MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: Perry on April 18, 2009, 05:29

Title: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: Perry on April 18, 2009, 05:29
I just got a $0.15 XSmall sale. I didn't know sales could be this low, is this old credits or what?
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: PaulieWalnuts on April 18, 2009, 06:20
I've had as low as .10 and yes I think I read they were old credits. Doesn't seem to be happening as much thankfully.
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: batman on April 18, 2009, 08:34
i don't think it's unreasonable to get 30 cents for XS, even 10 cents. i only think it's a bit much to allow anyone to get L and up for 30 cents . ie. subs.
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: lisafx on April 18, 2009, 09:49
I've had as low as .10 and yes I think I read they were old credits. Doesn't seem to be happening as much thankfully.

I have too, but thankfully not for a long time.

I do see .16 - .19 sales fairly regularly.  However when I remember that my average $ per DL on istock is $1.10 I feel better :).
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: Dreamframer on April 18, 2009, 11:25
10 cents???? OMG  Sometimes I ask my self how low we can go.... That's sad  :(
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: goldenangel on April 18, 2009, 12:33
I really hope the days of 10 cent sales are gone. iStock still has one of the highest return per download.
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: NancyCWalker on April 18, 2009, 14:59
IS pays 20% of what the buyer paid for the credit. The largest package makes each credit 96 cents per credit. It was promised to contributors when they introduced subs that this was the lowest that the credit price would ever go. So a 1 credit image paid for with the largest credit package will net you 19 cents per download.

I have no idea where the 10 cents comes from. Payments that low should have all been phased out by now since credits have a 1 year life span.
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: PaulieWalnuts on April 18, 2009, 15:05
It was a while ago for me. Maybe over a year ago.
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: sharply_done on April 18, 2009, 15:11
... However when I remember that my average $ per DL on istock is $1.10 I feel better :).

Just out of curiosity, what time span does this cover?
My average is $1.43 per DL so far this year - if your $1.10 is over a similar period I'll be quite surprised at the wide variation possible in this figure.
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: NancyCWalker on April 18, 2009, 15:23
I can't answer for Lisa but I don't see why this is a surprise. There are so many variables involved. If the clients purchase larger packages of credits then they spend less per credit and you get less money. If they purchase alot of smaller sizes then they spend less credits and you get less money. Add frequency of sales and you get something else all together.

My average for YTD is 99 cents with IS. Last year (Jan - Dec) was $1.36.
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: cdwheatley on April 18, 2009, 15:48
I'm at $1.69 average since january, which is 46 cents higher than anywhere else. No problem with the occasional 19 cent sale.

last year $1.26

all time $1.24
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: sharply_done on April 18, 2009, 15:56
I can't answer for Lisa but I don't see why this is a surprise. ...

It's surprising to me - and interesting - because her sales are extremely high. I place little or no value on stats from low-earners for various reasons, some of which you mention. FWIW, I define 'low-earner' as <$25k annually.
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: sharply_done on April 18, 2009, 15:57
I'm at $1.69 average since january, which is 46 cents higher than anywhere else. ...

Outstanding!
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: cdwheatley on April 18, 2009, 16:11
Thanks Stephen. I've never understood all the griping about commissions at Istock. 20 % there equals 100+% commission at most other micros.
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: Dreamframer on April 18, 2009, 16:24
I'm $1,59 average in total, and $2.51 for 2009. thanks to my 2 audio files.
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: madelaide on April 18, 2009, 16:33
US$1.01 this year, US$0.99 last year.  I don't think I ever received anything below 19c, 21c being more common for XS images.

Regards,
Adelaide
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: fotografer on April 18, 2009, 16:37
Mine's 1.26$ average so far this year at IS compared to 1.74$ at DT and 1.48 at FT

... However when I remember that my average $ per DL on istock is $1.10 I feel better :).

Just out of curiosity, what time span does this cover?
My average is $1.43 per DL so far this year - if your $1.10 is over a similar period I'll be quite surprised at the wide variation possible in this figure.

Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: MichaelJay on April 20, 2009, 06:12
i don't think it's unreasonable to get 30 cents for XS, even 10 cents. i only think it's a bit much to allow anyone to get L and up for 30 cents . ie. subs.

I think you are not talking about IS in this case.
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: MichaelJay on April 20, 2009, 06:13
I've had as low as .10 and yes I think I read they were old credits.

Yes, a few years ago credit price was at $0.50 and those credits were sold without termination date. That's why there are still some of them sitting in accounts that still can be used today.
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: lisafx on April 20, 2009, 11:11
... However when I remember that my average $ per DL on istock is $1.10 I feel better :).

Just out of curiosity, what time span does this cover?
My average is $1.43 per DL so far this year - if your $1.10 is over a similar period I'll be quite surprised at the wide variation possible in this figure.


That average was for March 09, but just recalculated for the year and it is surprisingly exactly the same at $1.0994399 (rounded up to 1.10)

Is $1.10 really a low average for independent contributor? 

Reading the istock forums Slobo and Asiseeit were both stating their average royalty per DL as exclusive diamonds is around $2.00 - 2.50.  If you double my royalty to account for the exclusive bonus it works out to $2.20, which is right in line with what the exclusive diamonds are reporting. 

Of course I would be happy to increase my average.  Tips on how to do it will be welcome :)
 
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: sharply_done on April 20, 2009, 11:22
That average was for March 09. 

Is $1.10 really a low average for independent contributor? 

Reading the istock forums Slobo and Asiseeit were stating their average royalty per DL as exclusive diamonds is around $2.00 - 2.50.  If you double my royalty to account for the exclusive bonus it works out to $2.20, which is right in line with what the exclusive diamonds are reporting. 

Of course I would be happy to increase my average.  Tips on how to do it will be welcome :)

I think $1.10 is on the low end of the iStock pay scale. My gut says $/DL is primarily related to subject matter, and apart from shooting something different I don't think there's anything you can do to increase this amount.

On the (very) bright side, although you may not earn as much per sale as others, there are very few who sell as much as you do!
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: lisafx on April 20, 2009, 12:01
Thanks for the encouragement Sharply :)

It has also been hypothesized in the istock forums that with istock's prices for larger images being high some price conscious buyers who need large sizes may buy them from other outlets in the case of non-exclusive shooters.   

Not sure if that's true, but it may explain the lower average.  Hard to know for sure without knowing the $/DL average of other diamond independents. 
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: fotografer on April 20, 2009, 12:19
Hi Lisa, I'm a diamond independent and my average for this year is 1.26$.  I like you have virtually 100% model released shots so I don't know why your average is lower.  I guess it's just luck as I upload to 7 different sites so it's easy to get hold of my larger sizes at a cheaper price.

Thanks for the encouragement Sharply :)

It has also been hypothesized in the istock forums that with istock's prices for larger images being high some price conscious buyers who need large sizes may buy them from other outlets in the case of non-exclusive shooters.   

Not sure if that's true, but it may explain the lower average.  Hard to know for sure without knowing the $/DL average of other diamond independents. 
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: lisafx on April 20, 2009, 12:33
Hi Lisa, I'm a diamond independent and my average for this year is 1.26$.  I like you have virtually 100% model released shots so I don't know why your average is lower.  I guess it's just luck as I upload to 7 different sites so it's easy to get hold of my larger sizes at a cheaper price.



Thanks for that info!  It helps comparing apples to apples instead of apples to oranges :)
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: Perry on April 20, 2009, 12:37
I calculated my earnings/dl for 2009 (so far) and it's 1.24$

All time (from 2005) is 0.83$

I have no people in my portfolio (except non-released body parts)
Title: Re: $0.15 Sale - a new low?
Post by: cdwheatley on April 20, 2009, 12:52
Agree that subject matter probably has a lot to do with it. I've noticed that backgrounds seem to sell more at larger sizes as opposed to images with models or closeups. XXL size might play a small factor also. Once enough of your portfolio is available at xxl or xxxl that might influence the average somewhat.  In my case I upgraded in july of 08 and almost doubled portfolio size since then. price increase also.