If you possess exceptional photography and video editing skills, there’s a lucrative opportunity awaiting you on various online platforms. Shutterstock, a significant marketplace akin to Creativemarket, offers photographers the chance to sell their photos and videos for a substantial income.
However, the path to success on Shutterstock is not without its challenges, and understanding the nuances is crucial. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through all the aspects of how to make money on Shutterstock. But first, if you’re looking to enhance your skills, consider exploring our recommendations for the best digital art classes and coding courses, along with hardware suggestions in our article on the best budget laptops for graphic design.
Unveiling Shutterstock
Before delving into the intricacies of making money on Shutterstock, it’s essential to understand the platform itself. Launched in 2003 and headquartered in New York, Shutterstock is a global marketplace where individuals trade high-quality videos and photos. With nearly two decades of operation, it spans across 150 countries, providing digital imagery licenses with the goal of facilitating successful transactions between contributors and buyers.
The Shutterstock Workflow
To comprehend how to make money on Shutterstock, it’s crucial to understand its operational dynamics. Shutterstock offers two types of accounts: customer and contributor. While customers browse through posted photos and videos, contributors are the ones who upload their creative works. Our focus, being on making money, centers on the contributor account.
Registering as a contributor involves a straightforward process, marking the beginning of your money-making journey. Upload your captivating photos and videos, and as customers download them, you earn a commission. There are three primary types of content you can sell on Shutterstock: photos (in JPG format, at least 4MP), videos (between 5 and 60 seconds), and vectors/illustrations (submitted in EPS format with a maximum size of 15MB or in JPG format with 4MP and above).
Your earning potential on this platform is diverse, spanning from selling photos through subscriptions, on-demand downloads, and enhanced downloads to participating in the referral program and earning commissions through single downloads.
Diverse Earning Streams
- 25-a-day Downloads: Clients opting for a monthly subscription can download images over 30 days, earning you 25 cents for each download, with potential commission increases as you reach milestones.
- On-demand Downloads: Customers can choose an on-demand subscription, offering $1.88 for every download, with potential increases based on your popularity.
- Enhanced Downloads: An enhanced downloads license allows commercial use, and contributors receive $28 for every download.
- Referred Subscriptions: Referring customers to Shutterstock’s affiliate program can earn you a 20% commission.
- Single Downloads: If your photos sell as single images without a subscription, you receive 20% of the sale price.
By understanding the intricacies of Shutterstock and strategically approaching the various earning streams, you can turn your creative skills into a sustainable source of passive income.
Receiving Payments from Shutterstock
Shutterstock provides three payment methods for its contributors: PayPal, Skrill, and Bank Checks. Electronic payment methods require a minimum balance of $35, while the Bank check method requires a minimum of $300. Once you reach the threshold, you can choose your preferred payment method, and the money will be credited to you. Earnings are calculated on the 1st of every month and transferred to the associated account within the site after two weeks.
After registering and creating your profile on the platform, submit your bank or PayPal details in the dedicated section. You can then choose your preferred payment method in the settings section of your profile. Once your profile is complete, you can start uploading content and earning from it. Keep in mind that building a positive reputation on the platform can enhance your earnings over time.
Maximizing Your Presence on Shutterstock
While Shutterstock offers immense potential for making money, it requires extra effort and dedication to stand out among millions of contributors. Consider the following tips to make the most out of your Shutterstock subscription:
Create Photos Aligned with Marketable Keywords
Ensure that the photos you upload are relevant to the keywords you use in their description. Marketable keywords attract more customers to your portfolio.
Seek Inspiration through Travel
Traveling provides an excellent opportunity to diversify your Shutterstock portfolio. Experiencing various cultures, people, landscapes, and objects can inspire you to create a niche that appeals to the site’s customers.
Draw Inspiration from Other Photographers
Explore portfolios of other artists on the platform for inspiration. Observe the stories they tell, the emotions they evoke, and the strategies they employ. While drawing inspiration, be careful not to mimic others; instead, incorporate successful methods into your work.
Stay True to Your Style
Encourage clients to appreciate your photography style. Stand out by avoiding overly commercial and easily accessible images. Your unique style is your competitive edge.
Focus on Your Niche
Successful Shutterstock contributors often find and exploit their own niche. Whether it’s cultural attire, specific emotions, or everyday experiences, establishing a niche sets you apart and propels you to the top.
Cultivate Passion for Photography
Passion for photography is essential for success in stock photography. Loving what you do will drive dedication, enabling you to consistently produce and upload high-quality photos.
Stay Informed on Content Marketing Trends
Keep yourself updated on the latest content marketing trends by reading magazines, blogs, web design sites, and other online media. Knowledge in content marketing trends can significantly influence your success as a photographer.
Consistently Upload High-Quality Content
Maintain a consistent standard for your images by submitting high-quality content regularly. Upholding excellence in every picture enhances your portfolio’s appeal.
Choose Themes for Your Target Audience
Select themes based on the needs of the platform’s customers. Analyze common search queries and tailor your themes accordingly to attract a larger audience.
Emphasize Authenticity
Make your photos look authentic, whether capturing food, landscapes, or animals. Research and stay updated on trends, especially for subjects like food photography.
Optimize Tags
Maximize visibility by tagging your work extensively. Align your photo tags closely with search terms to expand your presence in search results and increase the likelihood of downloads.
Leverage Licensing Opportunities
Different licensing options on Shutterstock offer varied earnings. Enhanced licenses yield more than standard licenses, and top earners can receive up to $0.33 for each image download.
Networking with fellow creatives can also open opportunities for referrals, providing additional income when new contributors or customers join the platform.
Implementing these key tips will contribute to a more fulfilling and successful experience on Shutterstock as you work on enhancing your portfolio on the platform.
The Significance of the First 6 Months on Shutterstock
Understanding the workings of Shutterstock’s search algorithm is crucial for those aiming to sell photos, videos, and vectors. Similar to Facebook and Instagram, the algorithm promptly showcases your latest uploads to clients. If well-received, it expands visibility through similar keyword searches. Conversely, lack of downloads can relegate your content to the background. In the initial six months:
- Provides insights into your chosen niche and uploaded content. If lacking downloads, consider altering the niche or adapting to seasonal demands.
- Enhances visibility by portraying you as an active contributor, fostering trust in fresh, daily content.
- Enables consistent content creation, with the potential to upload around 180 images, establishing a foundation for regular contributions.
Focus on honing your niche and observing content performance before making decisions.
Benefits of Earning on Shutterstock
As the largest online marketplace for stock photography, Shutterstock offers various advantages:
Pursue Your Passion
For photographers driven by passion, Shutterstock allows you to continue telling visual stories and get paid for it—an enticing incentive.
Passive Income Opportunity
Establishing a high-quality portfolio leads to passive income, earning even when you’re not actively contributing. Imagine earning while enjoying a relaxing beachside moment.
Extensive Market Reach
Shutterstock’s global presence in over 150 countries provides access to millions of potential clients, increasing the chances of your content finding buyers.
Challenges of Engaging with Shutterstock
While the potential for quick earnings on Shutterstock is remarkable, challenges exist:
Saturated Market
With over 225 million files and continuous uploads, the platform is highly saturated. Competition is fierce, demanding top-tier quality and a strategic approach to visibility.
Dependence on the Platform
Success on Shutterstock may lead to dependency on its rules and policies. Changes in these policies can adversely affect sales and rankings, posing a risk to your business.
Delayed Income
Establishing a reliable income stream takes time. Earnings may not materialize in the initial months or even years, requiring patience and dedication to building a robust stock portfolio.
In conclusion
Shutterstock offers a significant opportunity for photographers, video editors, and illustrators to monetize their talents. With diligence, strategic planning, and perseverance, a mutually beneficial relationship with Shutterstock can evolve, turning creative content into a reliable income stream.