Author Topic: How has Pond5 been in 2021? (Read 24386 times)

K2 · « **on:** May 16, 2021, 21:40 »

Hello everyone. Has Pond5 been lucrative for any contributors here? I want to go exclusive for video, but am still hesitant. Does anyone have any insights they would like to share on sales or other?

falantus · « **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2021, 02:12 »

I don't know about the exclusive outcome but I can say, according to my past experience, 2-3 video sales on pond5 equals to 100 image sales or 8-12 videos on shutterstock. So it most likely is worth it. I have a general tendency to not attached to an agency nowadays.

SpaceStockFootage · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2021, 08:58 »

So far... 40% more per month than in 2021 which is surprising as although I've been uploading more content, I wouldn't have thought it was enough to make a significant increase in income, more just enough to stem the inevitable decrease in earnings over time when you're not uploading anything or just uploading 'a bit'. Hopefully it lasts.

Orchidpoet · « **Reply #3 on:** May 18, 2021, 11:53 »

My exclusive account has been a disappointment. Even though I give my best clips to it, there have been few sales.

Groucho · « **Reply #4 on:** May 18, 2021, 12:37 »

Quote from: Orchidpoet on May 18, 2021, 11:53

My exclusive account has been a disappointment. Even though I give my best clips to it, there have been few sales.

Same here, very few sales on my exclusive account.
So, for one month now, I stopped uploading on it and upload to Shutterstock and Pond5 non exclusive.

thirdbornentertainment · « **Reply #5 on:** June 12, 2021, 00:50 »

Quote from: SpaceStockFootage on May 17, 2021, 08:58

So far... 40% more per month than in 2021 which is surprising as although I've been uploading more content, I wouldn't have thought it was enough to make a significant increase in income, more just enough to stem the inevitable decrease in earnings over time when you're not uploading anything or just uploading 'a bit'. Hopefully it lasts.

Did you travel back in time from 2022? lol

Stockmaan · « **Reply #6 on:** June 12, 2021, 01:40 »

Quote from: K2 on May 16, 2021, 21:40

Hello everyone. Has Pond5 been lucrative for any contributors here? I want to go exclusive for video, but am still hesitant. Does anyone have any insights they would like to share on sales or other?

I have crazy good sales on other stock site, Pond is dead for me. Just few sales a month. Stop uploading on pond 5.

Mantis · « **Reply #7 on:** June 12, 2021, 08:49 »

Quote from: Orchidpoet on May 18, 2021, 11:53

My exclusive account has been a disappointment. Even though I give my best clips to it, there have been few sales.

That's because they do not give you search position advantages and that is also why I did not seek any exclusivity.

LouisPhotos · « **Reply #8 on:** June 15, 2021, 10:47 »

totally or close to dead. Sell 250 video on istock and ss and some on adobe but sell only 2 on Pond5. This website is dead waste of time. Thank to stocksubmitter bucause without it i have totally waste my time

Visualab · « **Reply #9 on:** June 15, 2021, 10:56 »

Quote from: LouisPhotos on June 15, 2021, 10:47

totally or close to dead. Sell 250 video on istock and ss and some on adobe but sell only 2 on Pond5. This website is dead waste of time. Thank to stocksubmitter bucause without it i have totally waste my time

if you sell on istock 50$ for 4k
,how can you pretend to sell on pond5 or adobe the same clip??pond5 is selling a lot for me..

JustAnImage · « **Reply #10 on:** June 15, 2021, 18:14 »

My numbers for January - May 2021:
- Pond5: 2 video sales (18% revenue share)
- Shutterstock: 12 video sales (33% revenue share)
- AdobeStock: 1 video sale (16% revenue share)
- I-Stock: 40 video sales (33% revenue share)

All sites have the same portfolio - Pond5 performed a lot better in 2020 for me.

Visualab · « **Reply #11 on:** June 15, 2021, 18:57 »

Quote from: JustAnImage on June 15, 2021, 18:14

My numbers for January - May 2021:
- Pond5: 2 video sales (18% revenue share)
- Shutterstock: 12 video sales (33% revenue share)
- AdobeStock: 1 video sale (16% revenue share)
- I-Stock: 40 video sales (33% revenue share)

All sites have the same portfolio - Pond5 performed a lot better in 2020 for me.

how do you price your clip on pond5??

fotoroad · « **Reply #12 on:** June 15, 2021, 19:04 »

Quote from: JustAnImage on June 15, 2021, 18:14

My numbers for January - May 2021:
- Pond5: 2 video sales (18% revenue share)
- Shutterstock: 12 video sales (33% revenue share)
- AdobeStock: 1 video sale (16% revenue share)
- I-Stock: 40 video sales (33% revenue share)

All sites have the same portfolio - Pond5 performed a lot better in 2020 for me.

My winner for this period in 2021 is Pond 5 but in 2020 is little better
The clear winner in 2020 is AS and SS, and Pond 5, in 2021 is AS and SS far behind.
It was just game, depends what is someone looking for. Everything around is just pure conspiracy

JustAnImage · « **Reply #13 on:** June 16, 2021, 03:28 »

Quote from: Visualab on June 15, 2021, 18:57

how do you price your clip on pond5??

I don't change the price defaults on pond5 - I am lazy ;-)

Visualab · « **Reply #14 on:** June 16, 2021, 06:25 »

Quote from: JustAnImage on June 16, 2021, 03:28

Quote from: Visualab on June 15, 2021, 18:57
how do you price your clip on pond5??
I don't change the price defaults on pond5 - I am lazy ;-)

it doesn't take much time,you can set price for all the clips from your upload page or from the account setting page...btw if you sell on istock it doesn't make sense to have higher price on pond5...

JustAnImage · « **Reply #15 on:** June 16, 2021, 07:06 »

Quote from: Visualab on June 16, 2021, 06:25

Quote from: JustAnImage on June 16, 2021, 03:28
Quote from: Visualab on June 15, 2021, 18:57
how do you price your clip on pond5??
I don't change the price defaults on pond5 - I am lazy ;-)
it doesn't take much time,you can set price for all the clips from your upload page or from the account setting page...btw if you sell on istock it doesn't make sense to have higher price on pond5...

I know it is easy to change the prices, but as you said, i am not exclusive to pond5 so I stick to the default prices, as pond5 would sell for a lower price anyway if the customer asks for that.
But thanks for the hint! :-)

Visualab · « **Reply #16 on:** June 16, 2021, 09:31 »

Quote from: JustAnImage on June 16, 2021, 07:06

Quote from: Visualab on June 16, 2021, 06:25
Quote from: JustAnImage on June 16, 2021, 03:28
Quote from: Visualab on June 15, 2021, 18:57
how do you price your clip on pond5??
I don't change the price defaults on pond5 - I am lazy ;-)
it doesn't take much time,you can set price for all the clips from your upload page or from the account setting page...btw if you sell on istock it doesn't make sense to have higher price on pond5...
I know it is easy to change the prices, but as you said, i am not exclusive to pond5 so I stick to the default prices, as pond5 would sell for a lower price anyway if the customer asks for that.

from my point of view if i sell the same clip on adobe and ss the default price for me is the price of adobe and ss 79/149...it doesn't make to much sense price at 50/25..overall if it doesn't bring in more sales which seems to be your case...this only my opinion...have good luck with sales...
But thanks for the hint! :-)

angelawaye · « **Reply #17 on:** June 16, 2021, 09:32 »

Horrible. I regret going exclusive

digipro · « **Reply #18 on:** June 16, 2021, 16:49 »

here is my 5 cents
year to date downloads SS - 150, P5 exclusive - 15, difference in revenue only $150 in favor of SS
I think it depends on what you shoot. If you can produce some unique content, go P5 exclusive

Stockmaan · « **Reply #19 on:** June 19, 2021, 00:20 »

Pond5 is a total disaster!

Astrantia · « **Reply #20 on:** June 19, 2021, 09:12 »

The only platform I never ever sold anything on.....
Even the smallest agency has more sales for me than pond5 does.

Clair Voyant · « **Reply #21 on:** June 19, 2021, 10:42 »

Quote from: angelawaye on June 16, 2021, 09:32

Horrible. I regret going exclusive

Being exclusive anywhere for any content in this industry is the kiss of death. That even includes image exclusive.

Andri · « **Reply #22 on:** June 19, 2021, 13:25 »

As for me Pond5 Exclusive is top earner, even with much smaller portfolio, than on SS and AS

everest · « **Reply #23 on:** June 19, 2021, 15:16 »

I dont think that statement is true, specially now that there are not many players left. Having exclusive content at Istock/Getty, Stocksy,Arcangel,.....can be better as there are not really significant players left. As of pond5 if you shoot for example editorial videos you have basically two options. be at P5 regular collection and also being undercutted for pennies at SS or be exclusive at P5 get 60% and raise your prices accordingly if you think the clip is unique because you dont have anyone that can give it away. If you shoot creative basically there are only 4 players in town and sorry to say but Istock/getty and SS are garbage because of their ultralow prices .

Quote from: Clair Voyant on June 19, 2021, 10:42

Quote from: angelawaye on June 16, 2021, 09:32
Horrible. I regret going exclusive

Being exclusive anywhere for any content in this industry is the kiss of death. That even includes image exclusive.

Clair Voyant · « **Reply #24 on:** June 19, 2021, 17:16 »

Quote from: everest on June 19, 2021, 15:16

I dont think that statement is true, specially now that there are not many players left. Having exclusive content at Istock/Getty, Stocksy,Arcangel,.....can be better as there are not really significant players left. As of pond5 if you shoot for example editorial videos you have basically two options. be at P5 regular collection and also being undercutted for pennies at SS or be exclusive at P5 get 60% and raise your prices accordingly if you think the clip is unique because you dont have anyone that can give it away. If you shoot creative basically there are only 4 players in town and sorry to say but Istock/getty and SS are garbage because of their ultralow prices .

Quote from: Clair Voyant on June 19, 2021, 10:42
Quote from: angelawaye on June 16, 2021, 09:32
Horrible. I regret going exclusive

Istock/Getty for exclusive??? You are joking right??? Getty is nothing more than a microstock agency these days.
Stocksy or Arcangel are really artsy and limited in content and it's not what I shoot at all.
I honestly think it is not a wise decision these days to put all your eggs in one basket due to "ultralow prices" everywhere.
Being exclusive once upon a time had it's benefits, I no longer see that as the reality anymore.

Being exclusive anywhere for any content in this industry is the kiss of death. That even includes image exclusive.

marthamarks · « **Reply #25 on:** June 19, 2021, 17:25 »

Quote from: Andri on June 19, 2021, 13:25

As for me Pond5 Exclusive is top earner, even with much smaller portfolio, than on SS and AS

I agree with that.

I'm no longer on SS, but a few exclusive video sales on P5 add up to more than what I get for my stills on AS and DT.

marthamarks · « **Reply #26 on:** June 19, 2021, 17:27 »

Quote from: everest on June 19, 2021, 15:16

be at P5 regular collection and also being undercutted for pennies at SS or be exclusive at P5 get 60% and raise your prices accordingly if you think the clip is unique because you dont have anyone that can give it away. If you shoot creative basically there are only 4 players in town and sorry to say but Istock/getty and SS are garbage because of their ultralow prices .

There's another statement I fully agree with.

Pacesetter · « **Reply #27 on:** July 09, 2021, 20:44 »

Pond5 is dead, 460 clips and not one sale in the last two months.

Visualab · « **Reply #28 on:** July 10, 2021, 06:58 »

Quote from: Pacesetter on July 09, 2021, 20:44

Pond5 is dead, 460 clips and not one sale in the last two months.

i wouldn't expect any regular sale with only 460 clips...

Mantis · « **Reply #29 on:** July 10, 2021, 07:29 »

I am at 50% of where I usually am. In fact, every site is way down mid year compared to same period last year. With the world economy opening back up I am surprised that I'm not at least even with last year.

Pacesetter · « **Reply #30 on:** July 10, 2021, 09:06 »

Quote from: Visualab on July 10, 2021, 06:58

Quote from: Pacesetter on July 09, 2021, 20:44
Pond5 is dead, 460 clips and not one sale in the last two months.

i wouldn't expect any regular sale with only 460 clips...

Have made regular sales on Shutterstock with 50 fewer clips in the port - totaling over $130 during this period where nothing has sold on Pond5 - and that's with a slow month for video sales in June.

Visualab · « **Reply #31 on:** July 10, 2021, 17:12 »

Quote from: Pacesetter on July 10, 2021, 09:06

Quote from: Visualab on July 10, 2021, 06:58
Quote from: Pacesetter on July 09, 2021, 20:44
Pond5 is dead, 460 clips and not one sale in the last two months.

i wouldn't expect any regular sale with only 460 clips...

Have made regular sales on Shutterstock with 50 fewer clips in the port - totaling over $130 during this period where nothing has sold on Pond5 - and that's with a slow month for video sales in June.

you can't compare number of sales of shutterstocl vs pond5....from my experience i sell 1 clip at pond5 every 5 clips at shutterstock.....it goes this way since 11 years ago..nothing changed so far for me...

dragonblade · « **Reply #32 on:** September 04, 2021, 23:23 »

I started with a non exclusive account at P5 some time back. Despite having an extremely small port, I was surprised at the number of sales I was getting. I was quite happy. It looked like P5 had really good potential. But around the time when I opened up a separate exclusive account, everything changed. My sales dropped almost completely. From that point on, sales on my non exclusive account were extremely rare. And after waiting many months, I finally got my first sale on my exclusive account.

