MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => Shutterstock.com => Topic started by: PowerDroid on October 29, 2009, 10:40

Title: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: PowerDroid on October 29, 2009, 10:40
I'm hoping there's nothing to this, but right now in the Shutterstock forum, everyone is up in arms about the possibility that SS has dropped On-Demand downloads.  I'm not even sure how to verify this, but I do know that I haven't seen any ODs yet today, which is odd at this point in the day for me.  These typically account for about 20 - 30% of my SS revenue, so that would be awful!
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: RT on October 29, 2009, 10:51
I've had five so far today, and I don't read their forum.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: PowerDroid on October 29, 2009, 10:55
Someone in the SS forum pointed out that she just had a few ODs today since this news broke, but someone else suggested this could be unused credit in the buyer's account.  Everyone there seems to think that ODs have been removed as an option, and looking at their downloads today, they're convinced it's true.

I don't want to get too alarmed yet, so I turned to MSG for your thoughts.  Is anyone seeing evidence to suggest that ODs are done?
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: epantha on October 29, 2009, 10:59
I logged in using my company's account and clicked the Renew button. There are 4 types of On Demand subscriptions available today.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: fotorob on October 29, 2009, 11:00
Hm, I had one On-Demand-Download today (for $1.07).
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: dirkr on October 29, 2009, 11:01
I just tried to find the OD-Plan on the Shutterstock site (I'm not a buyer, just looking at www.shutterstock.com/subscribe (http://www.shutterstock.com/subscribe)), can't locate it.
Only the 25-a-day Subscription and the Enhanced Subscription seem to be available.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: PowerDroid on October 29, 2009, 11:04
I've had 26 downloads today so far, no ODs.  Looking over my stats over the past few months, I've never had a day with a ratio of subscription downloads to ODs greater than about 15:1.   Suggests something is going on, but I'm still hoping this proves to be nothing.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: fotorob on October 29, 2009, 11:07
Maybe Shutterstock is trying to push the On-Demand-Downloaders to BigStockPhoto that they recently purchased?
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: Digital66 on October 29, 2009, 11:11
Maybe Shutterstock is trying to push the On-Demand-Downloaders to BigStockPhoto that they recently purchased?
That's what I was thinking... 
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: dirkr on October 29, 2009, 11:11
Just looked on the German page. There the OD plan is still existing...
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: Digital66 on October 29, 2009, 11:14
Maybe Shutterstock is trying to push the On-Demand-Downloaders to BigStockPhoto that they recently purchased?
That's what I was thinking... 


But there is no link from Shutterstock to Bigstock.  So, customers interested in buying only one or a few images will simply go somewhere else!
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: fotorob on October 29, 2009, 11:18
Maybe Shutterstock is trying to push the On-Demand-Downloaders to BigStockPhoto that they recently purchased?
That's what I was thinking... 


But there is no link from Shutterstock to Bigstock.  So, customers interested in buying only one or a few images will simply go somewhere else!

No problem, I offer my images elsewhere too...  ;D
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: Digital66 on October 29, 2009, 11:20
Just looked on the German page. There the OD plan is still existing...

You are right.  In fact, it seems only the English page is not offering the OD plan
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: epantha on October 29, 2009, 11:21
That's not true. The English plan IS offering OD subscriptions. I just looked at it. You are spreading misinformation.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: Karimala on October 29, 2009, 11:26
That's not true. The English plan IS offering OD subscriptions. I just looked at it. You are spreading misinformation.


It's not there on mine...so if you're seeing it and some of us are not, that leads me to believe it's probably a glitch.  Keeping my fingers crossed.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: dirkr on October 29, 2009, 11:27
That's not true. The English plan IS offering OD subscriptions. I just looked at it. You are spreading misinformation.


