8 reasons why I have not submitted to VectorStock com

VectorStock.com has been around for many years. It sells nothing, but vector. Many top vector artists have submitted to VectorStock simply because they do not have better options. They need to generate their income as much as possible.

However, I for once have not submitted anything to VectorStock because of the 8 reasons below.

1. VectorStock had denied my application as a contributor... twice. I have submitted the below two vectors in two different occasions, and their response is...

ARTIST UPLOAD NOT GRANTED.
Thank you for your sample submission.
We have reviewed your sample and do not feel your work is suitable for the VectorStock library at this time.
You may re-submit a new sample for reviewing if you feel you can illustrate a different style.
Visit the FAQ for more information.
Best Regards
VectorStock Team

Below are the two vectors I submitted to VectorStock on different occasions and both have been denied for not suitable.

2. I believe my sales will be poor and unworthy. Although, this page (most download) shows us that there are indeed sales, but the performance of their new files are utterly disappointing. Take a look at their latest vectors and browse the pagination up to as many as you can. You will see that 99% of the files have 0 download. I dont mind if older files will eventually sell, but try to browse up to page 1000, and you will still be seeing 0 download for 99% of the files.

3. They sell us cheap. For a start, you earns 25% of your sales. All your files are priced at only USD1. That means that if you sell a vector, you only make USD0.25. Mind you that this is not even a subscription rate download, but a totally on-demand download. You cannot compare this rate to site like Shutterstock because Shutterstock sells at least 1000 times more than a low earners like this.

4. VectorStock uploading process is lame. They want you to reduce your artwork size to 380 x 400. Ohh, please, you are actually troubling ten thousand artists out there just because your programmer does not know how to write a script to resize a JPEG for the website preview. I reckon they rejected my application earlier was because of this reason. Yes, I didnt create my artwork in 380 x 400, and if this was really the reason you rejected me, at least you should mention properly why am I rejected instead of saying "I feel this is not suitable".

5. Because they are selling our vector so cheaply, I feel that they are luring "thieves" into buying our vectors and then putting it up for free at file hosting site. The reason why these "thieves" put our vector for free in file sharing site is because of money. However, I will not discuss this matter today as it will take one whole blog entry to explain. "Thieves" will most likely target on cheapest stock agency and buy from them so that their earning margin is higher.

6. They dont have PR (personal relationship). When is the last time you heard about them saying anything at all on the Internet? They dont even have a news column and forum in their site for us to discuss their site related matter and doesnt even bother what everyone is saying about them outside. These are some forum threads about VectorStock and I dont see VectorStock sending a representative to comment.

http://www.microstockgroup.com/illustration-general/anyone-using-vectorstock-com/

http://www.microstockgroup.com/new-sites-general/new-vector-only-stock-site/msg17099

When you dont send someone to comment and to clear things up, you are basically losing your creditability. Take a look at Graphicleftovers, they are good at PR. I have recently wrote a review about Graphicleftovers, and they really care enough to send someone to comment and to clarify things up. I love them.

7. No marketing effort. I cant see their advertisement anywhere in the Internet.

8. No site upgrade. You never ever see the site improve or degrade before. Do they even have a team of programmers? Have they given up?

As a conclusion, I have decided that I will not upload to them. If you have anything to say about Vectorstock, please comment on the comment box below.

Read More..

Why Shutterstock Should Not Go Exclusive

Many independent contributors have been dying to join Shutterstock exclusivity if it offers one. But up until today, Shutterstock does not plan to do it simply because it will do more harms than goods. Hey, isnt this is an opportunity of a life time for Shutterstock to kill all its competitors once and for all? No.

First, we have to understand from the contributors point of view. There are basically two groups of contributors. Those that make thousands of dollars every month, and those who make pennies.

The Successful earn 50% from Shutterstock and 50% across all other agencies.
The Failure earn 95% from Shutterstock and 5% across all other agencies.

The above is however, a hard fact. If Shutterstock offers exclusivity, the Failure will immediately join the offer without doubt. The Successful, on the other side, will dangle between the fence because it is such a risk for them to change what is already successful.

In the end, Shutterstock will build up a lot of EXCLUSIVE, BUT LOW QUALITY images/vectors. This will not only harm Shutterstock, but the big contributors as well. The only winner here is the Failure which fail to produce quantity and quality.

