First of all, I know this is my second post on exclusivity in the last week and so it may appear that I’m considering it.? At this point, we are not.? I do want to consider what exclusivity agencies offer and why it may be beneficial in our future or for others.

123RF

Type of Exclusivity: Per image.
Method: “May be arranged” – asked support and they had no idea.
Terms: An exclusive agreement may be arranged for a better commission.

Dreamstime

Type of Exclusivity: Per image or per photographer.
Method: Per image – upon image submission, check the box.? Per photographer – submit an application.
Terms: Exclusive images earn 10% ($0.10 to $1.40) more per download.? Exclusive photographers earn $.20 per accepted image + 10% more per download.

Fotolia

Type of Exclusivity: Per image.
Method: When submitting a file, choose “Yes” to “Is this file exclusive to Fotolia?”
Terms: Commission is 17% higher for exclusive images.? Maximum sales price on all sizes may also be set higher after contributor reaches the Bronze level instead of Emerald for non-exclusives.? Exclusive images may be opted out of subscriptions.

IStockPhoto

Type of Exclusivity: Per photographer.
Method: Apply when you have 250 downloads, a minimum 50% approval rating, and have no royalty-free stock images, vector illustrations, video footage or Flash files available at other agencies.
Terms: Higher royalties (+5 to +20% so 25-100% higher), extended license bonus, larger upload queue, Exclusive-only events, higher search rankings, business cards.?? Full artist Exclusivity means no images, video or audio files may be sold on other royalty-free sites or businesses with the exception of Getty Images.

Bigstock

Type of Exclusivity: None.

MostPhotos

Type of Exclusivity: None.

Shutterstock

Type of Exclusivity: None.

StockXpert

Type of Exclusivity: None.

So what did we learn?? I think it’s safe to say I won’t be going exclusive for a long time, if ever.? The “best” royalty increase is with IStock on the high end (20%) but as you know, my sales always suck at Istock.? So second best royalty increase is Fotolia.? Again, I make *some* money on FT but not my best results.? 17% more wouldn’t help me enough.

The most likely candidate would be either a) Shutterstock figuring out that exclusive is the way to go or b) Dreamstime.? Dreamstime gives one of the “worst” exclusive bonuses (10%) but 10% of my monthly earnings would almost eliminate one of my smaller agency’s income (say 123RF).? Until that extra 10% would eliminate as well as give me a bonus, I can’t consider it.

Exclusivity has benefits for those photographers in one of three situations:

1) The Time Swamp – if you have a full time job that isn’t microstock and you simply don’t have time to upload *everywhere* you may be better off spending time building your gallery on *one* site.?? At this time, I’d suggest Shutterstock though, and? since they don’t have an exclusive program…

2) The EasySimple – it’s “easier” to upload to one site.? You don’t absolutely have to? use IPTC data for keywords and descriptions, you can manage reading the news on that site, keep up with what’s? new,? and even focus your attention on what downloads when and how you can better yourself.

3) The Student – if you’ve had trouble getting accepted to Shutterstock and IStock and you want to maximize? earning potential it may be worthwhile to try submitting to only Fotolia or Dreamstime for awhile as you grow your talents, not just your gallery.? This is by far the best reason to go Exclusive right now.? Dreamstime and Fotolia are both “difficult” agencies so if you can master them there’s nothing stopping you from Shutterstock and IStock.? Dreamstime and Fotolia both also offer per-image exclusivity so you can “test” exclusivity and see what you like and don’t like about it.

Are you exclusive?? Why or why not?