Author Topic: When is it.. (OK).. to complain about poor sales.. (Read 20725 times)

shank_ali · « **on:** January 06, 2009, 15:46 »

Not on january the 6th that's for sure.
If you have had good sales and then they decline even though your portfolio grows still no reason to complain.
If your exclusive and want more sales make your files available to a different group of buyers. eh duh ( those that don't buy from istockphoto ) stupid.
In closing it's never OK to complain as no-one really cares from the sites you contribute too.

lisafx · « **Reply #1 on:** January 06, 2009, 18:32 »

To me it is okay to complain about poor sales any time. One of my favorite hobbies - second only to rejoicing in good sales

Besides, having poor sales is a bummer, and complaining is a good way to let off steam. It's also a good way to find out if it is just you or if others are experiencing the same.

But I do agree with you that it is way too early in the month/year to draw any conclusions about trends.

bittersweet · « **Reply #2 on:** January 06, 2009, 21:52 »

That reminds me; I'm curious. When does your posting ban lift at istock? And when that happens, will we be graced less frequently with your presence here?

Kngkyle · « **Reply #3 on:** January 06, 2009, 22:04 »

Quote from: whatalife on January 06, 2009, 21:52

That reminds me; I'm curious. When does your posting ban lift at istock? And when that happens, will we be graced less frequently with your presence here?

I certainly have my fingers crossed.

Tuilay · « **Reply #4 on:** January 06, 2009, 23:19 »

Quote from: Kngkyle on January 06, 2009, 22:04

Quote from: whatalife on January 06, 2009, 21:52
That reminds me; I'm curious. When does your posting ban lift at istock? And when that happens, will we be graced less frequently with your presence here?

I certainly have my fingers crossed.

why even wait for the ban to lift at Istock,
would it not be easier to just change your monicker???
huh?

just don't use Bruce Willis. it's already taken !!!

Fred · « **Reply #5 on:** January 07, 2009, 00:54 »

Quote from: shank_ali on January 06, 2009, 15:46

Not on january the 6th that's for sure.
If you have had good sales and then they decline even though your portfolio grows still no reason to complain.
If your exclusive and want more sales make your files available to a different group of buyers. eh duh ( those that don't buy from istockphoto ) stupid.
In closing it's never OK to complain as no-one really cares from the sites you contribute too.

But it is ok to complain about complaining, I guess!

fred

bittersweet · « **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2009, 00:55 »

Quote from: Tuilay on January 06, 2009, 23:19

Quote from: Kngkyle on January 06, 2009, 22:04
Quote from: whatalife on January 06, 2009, 21:52
That reminds me; I'm curious. When does your posting ban lift at istock? And when that happens, will we be graced less frequently with your presence here?

I certainly have my fingers crossed.

why even wait for the ban to lift at Istock,
would it not be easier to just change your monicker???
huh?

just don't use Bruce Willis. it's already taken !!!

Oh I think he'd have to change more than his name to go unnoticed once he starts typing.

shank_ali · « **Reply #7 on:** January 07, 2009, 02:18 »

Quote from: whatalife on January 06, 2009, 21:52

That reminds me; I'm curious. When does your posting ban lift at istock? And when that happens, will we be graced less frequently with your presence here?

I am not at liberty to discuss my ban from istock.If i can post again on istock next month i shall still post on this forum as the thought of annoying two groups of people at the same time stimulates me no end!

fotografer · « **Reply #8 on:** January 07, 2009, 02:29 »

Ok, you often irritate me but that made me laugh out loud.

Quote from: shank_ali on January 07, 2009, 02:18

If i can post again on istock next month i shall still post on this forum as the thought of annoying two groups of people at the same time stimulates me no end!

ironarrow · « **Reply #9 on:** January 07, 2009, 07:16 »

Quote from: shank_ali on January 07, 2009, 02:18

Quote from: whatalife on January 06, 2009, 21:52
That reminds me; I'm curious. When does your posting ban lift at istock? And when that happens, will we be graced less frequently with your presence here?
I am not at liberty to discuss my ban from istock.If i can post again on istock next month i shall still post on this forum as the thought of annoying two groups of people at the same time stimulates me no end!

Poor thing.. Are you annoyed by your own existence too?

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #10 on:** January 07, 2009, 07:30 »

Quote from: shank_ali on January 07, 2009, 02:18

I am not at liberty to discuss my ban from istock.If i can post again on istock next month i shall still post on this forum as the thought of annoying two groups of people at the same time stimulates me no end!

