MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: lagereek on December 17, 2008, 17:38

Title: DLs are picking up!
Post by: lagereek on December 17, 2008, 17:38
Its picking up a bit, dont want to jump the gun, but DLs are picking up a bit. Dont think its connecting to the best match tough, rather that clients are looking for specific stuff.
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: lobby on December 17, 2008, 17:53
Its picking up a bit, dont want to jump the gun, but DLs are picking up a bit. Dont think its connecting to the best match tough, rather that clients are looking for specific stuff.

disagree

i'm sure it's got to do with best match change
almost double from NOV !!!
going for BME

NOV was  WME
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: antoniodalbore on December 17, 2008, 17:54
Right!
Also for me some slightly improvement over November sales.
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: sharpshot on December 17, 2008, 18:14
Still bad for me.  Doesn't look like anything has changed.
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: stokfoto on December 17, 2008, 18:49
unfortunately not for me:( I think this is going to be WME for me.
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: Phil on December 17, 2008, 19:17
same as oct so far, nov was down a little
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: kosmikkreeper on December 17, 2008, 19:45
NO changes from November here. Just checked the best match and my files are still in oblivion.... no changes...
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: lisafx on December 17, 2008, 20:31
Its picking up a bit, dont want to jump the gun, but DLs are picking up a bit. Dont think its connecting to the best match tough, rather that clients are looking for specific stuff.

Eeeek!!  Don't jinx it Christian!  ;)

My overall sales aren't taking much of a jump, but I have noticed quite a few newer images starting to sell the past couple of days.   

I am guessing the latest search engine tweak might be less biased toward older images than it has been.  Maybe folks with mainly newer portfolios are seeing an increase...?
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: epantha on December 17, 2008, 20:32
Just passed my November total (with the help of 1 EL) and sales are becoming a bit more consistent. My bestsellers are moving forward from the back of my portfolio a little more every day. Starting to feel hopeful again.
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: sharply_done on December 17, 2008, 23:16
I'm not seeing much of a change at IS.

It's not unusual for those who see dramatically rising/falling sales trends to have such a small sales volume that separating signal from noise is difficult.
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: yuliang11 on December 17, 2008, 23:20

picked up abit early of the month and now it's completely DEAD again. i think it's better to spend effort on sites with high revenue and low rejections.
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: PeterChigmaroff on December 18, 2008, 00:25
I thought so too a week ago but it's ho-hum again.

Pete
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: traveler1116 on December 18, 2008, 01:52
Sales have picked up I am already at my BMESBMC (best month ever since best match change) with 2 weeks to go.  This is still lower than before the change but it looks like they leveled the playing field some.   I also noticed my best seller, about 900 sales, that hasn't sold once in over a month has moved up from page 30 in my port to page 8 a couple days ago and is now at page 4.  Maybe if it keeps not selling it will be on the first page.
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: shank_ali on December 18, 2008, 02:23
Its picking up a bit, dont want to jump the gun, but DLs are picking up a bit. Dont think its connecting to the best match tough, rather that clients are looking for specific stuff.
Three sales yesterday was pathetic for me!   Things better improve or i shall make my co-workers redundant for xmas.I have a highly trained team of 6 working on my images and WE should be having more success.....
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: CofkoCof on December 18, 2008, 02:29
December is pretty good if I look at the $$, but downloads are down again (3rd month in a row). I noticed some increase in vector sales. The thing that's bothering me is that new images don't sell at all.
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: Norebbo on December 18, 2008, 10:44
If anything, istock is very consistent for me. Before October, I earned a very consistent number of downloads without much fluctuation. Things are still steady after the October best match change, but at much lower level.

Lots of changes in the microstock business this year. Wonder what 2009 will bring?
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: michaeldb on December 18, 2008, 13:24
It looks like maybe what people are reporting is just ebb and flow, and no real change in best match or other policies. As for me, it continues to be a whole lot of ebb and not much flow.
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: AVAVA on December 18, 2008, 13:29
Hi Lagereek,

Yes the sales are picking up maybe the cream is finally rising to the top like it should at any agency that allows the buyers to decide what images are best no matter how far they are buried. My best month so far.

Best,
AVAVA
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: bittersweet on December 18, 2008, 14:47
I'm non-exclusive and an illustrator and if anything is changing it's only getting worse at byeStockphoto. I could blame some of that on myself for not uploading since I realized the best match made it a waste of time, but from what I have read in the forums byeStock has quit reviewing images anyway, but that doesn't matter either as it will soon suspend paying.

It looks like maybe what people are reporting is just ebb and flow, and no real change in best match or other policies. As for me, it continues to be a whole lot of ebb and not much flow.

So when most people are down, it's because "byeStockphoto" has done something to screw you, but when people start reporting an upswing, it's just normal ebb and flow?

Okay.

I'm glad to hear so many of you starting to see your numbers improve!
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: epantha on December 18, 2008, 15:15
It looks like maybe what people are reporting is just ebb and flow, and no real change in best match or other policies. As for me, it continues to be a whole lot of ebb and not much flow.

