Author Topic: I've done it - $10K in earnings (Read 18494 times)

steheap · « **on:** June 15, 2012, 15:15 »

One sale of an ED today finally pushed me over the $10K lifetime earnings total on Shutterstock and I get to reap the rewards of 38c per download!!

Its amazing when I look back - in January 2010 I earned $60.91 on Shutterstock, in May 2012, $636. All it takes is endless hard work and the support and ideas of this forum!

Thanks guys...

Steve

WarrenPrice · « **Reply #1 on:** June 15, 2012, 15:22 »

Congratulations. GREAT job -- and fast.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 15, 2012, 15:27 »

congratulations! nice job and well deserved, not far but you got there 1st

ason · « **Reply #3 on:** June 15, 2012, 15:43 »

Big Congrate!

Grattis!

qwerty · « **Reply #4 on:** June 15, 2012, 17:46 »

cthoman · « **Reply #5 on:** June 15, 2012, 18:20 »

Congrats!

suemack · « **Reply #6 on:** June 15, 2012, 18:42 »

WTG Steve!!!

CD123 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 16, 2012, 01:06 »

Well done! Perseverance and hard work still pays in the end.

Wim · « **Reply #8 on:** June 16, 2012, 01:56 »

Congrats Steve!

It's guys like you that keep me going.

Take care mate

ShadySue · « **Reply #9 on:** June 16, 2012, 04:19 »

Congratulations

How long have you been selling on SS?

steheap · « **Reply #10 on:** June 16, 2012, 08:45 »

Quote

How long have you been selling on SS?

I started in January 2008 trying to sell old images off my hard drive - some of which sold reasonably well. I was a bit slow in 2008 and 2009, and have really started focusing on this as a way of making money in 2010. My annual earnings at Shutterstock have been:

2008: $522
2009: $845
2010: $1680
2011: $4094
2012: $2548 year through end May

I've tried to maintain a regimen of uploading enough images each month to add about 100 online shots - I'm currently at 2662 on SS. A real mix of travel, landscape, still life, portraits and, yes, cats. That latter group are actually my best selling subjects!

Along the way, I wrote my eBook about the nitty gritty mechanics of getting into the business and managed to update to a second edition - so it has been hard work to get to this point - processing, keywording and uploading images each week. Nice to get to their highest tier though and now I look forward to basking in the well deserved income from all these ventures!

Steve

lisafx · « **Reply #11 on:** June 16, 2012, 11:36 »

Congratulations Steve! Very impressive rise you've had. Proof that with really hard work and smart planning it's still possible to make money at this

Wim · « **Reply #12 on:** June 16, 2012, 11:41 »

Quote from: steheap on June 16, 2012, 08:45

so it has been hard work to get to this point - processing, keywording and uploading images each week. Nice to get to their highest tier though and now I look forward to basking in the well deserved income from all these ventures!

Each week, hah! try each day bro

I hope you don't get the issues I've been getting with reviewers, very exhausting, as if I don't have enough work already. SS rejecting best selling work, DT being picky about similars and IS rejecting composites. Soon I'll have to built a seperate port for each agency

Like I've said, it's because of guys like you and Louis (to name a few) that I find the courage to keep on going in this business, I thank you for that.

Have a good weekend fellow contributors.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 16, 2012, 12:18 »

Quote from: Wim on June 16, 2012, 11:41

Quote from: steheap on June 16, 2012, 08:45
so it has been hard work to get to this point - processing, keywording and uploading images each week. Nice to get to their highest tier though and now I look forward to basking in the well deserved income from all these ventures!

Each week, hah! try each day bro I hope you don't get the issues I've been getting with reviewers, very exhausting, as if I don't have enough work already. SS rejecting best selling work, DT being picky about similars and IS rejecting composites. Soon I'll have to built a seperate port for each agency

Like I've said, it's because of guys like you and Louis (to name a few) that I find the courage to keep on going in this business, I thank you for that.

Have a good weekend fellow contributors.

don´t say that or other contributors will get us in this topic

that said I believe I have stopped posting in my blog because of competition, after reading some big/top contributors in this forum it got to me, we don't need to train new corners, I have learned "everything" alone so if they want they can pursue it too

the more we get our "space" we certainly don´t want to get back so we need to cover our back! (sorry for the redundancy)

Wim · « **Reply #14 on:** June 16, 2012, 13:04 »

Quote from: luissantos84 on June 16, 2012, 12:18

Quote from: Wim on June 16, 2012, 11:41
Quote from: steheap on June 16, 2012, 08:45
so it has been hard work to get to this point - processing, keywording and uploading images each week. Nice to get to their highest tier though and now I look forward to basking in the well deserved income from all these ventures!

Each week, hah! try each day bro I hope you don't get the issues I've been getting with reviewers, very exhausting, as if I don't have enough work already. SS rejecting best selling work, DT being picky about similars and IS rejecting composites. Soon I'll have to built a seperate port for each agency

Like I've said, it's because of guys like you and Louis (to name a few) that I find the courage to keep on going in this business, I thank you for that.

Have a good weekend fellow contributors.

don´t say that or other contributors will get us in this topic

that said I believe I have stopped posting in my blog because of competition, after reading some big/top contributors in this forum it got to me, we don't need to train new corners, I have learned "everything" alone so if they want they can pursue it too

the more we get our "space" we certainly don´t want to get back so we need to cover our back! (sorry for the redundancy)

Getting paranoid are we Louis-san? I know what you mean though, I'm also selft thaught and will never share the tools of the trade and even wonder why some put complete tutorials in forums/blogs. This is a business, not stock/photography/photoshop class.

ps. I think I'm in love with Lisa's hypnotic avatar (I wonder if that's her in the pic)

lisafx · « **Reply #15 on:** June 16, 2012, 14:23 »

Quote from: Wim on June 16, 2012, 13:04

ps. I think I'm in love with Lisa's hypnotic avatar (I wonder if that's her in the pic)

It's my daughter. I took it years ago, when she would still willingly model for me. Now I have to pay other people's teenagers to model!

steheap · « **Reply #16 on:** June 16, 2012, 14:58 »

Quote

Each week, hah! try each day bro I hope you don't get the issues I've been getting with reviewers, very exhausting, as if I don't have enough work already. SS rejecting best selling work, DT being picky about similars and IS rejecting composites. Soon I'll have to built a seperate port for each agency

Like I've said, it's because of guys like you and Louis (to name a few) that I find the courage to keep on going in this business, I thank you for that.

Thanks for this!

On the rejection and strange decisions of the reviewers - I've got to the point where I generally ignore it. I always get a lot of rejections from Fotolia, but as it doesn't impact anything of importance on the site, I just see the rejection emails, smile, and delete them. Rejections from SS annoy me a little more, but I take a deep breath and move on to other things. I very rarely try to correct them, although my last set of rejections were for "Long Nails" and I have emailed support for a review of that one!! I talked about it on my latest examples of stock images taken last week. http://www.backyardsilver.com/2012/06/stock-images-for-june-13-2012/

On the broader topic of helping others - as you all probably know, I don't mind doing that. I learned from others when I started, it is unlikely that someone will find my stock photo examples so incredible that they will copy them, and so I have continued blogging, promoting my book and generally trying to be helpful. I've no idea if it hurts me personally, in the wallet, but it probably makes me feel good!

Steve

ShadySue · « **Reply #17 on:** June 16, 2012, 15:04 »

Quote from: steheap on June 16, 2012, 14:58

Rejections from SS annoy me a little more, but I take a deep breath and move on to other things. I very rarely try to correct them, although my last set of rejections were for "Long Nails" and I have emailed support for a review of that one!!

That has to win the prize for the most bizarre rejection.
I'd love to hear the feedback!

steheap · « **Reply #18 on:** June 16, 2012, 15:06 »

Quote

although my last set of rejections were for "Long Nails" and I have emailed support for a review of that one

Here it is:

Steve

Tryingmybest · « **Reply #19 on:** June 16, 2012, 15:12 »

Quote from: steheap on June 15, 2012, 15:15

One sale of an ED today finally pushed me over the $10K lifetime earnings total on Shutterstock and I get to reap the rewards of 38c per download!!

Its amazing when I look back - in January 2010 I earned $60.91 on Shutterstock, in May 2012, $636. All it takes is endless hard work and the support and ideas of this forum!

Thanks guys...

Steve

That's great! Keep up the good work. It's inspiring.

ShadySue · « **Reply #20 on:** June 16, 2012, 15:15 »

Quote from: steheap on June 16, 2012, 15:06

Quote
although my last set of rejections were for "Long Nails" and I have emailed support for a review of that one

Here it is:

Steve

Even if you had photographed Struwwelpeter himself, how could that be a rejection reason?

luissantos84 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 16, 2012, 15:34 »

Quote from: steheap on June 16, 2012, 14:58

On the broader topic of helping others - as you all probably know, I don't mind doing that. I learned from others when I started, it is unlikely that someone will find my stock photo examples so incredible that they will copy them, and so I have continued blogging, promoting my book and generally trying to be helpful. I've no idea if it hurts me personally, in the wallet, but it probably makes me feel good!

Steve

I understand once I had the exact same feeling while I was blogging my earnings, milestones, tutorials, tips or other.. BUT the fact is that they will open accounts and some will do "well" and most certainly it will hurt your income, yes not much but you never know..

like I have said I don't think they will do very well, from my blog I would say I got around 100$ from around 2 and half year blogging (126 posts) on referrals

p.s: you need to cut your nails

pancaketom · « **Reply #22 on:** June 16, 2012, 18:44 »

Congrats on that milestone. For a while we were running pretty even on DT and SS, but your superior work ethic has easily surpassed me. I did get to 10K first, but only with a good head start.

