Author Topic: How are sales going? (Read 21212 times)

Artist · « **on:** July 24, 2012, 00:42 »

Hello, how are the sales going in shutterstock.
For me its been 6days since files got approved. Sales have gone a lot down for me. How are they going for you all??

nicku · « **Reply #1 on:** July 24, 2012, 01:12 »

SS is an agency that require to upload constantly in order to mantain/increase sales. is not like DT or FT

Wim · « **Reply #2 on:** July 24, 2012, 01:29 »

Up every month, even in this so called "summer slump"
Search bugs don't seem to affect my sales much, one day I'm selling new images, other day old images.

Good luck lad!

Update: Had BDE yesterday so all good here.

kuriouskat · « **Reply #3 on:** July 24, 2012, 04:02 »

Wish I could say the same. My sales are falling since the changes to the search, dispute constant uploading and approvals. I have been building month on month for four years, and now I'm back to where I was a year ago. Nothing new is selling - I've had about 80 images approved in the last week and about 3 subs sales from them - seriously wondering whether it is worth all the effort anymore.

Very disheartening

wut · « **Reply #4 on:** July 24, 2012, 04:08 »

Quote from: nicku on July 24, 2012, 01:12

SS is an agency that require to upload constantly in order to mantain/increase sales. is not like DT or FT

That's not the case for over a year

nicku · « **Reply #5 on:** July 24, 2012, 04:35 »

Quote from: wut on July 24, 2012, 04:08

Quote from: nicku on July 24, 2012, 01:12
SS is an agency that require to upload constantly in order to mantain/increase sales. is not like DT or FT

That's not the case for over a year

Like KuriousKat says.... some rules are not applying for everyone...

wut · « **Reply #6 on:** July 24, 2012, 04:43 »

Quote from: nicku on July 24, 2012, 04:35

Quote from: wut on July 24, 2012, 04:08
Quote from: nicku on July 24, 2012, 01:12
SS is an agency that require to upload constantly in order to mantain/increase sales. is not like DT or FT

That's not the case for over a year

Like KuriousKat says.... this is not applying for everyone...

Yeah well, it depends on the quality of photos you're uploading. It's better to UL 8 good shots than 80 rubbish shots (not saying at all his were rubbish, but that could be the case and usually is)

kikkerdirk · « **Reply #7 on:** July 24, 2012, 04:50 »

Quote from: nicku on July 24, 2012, 01:12

SS is an agency that require to upload constantly in order to mantain/increase sales. is not like DT or FT

My experiences in regard to the impact of uploading new content is totally different. I had several periods where I didn't upload for two months and it didn't have any impact on my sales at SS.
It's the feed the beast myth! I've got an article on it called "new content rules"
http://biginmicrostock.com/pages/advanced-microstock-selling/new-content-rules.html

kuriouskat · « **Reply #8 on:** July 24, 2012, 05:12 »

Quote from: wut on July 24, 2012, 04:43

Quote from: nicku on July 24, 2012, 04:35
Quote from: wut on July 24, 2012, 04:08
Quote from: nicku on July 24, 2012, 01:12
SS is an agency that require to upload constantly in order to mantain/increase sales. is not like DT or FT

That's not the case for over a year

Like KuriousKat says.... this is not applying for everyone...

Yeah well, it depends on the quality of photos you're uploading. It's better to UL 8 good shots than 80 rubbish shots (not saying at all his were rubbish, but that could be the case and usually is)

Not saying all his were rubbish......but usually is the case! Thanks for that, Wut

Firstly, the images were accepted by Shuttterstock, so are reasonable quality. Secondly, the same images are selling quite well elsewhere, I am only noticing the decline on Shutterstock.

I haven't suddenly dropped my standards, something has changed at SS. If I had uploaded 80 new images a year ago I would have seen DLs from them as soon as they hit the database. CGartist, I suggest you read the SS forums, as it will give an insight into a lot of the problems many contributors are experiencing.

wut · « **Reply #9 on:** July 24, 2012, 05:16 »

Quote from: KuriousKat on July 24, 2012, 05:12

Quote from: wut on July 24, 2012, 04:43
Quote from: nicku on July 24, 2012, 04:35
Quote from: wut on July 24, 2012, 04:08
Quote from: nicku on July 24, 2012, 01:12
SS is an agency that require to upload constantly in order to mantain/increase sales. is not like DT or FT

That's not the case for over a year

Like KuriousKat says.... this is not applying for everyone...

