Quote from: PixelBytes on June 08, 2014, 23:16

Quote from: Ron on June 08, 2014, 07:48
Alamy is also not microstock.

Didn't used to be, but seems to have turned into micro the last year or so.

If they could boost the sales to microstock volumes, charge iStock (exclusive) prices and pay 50% I would be well chuffed.

Quote from: Gel-O Shooter on June 08, 2014, 18:36

Quote from: eZeePics on June 08, 2014, 16:46
Someone can tell me please what are the votes for

Popularity contest, mostly.

Quote from: eZeePics on June 08, 2014, 16:46and which advantages has a member with many votes?

None, that I know of.  Goofy, I'd be willing to sell you some of my collection.  10 cents per heart sounds very reasonable to me. 
BTW, EZee..Cute cat, is he yours?

Thank you so much! Yeah it would be a new find this one with the hearts commerce, at least we can compensate the photo sales lack!   
The cat is mine, has 10 kg, is a male and his name is Neo 

Quote from: Goofy on June 08, 2014, 21:49
my cat if famous-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70mFXf6CqVk

that's me and my cat on national TV!

 

Quote from: Goofy on June 08, 2014, 21:49
my cat if famous-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70mFXf6CqVk

that's me and my cat on national TV!

The Facebook cat?  That is precious!  I know this is off topic, but on the subject of cats:

Ten years ago when the kids and I lived out in the country in Tennessee, a black stray cat adopted us.  I didn't want the cat, but you know how kids can talk mom into just about anything.  So about 6 weeks later the one cat suddenly becomes 8 cats.  Our front porch looked like a kitten factory.  I was a little upset until I got the bright idea that kittens are cute photo props.  Long story short- we kept two (both neutered ASAP), found good homes for the rest and those cats made me some $$$ before they left.

Quote from: Gel-O Shooter on June 09, 2014, 17:55

Quote from: Goofy on June 08, 2014, 21:49
my cat if famous-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70mFXf6CqVk

that's me and my cat on national TV!

The Facebook cat?  That is precious!  I know this is off topic, but on the subject of cats:

Ten years ago when the kids and I lived out in the country in Tennessee, a black stray cat adopted us.  I didn't want the cat, but you know how kids can talk mom into just about anything.  So about 6 weeks later the one cat suddenly becomes 8 cats.  Our front porch looked like a kitten factory.  I was a little upset until I got the bright idea that kittens are cute photo props.  Long story short- we kept two (both neutered ASAP), found good homes for the rest and those cats made me some $$$ before they left.

I love all the cats in the world. 

Quote from: eZeePics on June 09, 2014, 18:11

Quote from: Gel-O Shooter on June 09, 2014, 17:55

Quote from: Goofy on June 08, 2014, 21:49
my cat if famous-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70mFXf6CqVk

that's me and my cat on national TV!

The Facebook cat?  That is precious!  I know this is off topic, but on the subject of cats:

Ten years ago when the kids and I lived out in the country in Tennessee, a black stray cat adopted us.  I didn't want the cat, but you know how kids can talk mom into just about anything.  So about 6 weeks later the one cat suddenly becomes 8 cats.  Our front porch looked like a kitten factory.  I was a little upset until I got the bright idea that kittens are cute photo props.  Long story short- we kept two (both neutered ASAP), found good homes for the rest and those cats made me some $$$ before they left.

I love all the cats in the world. 

Big and small.

I really don't like cats very much, but when a street cat dumped her two two- or three-week-old kittens on my doorstep when the mercury hit 46C a couple of weeks back, and then did a dying queen act on my balcony I let them in. They live in the pile of junk under the stairs. I've got to trap them before my son-in-law brings his Alsation and Chihuahua here in two weeks' time.  It'll be easy to catch the queen, since she is now eating cat food inside an old dog crate with the door rigged to fall whenever I like, but I'm not sure how easy it will be to herd up the kittens.

Quote from: Gel-O Shooter on June 09, 2014, 17:55

Quote from: Goofy on June 08, 2014, 21:49
my cat if famous-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70mFXf6CqVk

that's me and my cat on national TV!

The Facebook cat?  That is precious!  I know this is off topic, but on the subject of cats:

Ten years ago when the kids and I lived out in the country in Tennessee, a black stray cat adopted us.  I didn't want the cat, but you know how kids can talk mom into just about anything.  So about 6 weeks later the one cat suddenly becomes 8 cats.  Our front porch looked like a kitten factory.  I was a little upset until I got the bright idea that kittens are cute photo props.  Long story short- we kept two (both neutered ASAP), found good homes for the rest and those cats made me some $$$ before they left.

I have a similar story. We adopted a dog from the shelter last May on the day he was going to be put to sleep. They cut the adoption fee from $50 to $10, so I thought I was getting a deal. I took him to the vet and it cost me $350 to cure his kennel cough. Well, fine. At least my kid is happy. So I take a photo of them together under the shade tree in the front yard, and that photo ends up selling over 1,500 times just on Shutterstock in less than a year. It sells well on the other sites, too, so I'm well over $1,000 ahead. I don't know why. I wish I could bottle that magic for every photo.

Yes... dogs and cats... if they earn this money stock is healthy...

Sales on shuter... less sales, more money, i am happy! , retunr to topic.

It's good to make a profit when you rescue animals but its good to rescue animals even if they cost you money.   They give so much more than they take.  I would be lost without my doggy.

Quote from: PixelBytes on June 09, 2014, 23:28
It's good to make a profit when you rescue animals but its good to rescue animals even if they cost you money.   They give so much more than they take.  I would be lost without my doggy.

