MicrostockGroup
Microstock Photography Forum - General => Newbie Discussion => Topic started by: beketoff on August 12, 2015, 05:00
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Hi all,
Being a newbie in microstock industry, I have a general question regarding iStock's sales count. In particular, I noticed that despite the fact that my total sales (downloads) count doesn't change for a long time (being 12 for weeks already), my balance (=total earnings) increases relatively regular (almost every day). I doubt the earnings appear just like this, without any sales :) So I wonder where I can see my actual sales (including which photos) and why the sales (downloads) counter doesn't increase.
Many thanks!
Best,
Sergey
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Hi all,
Being a newbie in microstock industry, I have a general question regarding iStock's sales count. In particular, I noticed that despite the fact that my total sales (downloads) count doesn't change for a long time (being 12 for weeks already), my balance (=total earnings) increases relatively regular (almost every day). I doubt the earnings appear just like this, without any sales :) So I wonder where I can see my actual sales (including which photos) and why the sales (downloads) counter doesn't increase.
Many thanks!
Best,
Sergey
Last week Partner Program (cheap subs via Thinkstockphoto.com) dripped in, and yesterday iS's own subs started dripping in.
To see which files sold without using Theasis' script for Chrome browser, go into My Uploads, then click on first of all the Partner Program link in the left hand column, then click the word 'Royalty' at the top of the right hand column and that will sort your sales into order by which has earned most.
Then click on 'Image subscriptions' (not credit subs) then click twice on Last Sub DL (furthest right column) to see which files sold as subs. ATM they have just started reporting subs from 3rd July.
If you're interested in the free script for Chrome browser (only), it can be downloaded from here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/istock-myuploads-fixes/ckloododgagaeepfamopjnjgbhbanlcg (https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/istock-myuploads-fixes/ckloododgagaeepfamopjnjgbhbanlcg)
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To see which files sold without using Theasis' script for Chrome browser, go into My Uploads, then click on first of all the Partner Program link in the left hand column, then click the word 'Royalty' at the top of the right hand column and that will sort your sales into order by which has earned most.
Then click on 'Image subscriptions' (not credit subs) then click twice on Last Sub DL (furthest right column) to see which files sold as subs. ATM they have just started reporting subs.
Thanks for this information. I never knew you could check the specific images downloaded as subscriptions this way.
It's clear that subs have cannibalized my credit sales. Just the other day, I was idly speculating why what used to be my best-selling image was no longer selling at all. Guess what? It has been selling. It's at the top of my subs list, earning only a tiny fraction of what it used to.
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It's clear that subs have cannibalized my credit sales. Just the other day, I was idly speculating why what used to be my best-selling image was no longer selling at all. Guess what? It has been selling. It's at the top of my subs list, earning only a tiny fraction of what it used to.
Oh yes, and for sure my newish files (past couple of years) only get sub sales.
Does anyone know for sure if Subs buyers see a different best match?
E.g., I have one particular file of a species unique on iStock, and not available 'in the wild' elsewhere in the top 4, which has one view and 4 dls recorded (mine is wild in native habitat). Two dls have shown up as subs and presumably two have still to show up. I'm pretty furious about that; what's the good in that? - they lose even more than me!
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It's clear that subs have cannibalized my credit sales. Just the other day, I was idly speculating why what used to be my best-selling image was no longer selling at all. Guess what? It has been selling. It's at the top of my subs list, earning only a tiny fraction of what it used to.
Oh yes, and for sure my newish files (past couple of years) only get sub sales.
Does anyone know for sure if Subs buyers see a different best match?
E.g., I have one particular file of a species unique on iStock, and not available 'in the wild' elsewhere in the top 4, which has one view and 4 dls recorded (mine is wild in native habitat). Two dls have shown up as subs and presumably two have still to show up. I'm pretty furious about that; what's the good in that? - they lose even more than me!
I guess that's why iStock makes it so awkward to find the images sold as subs. They're trying to keep contributors from realizing how much subs have damaged their sales.
Not that it matters much to me anymore. I only have a small rump portfolio left after deactivating most of it a couple of years back and I'm not uploading there anymore. I've left the remaining images in place to collect whatever pennies they can. And pennies it is.
I do a lot of wildlife photography too and I really wish I could find a good place to sell them. To me, none of the micros seems to work very well for this category. Any suggestions?
p.s. I'd be interested in seeing your unique species if you're willing to share.
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If you're interested in the free script for Chrome browser (only), it can be downloaded from here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/istock-myuploads-fixes/ckloododgagaeepfamopjnjgbhbanlcg (https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/istock-myuploads-fixes/ckloododgagaeepfamopjnjgbhbanlcg)
Thanks a lot for a tip, this plugin is in fact very cool and useful. Back to subject, it appears to me that what iStock cares about in terms of stats is the DLs from IS directly, for instance, to be eligible for exclusivity (>250 DLs). Therefore, all other sales, including through partner programs, are not taken into account?
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Thanks a lot for a tip, this plugin is in fact very cool and useful. Back to subject, it appears to me that what iStock cares about in terms of stats is the DLs from IS directly, for instance, to be eligible for exclusivity (>250 DLs). Therefore, all other sales, including through partner programs, are not taken into account?
Yes, PP doesn't count. Subs don't count either. Only regular credit sales do.
Not a big issue, though. It takes only about six weeks to get 250 regular downloads if you upload 20,000 good stock images.
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Not a big issue, though. It takes only about six weeks to get 250 regular downloads if you upload 20,000 good stock images.
Ha!
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Not a big issue, though. It takes only about six weeks to get 250 regular downloads if you upload 20,000 good stock images.
I guess that was an irony, wasn't it? :)
Thanks for your input though!
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I do a lot of wildlife photography too and I really wish I could find a good place to sell them. To me, none of the micros seems to work very well for this category. Any suggestions?
Nope, iS used to be fair to good, but not now. I wouldn't consider any of the other current micros (but reserve the right to change my mind.
You'd need to look at the wildlife publications where you are and see where they source their images, and see whether the specialist T&C suit you.
The ones I see need a huge initial submission, constant uploading and specify 'species or behaviours we do not already have'.
The specialist buyers do use these agencies though as they don't have to wade through miles of spam and lies (viz the subject being wild when they're not) or alterations (allowed and expected for micros, not for pukka wildlife agencies).
p.s. I'd be interested in seeing your unique species if you're willing to share.
I've got quite a few, all low-demand. ::)
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Not a big issue, though. It takes only about six weeks to get 250 regular downloads if you upload 20,000 good stock images.
I guess that was an irony, wasn't it? :)
Thanks for your input though!
Kind of.
Or maybe not.
It's based on actual numbers. So if you can't manage to upload 20,000 stock images quickly, you can at least deduct realistically how much longer it will take you.