / iStock.
For video? That's a very unusual suggestion!!!
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:D Definetely you would simplify your live following this advice....not sure it would be in a positive way ::)
Simplify your life and go exclusive at Getty / iStock.
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Simplify your life and go exclusive at Getty / iStock.
really? you would recommend that? an exclusive deal on istock could surpass the combined sales of the 4-5 biggest?
The only one you haven't listed which generates me more than 1% is iStock, which comes in at 3% of my total revenue... but the commission split is terrible and they're far from the best of agencies, so it's up to you whether you give them a try or not.
yeah, iStock, i forgot to list it as a potential future "give it a go"... thanks for the opinion, apparently i shouldn't expect too much of any new agency i may come to sell with... i also upload to one other (Nimia) simply for my own use: I upload a very restrict selection of things i consider better, and use it as a sort of a portfolio to show people, without caring much about metadata and actually selling.
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I wish there were 10 companies worth uploading video to. I've only found four.
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Simplify your life and go exclusive at Getty / iStock.
really? you would recommend that? an exclusive deal on istock could surpass the combined sales of the 4-5 biggest?
The only one you haven't listed which generates me more than 1% is iStock, which comes in at 3% of my total revenue... but the commission split is terrible and they're far from the best of agencies, so it's up to you whether you give them a try or not.
yeah, iStock, i forgot to list it as a potential future "give it a go"... thanks for the opinion, apparently i shouldn't expect too much of any new agency i may come to sell with... i also upload to one other (Nimia) simply for my own use: I upload a very restrict selection of things i consider better, and use it as a sort of a portfolio to show people, without caring much about metadata and actually selling.
Yes.
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MOTION ELEMENTS
ISTOCK
123RF
DEPOSITPHOTOS
DREAMSTIME
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I earn 10% more at Depositphotos compared to Dremastime. Low earners for video though.
I removed all my videos from iStock some time ago. Emotional and logical decision - very happy with it!
I am not at Videohive and Motion Elements. Does it worth the time? Last time I checked at Videohive the uploading process was an nightmare.
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Simplify your life and go exclusive at Getty / iStock.
You forgot to add the word "don't" as in don't go exclusive with Getty/istuck
That would make your life simpler and happier :)
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Simplify your life and go exclusive at Getty / iStock.
I have to agree with Kokkoros, although I'm not exclusive with them, my port on Getty / iStock is performing much better than the same port on SS (both photo and video) or other agencies. I'm actually considering becoming exclusive with them. You get these horrendous 0.01 USD sales, but they don't occur as often as other sales which add up to a pretty good amount.
Someone's 'good' agency can lead to disappointing results for someone else, and vice versa. It really depends of what content you create, so the best way to know is to try every agency, and see which ones work for your style and subjects. Or have a top 10 agencies for each subject category.
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Simplify your life and go exclusive at Getty / iStock.
You forgot to add the word "don't" as in don't go exclusive with Getty/istuck
That would make your life simpler and happier :)
Hey Sammy, I'd love to see your work. Any links to your portfolio?
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I'm currently uploading to the following:
Pond5
Dreamstime
iStock
Shutterstock
Depositphotos
Adobe Stock
Videoblocks
Motionelements
I uploaded in the past to Pixta but it's very weird they don't accept 4K. They also take like more than a month to review footage. So I stopped with them. I wouldn't recommend 123RF since they are not reviewing new uploads anymore. You have to email them and push them to review.
I agree with SS being easy to upload, also DP. Adobe Stock is also very easy. On the other hand, Videblocks is the fastest in reviewing! they employ like half a day.
I'm thinking about not uploading more to ME, DP and DT, what are your opinions?
I upload to Nimia beucase they have like a backup system but I don't actually sell there.
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I'm currently uploading to the following:
Pond5
Dreamstime
iStock
Shutterstock
Depositphotos
Adobe Stock
Videoblocks
Motionelements
I uploaded in the past to Pixta but it's very weird they don't accept 4K. They also take like more than a month to review footage. So I stopped with them. I wouldn't recommend 123RF since they are not reviewing new uploads anymore. You have to email them and push them to review.
