Author Topic: Change of Most popular (Read 21998 times)

falstafff · « **Reply #75 on:** May 14, 2013, 06:12 »

Yes its strange that all ODs, Els and single sales have just stopped. They must be going somewhere? but where. I can not believe buyers just overnight decide not to purchase any of these.

gostwyck · « **Reply #76 on:** May 14, 2013, 06:17 »

I'm surprised so many people are experiencing poor sales. Things appear absolutely normal to me with earnings for this month projected to be about 18% up on May 2012.

If anything I assume my portfolio must be under-performing the average as, in their recent financial announcement, SS reported Q1 revenue to be 36% up on the same period last year. It seems unlikely that things could have fallen of a cliff since then.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/1417071-shutterstock-s-ceo-discusses-q1-2013-results-earnings-call-transcript?source=email_rt_article_title

gostwyck · « **Reply #77 on:** May 14, 2013, 06:20 »

Quote from: falstafff on May 14, 2013, 06:12

Yes its strange that all ODs, Els and single sales have just stopped. They must be going somewhere? but where. I can not believe buyers just overnight decide not to purchase any of these.

EL's are up for me with 3 yesterday and 6 in the last 6 days. SOD's are fairly average though.

falstafff · « **Reply #78 on:** May 14, 2013, 06:29 »

That sounds good. All I can say then is what someone in their own forum said. Certain portfolios or counties have been singled out to take down period and then it rotates back. Perhaps?

Might as well just leave it and plod on as usual. $:-\$

Monty-m-gue · « **Reply #79 on:** May 14, 2013, 09:18 »

My sales are notably down these last few days. I came here to find out what the reason might be. I hope that whatever it is - it reverts back pretty soon.

gbalex · « **Reply #80 on:** May 14, 2013, 12:05 »

Quote from: flashon on May 13, 2013, 21:42

I am experiencing a "huge" drop on sales, worst in many many months. The OD and SOD are drying up completely. Not happy at all

Quote from: falstafff on May 14, 2013, 06:12

Yes its strange that all ODs, Els and single sales have just stopped. They must be going somewhere? but where. I can not believe buyers just overnight decide not to purchase any of these.

The people I know personally with the largest drops "had" a large percentage of their port on first page searches.

My OD's & SOD's were zero up until two days ago when I received one only. Until then it seemed that I was completely unplugged from anything but sub downloads.

Poncke v2 · « **Reply #81 on:** May 14, 2013, 12:27 »

Quote from: Monty-m-gue on May 14, 2013, 09:18

My sales are notably down these last few days. I came here to find out what the reason might be. I hope that whatever it is - it reverts back pretty soon.

Well, mine were down, but yesterday was back to normal, and today is above normal.

gbalex · « **Reply #82 on:** May 14, 2013, 12:38 »

Quote from: MisterElements on May 13, 2013, 12:20

Quote from: gbalex on May 13, 2013, 12:14
Quote from: falstafff on May 13, 2013, 11:40
Quote from: MisterElements on May 13, 2013, 11:36
Quote from: falstafff on May 12, 2013, 10:17
Thanks a lot. Although this constant analyzing tend to be quite a costly affair for many of us.

Agreed......and maybe his title should be investor success?

Yes. shareholders my friend. Shareholders. Nothing else matters.

Yes new shareholders with small ports that do not generate much income seem to be the happiest about these new search changes. Never mind the many people who used to believe in SS. These are the same people who were instrumental in SS's success. I am talking about the real people who used their own funds to buy tens of thousands of camera & studio equipment, not to mention software, props ect. so that they could work hard year after year to provide SS with quality content.

Over the years they worked hard to produce images and vectors that would reach the top50 so that they could feed their family. They made a good income because they worked hard for years and their families depend on that hard won income to eat and pay their mortgages/rent.

Now SS turns their back on the very people who assured success for those working for SS. We made it possible for SS's employees to enjoy good incomes and perks such as gym memberships, massages, free breakfasts, free drinks and weekly pizza parties.

Maybe they should come to breakfast, lunch and dinner at some of the houses they are robbing of shelter and food so that they can reduce cost of sale and bring up RPI sold.

Wow that is the best post I have ever seen anywhere! I'm sharing this with every graphic artist I know! thank you! I printed this post out and it is now on my studio wall. thank you again!

