Author Topic: SS sales January (Read 37932 times)

PZF · « **on:** January 27, 2021, 10:27 »

Wow!
Unless there is a miracle, it looks like I will be almost 75% down on January 2020 (and 2019).
Obviously with the ripoff Levels change I expected a drop - but down to one quarter of last year?
Amazing.

And none of the other sites even begin to make up the the slack.

Mimi the Cat · « **Reply #1 on:** January 27, 2021, 10:37 »

Didn't expect anything else.

To be honest I think this whole "oh wow! look what shutterstock have done to us" is getting silly.

Either put up with their crappy rates continue swimming with sharks and don't complain when they feed off you

or just delete your portfolio.

Those are the only choices we have even Jon Oringer said as much

PZF · « **Reply #2 on:** January 27, 2021, 12:54 »

Well that's helpful Bad Robot - stating the blindingly obvious

Expected bad but this is truly DIRE!

gnirtS · « **Reply #3 on:** January 27, 2021, 15:39 »

75% down looks about right for me.
Even working back up through the levels its not the video *level* that's killing me, its all sales are now subscription/tiny and i get a % of that.

My video sales per same number of downloads are 84% down this January compared to last.

Danybot · « **Reply #4 on:** January 27, 2021, 21:58 »

For the last few months, Shutterstock has fallen to third place for me, well behind Adobe and even Istock, though my portfolio at SS is considerably larger. It's not the level royalty calculation that did this, but the fact that most subscription sales are now 10 cents compared to 35 cents previously. By the end of January, I will be at level four, but most sub sales are at 10 cents regardless of what your level is.

If they ever explained the radical change for subscription sales, I missed it, but explanations are beside the point anyway. The bottom line is that they are paying out a lot less. They've suddenly gone from being one of the more generous payers to one of the worst.

As a result, I've paused in uploading to SS and I'm working on building out my Adobe portfolio, particularly in catching up with editorial (which I find is selling reasonably well there). It will take years, but eventually buyers will notice that SS does not have as good a selection of new material as it used to.

Groucho · « **Reply #5 on:** January 28, 2021, 00:40 »

For January, my revenue on SS has fallen to the 5th place, far behind Adobe, Alamy, iStock and even Dreamstime. My RPD for January on images on SS is $0.12

Of course, I stopped uploading to SS. The question now is to delete or not my SS portfolio.

Mimi the Cat · « **Reply #6 on:** January 28, 2021, 01:32 »

Quote from: PZF on January 27, 2021, 12:54

Well that's helpful Bad Robot - stating the blindingly obvious

Expected bad but this is truly DIRE!

So what are you going to do about it?

People complaining on a forum is a a waste of energy

So don't complain do something!

Firn · « **Reply #7 on:** January 28, 2021, 02:05 »

I think people just want to share their misery. Makes them feel better. Nothing wrong with that. There is a saying in Germany, "Shared suffering is halved suffering",

My January earnings are down by 50% on SS compared to last month - compared to January 20 they are actually better, but I am doing really poorly on all stock sites this month, so I can't blame it on SS alone.

January just isn't a good month for microstock anywhere for me, especially the first half of the month. But it's starting to pick up and I am optimistic for February.

Groucho · « **Reply #8 on:** January 28, 2021, 02:30 »

Quote from: Firn on January 28, 2021, 02:05

January just isn't a good month for microstock anywhere for me, especially the first half of the month. But it's starting to pick up and I am optimistic for February.

For me, the volume of sales on SS is normal (similar to January 2020). The issue is the number of $0.10 sales (around 80% to 90% of all sales, but I was Level 1 for 3 weeks) and the consequence on the RPD. Low RPD is new compared to 2020 and I don't see why it would improve in February.

cg3dphoto · « **Reply #9 on:** January 28, 2021, 03:20 »

70% down compared to Jan 2020, and for the first time ever, I earn more on Adobe. Obviously Shutterstock is going down. Even though I'll be on lvl 3 for video pretty soon, I don't think my earning will recover much in Feb.

