Author Topic: Alamy sales (Read 52053 times)

PixelBytes · « **Reply #75 on:** June 16, 2014, 12:29 »

I usually get a few good sales a month but nothing at all this month. Debating whether to submit more or stop submitting there completely.

wordplanet · « **Reply #76 on:** June 16, 2014, 17:39 »

Had 4 sales last month with a smallish portfolio of 675 images. These included an RM sale for $58 and an NU sale for $52, best NU sale I had before that was $10, which is why I ignore NU sales when analyzing my portfolio.

Average RPD on RM sales this year is a tad over $50, which includes the newspaper scheme. RPD for RM sales last year averaged around $35 if I remember correctly, so this is encouraging. (I try not to think about the days when RPD was over $100 - too disheartening).

Sales volume and revenue are keeping pace with 2013; since I've only uploaded 2 images this year and deleted a bunch, I can't complain. After plateauing between 2011 and 2012, I saw a huge drop in earnings from 2012 to 2013, so I'm glad revenues have evened out.

These days, nearly all my RM and RF sales there are travel; most concept images tend to be licensed under the NU scheme (compared to the heyday when they'd go for $150-250 and I'd get 60%), so I now put most of my concept pix on the micros where they earn me more.

For me, Alamy is still a viable agency. Of course, I've been looking into better traditionally priced agencies (and have also been licensing images directly), so I haven't been uploading anywhere much. Once I place a bunch of my recent shoots elsewhere, though, I plan to upload the best of my (non-similar) images there, as well as some offbeat images that might sell once.

To me, it's a long-term investment of my time. This year, 2 of the RM images they licensed for me were travel images from 2007 taken with my 6MP D70 when I just started out - netting me an average of $30 per sale for 7-year-old travel images - about the same as an EL on SS. Unlike sales at SS, both photos had been sitting there with no sales since 2008. Unlike the micros, where not seeing daily sales, never mind no sales at all in a couple of months, is a reason to consider leaving, Alamy requires patience.

Once you're with them 2-3 years you'll see the same photos selling multiple times and also get a sense of what sells. Realistically, even if you've only been with the micros, you should have a sense of what makes a good stock photo since I assume you're thinking about that when you're out shooting and not just uploading and keeping your fingers crossed hoping for sales. You can do well on both micro and Alamy - but if you have the same photos on both, buyers may well find them elsewhere - I've had lots of RF zooms on Alamy purchased from the micros the same day, so that's something to consider. Fortunately, they're mostly very good earners on the micros, but if they were only on Alamy I'd probably have a lot more sales there. It's a gamble.

photostockad · « **Reply #77 on:** June 17, 2014, 00:50 »

I don't understand why someone will go to Alamy to search for RF files and than will search for the same images on microstock? I guess if someone want cheap images, it will go from the first time on microstock agencies.

Ariene · « **Reply #78 on:** June 17, 2014, 02:54 »

Quote from: wordplanet on June 16, 2014, 17:39

... if you have the same photos on both, buyers may well find them elsewhere - I've had lots of RF zooms on Alamy purchased from the micros the same day, so that's something to consider.

Same here. To many coincidences to ignore it. But I removed images from micros, Alamy still pays better.

Mantis · « **Reply #79 on:** June 17, 2014, 06:19 »

Quote from: Ariene on June 17, 2014, 02:54

Quote from: wordplanet on June 16, 2014, 17:39
... if you have the same photos on both, buyers may well find them elsewhere - I've had lots of RF zooms on Alamy purchased from the micros the same day, so that's something to consider.

Same here. To many coincidences to ignore it. But I removed images from micros, Alamy still pays better.

This is why Alamy struggles. Basically they are competing with the micros but at traditionally much higher prices. I love getting Alamy sales, but they are getting fewer and lower paying. This is why they have lowered their pricing and commissions so many times. I thing they lowered commissions three times. Years ago I think I was at 70%. We are at 50 now, which is still way better than the micros but far fewer sales. It essentially proves that pricing wars work.