Your welcome and feel free to add the perks I left out. I wonder how many of us will be able to afford healthcare or retirement if these trends continue?

http://www.linkedin.com/company/shutterstock/careers

Careers at Shutterstock

Other Fun Stuff: We know that the trick to keeping awesome people happy is by creating a fun, comfortable environment. This includes competitive pay for top talent, full medical benefits, plus:

free drinks & snacks
lunchtime yoga
pizza & massage Fridays

http://www.linkedin.com/jobs?viewJob=&jobId=5670540&trk=jobs_biz_pub

We offer excellent employee benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement, discounted corporate gym memberships, tuition assistance plans, and pre-tax transit check programs. Join a fast-growing company that is already a leader in this dynamic industry!

http://www.linkedin.com/jobs?viewJob=&jobId=5641058&trk=jobs_biz_pub
In addition to other great benefits, Shutterstock offers competitive salaries, health and dental plans, 401K, daily breakfasts, weekly massages, discounted gym memberships, and most importantly, the opportunity to work with people who love their jobs.

stockmarketer · « **Reply #83 on:** May 14, 2013, 13:50 »

I don't see it as SS' concern whether I can afford health care, retirement, etc. (And I certainly don't begrudge them offering those benefits to their employees... looks like it's a good company that takes care of its workers.)

It's my responsibility as a business person working as a supplier to SS to be maximizing my revenue and managing my costs to allow me to support myself and my family. SS shouldn't be worrying about my own personal situation when making its business decisions. My work should be judged (promoted and sold) based on its merit (attractiveness to customers). If I'm doing a good job, I'll have enough money for health care. If not, I better have another line of income for that.

lisafx · « **Reply #84 on:** May 14, 2013, 14:17 »

Quote from: stockmarketer on May 14, 2013, 13:50

It's my responsibility as a business person working as a supplier to SS to be maximizing my revenue and managing my costs to allow me to support myself and my family. SS shouldn't be worrying about my own personal situation when making its business decisions. My work should be judged (promoted and sold) based on its merit (attractiveness to customers). If I'm doing a good job, I'll have enough money for health care. If not, I better have another line of income for that.

I agree with you for the most part, but I have bolded the part I am a bit skeptical about, because of the prior sentence, which I have italicized.

In other words, microstock agencies have proven time and time again that there are many considerations other than your talent and hard work which affect your search placement, and therefor your livelihood.

SO FAR, Shutterstock has resisted the temptation to rig their search to artificially create winners and losers, and has provided a marketplace that is a true meritocracy. I sincerely hope they continue to do so, as I believe this has been crucial to Shutterstock's success, while others have fallen victim to their own greed. But when they begin monkeying with their search, so soon after going public and taking on shareholders, it bears watching.

gbalex · « **Reply #85 on:** May 14, 2013, 14:19 »

Quote from: stockmarketer on May 14, 2013, 13:50

I don't see it as SS' concern whether I can afford health care, retirement, etc. (And I certainly don't begrudge them offering those benefits to their employees... looks like it's a good company that takes care of its workers.)

It's my responsibility as a business person working as a supplier to SS to be maximizing my revenue and managing my costs to allow me to support myself and my family. SS shouldn't be worrying about my own personal situation when making its business decisions. My work should be judged (promoted and sold) based on its merit (attractiveness to customers). If I'm doing a good job, I'll have enough money for health care. If not, I better have another line of income for that.

Clearly you do not have a good understanding of the time, hard work or committed resources it takes to make a full time living from microstock. It is easy to swamp SS with snaps off your hard drive, but much harder to consistently produce images that make it to front page searches.

You either do not have many images on front page searches or you have missed this nasty round of income cuts.

Good companies do not take care of a select few while exploiting a much larger base of dedicated people who have committed untold manhours and resources to make them successful in the first place.

stockmarketer · « **Reply #86 on:** May 14, 2013, 14:32 »

Quote from: gbalex on May 14, 2013, 14:19

Clearly you do not have a good understanding of the time, hard work or committed resources it takes to make a full time living from microstock. It is easy to swamp SS with snaps off your hard drive, but much harder to consistently produce images that make it to front page searches.

Actually quite wrong on all counts. I earn enough on ms to support a large family, but also maintain the 9 to 5 job "just in case." I'm consistently uploading images that sell. The SS search change affected my results... but previous top sellers are lower and previous underperformers are now doing better. My bottom line hasn't changed.

Lisa's points, however, are valid. SS has up until now rewarded our hard work on merit, while a few other agencies have taken steps to punish their top sellers. SS has done nothing to shake my trust in them... so far I don't see them taking the course of hostility toward their best performers. Until then, I'll support them against all ridiculous claims.

WarrenPrice · « **Reply #87 on:** May 14, 2013, 14:41 »

Quote from: gbalex on May 14, 2013, 14:19

Quote from: stockmarketer on May 14, 2013, 13:50
I don't see it as SS' concern whether I can afford health care, retirement, etc. (And I certainly don't begrudge them offering those benefits to their employees... looks like it's a good company that takes care of its workers.)

