How To Make Money On Shutterstock: A Beginner’s Guide
Shutterstock is a popular platform for people who want to sell their photos, videos, and other creative content. Whether you’re a photographer, videographer, or illustrator, Shutterstock offers an easy way to earn money by selling your digital assets. But how exactly do you make money on Shutterstock, and what does it take to get started? This guide breaks everything down, step by step, so you would know how to make money on Shutterstock.
How to make money on Shutterstock Contributor
To get started, you first need to sign up as a contributor. The process is simple, but there are a few key steps to follow:
- Create a contributor account: Head to the Shutterstock Contributor website and sign up. You’ll need to provide some basic information and agree to their terms and conditions.
- Understand submission guidelines: Shutterstock has specific rules for what content is acceptable. Before uploading, familiarize yourself with the image and video quality requirements.
- Upload your content: Once your account is set up, you can begin uploading your work. Make sure you follow the platform’s guidelines for file size, resolution, and format.
What types of content sell best on Shutterstock?
When it comes to selling on Shutterstock, not all content is created equal. To maximize your earnings, it’s important to know what types of content are in demand. Here are some of the top-selling categories:
- Photos: Business images, lifestyle photos, and technology-related shots are always popular. Nature and travel images also perform well.
- Videos: Slow-motion clips, aerial footage, and business-related videos are in high demand.
- Vectors and illustrations: Infographics, icons, and digital art often sell well, especially for use in presentations and websites.
By focusing on these high-demand areas, you increase your chances of making sales.
How to optimize your content for maximum exposure
Uploading content is just the first step. To really start making money on Shutterstock, you need to ensure your content is visible to potential buyers. Here’s how you can optimize your content:
- Use keywords effectively: When submitting your images or videos, make sure you add relevant keywords in the title, description, and tags. This helps Shutterstock’s search algorithm find and promote your work.
- Write engaging descriptions: Descriptions are important for SEO (search engine optimization). They help buyers understand what your content is about. Be sure to write clear and concise descriptions that match your keywords.
- Categorize your work properly: Make sure your content is placed in the right categories. This will help potential buyers find your work more easily.
How long does it take to make money on Shutterstock?
If you’re wondering how long it takes to make money on Shutterstock, the answer depends on a few factors. First, the more content you upload, the more likely you are to make sales. It may take some time for your content to be discovered, so it’s essential to be patient.
- Start earning quickly: You can start earning as soon as your content is accepted and goes live on Shutterstock. However, don’t expect huge earnings right away. The key to long-term success is consistent uploads.
- It takes time to build a portfolio: The more high-quality content you upload, the higher your chances of making consistent sales. Over time, your portfolio will grow, and so will your earnings.
How to make money selling photos on Shutterstock
Selling photos on Shutterstock is one of the easiest ways to make money if you’re a photographer. Here are some tips to help you succeed:
- Focus on quality: Shutterstock prioritizes high-resolution, well-composed images. Invest in a good camera, and make sure your photos are sharp and professionally composed.
- Shoot for market demand: Always keep an eye on current trends and what buyers are looking for. You can check popular searches on Shutterstock to get an idea of what content is in demand.
- Stay consistent: Uploading photos regularly will help you build a presence on the platform. The more images you have for sale, the more likely you are to make sales.
How Shutterstock pays contributors: royalties and earnings
One of the most important aspects of how to make money on Shutterstock is understanding how royalties work. Shutterstock uses a royalty system, where contributors earn a percentage of each sale based on the type of license purchased.
- Standard licenses: For each sale of a standard license, contributors typically earn 15–40% of the sale price.
- Extended licenses: Extended licenses, which allow for larger-scale use of your content, offer higher earnings, up to 50%.
- Referral program: Shutterstock also offers a referral program where you can earn additional income by referring new contributors.
Earnings can vary greatly depending on how much content you have uploaded and how often your content is downloaded.
Tips to maximize your earnings on Shutterstock
If you want to make the most money selling photos on Shutterstock, here are some tips to help boost your earnings:
- Upload regularly: The more images or videos you upload, the more chances you have to make sales.
- Diversify your content: Try uploading a mix of photos, videos, and illustrations to cater to a wider audience.
- Stay updated on trends: Regularly check Shutterstock’s top-selling content to see what’s in demand, and create content around those trends.
- Promote your portfolio: Use social media, blogs, and personal websites to drive traffic to your Shutterstock portfolio.
Common mistakes to avoid on Shutterstock
To ensure your success, avoid making these common mistakes:
- Uploading low-quality content: Always upload high-quality images and videos that meet Shutterstock’s standards.
- Using irrelevant keywords: Make sure your keywords accurately describe your content. Misleading keywords will hurt your visibility.
- Ignoring the guidelines: Always follow Shutterstock’s submission guidelines to avoid rejections and potential account suspension.
Conclusion
Now you know how to make money on Shutterstock, but you should understand making money on Shutterstock isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme, but with consistency and quality content, you can start earning passive income. Follow the steps outlined above, focus on high-demand content, optimize your uploads, and stay patient. The more you contribute, the more you can earn.
Ready to start earning? Sign up as a Shutterstock contributor today and begin your journey toward making money with your photos, videos, and illustrations.
Start your online business with dropshipping
Looking to start a business with minimal upfront investment and no inventory headaches? Dropshipping is the perfect solution. It allows you to sell products without worrying about storage or shipping. When a customer places an order, your supplier takes care of the rest, letting you focus on building your brand.
Why dropshipping is ideal for beginners
If you’re new to online selling, dropshipping offers several advantages:
- ✅ No inventory worries – Your supplier handles all storage, packaging, and shipping.
- ✅ Low startup costs – No need to buy products in bulk upfront.
- ✅ Flexible location – Run your business from any device, no matter where you are.
- ✅ Wide product range – Sell a variety of items without stressing over unsold inventory.
Key considerations before you start
While dropshipping makes selling easier, there are some challenges to keep in mind:
- ⚠️ High competition – With many sellers in the market, strong marketing is crucial to stand out.
- ⚠️ Limited control over branding – Since suppliers handle the shipping, customizing packaging can be tricky.
- ⚠️ Supplier reliability – Supplier delays or quality issues can impact customer satisfaction.
How AliDropship makes dropshipping simpler
AliDropship automates the important tasks, giving you more time to grow your business.
Why choose AliDropship?
- 🚀 Pre-built stores – Get a store designed for trending niches or a custom-built store for your brand.
- 🚀 Easy AliExpress integration – Import products easily, with automatic updates for inventory and pricing.
- 🚀 Full automation – Automatically manage orders, pricing, and stock updates.
- 🚀 Expert support – Access guides, tutorials, and professional help whenever needed.
What makes AliDropship stand out?
- 🔹 Scalable – Perfect for both beginners and experienced entrepreneurs.
- 🔹 Transparent pricing – No hidden fees, just clear and straightforward costs.
- 🔹 Proven success – Thousands of entrepreneurs have created profitable stores with AliDropship.
Dropshipping is one of the easiest and lowest-risk ways to start your online business. With AliDropship, you’ll have all the tools you need to launch, grow, and succeed.