I agree with SS being easy to upload, also DP. Adobe Stock is also very easy. On the other hand, Videblocks is the fastest in reviewing! they employ like half a day.
I'm thinking about not uploading more to ME, DP and DT, what are your opinions?
I upload to Nimia beucase they have like a backup system but I don't actually sell there.
Yes David, i use Nimia like that as well, i actually don't have my full portfolio there, i just upload what I personally like most, although it is technicall a microstock agency i don't look at them like that...
Videoblocks is the slowest for me so far! they warn me that i should expect 3 weeks waiting time, and they actually take that time... weird, i don't know how they create their waiting lines... SS is the fastest for me (many times less than a day), and yes i agree, Adobe Stock is also really easy to use.
I will check the others i'm not uploading to, my plan is by the end of April to upload everything i have by than to 4-5 new ones.
As i said, i'm very new to the game so i wouldn't have any valid advice to give regarding which ones NOT to upload to :D i can only comment on the workflow ease, not on sales results, that i will the mean time gladly share (i hope i'll have something to share ;) )
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I'm currently uploading to the following:
Pond5
Dreamstime
iStock
Shutterstock
Depositphotos
Adobe Stock
Videoblocks
Motionelements
I uploaded in the past to Pixta but it's very weird they don't accept 4K. They also take like more than a month to review footage. So I stopped with them. I wouldn't recommend 123RF since they are not reviewing new uploads anymore. You have to email them and push them to review.
I agree with SS being easy to upload, also DP. Adobe Stock is also very easy. On the other hand, Videblocks is the fastest in reviewing! they employ like half a day.
I'm thinking about not uploading more to ME, DP and DT, what are your opinions?
I upload to Nimia beucase they have like a backup system but I don't actually sell there.
Yes David, i use Nimia like that as well, i actually don't have my full portfolio there, i just upload what I personally like most, although it is technicall a microstock agency i don't look at them like that...
Videoblocks is the slowest for me so far! they warn me that i should expect 3 weeks waiting time, and they actually take that time... weird, i don't know how they create their waiting lines... SS is the fastest for me (many times less than a day), and yes i agree, Adobe Stock is also really easy to use.
I will check the others i'm not uploading to, my plan is by the end of April to upload everything i have by than to 4-5 new ones.
As i said, i'm very new to the game so i wouldn't have any valid advice to give regarding which ones NOT to upload to :D i can only comment on the workflow ease, not on sales results, that i will the mean time gladly share (i hope i'll have something to share ;) )
It's kind of weird about Videoblocks. For me it s very very fast. Maybe you are uploading complex footage? I upload very short nature footage so it's kind of simple. As I said before I don't recommend Pixta or 123RF. I upload to iStock but they tend to pay misery (0.67 usd per video for example) but some people said it gets better. Also, uploading video to Adobe stock somehow makes your photo portfolio to be more exposed which is good for me since I mainly do stills.
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I'm currently uploading to the following:
Pond5
Dreamstime
iStock
Shutterstock
Depositphotos
Adobe Stock
Videoblocks
Motionelements
I uploaded in the past to Pixta but it's very weird they don't accept 4K. They also take like more than a month to review footage. So I stopped with them. I wouldn't recommend 123RF since they are not reviewing new uploads anymore. You have to email them and push them to review.
I agree with SS being easy to upload, also DP. Adobe Stock is also very easy. On the other hand, Videblocks is the fastest in reviewing! they employ like half a day.
I'm thinking about not uploading more to ME, DP and DT, what are your opinions?
I upload to Nimia beucase they have like a backup system but I don't actually sell there.
Yes David, i use Nimia like that as well, i actually don't have my full portfolio there, i just upload what I personally like most, although it is technicall a microstock agency i don't look at them like that...
