... was back up for me when I woke up the next morning ...   

-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com

FYI:


Quote:

"File uploads have temporarily been deactivated for all users. Please try again later."



-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com

Quote from: corareed on December 28, 2009, 19:32
I have had 2 sales there on about 200 images on line.  Each was 5 Euro.

I want some of those 5 Euro sales   



-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com

I use the following:

Adobe Bridge
-import files, raw file viewing, import into photoshop

Cushy Stock Pro
-uploading to the majority of sites
-tracking what's been uploaded to each site

File Info within Photoshop for all tagging

Yuri's Keyword Tool

PicNiche
-For Visually Searching Folders on Hard Drives

Fractal Explorer & Apophysis
-Fractals


-Mark

*Other details can be found on my blog:
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com

Quote from: RacePhoto on December 26, 2009, 21:07
Things will level out, there's always a nice splash when you start, but I'm happy with them after two years. I sent in 14 images on Christmas Eve, and they were reviewed by morning. Nice that others are taking the time off so my junk can get through faster.   Big Stock was only beat by a few hours (Owned by SS) and those were reviewed just about as fast.

I am also very happy with SS and only expect more good things from them in the future  I've been with them just over a year and half and hit their 1st level raise last month. I am also experiencing lightning fast reviews with SS while their queues are at probably holiday lows. Heads-up: Shutterstock must be continuously fed with fresh uploads to get the best results.

Best of luck !


-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com
 

My 600th SS image was approved today. Getting these last 100 images approved took about 3 1/2 weeks which was an additional improvement in time since my last 100 approvals at SS.

*I would like to suggest that this link be used for those that would like to report their 100th, 200th, 300th etc. and beyond upload milestones for their submissions to SS.

I would also like to suggest sharing uploading strategies as they evolve.

My strategy for SS is to always have at least a batch of of 1-3 images ready to upload after a batch is processed. I prefer to have 5-8 as a minimum when I have at least a 2nd batch ready to go before I increase to a larger batch size.

 
I look forward hearing those that don't mind sharing 


-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com

P.S. I believe in setting, achieving and recognizing small obtainable goals within the larger big picture in order to track and accelerate future growth ...

Happy Holidays to everyone. Please stay safe !



-Mark & Stacey
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com
 

Quote from: Colette on November 06, 2009, 23:34
I am using Cushy stock 1.8.5 and I can upload to Yaymicro without any problem.
You can mail Alex Bakulin on the Cushy stock website or the forum about your problem.

Thanks. I'll give it another shot now that I've heard someone else has had success with it. Their web form upload isn't too bad but I try to use Cushy for as much as I can ...


-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com

Quote from: mwp1969 on December 13, 2009, 19:28
I am curious ... who has had any sales at YaMicro?

I have 292 images online there currently and I am in the process of uploading  another 800 or so to them. I am still waiting on my first sale there ...

-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com

I checked back in at Yay and see that I had my first sale this month. It was 1 Euro for a subscription sale on a portfolio of 309 images. Easy upload and  I will continue to upload there and hope for some of those higher Euro sales I've seen people getting on this thread for their sales ...


-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com

Quote from: mwp1969 on October 21, 2009, 19:06
I have 130 + images currently online with Yay and am in the process of once again uploading to them. I have over 300+ to upload that have been approved at SS or IS and probably another 300-400 that have been approved in places like 123rf or BigStock.

I am still awaiting my first sale at Yay.

-Mark

I checked back in at Yay and see that I had my first sale this month  It was 1 Euro for a subscription sale on a portfolio of 309 images. Easy upload and  I will continue to upload there and hope for some of those higher Euro sales I've seen people getting on this thread for their sales ...


-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com
 

Quote from: lisafx on December 18, 2009, 22:33

Quote from: mwp1969 on December 18, 2009, 22:07

My apologies for having started it     I will say this ... I will look forward to being able to bring you the news of a SS raise for everyone once they announce one ...

