Author Topic: 2008 Microstock Goals - What are yours (Read 15843 times)

leaf · « **on:** December 22, 2007, 04:59 »

So what are they? I realized I didn't write down any 2007 goals, so I think I will do that this year. Just have to figure out what they will be. It was fun to read the 2007 goals thread and see how people did, so hopefully I can partake in that next time.

vphoto · « **Reply #1 on:** December 22, 2007, 08:46 »

to earn $300-400 per month.

vphoto

Clivia · « **Reply #2 on:** December 22, 2007, 09:01 »

To learn how make really good video footage, and sell lots of it. A new venture for the New Year.
To do more photography for my own pleasure rather than with stock always in the back of my mind.
To master HDR imaging.
That should keep me busy for a while!

PaulieWalnuts · « **Reply #3 on:** December 22, 2007, 09:06 »

I read the 2007 goal thread and it was pretty interesting. My goals for 2008 are:

- Buy a D300
- Build my RF portfolio to at least 500 quality marketable images (long term goal is about 5,000)
- Start building a separate RF/RM/ED portfolio and contribute to Alamy and Photoshelter
- Hit Silver at Istock
- Have stock become at least 10% of my total income

leaf · « **Reply #4 on:** December 22, 2007, 09:10 »

To earn $5000/month, which would put me in the average amount of $$ earned for people living in Norway. I think it would feel like a nice accomplishment to really be able to say that microstock by ITSELF is providing me with a viable income.

After that goal, $8333.33 per month which is the magical number of $100,000/ year which seems like a crazy high amount, but it is totally within reach - maybe not within the next 12 months, but hopefully in the next 24

Velvia · « **Reply #5 on:** December 22, 2007, 09:31 »

I had a great start so far this year.
My goals for 2008 is to earn $400 monthly

- Build my portfolio to 500 or so images
- Dedicate more time for stock
- Limiting myself only a few hours on this site a month (yeah right!)

kosmikkreeper · « **Reply #6 on:** December 22, 2007, 10:28 »

My goal is to make $6000.00/month from micros only which would be a 50% increase.
Buy a Nikon D400: 16 mp, full frame

Do at least 3 trips. 2 are already planned: Panama and Calgary. Maybe Honduras for the third.. dunno yet.

That's it!

GeoPappas · « **Reply #7 on:** December 22, 2007, 10:34 »

Quote from: leaf on December 22, 2007, 09:10

To earn $5000/month, which would put me in the average amount of $$ earned for people living in Norway.

Wow, you guys must be rich up in Norway! The median household income for a whole FAMILY in the U.S. is around $48,000/yr. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Household_income_in_the_United_States).

leaf · « **Reply #8 on:** December 22, 2007, 10:40 »

well.. sort of norwegians are rich.. but not really. The median household income in Norway (after tax) is $56,700, but things are much more expensive in Norway so it feels more like $30-40,000 - quite similar to the states.

The advantage comes when travelling. Things in the states or Canada are quite cheep - not to mention places like malasia or eastern europe.

leaf · « **Reply #9 on:** December 22, 2007, 10:42 »

Quote from: kosmikkreeper on December 22, 2007, 10:28

My goal is to make $6000.00/month from micros only which would be a 50% increase.
Buy a Nikon D400: 16 mp, full frame
Do at least 3 trips. 2 are already planned: Panama and Calgary. Maybe Honduras for the third.. dunno yet.

That's it!

Oh yeah, I forgot, a couple microstock funded trips and the new 1Ds Mark III does sure look nice

Not sure how much of that will get into the buget though. I guess I am interested to see what the 5D replaced looks like first.

Kngkyle · « **Reply #10 on:** December 22, 2007, 11:20 »

Making $1,000/month by the end of 2008.
Have at least 1,000 submissions by the end of 2008.

Hopefully that will work out. I have about 300 images now and make about $300 a month.

Rozmaryna · « **Reply #11 on:** December 22, 2007, 11:52 »

I PLAN to create a microstock portfolio that will pay (at least) my rent, which would be about $900 per month.

