Storyblocks
License your video, audio, and image content to creators worldwide. Earn royalties from subscription-based stock media marketplace.
What is Storyblocks?
Storyblocks is a subscription-based stock media platform offering video, audio, images, and templates to content creators. Subscribers pay a flat fee for unlimited downloads, making it popular with YouTubers, marketers, and video editors who need regular stock content.
For contributors, Storyblocks offers a platform to sell creative work repeatedly. Upload once, and your content earns royalties indefinitely as subscribers download it.
How Storyblocks Works for Contributors
The Subscription Model
Understanding the payment structure:
- Subscribers pay monthly/annual fees
- Revenue pools divided among contributors
- Earnings based on your download percentage
- Non-exclusive allows multi-platform presence
Content Types Accepted
Multiple revenue streams:
| Content Type | Demand Level | Typical Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Video clips | High | Higher royalties |
| Motion graphics | High | Higher royalties |
| After Effects templates | Moderate | Good royalties |
| Music tracks | Moderate | Standard royalties |
| Sound effects | Moderate | Standard royalties |
| Images | Lower | Lower royalties |
Video vs. Other Content
Video earns more:
- Higher demand from subscribers
- More complex to produce
- Fewer contributors
- Better per-download rates
Getting Started as a Contributor
Application Process
Join the contributor program:
- Visit contributor portal
- Submit application with samples
- Demonstrate content quality
- Wait for review and approval
- Set up contributor account
- Begin uploading content
Technical Requirements
Meet quality standards:
| Content | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Video | 1080p minimum, 4K preferred |
| Audio | 44.1kHz, 16-bit minimum |
| Images | High resolution, clean files |
| Templates | Properly organized projects |
Metadata Matters
Discoverability drives downloads:
- Descriptive, accurate titles
- Comprehensive keywords
- Relevant categories
- Clear descriptions
- Accurate content tags
What Sells on Storyblocks
High-Demand Video Categories
Create content buyers want:
- Business/Corporate: Meetings, offices, professionals
- Technology: Devices, screens, data visualization
- Nature: Landscapes, wildlife, weather
- Lifestyle: Families, activities, everyday life
- Backgrounds: Abstract, loops, textures
Popular Audio Content
Music and sound that sells:
- Background music by mood/genre
- Cinematic scores
- Corporate/upbeat tracks
- Sound effects and foley
- Ambient soundscapes
Trending Content
Stay current:
- Drone and aerial footage
- 4K and higher resolution
- Diverse representation
- Remote work themes
- Sustainability and green content
Maximizing Storyblocks Earnings
Volume Strategy
More content means more earnings:
- Upload consistently
- Build a large catalog
- Cover multiple categories
- Create variations and series
- Repurpose existing footage
Quality Focus
Stand out in the marketplace:
- Technical excellence required
- Commercial appeal essential
- Universal concepts perform well
- Avoid over-edited content
- Clean, professional presentation
Seasonal Planning
Time your uploads:
- Holiday content months ahead
- Business content for Q1
- Summer themes in spring
- Event-related content early
- Evergreen content always valuable
Storyblocks for Digital Nomads
Perfect for Travel Creators
Your lifestyle creates opportunity:
- Unique locations as content
- Cultural diversity valuable
- Travel footage in demand
- Nature and landscape shots
- City life and street scenes
Passive Income Model
Content works while you travel:
- Upload during downtime
- Earnings continue indefinitely
- No client management
- Location independent
- Flexible schedule
Building While Moving
Create during your journeys:
- Capture B-roll everywhere
- Document unique locations
- Record ambient audio
- Build diverse portfolio
- Travel expenses become investment
Revenue Expectations
Realistic Earnings
What to expect:
| Portfolio Size | Monthly Earnings Range |
|---|---|
| 50-100 clips | $50-200 |
| 200-500 clips | $200-800 |
| 500-1,000 clips | $500-2,000 |
| 1,000+ clips | $1,000-5,000+ |
Factors Affecting Earnings
What impacts your income:
- Content quality and uniqueness
- Commercial appeal
- Keyword optimization
- Category competition
- Download trends
Long-Term Growth
Earnings compound over time:
- Catalog grows with each upload
- Popular content continues earning
- Algorithm favors active contributors
- Reputation builds visibility
Challenges to Consider
Competition
Many creators contribute:
- Popular categories crowded
- Quality bar continues rising
- Differentiation essential
- Niche content can stand out
Per-Download Value
Subscription models limit earnings:
- Unlimited downloads spread value thin
- Lower per-item than direct sales
- Volume compensates for rate
- Multi-platform distribution helps
Content Review
Not everything gets accepted:
- Technical requirements strict
- Similar content may be rejected
- Quality control maintains standards
- Learn from rejections and improve
Storyblocks vs. Alternatives
| Factor | Storyblocks | Shutterstock | Adobe Stock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Subscription | Per-download | Per-download |
| Exclusivity | Non-exclusive | Non-exclusive | Non-exclusive |
| Video focus | Strong | Moderate | Moderate |
| Contributor pool | Smaller | Large | Large |
| Best for | Video creators | All media types | Adobe users |
Tips for Success
Focus on video. Higher earnings potential and less competition than images.
Build systematically. Regular uploads build momentum and algorithm favor.
Study what sells. Research top-performing content in your categories.
Optimize metadata. Keywords determine discoverability. Be thorough.
Diversify platforms. Non-exclusive means sell everywhere possible.
Invest in quality. Better content earns more and gets approved faster.
The Bottom Line
Storyblocks offers content creators a platform to monetize video, audio, and images through passive royalties. The subscription model means earnings come from download volume rather than high per-item payments.
Success requires building a substantial catalog of commercial, high-quality content. Video creators especially can benefit from the platform's strong demand for footage.
For digital nomads, Storyblocks transforms travel experiences and creative work into ongoing passive income. Your unique perspectives and locations become valuable assets. Upload your content and let it earn while you explore the world.
Pros
- Growing subscription-based platform
- Multiple content types accepted
- Non-exclusive allows selling elsewhere
- Content sells indefinitely
- Video earns higher than photos
Cons
- Lower royalty rates than some competitors
- Subscription model limits per-download value
- Requires consistent uploads for income
- Review process can be strict
Categories
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Storyblocks pay contributors?
What content can I submit to Storyblocks?
Is Storyblocks exclusive?
How do I become a Storyblocks contributor?
How You Can Earn
- Royalty
- Rev Share
Best For
- Videographers 📹
- Creators 📷
- Freelancers 🤝
Audience Required?
No it makes no difference