5 Best Sites to Sell Stock Footage in 2024

In today's digital landscape, the opportunity to monetize video content has never been more accessible. With the rise of stock footage marketplaces, creators can now easily sell their videos online and earn royalties from each sale. 

Selling stock footage is the top way for videographers and content creators to earn passive income by licensing their clips to a global audience.

In this ultimate guide, I will explore the top platforms for selling stock video footage, share expert strategies to boost your revenue and provide valuable insights into the types of clips that are currently in high demand.

If you want to learn how to make money selling stock footage and what stock footage is in demand, read on!

If you want to start contributing right now, just click on your favorite agency

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5 Best Sites to Sell Stock Footage in 2024 3
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Leading Platforms for Video Licensing

When deciding on the best platform to sell your high-quality stock footage, it's crucial to select websites that better align with your goals and provide favorable contributor terms. 

Here is a comparison of the best sites to sell stock footage, where you can upload and sell your film content for royalty revenue. Each site offers unique features and benefits for creators looking to earn money from their video content. By choosing the right marketplace that suits your needs, you can start earning royalties from the sale of your exclusive clips to buyers worldwide.

PlatformRoyalty StructureKey Features
Pond550% – 60% commissionExtensive marketplace, flexible pricing options, and user-friendly upload process.
Shutterstock15% – 40% commissionGlobal reach, robust marketing support, and a vast customer base.
Adobe Stock33% – 35% commissionSeamless integration with Adobe Creative Cloud, high-quality standards, and exposure to a creative audience.
Getty Images20% – 45% commissionPrestigious platform with high visibility, premium pricing options, and a focus on quality.
iStock15% – 45% commissionPart of Getty Images, offers exclusive content opportunities and a diverse marketplace.

As you can see, the different platforms offer different commission rates and visibility opportunities, the level of competition from other stock footage creators varies from one to the other, and they curate their libraries with different criteria.

It's worth noting that these popular sites also license photos; some even include audio files in their offer. So, if you produce photography or music besides video, you can contribute multiple assets to the same agencies. 

pond5 contributor page best place to sell stock footage
Pond5's contributor portal

How Will Your Stock Footage Be Used

Each agency sets up its own license terms, which determine the allowed uses (and restricted ones) for the content a user downloads from their site. However, most of the top providers share a standard with royalty-free licenses that have many points in common. 

Royalty-free stock footage is paid for only once, and granted a license for perpetual use in multiple projects, including those with commercial intent. Users can buy a royalty-free clip and employ it as a B roll for a film or edit it while creating an original video for social media, streaming, and marketing, among many other possibilities. 

It's important to highlight that you will not be consulted about each use. If you agree to sell your work under a royalty-free license, you authorize all these potential uses beforehand. On the flip side, these agencies have policies in place to prevent the work from being used in negative or controversial ways, and they monitor licenses to ensure your copyright is respected. 

shutterstock contributor page best place to sell stock footage
Shutterstock's contributor portal

How Much Will You Earn from Stock Video Platforms

Selling videos online is a way to make passive income, not to make a living – or at least, you shouldn't expect it to be. 

You earn royalties for every time one of your clips sells. The royalty rate varies from one site to the next, and so does the per-download price for your work. There are firms that improve your royalty rates based on overall performance or exclusivity agreements. This leads to a wide range of potential earnings per sale. 

On-demand, high-resolution footage can sell for anything between $10 and $80. But every day, more agencies incorporate subscription plans into their service. These plans imply a flat monthly or annual fee for the buyer and much lower per-video rates, which translates into lower royalties per sale. With a subscription, the same HD clip can go for less than $5, for example. 

Then, most companies also offer extended licenses, which add a few more usage rights in for-sale or larger-scale projects and have a higher price point, usually of a few hundred dollars. Obviously, this means unusually higher earnings for the contributor. 

While there is virtually no ceiling for your earnings on these websites, and footage certainly earns more per sale than photographs, the abundance of files in their libraries and increased competition means you can expect a nice side income in the best cases. 

adobe stock contributor page best place to sell stock footage
Adobe Stock's contributor portal

Strategies for Generating Revenue from Stock Footage

To effectively monetize your video clip portfolio, consider implementing the following strategies:

  • Prioritize Quality: Invest in the best equipment and editing software to produce high-quality footage that surpasses industry standards. Prioritizing top-notch tools will ensure your videos stand out from the rest and attract more buyers on stock video marketplaces.
  • Discover Your Niche: Dive into trending topics and themes that resonate with audiences. Focus on areas where you can create high-quality content without any unnecessary expenses.
  • Enhance Your Metadata: Create captivating titles, descriptions, and tags that accurately showcase your stock footage and boost its visibility. By optimizing your metadata with relevant keywords, you can improve the discoverability of your videos on top-selling sites.
  • Maintain Consistency: Consistently updating your portfolio with fresh content is key to keeping it dynamic and appealing to potential buyers. By regularly uploading new content, you can maintain a top position in the market place, attract more buyers looking for high-quality visuals and maximize your revenue from each sale.
  • Showcase Your Portfolio: Maximize the potential of your best stock footage by leveraging social media platforms and personal websites to highlight your work and drive traffic to your online profiles.
getty images contributor page best place to sell stock footage
Getty Images' contributor portal

