Exclusive vs. Non-Exclusive Contributor on Shutterstock: Pros and Cons

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II. Exclusive Contributor

An exclusive contributor is someone who agrees to sell their images only on Shutterstock. This means that your images will not be available confront any other stock photography agency. In return, Shutterstock offers exclusive contributors a higher commission rate (50%) and the potential to earn exclusivity bonuses.

There are several pros to becoming an exclusive contributor on Shutterstock. First, you will earn a higher commission rate on your images. This means that you will make more money for each sale. Second, you will have the potential to earn exclusivity bonuses. These bonuses are based on the number of images that you sell, so you could earn a significant amount of extra money if you are successful.

However, there are also some cons to becoming an exclusive contributor on Shutterstock. First, you will have less control over how your images are used. For example, Shutterstock may use your images in marketing materials without your permission. Second, you will not be able to sell your images on other stock photography agencies. This means that you could miss out on potential sales if your images are not available on other platforms.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to become an exclusive contributor on Shutterstock is a personal one. There is no right or wrong answer, and the best choice for you will depend on your individual goals and circumstances.

If you are primarily interested in making money from your stock photography, then becoming an exclusive contributor is a good way to do that. However, if you are also interested in having creative control over your images and seeing them used in a variety of ways, then becoming a non-exclusive contributor may be a better fit.

Here are some additional considerations that you should make when deciding whether to become an exclusive contributor on Shutterstock:

• Your portfolio: If you have a strong portfolio of high-quality images, then you may be more likely to be accepted as an exclusive contributor.
• Your goals: If you are primarily interested in making money from your stock photography, then becoming an exclusive contributor is a good way to do that. However, if you are also interested in having creative control over your images and seeing them used in a variety of ways, then becoming a non-exclusive contributor may be a better fit.
• The competition: The stock photography market is very competitive, so it is important to consider how your images will stand out from the crowd. If you have unique or high-quality images, then you may be more likely to be successful as an exclusive contributor.

This video explains how to Exclusive vs. Non-Exclusive Contributor on Shutterstock: Pros and Cons:

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III. Non-Exclusive Contributor

A non-exclusive contributor is someone who is free to sell their images to any stock photography agency. This means that your images could be available on Shutterstock, as well as other agencies like iStockphoto and Dreamstime. In return, non-exclusive contributors earn a lower commission rate (30%) but have more control over how their images are used.

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IV. Here's a table of Pros and Cons of Exclusive and Non-Exclusive Contributors on Shutterstock:

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V. FAQ

Sure, here are some more FAQs about exclusive and non-exclusive contributors on Shutterstock:

Question 14: What are the pros and cons of the exclusivity bonus?

ANS: The exclusivity bonus can be a great way to earn extra money from your Shutterstock images. However, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider.

Pros:

• The exclusivity bonus can be a significant amount of money, depending on the number of images you sell.
• The exclusivity bonus is a way to reward exclusive contributors for their contributions to Shutterstock.

Cons:

• The exclusivity bonus is not guaranteed. You must meet certain requirements in order to be eligible for the bonus.
• The exclusivity bonus may not be enough to offset the lower commission rate that exclusive contributors receive.

Question 15: How do I decide if the exclusivity bonus is right for me?

ANS: There are a few factors to consider when deciding if the exclusivity bonus is right for you:

• Your goals: Do you want to maximize your earnings or have more control over how your images are used?
• Your images: Are your images unique or high-quality?
• Your competition: How competitive is the market for your type of images?
• Your willingness to take on risk: The exclusivity bonus is not guaranteed, so you must be willing to take on some risk if you decide to pursue it.

Once you have considered these factors, you can decide if the exclusivity bonus is right for you.

VI. Conclusion

The decision of whether to become an exclusive or non-exclusive contributor on Shutterstock depends on your individual goals and circumstances. If you want to maximize your earnings and get the most exposure for your images, then becoming an exclusive contributor is a good option. However, if you want more control over how your images are used and want to be able to sell them on multiple stock agencies, then becoming a non-exclusive contributor is a better choice.

There are a few factors to consider when making this decision, including your goals, your images, your competition, and your willingness to take on risk. If you are not sure which type of contributor account is right for you, then you may want to start with a non-exclusive account and then switch to an exclusive account later if you are not happy with the results.