Well the best sellers that were at the very end of my portfolio for weeks have started moving forward so there definitely is SOMETHING going on. Remember? They said they were going to slowly dial up the change.
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: nicmac on December 20, 2008, 10:06
WME for me. None of my new files have sold at all since early November, despite selling well at SS and StockXpert. My sales are now a third of what they were in October. For what it's worth, I started uploading in March 2008 there so my whole pf is pretty recent. I'm really, really hoping for a change: Istock was my favorite site and I was this close to trying exclusivity (I hit bronze in early December... talk about timing). Now it all seems so scary, with such fluctuations...
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: lisafx on December 20, 2008, 11:24
WMY for me at istock, and Friday was my worst non-holiday weekday in a couple of YEARS!   

Yeah, I know people probably knocked off early for the holidays, but it was still a workday and was actually almost 20% down from the comparable Friday in Dec. 07, when my portfolio had around 1200 fewer images.
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: bittersweet on December 20, 2008, 11:27
WMY for me at istock, and Friday was my worst non-holiday weekday in a couple of YEARS!   

Yeah, I know people probably knocked off early for the holidays, but it was still a workday and was actually almost 20% down from the comparable Friday in Dec. 07, when my portfolio had around 1200 fewer images.

Friday was pretty lousy for me too in terms of downloads. I took the day off and shopped, and from the looks of things, I was not alone. I was hoping for just a few more good days this month, but I think it's all downhill for now.
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: NancyCWalker on December 20, 2008, 11:42
I'm currently at 1/2 of what I made last month. I'm about 60% down from last year.
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: lisafx on December 20, 2008, 12:02
I'm currently at 1/2 of what I made last month. I'm about 60% down from last year.

60%?  Ouch! 

When did you go independent, Nancy?  Do you think that might be contributing to such a large sales drop?

I agree with Whatalife, we have probably seen our last decent sales day for the month.
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: NancyCWalker on December 20, 2008, 13:02
I officially left in mid Oct 08. Dec is my second full month as an independent.
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: lagereek on December 20, 2008, 14:26
Yep!  false alarm it seems and its back to its usual penny-pinching. I did have a good wednesday and thursday though.
You know, no one seem to have considered this but just suppose that IS, is loosing it? just suppose that things are far from rosy and they are going through a really bad spell, Ive got to know quite a few high-ranking exclusives and their reports are far from good. Sure best match has got something to do with it but THIS? this is in fact much more worrying.
I recon theyve had it their own way for so long now that its running out of steam plus the fact other leading agencies are not only closing in fast. Theyre already there.

Merry X-mas to all of you guys and gals.
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: michaeldb on December 20, 2008, 15:16
...just suppose that IS, is loosing it? just suppose that things are far from rosy and they are going through a really bad spell, Ive got to know quite a few high-ranking exclusives and their reports are far from good. Sure best match has got something to do with it but THIS? this is in fact much more worrying.
I recon theyve had it their own way for so long now that its running out of steam plus the fact other leading agencies are not only closing in fast. Theyre already there.
Remember the saying in business, "It pays to be second." Few of the originators of a major new business model live to dominate the business. I recall the legend of Gary Kildall flying his plane and missing an appointment with IBM reps (while Bill Gates showed up on time in a suit and tie). IS exudes that sort of arrogance. Maybe the conspiracy theories of Getty buying IS to destroy it are true. Or maybe IS has just shot itself in the foot one too many times. Yes, it's bleeding from the best match but that is certainly not the only self-inflicted wound. I hope they patch things up and survive and thrive, for there is much to like about IS. We'll see I guess.
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: loop on December 21, 2008, 10:07
Yep!  false alarm it seems and its back to its usual penny-pinching. I did have a good wednesday and thursday though.
You know, no one seem to have considered this but just suppose that IS, is loosing it? just suppose that things are far from rosy and they are going through a really bad spell, Ive got to know quite a few high-ranking exclusives and their reports are far from good. Sure best match has got something to do with it but THIS? this is in fact much more worrying.
I recon theyve had it their own way for so long now that its running out of steam plus the fact other leading agencies are not only closing in fast. Theyre already there.

Merry X-mas to all of you guys and gals.

You're guessing too much, in my opinion. Without guessing, using the facts and information available, we find that istock sold images for 70million last year. About 30% went to contributors. This year, ot at least these last monts they are paying 1.1 miliion in royalties to contributors every week. Do the math and you'll discover that it dosen't seem they are going dow, but up, and much.
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: Karimala on December 21, 2008, 12:29
I'm currently at 1/2 of what I made last month. I'm about 60% down from last year.