Yeah well, it depends on the quality of photos you're uploading. It's better to UL 8 good shots than 80 rubbish shots (not saying at all his were rubbish, but that could be the case and usually is)

Not saying all his were rubbish......but usually is the case! Thanks for that, Wut

Firstly, the images were accepted by Shuttterstock, so are reasonable quality. Secondly, the same images are selling quite well elsewhere, I am only noticing the decline on Shutterstock.

I haven't suddenly dropped my standards, something has changed at SS. If I had uploaded 80 new images a year ago I would have seen DLs from them as soon as they hit the database. CGartist, I suggest you read the SS forums, as it will give an insight into a lot of the problems many contributors are experiencing.

Please read it correctly

. And for the second part, as in usually is, I meant generally, with most ppl

kuriouskat · « **Reply #10 on:** July 24, 2012, 05:31 »

Quote from: wut on July 24, 2012, 05:16

Quote from: KuriousKat on July 24, 2012, 05:12
Quote from: wut on July 24, 2012, 04:43
Quote from: nicku on July 24, 2012, 04:35
Quote from: wut on July 24, 2012, 04:08
Quote from: nicku on July 24, 2012, 01:12
SS is an agency that require to upload constantly in order to mantain/increase sales. is not like DT or FT

That's not the case for over a year

Like KuriousKat says.... this is not applying for everyone...

Yeah well, it depends on the quality of photos you're uploading. It's better to UL 8 good shots than 80 rubbish shots (not saying at all his were rubbish, but that could be the case and usually is)

Not saying all his were rubbish......but usually is the case! Thanks for that, Wut

Firstly, the images were accepted by Shuttterstock, so are reasonable quality. Secondly, the same images are selling quite well elsewhere, I am only noticing the decline on Shutterstock.

I haven't suddenly dropped my standards, something has changed at SS. If I had uploaded 80 new images a year ago I would have seen DLs from them as soon as they hit the database. CGartist, I suggest you read the SS forums, as it will give an insight into a lot of the problems many contributors are experiencing.

Please read it correctly . And for the second part, as in usually is, I meant generally, with most ppl

That's OK then. As long as we are clear that all my images are super-amazing and deserved to be constantly downloaded!

On a more serious note, I agree that there are a lot of very average images, so it will of course depend on the quality and variety of images uploaded. However, reading the SS forums will confirm that many very talented contributors are suffering a decline in sales. This is not just about hobbyists with small ports, complaining that they are not getting payouts every month.

Wim · « **Reply #11 on:** July 24, 2012, 05:48 »

Quote

On a more serious note, I agree that there are a lot of very average images, so it will of course depend on the quality and variety of images uploaded. However, reading the SS forums will confirm that many very talented contributors are suffering a decline in sales. This is not just about hobbyists with small ports, complaining that they are not getting payouts every month.

True

wut · « **Reply #12 on:** July 24, 2012, 05:53 »

KuriousKat: And another thing, a couldn't even be talking about your sales, since you're anonymous

I guess you don't notice that if you're not affected. I know exactly how you feel, it's the same thing when I got those crazy rejections at SS, when they rejected 50%+ of the batches for no reason (they were accepted elsewhere and usually also at SS a few months later). Or when I got an image that sells at least 10 times a day on SS+FT (it sold way over 20x yesterday for example) rejected at IS, where in fact those type of shots are my best earners and sometimes earn me more than at all other sites combined. I just know you lost a grand on a single photo, but hey, that's life...

kuriouskat · « **Reply #13 on:** July 24, 2012, 06:03 »

Quote from: wut on July 24, 2012, 05:53

KuriousKat: And another thing, a couldn't even be talking about your sales, since you're anonymous

I guess you don't notice that if you're not affected. I know exactly how you feel, it's the same thing when I got those crazy rejections at SS, when they rejected 50%+ of the batches for no reason (they were accepted elsewhere and usually also at SS a few months later). Or when I got an image that sells at least 10 times a day on SS+FT (it sold way over 20x yesterday for example) rejected at IS, where in fact those type of shots are my best earners and sometimes earn me more than at all other sites combined. I just know you lost a grand on a single photo, but hey, that's life...

