Author Topic: Top Video Sites (Read 24881 times)

surpasspro · « **on:** November 05, 2010, 14:16 »

Trying to see if there any other video sites worth contributing to that I haven't already. Here is my list:

Pond5, Istock, Shutterstock, Can Stock, Revo

Pond 5 is at the top for me with all the others kind of clumped together as a distant 2nd. Heard of the following, but don't know if they are worth submitting to:

clipcanvas, always HD

Then there are the bigger sites, like corbis, getty, thought equity - any experience with breaking into those sites?

Thank you

click_click · « **Reply #1 on:** November 05, 2010, 14:25 »

Never had a sale at AlwaysHD but Clipcanvas looks promising...

Suljo · « **Reply #2 on:** November 05, 2010, 15:13 »

Fotolia

surpasspro · « **Reply #3 on:** November 05, 2010, 15:20 »

Forgot about Fotolia... they have one of the lowest payouts out of all the sites for video. I haven't deal with a site that sells in Euro's. Do you get euro's in your paypal account when you cash out or do they convert to US dollars?

sharpshot · « **Reply #4 on:** November 05, 2010, 16:16 »

I don't use fotolia because some of their prices are far too low. I did try and upload some but they also had too small a size limit for my HD clips and FTP problems. I deleted the few clips I had there, as Pond5 have better prices and pay me more commission.

dnavarrojr · « **Reply #5 on:** November 05, 2010, 16:55 »

I don't use Fotolia because they sell HD for $3 on subscription.

I would recommend Clipcanvas. And PayPal converts Euros to Dollars when you get paid. They do charge a fee for the currency conversion, but with the current exchange rates it still works VERY MUCH in your favor.

jbarber873 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 05, 2010, 17:12 »

Pond5 is by far and away the best site for me. 50% payout , set your own price, quick approval, and a lot of sales. I also sell on istock and shutterstock, but i have to say i am considering removing my content from there because of the low payouts and sales. AlwaysHD was a site that was linked to isyndica- i tried to sign up, even spoke to them on the phone, but there is literally no one responding to emails, so i gave up. I don't think they have anything going. Never had any sales at clipcanvas.
And i want to make a special mention of how little respect I have for fotolia's video section- arrogant, arbitrary rejections, puny sales and prices- not worth anyone's time.

tbmpvideo · « **Reply #7 on:** November 12, 2010, 00:35 »

I conducted a lengthy experiment, over a period of a year now. I sumbitted my entire portfolio to ALL the sites I could. iSyndica was up then, so it wasn't so bad, just a lot of keywording on some. From my experience in sales, the majority of sites are not worth the effort. Other stock professionals, who also make their living do this confirm it and confirm the top four sellers. I have approximately 400 clips on line on each site with an income nearing 1500 - 2000 per month. These four sites, in order of income produced on a monthly basis are the top earners - consistently.

Pond5.com
iStockphoto.com
Shutterstock.com
Revostock.com

Don't be fooled by the percentages paid out. Sure, iStockphoto sucks if you look at it that way at 16% now. But they command their market and the sheer number of downloads makes it a top earner. Pond5.com is the easiest of sites to submit and upload to commands it's own market. I don't worry about the 3 buck sub sales on Fotalia - as every sale on each site is most likely a unique sale. That's three budks you wont be making there if you pull out. Anyway, Fotalia is a marginal earner, with about 50 bucks a month average with 350 clips online. There is only so much time I want to spend uploading at this point, so I have limited my upload to the top earners.

sharpshot · « **Reply #8 on:** November 12, 2010, 03:21 »

^^^The problem with using fotolia is that it puts downward pressure on prices. I'm not sure some buyers from the other sites wont go there, how can we know that? Even if they have unique buyers, I would much rather they went to a site like Pond5 because they can't find what they want on fotolia. And they have a small maximum clip size, 300mb, that rules out a lot of my HD clips.

