MicrostockGroup

Yes, this is an inevitable reality we're all being faced with.

Copycats in lower-wage countries -- and, of course, in EVERY country -- will see what sells well and duplicate those endlessly.  Today, microstock images are already a COMMODITY, where lower price wins and only those who supply in high volume will profit.   This scenario will become more and more widespread.

But is there another way to survive and even thrive?  YES.  Don't produce COMMODITY images, those with no creativity involved and those that can be easily duplicated by copycats.  Put your brain to work... create imagery that provides a unique perspective, says something about emerging business trends or new issues facing workers, families, the environment, etc.  There will ALWAYS be new subjects to cover, and there will ALWAYS be buyers for these images.  The first to market with good images that address these needs will profit with early sales, then the copycats will follow.

A small percent of contributors will understand this and remain at the top tier of producers catching a customer's eye with a unique vision and even flashes of brilliance.  However, if you're someone who says, "but there are no such ideas left," then you are a commodity and unless you're generating hundreds of images a day, you would be wise to throw in the towel now.

If that was the case then we'd all been fired by now..

No you don't get fired. Achilles has a big handle next to his desk and he will push it far down for your account. Every mark on the stick means one page behind in the search results. I'm not kidding, I had a revelation about this from an angel in my sleep last night and he had a green swirl on his head.  

NOPE .... RolMat has a stick too.  He has no sense of humor.