To comprehend more, exclusivity means higher pricing, ranking, and royalty percentage for contributors. So, if the majority of the exclusive contributors are the Failures, you can imagine how poor Shutterstock will become. We cannot compare Shutterstock and IStockPhoto here because IStockPhoto has the first-mover-advantage in the industry. IStockPhoto captured and forged the Successful one when they have yet to become successful.

Unless Shutterstock can offer a very delicious and lucrative exclusive offer, then it might have a chance to totally win the heart of the Successful contributors, and at the same time, eliminates all its competitors once and for all.

Read More..

Why womens are not interested in Technology

womens are not interested in Technology

I have a 14-year-old cousin and we are best of friends. But one thing bothers me a lot: she doesnt seem to be attracted to technology as I am. Every time I start a conversation about technology, she never for once pay attention. She seems to care more about clothes, make-ups and, like every other ladies, men! I even tried to use tech to make what she is interested in more fun for her, but she didnt hook up at all.

So I decided not to based my assumption on my cousin alone, I had to mingle with other women or ladies to see if they are different. Mehn, they are even worse than my cousin. Start a conversation about tech, the next thing they do is turn their backs on you and examine their nails, hair-styles, perfume, entertainment, gossip and like my cousin men. They see technology as a mans game.You know, my cousin case really bothers me a lot because, as you all know, we are in a century where everything we do is centers around tech. You cant talk about a career without technology these days. So, why are they not interested in tech? and how do we get more women in technology?

Read More..

7 Reasons Not to Hire People to do Vector Stock For You

1. Return of investment. 

You may not get back what you have invested from the person you hired. The reason being is because a stock vector may not sell at the end of the day or at worst, gets rejected. Here is an example of what you will get per vector depending on the quality of the vector. Bear in mind all of the figures below are just estimations and may not be accurate at all.

An antique abacus vector.
Skills required: Average.
Production time: 3 hours.
Earning after first 6 months: $1.00
Hiring a freelance to create: $50.00.

100 road sign vector.
Skills required: Average
Production time: 10 days.
Earning after 6 months: $50.00.
Hiring  a freelance to create: $500.00

2. Management.

Hiring someone means you have to look into his work to ensure that there is quality control. You also need to have discussion (waste of time) with him and sometimes you have to look at his angry face when you comment on his works. This is called management. And managements means more investment.

3. Potential of infringement.

How do you know that a vector he produced are not stolen from somewhere else? Will you check? There are millions of vector out there and most are free. Bear in mind that this is a very serious offend if your portfolio contains a copied of others people work. You may get your whole account banned for just 1 vector.

4. He may become your competitor.

Now, isnt that something common and shouldnt be a concern? Yes, it is common if you are in car repair industry, hair dressing, or software house, but vector stock industry is different. Imagine your portfolio is popular with seamless pattern design, and this guy who has been working for you has learned all the necessary skills to produce back the similar, but better vectors. He may soon start a new portfolio that competes with you on the same category. You have to understand that you have no advantage in this because buyers dont really care much about your reputation, nor do they have emotional attachment with you.

5. He can do it too.

When you are making a lot of money from him, he will sooner or later realize that he can do this on his own. This will happen a lot sooner than you can expect.You must understand that anyone with illustration skills can do this on his own. All he need is a computer, a software, and some keywording skills. Nothing more, right? This is not an industry whereby you need a lot of resources to start.

6. He may moonlight from you.

Whats stopping him from producing higher quality vector for his own portfolio, and producing lower quality one for you? 

7. You learn less.

On a technical side, you will be spending a lot of time managing your workers. Will you still have time sharpening your skills on illustration? Afterall, the most important aspect in this industry is your illustration skills.

The above reasons make sense if you applied it on vector stock. However, if you are in stock photography, then the above 7 reasons do not applied anymore. The overhead to become a big and successful stock photography contributor is very high. You need cameras, models, studio, photography equipments, and travelling expenses.

Read More..

The Freelance Economy is NOT a Joke and its NOT Saturated Yet by Marc Charles

The Freelance Economy is NOT a Joke and its NOT Saturated (Yet)

6:10 AM

Greetings!

I’ve made hundreds of thousands of dollars freelancing, so I know it works.

More important, I’ve helped thousands of people cash in on the freelance craze.

So believe me…..you CAN generate cash as freelancer….and its easier than you think. Got a full time job or another business? No problem, you can do this on the side.

I’ll give you the truth about freelancing so you can start making money in the next few hours or days.

The Truth About the Economy…..

The economy is in shambles, unemployment is still at historic highs.

The so-called “greatest companies of the new millennium” are laying off people in droves!

Companies like Yahoo!, AOL, Facebook, Google, and Cisco have quietly turned on the “layoff spigot” too.

But this is GREAT NEWS for freelance workers. I’m dead serious.

The world hasn’t ended just because a preacher said it would.

No sir.

We both know it’s pretty dismal… businesses are slashing debt, expenses and wasteful spending (i.e. lazy employees) like crazy.

But the world hasn’t ended and some businesses are growing like wildfire!

And many businesses, let’s say hundreds of thousands, have discovered the power of using freelance and contract workers.

We may discover this time will be referred to as the “Freelance Decade”.

This Is NOT a Good Time to Be Fired!

Last week S.E. invited me to lunch at a swanky seaside bistro.

He told me his job as a high-level graphic designer was coming to a close. Apparently his employer is bankrupt, and was closing up shop because no one would buy it.

“You warned me this would happen…..three years ago”, S.E. exclaimed.

He went on…. “This is NOT a good time to be fired. Geez, my wife’s at home with our baby all day…she can’t work outside the home”!

I said, “Hey, it’s not a big deal. I know you’re upset. But if you start thinking like a freelance expert rather than an employee you’ll be ahead of the game”.

“What’s more, your wife could grab a small freelance gig too if she has the time”, I added.

S.E. mumbled…. “I know you’ve mentioned freelancing before. But I don’t have time for little “side projects”. I need good paying projects NOW!”

“Okay”, I said. “Give me $500 and I’ll have three freelance projects for you by Monday (it was Thursday afternoon)”.

S.E. shot back, “$500? Is that your fee or what”?

“I want to see if you’re serious. Write me a check for $500. When you land the right freelance project I’ll give your money back”, I said smiling.

S.E. landed a freelance project the following Tuesday. It only took four days.

Here’s the Secret to Freelance Gigs…

If you type “freelance projects” into Google your head will be swimming in search results.

There are thousands of so-called freelance websites on the Internet. Most of them are designed to get YOUR money in the form of “membership fees” and other services.

Granted, there are a handful of freelance sites worth the money you spend on membership fees…I’ll show you the ones I like.

But you don’t have to succumb to the majority of BS freelance sites on the Internet.

When you’re done reading this week’s issue you’ll be able to can start landing “legitimate” freelance projects in record time.

I know what I’m talking about when it comes to freelancing. I’ve been doing it on one level or another for more than 30 years.

And get this….

I was approached by a senior TV executive to produce a “Freelance Channel”! Can you imagine? It might work…but I would focus on YouTube rather than TV.

I’m the “Go To Guy” when it comes to freelance work!

Welcome to “Freelance Heaven”…..

Take This Job and Shove It! 

E.J  worked for the largest insurance company in South Africa as a network “gopher”. 

He would “go for” things and perform mundane tasks for three senior managers.

One day, without warning, E.J. was fired….by email. He was devastated and humiliated. He was escorted from his desk, cardboard box in hand, out of the building and asked to leave company property.

The funny thing is….E.J. was a devoted employee. He didn’t break any laws, polices, procedures or screw anything up.

However….E.J. said he made a terrible mistake…and it was political.

E.J. started mocking senior management’s political affiliations and poked fun at them at a local company watering hole.

He violated the corporate cardinal sin: politics is everything.

Anyway, E.J. was referred to me by a goodfriend when he relocated to the US.

When I saw the depth of E.J’s expertise….and more than three pages of testimonials and referrals…..I suggested he start working as a freelance network administrator or security consultant. 

E.J. was not thrilled. He thought I was going to offer him a job.

On top of that, E.J. never worked for himself. He worked at the same company for ten years. So he was afraid to go out on his own (without a safety net or benefits).