AD Tom · « **Reply #9 on:** November 13, 2010, 15:10 »

We don't belong to the big players. But from now on we also distribute footage from other cinematographers. Our upload does not work automaticly because we want to take care about our cataloge personly. Our focus is on 2-4k (later 5k) video stock footage with film-like asthetic. So If you're interested just have a look at http://www.footage-online.de

Cheers
Thomas.

dnavarrojr · « **Reply #10 on:** November 15, 2010, 10:14 »

Quote from: AD Tom on November 13, 2010, 15:10

We don't belong to the big players. But from now on we also distribute footage from other cinematographers. Our upload does not work automaticly because we want to take care about our cataloge personly. Our focus is on 2-4k (later 5k) video stock footage with film-like asthetic. So If you're interested just have a look at http://www.footage-online.de

A niche site catering to a very small customer base and a small contributor base... I'm sure that's a winner.

dnavarrojr · « **Reply #11 on:** November 15, 2010, 10:15 »

I have a love/hate relationship with Pond5... I love the fact that they accept almost everything and I HATE the fact that they accept almost everything. That said... I'm looking at nearly a 2500% increase in sales for 2010 over 2009 at Pond5 with a near-steady 4-figure monthly payout that is still growing. And that's after a 700% increase in 2009 sales over 2008. Best of all, I'm seeing my clips regularly in television production and occasionally in movie production. And I had my first direct contact with a big time production studio this year who ordered custom animations from me as a result of my work on Pond5. As far as I'm concerned, they set the standard for footage. They consistently outsell every other agency and are leading the charge in "agency-contributor partnering" which is another reason why I think they lead the industry. Pond5 treats contributors with respect and works with them to make both the contributor and BUYER experience a better one.

RevoStock and ClipCanvas are learning from this and their efforts over the past year to build a MUCH MORE friendly relationship with contributors has resulted in their huge growth in numbers and sales this year. While still not at Pond5 levels, they are headed towards surpassing ShutterStock and Fotolia in size and sales in the footage marketplace and perhaps even challenging iStock in the future as well.

I think that's where a lot of new sites make a huge fatal mistake. They see the success of iStock, ShutterStock and Fotolia and think they can treat contributors just as crappy. And they end of failing. Sites which PARTNER with contributors are finding success because contributors are willing to sacrifice a little more WITHOUT all of the bitching and complaints if they feel they are being treated fairly.

MicrostockExp · « **Reply #12 on:** November 17, 2010, 01:37 »

After a good start at Clipcanvas, I did not have any sales for 5 months now with more than 200 clips on line.
Pond5 with 164 is doing much better
Only one sale at Shutterstock so far and revostock
I did not submit to Fotolia because of subs, I have only 5 clips on Istock

Since Isyndica closed down I only send videos to Pond5....
Still waiting for a replacement since PIxamba did not deliver a platform yet:(

leaf · « **Reply #13 on:** November 17, 2010, 09:17 »

Quote from: dnavarrojr on November 15, 2010, 10:15

I think that's where a lot of new sites make a huge fatal mistake. They see the success of iStock, ShutterStock and Fotolia and think they can treat contributors just as crappy. And they end of failing. Sites which PARTNER with contributors are finding success because contributors are willing to sacrifice a little more WITHOUT all of the bitching and complaints if they feel they are being treated fairly.

Very well stated.

FD · « **Reply #14 on:** November 17, 2010, 09:34 »

Quote from: MicrostockExp on November 17, 2010, 01:37

Still waiting for a replacement since PIxamba did not deliver a platform yet:(

Pixamba as such is out of business.

I honestly don't see how video can add added value to a website (you can't use it in print). Personally I block all video on sites. Another waterfall or ocean waves? No thanks. It's useless.

I do video on my 5DII but only editorial and assignment (weddings, seminars, etc...). Video for stock is stillborn.

sharpshot · « **Reply #15 on:** November 17, 2010, 10:07 »

^^^You might not like it but other people do. And there's more markets than just the web. Video for stock is alive and kicking.

dnavarrojr · « **Reply #16 on:** November 17, 2010, 11:55 »

Quote from: FD-regular on November 17, 2010, 09:34

I honestly don't see how video can add added value to a website (you can't use it in print). Personally I block all video on sites. Another waterfall or ocean waves? No thanks. It's useless.

I do video on my 5DII but only editorial and assignment (weddings, seminars, etc...). Video for stock is stillborn.

Thank goodness buyers don't see it that way, or I'd be living on the street...