It's my responsibility as a business person working as a supplier to SS to be maximizing my revenue and managing my costs to allow me to support myself and my family. SS shouldn't be worrying about my own personal situation when making its business decisions. My work should be judged (promoted and sold) based on its merit (attractiveness to customers). If I'm doing a good job, I'll have enough money for health care. If not, I better have another line of income for that.

Clearly you do not have a good understanding of the time, hard work or committed resources it takes to make a full time living from microstock. It is easy to swamp SS with snaps off your hard drive, but much harder to consistently produce images that make it to front page searches.

You either do not have many images on front page searches or you have missed this nasty round of income cuts.

Good companies do not take care of a select few while exploiting a much larger base of dedicated people who have committed untold manhours and resources to make them successful in the first place.

Maybe each of you are looking from a different point of view ... gbalex seems to be thinking as an employee while stockmarketer is assuming the position of a self-employed contractor ... Maybe???

gostwyck · « **Reply #88 on:** May 14, 2013, 14:43 »

Quote from: stockmarketer on May 14, 2013, 14:32

Quote from: gbalex on May 14, 2013, 14:19

Clearly you do not have a good understanding of the time, hard work or committed resources it takes to make a full time living from microstock. It is easy to swamp SS with snaps off your hard drive, but much harder to consistently produce images that make it to front page searches.

Actually quite wrong on all counts. I earn enough on ms to support a large family, but also maintain the 9 to 5 job "just in case." I'm consistently uploading images that sell. The SS search change affected my results... but previous top sellers are lower and previous underperformers are now doing better. My bottom line hasn't changed.

Lisa's points, however, are valid. SS has up until now rewarded our hard work on merit, while a few other agencies have taken steps to punish their top sellers. SS has done nothing to shake my trust in them... so far I don't see them taking the course of hostility toward their best performers. Until then, I'll support them against all ridiculous claims.

Exactly. Well said. SS have clearly been working hard to grow their own business and, by default, that of their contributors. Revenue in Q1 was up 36% over the same period in 2012.

Some people in this thread need to take some personal responsibility for the performance of their own portfolios and earnings. Especially people called 'gbalex', the self-appointed leader of the non-existent microstock union.

gbalex · « **Reply #89 on:** May 14, 2013, 15:51 »

Quote from: gostwyck on May 14, 2013, 14:43

Quote from: stockmarketer on May 14, 2013, 14:32
Quote from: gbalex on May 14, 2013, 14:19

Clearly you do not have a good understanding of the time, hard work or committed resources it takes to make a full time living from microstock. It is easy to swamp SS with snaps off your hard drive, but much harder to consistently produce images that make it to front page searches.

Actually quite wrong on all counts. I earn enough on ms to support a large family, but also maintain the 9 to 5 job "just in case." I'm consistently uploading images that sell. The SS search change affected my results... but previous top sellers are lower and previous underperformers are now doing better. My bottom line hasn't changed.

Lisa's points, however, are valid. SS has up until now rewarded our hard work on merit, while a few other agencies have taken steps to punish their top sellers. SS has done nothing to shake my trust in them... so far I don't see them taking the course of hostility toward their best performers. Until then, I'll support them against all ridiculous claims.

Exactly. Well said. SS have clearly been working hard to grow their own business and, by default, that of their contributors. Revenue in Q1 was up 36% over the same period in 2012.

Some people in this thread need to take some personal responsibility for the performance of their own portfolios and earnings. Especially people called 'gbalex', the self-appointed leader of the non-existent microstock union.

No it is you two who have unsuccessfully tried to portray me as a union organizer.

Lets see if you two are still WhoooYahing in 6 months.

tab62 · « **Reply #90 on:** May 14, 2013, 16:00 »

"Lets see if you two are still WhoooYahing in 6 months. "

You mean 'Yahoo Hooing'...

gbalex · « **Reply #91 on:** May 14, 2013, 16:02 »

Quote from: stockmarketer on May 14, 2013, 14:32

Quote from: gbalex on May 14, 2013, 14:19

Clearly you do not have a good understanding of the time, hard work or committed resources it takes to make a full time living from microstock. It is easy to swamp SS with snaps off your hard drive, but much harder to consistently produce images that make it to front page searches.

Actually quite wrong on all counts. I earn enough on ms to support a large family, but also maintain the 9 to 5 job "just in case." I'm consistently uploading images that sell. The SS search change affected my results... but previous top sellers are lower and previous underperformers are now doing better. My bottom line hasn't changed.