I still can't see it... Looks like a bug.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: PowerDroid on October 29, 2009, 11:34
So whose OD sales have dried up today?  Glitch or intentional change, I'm now at 28 downloads but 0 On Demand.  Without precedent in my recent stats.  Something is definitely happening or this is one mighty big coincidence, glitch, whatever you want to call it... I don't like it!

C
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: cthoman on October 29, 2009, 11:42
I've had an OD today as well. I can't imagine that they would remove OD's. I would think they are a huge cash cow for Shutterstock.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: Digital66 on October 29, 2009, 11:57
That's not true. The English plan IS offering OD subscriptions. I just looked at it. You are spreading misinformation.


Have you refreshed your browser?  Maybe you are looking at a cached page.

Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: sharpshot on October 29, 2009, 12:03
On demand has been a success for SS, so I think this is probably a glitch and some forum hysteria.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: epantha on October 29, 2009, 12:09
Emptied cache in Safari. Still see OD subscriptions available. In Firefox, no OD subscriptions available.

Sorry guys, I was wrong about the situation. Guess I just didn't want to believe it :-\  I called the SS 800 number and they said they have removed the OD plan and told me about the company they acquired (Bigstock). Kind of shocking to find out this way. :-[
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: PowerDroid on October 29, 2009, 12:24
Well, there's the confirmation.  This is sure to be a rocky transition.  I can't see getting the same number of additional downloads on BigStock to equal my loss of ODs on SS, at least in the short term.  Plus, for each of those downloads, I'll likely get $.50 or $1.00 for a download I would have received $2.70 for before the switch?  This is going to result in a BIG drop in my numbers.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: PowerDroid on October 29, 2009, 12:28
On the other hand... I did get a surprise $58.80 from a BigStock licensed download last Friday, so if SS helps drive more of those, maybe there's a silver lining?  I'm assuming I would have seen just a $28 EL if it had been sold through SS.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: cthoman on October 29, 2009, 12:47
Wow! That's pretty shocking and will put a pretty big dent in my income there. I'm still hoping it isn't true.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: Perry on October 29, 2009, 12:52
If they are going to replace ODs with BigStock, I wish they had an option to move whole SS portfolio to BigStock with  a couple of clicks. (I have only a part of my portfolio uploaded at BigStock, and no easy way to tell what I have uploaded and what not)
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: WarrenPrice on October 29, 2009, 13:11
Are they redirecting traffic to BigStock?

ED:  Are they redirecting OD traffic to BigStock?
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: PowerDroid on October 29, 2009, 13:17
Are they redirecting traffic to BigStock?

ED:  Are they redirecting OD traffic to BigStock?

If they are, I'm sure not seeing any bump in BigStock sales today.  And even if every SS on-demand sale turned into a BigStock sale, we're still looking at a 2.70 commission being reduced to something like .50 or 1.00.  Arrggghh!
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: gostwyck on October 29, 2009, 13:41
If they are, I'm sure not seeing any bump in BigStock sales today.  And even if every SS on-demand sale turned into a BigStock sale, we're still looking at a 2.70 commission being reduced to something like .50 or 1.00.  Arrggghh!

Exactly __ this is really bad news. Of course BigStock also pay as little as 20% commission on their much cheaper prices too.

I really don't understand why SS are doing this. I generally earn about 3x more from SS OD's as I do from BigStock in total (and therefore it follows that SS themselves earn nicely from it). Seems like they're throwing the baby out and keeping the bathwater.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: PowerDroid on October 29, 2009, 13:48
I've always argued on this forum that an agency would not buy another agency and keep the two companies operating without changes, essentially competing with one another.  They will look at what makes the most business sense (what makes them more money, earns greater market share, etc.) and drop the products/services/brands that don't support the rosiest financial scenario for the overall company.  Looks like that's what's happening here.  SS has apparently decided it stands to make more money by pushing customers to BigStock for on-demand sales.  And you can bet a big factor in their cost analysis was that contributors will receive a smaller slice of the sales.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: Pixart on October 29, 2009, 13:51
Hopefully they have a well thought out plans that they will be rolling out November 1st.

Don't forget that they DID have a site that they sold single downloads before the OD's and it was a big failure.  Surely they learned something from their mistakes?

I have just had my worst month on SS since June 07.  I'm not a big uploader though so it is likely just catching up with me.  
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: RacePhoto on October 29, 2009, 14:23
I've had five so far today, and I don't read their forum.

Let me help you with the forum part.

"Show Me Your..."

OK that's it.  ;D
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: suwanneeredhead on October 29, 2009, 14:36
Here's the new post from Anthony, this should explain it:

Hello:

We are currently testing different product lineups for a small subset of our visitors and that we will, of course, make an announcement if anything changes permanently.

We appreciate your continued patience and support.

Sincerely,

Anthony Correia
Shutterstock
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: lisafx on October 29, 2009, 16:16
This is strange.  I have had OD sales today.  About the same amount as usual. 

Thanks for calling and looking into it Epantha.  Too bad about losing $2.70 sales to 1.00 sales, though. 

And like others, I have seen no corresponding jump in BigStock sales.  Quite the opposite in fact.  BigStock sales have been really low since the SS announcement.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: stockastic on October 29, 2009, 17:08
I see a lot of people here resolutely looking for the silver lining in this latest cloud.  I don't think there is one.

The microstock companies all want to herd all their customers onto subscription plans.  They pay no contributor commissions when they sell a subscription; they only pay comissions on files the buyer actually downloads.  The subscription buyer thinks he just bought a large number of images at rock bottom prices; but the microstocks are betting that many buyers will simply never get around to downloading all those images, and they won't even have to pay the pathetic 25 cent commissions on files the subscriber has essentially paid for but never downloaded.  

Meet the future.

Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: elvinstar on October 29, 2009, 17:11
Strangely, my BigStock sales were up considerably today. I wonder if it is random or as a result of this "test"...
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: travelstock on October 29, 2009, 18:46
I've seen a spike in "on demand" sales from Istock in the last 2 days... maybe that's where they are pushing their traffic?
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: Suljo on October 29, 2009, 21:27
I've seen a spike in "on demand" sales from Istock in the last 2 days... maybe that's where they are pushing their traffic?

HeHe
Im not iStock lover but this month is BME on iStock because of spikes  ;D
Anyhow Shufter same BigStok same...
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: j2k on October 30, 2009, 11:13
Uhh that really sucks. The ODs were great for me. I guess this way shutterstock will be able to save on commissions since BigStock pays less.

The whole "overnight" move doesn't make sense thou.  :(
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: FD on October 30, 2009, 11:33
Anyhow Shufter same BigStok same...

Would you care to elaborate that in English? English is my third language, and to me it sounds like "me Tarzan, you Jane".  :-\

On topic: I had 2 ODs the past 24hrs so they don't seem to be phased out in general.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: cathyslife on October 30, 2009, 13:08
10/20 was my last on-demand download but most of my sales are subscription anyway. Since the announcement of SS buying BigStock, my sales at BigStock have been really slow. SS earnings are normal though.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: vonkara on October 30, 2009, 14:00
The weird thing is SS not giving any information about this either on forums or by mail. At least they could notify that it's wrong or not.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: PowerDroid on October 30, 2009, 14:05
Actually, SS has chimed in via its forum:

"Hello:
We are currently testing different product lineups for a small subset of our visitors and that we will, of course, make an announcement if anything changes permanently.
We appreciate your continued patience and support.
Sincerely,
Anthony Correia
Shutterstock"

Hoping to hear that these tests showed SS they stand to lose big money by eliminating OD sales and we'll go back to business as usual.  I was getting great OD sales up until yesterday.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: vonkara on October 30, 2009, 14:22
Thanks PowerDroid
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: gbalex on November 03, 2009, 12:47
I buy on demand images from SS.  They are valid for a year after the date you purchase the OD subscription. So you have a year to download your images.  I just looked to see if OD subscriptions are available for purchase and they are.

If SS chooses to no longer offer OD subscriptions on SS, I will be buying more images from DT and Fotolia not BS!
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: lisafx on November 03, 2009, 16:45
I buy on demand images from SS.  They are valid for a year after the date you purchase the OD subscription. So you have a year to download your images.  I just looked to see if OD subscriptions are available for purchase and they are.

If SS chooses to no longer offer OD subscriptions on SS, I will be buying more images from DT and Fotolia not BS!

Thanks for sharing the buyer's perspective gbalex.  I hope SS is listening. 

If designers want to keep the OD option on SS then it should remain available!
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: leaf on November 03, 2009, 17:03
10/20 was my last on-demand download but most of my sales are subscription anyway. Since the announcement of SS buying BigStock, my sales at BigStock have been really slow. SS earnings are normal though.

I still have on demand sales pretty well every day so there are obviously still buyers using them some places.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: Noodles on November 04, 2009, 03:55
I still have on demand sales pretty well every day so there are obviously still buyers using them some places.

I bought some OD credits a little while ago - I think I had to buy 5 though I only wanted one image so now I have 4 remaining which I can use at anytime - hence sales will continue for some time even if they do switch over to BS.


I see a lot of people here resolutely looking for the silver lining in this latest cloud.  I don't think there is one.

funny you say that - I was thinking a few days ago that MS isn't getting any easier and if we loose OD's its another nail in the coffin.... and such thoughts. So I had a chat with my main client and he bumped my retainer up an extra $400/wk - rock and roll :)
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: dzain on November 04, 2009, 05:12
I'm soooooo angry at SS because of the way they treat us so I registered here on this forum, because I don't want to risk another warning for venting on the SS forums.

They don't even have the decency to inform us properly about what they are doing. When there will not be offered OD-program anymore the OD-downloads will dry up after a few weeks/months (whenever the OD's that are sold till now expire)

My OD's are 20% of my income on SS, so it would be a big loss for me when they disapear.

I only have a small portfolio on BS and I don't want to upload there myself because of the little sales compare to other sites. Even when SS transfer all of our ports to BS, we will lose because on SS we get 2,85 for one OD compare to 1,50 at BS, so that will not be fair at all!

Hope buyers simple don't go to BS, but choose DT of FT when they can't find what they are looking for at SS.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: cathyslife on November 04, 2009, 07:17
Quote
Question from SS forum: "For those of us who are not on BigStock - would it make sense to start uploading our images there, or will you eventually copy them there?"
No immediate plans - so best to upload to both. We'll make sure to make it worth your while Smiley
Jon

I've seen a few posts about how SS is going to automatically send contributors ports over to BigStock, like you just mentioned in the post above, dzain. This quote was posted in another thread about SS on September 23rd, so it doesn't look like they are going to do that. It looks like if you want your images on BigStock, you will need to upload them there yourself. Unless something has changed since September.

Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: traveler1116 on November 04, 2009, 11:42
I'm soooooo angry at SS because of the way they treat us so I registered here on this forum, because I don't want to risk another warning for venting on the SS forums.

They don't even have the decency to inform us properly about what they are doing. When there will not be offered OD-program anymore the OD-downloads will dry up after a few weeks/months (whenever the OD's that are sold till now expire)

My OD's are 20% of my income on SS, so it would be a big loss for me when they disapear.

I only have a small portfolio on BS and I don't want to upload there myself because of the little sales compare to other sites. Even when SS transfer all of our ports to BS, we will lose because on SS we get 2,85 for one OD compare to 1,50 at BS, so that will not be fair at all!

Hope buyers simple don't go to BS, but choose DT of FT when they can't find what they are looking for at SS.