Will · « **Reply #17 on:** November 17, 2010, 13:02 »

Quote from: FD-regular on November 17, 2010, 09:34

Quote from: MicrostockExp on November 17, 2010, 01:37
Still waiting for a replacement since PIxamba did not deliver a platform yet:(
Pixamba as such is out of business.

I honestly don't see how video can add added value to a website (you can't use it in print). Personally I block all video on sites. Another waterfall or ocean waves? No thanks. It's useless.

I do video on my 5DII but only editorial and assignment (weddings, seminars, etc...). Video for stock is stillborn.

Very good, keep thinking that!

jbarber873 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 18, 2010, 21:12 »

Quote from: FD-regular on November 17, 2010, 09:34

Quote from: MicrostockExp on November 17, 2010, 01:37
Still waiting for a replacement since PIxamba did not deliver a platform yet:(
Pixamba as such is out of business.

I honestly don't see how video can add added value to a website (you can't use it in print). Personally I block all video on sites. Another waterfall or ocean waves? No thanks. It's useless.

I do video on my 5DII but only editorial and assignment (weddings, seminars, etc...). Video for stock is stillborn.

FD you know how much i hate to disagree with you, but here goes. I think microstock video is where print was 6 years ago. This is the time to get in and get a portfolio online. The web is only a small part of the video scene but it's growing all the time. Teenagers watch nothing but video. New devices like the ipad create new markets for content that moves. It may not be the same subjects as print, and it may have a whole new way of being used, but i think in the future pictures will move. That's where i'm putting my efforts and so far it's doing well. Also, the learning curve is much harder in video and the equipment ( lighting) is expensive. That will keep out a lot of competition, which can only help those that are in it.

tbmpvideo · « **Reply #19 on:** December 07, 2010, 08:42 »

You can see my break down, and earnest advice at http://www.stockvideoseller.com/public_html/where-to-sell/. From my experience, and I have submitted the same portfolio to all the major and most of the minor sites, there are only a few serious players in the market. The rest of the sites aren't worth uploading too - in terms of ROI. That may not always be true for every specific seller (i.e. graphics and animation or straight editorial) but generally so. ClipCanvas has occasional sales, but has a difficult back end which uses a search in ranked order, so you need to redo your keyword order. Just not worth it for the sales I have got. Perhaps someone has had a different experience with them.

jbarber873 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 07, 2010, 09:17 »

Quote from: tbmpvideo on December 07, 2010, 08:42

You can see my break down, and earnest advice at http://www.stockvideoseller.com/public_html/where-to-sell/. From my experience, and I have submitted the same portfolio to all the major and most of the minor sites, there are only a few serious players in the market. The rest of the sites aren't worth uploading too - in terms of ROI. That may not always be true for every specific seller (i.e. graphics and animation or straight editorial) but generally so. ClipCanvas has occasional sales, but has a difficult back end which uses a search in ranked order, so you need to redo your keyword order. Just not worth it for the sales I have got. Perhaps someone has had a different experience with them.

I completely agree. My experience is the same. Great blog post!

grp_photo · « **Reply #21 on:** December 07, 2010, 09:41 »

Quote from: tbmpvideo on December 07, 2010, 08:42

You can see my break down, and earnest advice at http://www.stockvideoseller.com/public_html/where-to-sell/. From my experience, and I have submitted the same portfolio to all the major and most of the minor sites, there are only a few serious players in the market. The rest of the sites aren't worth uploading too - in terms of ROI. That may not always be true for every specific seller (i.e. graphics and animation or straight editorial) but generally so. ClipCanvas has occasional sales, but has a difficult back end which uses a search in ranked order, so you need to redo your keyword order. Just not worth it for the sales I have got. Perhaps someone has had a different experience with them.