Sorry Mark - I didn't mean that as a slam at you for starting the thread.  I appreciate how you help keep things lively around here

I am just waiting on that darned exclusivity fence again and hoping maybe Shutterstock will come along and give me a shove one way or the other

I am not familiar with the terms but Shutterstock may have tied up a chunk of its capital with its recent BigStockPhoto acquisition. If they are able to do that and announce an across the board raise I will be quite impressed as well as happy 


-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com

Quote from: MichaelJay on December 22, 2009, 09:18

Quote from: mwp1969 on December 21, 2009, 23:26
iStock's "Member since November 2007" refers to date I first creating an account with them. That date goes back to when I first started researching stock photography. I was approved at IS April 2009 and have achieved 38 approvals and 40 downloads ...

Yeah, alright. I´m happy you don´t take it personal. My point was that "limited by the upload restrictions" is not fully true. You could have uploaded much more images. It´s a decisions you took how to spend your time and that´s totally within your rights, of course.

You are correct. I wasn't right on top of uploading the max right away. This last couple of months I have been maxing out my uploads as much as I can. It also took awhile to get used to disambiguation process but think I've got it down now.

I have been having BMEs overall lately both at iStock and overall so I will look forward to when iStock rises to be my #2 or #1 earner.

Thanks for keeping me on my toes


-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com

Quote from: MichaelJay on December 17, 2009, 16:03

Quote from: mwp1969 on December 17, 2009, 15:59
primarily to their upload restrictions?

Member since November 2007... that's about 106 weeks... 15 uploads per week... let's see... LOL

(sorry, couldn't resist  )

MichaelJay,

First of all I can take joke. Try resisting this ... 

iStock's "Member since November 2007" refers to date I first creating an account with them. That date goes back to when I first started researching stock photography. I was approved at IS April 2009 and have achieved 38 approvals and 40 downloads ...

-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com

Quote from: MichaelJay on December 20, 2009, 08:58

Quote from: mwp1969 on December 20, 2009, 05:07
I am also on iStock but with a much smaller portfolio due to upload limits ...[/url]

LOL, you're one of those guys who think repeating the same thing often enough eventually makes it true? 

Just keep watching your rear-view mirror



-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com

Quote from: Vonkara on December 18, 2009, 20:31
This one rock


That's what is particular with Dreamstime. You won't see this a lot at Istock. Dreamstime allow more creativity and I hope Istock open their minds on such images a little more. It can sell!

He's probably a fan of "Ghostrider" ... as this looks like a scene out of the movie except that its a car and not a motorcycle ...

I love to manipulate fire myself and love to see when someone's creativity is both unleashed, approved, and rewarded by selling well. 



-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com

Quote from: Dook on December 16, 2009, 19:44
http://www.stockxpert.com/forum/show_messages/27171
Well, no one can tell.

-Dook

Your post answered my question as to whether or not my images on StockXpert will be ported to the new site since I am also on iStock but with a much smaller portfolio due to upload limits ...

Quote from the StockXpert Forum link above:
"Actually JIU is being replaced by a new product in early 2010. If you are opted-in for subscriptions on StockXpert, your images will be on the new site."

Thanks again for your post.


-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com

Does anyone think  that there is a possibility of Getty keeping the existing StockXpert infrastructure and staffing by simply lowering the commissions to match those of their other subscription related sites?

My point is if StockXpert was profitable before at 50% commissions it would certainly be profitable to them at 20% commissions levels.  While I am not personally a fan of lowering commissions anywhere,  I would be a fan of not having to worry about what's going to happen to my existing StockXpert portfolio ...



-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com

Quote from: sharpshot on December 18, 2009, 17:23
^^^Make a project file, there is a link on your profile page.  Put in 100 images and then send them an email asking to be included in their 3rd party scheme.  They will take a look and let you know if you have been accepted.

Thanks Sharpshot. I'll give it a try.