I'm not sure there is an issue yet, no announcement has been made as far as I know.  And since all this talk about SS dropping OD's I have had a ton more (probably up over 100% last month).   Hope they don't push the OD's over to BigStock, I won't upload anything there because of the 90 day lockin and if they move our portfolios overthere with the same rules I will be forced to drop SS.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: ichiro17 on November 04, 2009, 12:39
I buy on demand images from SS.  They are valid for a year after the date you purchase the OD subscription. So you have a year to download your images.  I just looked to see if OD subscriptions are available for purchase and they are.

If SS chooses to no longer offer OD subscriptions on SS, I will be buying more images from DT and Fotolia not BS!

I would really hope you wouldn't give FT your business after everything thats been said on this forum and how they treat their contributors

Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: RacePhoto on November 04, 2009, 12:57

I'm not sure there is an issue yet, no announcement has been made as far as I know.  And since all this talk about SS dropping OD's I have had a ton more (probably up over 100% last month).   Hope they don't push the OD's over to BigStock, I won't upload anything there because of the 90 day lockin and if they move our portfolios overthere with the same rules I will be forced to drop SS.

True it's only a test according to them. Assuming it is a success, they will do what they decide is best for their business. That's Micro.  ;D

You seem to like DT with a 6 month lockin? Why does 90 days bother you so much.

I doubt if they will move portfolios because of the duplications and BigStock takes things that SS never will.

We all have free will to choose which sites we like or don't want to work for. I have my favorites, others have theirs, but I can't understand dropping a good earning site over the loss of one type of sale. Seems like anyone who does that is just hurting themselves not the agency.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: dzain on November 04, 2009, 13:26
Quote
Question from SS forum: "For those of us who are not on BigStock - would it make sense to start uploading our images there, or will you eventually copy them there?"
No immediate plans - so best to upload to both. We'll make sure to make it worth your while Smiley
Jon

I've seen a few posts about how SS is going to automatically send contributors ports over to BigStock, like you just mentioned in the post above, dzain. This quote was posted in another thread about SS on September 23rd, so it doesn't look like they are going to do that. It looks like if you want your images on BigStock, you will need to upload them there yourself. Unless something has changed since September.


I don't want to upload there myself, because I don't want SS to profit from my work for a lower price at BS without doing some afford themselves. And the less we upload to BS, the less interesting that site will be for OD-buyers. I prefer them going to FT or DT when SS drops the OD's, but the best outcome will be that this test fails so that SS keeps the OD-program up and running.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: Artemis on November 04, 2009, 14:18
Communication doesn't seem to be SS's strongest side. It appears in all silence OD's are banned from the english version (many foreign buyers also use the site in english btw) of the site as "a test". From what i read the buyers weren't notified about this either and when they call SS support they are sent to BigStock with a database a fraction of SS' database. I'd start shopping around on other sites if i were them.

On SS OD's are 30% of my income there; on BigStock my files are sold $0,50 to $1,50 so if all OD traffic is sent there and the buyers nicely do what SS instructs them i still would lose out on a lot of income since a download there is not near as profitable as an (large) OD.

I find this truly upsetting. I also wonder how it is only a few people seem to care about this; many others seem to think nothing is wrong because "i just had an OD"...
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: dzain on November 04, 2009, 14:32
Communication doesn't seem to be SS's strongest side. It appears in all silence OD's are banned from the english version (many foreign buyers also use the site in english btw) of the site as "a test". From what i read the buyers weren't notified about this either and when they call SS support they are sent to BigStock with a database a fraction of SS' database. I'd start shopping around on other sites if i were them.

On SS OD's are 30% of my income there; on BigStock my files are sold $0,50 to $1,50 so if all OD traffic is sent there and the buyers nicely do what SS instructs them i still would lose out on a lot of income since a download there is not near as profitable as an (large) OD.

I find this truly upsetting. I also wonder how it is only a few people seem to care about this; many others seem to think nothing is wrong because "i just had an OD"...
It's concerning so many people don't get the point. Ofcourse OD's keep coming till everything that is sold till last month is downloaded or expired. I have $31 from OD's so far  for the first 4 days of this month, but I'm worried about next month and the next.