I think that's the case - you don't notice until it happens to you. Earlier this year, some on the forums were complaining, and I just thought they needed to upload more/improve standards/find a new angle, etc. as my sales were just great! Now, I am at the opposite side of the fence and understand what it feels like. I stand to drop a good few hundred dollars on SS this month and, comparing to the last 4 years, this is not just a summer slowdown.

wut · « **Reply #14 on:** July 24, 2012, 06:05 »

Quote from: KuriousKat on July 24, 2012, 06:03

Quote from: wut on July 24, 2012, 05:53
KuriousKat: And another thing, a couldn't even be talking about your sales, since you're anonymous

I guess you don't notice that if you're not affected. I know exactly how you feel, it's the same thing when I got those crazy rejections at SS, when they rejected 50%+ of the batches for no reason (they were accepted elsewhere and usually also at SS a few months later). Or when I got an image that sells at least 10 times a day on SS+FT (it sold way over 20x yesterday for example) rejected at IS, where in fact those type of shots are my best earners and sometimes earn me more than at all other sites combined. I just know you lost a grand on a single photo, but hey, that's life...

I think that's the case - you don't notice until it happens to you. Earlier this year, some on the forums were complaining, and I just thought they needed to upload more/improve standards/find a new angle, etc. as my sales were just great! Now, I am at the opposite side of the fence and understand what it feels like. I stand to drop a good few hundred dollars on SS this month and, comparing to the last 4 years, this is not just a summer slowdown.

Just go exclusive with IS and don't worry about it

kuriouskat · « **Reply #15 on:** July 24, 2012, 06:19 »

Haha, you would have to save me from the funny farm if I have to go through their upload process for my whole portfolio!

gbalex · « **Reply #16 on:** July 24, 2012, 07:16 »

Quote from: KuriousKat on July 24, 2012, 06:03

Quote from: wut on July 24, 2012, 05:53
KuriousKat: And another thing, a couldn't even be talking about your sales, since you're anonymous

I guess you don't notice that if you're not affected. I know exactly how you feel, it's the same thing when I got those crazy rejections at SS, when they rejected 50%+ of the batches for no reason (they were accepted elsewhere and usually also at SS a few months later). Or when I got an image that sells at least 10 times a day on SS+FT (it sold way over 20x yesterday for example) rejected at IS, where in fact those type of shots are my best earners and sometimes earn me more than at all other sites combined. I just know you lost a grand on a single photo, but hey, that's life...

I think that's the case - you don't notice until it happens to you. Earlier this year, some on the forums were complaining, and I just thought they needed to upload more/improve standards/find a new angle, etc. as my sales were just great! Now, I am at the opposite side of the fence and understand what it feels like. I stand to drop a good few hundred dollars on SS this month and, comparing to the last 4 years, this is not just a summer slowdown.

Sorry to see you are having problems, however it is nice to see you willing to share your objective viewpoints based on two different sets of experience on SS.

Contrary to what some would claim, there are submitters that are experiencing serious issues, while the majority are not. If SS were serious about fixing the numerous issues they would have them solved by now. I am beginning to wonder if SS ever intends on making the playing field level for everyone.

kuriouskat · « **Reply #17 on:** July 24, 2012, 08:27 »

Quote from: gbalex on July 24, 2012, 07:16

Quote from: KuriousKat on July 24, 2012, 06:03
Quote from: wut on July 24, 2012, 05:53
KuriousKat: And another thing, a couldn't even be talking about your sales, since you're anonymous

I guess you don't notice that if you're not affected. I know exactly how you feel, it's the same thing when I got those crazy rejections at SS, when they rejected 50%+ of the batches for no reason (they were accepted elsewhere and usually also at SS a few months later). Or when I got an image that sells at least 10 times a day on SS+FT (it sold way over 20x yesterday for example) rejected at IS, where in fact those type of shots are my best earners and sometimes earn me more than at all other sites combined. I just know you lost a grand on a single photo, but hey, that's life...