I still haven't come close to recovering from my 60% drop almost 2 years ago when IS first started tweaking the best match.   :'(
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: lathspell on December 21, 2008, 18:56
Consistent results here - $$ consistently going downhill. There was a little hick-up in October (and a holiday gap in July), but now everything is dropping as usual. ATM I'm at ~25% of last year's December $$, estimating not more than 40% at the end of December. Here's my graph over the last 2 years:

(http://bilder.heizfrosch.de/istockphoto/monthly_stats_2007_2008.jpg)



Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: lagereek on December 22, 2008, 03:10
Yep!  false alarm it seems and its back to its usual penny-pinching. I did have a good wednesday and thursday though.
You know, no one seem to have considered this but just suppose that IS, is loosing it? just suppose that things are far from rosy and they are going through a really bad spell, Ive got to know quite a few high-ranking exclusives and their reports are far from good. Sure best match has got something to do with it but THIS? this is in fact much more worrying.
I recon theyve had it their own way for so long now that its running out of steam plus the fact other leading agencies are not only closing in fast. Theyre already there.

Merry X-mas to all of you guys and gals.

You're guessing too much, in my opinion. Without guessing, using the facts and information available, we find that istock sold images for 70million last year. About 30% went to contributors. This year, ot at least these last monts they are paying 1.1 miliion in royalties to contributors every week. Do the math and you'll discover that it dosen't seem they are going dow, but up, and much.


Hi Loop!

NO, no!   Dont get stuck in Maths and figures, its only there for you to see and in that case Getty would have had their best RM year ever BUT we all know theyve just had one of their worst.
The IS turnover is only relevant to other leading agencies turnover. Pretty much on par. Never used to be that.
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: Sean Locke Photography on December 22, 2008, 07:56
Can someone post the grosses for the top 6 agencies for the last couple of years so we can compare?
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: bittersweet on December 22, 2008, 08:27
Consistent results here - $$ consistently going downhill. There was a little hick-up in October (and a holiday gap in July), but now everything is dropping as usual. ATM I'm at ~25% of last year's December $$, estimating not more than 40% at the end of December. Here's my graph over the last 2 years:

([url]http://bilder.heizfrosch.de/istockphoto/monthly_stats_2007_2008.jpg[/url])



The bars on these charts are only relative to the other months of the same year. Unless the bar from one year is exactly the same height as a bar from the other year, and representing the exact same dollar amount (i.e. your October of last year looks to be double your March of this year)... then this illustration is not entirely accurate as it is presented. Obviously it is an overall downward trend though, which is a shame since your canister changes over that same period of time would have increased your royalty level by 75% by now and probably would have helped offset some of the slowdown that occurred as the pond filled up with more and more fish.


Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: lathspell on December 22, 2008, 08:46
Unless the bar from one year is exactly the same height as a bar from the other year ...

You got it. :) Hint: if the 2008 bars would be non-adjusted then there would be at least one bar without gray space at the top.

Btw cannister changes don't affect me - I'm not exclusive ... Increased my portfolio by 30% this year, but royalties dropped by at least 50% (comparing Decembers only: ~65%)
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: lathspell on December 22, 2008, 09:30
Can someone post the grosses for the top 6 agencies for the last couple of years so we can compare?

Sorry, I can't show bars, but at least I can do a list of Decembers and totals from the last 2 years:

DT: if Dec 2006 was 100% then 2007 was 150% and Dec 2008 has passed 260% (by Dec 22)
DT: year 2008 total in comparison to 2006: 290%

IS: 100% / 103% / 25% (by Dec 22)
IS: year 2008 total in comparison to 2006: 110%

SS: 100% / 120% / 50% (by Dec 22)
SS: year 2008 total in comparison to 2006: 160%

StockXpert: 100% (2007, no Dec 2006 stats) / 50% (by Dec 22)
StockXpert: no complete year 2007 stats, so no comparison to 2008

Panthermedia: 100% / 70% / 270% (by Dec 22)
Panthermedia: year 2008 total in comparison to 2006: 570%

Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: Sean Locke Photography on December 22, 2008, 09:33
Sorry - not personal data - overall agency data, like iStock sold 70 million licenses last year, etc...
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: lathspell on December 22, 2008, 09:38
Oops, sorry ... But perhaps that was interesting anyway. Hopefully. Maybe. *grrr* :)
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: bittersweet on December 22, 2008, 09:47
Unless the bar from one year is exactly the same height as a bar from the other year ...

Btw cannister changes don't affect me - I'm not exclusive ... Increased my portfolio by 30% this year, but royalties dropped by at least 50% (comparing Decembers only: ~65%)

I know... that's why I said "would have increased your royalty level by 75% by now". Your royalty at 35% commission  is 75% more than your royalty at 20% commission.

Anyway, I'm sorry your numbers are moving in the wrong direction.
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: shank_ali on December 23, 2008, 02:22
Its picking up a bit, dont want to jump the gun, but DLs are picking up a bit. Dont think its connecting to the best match tough, rather that clients are looking for specific stuff.
Start a new thread sales ...XMAS SLOWDOWN :(
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: lathspell on December 24, 2008, 18:25
Anyway, I'm sorry your numbers are moving in the wrong direction.

If they move at all - I've made $0.26 during the last 5 days. And this one XS came from a picture I've uploaded in 2002 ... Well, that's not exactly motivating, is it? :)
Title: Re: DLs are picking up!
Post by: lathspell on December 25, 2008, 19:20
Now that's great - someone has ruined my predictions by downloading 4 pictures today ... Thank you! :)