Author Topic: What are your experiences after becoming exclusive (in 2011/2012)? (Read 11146 times)

wut · « **on:** June 03, 2012, 11:10 »

There are threads about how's it going for ppl that dropped the crown, but I'm interested what happened to the earnings of those doing it the other way around. I'm thinking about exclusivity, well if SS won't make us a tempting exclusivity offer after IPO or by the end of the year, I'm going exclusive at IS, if sales will keep on rising the way they did in May. It's also mostly due to being sick and tired of constant hassle with trying to comply to so many different, ever changing sets of standards and the fact that only 2 sites really deliver for me. Here are my May's percentages (taken from another thread):

Quote from: wut on June 03, 2012, 08:01

It's a rough approximation, since I'm guessing PP royalties, I used the average for the last 3 months:

SS=43%
IS=33%
FT=6%
DT=4%
Alamy+pathetic little agencies=14% (Alamy as the biggest contributor to the share)

As you see the gaps/differences are huge

ETA

To take it a step further, I'm going to put my numbers in the MSG poll results format:

SS 100
IS 77
FT14
DT 9

So, do you see it now?

Those who think I've gone completely mental and have nothing else to contribute to the thread, but an opinion like that, please refrain yourself from posting. Thank you!

aeonf · « **Reply #1 on:** June 03, 2012, 12:26 »

It might just turn out to be a wise decision.
What do you think your percentage rate would be after going exclusive ?

wut · « **Reply #2 on:** June 03, 2012, 12:36 »

30%.

Are you exclusive ever since you reached 250 DLs? If not, how did it turn for you? Well anyway, you can at least say how big was the increase in earnings.

ShadySue · « **Reply #3 on:** June 03, 2012, 12:40 »

Quote from: wut on June 03, 2012, 11:10

by the end of the year, I'm going exclusive at IS, if sales will keep on rising the way they did in May.

"Sales can go up as well as down" - odd things happen, and you have no control over them.
Make sure you keep your eyes glued onto the iStock monthly thread. It isn't all ha ha hee hee, (nor is it aways all doom and gloom). Check the canisters of those who are falling fast despite lots of portfolio additions.
Last Jan - May, I thought I was dead in the water at iStock. Suddenly sank at the beginning of Jan after a good Dec, for no perceptible reason (no obvious constant, huge and overall best match drop, for example); suddenly shot up again in June, again for no obvious reason.

Plus, you never know what they have round the corner; again, they can make decisions which will impact your income, randomly and suddenly, that you can't control.

However, given your figures it may be a reasonable decision.

Quote

It's also mostly due to being sick and tired of constant hassle with trying to comply to so many different, ever changing sets of standards.

Certainly can understand that sentiment.

aeonf · « **Reply #4 on:** June 03, 2012, 12:42 »

We have been exclusive for years, and even before we where officially exclusive we only uploaded to IS so I can't really compare.

wut · « **Reply #5 on:** June 03, 2012, 12:53 »

Quote from: ShadySue on June 03, 2012, 12:40

Quote from: wut on June 03, 2012, 11:10
by the end of the year, I'm going exclusive at IS, if sales will keep on rising the way they did in May.

"Sales can go up as well as down" - odd things happen, and you have no control over them.
Make sure you keep your eyes glued onto the iStock monthly thread. It isn't all ha ha hee hee, (nor is it aways all doom and gloom). Check the canisters of those who are falling fast despite lots of portfolio additions.
Last Jan - May, I thought I was dead in the water at iStock. Suddenly sank at the beginning of Jan after a good Dec, for no perceptible reason (no obvious constant, huge and overall best match drop, for example); suddenly shot up again in June, again for no obvious reason.

Plus, you never know what they have round the corner; again, they can make decisions which will impact your income, randomly and suddenly, that you can't control.

However, given your figures it may be a reasonable decision.

Quote
It's also mostly due to being sick and tired of constant hassle with trying to comply to so many different, ever changing sets of standards.
Certainly can understand that sentiment.

I know. But that's true for all of the other top 4 sites. FT has totally messed their search engine for instance, SS has other problems, volatile inspections (I dunno what's worse, sudden best match shakeups or inspectors with crazy ~~mood~~ quality standard swings).
I do read them every single month. Looks pretty good lately. BDs are down, but that is to be expected, if you expect infinite growth forever, well your trust in capitalism is just too big and unrealistic. I dismiss most ppl below silver canister and usually check their ports and number of new uploads. Silver-diamonds seem to be doing well, E+ looks to be a big hit and now they're going to mirror it to Getty, so yet another great opportunity to earn more. I'd also be motivated to shoot stuff for Vetta, do more creative stuff and not get bored with micro as fast as some do. Generally, I think IS gets out of the box and artsy shots more than other agencies, especially SS, looking at just the top 4. Those shots also have more shots of selling there.