I think that's the case - you don't notice until it happens to you. Earlier this year, some on the forums were complaining, and I just thought they needed to upload more/improve standards/find a new angle, etc. as my sales were just great! Now, I am at the opposite side of the fence and understand what it feels like. I stand to drop a good few hundred dollars on SS this month and, comparing to the last 4 years, this is not just a summer slowdown.

Sorry to see you are having problems, however it is nice to see you willing to share your objective viewpoints based on two different sets of experience on SS.

Contrary to what some would claim, there are submitters that are experiencing serious issues, while the majority are not. If SS were serious about fixing the numerous issues they would have them solved by now. I am beginning to wonder if SS ever intends on making the playing field level for everyone.

I am wondering if the Skype Interviews, that SS are setting up with some contributors, will provide an opportunity to discuss some of these issue?

lisafx · « **Reply #18 on:** July 24, 2012, 09:05 »

My sales numbers at SS are holding steady, but the income is way down. I had been getting EL's almost every day for several months, and now hardly any ELs, so that inevitably had an effect on income. Whatever they had been doing to promote ELs, I wish they would start doing it again

stockmarketer · « **Reply #19 on:** July 24, 2012, 09:30 »

Quote from: lisafx on July 24, 2012, 09:05

My sales numbers at SS are holding steady, but the income is way down. I had been getting EL's almost every day for several months, and now hardly any ELs, so that inevitably had an effect on income. Whatever they had been doing to promote ELs, I wish they would start doing it again

+1

It is really strange what happened with ELs. I can track the wave as lasting from September 22 through about April 13. Before this period I got one or two ELs a month. Then something happened on Sept 22 and I started averaging one or two every DAY. There would be a few weird gaps when they stopped completely, such as the second half of February, then they came roaring back. But ever since April 13, I have gone back to one or two a month. If SS was testing something with ELs over those 8 months or so, I hope they've crunched the numbers and determined it was a huge success and they need to roll that campaign out again, this time making it permanent.

Wim · « **Reply #20 on:** July 24, 2012, 10:04 »

From 1 or 2 a month to 1 or 2 a day? that just doesn't sound right mate, this shift is too dramatic.
From 56USD to 840USD worth of EL's in a month?

wut · « **Reply #21 on:** July 24, 2012, 10:09 »

ELs are down, way down for me too, but SODs and triple SODs are on the rise, subs as well (ODs are about the same as last month) so it's good overall.

tab62 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 24, 2012, 10:13 »

If I go exclusive to IS will I get 12c instead of 8c on my pics? Not a bad deal! 50% increase in revenue!

stockmarketer · « **Reply #23 on:** July 24, 2012, 10:22 »

Quote from: Wim on July 24, 2012, 10:04

From 1 or 2 a month to 1 or 2 a day? that just doesn't sound right mate, this shift is too dramatic.
From 56USD to 840USD worth of EL's in a month?

That's exactly right. I think Lisa alluded to seeing similar dramatic changes when SS was running its campaign, or whatever was happening to drive EL sales. I went from under $100/mo in ELs to some months around $1,000. So it was quite a bummer when it all stopped.

traveler1116 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 24, 2012, 11:09 »

Quote from: tab62 on July 24, 2012, 10:13

If I go exclusive to IS will I get 12c instead of 8c on my pics? Not a bad deal! 50% increase in revenue!

It will be much higher, 600% not 50%. 46 cents is the lowest you should get at the lowest level (4 credits)($.46 per credit)(25% lowest royalty level)=46 cents. Also your RCs will about double so many people would be at a higher level as an exclusive than you would be as an independent. (XS prices go from 1 to 4 when you go exclusive so those would quadruple).

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Author Topic: How are sales going? (Read 21212 times)

Artist

nicku

Wim

kuriouskat

wut

nicku

wut

kikkerdirk

kuriouskat

wut

kuriouskat

Wim

wut

kuriouskat

wut

kuriouskat

gbalex

kuriouskat

lisafx

stockmarketer

Wim

wut

tab62

stockmarketer

traveler1116

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