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Author Topic: IStock stale  (Read 9725 times)

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« Reply #25 on: June 04, 2013, 15:51 »
-5
.
« Last Edit: May 12, 2014, 13:15 by Audi 5000 »


ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #26 on: June 04, 2013, 15:58 »
0
Interesting that so few folk have bothered to report in the May Sales thread (on the IS forum). It seems that the previous contributor confidence and enthusiasm, that IS was so famous for, has evaporated somewhat.
Bizarrely, there seems to still be enthusiasm for the lypses.

lisafx

« Reply #27 on: June 04, 2013, 16:29 »
+5
Interesting that so few folk have bothered to report in the May Sales thread (on the IS forum). It seems that the previous contributor confidence and enthusiasm, that IS was so famous for, has evaporated somewhat.

I haven't been reporting May stats either here or at Istock.  Same thing every month - slow decline after hitting the wall.  If anything drastically changes I'll report it.  Otherwise, why bother? 

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #28 on: June 04, 2013, 16:37 »
0
Interesting that so few folk have bothered to report in the May Sales thread (on the IS forum). It seems that the previous contributor confidence and enthusiasm, that IS was so famous for, has evaporated somewhat.

I haven't been reporting May stats either here or at Istock.  Same thing every month - slow decline after hitting the wall.  If anything drastically changes I'll report it.  Otherwise, why bother?

I'm really sorry (and continue to be very surprised) to hear you're still declining across your agencies. It's so illogical.  :(

« Reply #29 on: June 04, 2013, 22:05 »
+2
What is really interesting is....

Which kind of mature ports are not on the decline.

« Reply #30 on: June 05, 2013, 13:06 »
+8
My sales are trending at below 2011 levels for the year, so if the year continues as it has I will earn less than I did in 2011 with a port more than twice as big and I think (hoped) twice as relevant.  However, I do think that my trending is actually overly optimistic.  I tend to think that my earnings will plummet to 2009 levels if recent sales figures are anything to go by.

I am a longtime diamond with thousands of images and I am exclusive.  I think I might be representative of many mid-level, 40% - earning contributors who are seeing earnings decline rapidly.  I do not compete in the business and lifestyle segments so I thought I might be somewhat immune to major changes as I have in the past - not so this time, I've been hit hard.

I don't see many alternatives in the market as I don't like the subs model at all.  If things do not change by November I will probably exit exclusivity and explore different options.  For now I have relegated shooting for Istock to my lowest priority, and luckily there is enough assignment work to survive on.

The upside is that I hope this business change at ISP will allow new (and existing) competitors to enter the market.  Someone out there must value us mid level suppliers who offer a diverse, more authentic look and serve segments that the factories can't quite make sense of.

We will see.  I am beyond throwing stones, as business is business and corporations will always look at ways to maximize profits and drive efficiencies.  I obviously do not fit their new mass-produced model.
« Last Edit: June 05, 2013, 23:18 by Topher »

« Reply #31 on: June 05, 2013, 13:21 »
+1
.
« Last Edit: May 12, 2014, 13:15 by Audi 5000 »

« Reply #32 on: June 05, 2013, 14:13 »
+2
^Not sure, maybe exit microstock and give all my attention to other revenue streams.  I would definitely look at the macro market and RM, not that I think it would replace the heydays of micro's income.  Probably just exit and shoot assignments.

« Reply #33 on: June 05, 2013, 15:36 »
0
My sales are trending at below 2011 levels for the year, so if the year continues as it has I will earn less than I did in 2011 with a port more than twice as big and I think (hoped) twice as relevant.  However, I do think that my trending is actually overly optimistic.  I tend to think that my earnings will plummet to 2009 levels if recent sales figures are anything to go by.

I am a longtime diamond with thousands of images and I am exclusive.  I think I might be respresentative of many mid-level, 40% - earning contributors who are seeing earnings decline rapidly.  I do not compete in the business and lifestyle segments so I thought I might be somewhat immune to major changes as I have in the past - not so this time, I've been hit hard.

I don't see many alternatives in the market as I don't like the subs model at all.  If things do not change by November I will probably exit exclusivity and explore different options.  For now I have relegated shooting for Istock to my lowest priority, and luckily there is enough assignment work to survive on.

The upside is that I hope this business change at ISP will allow new (and existing) competitors to enter the market.  Someone out there must value us mid level suppliers who offer a diverse, more authentic look and serve segments that the factories can't quite make sense of.