I guess I'll just have to take a risk. Well I have to wait for over 5 months anyway, because of DT. I'll just see how SS and IS earnings will turn out in that period and also the ratio between them.

My figures are nothing special. I expect to reach 17/30%, I'm still at 16% now. They just significantly improved in May. Which of course means nothing, but it did made me think about exclusivity. But IS, as it is, really is the 2nd option, the way things are now.

wut · « **Reply #6 on:** June 03, 2012, 13:36 »

One more important thing: what's the procedure like when applying for exclusivity? Do you apply, they take a look and tell you exactly which sites you have to take images down from, or do you have to delete them and then wait for their response? If it's the latter option and you have to wait for a week or so, before they check for your images, you're loosing hundreds if not thousands of dollars (well I wouldn't loose thousands, obviously:). Because I know you even have to remove images from photo.net etc (I guess there is some way of buying photos there, although you can sell prints)

velocicarpo · « **Reply #7 on:** June 03, 2012, 13:56 »

Although I have no own experience and hate the idea of exclusivity I remember various people (exclusives) commenting their numbers to me and they were really satisfying. To me it always seemed that exclusivity might be a very good deal income-wise.

Also, there was a blog entry on the MSG which analyzed plenty of full-timers. The report showed that the istock exclusive - fulltimers seemed to earn more money for less work if I remember correctly.

wut · « **Reply #8 on:** June 03, 2012, 14:10 »

Yes, I did see that poll. All the exclusives I know, recommend it to me, I don't know anybody who dropped the crown (although I know dozens if not hundreds, did)

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #9 on:** June 04, 2012, 01:10 »

I've been selling through iStock since fall 2004. I was exclusive from 2008 - 11. During my time at iStock there have been many big ups and downs - typically a result of best match changes (best match 2.0, then supposed to be the last big change - sort of like the war to end all wars? - and the run-up to it had some people coining the term Sudden Portfolio Death Syndrome).

The only thing you are guaranteed is that nothing is guaranteed. It could get better, it could get much worse and you can't know ahead of time. I completely get the frustration with the shenanigans from all the agencies (and that was a factor for me in part in deciding to become exclusive). IMO you are swapping one set of risks for another.

Other people's experiences - even other exclusives' experiences - mean nothing for you and how you would do. Do you look at Sean's declines in the face of a first class portfolio, steady uploading and substantial Vetta/Agency presence, or the small handful of diamond & up exclusives who report BMEs in the forums?

borg · « **Reply #10 on:** June 04, 2012, 01:31 »

IS for example makes 25% (average cca) of my monthly earnings... 75% is coming from other agencies...
So I need to make three times more as an exclusive only to be on some kind of "positive zero"...

I haven't heard that someone is making 3x more on just one agency after becoming an exclusive contributor...

Most of them are exclusives from the early start...

Gannet77 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 04, 2012, 03:45 »

Quote from: wut on June 03, 2012, 13:36

One more important thing: what's the procedure like when applying for exclusivity? Do you apply, they take a look and tell you exactly which sites you have to take images down from, or do you have to delete them and then wait for their response? If it's the latter option and you have to wait for a week or so, before they check for your images, you're loosing hundreds if not thousands of dollars (well I wouldn't loose thousands, obviously:). Because I know you even have to remove images from photo.net etc (I guess there is some way of buying photos there, although you can sell prints)

You have to remove all images from other sites first, or your application will be rejected until you do.

Note too that some sites require notice (up to 6 months) before they will remove your portfolio.

Reef · « **Reply #12 on:** June 04, 2012, 04:09 »

Quote from: Gannet77 on June 04, 2012, 03:45

Quote from: wut on June 03, 2012, 13:36
One more important thing: what's the procedure like when applying for exclusivity? Do you apply, they take a look and tell you exactly which sites you have to take images down from, or do you have to delete them and then wait for their response? If it's the latter option and you have to wait for a week or so, before they check for your images, you're loosing hundreds if not thousands of dollars (well I wouldn't loose thousands, obviously:). Because I know you even have to remove images from photo.net etc (I guess there is some way of buying photos there, although you can sell prints)

You have to remove all images from other sites first, or your application will be rejected until you do.

