How long is a piece of string?

I do vector illustrations and have been wondering about this, but decided against it. The basic rate for illustrations is 20% and the maximum you could get as exclusive is 45% (with 110.000 downloads - the 40% with 16.500 downloads looks more achievable), which is a bit more than double. If being exclusive means more favorable search position, that could add to the final earnings sum, not sure how much though.

This year iStock/Getty is my highest earning agency and it makes up for about 40-50% of my total. That means if I would go exclusive with them the end result MIGHT be pretty comparable; but it would also mean that I am more at risk to the changes of only one site and I rather stay with more options.

There is no definitive answer, the choice is yours.

Hi All,
Is there a definitive answer on which pays more, iStock exclusive vs multi site approach for vector illustration? Between 2007 and 2011 I uploaded 60+ to iStock and was exclusive. I averaged $200+ with many making $1,500+ over time. The primary advantage was the best match placement. I have been inactive for awhile now, but may start again. I would prefer to just manage one account if the end result is comparable. I understand the "eggs in one basket" risk and don't need feedback on Getty, just curious about the $.

cheers!

I should note, I don't understand the 142.9 Earnings rating on the sidebar.

Do I understand it correctly that an average illustration uploaded in ~2007 made $200 in total by now? When was the majority of income made? Did you upload anything more recently, perhaps 2-3 years ago?

Don't worry about the 142.9 rating. This supposedly means income weight as a result of a very biased survey.

Most of the old files have moved far down in the search.

That's very natural for 10 year-old files. If you upload old files to another stock, that's not very likely to create new interest, because they have been out there anyway. You've got to start uploading new content to see how it works out today, because the first question you should answer IMO is not what's better, exclusive or not, but if returning to stock for you is worthwhile at all.

If let's say, it is decided that you are doing it, then depending on how much time you spend on an average illo, the numbers you are showing are quite reasonable for today's non-exclusive scenery if you play your cards right. That's a big if as you should understand. I've never been exclusive and never will be, so you have to see for yourself if it's any better. Unfortunately, it's hard to predict what it's going to be for you without some serious experimenting over the time of a year or two.

Another factor which complicates the decision is collection placement. This applies to photos, not sure about other types of assets. As a non-exclusive, your content gets placed in a lower price collection vs. exclusives and as I understand it will not move between collections if you become exclusive.

Yes, right this is huge and forgot to mention. I uploaded a new file yesterday and plan on uploading a few more to check out the landscape.

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If let's say, it is decided that you are doing it, then depending on how much time you spend on an average illo, the numbers you are showing are quite reasonable

If you are suggesting that it is still reasonable to average $300 per illustration that is great to hear.

They are good reasonable, not bad reasonable. Just like far from every illustration will make $300 (or more), same is with people. The fact that you used to be able to generate those sales tells me that you know what you're doing.

Quote from: wds on June 13, 2018, 09:16

Another factor which complicates the decision is collection placement. This applies to photos, not sure about other types of assets. As a non-exclusive, your content gets placed in a lower price collection vs. exclusives and as I understand it will not move between collections if you become exclusive.

Yes, right this is huge and forgot to mention. I uploaded a new file yesterday and plan on uploading a few more to check out the landscape.

Yes it is huge...then the question comes if you are non-ex and are thinking about becoming exclusive do you stop uploading or upload with images forever being in a lower price collection?

... if you decide to become
exclusive you delete all yours previous images/footage and reupload them then as exclusive....

You cannot delete images at istock.
Exclusivity at istock only make sense when you get lot of images in Signature + Collection.
If you don't have lots of premium stuff that ist demanded in Signature + Collection forget exclusivity at istock.

ok, but how can you get to Signature + collection?

Can only talk about photography.
First - you must be an exclusive contributor.
second - shoot highly demanded images - like lifestyle.
third - luck.

IS exclusives are very careful in letting anybody know how thy are doing. They dont want any intruders! period! I know quite a few personally and they are doing very, very well indeed!

Be aware that not all exclusives are doing well (I'm earning between 1/3 and 1/4 of my previous earnings, but as that also applies to rpd, I haven't submitted anything for almost two years) . Some are, those with very high shooting expenses. However, I don't know how vector/ raster artists are doing, and the different media have tended to differ in terms of returns.

Sure Sue! I know but considering the right content not so much quantity but the right commercial content many are doing just fine. Frankly I have myself considered that rather then having a spread of images all over the place and considering the way SS and Adobe are acting etc to delete all ports ( not the RM ports) and throw it all into IS.

Frankly I have myself considered that rather then having a spread of images all over the place and considering the way SS and Adobe are acting etc to delete all ports ( not the RM ports) and throw it all into IS.

Yebbut you've been swithering for a couple of years at least, so you're clearly not fully convinced.