Author Topic: When do you delete your images from a slow-sellling site? Or do you? (Read 8753 times)

GeoPappas · « **on:** May 17, 2006, 16:57 »

Many of the threads seem to be discussing how slow some of the sites have been, or how few downloads they have received.

I was just wondering at what point do you make a decision to remove your images from a site?

I ask this because if you only make a small amount per month at a site, then it will take you many years to get a payout. For example, if you only make $1.00/mth, then it will take you about about 5 to 10 years to get your first payout! That assumes that your photos will continue to sell at that rate, and that the company will survive that long. So if you have to wait that long (or longer) for a payout, do you keep your photos online or remove them?

I think that one of the dangers in this business is to continue to keep images online in hope that the company will take off. But if they don't take off, and you remove your images (for lack of sales), then any sales that you have made will be forfeited to the company, so you essentially gave those photos away for FREE.

What do you think?

madelaide · « **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2006, 17:10 »

In sites that are slow but active, I wouldn't remove submitted images. But I'm considering getting out of StockPhotoKing, as I haven't been able to log in for a couple of weeks (they're "looking into it") and the recent images haven't changed for about the same time. Also quality standards are very low - you get horrible images there (untuned colors, unlevelled horizon, poor lighting and composition - the usual stuff). I commented that and they seemed to agree, but then I saw such bad images still being approved. It seems this new site was a total failure.

Regards,
Adelaide

GeoPappas · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2006, 17:37 »

Quote from: madelaide on May 17, 2006, 17:10

In sites that are slow but active, I wouldn't remove submitted images.

But if it takes 5 to 10 years for a payout, why would you want to keep the photos up there? Just in case it takes off? Well, what if it doesn't? What if it stays the same? Or worse, it goes out of business?

madelaide · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2006, 20:23 »

And what is the advantage of deleting them?

Anyway you're talking about a very long timeframe - years - and I've been in stock photography for a few months. In this horrible scenario you described, I might give up a site, but only if it seems to be a pattern - a very weak site overall. If other people sell there, thus showing activity in the site, I would keep my photos there.

I've seen people saying good things about sites that others don't do well, so in such cases I might stay. In the case I described (StockPhotoKing) the problems are a pattern and if no images are being approved (and mind you, it's worse than Gimmestock there!) and I can't log in, this site has serious problems.

One thing that is good about staying in a new low-activity site is that you may grow with it. I've had rejections in the big sites because they have too many similar images (although sometimes not any better), so it's important to be there first and, if the site is well developed and marketed, you are there with them. Of course, it's just a theory.

Regards,
Adelaide

chellyar · « **Reply #4 on:** May 18, 2006, 05:43 »

Hi-ho,

In my case, yes... I removed my pics from 123rf a couple of weeks ago.

Very slow sales on 50 images that do OK on other sites, and because I don't have much spare time for Microstock I dropped it.

I decided I'd only submit to 4 sites at a time, so 123rf went, and I joined fotolia. So far in 16 days I've made twice as much as I did on 123rf in 4 months..

It depends on what your images are like of course, as some people are doing OK on 123rf, but lousy on IS for example. I know that a few people on here do better on SS than they do on IS, but my stuff makes twice as much on IS as it does on SS.. With the same images on DT my sales trickle along, with a couple a day, tops.

Just my 2c worth....

CJPhoto · « **Reply #5 on:** May 18, 2006, 06:09 »

The sites that dont warrent it so far are canstock (I am considering removing) and image vortex (which was one of my firsts but with no sales, I think I should flag it).

There are sites that I hope will increase but I still think I am on track for a payment within a year so if they increase in sales, and I increase in photos, then it wont be a complete waste of time (note they are ones that are very easy to submit to so the it donts take much).

photovan · « **Reply #6 on:** May 18, 2006, 11:50 »

Why take the time to delete photos? Just leave them there and forget about it for a while, and spend the time you would have spent deleting photos into something fun. Like keywording?

CJPhoto · « **Reply #7 on:** May 18, 2006, 12:00 »

I would delete but send a email to admin asking to be removed. However, as you say, why bother.

GeoPappas · « **Reply #8 on:** May 18, 2006, 12:18 »

Quote from: photovan on May 18, 2006, 11:50

Why take the time to delete photos? Just leave them there and forget about it for a while, and spend the time you would have spent deleting photos into something fun.

Because then the microstock agency would be pocketing money for selling your photos and you might never get a payout.

I would hate to think that my photos are making someone else money and I'm not making anything at all. While it might only be < $100, it's the principal.

Also, can you imagine how much money in interest they are making by holding onto your money until a payout. If there are 10,000 photographers with $25 apiece unclaimed, then they are sitting on a cool quarter million dollars.

Freezingpictures · « **Reply #9 on:** May 18, 2006, 12:27 »

If they attracted 10000 photographers, they should have reasonable downloads I guess.. And then you can just wait 4 * the time and you will get the payout. But I know what you mean. I have the problem with Bigstock. Somehow my photos does not sell very well there while they sell quite good on other sites. I guess I need arround 10 years to get a payout from them...

uploaderz · « **Reply #10 on:** May 18, 2006, 12:37 »

i think this is a tough question, because eventually you probably WILL reach a payout.. but how long is too long. I waited over a year for my canstock payment.. and FINALLY got it the other week.

madelaide · « **Reply #11 on:** May 18, 2006, 16:48 »

Quote from: GeoPappas on May 18, 2006, 12:18

I would hate to think that my photos are making someone else money and I'm not making anything at all. While it might only be < $100, it's the principal.

I see your point. I must say I don't read all the details in the agreements, but isn't there any clause that you may claim your money if you leave the site? At least in some of the sites? I read that Shutterpoint is like that.

Regards,
Adelaide

pixelbrat · « **Reply #12 on:** May 18, 2006, 21:58 »

I'm in agreement with GeoPappas. I will be removing my images from BigStock as soon as that 90 day thing is over. (I believe they say in their agreement that you must keep them up for at least 90 days before you can remove them.) They were one of the first sites I submitted to and my images have done very poorly. I've only made $4 there compared to $130 at SS in the same time frame of 2 months. Of course, to each his own but I'm not going to waste my time with them.

CJPhoto · « **Reply #13 on:** May 19, 2006, 08:39 »

Pixelbrat - they do have a low payout of $30 but $3 over 2 months means it will take you close to 2 years to get a payout.

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Author Topic: When do you delete your images from a slow-sellling site? Or do you? (Read 8753 times)

GeoPappas

madelaide

GeoPappas

madelaide

chellyar

CJPhoto

photovan

CJPhoto

GeoPappas

Freezingpictures

uploaderz

madelaide

pixelbrat

CJPhoto

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