Two years of Pond 5 earnings | Second year selling on Pond 5 | Is it worth it?

Two years of Pond 5 earnings | Second year selling on Pond 5 | Is it worth it? | HONEST REVIEW

Рет қаралды 11,077

Жыл бұрын

I'm back to show you my second year of earnings on Pond 5!!
What have I learnt, what have I earnt and would I recommend it as a viable passive income in 2023.
If you have any stock footage tips or questions please comment below!
For 20% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER, or feel like buying a clip of a man eating a cheese and peanut butter sandwich 😂 (yes one of my life goals is to have a least one person buy that clip) smash the link below!!
www.pond5.com/artist/JasonAGA...
#secondyearonpond5 #stockfootageearnings #agreatalternative
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Пікірлер: 70

@agreatalternative 5 ай бұрын

Hey anyone who takes a read through the comments, I thought I'd highlight it as I think it warrants an update (Jan 2024). My revenue has dramatically dropped off in the past year (I haven't uploaded as much, but then I have 1000's of clips still on Pond5 with no sales). My personal opinion is that this is mainly due to teaming up with SS and trying the saturate the market, then not pushing contributors as much as they say they do. What are your thoughts on this?

@etchedintime8047 3 ай бұрын

The same thing happened to me a few years ago when Getty bought out a number of smaller libraries that were carrying my footage. Not very happy about it, so many ridiculous sales around $1 or $2, and they take 80% to boot! The only reason I allow a portion of my library to stay at Getty is because of the occasional $200 - $300 sale and that's my split, meaning that someone paid a heckuva lot more to Getty. By the way are you still with Pond5, I tried looking for your clips, like "fort worth stockyard", but couldn't find them. Have you considered putting your clips with libraries other than micro-stocks like Pond5?

@etchedintime8047 3 ай бұрын

Oh, and good KZfaq video. I appreciate your straight forward, "honest" unembellished approach.

@agreatalternative 3 ай бұрын

@@etchedintime8047 Thank you for the comments, I keep thinking about adding more to another site but I’m so wary because overall I don’t feel like pond 5 is worth the time, whereas putting my time into KZfaq videos is (especially as I enjoy it even more!). My content is still on Pond5 yes but I agree for some reason the forth worth clip doesn’t appear…….🤔 thanks pond5!🤦‍♂️

@etchedintime8047 3 ай бұрын

@@agreatalternativeYour concept for A Great Alternative is excellent. Keep it up. Maybe you could find some places that will pay you a fee to get their clip out there.

@agreatalternative 3 ай бұрын

@@etchedintime8047 Yeah good idea, plus as I'm trying to get out of the world of 'corporate' video advertising, I'm just enjoying using this channel to meet a load of interesting people and swap skills!

@DioJeanBaptiste 6 ай бұрын

this is cool and great insight.

@southeastasiagoingastray731 7 күн бұрын

Can you do a list of "hurtful words"? What is a "Hurtful Word"? all these stock sites are all non cents.

@yoschneider 10 ай бұрын

Great video. Thank you for sharing. It's really refreshing to have an honest and intelligent take on being a stock footage contributor. I found your approach to be a nice contrast to the many 'cheesy?' videos touting Pond5 (or any stock service) as a way to make a fortune. I'm an editor by trade, but have been shooting stock establishers / scene transitions for TV movies in Vancouver, BC for a while now and decided to upload a few to Pond5. My income from stock sales reflects yours for the amount of shots I've contributed. For myself, I don't think this is at all worth the time to shoot, upload, edit and categorize. On a different topic, I am now very curious about the implications of dataset collecting now part of Pond5's platform. Based on what AI is currently able to create from huge datasets of video, audio, etc. .. I can't imagine the future for contributing artists to be great. Though I have occasionally been called a cynic.

@agreatalternative 10 ай бұрын

Thank you Jason, haha I think you’re one of the first people to ever call me ‘intelligent’, other than my mum, so thanks for that!! 😆 I’m going to be shooting the third year video soon and this extra year really has cemented how it’s really not worthwhile if you’re only shooting stock for (in this example) Pond 5. I think the sheer number of clips available means it’s so hard for things to get seen, plus like you said I’d be interested if there’s been a downturn in sales because of people using AI tools to create clips. That’s a great point about stock media’s part in AI datasets and one I’d happily blather on for ages about!! Currently I’m torn because although I agree it will cause stock media sales to dip, I’m aiming to use it more heavily within my editing, as a tool within animation, kinda like an plugin within after effects. I want to believe that using it as a tool for part of the process will always gain better results than just typing in one prompt!