Note too that some sites require notice (up to 6 months) before they will remove your portfolio.

Can you not keep your portfolios but make them non-active on SS and DT, so that if IS doesn't work out then all is not lost?

wut · « **Reply #13 on:** June 04, 2012, 04:18 »

Quote from: jsnover on June 04, 2012, 01:10

I've been selling through iStock since fall 2004. I was exclusive from 2008 - 11. During my time at iStock there have been many big ups and downs - typically a result of best match changes (best match 2.0, then supposed to be the last big change - sort of like the war to end all wars? - and the run-up to it had some people coining the term Sudden Portfolio Death Syndrome).

The only thing you are guaranteed is that nothing is guaranteed. It could get better, it could get much worse and you can't know ahead of time. I completely get the frustration with the shenanigans from all the agencies (and that was a factor for me in part in deciding to become exclusive). IMO you are swapping one set of risks for another.

Other people's experiences - even other exclusives' experiences - mean nothing for you and how you would do. Do you look at Sean's declines in the face of a first class portfolio, steady uploading and substantial Vetta/Agency presence, or the small handful of diamond & up exclusives who report BMEs in the forums?

You couldn't have put it any better!

I sure do not look at Sean's declines, since there's nothing to compare: not the volumes, the quality (perhaps "stockiness" would be a be a better, more suitable term) and also the subject matter (cabin crew etc, a great niche). The other things is, ppl like him have become so big that they can realistically only hope for their earnings to stagnate. But I'd be glad to loose 10% every year, after earning so much. If ms model won't break down, he'll get 5 figures monthly until the day he dies anyway. I'm way more comparable to silver and gold members, I watch their reports in the monthly thread the most, preferably of those that are still active and shoot lifestyle.

wut · « **Reply #14 on:** June 04, 2012, 04:20 »

Quote from: Reef on June 04, 2012, 04:09

Quote from: Gannet77 on June 04, 2012, 03:45
Quote from: wut on June 03, 2012, 13:36
One more important thing: what's the procedure like when applying for exclusivity? Do you apply, they take a look and tell you exactly which sites you have to take images down from, or do you have to delete them and then wait for their response? If it's the latter option and you have to wait for a week or so, before they check for your images, you're loosing hundreds if not thousands of dollars (well I wouldn't loose thousands, obviously:). Because I know you even have to remove images from photo.net etc (I guess there is some way of buying photos there, although you can sell prints)

You have to remove all images from other sites first, or your application will be rejected until you do.

Note too that some sites require notice (up to 6 months) before they will remove your portfolio.

Can you not keep your portfolios but make them non-active on SS and DT, so that if IS doesn't work out then all is not lost?

It doesn't really matter, Alamy * me over and over: "You can sign up for distribution in new countries at any time, but once you have signed up you cannot deselect distribution territories until April the following year. The reason for this is to provide a stable and consistent collection for our distributors."

That's why I hate dealing with multiple agencies, always some catches hidden in small prints or that you just miss (I really don't have the time to read all of the agreements in detail) etc. I'm really pissed off!

Gannet77 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 04, 2012, 05:08 »

^ If you're on Alamy, note that they too will take 6 months before any deleted images are actually removed (though they will remove them from the search after 3 months).

As for making portfolios inactive on DT, I wouldn't know if that works, I was never on there; I am only reporting what others have said.

traveler1116 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 04, 2012, 08:33 »

Quote from: borg on June 04, 2012, 01:31

IS for example makes 25% (average cca) of my monthly earnings... 75% is coming from other agencies...
So I need to make three times more as an exclusive only to be on some kind of "positive zero"...

I haven't heard that someone is making 3x more on just one agency after becoming an exclusive contributor...

Most of them are exclusives from the early start...

You can just look at the pricing and royalty percentage difference and see how 3x more would be pretty easy. Nonexclusive gets 1 credit for XS while exclusive gets 4 so already 4x more plus exclusive gets 2x more for royalty % so that's 8x more money.

wut · « **Reply #17 on:** June 04, 2012, 09:24 »

Quote from: traveler1116 on June 04, 2012, 08:33

Quote from: borg on June 04, 2012, 01:31
IS for example makes 25% (average cca) of my monthly earnings... 75% is coming from other agencies...
So I need to make three times more as an exclusive only to be on some kind of "positive zero"...