I think what many people forget regarding iStock despite the low percentage is that it is also by far the most work to submit. You forgot this in your calculation. Pond5 ( http://www.pond5.com/ )is so easy to submit it is nearly effortless and they also accept editorial and are by far the best seller for video.
I can understand that people don't wanna left out iStock for pictures because they are so strong in pictures but for video the are nowthere even close so strong.
Many people complain about the low percentages we get from agencies but in video we really have the chance to make a point and only submit to agencies which are treating us fair without loosing significant income.
I still have my doubts that video will ever be a good seller as photography (comparing the effort needed with the earning results) but it is big fun for me so I simply do it besides my photography.
I personally decided not to upload videos to iStock and Fotolia anymore it doesn't hurt me much in earnings but makes me feel a lot better.
I also didn't like your hidden referral links on your site so is anyone interested in signing up at Pond5 I would recommend Sharpshot's referall link you can find in his signature and a little bit more above this thread.

surpasspro · « **Reply #22 on:** December 07, 2010, 13:38 »

For me Pond5 is at the top and everyone else is a distant second. Pond5 should tighten up their standards a bit though. I've seen some featured videos on the site with obvious camera shake or videos with very little movement in the library. As a buyer that must be a turn off. Revo is very good in this regard with reviewing, but sales are not on the same level.

Istock just takes forever to review files, well over a month. They only give FTP access to exclusives, which is stupid when I'm uploading files that are 200-450 megs in size and I have to do it one by one. Once its uploaded they don't even give you a video preview of the file or the file name I just uploaded. Only have 10% of my video library up with them because of it.

KB · « **Reply #23 on:** December 07, 2010, 13:45 »

Quote from: surpasspro on December 07, 2010, 13:38

They only give FTP access to exclusives, which is stupid when I'm uploading files that are 200-450 megs in size and I have to do it one by one.

You don't have to do it one by one.

FTP access is available for everyone; I know, because I use it, and I'm not exclusive.

OTOH, it hasn't been working since early Friday ....

sharpshot · « **Reply #24 on:** December 07, 2010, 16:35 »

I asked for FTP access to istock and was sent the details but there is a silly procedure, not just uploading like all the other sites I use and lots of problems that are always being mentioned in the forum. I decided it wasn't worth the effort, then they cut my commission to 15% from January, so I will be deleting my clips on 1.1.2011.

jbarber873 · « **Reply #25 on:** December 07, 2010, 17:01 »

Quote from: sharpshot on December 07, 2010, 16:35

I asked for FTP access to istock and was sent the details but there is a silly procedure, not just uploading like all the other sites I use and lots of problems that are always being mentioned in the forum. I decided it wasn't worth the effort, then they cut my commission to 15% from January, so I will be deleting my clips on 1.1.2011.

Istocks upload process is so awkward it's painful. Very important details are missing from the instructions. It takes forever for review, and then rejections are arbitrary and without consistency. With the cut in commissions, it's hard to justify uploading. The only thing is, they do sell pretty well, and if they ever get around to properly managing the video part of the site, they could open up a whole new market. For that reason, I will stick with them a while longer, but boy is it painful. They really are such hateful people.

Will · « **Reply #26 on:** December 07, 2010, 17:23 »

If you are just beginning to submit video clips I suggest that it might be wise to favor the sites that let you set your own pricing or at least pay a good royalty percentage.
Pond5 and Revostock are both good sellers. SS is OK and sells regularly but is a lower royalty. CC and CD have good royalty rates but so far slow sales. At 15% Istock is an insult and I won't submit to them for that reason and hope others might want to help protect the integrity of the market and do the same.

EditableClips · « **Reply #27 on:** December 16, 2011, 15:37 »

My personal toplist is:
1) shutterstock - for the simplest uploading and stable sales
2) pond5 - for 50% for seller, good interface and as a buyer also I like mov preview for download (great for placeholders in my project) - other sites offers just flv file which I have to convert to mov if I want to use it in my AE project
3) istock - was my number 1 in sales up to the begining of this year but I hate their uploading system, keywording, categories and property release (I sell only motion graphics). Now, sales collapsed and I stopped my upload
4) getty images - I like their prices for customers :-) I don't know who pays so much for files they can buy for 50$ at other sites
4) www.editableclips.com [nofollow] - motion graphics only - interesting place :-)

rinderart · « **Reply #28 on:** December 28, 2011, 17:44 »

Quote from: sharpshot on November 17, 2010, 10:07

^^^You might not like it but other people do. And there's more markets than just the web. Video for stock is alive and kicking.

Totally agree. Biggest Mistake I've made in this business was not getting in when I should have.

WaterView · « **Reply #29 on:** December 28, 2011, 22:21 »

Can only speculate how good 123RF will be for footage sales but, if I based it on how well they sell pictures then it looks encouraging. Commissions look good too.

