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Storyblocks

License your video, audio, and image content to creators worldwide. Earn royalties from subscription-based stock media marketplace.

3.8/5
$100 - $5,000+/monthModerate Difficulty
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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:

  1. Visit contributor portal
  2. Submit application with samples
  3. Demonstrate content quality
  4. Wait for review and approval
  5. Set up contributor account
  6. 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

Selling Digital ProductsOnline Gig WorkContent Creation

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Storyblocks pay contributors?
Storyblocks uses a royalty pool system where earnings depend on your downloads as a percentage of total downloads. Video typically earns more than audio or images. Top contributors with large portfolios earn $1,000-5,000+ monthly, while newer contributors earn less until building catalog.
What content can I submit to Storyblocks?
Storyblocks accepts video clips, motion graphics, After Effects templates, music tracks, sound effects, and images. Video content is particularly in demand. All content must meet technical quality standards and be original work you have rights to license.
Is Storyblocks exclusive?
No, Storyblocks uses non-exclusive licensing. You can sell the same content on other stock platforms simultaneously. This allows contributors to maximize earnings by distributing across multiple marketplaces.
How do I become a Storyblocks contributor?
Apply through the contributor portal with sample work. You need high-quality, original content meeting technical specifications. Once approved, you can upload content through the contributor dashboard. Review times vary but typically take a few days to weeks.

How You Can Earn

  • Royalty
  • Rev Share

Best For

  • Videographers 📹
  • Creators 📷
  • Freelancers 🤝

Audience Required?

No it makes no difference