MicrostockGroup Sponsors


Author Topic: Thinking about leaving istock exclusivity... any advice? Regrets?  (Read 2465 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

« on: April 02, 2013, 20:00 »
+1
This is my first post! *newbie wave*

I've only known iStockphoto and have been exclusive with them since 2005. For the past couple of years I've been building up frustration with them with the lack of sales, slashing royalty rates, greediness, disrespect to contributors, and countless number of problems. I have been contemplating leaving the exclusivity program for a while now but I am afraid to pull the trigger.

If you were an exclusive istocker before, do you have any words of advice? Did you regret your decision? What is your experience?


« Reply #1 on: April 02, 2013, 20:48 »
0
If you do a search of the forum, you can find many threads on this topic, as there are others who have asked those questions before you. Maybe search istockphoto, independent, etc.

shudderstok

« Reply #2 on: April 02, 2013, 22:03 »
0
i think you will find as varied replies as there are photographer's in the stock industry as everyone's folio and subject matter is different. do what you think is best for you. unfortunately there is no right answer to this question.

« Reply #3 on: April 02, 2013, 23:22 »
0
I regret iStock's trail of business decisions since September 2010 but not mine to leave exclusivity (June 2011) and virtually the site (Feb 2013). At the end of 2012 (Nov & Dec) I was able to match my peak exclusive earnings from Nov/Dec 2010 so I feel that was a measure of validation of switching back to independence.

I had been indie from 2004 to 2008, so I had an easier path returning to being indie that someone who had always been exclusive with iStock - as noted above, everyone's experience is a little different. But the worse things get at iStock, the easier it becomes to slip the golden handcuffs off...

« Reply #4 on: April 03, 2013, 00:07 »
+3
I dropped exclusivity early this year after almost six years being exclusive at iStock. My experiences so far are mixed with highlights and disappointments. I still don't regret going independent, though.

If you have some time and are interested in details about my experiences, I am writing a blog about it: http://www.michaeljayfoto.com/


 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
0 Replies
2711 Views
Last post September 26, 2009, 10:28
by pixeled
61 Replies
15395 Views
Last post May 27, 2011, 21:39
by SNP
17 Replies
6030 Views
Last post September 15, 2012, 00:50
by ClaridgeJ
14 Replies
6382 Views
Last post June 19, 2015, 08:49
by MichaelJayFoto
7 Replies
3644 Views
Last post February 24, 2017, 11:47
by KB

Sponsors

Mega Bundle of 5,900+ Professional Lightroom Presets

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors