MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => Shutterstock.com => Topic started by: captain on November 17, 2014, 03:30

Title: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: captain on November 17, 2014, 03:30
As of today,only 1/3 sales against last month.All the newly uploaded photo almost no sales.What's up with SS?? :( :o :-[ :-X
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: r2d2 on November 17, 2014, 04:04
me too last month a BME this month a decrease about 60%.
I find it also on the rather old to middle-aged sell new pictures are almost not there.

Looks as if they had played at the search algorithm... :o
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: captain on November 17, 2014, 05:36
Thanks for your reply.

I dun want the same thing happened with Shutterstock :(. I already recalled all the photo from fotolia and DT performance,as you all knew, very poor from long time ago.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Beppe Grillo on November 17, 2014, 06:28
Same here, around 60% of my normal sales (at this date) on Shutterstock
Beside this, Fotolia has made a jump of 200%+ compared to my previous BME

A consequence of global warming? Or some weird change in their search algorithm ?
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: BaldricksTrousers on November 17, 2014, 06:47
It seems normal to me and I am selling pictures that have been uploaded within the last month, so it's not just that my images are spread pretty evenly from 2004 to date.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Dook on November 17, 2014, 06:49
It seems normal to me, too.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: captain on November 17, 2014, 08:26
It seems normal to me, too.

it is good to hear that.thanks for information
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: borg on November 17, 2014, 08:32
lower more than half
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Mantis on November 17, 2014, 08:37
It seems normal to me and I am selling pictures that have been uploaded within the last month, so it's not just that my images are spread pretty evenly from 2004 to date.

In my humble opinion normal is different today than when I started in micro stock 8 years ago. Monthly revenue was far more predictable. Today, normal for me is wild swings in revenue. This month SS is doing fine, but Dreamtime and Istock are 70% down as of the 15th with Thanksgiving week next week. So as a whole I expect a crumb-bum month.  This is the new norm for me. One month might be monster good and the next gutter bad.  And while one agency does well in the same month, the other tanks. In my opinion this is the new norm and I expect that cycle to continue on a downward trend. I make this comment based on the 80/20 rule because I know there are those who will say that their overall revenue is growing. For the masses that is not the case, but for some, it is the case.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: sgoodwin4813 on November 17, 2014, 08:51
I agree with Mantis - wild swings seem to be normal but the overall trend is down.  For me volume on SS so far this month is down about 35% from the first six months of the year with very little activity on new files.  BS, CS and 123 have crashed completely with the few sales being pitiful subs.  Last month on 123 was my BME, but so far this month it is the worst since I started in 2009 - weird.  DT and FT hanging in there.  If it continues for the rest of the month I will barely make my average for 2011 - quite a step backwards.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Shelma1 on November 17, 2014, 09:21
Seems normal, which is to say holiday images are selling more and non-holiday images less.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: mojaric on November 17, 2014, 09:53
me too....30% less than october since now
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Elenathewise on November 17, 2014, 11:17

In my humble opinion normal is different today than when I started in micro stock 8 years ago. Monthly revenue was far more predictable. Today, normal for me is wild swings in revenue. This month SS is doing fine, but Dreamtime and Istock are 70% down as of the 15th with Thanksgiving week next week. So as a whole I expect a crumb-bum month.  This is the new norm for me. One month might be monster good and the next gutter bad.  And while one agency does well in the same month, the other tanks. In my opinion this is the new norm and I expect that cycle to continue on a downward trend. I make this comment based on the 80/20 rule because I know there are those who will say that their overall revenue is growing. For the masses that is not the case, but for some, it is the case.

I suspect stock agencies have to rotate their content in some ways to get their huge libraries exposed to customers... if your images get more exposure during high season you get the "monster good", if not - well you get below "normal". The thing is everyone's in the same boat - so the sales probably average out over a year or so. Better look at yearly numbers to see where things are going I think.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Uncle Pete on November 17, 2014, 12:03
Yes, it's up for me but odd. I uploaded 150 new images last week, and the batch of 200 that I uploaded in April, all of a sudden started selling today.  ??? So are new images getting the attention, driving customers to my older images? Pretty strange.

That, and Weekends generally are my two worst days. Sunday I just had as many DLs as the best days of the month for Nov. Those April images. They are not Christmas or holiday shots.


It seems normal to me and I am selling pictures that have been uploaded within the last month, so it's not just that my images are spread pretty evenly from 2004 to date.