123RF began accepting videos / footage in December but they have not started making them available to buyers yet. I've read on this site it may be mid January or so before that starts. http://www.microstockgroup.com/123royaltyfree-com/123rf-video-prices-and-commissions/

Uploading the small amount of videos I have has been flawless and easy so far.

Zerkalo · « **Reply #30 on:** April 27, 2012, 03:25 »

Just a quick update for IS. The inspection time for exclusives is under 3 days at the moment on iStock. This is a huge improvement compared with last year. I think it has improved for the non-exclusives as well.

sharpshot · « **Reply #31 on:** April 27, 2012, 03:41 »

^^^Perhaps because we don't bother uploading anymore

I just couldn't do it for 15% commission with sales lower than Pond5.

Zerkalo · « **Reply #32 on:** April 27, 2012, 08:47 »

Maybe you're right. In that case thank you

MaZvone · « **Reply #33 on:** April 28, 2012, 00:17 »

I have very good sales on Istock, but on Pond5 sales are zero.
For the non-exclusives review time is 7-14 days, that is huge improvement !

cobalt · « **Reply #34 on:** April 28, 2012, 03:03 »

I am trying to upload a file to shutter stock with cyberduck, but the file never shows up in the system. If -i hit refresh on cyberduck after a few minutes, the file has disappeared.

What am I doing wrong?

Or is it a bug?

cascoly · « **Reply #35 on:** April 28, 2012, 13:24 »

anyone have footage sales to report from 123?

BlackJack · « **Reply #36 on:** April 29, 2012, 02:35 »

I uploaded 65 videos at 123rf to test the water. So far I got 2 nice sales in early april. After that I uploaded another 50 videos because it could be worth it but after several weeks they are still in the review queue.

cobalt · « **Reply #37 on:** April 29, 2012, 11:41 »

Just wanted to add: apprently Shutterstock has a bug, the ftp upload is broken for many.
Hope they fix it soon.

travelstock · « **Reply #38 on:** May 11, 2012, 01:29 »

Quote from: cobalt on April 29, 2012, 11:41

Just wanted to add: apprently Shutterstock has a bug, the ftp upload is broken for many.
Hope they fix it soon.

FTP works fine with Cyberduck, but not with Filezilla.

cobalt · « **Reply #39 on:** May 11, 2012, 01:35 »

I know, they fixed it quite fast.

Happy Uploading!

cobalt · « **Reply #40 on:** August 01, 2012, 20:53 »

just wanted to share my current stats. I haven´t uploaded much in the last 4 months, I have around 40 very simple clips on several sites.

Results so far: istock 9 sales 110 USD, pond5 3 sales 94 dollars, Shutterstock 5 sales 84 dollars, Fotolia 1 sale 2.1 credits?

I would expect istock to sell more files, because I have such a big photo portfolio there with regular customer traffic.

But even with such a small sample it is clear to me that video indepencence will earn me more money. The sites sell different files, too early to see a trend (one site sells more people, the other more xmas etc...)

I like that I can set my own prices on pond5, but I still find their interface and stats page confusing, shutterstock has a very organized dashboard. I still like istock best, but maybe I am just used to it.

For statistics I anyway check my downloads on stockperformer, makes my life a lot easier.

I have only been uploading for a few months, I´ll know more about video when I have 300 clips online.

Just thought I´d share for those interested

leaf · « **Reply #41 on:** August 01, 2012, 22:41 »

Quote from: cobalt on August 01, 2012, 20:53

just wanted to share my current stats. I haven´t uploaded much in the last 4 months, I have around 40 very simple clips on several sites.

Results so far: istock 9 sales 110 USD, pond5 3 sales 94 dollars, Shutterstock 5 sales 84 dollars, Fotolia 1 sale 2.1 credits?

I would expect istock to sell more files, because I have such a big photo portfolio there with regular customer traffic.

But even with such a small sample it is clear to me that video indepencence will earn me more money. The sites sell different files, too early to see a trend (one site sells more people, the other more xmas etc...)

I like that I can set my own prices on pond5, but I still find their interface and stats page confusing, shutterstock has a very organized dashboard. I still like istock best, but maybe I am just used to it.