If I transfer all the videos from my exclusive account back to my non exclusive account, I wonder if my sales will return to where they used to be. I am actually considering doing that.

Orchidpoet · « **Reply #33 on:** September 05, 2021, 10:28 »

My exclusive account has had very few sales. My non-ex account is not doing well either.

As we know, JJNeff who proposed the exclusive option to P5, is quitting doing video full-time. I feel that the exclusive option is just not a P5 thing.

odesigns · « **Reply #34 on:** September 05, 2021, 10:45 »

Being 100% exclusive anywhere is a bad idea.

For Real · « **Reply #35 on:** September 05, 2021, 11:43 »

two decent sales this month but that is all so far for 2021...

marthamarks · « **Reply #36 on:** September 05, 2021, 15:52 »

I've had five video sales on P5 since spring. One a month, actually, so it began to feel like a "thing" that might continue. Time will tell about that.

I'd like to see more quantity, but even just five exclusive sales did add up to a decent return. Better for my videos than I ever had on SS or AS before I took them exclusive with P5.

jamesbenet · « **Reply #37 on:** September 06, 2021, 14:43 »

My non exclusive sales have been better than 2019 and 20 but out of all the new uploads which are exclusive only a couple of sales in a year. I still think exclusivity is good in the long term but it will be costly while it picks up.

i8a4re · « **Reply #38 on:** September 06, 2021, 18:46 »

I sell exclusive on P5 and after building it up for the last 2 years its starting to bring me in dollars.
Its good, but don't put all your eggs in one basket. Spread your bets.
Have a non-exclusive selection that goes across the non-exclusive portals (p5 / adobe / SS etc) then have another selection for exclusive. I typically have some of my better shots in p5 exclusive.

Essentially have two accounts at Pond5 registered under the same email: exclusive and non exclusive. You might have to message pond5 support to register it under the same email.

good luck!

Contemporary Dave · « **Reply #39 on:** October 04, 2021, 10:52 »

I've been on P5 for about a year now (non-exclusive), and I have a small portfolio of around 300 clips. Initially, I got a sale about once every 2 weeks, but in the last 5 months or so, sales have taken a big nosedive. I haven't had a sale since July. I've sold more clips on Adobe - where I have only around 40 clips!

Somewhat reassuring that it's just not me who's experienced a downturn in sales on P5.

Asthebelltolls · « **Reply #40 on:** October 04, 2021, 12:50 »

This topic is, for the most part, useless unless you include the following information in your response: Format submitted. HD? 4K? 5K? Are you a professional videographer by trade or a "wanna-be" submitter? What kind of clips do you submit? Nature? Sports? People? All of the above?
Personally, I don't upgrade format because agencies provide little or no incentive
so it's still HD. I'm a professional videographer by trade but feel stock submitting a total waste of time. Agencies provide little or no incentive.
Oh, and by the way, most stock clips submitted are, IMO, a pile of pooh.

Graiki · « **Reply #41 on:** October 04, 2021, 14:14 »

I'm not exclusive, I earn 40% commission.
For me 2021 has been better than 2020 at 15%, but very unstable, between months almost 0 and months with good sales...
Far from the golden age that was 2017/18 for me.

This year, there were 53 sales so far, being; 6 in 4K and 3 in 360 (Go Pro fusion) and everything else in HD.

No photo sales this year there.

I always upload to Pond5 when I have the time and I can. 10 sales of new clips I uploaded in 2021.
Some clips with sales Bussines license, Custom license and Premium License. Motivates me to keep uploading.

I always have best-seller sales, since 2015 when I started. Not as well as before, but they sell...

Most sales are individual license.
I had a GPP increase in sales, and it doesn't bother me, it's a good commission.
It's always been a good video site, accepting the vast majority of clips, easy to work with.

I love Pond5. It's not my number 1 video site in sales and earnings.
But it is the site that sells the most in 4K.
When I think about uploading in 4K I have more hope for Pond5.

I hope it will sell well after this pandemic.
I do extreme sports and a little lifestyle, so now post covid should improve for me and I believe for most...

I'm not a microstock professional, I can't say if it's worth "investing" time and money in new images and being 100% in this business, but for me these commissions pay some bills and beers with my wife...
Sorry for using google translate hauhauhauha
Good sales to all...

Zero Talent · « **Reply #42 on:** October 04, 2021, 15:02 »

in 2021, P5 made 16% of my video earnings, based on 9% of my video downloads.

jjneff · « **Reply #43 on:** October 05, 2021, 13:44 »

My exclusive earnings have been solid. I am continuing to upload exclusive there when I do!

