Hi everyone,

Bit of newbie on this group.  Have recently been accepted as a SS contributor on my 2nd attempt - really pleased!

Was just wondering how many images you all have on SS?  From other discussions on here it seems that SS is 'the best' microstock agency for earnings.

Thanks,
Chris

Congratulations on being accepted!

How many images others have is not really relevant, IMO.  One person with a few hundred good quality, highly sales-worthy images can outsell someone with thousands of images that have been created with insufficient thought and care.

Insufficient thought and care works for me 

LOL

Oh well, I must have this completely wrong then...

I read an interesting post there by HHLTDave5 (I think he may be a moderator?).  He said an older study had shown that 1000 images was the level you needed for a steady income -- no definition of "steady income" attached.

However, he feels that number has more recently increased to 1500 images.

Quote from: WarrenPrice on September 26, 2012, 13:49
I read an interesting post there by HHLTDave5 (I think he may be a moderator?).  He said an older study had shown that 1000 images was the level you needed for a steady income -- no definition of "steady income" attached.

However, he feels that number has more recently increased to 1500 images.

I have around 500 files and am lightyears away from a steady income. Don't know if even 1500 would cut it?

He's not a moderator, it is based on some brainstorming that he and Laurin Rinder did while putting together their book on microstock.

But Ruby's right. It depends on what you do and how good you are at it - video, illustrations and photos are all different, anyway.

I reckon on making 10c per image per month there. If I had been ruthlessly business-minded about it and concentrated on the most lucrative areas then I would probably have been able to make five times that (but I was never able to make my goldfish jump; I tried everything with them, sudden noises, bursts of light ... I only ever found one thing that worked, they jump quite nicely once you exceed 50,000 volts but they never seem to head for the other bowl and tend to have slightly singed fins and popped eyeballs which are difficult to photoshop out).

Thanks for all the replies so far.  I have nearly 1000 images to submit to SS but I'm not really expecting a steady income from them.  I have the same 1000 images on other stock agencies such as Fotolia and Dreamstime which sell very well and that doesn't really bring in a steady income. 

Perhaps if you are an exclusive SS submitter with 1000-1500 images, THEN you would see a steady income.  A non-exclusive submitter though would probably need around 5000 images to get a steady income......Just my opinion :-)  It also obviously depends on the subjects of your images  and what sells the most.

Quote from: chrisdorney on September 26, 2012, 14:18
Thanks for all the replies so far.  I have nearly 1000 images to submit to SS but I'm not really expecting a steady income from them.  I have the same 1000 images on other stock agencies such as Fotolia and Dreamstime which sell very well and that doesn't really bring in a steady income. 

Perhaps if you are an exclusive SS submitter with 1000-1500 images, THEN you would see a steady income.  A non-exclusive submitter though would probably need around 5000 images to get a steady income......Just my opinion :-)  It also obviously depends on the subjects of your images  and what sells the most.

I thought it was a question?
I never saw the definition of "steady income."  Just assumed it to mean a monthly payout -- which could be $75.   

Quote from: chrisdorney on September 26, 2012, 14:18


Perhaps if you are an exclusive SS submitter with 1000-1500 images, THEN you would see a steady income.  A non-exclusive submitter though would probably need around 5000 images to get a steady income......Just my opinion :-)  It also obviously depends on the subjects of your images  and what sells the most.

There is no exclusivity at SS. Unless of course you just choose not to sell at the other sites but it wouldn't make any difference to sales.  If you mean a livable income just on 1000-1500 uploads to SS then it is very unlikely but quite possible to get a decent payout every month.

SS 2059 files

Congrats on getting accepted Chris!  You have cleared the biggest hurdle. 

7k files here.  Steady income, but not a living wage by itself.  Still need the other sites to help pay the bills.

1783 images
Steady income, whether I upload or not.

Over 2200 active images and a steady increase in revenue and portfolio every month. SS is earning around 60% of my total microstock income... s just ...The Best.

6000 images - steady income about $300/mo - with other stock & ebay/amazon allows me to act as if i were semi-retired [work a few hours a day, with travel]

1100 images at SS. 55% of my total stock income.