Well, make sure you clean up afterwards...

thesentinel · « **Reply #11 on:** January 07, 2009, 07:45 »

Quote from: sjlocke on January 07, 2009, 07:30

Quote from: shank_ali on January 07, 2009, 02:18
I am not at liberty to discuss my ban from istock.If i can post again on istock next month i shall still post on this forum as the thought of annoying two groups of people at the same time stimulates me no end!

Well, make sure you clean up afterwards...

Hankie for Shanki please!

bittersweet · « **Reply #12 on:** January 07, 2009, 07:49 »

Quote from: shank_ali on January 07, 2009, 02:18

Quote from: whatalife on January 06, 2009, 21:52
That reminds me; I'm curious. When does your posting ban lift at istock? And when that happens, will we be graced less frequently with your presence here?
I am not at liberty to discuss my ban from istock.If i can post again on istock next month i shall still post on this forum as the thought of annoying two groups of people at the same time stimulates me no end!

Awesome! Maybe you can just copy and paste the same interesting topics in both places! That would totally rock! Almost like Shank in stereo.

yay!

RacePhoto · « **Reply #13 on:** January 07, 2009, 13:11 »

Quote from: lisafx on January 06, 2009, 18:32

To me it is okay to complain about poor sales any time. One of my favorite hobbies - second only to rejoicing in good sales

Maybe we should have a survey? Which is more common, (and fun) to complain about:

1) poor sales, 2) Rejections/Reviewers, 3) Slow reviews, 4) Keywording, 5) Uploading or reading IPTC data problems, 6) Low pay for subscriptions.

Eliminate these and the forum would really slow down.

lisafx · « **Reply #14 on:** January 07, 2009, 13:46 »

^^ LOL! Exactly!

Put me down for "slow sales". That is the hardest thing for me to deal with and the most likely thing I will complain about. Nothing beats the bottom line....

shank_ali · « **Reply #15 on:** January 07, 2009, 15:05 »

I do not complain about rejections as much now,if i feel really attached to an image i just look back through and upload another from the shoot.
Happy with what i get payed for my sales and already this year had 5 large sales ranging from$2.90-$3.50.
What contributors don't realise is a sale for us is the end product.A sale for a buyer is probably at the beginning of a project and alot of buyers WONT be buying everyday as they will be working on said project/design.

Kngkyle · « **Reply #16 on:** January 07, 2009, 15:36 »

Quote from: shank_ali on January 07, 2009, 15:05

What contributors don't realise is a sale for us is the end product.A sale for a buyer is probably at the beginning of a project and alot of buyers WONT be buying everyday as they will be working on said project/design.

Yes I'm sure none of us are smart enough to figure that out. Thank you for enlightening us poor unintelligent sobs with your endless wisdom. What oh what would we do without you.

thesentinel · « **Reply #17 on:** January 07, 2009, 17:14 »

From hapless newbie to super-guru in a year, who'd have known?

bittersweet · « **Reply #18 on:** January 07, 2009, 17:30 »

Quote from: thesentinel on January 07, 2009, 17:14

From hapless newbie to super-guru in a year, who'd have known?

Yes, and you can follow the entire journey just by reading the 51 threads he started in the istock critique forum.
It's really a touching epic, best enjoyed if you begin at the beginning - page 3.
http://www.istockphoto.com/shank_ali

You've come a long way, baby!

thesentinel · « **Reply #19 on:** January 07, 2009, 18:21 »

Quote from: whatalife on January 07, 2009, 17:30

Quote from: thesentinel on January 07, 2009, 17:14
From hapless newbie to super-guru in a year, who'd have known?

Yes, and you can follow the entire journey just by reading the 51 threads he started in the istock critique forum.
It's really a touching epic, best enjoyed if you begin at the beginning - page 3.
http://www.istockphoto.com/shank_ali

You've come a long way, baby!

He reduced someone in my CN to tears, and not tears of laughter. Not all his posts are there anymore.

shank_ali · « **Reply #20 on:** January 08, 2009, 02:20 »

Quote from: Kngkyle on January 07, 2009, 15:36

Quote from: shank_ali on January 07, 2009, 15:05
What contributors don't realise is a sale for us is the end product.A sale for a buyer is probably at the beginning of a project and alot of buyers WONT be buying everyday as they will be working on said project/design.

Yes I'm sure none of us are smart enough to figure that out. Thank you for enlightening us poor unintelligent sobs with your endless wisdom. What oh what would we do without you.