I told him, “I know you’re nervous about going out on your own and working as a freelance contractor. But you can get a job and freelance on the side until the money convinces you”.

E.J was all ears now.

I showed him how and where to find clients immediately…as in hours or days not months or years.

In less than three months E.J was in business working fulltime as a freelance network administrator, and he quit so “secure” job.  Today E.J is turning clients away and focusing on the highest paying ones (his words not mine).

E.J. told me he’s making eight times as much as a freelancer than as an employee.

That’s what I’m talking about!

And get this……

E.J. was recently approached by insurance company in South Africa that fired him! He never responded to their call or email.

Ive been freelancing in one capacity or another for more than 29 years. 

The opportunities are greater today than they ever were in 1982!

It’s no surprise…..the economy sucks. Most companies are firing NOT hiring people!

But, in all the desperation, uncertainty and calamity is opportunity. I’m not kidding!

Most companies and businesses may be firing people in droves but they still need certain tasks done…and they’re willing to pay for them.

Here some of the freelance opportunities in DEMAND right now:

Programming

Business development

Legal

All things Google (SEO, SEM, advertising, back-linking, etc)

Sales

Graphic design

Webmasters

Social Media Managers

Engineers

Accounting and Finance

Network Administration and Security

Keep in mind….these are only the web-based freelance opportunities!

There are boatloads of “offline” freelance opportunities too; such as:

Medical and dental

Sales

Paralegal

Real estate

Restaurants

Hotels and resorts

Programming

Analysts & Accounting

Marketing

Driving

There are just too many opportunities to list!

In this week’s issue I’ve included more than twenty resources to help you land a great freelance gig.

If you need more recommendations or “one-on-one” assistance, drop me a note. I’d love to hear from you!

Have fun and play nice.

Enjoy the “Freelance Decade”!

Your humble host,

Marc Charles

*** Action Strategy ***

Start researching freelance opportunities!
Don’t put it off.
The truth is…….
Hundreds of thousands of people (probably millions) would love some freelance gigs…just like my friend in today’s article.
But something holds them back….or they’re too busy with other things.
At first, freelance projects won’t be handed to you on a silver platter.
Actually…..I take that back!
I’ve had freelance projects handed to me on a silver platter, without any effort. But that’s because I laid a foundation of contacts and I was ready to “receive” projects without hesitation.
Anyway….if freelance interests you then get crackin! 

Set an objective to secure a freelance project in 7 days or less (then send me a note about your success)

**********Valuable Resources*************

FlexJobs (Excellent)

Solvate

FreshWebJobs

Guru.com

eLance

CraigsList.org (250+ cities, hundreds of freelance opportunities under Gigs category)

Get A Freelancer

DirectResponseJobs

Freelance Central

Monster Freelance

Media Bistro

NoAgenciesPlease

SimplyHired

CrunchBoard

Post your freelance availability with these great tools:

Google AdWords (link keyword ads to your bio page or blog)

Yahoo! Small Business (keyword advertising)

ExactSeek (prepaid keyword advertising)

Microsoft Advertising

Monster (Advanced freelance search)

CareerBuilder (Advanced freelance search)

SmartHunt (Freelance & Contract section)

PaidContent (Freelance search)
Fiverr.com

Recommended Reading:

Get Clients Now by C.J. Hayden

Selling Your Services by Robert Bly

Read More..

Shutterstock Vector Sales Not Doing Well

Vector graphics earning in Shutterstock had been on increasing trend for a very long time. Contributors were working very hard to produce more and more high quality vectors. The competition was stiff as ever, but we survived. Not this time, though.

Reading posts from everywhere around the Internet, I can see that weve probably hit the peak somewhere in 2013. 2014 is a decline for Shutterstock and it is still declining. Yes, probably only Shutterstock is declining because other agencies have been neutral. Sad, but true.

I am seeing a sharp drop in my sales at Shutterstock just like everyone else. Many have come up with theories such as:
- search algorithm changes by Shutterstock
- server uptime issue
- summer holiday
- tight competition among contributors
- Getty giving away free images
- ... and many more...

Everything above could be true, but I personally dont think of that. I think Shutterstock is losing clients.

Fotolia introduced DPC (I have opt out because I dont like the idea).
IStock introduced subscription model.
DepositPhotos and 123rf are advertising heavily.

All these are hurting Shutterstock sales and we dont see our overall earnings spread evenly because the income of our vector images are getting less and less everyday in other agencies when they "silently" played around with their royalties, ranking system, and buyer packages.

The trend of "race to the bottom" is also worrying one. Agencies are fighting a price war. Contributors and agencies are suffering because of this. Jon Oringer knows this (who would have know better, if not Jon?). If I am Jon, I will probably start diversifying my investment into other new revolutionary ideas.

Read More..

LikeNation Review Not a Scam

Ive been putting my affiliate link to LikeNation in my monthly income wrap-up posts not because I make an income there, but because it helps me to make an income. Let me explain.


I signed up at LikeNation (FYI: if you sign up with me, I get 200 points and then I get 5 whopping cents if you complete 70 social media trades) and started working the system.

You get "coins" or points when you, for instance, follow someone on Twitter. Some are big points, some are only 1 point. You get coins (not money) for Facebook likes, Instagram, YouTube subscribes, views, likes, favorites and more.

If you like or follow so many in one day you get bonus points.

What to do with your points?

Click Add a Page and figure out where you want people to come see you. I have mine set for people to follow me on Twitter for 4 points. Sometimes I have my Facebook fan page on to like for a few points, also. Its not buying followers, so its fine with social media.

Are you getting quality follows? Sometimes. I say you never know who will see your tweet, for instance, and then come to your Bubblews post (at a penny per view) or to your blog or to buy your ebook.

I spend less than 10 minutes a day on this site, but it has increased my numbers to the point that I get some decent stuff to review on Tomoson AND BlogHer regularly picks me for their $50 ad campaigns where I post 8 status updates or tweets ($6.25 per tweet aint bad!).

Check it out! See you there!

Read More..

How to receive Google Adsense Payment If you are not 18

After creating blog, first question is how to earn money. There are too much online sources which allows you to earn money online.Google adsense is best service which provide you to earn handsome amount of money by placing ads.Google adsense is based upon some rules and regulations. If you have adsense on your blog then question is how to receive payments. Adsense has rules that you will not get payment if you are not under 18. If you are below 18,and want to withdraw money from adsense then this article will help you.I am sharing with you two possible methods by which you able to get adsense payment.
 

Receive Payments on your Father/Mother Name:
First method is that receive adsense payments by using your Father/Mother or your Guardian name to receive money . Make a Google adsense account by your Father/Mother or your Guardian name. When you eligible to get payment, withdraw amount from Nearest Western Union with your Father/Mother or Guardian with CNIC.

Receive Adsense Payment Using Passport
If you are living in away to your home, or not find first method reliable then get adsense payment by using passport. In University Hostel or if you are not agree to the first method I recommend i.e to use Father/Mother or Guardian name to receive Payment than there is also a solution for you.The most popular way by which Adsense Publishers are receiving payments is through Western Union.
Western Union allows you multiple ways to withdraw amount which are follow. 

• By copy of CNIC
• By copy of driving license
• By copy of passport

Payment Via passport:

If you are under 18 first two options are not valid for you.As you not have CNIC and driving license till you reach 18.Option which is valid is receiving paymnets via Passposrt by western union.There is no age limit of passport, so if you have passport then you can get payments via Western Union. 

If you have not passport you can apply for Passport in nearest Passport Office in your city.You have to pay some fee bt after that you will enable to get your Google Adsense payment via Western Union.

Read More..

IStockPhoto Exclusive or Not

Should I become an IStockPhoto Exclusive, or not? That is the question, and will always be the question among all stock contributors. I have got the answer today, and it is... "Yes and no, depends".

What is IStockPhoto Exclusive? IStockPhoto Exclusive means that a contributor can only upload his stocks to IStockPhoto and he shall not sell it elsewhere. The advantages and disadvantages of being an IStockPhoto Exclusive are listed below:

Advantages.

1. Your stocks price will be about 40% higher.
2. Your royalty percentage is higher as well.
3. IStockPhoto will rank your stocks higher in its search engine.
4. The reviewer will review your stocks in a shorter time.
5. The reviewer will be more lenient in accepting your stocks.
6. You got a crown icon at your profile, and you will be respected more (at IStockPhoto).
7. They will help you to fight against infringement.

Disadvantages.

1. Very high risk, because IStockPhoto can change to a new plan that does not favor you. They can change this anytime they want.
2. You cannot sell your stocks elsewhere. This means you may have not maximized your earnings.

Wait. There are 20 other microstock agencies out there. Shouldnt there be no argument at all that my earnings will be maximized if I sell to all of them, instead of IStockPhoto solely? NOT NECESSARY.

Yes, there are 20 other microstock agencies out there, but only 4 of them are making significant earnings. They are Shutterstock, Dreamstime, Fotolia, and GraphicRiver. The rest are almost hopeless at the current state.

Let me get you straight to the fact. One top vector can make you about $5000 a year at a combined sales of all other stock agencies, while a decent vector at IStockPhoto can make you about $20000 a year. There is no secret that a vector can has the biggest revenue at IStockPhoto if it sells.

Below are some examples of IStockPhoto Exclusives work that has generated a revenue of over $40000 in 1-2 years.

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/5513900/2/istockphoto_5513900-men-s-t-shirt.jpg

2400 downloads to date since March 2008.
Each download is 20 credits.
Per credit is about $1.30.

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/8183121/2/istockphoto_8183121-communication-icons-satin-series.jpg

6900 downloads to date since June 2009.
Each download is 14 credits.
Per credit is about $1.30.

Now, is there any Independent Contributor (Independent Contributors means you are not exclusive anywhere) has made that much with a single vector? Not very possible.

So, why the hell are we still being Independent Contributors? The reason is simply because many of our best sellers (elsewhere) are not being accepted by IStockPhoto. There are many type of vectors that IStockPhoto dont accept. Here is an example of one of my best seller elsewhere.

The above kitchen set utensils is one of my bestseller (elsewhere) because I have combined all of these fine looking tools together and they look worthy by "being together". However, IStockPhoto rejected it because they think knife, cutlery, spatula, and scissor should not be group together, and they should be split into smaller groups. Ohh, ok... so lets split them up since there will be more artworks for me to sell, right? But no, my style of artworks dont work this way. When I split them up, they will look less-worthy and nobody will want to buy it anymore. See the below and you will feel it.

2 sales since May 2010 at IStockPhoto.
10 credits per download.

Fortunately, the big group below is accepted by IStockPhoto, and they didnt say that ruler, protractor, and compass do not belong together. So, I have got a better sales :)

17 sales since May 2010 at IStockPhoto.
15 credits per download.

Imagine, if I were to split the above mathematical instruments into smaller group, how will they look like? And will it look worthy anymore? I guess no, because this arent great artwork. They only look good by being together. Imagine if the 3 compasses below were to be an artwork of its own, it will look awfully cheap.

Now, lets go back to the original question. To be, or not to be an IStockPhoto Exclusive?

If you are very good at producing super super super vector, then you should be an IStockPhoto Exclusive. If you are an average-skilled illustrator like me, then you should not become an IStockPhoto Exclusive because most of your work will go down to drain. IStockPhoto rejection rate is very high. Below are some of my bestseller (elsewhere) that IStockPhoto will not accept for sure.

1st rejection reason: Split them up and resubmit, please.
(After you split them up and resubmit)
2nd rejection reason: We dont accept silhouette anymore.
(What a waste of time to have asked me to resubmit)

1st Rejection reason: Delete the text and resubmit, please.
(After you delete the text and resubmit)
2nd Rejection reason: We dont think it is suitable for our stock.
(What a waste of time to have asked me to resubmit)

So, why dont I produce artwork that IStockPhoto can accept? Yes, I can, but with my current skills, I am not able to produce super super super vector, and thus there will be no sale on my stock. Moreover, I like to produce easy stuff like abstract, web design elements, silhouette, and etc, and the buyers at other agency are still buying them although they are not top in quality.

That is why whether you should become an IStockPhoto Exclusive or not is highly depend on your skills. If you are super good, IStockPhoto Exclusive is your route to millionaire. If you are not that good, you may want to consider joining the other agencies below:

Shutterstock, 

Dreamstime, 

Fotolia, 

and GraphicRiver

Until then, good bye for today.

Read More..