Videoblocks is the slowest for me so far! they warn me that i should expect 3 weeks waiting time, and they actually take that time... weird, i don't know how they create their waiting lines... SS is the fastest for me (many times less than a day), and yes i agree, Adobe Stock is also really easy to use.
I will check the others i'm not uploading to, my plan is by the end of April to upload everything i have by than to 4-5 new ones.
As i said, i'm very new to the game so i wouldn't have any valid advice to give regarding which ones NOT to upload to :D i can only comment on the workflow ease, not on sales results, that i will the mean time gladly share (i hope i'll have something to share ;) )
It's kind of weird about Videoblocks. For me it s very very fast. Maybe you are uploading complex footage? I upload very short nature footage so it's kind of simple. As I said before I don't recommend Pixta or 123RF. I upload to iStock but they tend to pay misery (0.67 usd per video for example) but some people said it gets better. Also, uploading video to Adobe stock somehow makes your photo portfolio to be more exposed which is good for me since I mainly do stills.
maybe that's it... i do footage, and only footage for the moment (i'm thinking of trying some photography uploading, i'll see to it in time...) maybe the videoblocks footage reviewing process is not so agile, my shots are also pretty simple, for the moment 70% nature. I don't mind the waiting times, this is a long run and not a sprint anyway, so it's not a deal breaker for me, although it can be annoying :D
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Simplify your life and go exclusive at Getty / iStock.
For video? That's a very unusual suggestion!!!
Depends how much you value your time.
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I have been selling stock footage for 4 years now. Here is my top earners from best to low :
1. Shutterstock ( always no.1 )
2. Pond 5 ( even though decreased sales in the last year still no.2 )
3-4. Adobe Stock and Istock - Getty ( interesting too see how good adobe performs after rebranded from fotolia and yes Istock still sells and it's not far from Pond5 )
5-6. Dissolve - Storyblocks ( you can try Dissolve if you have time, sad to see storyblocks has dropped sales dramatically after videoblocks shut down )
I tried motion element, deposit and 123rf. I am afraid they have no potential to sell footage at all. So I deleted my portfolio on them. Videohive still too complicated to upload so doesn't worth the time. Hope that helps. Good luck !
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Simplify your life and go exclusive with Motion Elements
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I have been selling stock footage for 4 years now. Here is my top earners from best to low :
1. Shutterstock ( always no.1 )
2. Pond 5 ( even though decreased sales in the last year still no.2 )
3-4. Adobe Stock and Istock - Getty ( interesting too see how good adobe performs after rebranded from fotolia and yes Istock still sells and it's not far from Pond5 )
5-6. Dissolve - Storyblocks ( you can try Dissolve if you have time, sad to see storyblocks has dropped sales dramatically after videoblocks shut down )
I tried motion element, deposit and 123rf. I am afraid they have no potential to sell footage at all. So I deleted my portfolio on them. Videohive still too complicated to upload so doesn't worth the time. Hope that helps. Good luck !
thanks for the list of top earners.. that seems to be a very solid choice of agencies. I registered in Dissolve, but haven't yet uploaded anything... I will give it a try, i actually like to website although i don't know how the workflow goes with them...
by the way you have an amazing portfolio Photo London UK! really enjoyed it..
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I have been selling stock footage for 4 years now. Here is my top earners from best to low :
1. Shutterstock ( always no.1 )
2. Pond 5 ( even though decreased sales in the last year still no.2 )
3-4. Adobe Stock and Istock - Getty ( interesting too see how good adobe performs after rebranded from fotolia and yes Istock still sells and it's not far from Pond5 )
5-6. Dissolve - Storyblocks ( you can try Dissolve if you have time, sad to see storyblocks has dropped sales dramatically after videoblocks shut down )
I tried motion element, deposit and 123rf. I am afraid they have no potential to sell footage at all. So I deleted my portfolio on them. Videohive still too complicated to upload so doesn't worth the time. Hope that helps. Good luck !
I think from your view and others, there are not ten top agencies, only five.
