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This week I decided I wanted to try out a microstock keywording/uploading program. Two of the major programs for this are ProStockMaster and CushyStock. Both programs allow you to add IPTC keywords to an image and upload the file to multiple stock agencies. The programs save time and help you keep track of what images are uploaded where. Both programs have a free trial version downloadable from the web.

CushyStock:
- A visually soft colored interface
- The ability to order images into preset categories
- You can add multiple new agencies for uploading files (not just the preset ones)
- It supports .eps files and has the ability to create .jpgs from eps files
- Lots of additional features
- Cost about $50

ProStockImage
- A dark gray interface with more text than buttons
- Has a fixed number of agencies you can submit to
- Doesn’t support .eps files
- Cost about $90

I learned about both from various microstock forums. After trying both out I decided to buy ProStockMaster.

CushyStock has many useful features, but the interface is counterintuitive to the way I naturally work. Many of the options are more geared for photographers and would be very useful to them. The preset categories don’t match up well enough with the themes of my images to be as useful as the could be for me.

Also, I’m still a computer programmer at heart. Having a piece of software with only a few windows, a mostly text-based interface, and an easy to master underlying structure immediately appeals to me. ProStockMaster is doing everything I wanted a program to do for me and I don’t really have to switch out tabs or windows to have it do so.

Both programs are good pieces of software but it is a matter of personal preference. While I now own ProStockMaster, I haven’t deleted CushyStock. It has good features and if my needs change I may one day buy it.

My suggestion would be to download both and try each one out on your files. Whichever one you’re more comfortable with is the right one for you.

Having said that, you can also upload with any good ftp program. My favorite is Filezilla for free. However, having the ability to keyword, multi-upload, and keep your files organized creates hours of time you can spend creating more images or doing anything else you enjoy.

Shutterstock has launched it’s On Demand program. Now buyers who are looking for only 5 to 60 images have subscription plans. Each plan allows you to buy a standard license for any image on the site. They have two options, one for small & medium jpegs, and a second for large jpegs and all vector files.

I’ve started uploading jpg versions of all my new vector. Those jpgs are available under the first plan with the vectors available on the second.

If you’re interested in trying out a small subscription, consider using my referral link below:

http://submit.shutterstock.com/?ref=143440

If you’d like to sign up for a subscription without being referred use this one:

http://www.shutterstock.com