Knowing which types of footage are in high demand can have a significant impact on your content production plan and sales potential. Here are some of the most sought-after categories that buyers are actively searching for:

  • Nature and Wildlife: Immersive landscapes, wildlife in their natural habitats, and environmental themes that deeply connect with viewers.
  • Business and Technology: Footage offering a glimpse into modern workplaces, cutting-edge innovations, and corporate settings that capture current trends.
  • Lifestyle and People: Authentic representations capturing the essence of everyday life, various cultures, and genuine moments that connect with audiences. 
  • Food and Drink: Engaging cooking processes, food preparation, and dining experiences that appeal to culinary enthusiasts.

Pros and Cons of Each Stock Footage Platform

When it comes to choosing the best platform for selling your stock footage, the decision you make can have a significant impact on your success. Let's dive into the advantages and disadvantages of the top marketplaces:

PlatformProsCons
Pond 5 reviewHigh commission rates (50% – 60%) Flexible pricing options for sellers Large and diverse marketplaceQuality control can be strict
ShutterstockExtensive global reach
Strong marketing and promotional support
Established customer base
High volume of submissions can make it hard to stand out
Adobe StockIntegration with Adobe Creative Cloud High-quality standards attract professional buyers Good exposure to creative professionalsCommission rates can be lower compared to other platforms
Getty ImagesPrestigious platform with high visibility
Focus on premium content
Potential for higher earnings on exclusive content
Higher barriers to entry for new contributors
iStockPart of Getty Images, providing credibility
Offers exclusive content opportunities
Good for niche markets
Lower commission rates for non-exclusive content
istock contributor page best place to sell stock footage
iStock's contributor portal

Key Considerations for Success in Stock Footage Sales

To thrive in the competitive world of stock footage, keep the following points in mind:

  • Understand Licensing: Familiarize yourself with different license models (royalty-free, rights-managed) to determine what your work can be used for once sold and choose the best fit for your content.
  • Research Agencies: To find the best match for your needs, consider the commission rates, payment terms, pricing options, licensing requirements, audience reach and popularity, ease of use, and upload process on each platform. You must also take into account any exclusivity agreements or restrictions they may impose.
  • Stay Updated on Trends: Regularly research market trends and adjust your content strategy accordingly to meet buyer demands. Making sure your latest clip is current gives you the best chance of selling it. 
  • Diversify Portfolio: Contribute to many websites. Having an extended distribution network across different companies increases your earning potential, as your work will have more opportunities to end in a purchase or download.
  • Analyze Results: Seeking feedback from customers and analyzing sales data can help you understand what types of stock footage are in demand.
  • Engage with the Community: Join forums and groups related to stock footage to share experiences, learn from others, read reviews and testimonials from other stock footage sellers on agencies or services, and stay informed about industry changes. Stock media, particularly microstock, is a very dynamic space, and the contributor community is very helpful in navigating it. 
  • Invest in Marketing: To increase visibility, consider marketing your footage directly through social media ads or collaborations with influencers.

Pros and Cons of Selling Stock Video

Before you jump in and start selling your work on a stock footage website, it's worth considering the pros and cons of this business opportunity. 

Pros
  • Potential to earn passive income from your videos
  • Regular payouts based on sales performance
  • Possibility of earning higher royalties on exclusive platforms
  • Opportunity to showcase your work to a global audience
  • Peace of mind of having specialized companies handling the monetary and licensing aspects of the transaction
  • Chance to sharpen your skills through content analysis and portfolio polishing
Cons
  • Low per-sale earnings, and can take a while to reach your first payout
  • Need to adhere to strict quality and legal guidelines
  • Uploading and keywording process can be tiresome 
  • Competition from other stock footage contributors

Make Money Out of Your Footage

Selling stock footage can be a rewarding venture for creative individuals looking to monetize their video content.

By selecting the right platform, understanding market demands, and implementing effective strategies, you can maximize your earnings and establish a successful presence in the stock footage industry.

Whether you choose to focus on nature, technology, or lifestyle content, the key is to shoot high-quality footage with commercial appeal that resonates with audiences. This is the kind of footage that sells. 

With the right approach and dedication, you can turn your passion for videography into a profitable business. Start exploring the abovementioned platforms and take the first step towards building your stock footage portfolio today!

Ivy Attié
Ivy Attié

I am Content Manager, Researcher, and Author in Stock Photo Press and its many stock media oriented publications. I am a passionate communicator with a love for visual imagery and an inexhaustible thirst for knowledge. Lucky enough to enter the wonderful world of stock photography working side-by-side with experienced experts, I am happy to share my research, insights, and advice about image licensing, stock photography offers, and the stock media industry with everyone in the creative community. My background is in Communication and Journalism, and I also love literature and performing arts.

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