Author Topic: Video Commissions at Istock (Read 8420 times)

Mantis · « **on:** November 13, 2013, 08:37 »

I am in the beginning stages of expanding my portfolio to include video. I have uploaded some test videos to Pond 5 and SS because I didn't have to apply for video approval. At Istock, however, you have to apply. So I was reading their terms and non exclusives make 15% to 20%. What does a video sell for? That seems low (just like photos) and I don't want to spend the time uploading 300-500 meg files to them and learn I get a penny commission kind of thing. Obviously I am concerned based on IS record of contributors treatment.

Is it worth uploading video to Istock in TODAY'S environment? Please enlighten me. A lot of my submissions will be underwater and that is way more involved than shooting in a studio, so I don't want to just give my stuff away.

Thanks in advance for the advice. Any other advice that's maybe off this specific topic feel free to PM me if ya wanna help a brotha out

tickstock · « **Reply #1 on:** November 13, 2013, 08:41 »

Mantis · « **Reply #2 on:** November 13, 2013, 08:43 »

Quote from: tickstock on November 13, 2013, 08:41

Looks like they sell for around $25-$250, you get 15-20% of that.

Cool, thanks Tickstock. Wow, a whopping $3.75 commission for a video. That seems awful low.

tickstock · « **Reply #3 on:** November 13, 2013, 08:46 »

Mantis · « **Reply #4 on:** November 13, 2013, 08:50 »

Quote from: tickstock on November 13, 2013, 08:46

Quote from: Mantis on November 13, 2013, 08:43
Quote from: tickstock on November 13, 2013, 08:41
Looks like they sell for around $25-$250, you get 15-20% of that.

Cool, thanks Tickstock. Wow, a whopping $3.75 commission for a video. That seems awful low.
Could be lower that's just what your average would be. I think you probably shouldn't contribute if you don't like what they are paying.

Exactly why I started this thread, so thanks for your feedback.

Gannet77 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 13, 2013, 11:59 »

I've only a few videos on iStock, and all very simple, with only a few sales - but my lowest commission has been $1.70 (for a small web size) and my highest $20.90 for (HD 1080); the average has been about $10.50.

They were reasonably successful for me at first, but for the last few months I've sold hardly anything there so now I concentrate more on SS, P5 and CC. I do still upload to them though, albeit rather as an afterthought.

Mantis · « **Reply #6 on:** November 13, 2013, 12:21 »

Quote from: Gannet77 on November 13, 2013, 11:59

I've only a few videos on iStock, and all very simple, with only a few sales - but my lowest commission has been $1.70 (for a small web size) and my highest $20.90 for (HD 1080); the average has been about $10.50.

They were reasonably successful for me at first, but for the last few months I've sold hardly anything there so now I concentrate more on SS, P5 and CC. I do still upload to them though, albeit rather as an afterthought.

Thanks, Gannet. CC being cut caster?

Gannet77 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 13, 2013, 12:37 »

No, ClipCanvas.

dingles · « **Reply #8 on:** November 13, 2013, 15:00 »

I usually make a nice amount on my videos, but I am exclusive to video at IS. Video sales have been low as of late...I think all their messing with the search was geared towards images and videos get buried fast. Mainly because getting 10 videos sales typically takes longer than 10 image sales. It has been discussed by video contributors at IS, but IS has yet to acknowledge the discrepancy as far as I am aware.

Mantis · « **Reply #9 on:** November 13, 2013, 18:42 »

Another question. Their application process requests no more than 30 second clips. While my video submissions to SS were accepted, they were like 40 seconds. Because of the type of video I cant trim it. But my question: when you are approved as a video contributor, is there still a 30 second limit on submissions?

Snufkin · « **Reply #10 on:** November 13, 2013, 19:45 »

Mantis, I uploaded my last clip to IS in 2011 and I don't intend to resume.
A few points:

- I don't know if they improved their upload system, but as of 2011 it was real #*!&. I mean real #*!& from Stone Age.
- Royalty percentages are lousy, compared to e.g. Pond5, Clipcanvas, Revostock.
- The owners of this agency have a problem with you making any money. They would love to drive your royalties to 0-1%.

My main video earners are Pond5 and SS.

Bonus agencies are Clipcanvas, Clipdealer, Revostock, Canstock (all with fair prices + fair royalties).

Pond5 seems to be the market leader and you can set your own prices + you receive 50%.
I imagine that your underwater stuff would be pretty unique, so you might be even very succesful in the price range $100-250. Pond5 is probably the best place for unique content.

IMHO uploading video to IS is insanity.

In the footage market there is not so much choice, so if buyers don't find the clip they need, they must move on to the next agency. No other way. For content providers it is best when the next agency is Pond5.

jjneff · « **Reply #11 on:** November 13, 2013, 20:05 »

I do well at iStock especially with the Getty Connection. I think you would be wise to load to IS even if it is a pain as it still drives a lot of sales. I agree it has a lot of issues but to not load at all there I feel would be a mistake. Of course I am exclusive so that dose make a difference.

dingles · « **Reply #12 on:** November 13, 2013, 20:42 »

I upload to iStock via FTP and have no real issues...the pain is I have to go back and add keywords...I wish they snagged the metadata on videos like they do with images.

Mantis · « **Reply #13 on:** November 13, 2013, 20:55 »

Quote from: Snufkin on November 13, 2013, 19:45

Mantis, I uploaded my last clip to IS in 2011 and I don't intend to resume.
A few points:

- I don't know if they improved their upload system, but as of 2011 it was real #*!&. I mean real #*!& from Stone Age.
- Royalty percentages are lousy, compared to e.g. Pond5, Clipcanvas, Revostock.
- The owners of this agency have a problem with you making any money. They would love to drive your royalties to 0-1%.

My main video earners are Pond5 and SS.

Bonus agencies are Clipcanvas, Clipdealer, Revostock, Canstock (all with fair prices + fair royalties).

Pond5 seems to be the market leader and you can set your own prices + you receive 50%.
I imagine that your underwater stuff would be pretty unique, so you might be even very succesful in the price range $100-250. Pond5 is probably the best place for unique content.

IMHO uploading video to IS is insanity.

In the footage market there is not so much choice, so if buyers don't find the clip they need, they must move on to the next agency. No other way. For content providers it is best when the next agency is Pond5.

Excellent feedback. Thank you.

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Author Topic: Video Commissions at Istock (Read 8420 times)

Mantis

tickstock

Mantis

tickstock

Mantis

Gannet77

Mantis

Gannet77

dingles

Mantis

Snufkin

jjneff

dingles

Mantis

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