AND:
"I suspect stock agencies have to rotate their content in some ways to get their huge libraries exposed to customers... "

sounds logical.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: spike on November 17, 2014, 12:44
-10% compared to October

But Oct was BME, so that's nothing strange. I'd say an average month. We'll see.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Mantis on November 17, 2014, 13:00

In my humble opinion normal is different today than when I started in micro stock 8 years ago. Monthly revenue was far more predictable. Today, normal for me is wild swings in revenue. This month SS is doing fine, but Dreamtime and Istock are 70% down as of the 15th with Thanksgiving week next week. So as a whole I expect a crumb-bum month.  This is the new norm for me. One month might be monster good and the next gutter bad.  And while one agency does well in the same month, the other tanks. In my opinion this is the new norm and I expect that cycle to continue on a downward trend. I make this comment based on the 80/20 rule because I know there are those who will say that their overall revenue is growing. For the masses that is not the case, but for some, it is the case.

I suspect stock agencies have to rotate their content in some ways to get their huge libraries exposed to customers... if your images get more exposure during high season you get the "monster good", if not - well you get below "normal". The thing is everyone's in the same boat - so the sales probably average out over a year or so. Better look at yearly numbers to see where things are going I think.

But the fact remains that agencies continue to find ways to screw the contributor financially so unless you can keep up with those cuts via large upload volume you revenue year over year will still go down, for the most part. I do agree that we have to now look at our sales over a longer period to see the ACTUAL averages, because they will indeed vary a lot by month....again in the lions share of cases. So today we have lower revenue ....commissions....and big cyclical swings in that lower revenue.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: CCK on November 17, 2014, 13:33
I'm at exactly 10% of my total for October, also 10% of my total for September.  :'(
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Buffalo Bill on November 17, 2014, 14:08
So far worse month ever in 4 years for the month of November. I am at 25 percent of last year November.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Pixart on November 17, 2014, 15:51
What is going on, did I sleep through November?  When I went to bed last night there were still two weeks left :)
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: BaldricksTrousers on November 17, 2014, 16:02
Obviously, one change down the years has been a steady decline in returns, otherwise we wouldn't have to keep uploading simply to cling on to earnings levels we have , if we are able to do that (and I doubt if many long-term contributors are).
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Rinderart on November 17, 2014, 17:25
October was great, Not BME but doable and satisfied. Nov is amazing good +45%. Happy to say.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: cascoly on November 17, 2014, 19:13
on track for slightly higher than normal month, with newer SS images getting bigger share (+200 images added each month recently); images from Utah last fall & turkey in May doing well

other agencies have their usual sawtooth swings -- DT continues to underperform while 123 now mre consiostently in 2nd place
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Uncle Pete on November 17, 2014, 19:19
Plain as day, SS is now favoring Seniors in the Fall Months. LOL  ;) Only people over 65 are getting good DLs. Don't fret young people, in the Spring we get shuffled off to the back burner and you get the action.  ;D

Best 25-a-day ever, since probably 2008 , TODAY. I don't understand why. It's all old files. But I'm not complaining.

October was great, Not BME but doable and satisfied. Nov is amazing good +45%. Happy to say.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: captain on November 18, 2014, 00:04
I'm at exactly 10% of my total for October, also 10% of my total for September.  :'(

only 10% of Oct? it tooooo bad.It is expected I only have 40% of oct. :(
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: BigBubba on November 18, 2014, 06:36
For me double the sales and half the money.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Roberto on November 18, 2014, 12:16
yesterday I uploaded 20 vectors, 4 sales in 2 days for this newly material, but perfect with many sales with old vectors, there is something wrong

