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Author Topic: Toms (Old Sheriff) Tips to being Successful in the Microstock World  (Read 22500 times)

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Brasilnut

  • Author Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock & Blog

« on: November 10, 2017, 17:58 »
+5
Tom (Old Sheriff) has asked me to start this thread. He's currently taking a break from this forum but I trust he'll be back soon as most us miss him lol

These are his top tips:


1.           Never be emotionally attached to an image

2.           Learn what the buyers want

3.           Being willing to change your style

4.           Work long hours

5.           Expect few sales

6.           Dont spend too much time on MSG or other forums

7.           Never stop learning how to better process images/videos

8.           Dont let others determine your fate

9.           Find a mentor

10.        Buy a Microstock book and read it from front to back cover

11.        Study the most popular images

12.        Take your time correctly labeling and keywording images

13.        Never fight rejections

14.        Laugh a lot

15.        Drink good beer or wine while processing images

16.        Listen to good music while processing

17.        Take days off- spending with family or friends

18.        Dont quit your day time job

19.        Dont try to analyze this business

20.        Learn how to correctly compose an image

21.        Learn lighting inside and out

22.        Watch free on-line videos on Processing, lighting

23.         Ask for opinions help

24.        Stay professional

25.        Never get cocky

26.        Try new things- get out of your comfort zone

27.        Set one day each week for pure production

28.        Know all your International and National holidays

29.        Submit three months prior to each special season

30.        Get at least 7 hours sleep each night

31.        Take your time when processing images. Quality must be very high.

---------------------

32. Never listen to Michelle
« Last Edit: November 10, 2017, 18:20 by Brasilnut »


Shelma1

  • stockcoalition.org
« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2017, 18:05 »
0
Am I the "Michelle" in question?

Brasilnut

  • Author Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock & Blog

« Reply #2 on: November 10, 2017, 18:07 »
0
Quote
Am I the "Michelle" in question?

I have no idea, I'm just the messenger  :D

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #3 on: November 10, 2017, 18:27 »
+2
Who is Old Sheriff? I can't find any member with that name, or OldSheriff.
Nor any posts here by Googling.

Shelma1

  • stockcoalition.org
« Reply #4 on: November 10, 2017, 18:29 »
+4
It's Brasilnut's way of making fun of me while blaming a nonexistent person. A whole thread dedicated to it. How nice.

Shelma1

  • stockcoalition.org
« Reply #5 on: November 10, 2017, 18:30 »
+3
Tom (Old Sheriff) has asked me to start this thread. He's currently taking a break from this forum but I trust he'll be back soon as most us miss him lol

These are his top tips:


1.           Never be emotionally attached to an image

2.           Learn what the buyers want

3.           Being willing to change your style

4.           Work long hours

5.           Expect few sales

6.           Dont spend too much time on MSG or other forums

7.           Never stop learning how to better process images/videos

8.           Dont let others determine your fate

9.           Find a mentor

10.        Buy a Microstock book and read it from front to back cover

11.        Study the most popular images

12.        Take your time correctly labeling and keywording images

13.        Never fight rejections

14.        Laugh a lot

15.        Drink good beer or wine while processing images

16.        Listen to good music while processing

17.        Take days off- spending with family or friends

18.        Dont quit your day time job

19.        Dont try to analyze this business

20.        Learn how to correctly compose an image

21.        Learn lighting inside and out

22.        Watch free on-line videos on Processing, lighting

23.         Ask for opinions help

24.        Stay professional

25.        Never get cocky

26.        Try new things- get out of your comfort zone

27.        Set one day each week for pure production

28.        Know all your International and National holidays

29.        Submit three months prior to each special season

30.        Get at least 7 hours sleep each night

31.        Take your time when processing images. Quality must be very high.

---------------------

32. Never listen to Michelle

Just in case you try to delete it.

Brasilnut

  • Author Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock & Blog

« Reply #6 on: November 10, 2017, 18:40 »
0
Ladies,

I'm not making this man up. He was a regular but is taking a break - I forgot his alias but as soon as I have it I'll post it. His nickname was "outoftheblue" and had a previous nickname which I forgot. Account is now disabled. 

I think it's a great list, nevertheless. Feel free to add some tips for newbies.

As for the Michelle comment, he apologises as he meant it as a joke. I didn't delete it..only put a strikethrough.
« Last Edit: November 10, 2017, 19:00 by Brasilnut »

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #7 on: November 10, 2017, 19:09 »
+5
Ladies,

I'm not making this man up. He was a regular but is taking a break
Seems weird to be 'taking a break' but get someone else to make an extensive post on his behalf.
A bit like chap-door-run, leaving the dopey kid in the firing line.

« Reply #8 on: November 10, 2017, 19:21 »
+12
Ladies,

I'm not making this man up. He was a regular but is taking a break
Seems weird to be 'taking a break' but get someone else to make an extensive post on his behalf.
A bit like chap-door-run, leaving the dopey kid in the firing line.

I need to figure out how to take a break and have somebody else still do my work.  ;D

« Reply #9 on: November 11, 2017, 03:53 »
+2
I think #10 is particularly funny. Not really.  ::)

« Reply #10 on: November 11, 2017, 03:54 »
+2
I think #10 is particularly funny. Not really.  ::)
Specially in the light of #19  ???

« Reply #11 on: November 11, 2017, 04:03 »
0
Yeah, and #32 directly conflicts with what #24 and 25 mean.  ::)
« Last Edit: November 11, 2017, 05:37 by cathyslife »

Justanotherphotographer

« Reply #12 on: November 11, 2017, 04:43 »
+3
I would rather listen to someone who has demonstrably been very successful in this business, like michelle, than follow lists from anonymous forum posters no one even remembers. And don't get me started on books, classes and portfolio reviews from people who's performance has been pedestrian at best.

