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How was your September 2019?


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Not a bad month for me. 6 sales for $214 gross. Zooms and views still maintaining a fairly high level. CTR knocked for six on one day with around a thousand views in my 'specialist' area where, of course, you have to include the location anyway otherwise no-one will find them. Hope some sales result from this.

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On 05/10/2019 at 16:58, geogphotos said:

I do think that these monthly 'How was the month' threads work best if people just post accurate sales information to share. You can then have a look through their pics and draw any conclusion you want. In my case you'd probably see that I am doing a lot of obscure stuff which are not likely money-spinners.

 

We seem to have gone off all over the place in this thread and I'm not exactly sure why I am being chosen for public scrutiny.

 

But just to point out one false assumption made above by Brasilnut. I am not Alamy exclusive. I made the decision to 'do something about it 'back in 2012. So I get another pot of money from another major agency each month. Between those two pots and my non-stock income I get by and can sustain myself quite happily if not luxuriously.

 

And I certainly would not expect anybody new to stock to want to learn anything at all from me. I am not a professional photographer, just a former geography teacher with a camera who enjoys stock photography, only does RM and has no interest in microstock.

 

 

 

Appreciate the reply. I'm sure you have lots of knowledge to share on the industry. 

 

I picked on you because you are "Mr. RM" :) and RM seems to be dying, so would like to have your thoughts on the sustainability of this model. Others as well. Perhaps not the thread for it but why not as it's directly relevant to earnings. 

 

I've recently looked back on my RM-exclusive images on here and suffice to say that they have VASTLY UNDER-PERFORMED.

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30 minutes ago, Brasilnut said:

 

Appreciate the reply. I'm sure you have lots of knowledge to share on the industry. 

 

I picked on you because you are "Mr. RM" :) and RM seems to be dying, so would like to have your thoughts on the sustainability of this model. Others as well. Perhaps not the thread for it but why not as it's directly relevant to earnings. 

 

I've recently looked back on my RM-exclusive images on here and suffice to say that they have VASTLY UNDER-PERFORMED.

 

Getty editorial is all RM. Have a look.

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1 hour ago, Brasilnut said:

 

Appreciate the reply. I'm sure you have lots of knowledge to share on the industry. 

 

I picked on you because you are "Mr. RM" :) and RM seems to be dying, so would like to have your thoughts on the sustainability of this model. Others as well. Perhaps not the thread for it but why not as it's directly relevant to earnings. 

 

I've recently looked back on my RM-exclusive images on here and suffice to say that they have VASTLY UNDER-PERFORMED.

 

I wouldn't say that RM is dying, it's just changing / evolving with the times. Alamy has done a pretty good job adapting its licenses to the changing marketplace IMO.

 

Not sure how you define "under-performing", but I'd say that earning $0.25 a sale on micro sites is definitely under-performance.

 

P.S. I've been doing some experimenting with microstock. If that's the future, then we might as well pack it in now.

 

 

 

 

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I thought we gave Brazilnut boatloads of constructive criticism when he first entered the forum, didn’t we? Correct me if I’m wrong....

 

Anyway, we old-timers aren’t here to teach “How to succeed in stock 101”. That’s not our responsibility. Yet when asked, the members of this forum generally are eager to offer help.  It does seem, though, more and more newbies are throwing our advice back in our teeth, then bemoaning their poor results, then getting angry and insulting because we honestly tell them how to improve. It seems they expect only praise, not honest information on how to improve the photos or captions/keywording and subject matter.

Brazilnut, I’m not singling you out with these remarks,  but in general this “asking but not listening” is happening more and more. There are probably some of us who wonder if it’s worth taking the time out of our busy days to try to help when all advice is ignored from so many who ask. I know I have gone out of my way to help in the past, but sometimes wonder if it’s worth it anymore.

Betty

Edited by Betty LaRue
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I remember the help I received in the beginning of my Alamy journey and appreciate it. I did take many on board and have had some success since. 

 

More specifically, I have 663 Rights-Managed exclusive images on here...some have been here for 4 years. They've made me about $300 net. I would define that as "underperforming". My net return on micros is an average of $1/image/year but much larger volumes. Anyway, only have myself to blame for being naive thinking that somehow being exclusive and RM had some sort of benefit. I've heard mixed things about Getty RM as well...and now that collection is being overlooked for the RF in the search engines (just a rumour...someone please confirm). 

 

I suppose I'm just frustrated and had to recently go back into full-time (non-photography) related work to make ends meet. This is after some 3-years of intensive part-time photography and then some video work. Anyway, this isn't my blog so won't elaborate, but I expected better returns after devoting so much time and energy. Anyway...

 

Seems like the wider industry is going through a transition period, generally to the detriment of contributors. Having more success with videos, pushing more in that direction. 

