Number of Sales

Don, Last week I made a group of clips that are competitive with you and not having seen yours until I priced mine I now see that there is a substantial price difference. I must now request that you raise your prices.

There is a little tongue in cheek here but you see the problem. True I do not plan on lowering the prices but although very similar subject mater a buyer if any must make a decision. I also don't think you will raise your price.

In the last couple months a lot of my old 2007/08/09 clips have sold. Because I have over 14,000 clips I wait until they sell and then raise their price. Back when P5 started and we were all learning what would sell and prices I think I had a lot of "junk" cheap camera (HV-20 then XH-A1 interlaced) clips. Even my $60 clips that sell gets a boost in price when they sell. I don't leave an old selling clip at $39 but raise them. Since I don't list any new at under $50 I haven't looked but don't think any of my old junk is less than $39.

Maybe I do my pricing different that anyone else. I don't search for similars from anyone to see what they are priced at. I could care less what similar clips are priced or selling for. I feel price is almost insignificant, it is much more important on quality, camera and my costs to capture the subject. I know many do their data input by searching for similars and copying data and price info.

From other threads it seems most are asking for a minimum of $30 for HD. I agree and that is low. When "just sold" shows a similar to mine at a much lower price I do not reduce my prices. I don't lower prices to get cheap sales, I raise mine after sales.

I just looked at mine and yours to make sure I'm not hitting the bottom by mistake. My lowest are some vintage 8mm at $29.99 and modern are low of $39.99. Most if not all have never sold. WHen they do the price will be increased. I increase prices of my sold clips every day when I get a sales report on these old junk. I don't have any $15 to $25 like you and I don't think mine are in competition with any of your low priced clips.

I'm not in competition with anyone here, especially by price checking. I'm only here for the bottom-line dollar profit. Could care less on number other than for me it is a quick gauge of sales performance. Again I do not lower prices to match any competition. And don't raise price based on other artists price, I don't do similar searches.

You did notice this is tongue in cheek. I do check mine to see that I got the key words I wanted in place. Some of yours showed up with some of mine. I do place higher prices on clips that are unique to the subject at a premium. As yours were the only ones that showed the same subject matter I did notice some of mine were 5 times higher. The point I think I really wanted to make is that as you complain about the ten dollar clip on one hand others may complain about the $55 clip.It's hard not to feel a little rub from the ten dollar prices but these people may not realize the stock photo crash.

When I stated doing stock photos I bought a lot of books and the authors all were going on about how many times they sold an $800 dollar photo and so on. Then the argument also was "your not an artist if you don't shoot only film." Times do change. I'm at the point where I make a comfortable living and if I get an unique shoot I want to be paid for it. It's not only the camera but mostly it's the story told by the subject.

No Problem Slimm, I didn't look for similars between you and mine so I still have no idea which ones are similar, like I said I don't compare my clips to anyone, it just doesn't matter. I just did a quick look to make sure I didn't have any $10 or $15 or even any $25 clips, if so it was a mistake I needed to change .... tongue in cheek ... I did see you have a couple real low priced one ;)

You are right, a few years ago I regularly sold photos on Alamy for $500 to $1300 each. Still last month I sold a couple clips for over $1,200 each. There are great high priced opportunities but mid level pricing is very hot and active. I don't nor never have pushed for $500 clips, they are rare and based on subject. Even $199 clips need an established following and a great subject. I have never been proud of a lot of sales, the cash in the pocket is all that matters. I hate pocket change ;)

Many great guys and gals here first thought footage was like the dollar stock agency they came from. It's just an education to let them know that clips don't need to be $10 to sell. Many of us, including yourself make a good living doing stock footage, would be great if we can help new artists make more also. Their low prices don't hurt mine. I still haven't heard a single artist selling for $10-20 say they are making a good living here. I know a few dozen that are over $50 that are doing very well financially. Just a friendly education to new artists.

The best thing I ever did was raise my prices. I have been slowly moving prices up and watching the number of sales go up also. $67 was a real sweet spot for me. I have now moved everything to $79. It will be interesting to see if it pays off, or if sales goes down.

I realize there are other factors than price, but I figure buyers see $10 clips as just that a cheap low quality $10 clip.

I dont mean to offend those with $10 clips, however if you dont see value in your work who will?

one of mine https://www.pond5.com/ru/stock-footage/38493188 and one of yourshttps://www.pond5.com/ru/stock-footage/12237065

Maybe they only looked similar to me because they are both yellow airplanes and doing the same basic job so many of the key words are the same. At any rate they both turned up on the same page with many others we both produced.

Along with pederpad above I've decided that $75 will be my base except for the over done clips that everyone else takes in abundance. I figure if SS can sell things for $79 I'd give the the customer a break to come to Pond5 where I get a bigger percentage.

WOW Slimm great POV approaching aircraft clip. I just looked at my series of the crop duster clips and see I've only sold ONE since Oct 2012. Of course I know one sale of yours is worth more than a handful of mine selling. Believe me if they were selling the prices would be much higher. WIth that I will NOT drop the prices in a panic like many artists do. With no real series buys they just don't meet the demand so far. No way I can justify $299. When they sell they will go up from $55 considerably. I really thought they would sell better. They were dropping seeds to re-seed after a 55,000 acre fire a mile from my home. Fingers crossed for both of us.

Very often my sales are not as predicted on a clip by clip basis. I try very hard to think as a buyer and the end use of a clip, but it's very unpredictable.

I think a lot of people price their clip with a fear of not selling. If millions are going into advertising to support a one hour film and you are selling a clip for pennies on the dollar, then you are lining the pockets of someone else. You only get one chance so start your clip with what you want and keep taking a variety of subjects to cover your bases. The thing to remember is that your time and equipment have value and if you fit the need they'll buy the clip. $10 clips show a lack of confidence and fear that you're inferior. Stand up like a man and hang a price on it, if this the the income that feeds your family you better get a job with a steady wage until you can get more sales. If this is a business that pays for the next vacation then what the hell, don't be afraid to raise your price. Watch best of week and you'll say " I can't believe that clip sold for that". It could be you.