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If you want to simplify your life I would use BlackBox long before I would go Getty Exclusive. I was Getty Exclusive for over 10 years info. here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JowP5XfcYus&t=56s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JowP5XfcYus&t=56s)
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Before uploading your material to every agent under the sun - read their contract!
It's very easy to upload to one agent who then uploads it to another sub-agent who then does the same again. You'll see your footage popping up on sites you didn't even know existed.
Apart from diluting your % earnings big time (and possibly never having the money filter through the various companies back to you) you can end up with one of your agents competing with your own pictures in another agent at a much reduced %. In other words, it's possible to lose control of your work - and just as important, control of your income stream. It's not happening much so far with the footage agents but it will..... when things get tighter; just as it did with the stills market. I could write a book on that.
I've seen it (and unfortunately experienced it) all before - I've been full-time non-exclusive, multi-agent for over 30 years.
So my advice is - stick to the big four and read their contract. So no surprises in the future - well at least you'll cut down on the surprises ;D
Oh and that suggestion of exclusivity - there is not an agent right now that can justify image exclusivity never mind photographer exclusivity, but it is a great way to put all your eggs in one little precarious basket and cross your fingers.
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Before uploading your material to every agent under the sun - read their contract!
It's very easy to upload to one agent who then uploads it to another sub-agent who then does the same again. You'll see your footage popping up on sites you didn't even know existed.
Apart from diluting your % earnings big time (and possibly never having the money filter through the various companies back to you) you can end up with one of your agents competing with your own pictures in another agent at a much reduced %. In other words, it's possible to lose control of your work - and just as important, control of your income stream. It's not happening much so far with the footage agents but it will..... when things get tighter; just as it did with the stills market. I could write a book on that.
I've seen it (and unfortunately experienced it) all before - I've been full-time non-exclusive, multi-agent for over 30 years.
So my advice is - stick to the big four and read their contract. So no surprises in the future - well at least you'll cut down on the surprises ;D
Oh and that suggestion of exclusivity - there is not an agent right now that can justify image exclusivity never mind photographer exclusivity, but it is a great way to put all your eggs in one little precarious basket and cross your fingers.
(https://i.postimg.cc/dttsYRZ0/thumbs-up-100.jpg)
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I read contracts and when possible talk to the owners! Never can be to careful nowadays
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Blackbox for me is the way to go. Upload to 5 agencies with one easy upload. A good support system on facebook with over 10,000 members. You should look into it.
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Before uploading your material to every agent under the sun - read their contract!
It's very easy to upload to one agent who then uploads it to another sub-agent who then does the same again. You'll see your footage popping up on sites you didn't even know existed.
Apart from diluting your % earnings big time (and possibly never having the money filter through the various companies back to you) you can end up with one of your agents competing with your own pictures in another agent at a much reduced %. In other words, it's possible to lose control of your work - and just as important, control of your income stream. It's not happening much so far with the footage agents but it will..... when things get tighter; just as it did with the stills market. I could write a book on that.
I've seen it (and unfortunately experienced it) all before - I've been full-time non-exclusive, multi-agent for over 30 years.
So my advice is - stick to the big four and read their contract. So no surprises in the future - well at least you'll cut down on the surprises ;D
Oh and that suggestion of exclusivity - there is not an agent right now that can justify image exclusivity never mind photographer exclusivity, but it is a great way to put all your eggs in one little precarious basket and cross your fingers.
Thanks Pablito, i hadn't considered what you said... terrible, as a matter of principle one would think that uploading to 20 agencies would have more potencial than 4 or 5... you give a different insight... by big for, you mean (i suppose), SS, P5, AS, IS?
-
Before uploading your material to every agent under the sun - read their contract!
It's very easy to upload to one agent who then uploads it to another sub-agent who then does the same again. You'll see your footage popping up on sites you didn't even know existed.
Apart from diluting your % earnings big time (and possibly never having the money filter through the various companies back to you) you can end up with one of your agents competing with your own pictures in another agent at a much reduced %. In other words, it's possible to lose control of your work - and just as important, control of your income stream. It's not happening much so far with the footage agents but it will..... when things get tighter; just as it did with the stills market. I could write a book on that.
