MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => Shutterstock.com => Topic started by: Ziva_K on October 10, 2007, 01:46

Title: I'm new here - what can I expect?
Post by: Ziva_K on October 10, 2007, 01:46
I just got accepted yesterday (on a first try !!!  ;D ). They approved 8 out of 10 of my first batch.  They needed only two hours to review and approve my images. I was pleasantly surprised by their effectiveness.
I'm wondering, when will they start to sell ?  :-\
I also noticed, my images appear pretty low when searching for them by best match.
Is there anything I can do to promote my images ? Any advice ? Or maybe try "Critique Requests " forum if there is one for SS.

Thank you for reading this.  ;)
Title: Re: I'm new here - what can I expect?
Post by: hatman12 on October 10, 2007, 02:37
Be patient.  Usually new pictures are examined by suscribers very enthusiastically during their first few days.  The first week of a new picture is a good guide to long term popularity (or not) at SS.
Title: Re: I'm new here - what can I expect?
Post by: leaf on October 10, 2007, 02:43
i am guessing you should get a few sales today.
Title: Re: I'm new here - what can I expect?
Post by: Bateleur on October 10, 2007, 03:04
What can you expect?

Ebb and flow ...

... as so many people so often say.

Some days you'll sell a ton of images (if you have a ton of images online). Other days you'll sell hardly any. There's no rhyme nor reason to it except that weekends are always slow times, however many images you have.

Just hang in there and your sales will pick up. And don't take rejections personally. They don't mean a thing.

Welcome to the wonderful world of microstock   ;D
Title: Re: I'm new here - what can I expect?
Post by: Ziva_K on October 10, 2007, 05:50
Thank you for your opinions and for encouraging me.

I just sold first one and it makes me very very happy. Its just 0,25 USD but it means a lot more to me at this moment.  ;D
Title: Re: I'm new here - what can I expect?
Post by: Pixart on October 10, 2007, 13:48
I just peeked, nice photos!  The sunflower one is way cool  I noticed you don't have yin yang in your keywords though.  That is the symbol you have created.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_Yang (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_Yang)
Title: Re: I'm new here - what can I expect?
Post by: Ziva_K on October 10, 2007, 14:44
I just peeked, nice photos!  The sunflower one is way cool  I noticed you don't have yin yang in your keywords though.  That is the symbol you have created.

[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_Yang[/url] ([url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_Yang[/url])


I know. I had those words, but I must have misspelled them because I received mesage:
"The keyword may be misspelled. Suggested alternate.... etc."

But I just successfully added yin-yang, yin and yang now.

Thank you Pixart.
Title: Re: I'm new here - what can I expect?
Post by: DanP68 on November 23, 2007, 04:57
Be patient.  Usually new pictures are examined by suscribers very enthusiastically during their first few days.  The first week of a new picture is a good guide to long term popularity (or not) at SS.


Good to see you here Hatman.  I appreciate the advice you have lent me on the DT forums.

I agree with the initial active period being a guide to longer term popularity.  I have only been on Shutterstock since 8/1.  However during that time I have kept a spreadsheet of performance by image, cross referenced with the time it has been online.

I looked at the initial week, the initial 10 days, and the initial month.  Honestly I found the initial month's worth of downloads to be a better indicator of future performance in months 2 and 3.  Longer term, I have no idea.
Title: Re: I'm new here - what can I expect?
Post by: araminta on November 23, 2007, 08:43
When you look as "newbies" portfolio, most of the time the best advice to give them is "learn microstock business, improve your skills in photography".

Concerning your portfolio, my advice would be "continue this way". You just need a bigger portfolio, otherwise don't bother too much for earnings: expect to be surprised soon to see how rewarding microstock business is if you take it seriously  ;)

Title: Re: I'm new here - what can I expect?
Post by: Sean Locke Photography on November 23, 2007, 13:33
I just got accepted yesterday (on a first try !!!  ;D ). They approved 8 out of 10 of my first batch.  They needed only two hours to review and approve my images. I was pleasantly surprised by their effectiveness.
I'm wondering, when will they start to sell ?  :-\

You should be able to retire by the end of November.
Title: Re: I'm new here - what can I expect?
Post by: null on November 25, 2007, 06:04
I'm wondering, when will they start to sell ?  :-\

With your quality portfolio, about 25$/month/100 photos, on condition you upload regularly (about 10 photos per week should do the trick). ShutterStock is $hutter$stock.
Great portfolio by the way!

Don't forget Dreamstime (if you're not already there). SS and DT are each other's complement. SS for the quick buck, DT for sales in depth. They have another customer base, as far as I can judge.