-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com

Quote from: lisafx on December 18, 2009, 21:54
FWIW, I wish we could retire this thread.  Every time I see it float to the top I get my hopes up for an actual raise and I am always disappointed

My apologies for having started it     I will say this ... I will look forward to being able to bring you the news of a SS raise for everyone once they announce one ...

Race

Airlines are another example of a dogpile. Once American Airlines sets the trend and seems to get away with it ... there is a mad rush for everyone else to jump on board the extra charge bandwagon ...


-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com

Quote from: leaf on December 17, 2009, 15:08
now lets take a roll call.  iStock announced new 2010 prices, then Dreamstime announced 2010 prices.  Fotolia just announced theirs... and... oh wait.. Shutterstock?  Where is yours ?

Its interesting to see, when one major player announces its major changes (royalties, pricing etc.), how quickly other agencies get their own press release announcements out into the marketplace ...


-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com

Quote from: sharpshot on December 18, 2009, 14:09
Why not upload to both?  Some people do OK with Yay but you have to get accepted for their third party sales.  Some people do OK with Veer but others are reporting low sales.  I find yay easier to upload to but veer is relatively easy.

Sharpshot

How do you get accepted for Yay's third party sales? Do you have to apply somewhere?

-Mark

U.S. Naval Intelligence, Chess Coach, Aerospace & Commercial Airline Flight Operations. Studied Architecture & CAD early on but later finished out a degree in Business & Information Systems ...


-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com

I will post the email I received from Fotolia:

Dear Fotolia Contributor,

2009 has been an amazing year for all of us - through aggressive marketing and promotion efforts, we were able to more than double photographer payouts! We're planning on repeating that trend in 2010 - and effective January 1, 2010, we're implementing some changes to help us towards that goal.

File Prices:

While XS downloads will remain at 1 credit, other downloads will increase between 1 and 2 credits per file. In addition, we'll be simplifying the file structure and combining the XXL and XXXL categories. For more information on file pricing, click here.


Commission Structure:

To accomplish our marketing and promotional goals, we've adjusted our artist commission structures. While some levels have increased and others have decreased in terms of percentages, a majority of contributing artists will continue to see increases in the total dollar amounts earned as we are raising prices. In comparison, Fotolia continues to pay artists one of the highest royalty rates in the industry, and we've been cited by many top photographers as one of the fastest growing and most important stock photography sites on the internet! For more information, click here.


Marketing and Promotions:

Fotolia has been aggressively marketing and promoting your images, vectors and videos, both online at various designer sites, and offline in the world's most influential design magazines and tradeshows. Typically, we offer customers a combination of free credits and discount on credits. Rest assured that these discounted and free credits earn you the exact same royalty as regularly priced credits - Fotolia bears the entire cost of the promotion. In 2010, we expect to be even more aggressive in our marketing activities for the entire community's benefit.

Also on their side bar graphics in the email:

"Performance since 2008
+48% New Buyers
+53% Credit Purchases
+54% Contributor Earnings
+57% Contributor Payouts
+203% API Calls
+15 Trade Shows"

END QUOTE



-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com

Very confusing. It appears I am in "Group 4" mentioned above. If I understand correctly, if I want my images my StockXpert ported to the new site (I'm on StockXpert (200+images) & IS (35 images), I need to opt out on IS or am I just stuck since I'm already a member on IS but with a slim to non-existent portfolio due primarily to their upload restrictions?

I'm getting a headache trying to sort through all of this ... 


-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com

Shutterstock earnings will give you a burst of quick sales as your uploading increases as those photos show up under buyers "new" searches, however, this is short-lived in many cases as other images replace those in common keyword categories. More unique images / keywords will have this effect last longer. It will provide primarily short-term income which can be maintained by uploading a new batch every time one it processed by the reviewers. This "feeds the monster." Building up your portfolio on sites that have significant credit sales is worth the effort over the long haul. On a few sites your Revenue Per Download (RPD) will average over $1.00 per sale.

I hope this helps.


-Mark
http://markwpayne.wordpress.com