Firn · « **Reply #10 on:** January 28, 2021, 03:22 »

Quote from: Groucho on January 28, 2021, 02:30

Quote from: Firn on January 28, 2021, 02:05

January just isn't a good month for microstock anywhere for me, especially the first half of the month. But it's starting to pick up and I am optimistic for February.

For me, the volume of sales on SS is normal (similar to January 2020). The issue is the number of $0.10 sales (around 80% to 90% of all sales, but I was Level 1 for 3 weeks) and the consequence on the RPD. Low RPD is new compared to 2020 and I don't see why it would improve in February.

I can't compare January 2020 and January 2021, because I only started microstock around 2019 and my portfolio was much smaller last year. But comparing December 20 and January 21 my download number is down by a almost 300 and there are only 3 days left in January, so my sale numbers are definetely down in January. They are also down on Adobe, though the difference is smaller (But Adobe hasn't been performing well for me since around August last year) and on iStock I can't compare sale numbers before next month, but my views are down by a lot and at least for me, that's usually a good indicator for sales. Last month my most viewed image had around 200 views, this month it's less than 50...

Groucho · « **Reply #11 on:** January 28, 2021, 03:48 »

Quote from: Firn on January 28, 2021, 03:22

Quote from: Groucho on January 28, 2021, 02:30
Quote from: Firn on January 28, 2021, 02:05

January just isn't a good month for microstock anywhere for me, especially the first half of the month. But it's starting to pick up and I am optimistic for February.

For me, the volume of sales on SS is normal (similar to January 2020). The issue is the number of $0.10 sales (around 80% to 90% of all sales, but I was Level 1 for 3 weeks) and the consequence on the RPD. Low RPD is new compared to 2020 and I don't see why it would improve in February.
I can't compare January 2020 and January 2021, because I only started microstock around 2019 and my portfolio was much smaller last year. But comparing December 20 and January 21 my download number is down by a almost 300 and there are only 3 days left in January, so my sale numbers are definetely down in January. They are also down on Adobe, though the difference is smaller (But Adobe hasn't been performing well for me since around August last year) and on iStock I can't compare sale numbers before next month, but my views are down by a lot and at least for me, that's usually a good indicator for sales. Last month my most viewed image had around 200 views, this month it's less than 50...

Every portfolio is different.
In my case, number of sales for January 21 is similar to December 20 for SS, AS and IS (for IS you can see the number of sales for the current year in the profile tab). I have a lot of sales on the Covid-19 subject this might explain why a have a good number of sales and a low RPD (costumers for these images are medias with big contract and low prices).

Firn · « **Reply #12 on:** January 28, 2021, 03:52 »

Quote from: Groucho on January 28, 2021, 03:48

for IS you can see the number of sales for the current year in the profile tab

I don't seem to have such a tab. (I think I asked about where that can be found here before, because someone mentioned it, but got no reply.)
I only have Overview, ESP User Info and Performance as tabs. Peformance has more tabs, Recent Activity, which shows views, and Download, which only shows me downloads up to Decmeber 21.

I had a LOT of Corona related downloads during the summer, but I guess my Corona-related topics are not in demand anymore, as sales on these topics are very sporadic for me these days.
What worked well for me in the past months was seasonal stuff and I thought Valentine stuff would work well in January, but it's not really working out for me. I am actually still selling more Christmas stuff than valentine stuff.

Maybe I'll have more luck with Easter.

Groucho · « **Reply #13 on:** January 28, 2021, 04:03 »

Quote from: Firn on January 28, 2021, 03:52

Quote from: Groucho on January 28, 2021, 03:48
for IS you can see the number of sales for the current year in the profile tab

I don't seem to have such a tab. (I think I asked about where that can be found here before, because someone mentioned it, but got no reply.)
I only have Overview, ESP User Info and Performance as tabs. Peformance has more tabs, Recent Activity, which shows views, and Download, which only shows me downloads up to Decmeber 21.