@yoschneider 10 ай бұрын

@@agreatalternative I think that's the right approach .. figure ways to take advantage of AI. I'm guessing the contributor space will become even less worthwhile in days ahead. However, as an editor, I'm looking forward to being able to use a shot and have AI identify and remove all logos, replace license plates with numbers/letters that are legally fine for broadcast and maybe even change a face enough so that it isn't identifiable as the actual person filmed. Strange new times moving so quickly.

@agreatalternative 10 ай бұрын

@@yoschneider Yes exactly, imagine the possibilities!!

@sarahmckeown1170 Жыл бұрын

Came here to see how big my Christmas present was going to be? 🤣 Great video Jason!

@agreatalternative Жыл бұрын

Handmade free gifts coming your way!! 😂 Alicia says “you should know that Alicia spends too much on you anyway 🤣

@suaraalam7796 4 ай бұрын

you are so honest and kind. i put my high respect for you 😇

@agreatalternative 4 ай бұрын

How very kind of you ☺️

@suaraalam7796 4 ай бұрын

@@agreatalternative cause too many blowing up information on internet and you give us real information. we need more people like you on the internet

@explorewithgeoff Жыл бұрын

I've been on Pond5 since 2018 but I only had about 30 clips until last year and now have over 1000. I didn't have the best equipment for video in 2018. However, since 2021 and even more in 2022 I've been working hard adding new clips. Sales are slowly happening. I'm a lot more experienced with stock images where I stayed away from microstock and was exclusive to Alamy. They are now awful though for many reasons so I'm only spending time on video. I have a drone which earned me 2 sales within weeks of uploading them, plus I have plans for more gear soon which will help. My knowledge of photography and stock images has helped a lot with getting good footage and knowing what sort of thing clients want, plus best practices for captions and keywords. I've also just started a KZfaq channel where I'm trying to get the nerve to add more stuff! Only one video so far but I have ideas for the future if I'm brave enough to show my ugly mug! I'm considering buying a DJO Osmo Action 3 for KZfaq but only if it'll be good enough for Pond5 too, which is something I'm unsure about and am still looking into.

@johnasmat Жыл бұрын

I learned from you: to shoot specific footage .. great

@agreatalternative Жыл бұрын

Hey John, Sorry you didn’t find the video that helpful, was there any subject I could go into that would help you specifically?

@andyarts8382 7 ай бұрын

Brilliant, just fuc...... brillant. Thank you.

@agreatalternative 7 ай бұрын

Cheers Andy 👊 That comment made my fuc…… day.

@TomTrott 8 ай бұрын

Great video man! Are sales keeping up now? My sales have ground to a halt recently it seems. Difficult to see when so much effort goes in.

@agreatalternative 8 ай бұрын

Hey Tom, are you psychic? 😂 I have the third year of sales going public tonight 😁 Including the updated top ten selling clips, but I’m short……. it’s been ok but nothing special. My view is still that is should be a bonus thing that makes a little bit of extra cash that you don’t really rely on, kinda like a lot of craft projects. What have been your most popular clips?

@TomTrott 8 ай бұрын

I replied earlier but I think it got blocked as I put my Pond5 link in the message. @@agreatalternative

@CatEqualsYes Жыл бұрын

Your production quality is lit great job

@agreatalternative Жыл бұрын

Cheers👍 Thanks for the comments, I hope you liked your little cameo 😁 13:43 (If that is your comment 🤔)

@CatEqualsYes Жыл бұрын

@@agreatalternative wowwwwwwwwww i've never had a cameo before I must admit I didn't make it that far in the video, but that's not because of the content. Thanks dude I really appreciate it! and yeah that's me

@agreatalternative Жыл бұрын

@@CatEqualsYes No worries, thanks again 👊

@CatEqualsYes Жыл бұрын

@@agreatalternative I'm so psyched on your channel because I strongly believe if you just keep grinding you'll 'make it' that's why I'm subbed it's like watching an undervalued stock lol

@agreatalternative Жыл бұрын

@@CatEqualsYes Thank you, means a lot! Love your pet cat 🐱😁 went and watched a few stock clips on your channel, perfect example of something you have nearby that you can get a whole load of stock clips from!! Quick question; have you watched any of the documentaries or vids about our homestead journey? I’m asking as I’m interested to see if any of the stock footage gang are interested in the other content.

@pinac Жыл бұрын

bro, you are selling at the default prices.. yes I looked at your portfolio .. you could have made a small fortune.. holy crap man.. your media is very unique and looks amazing. Please sir, please, raise your prices, especially since you are E. One of the best videos into Pond 5, other than the one I made lol.. It is private now, I let too much out in that video. I also have respect that you are showing your portfolio. Great job man

@agreatalternative Жыл бұрын

Thank you mate, means a lot 👊 You may be right but I always feel like it wouldn’t sell if I put the prices up. But tbh I should probably try a batch where I put the prices higher, especially if the shots are unique. Thanks for the inspiration!

@PapaMacVideos Жыл бұрын

Jason, your work is top notch. I have been selling stock media for many years and I agree with The Wider View that your prices are much much TOO LOW. I have done multiple experiments and learned that price is not the determining factor to sales - it is content. If it is the clip the buyer wants $179 for 4K is to me the standard ($79 for HD). If it is a really unique clip $299 or $399 is doable. I have sold a 10 second clip of lighting for $399 (I got 50% of that). Sold a cool time lapse of a famous mountain 3 times for average $265 each sale. I received 60% each sale. I have had very unremarkable clips sell for $149 (where I get 60%). I think buyers realize artists have to make a livable wage. My suggestion would be to not sell your work short. Wishing you much success in stock video and life. Mike (i.e. Papa Mac)

@agreatalternative Жыл бұрын

@@PapaMacVideos Thank you so much for your kind words!! I’ve got a project release by this week where I share my full process and there are a few clips in there that’s I’ve really spent a whole lot of time on so you’ve convinced me to up my prices on those!! It’s funny how in this field (stock video) I’m back to treating it like a newbie even though for my day job as a filmmaker it’s the exact advice I stick by - “Know your worth and don’t sell yourself short as you bring the whole industry down”. Thank you again, many thanks from the UK 👍

@7CElements Жыл бұрын

@@PapaMacVideos I think you're right. We had our head in the dirt for so long, we forgot that the little people (us), without the money, aren't the ones we are selling to. Our market is the rich. They got so much, they spend $Ms on paintings nobody cares for, and $Bs on yachts they never use. They don't value money.

@7CElements Жыл бұрын

We spend a lot of time and effort to get these money shots, most of which never gets sold, so make it worth it.

@davidenglund 10 ай бұрын

Do you think having a stock site (e.g., POND5) helps build a portfolio presence out there? Do you use it to share content to social streams? Or, would you rather use KZfaq for that? Thx

@agreatalternative 10 ай бұрын

Great question David! I think it depends on your end goal. If it’s to either be hired as a camera technician or sell your footage then pond 5 or similar if perfect. If you are more of a filmmaker (I.e you are also the editor) then I would advise putting edited show reels on KZfaq, but then sharing on different platforms. Also make shorter content for other platforms as well, as one video won’t engage well across everything. Hope that helps! Actually I’ll be doing a third year update soon so if you have any questions you’d like me to talk about in that let me know!

@jargon999 Жыл бұрын

Nice channel!

@agreatalternative Жыл бұрын

Cheers Andy 👍

@phildoodler2199 Жыл бұрын

Really interesting videos, quite informal and informative. I’ve just started uploading photos and video to various agencies. My question is, when you get sales, does pond 5 pay you after they deduct tax, or do you have to declare what you earn personally outwith pond5. Hope this is not a silly question.

@agreatalternative Жыл бұрын

Thank you Phil! It’ll be different depending on what country you’re in, for me (UK based) I believe they have taken the tax off first, but I’m not certain as my wife does the accounts 😁

@phildoodler2199 Жыл бұрын

@@agreatalternative ye, I’m UK. Thanks for reply. Like everyone else, I hate paying tax. Cheers again.

@agreatalternative Жыл бұрын

@@phildoodler2199 I second that 😁

@theresabell1358 Жыл бұрын

For all the clips you upload, how much time are you investing re: editing/tagging/uploading? It seems great if it's a residual income, but if you're working yourself to the bone at the front end of it, I don't reckon it's worth it.

@agreatalternative Жыл бұрын

At a rough estimate I’d say probably 2min per clip for uploading & tagging. But this is because I create templates so for around every 100 or so it’s a simple click to upload (which takes longer but I can do something else in the mean time) then copy and paste the template and change the name for each clip. Edit takes much longer, but as the clips are a byproduct (b-roll from other projects) then the argument could be made the only editing time is exporting, which for me takes around 1-2min per clip. So when you add it up still not a small amount of time but just enough that it’s currently worth it. You’re right though I realised quickly that if I was shooting just for stock then the whole process was way to costly for the tiny pay off!

@theresabell1358 Жыл бұрын

@@agreatalternative Thank you for the detailed reply. Have a great day!

@agreatalternative Жыл бұрын

@@theresabell1358 My pleasure 😊 We’re not able to share too many helpful videos about our homestead journey yet so it’s nice to still help out in one area I feel experienced in!

@7CElements Жыл бұрын

This is exactly like eBay, since 2003. You get views, but if it's not what they want, or don't have the money... It's the economy, always going down, never up. Cater to the people who do, big businesses, news, Hollywood, including Cinespaces(Chicago), and NY, ad people. No pay, no play. Media is sitting on a cache of money, and tech industry too. I H8 to say it, but China too. Then when you get it, never give it upwards.

@ClaireOnTour Ай бұрын

Hey, why do you use Pond 5 and not BlackBox to share your work?

@agreatalternative Ай бұрын

When I originally set it up ( it sure if that’s the case now), blackbox wouldn’t give as much commission, I had issues using the FTP upload and it was during lockdown so I had the time to uploaded/ tag myself. Do you use blackbox? Is it worth the time to upload?

@ClaireOnTour Ай бұрын

@@agreatalternative I just applied for BlackBox. On the website is written „our commission rate is 15% of NET sales..“ I will try it out and see how it goes :)

@puffinfilm Жыл бұрын

Were u an exclusive seller or non exclusive. I suggest if you were non exclusive to change to exclusive if you are just selling on ponds 5 to earn more money, though you won't be able to use the images u sell on Pond 5 to other stock sites

@puffinfilm Жыл бұрын

I'd suggest to upload to a bunch of different sites. See if that works for you

@agreatalternative Жыл бұрын

Yeah I’m exclusive, mainly because Pond5 give the best rates for people who are exclusive, plus I didn’t have the time to upload to lots of sites. I have looked at blackbox but I don’t like how much commission they take so for now just sticking with the one.

@akshaygayakwad4461 Жыл бұрын

BB rejected me

@EdwardHeavrin Жыл бұрын

damn dude. I sell $600-1000 a year on Pond5 with only 50 clips up. Maybe you should DO BETTER.

@agreatalternative Жыл бұрын

Wow well done Edward! 👍 Do you have any tips for how to do better?

@CatEqualsYes Жыл бұрын

Do you include your clips in Membership Downloads? I got 8 downloads through that which earned me about $40 and I only implemented this about 3 months ago. I have 3797 clips on p5

@agreatalternative Жыл бұрын

I think so as I select “let pond5 pick my price”. I’ve made a small amount over all within a GPP (global partnership program) but often these sales have been multiples at a time, so overall I think it’s worth it.

@sateditz4863 Жыл бұрын

Hi Jason! Love the content you're putting out, great presentation, edit and very entertaining. I specialized in editing KZfaq videos and would love to edit your videos. There is a great potential for growth and time for improving your content if the editing work is outsourced. Mind giving me a chance to help you grow ? Thanks

@agreatalternative Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I’ll be totally honest I love editing myself and it’s one of the reasons for starting the channel as creative freedom is worth so much! Therefore currently I’m not looking to outsource, but keep up the awesome work Loved the 2022 showreel, especially the tracking section!