Author Topic: Where Are the Customers? (Read 920 times)

Stockhome Syndrome · « **on:** April 09, 2025, 06:48 »

Everyone here is complaining about the low sales, and I'm in the same boat. My sales are dismal so far this year when compared to previous years. In fact, so far this month, I only have three sales on Pond5.

It's easy to put the blame on the agencies, but is that really the case? If Pond5 or Shutterstock dropped the ball and lost customers, where did the buyers go? If that were the case, other agencies would have picked up the slack. But looking at my stats, I don't think that's the case.

While my Adobe seems to be going strong, it's improved performance doesn't make up the loss from other agencies. And I don't see a dramatic trend upward at other agencies where I post clips.

Could it just be that overall, customer habits have changed? Are they buying less, or just buying from somewhere where I'm not represented?

BlackBox is arguably the largest contributor at many mainstream agencies. I'd like to know what their trend is. That might put things in a better perspective.

stocker2011 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 09, 2025, 07:01 »

Great question and I also hope we can gain some perspective on this matter.

To better understand I think we need, as you mentioned, to hear from larger contributors. But also we need to be looking at the agencies financials and overall yearly performance to understand customer trends and see where the money's going.

tätarätä · « **Reply #2 on:** April 09, 2025, 11:43 »

Microstock is loosing costumers because of AI.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #3 on:** April 09, 2025, 12:37 »

One part of the answer, free sites. But also, some places that had subscriptions for years and years, downloaded their full quota, and have a stockpile of images, so large, that they don't need to buy anything, except maybe new ideas and news.

I was asking myself the same question.

Quote from: Stockhome Syndrome on April 09, 2025, 06:48

It's easy to put the blame on the agencies, but is that really the case? If Pond5 or Shutterstock dropped the ball and lost customers, where did the buyers go? If that were the case, other agencies would have picked up the slack.

All of them are down and Adobe is just holding on.

cobalt · « **Reply #4 on:** April 09, 2025, 13:37 »

i think we are beginning to see the start of a worldwide orangeconma made recession that could be worse than covid

Injustice for all · « **Reply #5 on:** April 09, 2025, 13:48 »

This is a shocking situation,everything is going to hell!

gnirtS · « **Reply #6 on:** April 09, 2025, 22:24 »

Quote from: Uncle Pete on April 09, 2025, 12:37

One part of the answer, free sites. But also, some places that had subscriptions for years and years, downloaded their full quota, and have a stockpile of images, so large, that they don't need to buy anything, except maybe new ideas and news.

Mostly this. The crazy cheap, vast download options have meant most people, who dont need many fresh or new time sensitive stuff are sitting on a vast library, already paid for.

This and the number of free sites mean those that do need something generally wont have to pay for it.

Then theres AI for people who want to illustrate something without really caring about accuracy. They can do that themselves for free.

danielvisuals · « **Reply #7 on:** April 10, 2025, 00:29 »

Quote from: cobalt on April 09, 2025, 13:37

i think we are beginning to see the start of a worldwide orangeconma made recession that could be worse than covid

Did you have a drop in sales during Covid? I started contributing to stocks on 2022 so I wouldn’t know.

What you’re saying is probably true and possibly also exacerbated by unlimited download sites and AI.

My sales on Artlist are good and increasing. I make as much money there with 15% of the total clips I have on other agencies. I have about 400 clips on Artlist compared to 3,000 on SS.

SS trying out a new unlimited subscription model may be proof of that?

angelacat · « **Reply #8 on:** April 10, 2025, 02:21 »

Did you have a drop in sales during Covid?

I did ok from Covid - probably because people used stock more because they couldn't travel or go outside to shoot.

My March 2025 sales were slightly down on March 2024 - April has been slow so far. Too soon to say if this is a blip or start of a downtrend.

I have been uploading 50% less since Jan 2025 (life very busy).

SuperPhoto · « **Reply #9 on:** April 10, 2025, 08:03 »

Quote from: danielvisuals on April 10, 2025, 00:29

Quote from: cobalt on April 09, 2025, 13:37
i think we are beginning to see the start of a worldwide orangeconma made recession that could be worse than covid

Did you have a drop in sales during Covid? I started contributing to stocks on 2022 so I wouldn’t know.

What you’re saying is probably true and possibly also exacerbated by unlimited download sites and AI.

My sales on Artlist are good and increasing. I make as much money there with 15% of the total clips I have on other agencies. I have about 400 clips on Artlist compared to 3,000 on SS.

SS trying out a new unlimited subscription model may be proof of that?

Lol, I've had a significant increase overall in sales, probably because I've been working very hard at it.

Jaggy · « **Reply #10 on:** April 10, 2025, 08:07 »

I'm ahead of last year on downloads but behind last year on revenue. So the customers are there. What I'm not getting are the big sales. It's mostly low value ones. Hopefully, that will change.

gnirtS · « **Reply #11 on:** April 10, 2025, 08:20 »

Quote from: Jaggy on April 10, 2025, 08:07

I'm ahead of last year on downloads but behind last year on revenue. So the customers are there. What I'm not getting are the big sales. It's mostly low value ones. Hopefully, that will change.

AS is growing in terms of both for me. P5 has hit the floor but SS has hit the floor and continues to dig a mineshaft downwards.

My average RPD for video from SS has dropped from $8 to $2 this year. Images its down about 30% as well.

Dumpster fire of discounting from an agency i suspect does not have long left.

devy · « **Reply #12 on:** April 14, 2025, 11:02 »

Yes, I had lately the same question.
The need for images is still there..but the downloads are getting less and less.
I am also wondering where the customers are..
Not yet an answer on that question..

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Author Topic: Where Are the Customers? (Read 920 times)

Stockhome Syndrome

stocker2011

tätarätä

Uncle Pete

cobalt

Injustice for all

gnirtS

danielvisuals

angelacat

SuperPhoto

Jaggy

gnirtS

devy

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