Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make money on Shutterstock
Earning money on Shutterstock as a contributor involves uploading high-quality photos, illustrations, vectors, videos, or music that buyers can license for commercial or editorial use.
1. Sign Up as a Contributor
- Visit the Shutterstock Contributor page and sign up for an account.
- You’ll need to provide personal information, tax details, and a payment method (such as PayPal or Skrill).
2. Understand the Types of Content You Can Sell
Shutterstock allows you to upload different types of content, including:
- Photos (landscapes, portraits, cityscapes, etc.)
- Illustrations (digital drawings or hand-drawn)
- Vectors (graphic designs)
- Videos (high-quality video footage)
- Music (royalty-free audio clips)
3. Meet the Quality Requirements
Your content needs to be high-resolution, visually appealing, and free of any noise or pixelation. For photos and videos:
- Photos: JPEG format, minimum size of 4 MP (megapixels)
- Videos: Minimum resolution of 1920x1080 (Full HD), preferably 4K
- Vectors and Illustrations**: Files should be submitted as EPS (for vectors) and be scalable without losing quality.
4. Upload Your Content
Once your account is set up, you can start uploading your images and videos. Make sure to:
- Add descriptive titles, keywords, and captions. Keywords are crucial as they help potential buyers find your images.
- Categorize your images properly (e.g., business, nature, technology).
- Use relevant tags and metadata so that your images appear in relevant search results.
5. Get Your Content Approved
After uploading, Shutterstock will review your submissions to ensure they meet the platform's standards.
- Images are typically reviewed within 72 hours.
- If your work gets rejected, they’ll tell you why, and you can adjust the image or submit new ones.
6. Earn Royalties
Shutterstock pays contributors royalties whenever their content is downloaded. The amount you earn depends on your lifetime earnings and the type of content.
Here’s how the royalty structure works:
- Royalties for Images: You earn 15% to 40% of the sale price.
- Royalties for Videos: Shutterstock offers a flat rate for video downloads, which is typically higher than for images.
- As your total lifetime earnings increase, the percentage you earn per download also increases.
7. Promote Your Portfolio
The more you upload, the more chances you have of making money. However, marketing your portfolio can also boost sales. You can:
- Share your Shutterstock portfolio on social media.
- Use SEO-friendly keywords** in your descriptions to make your content discoverable.
8. Payout Options
- You can set up payments to be made when you reach a minimum threshold of $35.
- Payments are made via PayPal, Skrill, or Payoneer, depending on your preference.
Tips for Increasing Your Earnings:
1. Upload consistently: Regular uploads will keep your portfolio fresh and help it gain more visibility.
2. Focus on trends: Look for popular trends or seasonal content that sells well (e.g., holidays, business themes, social media themes).
3. Diversify your content: Upload a variety of different types of images, videos, and illustrations to appeal to a broader audience.
4. Monitor buyer needs: Use Shutterstock's "trending searches" feature to see what buyers are looking for.
5. Stay up-to-date on guidelines: Shutterstock occasionally updates its content guidelines, so make sure to follow the latest quality and technical requirements.