ShadySue · « **Reply #80 on:** June 17, 2014, 06:46 »

Quote from: Mantis on June 17, 2014, 06:19

This is why Alamy struggles. Basically they are competing with the micros but at traditionally much higher prices.

Do they advertise at all? I've never seen an Alamy advert, but there must be many relevant publications I don't see. I didn't ever notice any Alamy online ads before I got AdBlocker.

Sometimes I think that as long as they have enough money to keep the foundation going, possibly as a tax write-off (? I don't know), they're happy enough just to chug along.

Mantis · « **Reply #81 on:** June 17, 2014, 08:43 »

Quote from: ShadySue on June 17, 2014, 06:46

Quote from: Mantis on June 17, 2014, 06:19
This is why Alamy struggles. Basically they are competing with the micros but at traditionally much higher prices.
Do they advertise at all? I've never seen an Alamy advert, but there must be many relevant publications I don't see. I didn't ever notice any Alamy online ads before I got AdBlocker.

Sometimes I think that as long as they have enough money to keep the foundation going, possibly as a tax write-off (? I don't know), they're happy enough just to chug along.

Good question. Now that you mention it I haven't seen any adverts either. I see a crossroads with stock coming. As much as I like getting those bigger sales on Alamy, I don't have a warm and fuzzy about their future.

Goofy · « **Reply #82 on:** June 17, 2014, 09:38 »

Quote from: Mantis on June 17, 2014, 06:19

Quote from: Ariene on June 17, 2014, 02:54
Quote from: wordplanet on June 16, 2014, 17:39
... if you have the same photos on both, buyers may well find them elsewhere - I've had lots of RF zooms on Alamy purchased from the micros the same day, so that's something to consider.

Same here. To many coincidences to ignore it. But I removed images from micros, Alamy still pays better.

This is why Alamy struggles. Basically they are competing with the micros but at traditionally much higher prices. I love getting Alamy sales, but they are getting fewer and lower paying. This is why they have lowered their pricing and commissions so many times. I thing they lowered commissions three times. Years ago I think I was at 70%. We are at 50 now, which is still way better than the micros but far fewer sales. It essentially proves that pricing wars work.

Once the get to 20% they will blend right in with the rest of the other RF companies... $:-\$

Mantis · « **Reply #83 on:** June 17, 2014, 09:48 »

Quote from: Goofy on June 17, 2014, 09:38

Quote from: Mantis on June 17, 2014, 06:19
Quote from: Ariene on June 17, 2014, 02:54
Quote from: wordplanet on June 16, 2014, 17:39
... if you have the same photos on both, buyers may well find them elsewhere - I've had lots of RF zooms on Alamy purchased from the micros the same day, so that's something to consider.

Same here. To many coincidences to ignore it. But I removed images from micros, Alamy still pays better.

This is why Alamy struggles. Basically they are competing with the micros but at traditionally much higher prices. I love getting Alamy sales, but they are getting fewer and lower paying. This is why they have lowered their pricing and commissions so many times. I thing they lowered commissions three times. Years ago I think I was at 70%. We are at 50 now, which is still way better than the micros but far fewer sales. It essentially proves that pricing wars work.

Once the get to 20% they will blend right in with the rest of the other RF companies... $:-\$

That's what I suspect will happen.

ann · « **Reply #84 on:** June 17, 2014, 11:20 »

Quote from: photostockad on June 17, 2014, 00:50

I don't understand why someone will go to Alamy to search for RF files and than will search for the same images on microstock? I guess if someone want cheap images, it will go from the first time on microstock agencies.

Perhaps because those particular customers want to see a really wide range at Alamy and really are open to licensing through Alamy, but first want to make sure their fav image isn't available for less at micro?