Lisa's points, however, are valid. SS has up until now rewarded our hard work on merit, while a few other agencies have taken steps to punish their top sellers. SS has done nothing to shake my trust in them... so far I don't see them taking the course of hostility toward their best performers. Until then, I'll support them against all ridiculous claims.

Looks like you have covered all points and your returns continue to be idyllic.

1. You work part time but you earn enough on ms to support a "large family" on your stock income
2. You are able to consistently upload images that sell
3. The SS search change affected your results... but previous top sellers are lower and previous underperformers are now doing better.
4. Your bottom line hasn't changed.
5. You fully discount that anyone @ SS could be experiencing a downturn. Unless of course it is their own fault as a result of being poor business people who utterly fail to maximize revenue and manage costs.

stockmarketer · « **Reply #92 on:** May 14, 2013, 16:39 »

Quote from: gbalex on May 14, 2013, 16:02

Looks like you have covered all points and your returns continue to be idyllic.

1. You work part time but you earn enough on ms to support a "large family" on your stock income
2. You are able to consistently upload images that sell
3. The SS search change affected your results... but previous top sellers are lower and previous underperformers are now doing better.
4. Your bottom line hasn't changed.
5. You fully discount that anyone @ SS could be experiencing a downturn. Unless of course it is their own fault as a result of being poor business people who utterly fail to maximize revenue and manage costs.

Almost got it all right! I work a regular full-time job that pays well and I enjoy, and I work about two hours in microstock every night, and those ms earnings have now eclipsed the full-time job. I consider myself very fortunate, but it wasn't luck... I've worked hard at it (well, two hours a day for several years) and I've figured out a thing or two about what will sell.

And on that last point... that's overstating things quite a bit. I feel for anyone experiencing a downturn. After all, with further tweaks from SS, I could be pinched next. But what I'll do if that happens is take a close look at what is or isn't selling and base future shoots and image uploads from there. That type of thinking has gotten me this far... learn from today's results and anticipate tomorrow's needs.

falstafff · « **Reply #93 on:** May 14, 2013, 16:57 »

Stockmarketer can count himself very lucky in being just a part time photographer. that way not much is or will be expected of him and every nickel and dime is a big bonus.

Poncke v2 · « **Reply #94 on:** May 14, 2013, 17:08 »

Only 2 hours a day? Wow, I find that hard to believe. Sorry. If thats true you have found the perfect workflow and cracked the code to HCV images.

gbalex · « **Reply #95 on:** May 14, 2013, 17:30 »

Quote from: tab62 on May 14, 2013, 16:00

"Lets see if you two are still WhoooYahing in 6 months. "

You mean 'Yahoo Hooing'...

http://www.soundsnap.com/node/37542

stockmarketer · « **Reply #96 on:** May 14, 2013, 17:49 »

Quote from: falstafff on May 14, 2013, 16:57

Stockmarketer can count himself very lucky in being just a part time photographer. that way not much is or will be expected of him and every nickel and dime is a big bonus.

Trust me, it's a lot of nickels and dimes, my friend. The number of hours I put in is irrelevant, if what I'm creating is in high demand. The trick is to work smarter, not harder.

stockmarketer · « **Reply #97 on:** May 14, 2013, 17:54 »

Quote from: Poncke v2 on May 14, 2013, 17:08

Only 2 hours a day? Wow, I find that hard to believe. Sorry. If thats true you have found the perfect workflow and cracked the code to HCV images.

The code is this: figure out what buyers want, and a way to give it to them with as few costs (equipment, time spent, etc.) as possible. Anyone can do what I'm doing... I'm nothing special in terms of skills, but maybe just in how I look at the market.

modviz · « **Reply #98 on:** May 14, 2013, 18:33 »

Quote from: stockmarketer on May 14, 2013, 17:54

The code is this: figure out what buyers want, and a way to give it to them with as few costs (equipment, time spent, etc.) as possible. Anyone can do what I'm doing... I'm nothing special in terms of skills, but maybe just in how I look at the market.

Can we see your portfolio?

farbled · « **Reply #99 on:** May 14, 2013, 18:50 »

Quote from: stockmarketer on May 14, 2013, 17:54

The code is this: figure out what buyers want, and a way to give it to them with as few costs (equipment, time spent, etc.) as possible.

Smartest thing I've read on the forums in a long time. Congrats for making it work for you.

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Author Topic: Change of Most popular (Read 21998 times)

falstafff

gostwyck

gostwyck

falstafff

Monty-m-gue

gbalex

Poncke v2

gbalex

stockmarketer

lisafx

gbalex

stockmarketer

WarrenPrice

gostwyck

gbalex

tab62

gbalex

stockmarketer

falstafff

Poncke v2

gbalex

stockmarketer

stockmarketer

modviz

farbled

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