We will see.  I am beyond throwing stones, as business is business and corporations will always look at ways to maximize profits and drive efficiencies.  I obviously do not fit their new mass-produced model.

What about stocksy?  Tickstock is right in that the only MS market place that doesnt involve subs is IS exclusive.

I only rarely uploaded to IS because they hate the type of stuff I do but, up to the end of last year, I was getting about 3X the downloads and 5X the income per image than from SS.  Now the only site that produces less revenue per image is 123.

« Reply #34 on: June 05, 2013, 17:35 »
+3
I don't think I fit the 'cool kids' Stocksy requirements.  I also seriously distrust any approach that is heavily curated.  I am not anti the other micro sites, I just think it is a little late entering their collections now.  I'll wait it out and see where the market is going.

I'm not doom and gloom as so much of what I do is content related for assignment clients and I see that their content needs seem endless.  I don't see micro/macro stock disappearing, its just that many of us mid-level shooters have lost a great gig (in ISP) and may have to duck and weave for a while until the next site comes along.  With the speed the market is changing I don't think it will be too long that someone comes along to ring ISP's bell.

We just need 10,000+ shooters putting-up $1000 each to launch a crowd-sourced co-op model. 

« Reply #35 on: June 05, 2013, 18:02 »
+4
I don't think I fit the 'cool kids' Stocksy requirements.  I also seriously distrust any approach that is heavily curated.  I am not anti the other micro sites, I just think it is a little late entering their collections now.  I'll wait it out and see where the market is going.

I'm not doom and gloom as so much of what I do is content related for assignment clients and I see that their content needs seem endless.  I don't see micro/macro stock disappearing, its just that many of us mid-level shooters have lost a great gig (in ISP) and may have to duck and weave for a while until the next site comes along.  With the speed the market is changing I don't think it will be too long that someone comes along to ring ISP's bell.

We just need 10,000+ shooters putting-up $1000 each to launch a crowd-sourced co-op model.

I agree. Stocksy could have been a contender, as Brando might have said. But it's not. It's already disappeared too far up it's own arse to ever be useful. Exclusive and highly curated (I'm really beginning to hate that word) boutique images at barely-above-micro prices just isn't going to generate sufficient income for even the most committed contributor. They won't get the volume of buyers and therefore they won't get the volume of sales. I reckon every Stocksy portfolio would actually earn more money on SS alone __ probably a lot more.
« Last Edit: June 05, 2013, 18:05 by gostwyck »

« Reply #36 on: June 05, 2013, 18:30 »
0
My sales are trending at below 2011 levels for the year, so if the year continues as it has I will earn less than I did in 2011 with a port more than twice as big and I think (hoped) twice as relevant.  However, I do think that my trending is actually overly optimistic.  I tend to think that my earnings will plummet to 2009 levels if recent sales figures are anything to go by.

I am a longtime diamond with thousands of images and I am exclusive.  I think I might be respresentative of many mid-level, 40% - earning contributors who are seeing earnings decline rapidly.  I do not compete in the business and lifestyle segments so I thought I might be somewhat immune to major changes as I have in the past - not so this time, I've been hit hard.

I don't see many alternatives in the market as I don't like the subs model at all.  If things do not change by November I will probably exit exclusivity and explore different options.  For now I have relegated shooting for Istock to my lowest priority, and luckily there is enough assignment work to survive on.

The upside is that I hope this business change at ISP will allow new (and existing) competitors to enter the market.  Someone out there must value us mid level suppliers who offer a diverse, more authentic look and serve segments that the factories can't quite make sense of.

We will see.  I am beyond throwing stones, as business is business and corporations will always look at ways to maximize profits and drive efficiencies.  I obviously do not fit their new mass-produced model.

What about stocksy?  Tickstock is right in that the only MS market place that doesnt involve subs is IS exclusive.

I only rarely uploaded to IS because they hate the type of stuff I do but, up to the end of last year, I was getting about 3X the downloads and 5X the income per image than from SS.  Now the only site that produces less revenue per image is 123.

Pond5 and GL don't have subs. Not high volume, though.

« Reply #37 on: June 05, 2013, 18:42 »
+1
IS does have subs.  Different program terms tho.

« Reply #38 on: June 05, 2013, 19:45 »
0
^The ISP subs program supplemented (some say eroded) the main income stream, though I think most ISP buyers are not sub-type consumers.  I don't think that anyone with any experience with ISP can argue with the opinion that they have been trying too hard to being all things to all people. 