As of today,only 1/3 sales against last month.All the newly uploaded photo almost no sales.What's up with SS?? :( :o :-[ :-X
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Ranker on November 18, 2014, 12:27
There is nothing wrong with SS. They recorded more downloads than ever. Its just being spread thin.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: skubai on November 19, 2014, 04:56
unless some miracle will happen, this November will be 30% down compared to average month in 2014  :'(
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: hansenn on November 19, 2014, 05:12
on track for a new BME
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Buffalo Bill on November 19, 2014, 09:33
On track for WME  :'(
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Red Dove on November 19, 2014, 10:18
By my watch its almost 20 hours since someone added their woes to the"Doomathon" thread over at SS....things must be looking up.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Ranker on November 19, 2014, 10:21
People complain in there when they dont have a download in 3 hours. Thats not doom, thats unrealistic expectations of people with 100 file ports.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Buffalo Bill on November 19, 2014, 10:30
People complain in there when they dont have a download in 3 hours. Thats not doom, thats unrealistic expectations of people with 100 file ports.
i have 55 images  :)
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: borg on November 19, 2014, 13:57
-35% on this day in October!!!!  :P :-[
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: oboy on November 19, 2014, 16:20
If nothing changes, than I will be 70% below normal at Shutterstock in November.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Rinderart on November 21, 2014, 00:21
People complain in there when they dont have a download in 3 hours. Thats not doom, thats unrealistic expectations of people with 100 file ports.


+1000% and it;s getting silly. Stop posting and start uploading. I did and My sales have tripled. You can complain for only so long then.......You Must look at what your doing. Just saying Guys. it does no good at all except bring you down. I refuse to let that happen. get Busy, Shoot and upload. Your getting buried to fast. DO SOMETHING!!!!! About it.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Rinderart on November 21, 2014, 00:27
If nothing changes, than I will be 70% below normal at Shutterstock in November.
You Change, They wont. I lived really well on what I did for 8 Years. then the change came. What do i do? continue to Moan? or do something about it. I took control.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Rinderart on November 21, 2014, 00:31
People complain in there when they dont have a download in 3 hours. Thats not doom, thats unrealistic expectations of people with 100 file ports.
i have 55 images  :)

What exactly do you expect??? Just asking? when you have 5500, we'll Talk. My Goal is 200 new Images a month. sadly thats nothing But the best I can do.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Rinderart on November 21, 2014, 00:36
People complain in there when they dont have a download in 3 hours. Thats not doom, thats unrealistic expectations of people with 100 file ports.
i have 55 images  :)

What exactly do you expect??? Just asking? when you have 5500, we'll Talk.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Dook on November 21, 2014, 02:49
People complain in there when they dont have a download in 3 hours. Thats not doom, thats unrealistic expectations of people with 100 file ports.
i have 55 images  :)

What exactly do you expect??? Just asking? when you have 5500, we'll Talk. My Goal is 200 new Images a month. sadly thats nothing But the best I can do.
200 a month is not nothing, I think  it's really good number. I make the same.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: PZF on November 21, 2014, 03:09
If nothing changes, than I will be 70% below normal at Shutterstock in November.
You Change, They wont. I lived really well on what I did for 8 Years. then the change came. What do i do? continue to Moan? or do something about it. I took control.

OK - some logic. But then we are all working like little hamsters on the wheel, the sites get even MORE photos so photos are even more diluted.... This doesn't look like a great outcome for so many of us..... And we might not all be stock superstars, but we don't all have tiny ports.


Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Tror on November 21, 2014, 05:42
People complain in there when they dont have a download in 3 hours. Thats not doom, thats unrealistic expectations of people with 100 file ports.
i have 55 images  :)

My Goal is 200 new Images a month. sadly thats nothing But the best I can do.

200 images a month is a lot if of good quality and well researched. I currently try to reach the 1000 per month and it is still nothing compared to many companies out there....
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Nikovsk on November 21, 2014, 15:41
It's not about how much you upload anymore, it's about being better than the top images. If you can't beat them, chances are they'll be buried instantly. I used to get frustrated uploading large batches and getting very few sales, now I prefer to make a batch of 1 or 2 that I know will sell quite often. 1% of my images are responsible for more than 30% of my sales.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Rinderart on November 21, 2014, 17:15
It's not about how much you upload anymore, it's about being better than the top images. If you can't beat them, chances are they'll be buried instantly. I used to get frustrated uploading large batches and getting very few sales, now I prefer to make a batch of 1 or 2 that I know will sell quite often. 1% of my images are responsible for more than 30% of my sales.

Well said. It's really not about How many Nowadays I think Like it used to be. It's about how useful But if you have that AND numbers. You win.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: BaldricksTrousers on November 21, 2014, 17:28
It's not about how much you upload anymore, it's about being better than the top images. If you can't beat them, chances are they'll be buried instantly. I used to get frustrated uploading large batches and getting very few sales, now I prefer to make a batch of 1 or 2 that I know will sell quite often. 1% of my images are responsible for more than 30% of my sales.

