All the agency sites I recommend have internal up-loaders, usually a sales site HTTP page or a flash based pop-up window, which you can use on the agency site to upload your files. Here's iStockphoto's:
Here's Revostocks:
Don't use them. The internal up-loaders specific to each site are great on occasion for one or two files, but they have drawbacks:
If the connection breaks for any reason, you'll have to start your upload over again, manually each time or attend the upload and confirm it. As bulk upload tooI, forget it. I used iStock's agency up-loader for a long time exclusively, but once you learn any FTP program, you'll never go back to uploading on the site itself.
The Drawbacks: They create larger file sizes on the target server (where your uploading too). This increased file size is estimated to be between 10% to 20%.
It's confusing. If you are uploading to multiple agency sites (which you should) having different upload pages open at once is confusing. Keeping track of files and where they are going – or not - is a a headache. Don't spend time setting up and re-setting up these individual HTTP or flash pages. In the interest of good work-flow, get in the habit of only using an FTP up-loader. With the FTP up-loader, you can look into the target directory (where you have sent your files) at the stock agency and confirm status of the upload.
Surprisingly many stock video sellers use these agency up-loaders exclusively. Save yourself lots of time and mental pain. Download via an FTP program today. Learn to use it. Using an FTP program installed on your computer, you simply direct the FTP program where to send the files at multiple agency FTP addresses . The program uploads each one, one file after another to the end of your list of shots and agencies. It's all displayed right there in front of you in simple (kinda) graphics. You can upload the same file to different agency sites with minimal work in your order of priority. FTP functions in the background. If the connection breaks, it resumes where it was broken in the upload.
The two most commonly recommended are Cyberduck and Filezilla. They are both free downloads and 99.9 percent of the time work flawlessly. If you're a beginner, you may want to try Cyberduck first as it's visually less confusing.
Click for large view
Cyberduck's graphic interface is very simple and intuitive. Filezilla offers more options, but may be confusing to someone with no previous experience. Either way, they are both great programs. They'll save you lots of time and confusion. Once again, if you are totally unfamiliar with FPT uploading, you may find the programs initially intimdating. Find a friend with some experience to help you with the initial set-up.
Filezilla FTP
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Note: You'll need to do a little digging on the agency site to get, or create, your FTP file password. etc. You'll also need the specific FTP address your going to send your files to. It should look something like this at, ftp.istockphoto.com.
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