I think the future is bright, we just have to wait and see.

« Reply #39 on: June 05, 2013, 19:50 »
0
^The ISP subs program supplemented (some say eroded) the main income stream, though I think most ISP buyers are not sub-type consumers.  I don't think that anyone with any experience with ISP can argue with the opinion that they have been trying too hard to being all things to all people. 

I think the future is bright, we just have to wait and see.

sorry but I am lost, you said a few hours ago that perhaps leaving microstock is the best solution, now you saying that the future is bright? where? assignments?
« Last Edit: June 05, 2013, 20:06 by luissantos84 »

lisafx

« Reply #40 on: June 05, 2013, 20:51 »
+1


I haven't been reporting May stats either here or at Istock.  Same thing every month - slow decline after hitting the wall.  If anything drastically changes I'll report it.  Otherwise, why bother?

I'm really sorry (and continue to be very surprised) to hear you're still declining across your agencies. It's so illogical.  :(

Thanks Liz :)

Actually, my sales are not really declining across all agencies.  SS and DT are holding fairly steady, for the most part, and some of the smaller agencies are showing nice growth.  Unfortunately, it isn't enough to make up for the freefalls I have experienced at IS and FT. 

I was always unusual for an indie, in that the majority of my income came from Istock rather than SS.  My declines seem to track pretty closely with what I read from Istock exclusives. 

I don't see what I can do about it, other than maybe start shooting footage and/or getting more involved with POD.  ATM I am still dealing with some health and family issues that are keeping me from having the energy to pursue other avenues just yet. 

« Last Edit: June 05, 2013, 20:55 by lisafx »

« Reply #41 on: June 05, 2013, 20:53 »
+1
^ The future for good photographers who take the business of photography seriously is bright.  The demand for pro content is very high, and will, I believe continue to be high.  If ISP, microstock, etc., is part of that future remains to be seen. 

I am not doom and gloom because I see avenues for making money as a pro.

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #42 on: June 06, 2013, 02:31 »
+1
^The ISP subs program supplemented (some say eroded) the main income stream, though I think most ISP buyers are not sub-type consumers. 
Do you mean the PP scheme or iS's own sub scheme (which everyone, even exclusives, is 'in'), which IME and AFAIK hasn't been a rip-roaring success, and has had little effect on anyone's income stream. It may have retained a few buyers whose company needed that model for accounting purposes, the reason which was given for starting the subs scheme. It's not as ridiculously cheap as most/all other sub models.

« Reply #43 on: June 06, 2013, 07:15 »
0
I don't like the PP as I believe it has eroded sales.  I often sell 50% of my total monthly downloads thru PP for a fraction of what I would earn thru pay as you go.  I understand the subs model is ideal for many customers its just that I don't really want to play in that market.  Again I'm not throwing stones, it might be right for lots of people.

« Last Edit: June 06, 2013, 08:22 by Topher »

wds

« Reply #44 on: June 06, 2013, 08:01 »
+1
from where I sit, there has been a long downtrend in downloads at IS. However, $$$ seemed to survive, until the the watershed change in September of 2012. After that, it's been quite downhill in $$$ as well.

« Reply #45 on: June 06, 2013, 09:31 »
0
My bestsellers stopped being bestsellers in Dec2012/Jan2013. I stopped uploading, started up again back in mid-April but my new files (about 100) have barely sold. Income is down 40-50% from this time last year. PP earnings also dropped by over 50% - I can't read the forums because of that toe rag and lickspittle of a moderator and I can't read any announcements from the overlords without wondering what their true agenda might be. Good grief, I might even take up whisky again.

The only candlelight in this gloomy landscape is SS who presented me with a BME in April and May.

mlwinphoto

« Reply #46 on: June 06, 2013, 09:37 »
+1
           Good grief, I might even take up whisky again.

I already have.

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #47 on: June 06, 2013, 09:52 »
0
I can't read the forums because of that toe rag and lickspittle of a moderator
Try when not logged in.

« Reply #48 on: June 06, 2013, 10:29 »
+1
I can't read the forums because of that toe rag and lickspittle of a moderator
Try when not logged in.

A workaround, granted - but I'd much prefer it if they got rid of the little carbuncle.

« Reply #49 on: June 07, 2013, 14:59 »
0
I'm not sure what is going on over there, but as of early May my sales have stopped completely. Very disappointing.


 

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