Sign Up as a Contributor:
- Visit the Shutterstock website (https://www.shutterstock.com/).
- Click on "Contributor" or "Sell Content" to sign up as a contributor.
- Create an account and provide the required information, including your personal details, payment information, and tax details.
Prepare Your Content:
- Create high-quality, unique, and marketable content. This can include photos, illustrations, vectors, videos, and even music.
- Ensure that your content meets Shutterstock's technical and quality standards. Images, for example, should be of high resolution and free from any copyright violations.
Keyword and Describe Your Content:
- After uploading your content, you will need to add keywords and descriptions. This step is crucial as it helps potential buyers find your content.
- Use relevant and descriptive keywords that accurately represent the subject matter of your content.
Submit Your Content:
- Once you've added keywords and descriptions, submit your content for review.
- Shutterstock has a team of reviewers who will assess your content for quality, relevance, and compliance with their guidelines.
- Wait for Approval:
- Shutterstock's review process can take some time, so be patient. It may take a few days or longer for your content to be approved.
Start Earning:
- Once your content is approved, it will be available for sale on Shutterstock's marketplace.
- You'll earn royalties each time someone purchases and downloads your content. The amount you earn per download depends on your contributor level, which increases as you sell more content.
Promote Your Portfolio:
- To increase your earnings on Shutterstock, consider promoting your portfolio. Share your content on social media, blogs, or websites to attract more buyers.
Track Your Sales and Performance:
- Use Shutterstock's contributor dashboard to track your sales, earnings, and performance.
- Analyze which of your content is performing well and try to create similar content to meet market demand.
Continue Adding Content:
- Consistently upload new content to your Shutterstock portfolio to increase your visibility and potential earnings.
- Keep an eye on current trends and create content that aligns with popular topics and themes.
Understand Licensing and Rights:
- Familiarize yourself with the different licensing options on Shutterstock. Buyers can purchase content with different usage rights, so it's essential to understand the terms and restrictions associated with each license.
Remember that making money on Shutterstock may take time and effort, especially in the beginning. The key to success is creating high-quality, in-demand content and maintaining a consistent presence on the platform. Additionally, explore other stock photography and videography platforms to maximize your earnings potential in the stock media industry.