 

Nobody is paid to help newbies but wouldn't it make sense if some of us were? Can't we suggest a newbie part of the forum? Put together courses in return for remuneration? Just brainstorming. Loads of knowledge here and willing people, as well as newbies wanting answers. Put those together and there's opportunities...

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19 hours ago, Brasilnut said:

 

Appreciate the reply. I'm sure you have lots of knowledge to share on the industry. 

 

I picked on you because you are "Mr. RM" :) and RM seems to be dying, so would like to have your thoughts on the sustainability of this model. Others as well. Perhaps not the thread for it but why not as it's directly relevant to earnings. 

 

I've recently looked back on my RM-exclusive images on here and suffice to say that they have VASTLY UNDER-PERFORMED.

 

since RM is likely exclusive, do you have a similar mix to the rest of your portfolio in that subgroup?  If not Couldn't the underperforming be linked to subject matter, not the RM vs RF nature of the offering? I don't know, just curious. 

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8 hours ago, Betty LaRue said:

I thought we gave Brazilnut boatloads of constructive criticism when he first entered the forum, didn’t we? Correct me if I’m wrong....

 

Anyway, we old-timers aren’t here to teach “How to succeed in stock 101”. That’s not our responsibility. Yet when asked, the members of this forum generally are eager to offer help.  It does seem, though, more and more newbies are throwing our advice back in our teeth, then bemoaning their poor results, then getting angry and insulting because we honestly tell them how to improve. It seems they expect only praise, not honest information on how to improve the photos or captions/keywording and subject matter.

Brazilnut, I’m not singling you out with these remarks,  but in general this “asking but not listening” is happening more and more. There are probably some of us who wonder if it’s worth taking the time out of our busy days to try to help when all advice is ignored from so many who ask. I know I have gone out of my way to help in the past, but sometimes wonder if it’s worth it anymore.

Betty

 

 

Betty, just want to say that your advice to some of the newbies does get listened to by some.  It's not because the question originator doesn't listen (and yes i also have notice quite a few recently) that it means your information is in vein.  so as someone who has gotten a lot from the veterans, here is a big thank you.   

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4 hours ago, Brasilnut said:

Seems like the wider industry is going through a transition period, generally to the detriment of contributors.

 

Mate, have you not being paying attention for the past 3 or 4 years?

 

DD

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. . .and I don't want to rain on anyone's parade,  but if I was looking to pay for information, I'd be  looking to someone who was here reporting success, not complaining about a lack thereof.

 

DD

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19 hours ago, Betty LaRue said:

I know I have gone out of my way to help in the past, but sometimes wonder if it’s worth it anymore.

Betty

 

We had a new woman photographer from California who did listen, who was able to license two photographs quickly enough out of a small portfolio.   Throwing a hissy fit is louder and takes up more verbal and emotional space than thanking people for their help and acting on the advice. 

 

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2 hours ago, MizBrown said:

 

We had a new woman photographer from California who did listen, who was able to license two photographs quickly enough out of a small portfolio.   Throwing a hissy fit is louder and takes up more verbal and emotional space than thanking people for their help and acting on the advice. 

 

I do appreciate those who listen and am thrilled when they have success. Funny, that! Encouraging the competition, but I never look at it that way. I’ve always been so grateful for the help I’ve gotten, it’s difficult to see those who are not only ungrateful, but bristle up like a porcupine.

I guess it can come down to egos. Those that are inflated, and those that are very thin-skinned. Then, thank heavens, those with no perceivable egos and truly seeking improvement and eager to learn.

What I would say to newbies is this. Ask, pick brains. Use or not use the advice you get. Some of it will fit your style, some won’t. But don’t get your tail in a twist when you ask people to look and ask what your doing wrong, then they tell you. Remember that there are many personalities here. Some may answer with soft suggestions, some may be blunt. That’s called differences in personalities, and that’s what makes the world go around. Shrug off the hurt and see past the blunt. Nobody said this business was easy. The song, “I never promised you a rose garden” comes to mind. 😊

What not to do...ask what’s wrong over and over, have us tell you, but never correct your mistakes or take the advice. Don’t keep coming back again and again asking why your not selling. If you don’t want to take the advice, just be quiet and soldier on alone. 

 

Betty

Edited by Betty LaRue
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13 hours ago, meanderingemu said:

 

 

Betty, just want to say that your advice to some of the newbies does get listened to by some.  It's not because the question originator doesn't listen (and yes i also have notice quite a few recently) that it means your information is in vein.  so as someone who has gotten a lot from the veterans, here is a big thank you.   

Thank you! ❤️

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9 hours ago, andremichel said:

Don't you mean 13 or 14 years? 

 

 

 

well, yes. 

 

but the person to whom I was responding has only been here 4 years so I adjusted the scope of my query accordingly 😎

 

DD

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On 14/10/2019 at 06:35, Betty LaRue said:

Yet when asked, the members of this forum generally are eager to offer help.  It does seem, though, more and more newbies are throwing our advice back in our teeth, then bemoaning their poor results, then getting angry and insulting because we honestly tell them how to improve. It seems they expect only praise, not honest information on how to improve the photos or captions/keywording and subject matter.

 

Hey Betty, totally agree after my recent experience. Not that I'm in any way an old timer, but It does make you wonder if it's worth spending time to give advice. Sorry, a bit off topic here... As a civil engineer, I work at a company that basically produces calculations, drawings and reports for clients and they have to be correct. So everything I do there gets triple checked and any mistakes are directly pointed out. I can dispute them if I disagree or if a judgement has been made rather than something being "wrong wrong", but otherwise, I just make the changes and get on with it. It's not personal from my work colleagues, they're just doing their job. I guess this is not how a lot of people experience work judging from some reactions on the forum! And I know it's not our job to give advice, but if people ask for it, and it's free, then.... You would hope people would make the most of it....

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Not sure how to say this without somebody finding it offensive or patronising - and that is not my intention.

 

Anyway..... I think that a lot of the trouble is that some newbies expect stock at Alamy to be a lot easier than it actually is, especially if they come to Alamy from micro-stock and have become accustomed to almost instant gratification. Then there is the danger of losing sight of your own photography and trying to follow what appear to be stock trends so you even risk losing your own personal motivation trying to gainsay what the market appears to want.

 

The thing is to try and enjoy being a stock photographer and just keep going, and going, and going. Not sure where that eventually leads to be honest but at least you keep going.😏

 

Shoot what interests you and takes you to places you enjoy being ( Melksham!!), set your own goals, don't get despondent that others are doing better ( it is probably because they ARE better!), and just keep on going.

 

Good months, bad months, probably all of us gradually slipping down a slope along with the whole industry. Could be time to jump off, or just keep going and see what comes along? But what would you do if you didn't do stock? 

 

 

Edited by geogphotos
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51 minutes ago, geogphotos said:

 

The thing is to try and enjoy being a stock photographer and just keep going, and going, and going. Not sure where that eventually leads to be honest but at least you keep going.😏

 

Shoot what interests you and takes you to places you enjoy being ( Melksham!!), set your own goals, don't get despondent that others are doing better ( it is probably because they ARE better!), and just keep on going.

 

 

 

A couple of good points! I've been doing stock since 2005 and have kept going mainly because I love photography. I haven't got as many images as some but should crack the 10K by the end of this year.

And yes, I shoot what interests me, including some oddball stuff, and after all these years the last four are now providing some fair returns. I always had a sort of target to make one sale per week and this year so far I'm slightly ahead.

So, in my case, it's been a patient game and I guess, as geogphotos says, just keep going at it. Unfortunately success isn't always instant but, hey, enjoy what you're doing!

Jim :)  

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2 hours ago, geogphotos said:

The thing is to try and enjoy being a stock photographer and just keep going, and going, and going. Not sure where that eventually leads to be honest but at least you keep going.

 

Shoot what interests you and takes you to places you enjoy being ( Melksham!!), set your own goals, don't get despondent that others are doing better ( it is probably because they ARE better!), and just keep on going.

 

This has always been a dilemma of mine. Do I shoot what I enjoy and hope the market likes it or do I shoot what I think the market wants. 

 

The latter might earn more but not enough to justify the time and effort of doing something I don't enjoy. 

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On 13/10/2019 at 23:35, Betty LaRue said:

There are probably some of us who wonder if it’s worth taking the time out of our busy days to try to help when all advice is ignored from so many who ask. I know I have gone out of my way to help in the past, but sometimes wonder if it’s worth it anymore.

Betty

I suspect that many of us, though often only on the sidelines, appreciate and benefit from advice and critique  given here. It would be unfortunate if the responses of a few were to discourage those kind enough to offer their time and consideration in a helpful effort. Please don't underestimate the value of your help to those not directly participating.

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9 hours ago, jodyko said:

I suspect that many of us, though often only on the sidelines, appreciate and benefit from advice and critique  given here. It would be unfortunate if the responses of a few were to discourage those kind enough to offer their time and consideration in a helpful effort. Please don't underestimate the value of your help to those not directly participating.

Jodyko, you’ve just reminded me of a very important fact. Thank you. When I joined, the forum was often less than friendly. Worlds away from these great people here now. I lurked, like you. I read the posts and absorbed as much as I could, but I myself didn’t ask. Alamy, in all their wisdom, closed that forum, and after some time, reopened it minus the hateful ones. Then I began to be active on the forum and was no longer afraid to ask questions. I guess it’s fair to say Alamy gave the forum an attitude adjustment! :D

I need to remember that even when somebody asks our opinions, then bites us when we give them, there are others quietly taking our help on board and learning.

See, I just learned something from you!

Betty

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