That long nails rejection is really weird - especially as those nails don't appear to be particularly long to me.

It would be nice to help less for the zero sum game sites like IS and soon to be 123, but otherwise I am guessing unless people directly copy your images that it won't actually lower your income in a noticeable way.

gemmy12 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 17, 2012, 00:10 »

Quote from: Wim

Getting paranoid are we Louis-san? I know what you mean though, I'm also selft thaught and will never share the tools of the trade and even wonder why some put complete tutorials in forums/blogs. This is a business, not stock/photography/photoshop class.

ps. I think I'm in love with Lisa's hypnotic avatar (I wonder if that's her in the pic)

Some do give tips and all helpful articles in their blog but still those guys are doing so well in stock. Example is Steve himself. I do read his blog and find it quite interesting.
I also find Lisa's avatar hypnotic. lol would like to hear from Lisa that how does this pic do in stock ?
Btw wim, your new (i guess) avatar is also quite interesting. He looks like my old school HOD. Lolz

and yes congratulation on the milestone Steve. I believe SS people will have to set new milestone for you guys.

probably for next 50k Dls....

djpadavona · « **Reply #24 on:** June 19, 2012, 20:13 »

That's awesome Steve, well done!

trofia · « **Reply #25 on:** June 28, 2012, 12:22 »

Dear Steve,

congrats on your great achievement!

I have similar numbers you had in 2010, about 700 images and $70 a month...still on the 25 cents per image, since I started uploading in March. I try to have 70-100 images approved every month and would like to achieve 1000 by the end of this year.
Regards,

cidepix · « **Reply #26 on:** June 28, 2012, 13:48 »

Oh! when I saw the title I thought you have done 10k per month

still a good story though.. congrats

luissantos84 · « **Reply #27 on:** June 28, 2012, 13:51 »

Quote from: cidepix on June 28, 2012, 13:48

Oh! when I saw the title I thought you have done 10k per month

still a good story though.. congrats

I believe there aren´t many doing 10k per month at SS or IS

Microbius · « **Reply #28 on:** June 29, 2012, 00:42 »

Quote from: cidepix on June 28, 2012, 13:48

Oh! when I saw the title I thought you have done 10k per month

still a good story though.. congrats

That's actually what I thought too! Well on the way though, congrats!

luissantos84 · « **Reply #29 on:** July 03, 2012, 16:47 »

sorry to post in your topic Steve but I wasn´t going to open a new topic

Approved: June 13 2009
500$: March 09 2010 (9 months) (rpd 0.31$, 1119 photos, 1643 downloads)
3000$: March 16 2011 (1 year and 9 months) (rpd 0.40$, 2478 photos, 7447 downloads)
10000$: July 3 2012 (3 years and 20 days) (rpd 0.49$, 3929 photos, 20564 downloads)

rubyroo · « **Reply #30 on:** July 03, 2012, 16:59 »

Congratulations on your milestone Luis! Enjoy your celebrations

Microbius · « **Reply #31 on:** July 04, 2012, 02:21 »

Congratulations Luis!!

mtkang · « **Reply #32 on:** July 04, 2012, 02:42 »

it seems some people got quite high EL sales, I wonder why i got very little percentage of EL sales, like 2-3 % of my overall sales. You guys have idea what usually a buyer need a EL license? could it be most of my portfolio are some vector?

THP Creative · « **Reply #33 on:** July 04, 2012, 02:48 »

Big congrats Steve and Luis, thats a great achievement.

Very happy for you guys. Now we just need to push SS to make a royalty category above 10k...! (20k perhaps?)

luissantos84 · « **Reply #34 on:** July 04, 2012, 07:11 »

thanks guys

a raise? honestly with all stuff from agencies I just want them to keep it, glad I made it before any change

regarding EL I have tiny sales there, my average is still below 1 per month

borg · « **Reply #35 on:** July 04, 2012, 07:28 »

Luis congrats!

Mantis · « **Reply #36 on:** July 04, 2012, 08:12 »

Quote from: Microstock Man on July 04, 2012, 02:48

Big congrats Steve and Luis, thats a great achievement. Very happy for you guys. Now we just need to push SS to make a royalty category above 10k...! (20k perhaps?)