I've seen it (and unfortunately experienced it) all before - I've been full-time non-exclusive, multi-agent for over 30 years.
So my advice is - stick to the big four and read their contract. So no surprises in the future - well at least you'll cut down on the surprises ;D
Oh and that suggestion of exclusivity - there is not an agent right now that can justify image exclusivity never mind photographer exclusivity, but it is a great way to put all your eggs in one little precarious basket and cross your fingers.
Thanks Pablito, i hadn't considered what you said... terrible, as a matter of principle one would think that uploading to 20 agencies would have more potencial than 4 or 5... you give a different insight... by big for, you mean (i suppose), SS, P5, AS, IS?
Yes, those 4 I think are the most important. And for stills too, maybe changing P5 for some other 2 or 3 like BS, DT or 123RF.
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Blackbox for me is the way to go. Upload to 5 agencies with one easy upload. A good support system on facebook with over 10,000 members. You should look into it.
I can see the benefits and it could suit some people.
However, it's worth quantifying to yourself how much it costs to have "one easy upload" in terms of money, flexibility and control.
How do the 5 different income streams get to your bank account? That's a rhetorical question - but it's worth having a long and hard think about it.
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[\quote]Thanks Pablito, i hadn't considered what you said... terrible, as a matter of principle one would think that uploading to 20 agencies would have more potencial than 4 or 5... you give a different insight... by big for, you mean (i suppose), SS, P5, AS, IS?
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Everyone has their own version of the "big four" ;) It's SS and P5 and any permutation of three or four others ;D
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[\quote]Thanks Pablito, i hadn't considered what you said... terrible, as a matter of principle one would think that uploading to 20 agencies would have more potencial than 4 or 5... you give a different insight... by big for, you mean (i suppose), SS, P5, AS, IS?
Everyone has their own version of the "big four" ;) It's SS and P5 and any permutation of three or four others ;D
Yes, to be fair, I'll modify my previous opinion, There Aren't Ten no matter how we count them, but there might be six? 8)
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I have been selling stock footage for 4 years now. Here is my top earners from best to low :
1. Shutterstock ( always no.1 )
2. Pond 5 ( even though decreased sales in the last year still no.2 )
3-4. Adobe Stock and Istock - Getty ( interesting too see how good adobe performs after rebranded from fotolia and yes Istock still sells and it's not far from Pond5 )
5-6. Dissolve - Storyblocks ( you can try Dissolve if you have time, sad to see storyblocks has dropped sales dramatically after videoblocks shut down )
I tried motion element, deposit and 123rf. I am afraid they have no potential to sell footage at all. So I deleted my portfolio on them. Videohive still too complicated to upload so doesn't worth the time. Hope that helps. Good luck !
thanks for the list of top earners.. that seems to be a very solid choice of agencies. I registered in Dissolve, but haven't yet uploaded anything... I will give it a try, i actually like to website although i don't know how the workflow goes with them...
by the way you have an amazing portfolio Photo London UK! really enjoyed it..
Thank you RRPT! Hope all goes well with your stock footage experience. Best luck!
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Simplify your life and go exclusive at Getty / iStock.
For video? That's a very unusual suggestion!!!
Depends how much you value your time.
That's what I mean. I've just read the January stats thread over there. Looks like video is really scraping the barrel price wise, almost as bad as photos.
Not worth the time to shoot, process and upload at iStock; hardly for stills, not for video at all.
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Simplify your life and go exclusive at Getty / iStock.
For video? That's a very unusual suggestion!!!
Depends how much you value your time.
That's what I mean. I've just read the January stats thread over there. Looks like video is really scraping the barrel price wise, almost as bad as photos.
Not worth the time to shoot, process and upload at iStock; hardly for stills, not for video at all.
Totally agree with you Shady, I stopped submitting video to iStock a few years ago - they dropped well out of my big 4 when they dropped their pricing.