- Ann

ShadySue · « **Reply #85 on:** June 17, 2014, 11:25 »

Quote from: ann on June 17, 2014, 11:20

Quote from: photostockad on June 17, 2014, 00:50
I don't understand why someone will go to Alamy to search for RF files and than will search for the same images on microstock? I guess if someone want cheap images, it will go from the first time on microstock agencies.
Perhaps because those particular customers want to see a really wide range at Alamy and really are open to licensing through Alamy, but first want to make sure their fav image isn't available for less at micro?
- Ann

It's moot, as certain customers pay less at Alamy, if they have a big discount. Also, buying one-offs at other sites can be expensive (depending on site). [1]
OTOH, if they have a sub or discount package at a rival site, why would they look on Alamy?
[1] Or is it only RM which is discounted at Alamy, not RF?

wordplanet · « **Reply #86 on:** June 17, 2014, 11:53 »

I was at a meeting somewhere in NYC - not sure if it was at Alamy (they invited a bunch of us when they opened their office in Brooklyn) or if it was at PhotoExpo - a few years ago - but a large Alamy customer said they searched on Alamy first but if the image they liked was RF, they'd search on Fotolia afterwards and get it there for less, if it was there. If not, they'd pay the Alamy price (which was higher then).

I've also spoken to other designers who say they look at SS first and if they can't find something cheap they go to Getty. This tells me that people are willing to pay more for the right photo but if they can find it for less, then that's what they're going to do.

I've licensed travel photos to magazines from my own site and have seen Alamy license different ones to the same magazines - I've also found my travel images from both DT and Alamy on the same magazine websites, so this tells me Alamy's traditional buyers - magazines and newspapers and their associated websites - will look in several different places for the right picture - some don't look on the micros - but some do.

I think that the biggest problem for Alamy was allowing us to put our RF images on both Alamy and the micros - this eventually dissuaded some people from paying more for RF - although traditional RF gives them far more rights than RM, and used to command a higher price - getting $250 for RF images used to be the norm on Alamy - but the micros have upended the system.

Phadrea · « **Reply #87 on:** July 11, 2014, 03:18 »

Well I give up with them. Still only 1 sale in 2014 with nearly 600 images. I don't even bother checking my account anymore as I know there will be a big fat nothing (of course I just checked it now before I wrote this message ;-)

ShadySue · « **Reply #88 on:** July 11, 2014, 05:17 »

Quote from: Herg on July 11, 2014, 03:18

Well I give up with them. Still only 1 sale in 2014 with nearly 600 images. I don't even bother checking my account anymore as I know there will be a big fat nothing (of course I just checked it now before I wrote this message ;-)

Is your Alamy content only there, or also on other sites?
Still, as I said before, I was about eight months and >800 files before I had my first sale, and they are all 'only on Alamy', except nowadays for some which are also on FAA.
Still, if you read last month's sales thread, they seem to have sent out emails to their 'top hundred sellers' in June, and some who made that happy band earned less than $400 gross in June, so ...
I just had my first sale of the month
Country: Worldwide
Usage: Non-Editorial Electronic and web uses
Media: Corporate website, single design
Industry sector: General business services
Image Size: Any size
Start: 01 June 2014
End: 01 June 2019
5 years multiple web use incl. personal screensaver use
$17.12 to me.
So certainly no get-rich-quick scheme.
Still, every month, some people report big-value sales, but obviously they're not sharing what files got the big money. But in fact, that's irrelevant, as 'big discount' trumps 'unique content'.

Ariene · « **Reply #89 on:** July 11, 2014, 06:04 »

Over month ago I closed my account at FT where I had only one image. Now it's available in Alamy only... Few days ago I sold the image at Alamy for $125. It's one of many examples when I remove(d) images from micros and sold it in nice price with Alamy.

ann · « **Reply #90 on:** July 11, 2014, 08:28 »

Hi Shady Sue - If an Alamy contributor posted in their forum about getting a "top hundred sellers" letter due to earning less than $400 gross in June, there was a typo or other error - it's not accurate.

I grossed well over $500 last month, and no "top 500" email arrived, let alone "top 100."

So either the person has some details wrong, or Alamy sent email in error, didn't send an email in error.... I'm guessing the error is not with Alamy's emails in this case.

(And, FWIW, during another recent month I grossed over $500, and no "Top Anything" letter then either.)

All the best - Ann

[ edited to modify my gross, plus add (after seeing Ed's post below): My portfolio's not quite 2,000 images ]

Quote from: ShadySue on July 11, 2014, 05:17

Quote from: Herg on July 11, 2014, 03:18
Well I give up with them. Still only 1 sale in 2014 with nearly 600 images. I don't even bother checking my account anymore as I know there will be a big fat nothing (of course I just checked it now before I wrote this message ;-)
Is your Alamy content only there, or also on other sites?
Still, as I said before, I was about eight months and >800 files before I had my first sale, and they are all 'only on Alamy', except nowadays for some which are also on FAA.
Still, if you read last month's sales thread, they seem to have sent out emails to their 'top hundred sellers' in June, and some who made that happy band earned less than $400 gross in June, so ...
I just had my first sale of the month
Country: Worldwide
Usage: Non-Editorial Electronic and web uses
Media: Corporate website, single design
Industry sector: General business services
Image Size: Any size
Start: 01 June 2014
End: 01 June 2019
5 years multiple web use incl. personal screensaver use
$17.12 to me.
So certainly no get-rich-quick scheme.
Still, every month, some people report big-value sales, but obviously they're not sharing what files got the big money. But in fact, that's irrelevant, as 'big discount' trumps 'unique content'.

Henvry · « **Reply #91 on:** July 11, 2014, 08:31 »

I have uploaded 6 images for RM three months ago,but no one has been sold so far,maybe it is not suitable for me.

Ed · « **Reply #92 on:** July 11, 2014, 08:46 »

Sue and Ann, with relation to the top 500 messages....

I've noticed that it doesn't directly relate to the sales amounts and it doesn't directly relate to how many images a person has.

I suspect it is a ratio of some sort relevent to the number of images and the revenue returned for that number of images. I think Alamy is recognizing those with images that sell.

ShadySue · « **Reply #93 on:** July 11, 2014, 08:51 »

I don't see how to link to individual posts, but bottom post on this page:
http://discussion.alamy.com/index.php?/topic/2618-how-were-your-sales-in-june-2014
But I may have misinterpreted, as a later post says:
"12 sales for $845 gross total. Made to Alamy Top 500 second quarter in a row. No complain."
and anther:
"7 sales gross $340.00. Top 500 three quarters in a row."
So the Top 500 email must be per quarter. I'd never read about it before, but last month I saw a few references to it across several threads.

Quote from: ann on July 11, 2014, 08:28

Hi Shady Sue - If an Alamy contributor posted in their forum about getting a "top hundred sellers" letter due to earning less than $400 gross in June, there was a typo or or other error - it's not accurate.

I grossed over $400 last month, and no "top 500" email arrived, let alone "top 100."

So either the person has some details wrong, or Alamy sent email in error, didn't send an email in error.... I'm guessing the error is not with Alamy's emails in this case.

(And, FWIW, during a recent month I grossed over $500, and no "Top Anything" letter then either.)

All the best - Ann

Quote from: ShadySue on July 11, 2014, 05:17
Quote from: Herg on July 11, 2014, 03:18
Well I give up with them. Still only 1 sale in 2014 with nearly 600 images. I don't even bother checking my account anymore as I know there will be a big fat nothing (of course I just checked it now before I wrote this message ;-)

Is your Alamy content only there, or also on other sites?
Still, as I said before, I was about eight months and >800 files before I had my first sale, and they are all 'only on Alamy', except nowadays for some which are also on FAA.
Still, if you read last month's sales thread, they seem to have sent out emails to their 'top hundred sellers' in June, and some who made that happy band earned less than $400 gross in June, so ...
I just had my first sale of the month
Country: Worldwide
Usage: Non-Editorial Electronic and web uses
Media: Corporate website, single design
Industry sector: General business services
Image Size: Any size
Start: 01 June 2014
End: 01 June 2019
5 years multiple web use incl. personal screensaver use
$17.12 to me.
So certainly no get-rich-quick scheme.
Still, every month, some people report big-value sales, but obviously they're not sharing what files got the big money. But in fact, that's irrelevant, as 'big discount' trumps 'unique content'.

ShadySue · « **Reply #94 on:** July 11, 2014, 08:54 »

Quote from: Ed on July 11, 2014, 08:46

Sue and Ann, with relation to the top 500 messages....

I've noticed that it doesn't directly relate to the sales amounts and it doesn't directly relate to how many images a person has.

I suspect it is a ratio of some sort relevent to the number of images and the revenue returned for that number of images. I think Alamy is recognizing those with images that sell.

Oh, right. Tx.
I don't keep a close watch on the forums, in fact the monthly sales thread is the only one I regularly read, (then my eye might alight on an interesting heading) but I hadn't noticed the Top 500 thing being mentioned before.

EmberMike · « **Reply #95 on:** July 11, 2014, 15:16 »

I sent in a disc full of vectors, and they've been processed and on sale for a few weeks now. No sales yet.

I'm hopeful that vector sales pick up at Alamy, but so far I'm not seeing much to suggest that it will happen. I wonder if they're just too late to the vector game, and buyers who need vectors have gotten in the habit of going elsewhere already.

Valo · « **Reply #96 on:** July 11, 2014, 15:22 »

I never understood the posting of gross numbers as 900 dollar gross could well be 270 dollar net. Gross numbers look impressive but its a bit misleading as the lowest royalty on Alamy is 30%. I always earn more on Shutterstock than I earn on Alamy.

wordplanet · « **Reply #97 on:** July 11, 2014, 18:09 »

I'm wondering if Alamy is once again pushing their original content, i.e. not the "Creative" stuff that has them competing with Getty and the micros, and which probably sells better elsewhere, but their traditional illustrative editorial photos (including those not restricted to editorial but that are largely used by the media - travel, urban scenics, etc.). I know that they've always been big sellers of UK related content. And right now the handful of photos I took when my daughter was performing in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival back in 2007 seem to be selling. They just licensed another one for me today. After what I feared was a continuing downward spiral there, it looks as though 2014 could beat 2013 earnings well before the end of the year.

Half of the photos I've licensed there since May were from Europe (3 Scotland, 1 Italy), the balance were travel shots from Baltimore, MD, Boston & Nantucket, MA and Hollywood, CA so I guess their market for US sights is also growing.

Secondary editorial is really their strong suit, at least for European images. Probably worth a stroll down memory lane

ShadySue · « **Reply #98 on:** July 11, 2014, 18:29 »

Indeed, some people are doing OK:
https://twitter.com/KeithMorrisAber?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fsecure.alamy.com%2FMyAlamy.aspx&profile_id=24773556&tw_i=487527875856592896&tw_p=embeddedtimeline&tw_w=372382503476031488
(scroll down a bit, I don't know how to link to one Twitter post).
Mind you, you also need a LOT of files.

fritz · « **Reply #99 on:** July 11, 2014, 18:47 »

6,886 Images on sale 263 sales to date!

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Author Topic: Alamy sales (Read 52053 times)

PixelBytes

wordplanet

photostockad

Ariene

Mantis

ShadySue

Mantis

Goofy

Mantis

ann

ShadySue

wordplanet

Phadrea

ShadySue

Ariene

ann

Henvry

Ed

ShadySue

ShadySue

EmberMike

Valo

wordplanet

ShadySue

fritz

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