For statistics I anyway check my downloads on stockperformer, makes my life a lot easier.

I have only been uploading for a few months, I´ll know more about video when I have 300 clips online.

Just thought I´d share for those interested

thanks for the stats. It's interesting to see some hard numbers of how the sites perform.

Gannet77 · « **Reply #42 on:** August 02, 2012, 04:30 »

Quick question - I've been thinking to put some video clips on SS, but like you cobalt, I'm iStock Exclusive for images, though not for video.

If I want to apply to SS for video only, how is it done? Do I upload 10 clips for review?

I looked through the submitter guidelines on the site but it all seemed to refer to just photos in the initial application procedure, I couldn't see anything about video only.

cobalt · « **Reply #43 on:** August 02, 2012, 04:44 »

There is no test for video. You just go ahead and upload and see if they take your files. They take the same file format as istock.

If I was exclusive and got the same rate as I do for photos and with the higher prices of istock exclusive files (even without vetta video) I would be making a lot more money on istock and would have remained exclusive.

But since we have to work ourselves up the RC scale, I see no chance of ever going over a very base level for video, because I will never produce enough video.

On the other hand, I am a video newbie and do not produce the extremly high quality, professional level video that istock is looking for.

I do still wish I could be all exclusive, but it has to make financial sense and for me it just doesn´t.

I cannot upload enough good files in both photo and video to get to the same level of percentage as in photos. So I have to be independent with the weaker medium and spread my files.

But since we all don´t know how the agencies are developing, maybe it is good to spread the risk a little.

Gannet77 · « **Reply #44 on:** August 02, 2012, 05:06 »

You mean you can just sign up and upload video immediately? Wow, I hadn't realised that! Thanks, I will give that a try.

As for your thoughts on exclusivity, that pretty much sums up my feelings too - for photos, it works for me at the moment but I won't know about video until I can see how sales go, and since so far I haven't sold a single one anywhere (I have some on iStock, Pond5 and ClipCanvas) the question is rather academic. Like you, I'm a video newbie and am never likely to produce any volume to speak of. Good fun though...

cobalt · « **Reply #45 on:** August 03, 2012, 13:25 »

Volume of sales is also an important factor, or market share of the agency. If I had 20 sales or more on istock, even with my beginners files, this would make me believe that istock is by far the biggest market leader in video. Then exclusivity would be the only real choice for me - why spread files if there is one dominant agency with say - 70% market share?

Of course the video market is still in its infancy, maybe we will see a dominant site emerge in time.

I wouldn´t be surprised if istock is the market leader in the high end part of the market, but sales volume and a big customer base is the basis for the future.

Anyway, I need to produce more, otherwise it will just be an interesting hobby. Great fun though and a lot more difficult than I thought.

Gannet77 · « **Reply #46 on:** August 03, 2012, 17:19 »

A wooyay is in order - I just sold my first clip on ClipCanvas! And it was one that was rejected by iStock, for what that might be worth!

Onwards and upwards...

cobalt · « **Reply #47 on:** August 04, 2012, 12:59 »

Congrats!

Clipcanvas has a very beautiful interface and great statistics. Unfortunately I haven´t sold anything yet.

StockProducer · « **Reply #48 on:** September 11, 2012, 12:58 »

I have done a Up to Date list of Places to Sell if it helps anybody or if anybody can see shich Stock Sites are missed of the list http://www.stockproducer.com/selling-resources/where-to-sell.html [nofollow]

Amos Struck · « **Reply #49 on:** September 12, 2012, 04:49 »

Quote from: MicrostockExp on November 17, 2010, 01:37

After a good start at Clipcanvas, I did not have any sales for 5 months now with more than 200 clips on line.
Pond5 with 164 is doing much better
Only one sale at Shutterstock so far and revostock
I did not submit to Fotolia because of subs, I have only 5 clips on Istock

Since Isyndica closed down I only send videos to Pond5....
Still waiting for a replacement since PIxamba did not deliver a platform yet:(

Why you are not using PicWorkFlow for Video-Uploads ( http://www.picWorkflow.com/?by=129 *Aff. Link)

I use them all the time and it's very easy and fast to send your videos to all of the big agencies. Even DepositPhotos are accepting videos now and uploads are working too.