Shelma1

  • stockcoalition.org
« Reply #13 on: November 11, 2017, 05:01 »
+1
I should write a book. ;)

Justanotherphotographer

« Reply #14 on: November 11, 2017, 05:35 »
+3
I should write a book. ;)
Those that can do etc.

Brasilnut

  • Author Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock & Blog

« Reply #15 on: November 11, 2017, 06:27 »
0
Quote
I should write a book. ;)

Go for it!  ;)

------

Anybody have any top tips to add to the list for newbies?

niktol

« Reply #16 on: November 11, 2017, 06:32 »
+5

Anybody have any top tips to add to the list for newbies?
Sure

33. Don't give free tips  ;)


Justanotherphotographer

« Reply #17 on: November 11, 2017, 07:31 »
0

Anybody have any top tips to add to the list for newbies?
Sure

33. Don't give free tips  ;)
Yup, there it is. Anyone who knows enough to be successful in this or any other business isn't going to tell their competitors anything that gives away an advantage. The only useful tips I've got I've gleamed from people like yuri when they accidentally let slip something about workflow or similar when actually just trying to promote themselves. Even then you have to draw conclusions from partial information.
« Last Edit: November 11, 2017, 07:48 by Justanotherphotographer »

« Reply #18 on: November 11, 2017, 22:02 »
+1
I would rather listen to someone who has demonstrably been very successful in this business, like michelle, than follow lists from anonymous forum posters no one even remembers. And don't get me started on books, classes and portfolio reviews from people who's performance has been pedestrian at best.

She's  a success? I wouldn't know financials, but from the complaining about lack of sales, downward income, dropping earnings, plus other surveys motivated by attempts at intimidating agencies, plus obvious dissatisfaction, that a success? I'd think someone who's a success would actually be happy instead of always finding things wrong?

I disagree with  19. Dont try to analyze this business. We can analyze as we wish, use math and just don't over analyze. Don't find conspiracies or patterns where there are none, like people do about sales times or regions or up and down swings in downloads. The natural swings will be up and down, without outside interference, not up and up. This whole market is unreliable and unpredictable, don't have unrealistic expectations based on some random good days.

33. The agency is not your enemy. But they aren't your friend either.

Justanotherphotographer

« Reply #19 on: November 12, 2017, 02:37 »
+6
Successful people are never satisfied. That's how they get to be successful.  :)

Shelma1

  • stockcoalition.org
« Reply #20 on: November 12, 2017, 06:42 »
+2
I would rather listen to someone who has demonstrably been very successful in this business, like michelle, than follow lists from anonymous forum posters no one even remembers. And don't get me started on books, classes and portfolio reviews from people who's performance has been pedestrian at best.

She's  a success? I wouldn't know financials, but from the complaining about lack of sales, downward income, dropping earnings, plus other surveys motivated by attempts at intimidating agencies, plus obvious dissatisfaction, that a success? I'd think someone who's a success would actually be happy instead of always finding things wrong?

I disagree with  19. Dont try to analyze this business. We can analyze as we wish, use math and just don't over analyze. Don't find conspiracies or patterns where there are none, like people do about sales times or regions or up and down swings in downloads. The natural swings will be up and down, without outside interference, not up and up. This whole market is unreliable and unpredictable, don't have unrealistic expectations based on some random good days.

33. The agency is not your enemy. But they aren't your friend either.

Why don't you tell us who you are, and we can compare successes? I'm assuming since you're on the SS forums you're not McBurney, but you sure sound like him.

Never mind, figured it out.
« Last Edit: November 12, 2017, 07:48 by Shelma1 »

Brasilnut

  • Author Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock & Blog

« Reply #21 on: November 12, 2017, 07:30 »
0
Quote
I disagree with  19. Dont try to analyze this business. We can analyze as we wish, use math and just don't over analyze.

I agree. I think that's what he meant, not to over-analyze. Best to use energies positively to create new content. 

I'll add that we all need to be aware of which agencies are more likely to bring us the most $ for our style. Also we need to be aware of which are Agencies may be struggling financially and threaten to lower their fees and/or broaden RF licensing rights to customers. Just look at Dreamstime's latest "Royalty Free Limit Free" marketing scheme.

« Reply #22 on: November 12, 2017, 11:07 »
+5
I should write a book. ;)

No need. We all know that:

"Those who can't do, teach".

I add:
Those who can't teach, write books  ;D

Simplified: those who can't do microstock, write books about microstock.  :P
« Last Edit: November 12, 2017, 11:13 by Zero Talent »

« Reply #23 on: November 12, 2017, 11:08 »
+3

Anybody have any top tips to add to the list for newbies?
Sure

33. Don't give free tips  ;)
Yup, there it is. Anyone who knows enough to be successful in this or any other business isn't going to tell their competitors anything that gives away an advantage. The only useful tips I've got I've gleamed from people like yuri when they accidentally let slip something about workflow or similar when actually just trying to promote themselves. Even then you have to draw conclusions from partial information.
They say that during the gold rush, the people who really made good money were not the ones looking for gold, but the ones
 selling them the tools :-)

Brasilnut

  • Author Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock & Blog

« Reply #24 on: November 12, 2017, 11:34 »
+1
Quote
Simplified: those who can't do microstock, write books about microstock.  :P

I don't need to do only Microstock or write books.

I'm a finalist for "Travel Photographer of the Year 2017" - image attached.



 

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