If you were without me i honestly feel that your life would spiral out of control and drink and drugs would engulf your very being.x

Phil · « **Reply #21 on:** January 08, 2009, 03:51 »

february 30th

Tuilay · « **Reply #22 on:** January 08, 2009, 11:33 »

Quote from: shank_ali on January 08, 2009, 02:20

Quote from: Kngkyle on January 07, 2009, 15:36
Quote from: shank_ali on January 07, 2009, 15:05
What contributors don't realise is a sale for us is the end product.A sale for a buyer is probably at the beginning of a project and alot of buyers WONT be buying everyday as they will be working on said project/design.

Yes I'm sure none of us are smart enough to figure that out. Thank you for enlightening us poor unintelligent sobs with your endless wisdom. What oh what would we do without you.
If you were without me i honestly feel that your life would spiral out of control and drink and drugs would engulf your very being.x

what a beautiful love / hate, hate.leave affair we have here.
they just love to hate you, and you just hate to leave !

Adeptris · « **Reply #23 on:** January 08, 2009, 14:38 »

Quote from: shank_ali on January 07, 2009, 15:05

Happy with what i get payed for my sales and already this year had 5 large sales ranging from$2.90-$3.50.
What contributors don't realise is a sale for us is the end product.
A sale for a buyer is probably at the beginning of a project and alot of buyers WONT be buying everyday as they will be working on said project/design.

A buyer may download a small image for a composite at the begining of a project, medium half way through for a publication, and an EL later a the campaign takes off, so not always the end product, that is the image not the revenue.

Rather than photographers complaining about poor sales they should look at why they could be poor, the recession, changes in the types of images buyers are looking for, old tired images in thier portfolio, to many similars, to many seasonal images, not enough diversity, buyers not purchasing so many images, buyers finding cheaper images, changing trends, sites marketing not as aggressive, market dilution.

Shanks old mate I see you have achieved one of your targets, Istock Exclusive, all eggs in one basket comes to mind.

Quote

If your exclusive and want more sales make your files available to a different group of buyers. eh duh ( those that don't buy from istockphoto ) stupid.

I do not see you practicing what you preach, Yuri and other Istock Exclusives also upload Different Images to the traditional sites like Alamy without affecting thier status.

Then you could have your income from the micros supplemented by a traditional sale, my last sale netted me a mere $85.00.

Now then lets also take the perspective of the Site Owners that are trying to make a profit and keep the sites running they are also affected, the recession, changes in the types of images buyers are looking for, photographers uploading tired images and to many similars, to many seasonal images at the wrong time, not enough diversity being uploaded, thier buyers not purchasing so many images and finding cheaper images, changing trends, marketing budgets cut, market dilution and price undercutting by other sites, never really hear them complain, they have a look and adjust thier business to suit.

So the time to complain is when you are sure you have done everything you can to maximise your sales, and the poor sales can be attributed only to the way a site is managed, then you still do not complain, it is thier business you are just a supplier, if you are unhappy you just stop supplying your images and move on before the axe falls.

David

RacePhoto · « **Reply #24 on:** January 09, 2009, 14:08 »

Quote from: thesentinel on January 07, 2009, 18:21

Quote from: whatalife on January 07, 2009, 17:30
Quote from: thesentinel on January 07, 2009, 17:14
From hapless newbie to super-guru in a year, who'd have known?

Yes, and you can follow the entire journey just by reading the 51 threads he started in the istock critique forum.
It's really a touching epic, best enjoyed if you begin at the beginning - page 3.
http://www.istockphoto.com/shank_ali

You've come a long way, baby!

He reduced someone in my CN to tears, and not tears of laughter. Not all his posts are there anymore.

I liked this one, which included:

i leaving this istock forum for awhile as i,m going to learn ever single thing about my vivitar840 before i spend my hard earned money on a better camera

perhaps the next time i post a comment on the great istock forum site i might actually be a CONTRIBUTOR

We all started somewhere, some of us back when processing color film in a home dark room was very cutting edge.

When i started taking photographs for the first time in May 2007 with my little vivitar 840 who would of reasoned a year later i am on the verge of becoming an exclusive contributor on istockphoto.

Finally,i think i can get the 50%.Currently at 49.46%.

Looks like he made 50% and went exclusive. That was after 100 threads for review and all about IS rejections.

There you go, another success story from an IS exclusive.

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Author Topic: When is it.. (OK).. to complain about poor sales.. (Read 20725 times)

shank_ali

lisafx

bittersweet

Kngkyle

Tuilay

Fred

bittersweet

shank_ali

fotografer

ironarrow

Sean Locke Photography

thesentinel

bittersweet

RacePhoto

lisafx

shank_ali

Kngkyle

thesentinel

bittersweet

thesentinel

shank_ali

Phil

Tuilay

Adeptris

RacePhoto

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