Author Topic: Got Flames? (Read 5152 times)

Graffoto · « **on:** March 17, 2009, 13:01 »

A question for those of you that have flaming images (100 downloads or greater) on iStock.

What was the time on line before your shot(s) to took off?
Weeks, months, years?

I have a couple of images that have sold briskly for the first 20, 30 or 40 downloads but then they drop off pretty quickly after that.
I have yet to get a flamer.

Also, what do you think contributed to your files success? Was it featured as a file of the week possibly, or came up high in the best match on a seasonal search?

Thanks all!

Joseph

epantha · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2009, 13:08 »

Only one flamer so far with another one about 8 downloads away and have been a contributor at IS for about 1 year. The flamer, which I never thought in a million years would be popular, took off after being online for one month, peaked on month 4, died when they changed the best match and put my best sellers in the back and now it is selling consistently again almost 1 year online.

Graffoto · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2009, 13:12 »

Quote from: epantha on March 17, 2009, 13:08

Only one flamer so far with another one about 8 downloads away and have been a contributor at IS for about 1 year. The flamer, which I never thought in a million years would be popular, took off after being online for one month, peaked on month 4, died when they changed the best match and put my best sellers in the back and now it is selling consistently again almost 1 year online.

Yes, very useful and topical image. I can understand why it has done so well.

sharpshot · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2009, 13:17 »

I have 9 and several getting close. Some started selling straightaway and others took a few months to get going. I think my quickest took about 6 months and some have taken over a year to get there.

If I knew why these images worked when others didn't, I would be on a yacht in the Caribbean now

It is still a big mystery to me. Most of mine have a strong concept but some that I thought would definitely sell are still in single figures. Hopefully one day I can work out what makes a flamer.

RT · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2009, 13:45 »

Quote from: sharpshot on March 17, 2009, 13:17

Hopefully one day I can work out what makes a flamer.

Exclusivity

Seriously though I've got quite a few flames, some are images that sell well elsewhere and some are those that don't, then again I've got shots that sell really well elsewhere that have done nothing on IS.

In summary my advice if you want to know how to get flames is this - don't worry about it, upload the best you can and hope.

Graffoto · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2009, 14:18 »

Quote from: RT on March 17, 2009, 13:45

Quote from: sharpshot on March 17, 2009, 13:17
Hopefully one day I can work out what makes a flamer.

Exclusivity

Seriously though I've got quite a few flames, some are images that sell well elsewhere and some are those that don't, then again I've got shots that sell really well elsewhere that have done nothing on IS. In summary my advice if you want to know how to get
flames is this - don't worry about it, upload
the best you can and hope.

Thanks for that, Richard. But you did not answer my main question... How long (in general) did it take for you to get those flames?

cdwheatley · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2009, 15:23 »

Sometimes it takes a while, other times if your lucky enough to climb the best match ranks it happens fast. Where the file is sitting in best match is the biggest factor as long as its a decent image. I think if it doesn't happen in the first 6 months the odds start dropping.

fotografer · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2009, 15:36 »

I have images that have flamed in less than 2 months and others that have taken years and limped their way to a flame.
I have also had images with several hundred dls suddenly stop selling and only pick up the occasional dl only to be ressurected months later and start selling like crazy again.
Position in best match is one of the most important factors in how well an image sells.

RT · « **Reply #8 on:** March 17, 2009, 15:40 »

Quote from: nosaya on March 17, 2009, 14:18

Thanks for that, Richard. But you did not answer my main question... How long (in general) did it take for you to get those flames

My first ever flame (100 dl's) took about six months I think, but then I've got a blue flame (1000 dl's) on an image in less than a year, so if I were to answer your main question it would be that there isn't an answer! Sorry - as Sean Locke say's on his blog 'There's no magic button' . You should ask him how long it takes him to get a flame, I think it's about six hours

Graffoto · « **Reply #9 on:** March 17, 2009, 16:12 »

I think Sean knows where the magic button is.... And he is keeping that secret to himself!

vonkara · « **Reply #10 on:** March 17, 2009, 17:49 »

This one has 94. Uploaded on 02-02-2008. Had like 80 downloads quite quickly and since I wonder when it will be a flame. I think if the file haven't been downloaded in the first month, your chances get smaller, smaller... (Download/months)

Let's pimp

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #11 on:** March 17, 2009, 20:32 »

This image was uploaded on March 12, 2005, and flamed today:

This was uploaded on January 18, 2008 and flamed today:

Now what?

Graffoto · « **Reply #12 on:** March 17, 2009, 20:50 »

Thanks Sean, that is the sort of info I was looking for.
So it does seem that it can take some images a year or even years to get there, but they can still make it.

Tell me, is it your experience that once a file does hit flames that it generally continues to sell well?
in other words, do flaming images seem to get a higher placement in the best match?

j2k · « **Reply #13 on:** March 17, 2009, 21:18 »

The couple of flames that I have were selling steady from the beginning. Nothing special thou. Took them between 6 and 8 months and I didn't notice any changes once they flamed.

The only thing that affected their sales was the November best match change that basically stopped my sales altogether for 2 months.

For me the flaming images are the same ones that sell well on other sites.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #14 on:** March 17, 2009, 21:29 »

I don't really keep an eye on things like that. Too many images to track.

WarrenPrice · « **Reply #15 on:** March 17, 2009, 21:38 »

Flames? Is this something unique to IS? I do try to mind my own business but I can't stand it any longer ... what are y'all talking about?

Graffoto · « **Reply #16 on:** March 17, 2009, 21:56 »

Quote from: WarrenPrice on March 17, 2009, 21:38

Flames? Is this something unique to IS? I do try to mind my own business but I can't stand it any longer ... what are y'all talking about?

Yes Warren, flames are unique to IS.
100+ downloads gets a yellow flame
500+ get red flames
1,000 + get blue

There are a couple more, but I honestly cannot remember what they are.

eppic · « **Reply #17 on:** March 19, 2009, 22:32 »

My only official flamer and seems to be popular around this time of year. Last year it got me close to flame status and this year when easter started getting close, sales picked up again.

This next one isn't at flame status just yet, but I'm sure it will as it's been getting almost daily sales for the past few months:

I suppose it's a good seller as it's just as much or moreso a conceptual shot as it is a shot of the sport of orienteering. I ran this image through HDR software to get the look I wanted before submitting it.

Gregor909 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 20, 2009, 09:21 »

Yes flames are cool, I got a few!
Now I want a pink flame! (10000 downloads)

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Author Topic: Got Flames? (Read 5152 times)

Graffoto

epantha

Graffoto

sharpshot

RT

Graffoto

cdwheatley

fotografer

RT

Graffoto

vonkara

Sean Locke Photography

Graffoto

j2k

Sean Locke Photography

WarrenPrice

Graffoto

eppic

Gregor909

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