Really? You can guarantee that good images won't be buried in the blink of an eye? You surprise me.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Nikovsk on November 21, 2014, 19:09
It's not about how much you upload anymore, it's about being better than the top images. If you can't beat them, chances are they'll be buried instantly. I used to get frustrated uploading large batches and getting very few sales, now I prefer to make a batch of 1 or 2 that I know will sell quite often. 1% of my images are responsible for more than 30% of my sales.

Really? You can guarantee that good images won't be buried in the blink of an eye? You surprise me.

If it's a high demand niche (rare these days) and a top quality image well keyworded and uploaded with good timing, I would be very surprised if it didn't sell regularly. Of course that doesn't apply to most subjects.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: BaldricksTrousers on November 21, 2014, 19:31
It's not about how much you upload anymore, it's about being better than the top images. If you can't beat them, chances are they'll be buried instantly. I used to get frustrated uploading large batches and getting very few sales, now I prefer to make a batch of 1 or 2 that I know will sell quite often. 1% of my images are responsible for more than 30% of my sales.

Really? You can guarantee that good images won't be buried in the blink of an eye? You surprise me.

If it's a high demand niche (rare these days) and a top quality image well keyworded and uploaded with good timing, I would be very surprised if it didn't sell regularly. Of course that doesn't apply to most subjects.

"High demand niche" - I had a couple of those a decade ago but they soon got swamped (though pics that got in early continued to sell well for years). It's not hard to find low-demand niches but unless you have special access to something, an industrial plant, for example, high demand niches sound very improbable. The point of a niche, of course, being the lack of competition - which will, indeed, ensure that your image remains visible.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: OM on November 21, 2014, 21:05
Going' gangbusters in Nov. ODD's, SOD's and EL's aplenty. Already beaten October and on target to become a BME,  beating the previous BME in July with an RPI of $1+. 
Oops, sorry, wrong thread. ;D
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Rinderart on November 21, 2014, 21:16
It's not about how much you upload anymore, it's about being better than the top images. If you can't beat them, chances are they'll be buried instantly. I used to get frustrated uploading large batches and getting very few sales, now I prefer to make a batch of 1 or 2 that I know will sell quite often. 1% of my images are responsible for more than 30% of my sales.

Really? You can guarantee that good images won't be buried in the blink of an eye? You surprise me.

I can Guarantee it for me.

So did I...So did I man. they still show up every Now and then and Im talking Images that are in the 5000 DL Range. Really burned me up when they changed the search But, I also have some new ones that keep going everyday. Ya I believe what I said.. A winner is a winner and cream always rises...So, I think the more you just keep on * something will stick Hopefully. What that will be ? neither you nor anyone I've ever known knows what that is. Even Back in the heyday, I had no Clue, things you worked hard to get sat there and some grab shot went crazy. Roll the dice My friend, Ya never know. What I meant in a few earlier Posts is. I started to get really depressed after 10 years to watch sales go down. I said to myself Im not gonna let it beat me and counting on Old stuff Just wasn't doing it. So 4/5 Months ago I went back to what worked [For me] and uploaded a ton of new stuff and I came out of the fog. Getting down really affects creativity and I just can't let that happen. I have to create By Painting or Image making. Or shoot Furniture Catalogs and Corporate headshots till Im done and at 71 after 55 years holding a camera I know that time will come. And I wanna go out fulfilled, Just Like when I retired from the Music Biz after 420 TV shows 35 Films and 46 Hit albums.

I never had a straight Job and left school at 15. I had to make something. Im up 45% in the last 2 1/2 Months in stock. Maybe it's just My turn to be up? Who knows or is it Just saying "This ain't gonna happen." Doom and Gloom Be Damned"
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: BaldricksTrousers on November 22, 2014, 03:03
It's not about how much you upload anymore, it's about being better than the top images. If you can't beat them, chances are they'll be buried instantly. I used to get frustrated uploading large batches and getting very few sales, now I prefer to make a batch of 1 or 2 that I know will sell quite often. 1% of my images are responsible for more than 30% of my sales.

Really? You can guarantee that good images won't be buried in the blink of an eye? You surprise me.

I can Guarantee it for me.

So did I...So did I man. they still show up every Now and then and Im talking Images that are in the 5000 DL Range. Really burned me up when they changed the search

That's a bit odd, because I can't do it and yet when I compare our portfolios on DT I notice that with a near identical number of images online I've outsold you by more than two to one. Yet all I'm doing is sending images in to see what sticks.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: fotoVoyager on November 22, 2014, 05:07
Maybe it's just My turn to be up? Who knows or is it Just saying "This ain't gonna happen." Doom and Gloom Be Damned"

You have some great images - I think that helps an awful lot.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: robhainer on November 22, 2014, 08:05
Laurin is right. If you treat it like a normal job, follow trends and upload new content every day, you will see sales growth. If you try to coast by on old best sellers, you will be disappointed. It's been like that for a couple of years now.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Rinderart on November 22, 2014, 13:04
Laurin is right. If you treat it like a normal job, follow trends and upload new content every day, you will see sales growth. If you try to coast by on old best sellers, you will be disappointed. It's been like that for a couple of years now.

I simply got Lazy Rob, Then the fall Came and Of course Blamed everyone but me. On track Now.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Rinderart on November 22, 2014, 13:47
It's not about how much you upload anymore, it's about being better than the top images. If you can't beat them, chances are they'll be buried instantly. I used to get frustrated uploading large batches and getting very few sales, now I prefer to make a batch of 1 or 2 that I know will sell quite often. 1% of my images are responsible for more than 30% of my sales.

Really? You can guarantee that good images won't be buried in the blink of an eye? You surprise me.

I can Guarantee it for me.

So did I...So did I man. they still show up every Now and then and Im talking Images that are in the 5000 DL Range. Really burned me up when they changed the search

That's a bit odd, because I can't do it and yet when I compare our portfolios on DT I notice that with a near identical number of images online I've outsold you by more than two to one. Yet all I'm doing is sending images in to see what sticks.

DT was hot for many years,2006/2009 then ...Long before the drop from others came they went to sleep for me. and still are. I upload there But never get around to finish submitting.FT for me is coming Back[a bit]. 123 Looking surprisingly good of Late.  Im pretty regimented in workflow and time spent. Microstock has never been and probably will never be more than 20% 25% max of what I need to make as a full Timer, My Income is derived from residuals on 40 years Music Biz, Rentals of my work for 12 years Mostly Paintings to be used in TV and Film Interior set decoration. Huge business and my agent is very happy. I also do Location footage for productions around LA and Stills for films. If this was all I did? Or could do..I for sure would have quit the first year. This is a supplement. I Never said I made a lot of money and I make more teaching than submitting stock, Doing workshops,Selling Books and submitting Video Tutorials to Skillfeed which, BTW I highly recommend to anyone with stuff to share.

Micro pays for equipment,Taxes,Health insurance, Cars. Thats about it. And for time spent [Other than forums] LOL thats good enough for me. Have a paid for beautiful Home in LA,[Bev Hills area] that takes a lot to maintain and Luckily have a VERY supportive wife that Does Extremely well. It's all good and when I go My kids are very well Taken care of forever.  Nothing I really need and I try to give back all I can weather they Listen or not But...That too will come to a close soon.

Be Well and BTW Is BaldricksTrousers an expression? I can't remember. It is catchy though.

Lots of new sites on the horizon and I like new sites, Gotta give em a chance.

I;ve been starving Living on the floor freezing trying to make it,and been wealthy also. Like my Dad used to say "It's not about how much you make, it's about what you keep"
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Ranker on November 22, 2014, 14:06
Laurin is right. If you treat it like a normal job, follow trends and upload new content every day, you will see sales growth. If you try to coast by on old best sellers, you will be disappointed. It's been like that for a couple of years now.

I simply got Lazy Rob, Then the fall Came and Of course Blamed everyone but me. On track Now.
Does that mean you dont consider issues at SS to be problem any more? It was your fault that your sales dropped March 2013 and for 18 months you had it wrong?
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: etudiante_rapide on November 22, 2014, 14:49
Laurin is right. If you treat it like a normal job, follow trends and upload new content every day, you will see sales growth. If you try to coast by on old best sellers, you will be disappointed. It's been like that for a couple of years now.

I simply got Lazy Rob, Then the fall Came and Of course Blamed everyone but me. On track Now.
Does that mean you dont consider issues at SS to be problem any more? It was your fault that your sales dropped March 2013 and for 18 months you had it wrong?

is the question i bolded meant for Laurin? if so, i too am wondering why the sudden change of heart. only a few months ago, Laurin had a thread here telling us something is fishy with ss, now he is a cheer-leader.
i want to know too, why the sudden change? ;) what did scott say to you?
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: gbalex on November 22, 2014, 14:56
Subnormal Nov

Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: BaldricksTrousers on November 22, 2014, 15:07
Be Well and BTW Is BaldricksTrousers an expression? I can't remember. It is catchy though.


It's just something I took from a British TV comedy.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: PixelBytes on November 22, 2014, 16:12
For us who did not get lazy and slack off, but have been uploading our max ability week after week for years and keep at it, but still see sales and income dropping, any suggestions?   A bit simple to say just produce more and watch the money roll in at this late stage in the game.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Rinderart on November 23, 2014, 01:54
Laurin is right. If you treat it like a normal job, follow trends and upload new content every day, you will see sales growth. If you try to coast by on old best sellers, you will be disappointed. It's been like that for a couple of years now.

I simply got Lazy Rob, Then the fall Came and Of course Blamed everyone but me. On track Now.
Does that mean you dont consider issues at SS to be problem any more? It was your fault that your sales dropped March 2013 and for 18 months you had it wrong?
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Beppe Grillo on November 23, 2014, 04:25
For us who did not get lazy and slack off, but have been uploading our max ability week after week for years and keep at it, but still see sales and income dropping, any suggestions?   A bit simple to say just produce more and watch the money roll in at this late stage in the game.

It is not only a question of quantity but of quality too.
1 good image will sell better that 100 bad ones.
A good image is not only a technically good image, but an image meaning something, transmitting an information, a concept, a feeling, an image unique by his content/subject/style, an image that can be used…
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Ranker on November 23, 2014, 04:39
I think pixelbytes know what he is talking about, he's not a newby. If I understand correctly he has a very large high quality port.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Beppe Grillo on November 23, 2014, 04:41
I think pixelbytes know what he is talking about, he's not a newby. If I understand correctly he has a very large high quality port.

Nobody has said the contrary…
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Ranker on November 23, 2014, 04:45
Sorry, when you quoted pixelbytes and told him its a matter of quality over quantity I assumed you you were talking to him
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Buffalo Bill on November 23, 2014, 05:12
Sorry, when you quoted pixelbytes and told him its a matter of quality over quantity I assumed you you were talking to him
Ron?
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Ranker on November 23, 2014, 05:24
Sorry, when you quoted pixelbytes and told him its a matter of quality over quantity I assumed you you were talking to him
Ron?
Whats up with him?
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Buffalo Bill on November 23, 2014, 05:32
Haven't heard from him in a while. Thought maybe you were him but not.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: robhainer on November 23, 2014, 07:44
For us who did not get lazy and slack off, but have been uploading our max ability week after week for years and keep at it, but still see sales and income dropping, any suggestions?   A bit simple to say just produce more and watch the money roll in at this late stage in the game.


I don't know your port. I would suggest trying some new things outside your comfort zone. I went back and reprocessed some images to give them the Instagram look, and they started selling better than the ones with normal processing.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Mantis on November 23, 2014, 09:06
Sorry, when you quoted pixelbytes and told him its a matter of quality over quantity I assumed you you were talking to him
Ron?
Whats up with him?

He's here under a different name. Haven't seen him post for a week or so though. Do you know him? ;)
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: wordplanet on November 23, 2014, 16:03
DT is beating out SS for me this month but both are way behind last November - I've barely added anything new, but out of the handful I have, some are selling and when I look at the RPI for new images, it's actually much better than I thought. Well ahead of last year's earning despite not adding a whole lot of new work, so I can't really complain.

Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Shelma1 on November 23, 2014, 17:39
It's not about how much you upload anymore, it's about being better than the top images. If you can't beat them, chances are they'll be buried instantly. I used to get frustrated uploading large batches and getting very few sales, now I prefer to make a batch of 1 or 2 that I know will sell quite often. 1% of my images are responsible for more than 30% of my sales.

Really? You can guarantee that good images won't be buried in the blink of an eye? You surprise me.

I can Guarantee it for me.

So did I...So did I man. they still show up every Now and then and Im talking Images that are in the 5000 DL Range. Really burned me up when they changed the search

That's a bit odd, because I can't do it and yet when I compare our portfolios on DT I notice that with a near identical number of images online I've outsold you by more than two to one. Yet all I'm doing is sending images in to see what sticks.

DT was hot for many years,2006/2009 then ...Long before the drop from others came they went to sleep for me. and still are. I upload there But never get around to finish submitting.FT for me is coming Back[a bit]. 123 Looking surprisingly good of Late.  Im pretty regimented in workflow and time spent. Microstock has never been and probably will never be more than 20% 25% max of what I need to make as a full Timer, My Income is derived from residuals on 40 years Music Biz, Rentals of my work for 12 years Mostly Paintings to be used in TV and Film Interior set decoration. Huge business and my agent is very happy. I also do Location footage for productions around LA and Stills for films. If this was all I did? Or could do..I for sure would have quit the first year. This is a supplement. I Never said I made a lot of money and I make more teaching than submitting stock, Doing workshops,Selling Books and submitting Video Tutorials to Skillfeed which, BTW I highly recommend to anyone with stuff to share.

Micro pays for equipment,Taxes,Health insurance, Cars. Thats about it. And for time spent [Other than forums] LOL thats good enough for me. Have a paid for beautiful Home in LA,[Bev Hills area] that takes a lot to maintain and Luckily have a VERY supportive wife that Does Extremely well. It's all good and when I go My kids are very well Taken care of forever.  Nothing I really need and I try to give back all I can weather they Listen or not But...That too will come to a close soon.

Be Well and BTW Is BaldricksTrousers an expression? I can't remember. It is catchy though.

Lots of new sites on the horizon and I like new sites, Gotta give em a chance.

I;ve been starving Living on the floor freezing trying to make it,and been wealthy also. Like my Dad used to say "It's not about how much you make, it's about what you keep"

What an interesting career you have. I've often wished I got residuals. I've cast some friends in a few of my commercials, and they get paid for years. I get paid once.

I guess microstock is a form of residual. :)
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: PZF on November 24, 2014, 02:58
Last week just about beat Christmas and Easter weeks this year at SS. Despite 800 images more online. Not good.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: PixelBytes on November 24, 2014, 14:08
For us who did not get lazy and slack off, but have been uploading our max ability week after week for years and keep at it, but still see sales and income dropping, any suggestions?   A bit simple to say just produce more and watch the money roll in at this late stage in the game.


I don't know your port. I would suggest trying some new things outside your comfort zone. I went back and reprocessed some images to give them the Instagram look, and they started selling better than the ones with normal processing.

Thank you.  Good suggestion.  I have tried doing some things like this and they do sell, but this takes time and I can still only produce so many good hcv images per week without help.  With reducing income I don't even consider taking on help.

It is nice when people like Rinder and Rob share suggestions.  Most do not anymore.  They are worth trying.

  For me, I planned to try doubling output for six months to see if I could increase income average near past levels.  So far I haven't been able to double the output.  Sounds doable, but with limited hours of the day i have not found time.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: gostwyck on November 24, 2014, 15:29
For us who did not get lazy and slack off, but have been uploading our max ability week after week for years and keep at it, but still see sales and income dropping, any suggestions?   A bit simple to say just produce more and watch the money roll in at this late stage in the game.


I don't know your port. I would suggest trying some new things outside your comfort zone. I went back and reprocessed some images to give them the Instagram look, and they started selling better than the ones with normal processing.

Thank you.  Good suggestion.  I have tried doing some things like this and they do sell, but this takes time and I can still only produce so many good hcv images per week without help.  With reducing income I don't even consider taking on help.

It is nice when people like Rinder and Rob share suggestions.  Most do not anymore.  They are worth trying.

  For me, I planned to try doubling output for six months to see if I could increase income average near past levels.  So far I haven't been able to double the output. I hope maybe after Xmas I can try it and keep quality and originality.   If it succeeds it will be a lot of work. At least if it fails I can take a nap and spend more time with my kids!

Try using the Catalogue Manager at SS to monitor how much your new work is actually making. Create a new Set for each month's work (i.e. containing all the images uploaded during that month) and it will continually update the sales and revenue generated by those images.

From that you will be able to derive the revenue per image/month. I reckon a microstock image to have a 'working life' of about 5 years so if you multiply the revenue per month by 60x then you will have roughly projected how much your month's work is likely to be worth over its full term.

I recently created a Set for each month worked over the last couple of years. I found the results both surprising and highly motivating. I discovered that newer images were much more important to maintaining or increasing revenue on SS than I was previously aware. Most importantly I've determined that creating new images is most definitely still worthwhile __ even if you only uploaded them to SS. The revenue from other agencies is just an additional bonus!
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: PixelBytes on November 24, 2014, 15:36
For us who did not get lazy and slack off, but have been uploading our max ability week after week for years and keep at it, but still see sales and income dropping, any suggestions?   A bit simple to say just produce more and watch the money roll in at this late stage in the game.


I don't know your port. I would suggest trying some new things outside your comfort zone. I went back and reprocessed some images to give them the Instagram look, and they started selling better than the ones with normal processing.

Thank you.  Good suggestion.  I have tried doing some things like this and they do sell, but this takes time and I can still only produce so many good hcv images per week without help.  With reducing income I don't even consider taking on help.

It is nice when people like Rinder and Rob share suggestions.  Most do not anymore.  They are worth trying.

  For me, I planned to try doubling output for six months to see if I could increase income average near past levels.  So far I haven't been able to double the output. I hope maybe after Xmas I can try it and keep quality and originality.   If it succeeds it will be a lot of work. At least if it fails I can take a nap and spend more time with my kids!

Try using the Catalogue Manager at SS to monitor how much your new work is actually making. Create a new Set for each month's work (i.e. containing all the images uploaded during that month) and it will continually update the sales and revenue generated by those images.

From that you will be able to derive the revenue per image/month. I reckon a microstock image to have a 'working life' of about 5 years so if you multiply the revenue per month by 60x then you will have roughly projected how much your month's work is likely to be worth over its full term.

I recently created a Set for each month worked over the last couple of years. I found the results both surprising and highly motivating. I discovered that newer images were much more important to maintaining or increasing revenue on SS than I was previously aware. Most importantly I've determined that creating new images is most definitely still worthwhile __ even if you only uploaded them to SS. The revenue from other agencies is just an additional bonus!

Great suggestion!  I never knew that was possible to do.  I will spend some time to set this up.  If my results are like yours, it will be motivation to spend the time making more volume of new work.  Many thanks for constructive idea. 
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: gostwyck on November 24, 2014, 17:32
For us who did not get lazy and slack off, but have been uploading our max ability week after week for years and keep at it, but still see sales and income dropping, any suggestions?   A bit simple to say just produce more and watch the money roll in at this late stage in the game.


I don't know your port. I would suggest trying some new things outside your comfort zone. I went back and reprocessed some images to give them the Instagram look, and they started selling better than the ones with normal processing.

Thank you.  Good suggestion.  I have tried doing some things like this and they do sell, but this takes time and I can still only produce so many good hcv images per week without help.  With reducing income I don't even consider taking on help.

It is nice when people like Rinder and Rob share suggestions.  Most do not anymore.  They are worth trying.

  For me, I planned to try doubling output for six months to see if I could increase income average near past levels.  So far I haven't been able to double the output. I hope maybe after Xmas I can try it and keep quality and originality.   If it succeeds it will be a lot of work. At least if it fails I can take a nap and spend more time with my kids!

Try using the Catalogue Manager at SS to monitor how much your new work is actually making. Create a new Set for each month's work (i.e. containing all the images uploaded during that month) and it will continually update the sales and revenue generated by those images.

From that you will be able to derive the revenue per image/month. I reckon a microstock image to have a 'working life' of about 5 years so if you multiply the revenue per month by 60x then you will have roughly projected how much your month's work is likely to be worth over its full term.

I recently created a Set for each month worked over the last couple of years. I found the results both surprising and highly motivating. I discovered that newer images were much more important to maintaining or increasing revenue on SS than I was previously aware. Most importantly I've determined that creating new images is most definitely still worthwhile __ even if you only uploaded them to SS. The revenue from other agencies is just an additional bonus!

Great suggestion!  I never knew that was possible to do.  I will spend some time to set this up.  If my results are like yours, it will be motivation to spend the time making more volume of new work.  Many thanks for constructive idea.

You're welcome! I don't know why I didn't think of it before. I regret having been so lazy for the last few months whilst being unaware how much it was costing me in 'opportunity lost'. It's actually quite exciting when it updates each day to see how your last couple of months work is doing.
Title: Re: Very poor sales in Nov!! :(
Post by: Rinderart on November 24, 2014, 17:49
I agree, sets is a very Powerful tool.