Author Topic: Anyone doubting the power of SS? (Read 21073 times)

lagereek · « **on:** December 01, 2011, 11:31 »

Well dont! today is a typical day for me. Dozens of subs, 12-SODs and yesterday even ELs and its only half day gone. This agency, let me tell you all, is like Tony-Stone and Image-Bank, were in the film days, just delivering all the time, no nonsense, hassles or anything, just pure business knowledge and know-how, followed by a friendly atmosphere.

cthoman · « **Reply #1 on:** December 01, 2011, 11:47 »

I'll bite. I'm a doubter. It's a good agency, but to be honest, it's nowhere near even iStock circa 2009-2010 for me. But that iStock is probably not coming back, so SS is as good as it gets.

CarlssonInc · « **Reply #2 on:** December 01, 2011, 11:48 »

Quote from: lagereek on December 01, 2011, 11:31

Well dont! today is a typical day for me. Dozens of subs, 12-SODs and yesterday even ELs and its only half day gone. This agency, let me tell you all, is like Tony-Stone and Image-Bank, were in the film days, just delivering all the time, no nonsense, hassles or anything, just pure business knowledge and know-how, followed by a friendly atmosphere.

Wonder if you will feel the same when you have managed to entice more and more contributors to join you over there....

gostwyck · « **Reply #3 on:** December 01, 2011, 11:52 »

Yes I must admit SS are rock solid and just keep on delivering sales by the bucketload. Last month SS contributed 41.6% of my total microstock earnings, a new record high, although slightly short of a BME.

microstockphoto.co.uk · « **Reply #4 on:** December 01, 2011, 12:00 »

I have no doubt SS are the most solid agency at present, and I hope they will keep their n. 1 position forever.

Nevertheless, forever means nothing in this business and I feel safer if there are a number of other sound agencies around.

gbalex · « **Reply #5 on:** December 01, 2011, 12:03 »

Quote from: CarlssonInc. Stock Imagery Production on December 01, 2011, 11:48

Quote from: lagereek on December 01, 2011, 11:31
Well dont! today is a typical day for me. Dozens of subs, 12-SODs and yesterday even ELs and its only half day gone. This agency, let me tell you all, is like Tony-Stone and Image-Bank, were in the film days, just delivering all the time, no nonsense, hassles or anything, just pure business knowledge and know-how, followed by a friendly atmosphere.

Wonder if you will feel the same when you have managed to entice more and more contributors to join you over there....

Well that would be one way to drop the competition to their knees. http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=15

Wonder if these unusual sales will continue after they fix their multiplying bugs. I guess I should say "if" because they have been occurring for months.

rubyroo · « **Reply #6 on:** December 01, 2011, 12:13 »

Quote from: gostwyck on December 01, 2011, 11:52

Yes I must admit SS are rock solid and just keep on delivering sales by the bucketload. Last month SS contributed 41.6% of my total microstock earnings, a new record high, although slightly short of a BME.

Oh! I only just saw this after posting my figures in the November thread. We're seeing similar results this month, Gostwyck. SS constituted 42.24% of my total. A new record high for me too. It'll be interesting to see if other indies have a similar story to tell this month.

fotoVoyager · « **Reply #7 on:** December 01, 2011, 12:32 »

Hmmpfh. Went to sign up with Shutterstock only to find someone else has already grabbed my brand identity of 'fotoVoyager'. I tried searching for images by that username but got no results. Anyone else had this kind of problem? I'll go and sign up as Sean Locke if identity grabbing is allowed!

lagereek · « **Reply #8 on:** December 01, 2011, 13:00 »

Quote from: CarlssonInc. Stock Imagery Production on December 01, 2011, 11:48

Quote from: lagereek on December 01, 2011, 11:31
Well dont! today is a typical day for me. Dozens of subs, 12-SODs and yesterday even ELs and its only half day gone. This agency, let me tell you all, is like Tony-Stone and Image-Bank, were in the film days, just delivering all the time, no nonsense, hassles or anything, just pure business knowledge and know-how, followed by a friendly atmosphere.

Wonder if you will feel the same when you have managed to entice more and more contributors to join you over there....

Youre wrong there, ( sincerely) I mean, not trying to recruit anybody or anything, not my religion actually. Its in my interest as a contributor that as few as possible joins up, competition you know. However, credit where credit is due, its a fantastic agency. Its a breath of fresh air to find that today.

PS. Im a bit surprised over your post. Not like you.

best.

flashon · « **Reply #9 on:** December 01, 2011, 13:04 »

Quote from: rubyroo on December 01, 2011, 12:13

Quote from: gostwyck on December 01, 2011, 11:52
Yes I must admit SS are rock solid and just keep on delivering sales by the bucketload. Last month SS contributed 41.6% of my total microstock earnings, a new record high, although slightly short of a BME.

Oh! I only just saw this after posting my figures in the November thread. We're seeing similar results this month, Gostwyck. SS constituted 42.24% of my total. A new record high for me too. It'll be interesting to see if other indies have a similar story to tell this month.

My #s indicates the same thing.

wut · « **Reply #10 on:** December 01, 2011, 13:20 »

Quote from: flashon on December 01, 2011, 13:04

Quote from: rubyroo on December 01, 2011, 12:13
Quote from: gostwyck on December 01, 2011, 11:52
Yes I must admit SS are rock solid and just keep on delivering sales by the bucketload. Last month SS contributed 41.6% of my total microstock earnings, a new record high, although slightly short of a BME.

Oh! I only just saw this after posting my figures in the November thread. We're seeing similar results this month, Gostwyck. SS constituted 42.24% of my total. A new record high for me too. It'll be interesting to see if other indies have a similar story to tell this month.

My #s indicates the same thing.

Amateurs! I'm at roughly 50%

gostwyck · « **Reply #11 on:** December 01, 2011, 13:32 »

Quote from: fotoVoyager on December 01, 2011, 12:32

Hmmpfh. Went to sign up with Shutterstock only to find someone else has already grabbed my brand identity of 'fotoVoyager'. I tried searching for images by that username but got no results. Anyone else had this kind of problem? I'll go and sign up as Sean Locke if identity grabbing is allowed!

It's likely to be a totally dormant account __ about 90% of them are. That account holder has probably never even passed the submission test let alone has an active portfolio.

Try contacting SS, explain the situation and who you are and maybe they'll close the other account and give you your moniker back. It is very much to the advantage of both SS and their customers that your work should be easily found. Good luck with it.

RT · « **Reply #12 on:** December 01, 2011, 13:45 »

Quote from: lagereek on December 01, 2011, 11:31

This agency, let me tell you all, is like Tony-Stone and Image-Bank, were in the film days,

Apart from the commission!

lagereek · « **Reply #13 on:** December 01, 2011, 13:49 »

Quote from: RT on December 01, 2011, 13:45

Quote from: lagereek on December 01, 2011, 11:31
This agency, let me tell you all, is like Tony-Stone and Image-Bank, were in the film days,

Apart from the commission!

Well yes but that was ALL RM, remember? I was more refering to the running of the agency, totally problem-free, just making earnings for everybody without the slightest bit of hickups.

fotoVoyager · « **Reply #14 on:** December 01, 2011, 13:59 »

Quote from: gostwyck on December 01, 2011, 13:32

Quote from: fotoVoyager on December 01, 2011, 12:32
Hmmpfh. Went to sign up with Shutterstock only to find someone else has already grabbed my brand identity of 'fotoVoyager'. I tried searching for images by that username but got no results. Anyone else had this kind of problem? I'll go and sign up as Sean Locke if identity grabbing is allowed!

It's likely to be a totally dormant account __ about 90% of them are. That account holder has probably never even passed the submission test let alone has an active portfolio.

Try contacting SS, explain the situation and who you are and maybe they'll close the other account and give you your moniker back. It is very much to the advantage of both SS and their customers that your work should be easily found. Good luck with it.

Thanks, I'll do that.

Snufkin · « **Reply #15 on:** December 01, 2011, 15:34 »

Quote from: fotoVoyager on December 01, 2011, 12:32

Hmmpfh. Went to sign up with Shutterstock only to find someone else has already grabbed my brand identity of 'fotoVoyager'.

I'm rather surprised that you decided to drop the crown since you have quite many succesful Vettas.
Bear in mind, Shutterstock doesn't accept modern architecture anymore (you have a very nice series from Valencia).
Also, they don't accept "non-newsworthy" editorial photos anymore. IMHO their editorial program is seriously flawed, they want only the type of images that have a very short life cycle which doesn't justify the low prices. You have very good editorial images, but you will have difficulties getting that accepted on SS. DT does accept modern architecture and "non-newsworthy" editorials but they don't sell so much.

7Horses · « **Reply #16 on:** December 01, 2011, 15:46 »

Shutterstockers are flying sky high now

. Sooner or later they will fly to close to the sun and fall down.

fotoVoyager · « **Reply #17 on:** December 01, 2011, 15:53 »

Quote from: Snufkin on December 01, 2011, 15:34

Quote from: fotoVoyager on December 01, 2011, 12:32
Hmmpfh. Went to sign up with Shutterstock only to find someone else has already grabbed my brand identity of 'fotoVoyager'.

I'm rather surprised that you decided to drop the crown since you have quite many succesful Vettas.
Bear in mind, Shutterstock doesn't accept modern architecture anymore (you have a very nice series from Valencia).
Also, they don't accept "non-newsworthy" editorial photos anymore. IMHO their editorial program is seriously flawed, they want only the type of images that have a very short life cycle which doesn't justify the low prices. You have very good editorial images, but you will have difficulties getting that accepted on SS. DT does accept modern architecture and "non-newsworthy" editorials but they don't sell so much.

iStock's not leaving me much choice in the medium term. I used to sell 150+ images a day, now I'm lucky to sell a third of that. It's a real pity because I like the people at iStock but either the library has become so diluted that it's not possible to be seen in my subject area or they really are losing customers. Either way I have to consider my business first.

sharpshot · « **Reply #18 on:** December 01, 2011, 16:22 »

Quote from: CarlssonInc. Stock Imagery Production on December 01, 2011, 11:48

Quote from: lagereek on December 01, 2011, 11:31
Well dont! today is a typical day for me. Dozens of subs, 12-SODs and yesterday even ELs and its only half day gone. This agency, let me tell you all, is like Tony-Stone and Image-Bank, were in the film days, just delivering all the time, no nonsense, hassles or anything, just pure business knowledge and know-how, followed by a friendly atmosphere.

Wonder if you will feel the same when you have managed to entice more and more contributors to join you over there....

People have always spread the good news when a site is doing well, there isn't much point in trying to keep it a secret. I don't like the thought of lots of exclusives joining SS but its hard to get sales going for new images now. Hopefully if more people drop the crown, more buyers will move as well. The big problem could be if SS becomes too big, I would like to see istock stay strong to provide some competition but its hard to see their decline stopping.

lagereek · « **Reply #19 on:** December 01, 2011, 16:31 »

Quote from: sharpshot on December 01, 2011, 16:22

Quote from: CarlssonInc. Stock Imagery Production on December 01, 2011, 11:48
Quote from: lagereek on December 01, 2011, 11:31
Well dont! today is a typical day for me. Dozens of subs, 12-SODs and yesterday even ELs and its only half day gone. This agency, let me tell you all, is like Tony-Stone and Image-Bank, were in the film days, just delivering all the time, no nonsense, hassles or anything, just pure business knowledge and know-how, followed by a friendly atmosphere.

Wonder if you will feel the same when you have managed to entice more and more contributors to join you over there....
People have always spread the good news when a site is doing well, there isn't much point in trying to keep it a secret. I don't like the thought of lots of exclusives joining SS but its hard to get sales going for new images now. Hopefully if more people drop the crown, more buyers will move as well. The big problem could be if SS becomes too big, I would like to see istock stay strong to provide some competition but its hard to see their decline stopping.

Good points. However I am pretty sure none of the, lets say 3 top agencies will go down the same way as IS, they must have seen the kind of damage it will render. Remember in the old film-days, the entire competition were between 3 agencies, Tony-.Stone, Image-Bank and Pictor-International, right? all of them made a great living!
Besides, what can you do? you got to put your trust in something?
Its not just revenues, its the running of things as well. SS, is running the show in a professional way, lots of know-how, etc. That! as far as Im concerned, its more important then the money aspect.

epixx · « **Reply #20 on:** December 01, 2011, 19:34 »

SS is so good it's almost worrying. 55% of my sales at the moment, and IS is struggling to stay ahead of DT and 123. Strong competition is needed to keep them on their toes though, so hopefully we won't have to many stumbles among the competition. Hopefully also we won't see anymore takeovers/killings of good agencies like the IS/StockXpert thing. It's bad for the whole business.

cobalt · « **Reply #21 on:** December 01, 2011, 20:00 »

Are you this fotovoyager?

http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?id=482239

With a killer Portfolio and nearly 400 V/A files? And you have quit exclusivity?

What a loss for istock

pancaketom · « **Reply #22 on:** December 01, 2011, 20:57 »

SS is doing well for me right now, but I am a little troubled by the lack of traction that new images are getting there for me. It might just be my not so great images, but my older ones continue to sell, so right now it still looks rosy.
I do wonder if sales will just take a while to show up for my new images like they do on DT and used to on IS or if those images that don't get sales in the first few weeks will be forever buried. There certainly isn't the new image boost on SS that there used to be.

I would like to see some of the smaller decent places like GL, 123, stockfresh etc. make some advances as well as DT. I'd hate to see SS become too dominant. As far as I'm concerned IS is dead to me.

gostwyck · « **Reply #23 on:** December 01, 2011, 21:31 »

Quote from: cobalt on December 01, 2011, 20:00

Are you this fotovoyager?
What a loss for istock

Yes he is ... and yes it is. Sorry to break the news to you Jasmine but Istock are dying. They massively miscalculated the effects of their greed and now they are beginning to pay the price. At some point, possibly quite soon, the dam will break and the majority of those exclusives will flood out onto the other sites. That will be the end of any significant USP that Istock can claim to have. I think it is entirely possible that in 2-3 years time Istock will be a minor microstock site primarily concerned with selling their 'midstock' V/A offerings. Shutterstock by then will be hugely dominant basically because they will have stuck true to the original microstock principles __ keep it simple, keep it cheap, have decent search results and keep all images at the same price. That's the winning formula and no other agency has come close to maintaining such basic rules.

cobalt · « **Reply #24 on:** December 01, 2011, 21:47 »

It´s been a difficult week as you know. I am aware that many people with a smaller portfolio are jumping ship, especially if they have a day job. However the results from the people I know have been very mixed, i.e. it is very likely they would have made more money if they had stayed and just started uploading regularly again.

To see such a huge port leave...all I can think of is that he must be setting up his own site and has some contacts into macro as well. I find it very hard to imagine that he can recover the loss in 12-18 months. The Vetta files alone are probably earning more money than all my 3000 images together.

I am focussing on video and having a look around, but IMO istock can definetly turn things around with the right attitude and careful management. (I can imagine what you are going to say...)

Fotovoyagers journey into independence will be watched by many people.

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Author Topic: Anyone doubting the power of SS? (Read 21073 times)

lagereek

cthoman

CarlssonInc

gostwyck

microstockphoto.co.uk

gbalex

rubyroo

fotoVoyager

lagereek

flashon

wut

gostwyck

RT

lagereek

fotoVoyager

Snufkin

7Horses

fotoVoyager

sharpshot

lagereek

epixx

cobalt

pancaketom

gostwyck

cobalt

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