Author Topic: Does it make sense to upload new vectors on iStock at all? (Read 16025 times)

RetroColoring.com · « **on:** December 21, 2014, 15:34 »

I just have this feeling about iStockphoto during recent year or so. I am wondering if it make sense to upload new vectors on iStock at all? I mean they have most horrible uploading mechanism among all microstock websites, longest approval period, permanent technical problems on the website and what is most important - constantly decreasing number of downloaded files. It seems like wasting of time for me - contributing for iStock.

Any thoughts or feelings about that, guys?

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Toonstyle.com - Unusual Cartoon Style Vector Stock Images

Roberto · « **Reply #1 on:** December 21, 2014, 17:15 »

try deepmeta soft, It's faster

Niakris · « **Reply #2 on:** December 21, 2014, 17:22 »

My wife is having constant growth of earnings from iStock PP with her vectors, and the uploading does not take any extra effort (well, one extra checkbox), so we'll definitely keep contributing there.

runeer · « **Reply #3 on:** January 01, 2015, 11:37 »

Quote from: Toonstyle.com on December 21, 2014, 15:34

I just have this feeling about iStockphoto during recent year or so. I am wondering if it make sense to upload new vectors on iStock at all? I mean they have most horrible uploading mechanism among all microstock websites, longest approval period, permanent technical problems on the website and what is most important - constantly decreasing number of downloaded files. It seems like wasting of time for me - contributing for iStock.

Any thoughts or feelings about that, guys?

________________________________________________
Toonstyle.com - Unusual Cartoon Style Vector Stock Images

It's getting worse month by month, I'll either quit exclusivity or focus on design projects.

Monkeyman · « **Reply #4 on:** January 01, 2015, 13:57 »

I lost my motivation during 2014. I still upload every now and then since this is my only income at the moment, but it's hard to motivate myself to spend hours on a vector file that will get a few views and if I'm lucky a few downloads, and then die completely.

And the most depressing thing is of course that even if new files sell a little, my total income keeps going down.

I'm 35 with no college degree and I have been in microstock for 8 years... I have no idea what do to when microstock dies completely. Depressing times.

michaeldb · « **Reply #5 on:** January 01, 2015, 22:52 »

Quote from: Monkeyman on January 01, 2015, 13:57

...I have been in microstock for 8 years... I have no idea what do to when microstock dies completely. Depressing times.

We need some new market for images to open up for microstock refugees. Too bad I have no idea what it might be. Maybe some day some entrepreneur will pop up with the new thing. Sure hope so.

Monkeyman · « **Reply #6 on:** January 06, 2015, 13:52 »

Quote from: michaeldb on January 01, 2015, 22:52

Quote from: Monkeyman on January 01, 2015, 13:57
...I have been in microstock for 8 years... I have no idea what do to when microstock dies completely. Depressing times.
We need some new market for images to open up for microstock refugees. Too bad I have no idea what it might be. Maybe some day some entrepreneur will pop up with the new thing. Sure hope so.

Yeah, but how would it work? One of the biggest problems is that there are just so many contributors now... even the most talented vector artists don't seem to sell very much any longer, because of the extreme competition. I'm quite pessimistic... I don't think microstock can be more than just an extra income for most people from now on. Except maybe for people who live in really poor countries where they can get a meal for a dollar.

RetroColoring.com · « **Reply #7 on:** January 08, 2015, 21:08 »

I think Shutterstock is doing great and it is certainly worth to upload there but iStock looks like they trying to catch a yesterday's train...

runeer · « **Reply #8 on:** January 09, 2015, 08:09 »

Quote from: Monkeyman on January 01, 2015, 13:57

I lost my motivation during 2014. I still upload every now and then since this is my only income at the moment, but it's hard to motivate myself to spend hours on a vector file that will get a few views and if I'm lucky a few downloads, and then die completely.

And the most depressing thing is of course that even if new files sell a little, my total income keeps going down.

I'm 35 with no college degree and I have been in microstock for 8 years... I have no idea what do to when microstock dies completely. Depressing times.

I can totally feel you man!

Monkeyman · « **Reply #9 on:** January 09, 2015, 09:44 »

Quote from: Toonstyle.com on January 08, 2015, 21:08

I think Shutterstock is doing great and it is certainly worth to upload there but iStock looks like they trying to catch a yesterday's train...

Shutterstock as a company seems to be doing fine, but how's the situation for contributors? Are they making more money when growing their portfolio?

I wonder if it's really possible to increase your earnings from now on (unless you're now in the business of course...). Seems like the golden days are over.

dingles · « **Reply #10 on:** January 09, 2015, 10:02 »

Thinking about the amount of work that goes into most vector illustrations the royalties are way too low to be worth while for me. I did a few and the returns just aren't worth the effort especially with vectors. It's sad as they should be selling for more than photos...especially when considering subscriptions.

blamb · « **Reply #11 on:** January 09, 2015, 10:07 »

Quote from: Monkeyman on January 09, 2015, 09:44

Shutterstock as a company seems to be doing fine, but how's the situation for contributors? Are they making more money when growing their portfolio?
I wonder if it's really possible to increase your earnings from now on (unless you're now in the business of course...). Seems like the golden days are over.

It's not that great. For me SS is barely beating Canstock this month -- CANSTOCK! -- and iStock earnings have lapped them already.

I'd say the 'golden days' are done because you cant get a fair return on an image over a number of years now. Previously, the overall return would justify the work.

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Author Topic: Does it make sense to upload new vectors on iStock at all? (Read 16025 times)

RetroColoring.com

Roberto

Niakris

runeer

Monkeyman

michaeldb

Monkeyman

RetroColoring.com

runeer

Monkeyman

dingles

blamb

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