That would be a sweet move. If no raise, then at least another ceiling to hit!! You got my vote.

steheap · « **Reply #37 on:** July 16, 2012, 14:36 »

Quote

Approved: June 13 2009
500$: March 09 2010 (9 months) (rpd 0.31$, 1119 photos, 1643 downloads)
3000$: March 16 2011 (1 year and 9 months) (rpd 0.40$, 2478 photos, 7447 downloads)
10000$: July 3 2012 (3 years and 20 days) (rpd 0.49$, 3929 photos, 20564 downloads)

Luis - sorry, I must have been taking lots of stock photos, because I completely missed this! Congratulations!! It comes to something when I don't even read my own posts!

Your analysis of Shutterstock earnings was interesting and so I decided to do it for mine:

For those people who create blogs to get referrals, have a look at the 5th column along - $26 from referrals after 4 years of blogging!

I don't know if I am now jinxed, but I have had no EDs at all in July - not a good sign. I've been trying to work out what sort of images get this magic license and posting, each month, my images with an enhanced license. I can guess why some of them get that license, but some are complete mysteries. Here is my latest post: http://www.backyardsilver.com/2012/06/latest-enhanced-license-download-on-shutterstock/

Anyway - here is to our $10K per month earning target!!

Steve

luissantos84 · « **Reply #38 on:** July 16, 2012, 14:52 »

cheers Steve! you have a great RPD comparing to mine, almost 60 cents

steheap · « **Reply #39 on:** July 16, 2012, 15:07 »

I have fewer images online - I think you have 3929, and I currently have 2780 on Shutterstock. Obviously higher quality images!!!

Steve

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #40 on:** July 16, 2012, 15:15 »

Belated congrats to both of you on the $10K milestone.

Some part of the split between subs and everything else depends on when you started. I was with SS from November 2004, so my all time totals include a lot of early sales at 20 and 23 cents per (23 cents was an early-contributor bonus that survived until the base rate went up to 25 cents for all). At the beginning, no ELs or on demand to bring the total up.

Also, I have a 3 year gap from 2008-11 (exclusivity at IS)

But my all time totals are 71% subs, 14% ELs, 12% OD and 1.5% singles and a 39 cents RPD. But if you look at July so far it's 77 cents and June was 73 cents, and the split for June overall was 46% subs.

Another way to look at how earnings have increased is that I made nearly as much in the last 12 months at SS as I did there for 2006, 2006 and the first half of 2008 (and my portfolio is the same size or smaller than it was then). The raises may have stopped but the sales volume and higher prices have kept earnings up.

tab62 · « **Reply #41 on:** July 16, 2012, 15:17 »

more Home Runs with less at Bats! Great work Steve!

steheap · « **Reply #42 on:** July 16, 2012, 15:23 »

Quote

But if you look at July so far it's 77 cents and June was 73 cents, and the split for June overall was 46% subs.

Good point - in June, I had 46% or earnings from subs, 22% from on demand, 23% from ED and 6% from Singles. My earnings per download were $0.73, which means I am getting better month by month!!

Steve

borg · « **Reply #43 on:** January 04, 2013, 09:43 »

I passed 10K$ milestone three days ago! But no change in earnings! When can I expect the "last change"?

steheap · « **Reply #44 on:** January 04, 2013, 09:58 »

From what I recall, it happened the next day - an increase to 38c. I would email support if nothing has changed for 3 days.

Congratulations though! It is a great milestone to reach.

Steve

rubyroo · « **Reply #45 on:** January 04, 2013, 10:52 »

Yay! Congratulations Borg.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #46 on:** January 04, 2013, 10:55 »

Congratuations! As I recall I received an e-mail about the change and I don't remember waiting long

Smiling Jack · « **Reply #47 on:** January 04, 2013, 11:20 »

Well done Steve.
Smiling Jack

luissantos84 · « **Reply #48 on:** January 04, 2013, 12:21 »

Quote from: borg on January 04, 2013, 09:43

I passed 10K$ milestone three days ago! But no change in earnings! When can I expect the "last change"?

congratulations man, you truly deserve it, amazing creativity all your port!

BaldricksTrousers · « **Reply #49 on:** January 04, 2013, 12:33 »

Quote from: steheap on July 16, 2012, 14:36

For those people who create blogs to get referrals, have a look at the 5th column along - $26 from referrals after 4 years of blogging!

Someone's made thousands from referring me eight years age, can't remember who it was. A handful of people must have made a small fortune from early referrals.

borg · « **Reply #50 on:** January 04, 2013, 12:36 »

Huge thanks my friends for your support!!!

I will contact them...

Thank you once more, I hope you all will be above 10K$ soon if you are not already there!

gillian vann · « **Reply #51 on:** January 05, 2013, 15:48 »

so inpsiring! congrats.

MicrostockGroup Sponsors

Author Topic: I've done it - $10K in earnings (Read 18494 times)

WarrenPrice

CD123

Wim

lisafx

Wim

Wim

lisafx

Microbius

rubyroo

Microbius

tab62

rubyroo

Related Topics

Sponsors

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors