I've been working a bit on my marketing lately (though not nearly enough), and was thinking about signing up for PhotoDaily, the daily needs list sent out by PhotoSource International (http://www.photosource.com/index.php). Is anyone subscribed to this list? Are you getting any good leads/sales? Bottom line: has it been worth it for you?
I subscribed to PhotoDaily from around 2000-2003 and didn't make one sale through the listings. I have also belongeed to Photosource/Bank listing on their website and have six images posted along with 3000 keywords and a profile. That's been for around five or six years now and as far as I know (unless a client found my business through photosource and didn't mention it to me) I have also never made a sale. The cost for me right now is only $4.95/month but I think it's time to give up that listing as well.
I'm sure it's more profitable for people selling general stock but if you're selling outdoor photos it's not worth your time. You'd be better off doing the marketing yourself, ie., go to a a local bookstore and develop contact lists through magazine's masthead and send out contact info and requests for guidelines and photo wants listings.
This is not necessarily a knock on Photosource, just the way it is in outdoor photography. The way supply and demand is there's just not many listings. Your'e better off pitching ideas, like photo essays, rather than waiting for someone to come looking for you. Randy
Posted by Randy Beacham on June 27, 2006 at 12:53 PM
I thought I should also add that subscribing to an outdoor photography portal like the one here at NPN is a good alternative to subscribing to a wants listing like photosource. I've made sales from having photos posted here as well as at another site, naturephotosonline.com While you don't get too many inquiries, you do get some since they are focused on nature photography, which photosource isn't. Randy
Thanks, Randy -- that's exactly the kind of info I was looking for. I also shoot some travel and dog stuff -- I wonder if requests for those might come up more often. Sounds like it's not worth the $330/year, though.
I've had one sale through PhotoPortfolios recently (although I'm still waiting to be paid), and have been slowly wading through Photographer's Market, sending out promo packages to appropriate markets, but rarely get a response. Just looking for other outlets. . . .
Discussion
3 repliesThanks for the feedback,
Martin
I subscribed to PhotoDaily from around 2000-2003 and didn't make one sale through the listings. I have also belongeed to Photosource/Bank listing on their website and have six images posted along with 3000 keywords and a profile. That's been for around five or six years now and as far as I know (unless a client found my business through photosource and didn't mention it to me) I have also never made a sale. The cost for me right now is only $4.95/month but I think it's time to give up that listing as well.
I'm sure it's more profitable for people selling general stock but if you're selling outdoor photos it's not worth your time. You'd be better off doing the marketing yourself, ie., go to a a local bookstore and develop contact lists through magazine's masthead and send out contact info and requests for guidelines and photo wants listings.
This is not necessarily a knock on Photosource, just the way it is in outdoor photography. The way supply and demand is there's just not many listings. Your'e better off pitching ideas, like photo essays, rather than waiting for someone to come looking for you. Randy
I've had one sale through PhotoPortfolios recently (although I'm still waiting to be paid), and have been slowly wading through Photographer's Market, sending out promo packages to appropriate markets, but rarely get a response. Just looking for other outlets. . . .
Martin