You took the words from my lips... When I found my cat I was coming back from the market...I was together with my mother when we saw this small kitten, very slim...I told my mom to take it in her arms so I could take a picture of them. After the picture the kitten followed me until the entrance of my house and, when I opened the gate he followed me in the garden. (We just lost a cat and we swered that we will not take another to not suffer when the cat dies...) But when I saw his eyes asking for food I called my husband out of the house to see him and we decided to adopt this kitty immediately. He eat almost a box of cat food of 400 grams in 10 minutes, was hungry desperate. Than I even don't count all the money spent with the vet because he had parasits and different cold viruses....Now, after 5 years and half that kitty weights 10 kilos and not because is fat. Is not fat, is 80% Maine Coon Cat and they grow very big. Is very very intelligent and is acting like a dog. If you throw the ball he jumps, run and bring it back to you how many times you want. You throw it 100 times, he brings it back in the mouth 100 times. He understands us when we speak almost everything with him (and this is not exageration - is acting exactly how we expect). I love him and he is my child, I don't care how much money I spend with him or how much money he produce with the photos I sell. But yes he pays his food with the photos!... I'd love to adopt other cats, but I cannot because of him. He doesn't accept any other cat in "his" garden, he's beating the neighbourhood cats too! This I don't like, but cannot do much, he's a free cat! Yesterday night he came home to three o'clock in the morning and I didn't go to bed because I was so worried thinking that something could happen to him outside, so I waited to let him in the house when he came back. 

Ezee, I thought he looked like a Maine Coon!  That's the kind of cat I want if we ever get tired of being road warriors and settle down in a house somewhere.

EZee, thank you for telling your story about your cat.  I am so happy he found you and brought so much joy to your life and you to his. :-)

Quote from: Gel-O Shooter on June 10, 2014, 18:35
Ezee, I thought he looked like a Maine Coon!  That's the kind of cat I want if we ever get tired of being road warriors and settle down in a house somewhere.

Is a fantastic cat! 

Quote from: PixelBytes on June 10, 2014, 18:38
EZee, thank you for telling your story about your cat.  I am so happy he found you and brought so much joy to your life and you to his. :-)

Thank you so much for listening me, even if it's off topic! 

I just had a terrible meeting that was very depressing, and came home to TWO big SOD's on Shutterstock. At least one thing went right tonight!

Quote from: Shelma1 on June 11, 2014, 02:37
I just had a terrible meeting that was very depressing, and came home to TWO big SOD's on Shutterstock. At least one thing went right tonight!

Very happy for you, Michele. Congrats!

Thank you! 

Quote from: Shelma1 on June 11, 2014, 02:37
I just had a terrible meeting that was very depressing, and came home to TWO big SOD's on Shutterstock. At least one thing went right tonight!

Congratulations Michele! Yeah the SOD's always raise you up, they are wonderful! 

Another pants month. Can I have April back ?

Quote from: eZeePics on June 09, 2014, 18:11

Quote from: Gel-O Shooter on June 09, 2014, 17:55

Quote from: Goofy on June 08, 2014, 21:49
my cat if famous-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70mFXf6CqVk

that's me and my cat on national TV!

The Facebook cat?  That is precious!  I know this is off topic, but on the subject of cats:

Ten years ago when the kids and I lived out in the country in Tennessee, a black stray cat adopted us.  I didn't want the cat, but you know how kids can talk mom into just about anything.  So about 6 weeks later the one cat suddenly becomes 8 cats.  Our front porch looked like a kitten factory.  I was a little upset until I got the bright idea that kittens are cute photo props.  Long story short- we kept two (both neutered ASAP), found good homes for the rest and those cats made me some $$$ before they left.

I love all the cats in the world. 

If you like cats you'll love this http://youtu.be/uxXZ_uEVr9c 

My stats are also about half what I would normally expect with a lot less ODs.

I have a friend who follows Google rankings very closely as they run a business that is dependent on them.  They told me that there had been a major shake-up of Google placement (something called 'Panda' maybe? I can't quite remember) and that their site that had been in the doldrums for a couple of years was suddenly on page 1 again.  As soon as they told me this (around the 26th of May), my SS and DT OD sales tanked and OD sales at the smaller agencies suddenly picked up.  If what they said is correct then this would make sense as it would mean that the smaller agencies were being found by non-sub buyers who were searching one image at a time via Google. 

Unfortunately the increased sales at smaller agencies has not been enough to compensate for losing sales at SS and so I am now quite down for this stage of the month.  So if my friends are right about it then I hope Google change it back soon or either SS and DT find a way to get back into good Google placement again because this is killing me.

Quote from: StockCube on June 12, 2014, 12:42
My stats are also about half what I would normally expect with a lot less ODs.

I have a friend who follows Google rankings very closely as they run a business that is dependent on them.  They told me that there had been a major shake-up of Google placement (something called 'Panda' maybe? I can't quite remember) and that their site that had been in the doldrums for a couple of years was suddenly on page 1 again.  As soon as they told me this (around the 26th of May), my SS and DT OD sales tanked and OD sales at the smaller agencies suddenly picked up.  If what they said is correct then this would make sense as it would mean that the smaller agencies were being found by non-sub buyers who were searching one image at a time via Google. 

Unfortunately the increased sales at smaller agencies has not been enough to compensate for losing sales at SS and so I am now quite down for this stage of the month.  So if my friends are right about it then I hope Google change it back soon or either SS and DT find a way to get back into good Google placement again because this is killing me.

Google Algorithm Change History
http://moz.com/google-algorithm-change

All of this information is incredibly interesting, especially as someone new at Shutterstock! Guess I didn't realize how much goes into it.. O.o

I guess sales must really be down across the site...I just got an email offering 25% off.

Slooooow summer.