DT's sales increase faster than submitters.

michaeldb · #1 (**permalink**) 05-31-2007, 10:55 PM

The folks who run microstock sites rarely divulge anything about their sales. I thought it was unusual, and interesting, when Achilles posted this in a thread on DT (Message boards) :

"...and just to assure you that the agency does its job, the increase in sales for May 2007 compared to May 2006 is with 100% higher than the increase in photographers for the same months. We are close to 1,000 photographers per month and the increase in photographers is very high compared to May 2006. The values speak for themselves. Amount in sales is double than the rate we grow in photographers number."

A lot of microstockers worry that supply of images is outstripping demand, as more photographers and imagists come on board. Looks like we may have a long way to go before that happens, if I understand correctly what Achilles was saying.

nataq · #2 (**permalink**) 06-01-2007, 07:16 AM

Sounds good, but the question would be: what about the increase in images. If the submitters are active the number of images might increase much faster than the number of submitters.

helix7 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-01-2007, 07:47 AM

I'd have to guess that there are comparable numbers of new buyers coming into microstock at the same time. Every month there are new ads for microstock sites hitting the magazines, trade pubs, etc. More designers are finding that they can get cheaper images and are jumping from the expensive agencies to the more affordable iStocks, Shutterstocks, etc. I have absolutely no data to back this up, but I'd assume that the rate of new buyers has to be similar or greater than the rate of new contributors.

Just something to consider...

nicemonkey · #4 (**permalink**) 06-01-2007, 11:29 AM

I have had quite strong sales at DT for the last 3-4 months increase about a third month on month but May was the first month when it didnt follow this trend and levelled out...guess I need to start uploading again.

sharpshot · #5 (**permalink**) 06-01-2007, 01:03 PM

May was my best month so far with DT but I have uploaded a lot to them. They used to reject most of my photos but now they accept most of them. Not sure if I am imporving or if their standards have been relaxed a bit.

helix7 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-01-2007, 05:19 PM

DT is one of my slow climbers. The first month went slow, but now finally I'm starting to see some increases in sales. Right now it's my #3 performer.