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #44 on:** October 06, 2021, 09:12 »

Quote from: Asthebelltolls on October 04, 2021, 12:50

This topic is, for the most part, useless unless you include the following information in your response: Format submitted. HD? 4K? 5K? Are you a professional videographer by trade or a "wanna-be" submitter? What kind of clips do you submit? Nature? Sports? People? All of the above?
Personally, I don't upgrade format because agencies provide little or no incentive
so it's still HD. I'm a professional videographer by trade but feel stock submitting a total waste of time. Agencies provide little or no incentive.
Oh, and by the way, most stock clips submitted are, IMO, a pile of pooh.

Interesting as I keep wondering if I want to send 4k instead of HD. I might be wrong, but I like your answer and opinion.

Wannabee, who hasn't edited anything I shot since April. Pocket 2 is my current best video device. That's meaning, I do photos, with DSLRs not video and don't know much about video either.

biibii · « **Reply #45 on:** October 06, 2021, 16:27 »

mainly it`s good for videos, but still not for photos or?

lostintimeline · « **Reply #46 on:** October 06, 2021, 18:23 »

i had a good sale few days ago,on pond5 and my port there is under 100 videos.so that gave me hope and much better money than the joke 20 cents from other agencies

sara_t · « **Reply #47 on:** October 08, 2021, 07:53 »

I doubled my portfolio on Pond5 this year and till now, earned only a little bit more than for whole 2020.
To compare, with the same size of portfolio on SS, and the same level of portfolio increase (100%) on SS I doubled my earnings also...
But I don't blame Pond5, as they offer fair commission.

cascoly · « **Reply #48 on:** October 08, 2021, 18:46 »

Quote from: dragonblade on September 04, 2021, 23:23

I started with a non exclusive account at P5 some time back. Despite having an extremely small port, I was surprised at the number of sales I was getting. I was quite happy. It looked like P5 had really good potential. But around the time when I opened up a separate exclusive account, everything changed. My sales dropped almost completely. From that point on, sales on my non exclusive account were extremely rare. And after waiting many months, I finally got my first sale on my exclusive account.

If I transfer all the videos from my exclusive account back to my non exclusive account, I wonder if my sales will return to where they used to be. I am actually considering doing that.

what time periods here? could be the total # of clips increased dramatically - what are your portfolio sizes? sales/mo, etc?

marthamarks · « **Reply #49 on:** October 08, 2021, 18:49 »

Quote from: marthamarks on September 05, 2021, 15:52

I've had five video sales on P5 since spring. One a month, actually, so it began to feel like a "thing" that might continue. Time will tell about that.

I'd like to see more quantity, but even just five exclusive sales did add up to a decent return. Better for my videos than I ever had on SS or AS before I took them exclusive with P5.

I'm chiming in here again, since this thread is still "live," to add that my 6th video sale since May came in yesterday: a $47 royalty. To be honest, I'm quite happy getting one of those per month.

Dumc · « **Reply #50 on:** October 09, 2021, 04:49 »

I had 4 video sales this year which netted me 60$, so 15$ per sale, but I only have small port, 61 clips.

Pacesetter · « **Reply #51 on:** October 15, 2021, 23:53 »

Had a sale last month and another sale this month after a period of silence for several months. So signs of life are appearing again for me on Pond5.

kall3bu · « **Reply #52 on:** October 16, 2021, 02:24 »

Please correct me, if I am wrong:

I changed from non exclusive to exclusive some month ago and moved all my videos from Adobe to pond5, where I follow the partnership program (maybe I remember the wrong name of it). Which includes Adobe and as I know/think many other agencies/partner from pond5, which I would not reach, if I am not following that program and beeing non exclusive. Am I right?

I ask this, because some artists here say, sales on Adobe via pond5 reaches in lower revenue for me, which i think is right. But I calculated that the other partners might at least compensate it and makes it at least better for me. Right?

Why I am asking:
If I am wrong or get enough arguments that I should better upload to Adobe and pond5 (non exclusive), then I might even better upload all via wirestock. Okay, the videos I am now talking about I keyworded myself already, but maybe the exposer from wirestock will be better than my few videos now (less than 300).
And for future uploads I can let wirestock keywording them.

What are your suggestions?

kall3bu · « **Reply #53 on:** October 23, 2021, 10:26 »

No suggestions?

For Real · « **Reply #54 on:** October 23, 2021, 10:30 »

"the exposure from wirestock will be better than my few videos now"

I feel they wirestock would benefit you the most. Sure you get a more $$$ on single sale with exclusive on Pond5 but lose the potential of more sales that Wirestock could produce for you.