Here is the direct link to the Profile tab : https://accountmanagement.gettyimages.com/Account/Profile
To access it, you can also click on "account management" on the high top right of iStock page (between ESP and Contributor Community links)

Firn · « **Reply #14 on:** January 28, 2021, 04:34 »

Quote from: Groucho on January 28, 2021, 04:03

Quote from: Firn on January 28, 2021, 03:52
Quote from: Groucho on January 28, 2021, 03:48
for IS you can see the number of sales for the current year in the profile tab

I don't seem to have such a tab. (I think I asked about where that can be found here before, because someone mentioned it, but got no reply.)
I only have Overview, ESP User Info and Performance as tabs. Peformance has more tabs, Recent Activity, which shows views, and Download, which only shows me downloads up to Decmeber 21.

Here is the direct link to the Profile tab : https://accountmanagement.gettyimages.com/Account/Profile
To access it, you can also click on "account management" on the high top right of iStock page (between ESP and Contributor Community links)

Ah, you mean the year to date number and then I have to substract all the numbers from the previous months? (Unnless it's january)
If these are my sales for January, then I am down by over 200 sales compared to last month there as well, as I suspected by the lower view number.

BalkanskiMacak · « **Reply #15 on:** January 28, 2021, 08:27 »

Globally, it's pretty bad. I am at the moment around -50% compared to last year, as many here.

That being said, here's a bit more insight:

the first 10 days of January have always been lower than average: businesses are just reopening avec the Holiday season, and the budgets are not always renewed. It's especially the case for On Demand, Extended or Enhanced sales (there may be a billing question with SS about it, I wouldn't be surprised).
it was the case as well this year, but it got even worse due to the new scheme.
as the weeks pass by, every year, the activity starts to kickoff, and I'm usually ending up with an average performance for January.
in terms of volume, this year, the same phenomenon happens, as I have for instance generated 80% of my sales and revenue for the month in the past 7 days. In the end, the differences between the beginning and the end of the month should just be way more dramatic than before, due to the combination of the seasonal phenomenon with the first SS levels being reached pretty fast. In the end, I will probably face a 30% decrease compared to last year.

So, in the end, it's still bad, but not as much as I could expect based on January's first days. But anyway, screw Shutterstock.

Horizon · « **Reply #16 on:** January 28, 2021, 13:48 »

Last year at this time from Monday and same week: $22.20. 26.40. 17.30 and 27.70.....this week so far. $2.80. 2.80. 2.60 and so far 1.80.

notice the similarity in daily earnings this week! ( coincidence)??

So for any star-struck member just joind. This is what you are facing! a total decline! and just for the record I have spoken to about four other old time members each one with over 3000 failes one with 9000 files and they are seeing exactly the same. Sigh!

helloitsme · « **Reply #17 on:** January 28, 2021, 15:47 »

Same here. Will be down 75% from last January.

MGsouth · « **Reply #18 on:** January 28, 2021, 16:04 »

So my January downloads are up 81% over last January (I have added to my portfolio) but my sales are only up 6% from last January

Clair Voyant · « **Reply #19 on:** January 28, 2021, 17:19 »

Help me to understand something...

Shutterstock last year pulled the carpet from underneath you and then told you they will do it again every year on January 1st.

And you now act surprised that your income stream is down??? what did you think was going to happen, your income would triple???

As noted above, you either bend over and take it up the corn hole, or you close your account, but this ouch it hurts mommy thing is very very very boring.

As far as I am concerned it is nothing more than senseless complaining. What more do you want? How about a little bit of cheese with that whine.

Firn · « **Reply #20 on:** January 29, 2021, 01:21 »

Quote from: Clair Voyant on January 28, 2021, 17:19

Shutterstock last year pulled the carpet from underneath you and then told you they will do it again every year on January 1st.

And you now act surprised that your income stream is down??? what did you think was going to happen, your income would triple???

I don't think anyone is acting surprised?

BalkanskiMacak · « **Reply #21 on:** January 29, 2021, 06:49 »

Quote from: Clair Voyant on January 28, 2021, 17:19

Help me to understand something...

Shutterstock last year pulled the carpet from underneath you and then told you they will do it again every year on January 1st.

And you now act surprised that your income stream is down??? what did you think was going to happen, your income would triple???

As noted above, you either bend over and take it up the corn hole, or you close your account, but this ouch it hurts mommy thing is very very very boring.

As far as I am concerned it is nothing more than senseless complaining. What more do you want? How about a little bit of cheese with that whine.

Well, the thing is: SS accounted for 1/3 of my microstock earnings last year. Alone, this money is crucial as I use SS earnings to invest and update my gear, that I use as well outside of microstock.

So, can I easily leave SS? No.

Then, is it legit to complain, and to try to analyze the impact of their policy? Yes.

Should I remind you that staying on a platform does not mean you support its policies?

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #22 on:** January 29, 2021, 10:38 »

Quote from: Clair Voyant on January 28, 2021, 17:19

Help me to understand something...

Shutterstock last year pulled the carpet from underneath you and then told you they will do it again every year on January 1st.

And you now act surprised that your income stream is down??? what did you think was going to happen, your income would triple???

As noted above, you either bend over and take it up the corn hole, or you close your account, but this ouch it hurts mommy thing is very very very boring.

As far as I am concerned it is nothing more than senseless complaining. What more do you want? How about a little bit of cheese with that whine.

Thank You

Anyone who stays and spends nearly every day here and on the SS forums, complaining, needs to get over it. Either leave and stop being taken advantage of, or stay and take what you can get.

Those who left and did what they thought was best, I'm happy for you. Now please shut up and stop your complaining, you aren't working for SS anymore!

By the way, I stayed, I know that I'll get dimes, and earn less money, and that's my personal choice.

Enough!

None of this constant complaining is going to change anything at Shutterstock and by now almost everyone knows what we are getting and what to expect. There is no surprise that 8 months ago SS told us, we would get sent back to level 1. There's no mystery that even level 6 people will still be getting 10¢ credits for downloads.

PZF · « **Reply #23 on:** January 29, 2021, 12:51 »

Quote from: Firn on January 29, 2021, 01:21

Quote from: Clair Voyant on January 28, 2021, 17:19

Shutterstock last year pulled the carpet from underneath you and then told you they will do it again every year on January 1st.

And you now act surprised that your income stream is down??? what did you think was going to happen, your income would triple???

I don't think anybody is surprised -or acting surprised. But the amount of the downturn is significantly worse than expected.
I don't think anybody really spends 'all day' whinging on the forums.

If you don't want to read these threads, then please don't read them.

If people who are dismayed with it all want to come here and vent then what is your problem?
In any case there is no need to be rude and tell us to 'shut up'.

Insults and bullying and the desire to 'cancel' differing opinions is getting everywhere even in small forums like this. Almost as depressing as the SS results for Jan.

Clair Voyant · « **Reply #24 on:** January 29, 2021, 13:09 »

Quote from: Uncle Pete on January 29, 2021, 10:38

Quote from: Clair Voyant on January 28, 2021, 17:19
Help me to understand something...

Shutterstock last year pulled the carpet from underneath you and then told you they will do it again every year on January 1st.

And you now act surprised that your income stream is down??? what did you think was going to happen, your income would triple???

As noted above, you either bend over and take it up the corn hole, or you close your account, but this ouch it hurts mommy thing is very very very boring.

As far as I am concerned it is nothing more than senseless complaining. What more do you want? How about a little bit of cheese with that whine.

Enough!

Absolutely brilliant Uncle Pete.

Mommy Mommy make it go away...

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Author Topic: SS sales January (Read 37932 times)

PZF

Mimi the Cat

PZF

gnirtS

Danybot

Groucho

Mimi the Cat

Firn

Groucho

cg3dphoto

Firn

Groucho

Firn

Groucho

Firn

BalkanskiMacak

Horizon

helloitsme

MGsouth

Clair Voyant

Firn

BalkanskiMacak

Uncle Pete

PZF

Clair Voyant

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