In an other thread on this shutterstock section someone wrote that he got $2 or $3 for OD's on BS while I wrote the prices you mentioned above (because I read those prices on the SS forums) Who of you is correct? Or does higher prices come with bigger portfolio's there?
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: KB on November 04, 2009, 14:56
In an other thread on this shutterstock section someone wrote that he got $2 or $3 for OD's on BS while I wrote the prices you mentioned above (because I read those prices on the SS forums) Who of you is correct? Or does higher prices come with bigger portfolio's there?
[/quote]
That was me.  ;D  And I am correct (as I just posted in that other thread, based on my actual sales at BigStock).

I don't believe there is a $1.50 commission on BigStock, but if there is, I haven't had it in the last 50 sales.

Everyone gets the same commission rates there. There are no levels or other things involved that would result in different earnings, AFAIK.

My SS OD sales usually amount to about 1/3 of my total earnings. So I will be very, very sad indeed if they decide to do away with them. I'm hoping they will find that the results of this experiment are poor, and they will decide to keep the OD sales as they have been.

To be honest, I don't know why they felt the need to buy BigStock in the first place, instead of just putting the money towards making changes/improvements at SS. But I don't understand many of the moves that microstock head honchos make.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: Artemis on November 04, 2009, 15:44
I just checked my earnings log again; my last 40 sales are: 24 of $0,50 ; 14 of $1 ; 2 of $2
Oops! You're right, there is no $1,50 commision...i was checking the downloads per pic page and counted wrong.

But still, i never had a $3 sale there... and its still waaaay below what OD's give me on SS.
I also hope this moving OD's to BigStock thing will turn out to be a real bad plan for SS.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: lisafx on November 04, 2009, 16:02
I think there is genuine cause for concern that SS is shutting down a program that earns me $1.24 - 2.85 for OD sales,  in favor of directing buyers to a site where the VAST majority of sales are .50 - $1.00 with only the occasional $2 sale and the almost mythical $3 sale (yes, I have had a few of them, but they are so rare as to be statistically irrelevant). 

According to my October stats,  BigStock on demand sales averaged .87/sale. 
SS on-demand sales for the same period averaged $2.25/sale. 

So yes, this is a problem.

On top of that, BigStock doesn't have anywhere near the volume to make up the shortfall. 

Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: cthoman on November 04, 2009, 16:10
I think the $3 sales are for eps files. I have a bunch of them, so I assume that is what they are for.

It will suck if they eliminate OD's, but I can't really freak out about it since it is just a rumor right now. Plus, Shutterstock was a good earner before ODs, and they'll still be a good earner if they eliminate them. I think this whole experiment really solidifies my feelings on not being exclusive with any agency. You never really know when an agency is going to do something crazy or stupid, so you better have your images ready for customers to buy somewhere else.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: KB on November 04, 2009, 16:35
I think the $3 sales are for eps files. I have a bunch of them, so I assume that is what they are for.

It will suck if they eliminate OD's, but I can't really freak out about it since it is just a rumor right now. Plus, Shutterstock was a good earner before ODs, and they'll still be a good earner if they eliminate them. I think this whole experiment really solidifies my feelings on not being exclusive with any agency. You never really know when an agency is going to do something crazy or stupid, so you better have your images ready for customers to buy somewhere else.
It may be (and should be) correct that eps files earn $3. But I don't have any eps files, yet I have had $3 commissions.  They are known as XL sales, and an image must be 11MP or greater to qualify.

It's true that SS was a good earner before ODs, but things seem to have slowed down quite a bit, for me at least, after the first few months of the year. Without OD sales, SS would probably still be my #2 earner, but #3 would be much closer than it is now.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: elvinstar on November 04, 2009, 17:26
Quote
But I don't have any eps files, yet I have had $3 commissions.  They are known as XL sales, and an image must be 11MP or greater to qualify.

That is almost correct. I also do not have eps files and have had quite a few $3 commissions. However, I have a 10MP camera, so I'm not sure where exactly the cutoff is.

1,147 images in my portfolio, BTW
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: Pixart on November 04, 2009, 17:54
I have a 10.2 mp and I also have $3 sales and no EPS files.

From my last 50 sales at BS 4=$3, 8=$2, 21=$1 and 17=$.50  averaging to $1.15 per sale (of last 50 only).  I have had many $1.07 sales at SS, but nothing more than $2.48.

In 2009 my average earning per SS-OD sale worked out to $2.18.

My OD sales are slightly lower than my BS sales totals each month.

I have never had sales reversed at SS, I have 2 maybe 3 times at BS.

I have more and larger photos at BS because I downsize everything that I send to SS.

SS has always been more restrictive for buyers - especially new buyers.  EL's, you have to buy at least 2 at a time.  OD's you had to buy at least 5 at a time for around $50.  A blogger can get 30 photos for $45 on BS.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: KB on November 04, 2009, 18:13
That's interesting; thanks Pixart & elvinstar. Apparently I had the wrong info.

BigStock's website says XL images are only 3800x. With my camera, that would be 3800x2533 = ~9.6MP. So, quite a bit smaller than I thought.

It's too bad they don't offer one size larger than that, what with all the new 16-25? MP cameras out there.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: ibogdan on November 04, 2009, 18:25
In the last 50 dwls at BigStock I had two 3$ downloads. I have a 10MPix camera.
But almost all downloads are 0.5$ or 1$.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: dnavarrojr on November 04, 2009, 19:33
SS basically knows they can do what ever they want and while everyone will whine about it, very few will actually leave or stop uploading there.  The Micros are in total control of the industry now, and contributors are just lap dogs following their master's will.
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: Noodles on November 04, 2009, 20:12
SS basically knows they can do what ever they want and while everyone will whine about it, very few will actually leave or stop uploading there.  The Micros are in total control of the industry now, and contributors are just lap dogs following their master's will.

that's rubbish!  woof
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: dzain on November 05, 2009, 00:35
SS basically knows they can do what ever they want and while everyone will whine about it, very few will actually leave or stop uploading there.  The Micros are in total control of the industry now, and contributors are just lap dogs following their master's will.
Spot on!
Title: Re: Shutterstock dropping ODs?
Post by: traveler1116 on November 05, 2009, 02:42

I'm not sure there is an issue yet, no announcement has been made as far as I know.  And since all this talk about SS dropping OD's I have had a ton more (probably up over 100% last month).   Hope they don't push the OD's over to BigStock, I won't upload anything there because of the 90 day lockin and if they move our portfolios overthere with the same rules I will be forced to drop SS.


True it's only a test according to them. Assuming it is a success, they will do what they decide is best for their business. That's Micro.  ;D

You seem to like DT with a 6 month lockin? Why does 90 days bother you so much.

I doubt if they will move portfolios because of the duplications and BigStock takes things that SS never will.

We all have free will to choose which sites we like or don't want to work for. I have my favorites, others have theirs, but I can't understand dropping a good earning site over the loss of one type of sale. Seems like anyone who does that is just hurting themselves not the agency.



Ha ha!  Like DT, you must not have seen my thread http://www.microstockgroup.com/dreamstime-com/what-do-you-hate-about-dreamstime/ (http://www.microstockgroup.com/dreamstime-com/what-do-you-hate-about-dreamstime/).   I don't think I have uploaded to BigStock in about 4 or 5 months and I haven't uploaded to DT since they lowered our percentages and have deleted 90% of my portfolio leaving just my level 2 and 3 images while I wait for the time to run out so I can delete all the rest.  They changed the pricing and won't let us leave even though the terms are completely different.  I am tired of these kinds of changes to policy but at least when FT does it I can leave and if SS does it they will let us leave too.