I haven't heard that someone is making 3x more on just one agency after becoming an exclusive contributor...

Most of them are exclusives from the early start...
You can just look at the pricing and royalty percentage difference and see how 3x more would be pretty easy. Nonexclusive gets 1 credit for XS while exclusive gets 4 so already 4x more plus exclusive gets 2x more for royalty % so that's 8x more money.

And price differences between P+ and E+ are huge, they're gonna be mirrored to Getty, so even more sales and exclusives report that E+ is really contributing a big chunk of earnings. And then there's A/V and better search placements...

ShadySue · « **Reply #18 on:** June 04, 2012, 12:33 »

Quote from: Gannet77 on June 04, 2012, 05:08

^ If you're on Alamy, note that they too will take 6 months before any deleted images are actually removed (though they will remove them from the search after 3 months).

If you remove keywords, caption, location (etc?), they can't be found via the search.

lisafx · « **Reply #19 on:** June 04, 2012, 13:17 »

Quote from: Gannet77 on June 04, 2012, 05:08

^ If you're on Alamy, note that they too will take 6 months before any deleted images are actually removed (though they will remove them from the search after 3 months).

As I understand it, if you ask for the images to be deleted, they take 3-6 months, but if you actually close out your Alamy account, they come down right away.

Gannet77 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 04, 2012, 13:35 »

^
Yes - see section 20.1.1 of the TOS - in that case you would only need to give 45 days notice.

As for removing keywords so they can't be found in the search, that is true too and very likely would work but technically probably wouldn't be considered as removal by iStock! Note too that if you're going to do that, do it BEFORE you mark them for deletion, as you can't edit them afterward. You'd probably be better to just cancel your account as suggested and wait the 45 days.

gemmy12 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 04, 2012, 14:04 »

Quote from: lisafx on June 04, 2012, 13:17

Quote from: Gannet77 on June 04, 2012, 05:08
^ If you're on Alamy, note that they too will take 6 months before any deleted images are actually removed (though they will remove them from the search after 3 months).

As I understand it, if you ask for the images to be deleted, they take 3-6 months, but if you actually close out your Alamy account, they come down right away.

Oh Really. I did not know that. thanks lisa.

wut · « **Reply #22 on:** June 04, 2012, 15:10 »

Quote from: lisafx on June 04, 2012, 13:17

Quote from: Gannet77 on June 04, 2012, 05:08
^ If you're on Alamy, note that they too will take 6 months before any deleted images are actually removed (though they will remove them from the search after 3 months).

As I understand it, if you ask for the images to be deleted, they take 3-6 months, but if you actually close out your Alamy account, they come down right away.

But that still doesn't solve the distribution problem, does it?

Freedom · « **Reply #23 on:** June 04, 2012, 16:36 »

Wut, it looks like you have almost made up your mind anyway.

It is perhaps interesting to note that, even though some exclusives complain a lot here, they still remain exclusive. You wonder why. Jsnover quit exclusive at the worst time, her doubts are understandable. From my experience, it hasn't gone worse at least. If you truly want my honest opinion, it's a lot better now.

If IS is going to go public in the near future, I doubt if they will do anything dramatic in the next few months. But it will take you a while to become exclusive, and there is no guarantee that the ride will continue though.

CarlssonInc · « **Reply #24 on:** June 05, 2012, 04:54 »

Quote from: lisafx on June 04, 2012, 13:17

Quote from: Gannet77 on June 04, 2012, 05:08
^ If you're on Alamy, note that they too will take 6 months before any deleted images are actually removed (though they will remove them from the search after 3 months).

As I understand it, if you ask for the images to be deleted, they take 3-6 months, but if you actually close out your Alamy account, they come down right away.

Quicker way is to remove all image data, move the images to a new pseudonym and then delete that pseudonym .

wut · « **Reply #25 on:** June 05, 2012, 05:14 »

Quote from: CarlssonInc. Stock Imagery Production on June 05, 2012, 04:54

Quote from: lisafx on June 04, 2012, 13:17
Quote from: Gannet77 on June 04, 2012, 05:08
^ If you're on Alamy, note that they too will take 6 months before any deleted images are actually removed (though they will remove them from the search after 3 months).

As I understand it, if you ask for the images to be deleted, they take 3-6 months, but if you actually close out your Alamy account, they come down right away.

Quicker way is to remove all image data, move the images to a new pseudonym and then delete that pseudonym .

Wow, that's a great advice and it would work at DT as well

gemmy12 · « **Reply #26 on:** June 05, 2012, 08:12 »

Quote from: wut on June 05, 2012, 05:14

Quote from: CarlssonInc. Stock Imagery Production on June 05, 2012, 04:54
Quote from: lisafx on June 04, 2012, 13:17
Quote from: Gannet77 on June 04, 2012, 05:08
^ If you're on Alamy, note that they too will take 6 months before any deleted images are actually removed (though they will remove them from the search after 3 months).

As I understand it, if you ask for the images to be deleted, they take 3-6 months, but if you actually close out your Alamy account, they come down right away.

Quicker way is to remove all image data, move the images to a new pseudonym and then delete that pseudonym .

Wow, that's a great advice and it would work at DT as well

In DT as well...? how... if you don't mind to tell...! and is it really possible to delete a particular pseudo and its images ?

wut · « **Reply #27 on:** June 05, 2012, 08:48 »

Quote from: gemmy12 on June 05, 2012, 08:12

Quote from: wut on June 05, 2012, 05:14
Quote from: CarlssonInc. Stock Imagery Production on June 05, 2012, 04:54
Quote from: lisafx on June 04, 2012, 13:17
Quote from: Gannet77 on June 04, 2012, 05:08
^ If you're on Alamy, note that they too will take 6 months before any deleted images are actually removed (though they will remove them from the search after 3 months).

As I understand it, if you ask for the images to be deleted, they take 3-6 months, but if you actually close out your Alamy account, they come down right away.

Quicker way is to remove all image data, move the images to a new pseudonym and then delete that pseudonym .

Wow, that's a great advice and it would work at DT as well

In DT as well...? how... if you don't mind to tell...! and is it really possible to delete a particular pseudo and its images ?

You can definitely edit image info. I'm not sure about pseudonym though.

More great news, after Alamy support told me I can't remove images from partner sites I asked them if they'll remove it if I close my acc. Here's the reply:"If you terminate your contract your images will be removed from the site within 45 days. We also inform the distributors that the images will not be available for licensing once the account has been cancelled. Please note that sales can occur after this as a result of customers downloading the images before the termination completed."

So in the worst case scenario there's the 5,5 month wait because of DT.

gemmy12 · « **Reply #28 on:** June 05, 2012, 09:05 »

Quote from: wut on June 05, 2012, 08:48

You can definitely edit image info. I'm not sure about pseudonym though.

More great news, after Alamy support told me I can't remove images from partner sites I asked them if they'll remove it if I close my acc. Here's the reply:"If you terminate your contract your images will be removed from the site within 45 days. We also inform the distributors that the images will not be available for licensing once the account has been cancelled. Please note that sales can occur after this as a result of customers downloading the images before the termination completed."

So in the worst case scenario there's the 5,5 month wait because of DT.

Okay you meant changing/deleting the info of image. I thought you are talking related to something like pseudo what i dunno. But i guess we cant even clear all the keywords because DT or any other micro agency probably wont allow to save such images (w/o keywords) but alamy certainly allows to do so. If i am not wrong the admin guys (perhaps few of them) of DT and featurepics are same ones and their policies/agreements are also similar AFA removal of image is concerned. I am seriously considering to delete my DT account not because of my sales but for their waiting period to remove images.

wut · « **Reply #29 on:** June 05, 2012, 09:14 »

Quote from: gemmy12 on June 05, 2012, 09:05

Quote from: wut on June 05, 2012, 08:48

You can definitely edit image info. I'm not sure about pseudonym though.

More great news, after Alamy support told me I can't remove images from partner sites I asked them if they'll remove it if I close my acc. Here's the reply:"If you terminate your contract your images will be removed from the site within 45 days. We also inform the distributors that the images will not be available for licensing once the account has been cancelled. Please note that sales can occur after this as a result of customers downloading the images before the termination completed."

So in the worst case scenario there's the 5,5 month wait because of DT.

Okay you meant changing/deleting the info of image. I thought you are talking related to something like pseudo what i dunno. But i guess we cant even clear all the keywords because DT or any other micro agency probably wont allow to save such images (w/o keywords) but alamy certainly allows to do so. If i am not wrong the admin guys (perhaps few of them) of DT and featurepics are same ones and their policies/agreements are also similar AFA removal of image is concerned. I am seriously considering to delete my DT account not because of my sales but for their waiting period to remove images.

But can you just delete it? 6 month lock in wouldn't make no sense, if so. Everyone wanting to become exclusive would do it. If that's possible, it would really be great

wut · « **Reply #30 on:** June 05, 2012, 09:31 »

Quote from: Gannet77 on June 04, 2012, 03:45

Quote from: wut on June 03, 2012, 13:36
One more important thing: what's the procedure like when applying for exclusivity? Do you apply, they take a look and tell you exactly which sites you have to take images down from, or do you have to delete them and then wait for their response? If it's the latter option and you have to wait for a week or so, before they check for your images, you're loosing hundreds if not thousands of dollars (well I wouldn't loose thousands, obviously:). Because I know you even have to remove images from photo.net etc (I guess there is some way of buying photos there, although you can sell prints)

You have to remove all images from other sites first, or your application will be rejected until you do.

Note too that some sites require notice (up to 6 months) before they will remove your portfolio.

So the best approach seems to be to apply, let them tell you exactly which sites you have to take your images down from (and you also have that in writing) you do it, and reapply for exclusivity. That way you don't loose as much earnings in the meantime.

lisafx · « **Reply #31 on:** June 05, 2012, 11:59 »

On the subject of removing data from all your images at DT, this has been tried before. DT is aware of that tactic. Others who have tried it report that once they have removed data from some images, their images are locked and they can't remove any more keywords.

Also, there is not the way to create multiple pseudonyms at DT like at Alamy.

AFAIK you really do have to wait out the 6 month removal period at DT. OTOH, I have found that in those 6 months a lot can change. Several times the DT waiting period has saved me from making a hasty decision to go exclusive.

cthoman · « **Reply #32 on:** June 05, 2012, 12:34 »

Not sure if this is still true...

You will be allowed to disable a total of thirty (30%) percent of your total images submitted within the past six (6) months. Images that were disabled and then enabled again will be counted as new submissions, no matter of their original upload date.

If you disable the newer ones first, you might be able to shave a couple months off of the 6 months.

wut · « **Reply #33 on:** June 05, 2012, 12:59 »

Quote from: cthoman on June 05, 2012, 12:34

Not sure if this is still true...

You will be allowed to disable a total of thirty (30%) percent of your total images submitted within the past six (6) months. Images that were disabled and then enabled again will be counted as new submissions, no matter of their original upload date.

If you disable the newer ones first, you might be able to shave a couple months off of the 6 months.

Wow, sounds great! I just have to double check this, or else I can add another six months, instead of shaving them off.

Atwim · « **Reply #34 on:** June 08, 2012, 04:58 »

Given the numbers you have shared about your income % between agencies I believe it is pretty straightforward to see you would probably be making more as an exclusive than as independent.

Being exclusive you have said you would reach 30%. That means you would already be doing 76,5 % more just for that.

Higher commissions. Based on my experience for a standard port, low V&A files, some E+ but non of them best sellers, you can expect a RPD between 4$ and 5$. The more V&A and the more E+ successful files you have you can higher that number dramatically. There is people making money in the range of RPD 10$-20$. It depends on the quality of your port. You can judge yourself comparing with your numbers how much that makes. 3X wouldn´t be that difficult just because of this concept.

It is said your files improve their best match position when going exclusive. I really don´t know about this, I became exclusive at 250DLs and they did, but I guess there are other contributors with extensive experience being independent and then exclusive that have better insight about this.

Getty royalties. They aren´t great for the moment, at least for me, but you can expect some extra every month. We will see how E+ contributes to our royalties but as long as they don´t cut our commissions at istock it can´t hurt. Say you make 5% more. If you are already making 4X just for being exclusive that 5% means a 20% more compared to your original istock income.

It is true that many people are seeing drops in DL and $$, but it is also true that some are seeing growth. Also bear in mind that many people making progress do not bother to post in the monthly threads. Trends vary over time and it is not difficult to loose your touch on what is selling. I guess most of the people doing good numbers just don´t want their ports to attract attention

. I am a gold member (@35%) and I still see growth after 4 years. DLs have been more or less steady over the last year but $$ have had a more than reasonable increase. I am not a big fish, 1,9 k files, upload an average of 1 file a day and my V&A port is small and does not sell well.

But that is not all that counts. It depends on your profile, risk you can bear, etc. Putting all your eggs in one basket is not a decision for everyone. Lowering your risk by spreading your port over multiple sites has also its value. The risks you face have been very well explained in this thread and similar ones over time. How much it is worth just depends on oneself. I don’t rely on micro income for anything. I am making decent money but I could live without it so if the moment comes when I have to go independent I can get the hit of lowering my income in the short term by leaving exclusivity and start working with other agencies. It is difficult I could do the same numbers as independent just with the same port. I am making about 6.5-7$/DL so just imagine the hit I would suffer going down to 1.5-2$/DL. But not everyone can do that. Can you? That is a question you should make yourself. Some need this money and take the safe and probably sound decision of being independent. Some are exclusives that would have serious problems during months if they went independent, when they see their income drop one month after another they do nothing but remain exclusives because they are afraid of the big drop. How long can they remain like that? how knows, but they are effectively bound to their exclusivity by a golden leash.

So make your numbers, take you decision and then tell us how it is going ;-)

Good luck.

wut · « **Reply #35 on:** June 08, 2012, 14:48 »

Great post, very helpful. I'm glad I still have over 5 month to see how things go, what is the ratio between SS and IS going to be (I've lost all hope of any other agency showing any meaningful growth in their share of my earnings), if IS will keep up. Could be that IS just want to motivate indies more, but more likely wanting to start taking bigger share of sales. If it's the latter, it's kinda scary, since it wouldn't make sense to become exclusive then (not that noticeable best match boost). Although judging from the earnings thread at IS, that's not the case, most exclusive had a good or even great month, many BMEs, even from diamonds. I think just exclusives with the biggest ports, even if they're super successful (like Sean etc) and those with low quality ports are loosing out. At least it seems like that when reading the thread and checking poster's ports. And of course, I'm still waiting if SS will make the move, but I doubt it, I know it's just my wishful thinking. And this month has started great at SS, already got a few triple SODs (as in triple of the standard royalty) and an EL today. IS is pretty good too, keeping on delivering like it did in the second half of May. Yesterday was pretty bad, by new standards, so that put me in a relatively bad mood. But today's sales are already at least double, so for now, all is well.

wut · « **Reply #36 on:** June 14, 2012, 09:10 »

Well, it's starting to look like the ride is over. After a below average day yesterday, I got only 1 sale so far today. I know you can't judge trends over 1,5 days, especially if you're a small player with low volume of sales, but it looks like my plans of exclusivity are starting to fall apart. So I'll just stick to uploading to IS, SS and FT. I might drop FT soon if sales won't really pick up. Risk wise, it's of course better to have your income split on two agencies, they can't both go down at the same time, well not for a longer period of time anyway. SS is not loosing steam, in fact it's earning more and more although we're on the brink of summer. I just hope they'll resolve the rejections issues fast, because there's no long term growth without new uploads.

Wim · « **Reply #37 on:** June 14, 2012, 10:11 »

Quote from: wut on June 14, 2012, 09:10

Well, it's starting to look like the ride is over. After a below average day yesterday, I got only 1 sale so far today. I know you can't judge trends over 1,5 days, especially if you're a small player with low volume of sales, but it looks like my plans of exclusivity are starting to fall apart. So I'll just stick to uploading to IS, SS and FT. I might drop FT soon if sales won't really pick up. Risk wise, it's of course better to have your income split on two agencies, they can't both go down at the same time, well not for a longer period of time anyway. SS is not loosing steam, in fact it's earning more and more although we're on the brink of summer. I just hope they'll resolve the rejections issues fast, because there's no long term growth without new uploads.

I (and probably a lot more then myself) told you so mate

Microstock is very unstable these days with inconsistent reviews, sales and search engine optimizations so one would be mad to go exclusive anywhere.
Even I know that by now and I only have 1 year of experience in this business.

Now you just have to re-apply at all agencies again, lol!

wut · « **Reply #38 on:** June 14, 2012, 10:55 »

I'll just go with don't fix it if it ain't broken approach. Sales are starting to come in at IS though. Well I have 5 more month tk see where things are going anyway

. And after all 3 agencies are not that many and I'll probably UL to FT only when I'll have too much time on my hands

MicrostockGroup Sponsors

Author Topic: What are your experiences after becoming exclusive (in 2011/2012)? (Read 11146 times)

wut

wut

wut

wut

velocicarpo

wut

wut

wut

traveler1116

wut

lisafx

wut

CarlssonInc

wut

wut

wut

wut

lisafx

wut

wut

wut

Wim

wut

Related Topics

Sponsors

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors