Mircostock article at MSN

Here is the Article. The links to the two sites in the article are - shutterstock and istockphoto - both of which feature in my regular end of month summaries.

 

Size comparisons of the microstock sites

I am upload photos at the moment and a bit bored so thought I would do another post. Since it is mid month I can do my monthly update so had to think of something else. From a desingers point of view (they are the ones that buy the photos so are very improtant), the number of photos is very important, after the quality of the photos on the site.

Therefore, it is intersting to compare the number of photos on each site. So here goes. These are from the last time I looked but give you an indication:

Fotolia 1,264,747
shutterstock 1,032,613
dreamtime 610,000
istockphoto 1,055,075
bigstockphoto 509,000
123RF 400,000
StockXpert 220,000
Featurepics 72,995
Canstock 264,470
Galastock new

Well, as you can see Fotolia is the biggest, followed by istockphoto and shutterstock so these are definately the big three and should be used by all microstockers. StockXpert is definately batting above its weight at the moment so is one to watch.

Shutterstock

I haven't done much posting except for month end results so I thought I would post some details on shutterstock. If you look though my prevous posts, you will see that it consistantly a top earning. It is different to most of the other sites in that it is a subscription model. What this means is that designers pay a set amount each month and they get 30 downloads per day. Due to this, they are encouraged to download which is why you will see a lot more Downloads at shutterstock than any other site.

The downside is that you only get 25c per photo but the volume of sales means that it is still as good if not better than than the other sites.

If you look at the photos at shutterstock, you will notice that the photos dont have to be spectacular. In fact, sometimes the boring ones sell better. They do have to be technically good though - that means thay have to be exposed correctly, have good composition and not have noise in them. Due to this, I recommend you join up and have a look at the forum. You can post pictures in there and they will say whether they think they will be accepted. You have to submit 10 for approval and if less than 7 get accepted, there is a 1 month stand down period so it pays not to rush into it and make sure you submit your best photos.

So click on one of the banners and have a look. I will keep posting how I am doing on the various sites so you can see which other ones are worth submitting to.

August results at the microstock photo sites

I haven't done much this month again (submitting wise) and ony submitted 20 at the most at the different sites. However, income was up and I am now due a payout from StockXpert as well as another one from shutterstock.

Below are percentages for the month to show how I have been going:

20% shutterstock
18% dreamtime
9% Fotolia
14% istockphoto
8% bigstockphoto
7% 123RF
15% StockXpert

A pattern is clearly showing as to which are the best sites are the best, which Shutterstock consistantly being the best payout dispite the lowest payout ratio - this is due to their high downloads due to being a subscription model.

Shutterstock and iStock have also both reached 1 million pictures so together with Fotolia are looking like being the market leaders.