Did you see this, just down the page?

http://www.microstockgroup.com/shutterstock-com/how-many-images-do-you-have-on-ss/

Quote from: chrisdorney on September 26, 2012, 08:34
Hi everyone,

Bit of newbie on this group.  Have recently been accepted as a SS contributor on my 2nd attempt - really pleased!

Was just wondering how many images you all have on SS?  From other discussions on here it seems that SS is 'the best' microstock agency for earnings.

Thanks,
Chris

Thanks again for all your replies, much appreciated.  Had 20 sales yesterday so I'm well pleased!

Quote from: BaldricksTrousers on September 26, 2012, 14:15
(but I was never able to make my goldfish jump; I tried everything with them, sudden noises, bursts of light ... I only ever found one thing that worked, they jump quite nicely once you exceed 50,000 volts but they never seem to head for the other bowl and tend to have slightly singed fins and popped eyeballs which are difficult to photoshop out).

Get a piece of glass, some Super Glue and stick the goldfish onto the glass!  That should work!

Quote from: chrisdorney on September 28, 2012, 13:49
Thanks again for all your replies, much appreciated.  Had 20 sales yesterday so I'm well pleased!

thats nice for a recently approved SS contributor

- total portfolio: 3949 photos (370 editorial)
- latest 9 months: 502 photos (319 editorial)
- monthly average income for 2012 (September included): $492

edited for typo

Quote from: tdoes on September 28, 2012, 20:15

Quote from: BaldricksTrousers on September 26, 2012, 14:15
(but I was never able to make my goldfish jump; I tried everything with them, sudden noises, bursts of light ... I only ever found one thing that worked, they jump quite nicely once you exceed 50,000 volts but they never seem to head for the other bowl and tend to have slightly singed fins and popped eyeballs which are difficult to photoshop out).

Get a piece of glass, some Super Glue and stick the goldfish onto the glass!  That should work!

Hahahaaaaaaaaaa these are hilarious.  You're still making it too complicated though.  You have to buy special Mexican 'jumping' goldfish.

Quote from: tdoes on September 28, 2012, 20:15

Quote from: BaldricksTrousers on September 26, 2012, 14:15
(but I was never able to make my goldfish jump; I tried everything with them, sudden noises, bursts of light ... I only ever found one thing that worked, they jump quite nicely once you exceed 50,000 volts but they never seem to head for the other bowl and tend to have slightly singed fins and popped eyeballs which are difficult to photoshop out).

Get a piece of glass, some Super Glue and stick the goldfish onto the glass!  That should work!

Dammit! I knew there must be some trick to it!

Quote from: cascoly on September 27, 2012, 00:25
6000 images - steady income about $300/mo - with other stock & ebay/amazon allows me to act as if i were semi-retired [work a few hours a day, with travel]

Only $300/month with 6000 images online??? hmmm

Quote from: BaldricksTrousers on September 28, 2012, 22:24

Quote from: tdoes on September 28, 2012, 20:15

Quote from: BaldricksTrousers on September 26, 2012, 14:15
(but I was never able to make my goldfish jump; I tried everything with them, sudden noises, bursts of light ... I only ever found one thing that worked, they jump quite nicely once you exceed 50,000 volts but they never seem to head for the other bowl and tend to have slightly singed fins and popped eyeballs which are difficult to photoshop out).

Get a piece of glass, some Super Glue and stick the goldfish onto the glass!  That should work!

Dammit! I knew there must be some trick to it!

Sorry guys but you need to differentiate.  Swap the goldfish for a red belly Piranha. 

Hi there,
yes, your understanding that SS is the best selling agency is right on the money. They indeed are.
And these are my stats :
- contributor since around September 2009
- started with 10 images - growing port as time went by
- port size at the moment - around 590 images (not counting the vector - JPEG duplicates)
- payout set at 100 dollars monthly
- making at least payout almost every month for the past 1 year
- September 2012 (this month), total earnings : 210 dollars. It was a good month, but not my BME.

One thing to keep in mind : I am not a photographer, I am not an illustrator and I am not a graphic designer. I work for a small printing company and I know how to use Photoshop and Illustrator That's about all I know
One other thing for your info : I sell vector files a lot more than photos. That's mostly where my payouts come from.
Good luck with SS and give yourself a bit of time. You're doing great so far and it will only get better
Best,