I WISH to create a microstock portfolio that will allow me doing photography on full time (THAT would be about $2.000 per month

)

DanP68 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 22, 2007, 12:11 »

Great thread idea Leaf. Goal setting, and announcing them publicly, is a great way to push yourself forward. It holds you accountable.

My newbie status goal is to ramp up to 50 sales/month on Dreamstime by July 31st, and 75 sales/month on Dreamstime by December 31st. Hatman12 has been giving me some advice on the DT boards, and has set some goals for himself too. I'm a big fan of Dreamstime, but not a big fan of my performance there. So I want to push myself to a respectable level there. I know my increased performance there will translate well to other sites.

Mellimage · « **Reply #13 on:** December 22, 2007, 12:32 »

In October I started a new job and I do not have much time to devote to microstock.
I hope to add 100-200 pics to my portfolio at FT,SS and IS - and fully upload my existing portfolio to DT.
I hope to have a steady income from microstock of around 250-300 Euros each month. By the end of this year, this seems to be in reach - a dream would be to earn 5000 Euros/year from microstock... .

Wonderful holidays to all of you! And all the best for 2008! May you reach your goals!

sharply_done · « **Reply #14 on:** December 22, 2007, 12:46 »

My 2008 goal is to keep a lower profile than I did during 2007. I enjoy sharing my experiences and participating in this community, but I think I'd be further ahead if I bit my tongue more often.

strikerx98 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 22, 2007, 13:20 »

Please no Sharply! I've valued your input so far.

Since I've just begand I'd be happy right now to make $100 per month, but I would like to get to at least $1000 per month by the end of 2008. I can see it, I can feel it now I want to taste it!

BTW, Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays everyone!!! This group has been such a blessing to me!

Best,
Connie

takestock · « **Reply #16 on:** December 22, 2007, 13:51 »

2007 way exceeded my goals set.

I'll be happy to increase my earnings by maybe 50% in 2008

Smithore · « **Reply #17 on:** December 22, 2007, 14:19 »

Hope to reach 1500$/month at the end of 2008.
I begin the new year with new camera (5D) and studio lighting equipment...

merry christmas everyone!!!

araminta · « **Reply #18 on:** December 22, 2007, 15:28 »

My main goal is to be able at the end of the year to have an answer to the question "Could the photography / graphic design become my full time job within a few years?".

I'm living in Switzerland and basically it's as expensive as Norway. Moreover, I've a good job right now and I would like to keep the same level of earnings... I'm afraid $5000 a month is not sufficient here $:-\$

So, for 2008:

Increase microstock earnings by 50%
Have 800 pictures in my microstock portfolio
Build a small RM/RF fortfolio at Alamy and Photoshelter and have at least 2-5 sale a month
Investigate alternative to stock business... Zazzle, CafePress, Imagekind
Improve my skills... optimize workflow, learn HDR photography, improve 3D, learn vector illustration

Good luck to everyone for 2008!

PaulieWalnuts · « **Reply #19 on:** December 22, 2007, 15:38 »

Now that I think about it after reading Araminta's post, my overall goal for 2008 is pretty much the same. To see if it's possible for me to live on this and figure out how long it will take to get there.

Freezingpictures · « **Reply #20 on:** December 22, 2007, 16:03 »

Very interesting to read all your goals for 2008. If I would double my earnings that would be great, however my main goal would be to spent less time watching microstock and instead be more productive with microstock.
And another goal, creating 100 sandwich images which earn me $300 a month :-) But we will see..

sharpshot · « **Reply #21 on:** December 22, 2007, 16:23 »

As time goes by I am finding it hard to take photos for the microstock sites. I am losing motivation selling at low prices and I don't enjoy taking the photos that sell well, like isolated object.

Next year I want to do more vectors for the micros and send most of my photos to sites that sell for higher prices. At the moment, I am not very good with vectors and have failed to get in to istock, so that is going to be a challenge.

leaf · « **Reply #22 on:** December 22, 2007, 16:31 »

Quote from: Freezingpictures on December 22, 2007, 16:03

And another goal, creating 100 sandwich images which earn me $300 a month :-) But we will see..

haha... cool idea.... take enough food pics to to pay for your monthly food expense.

ason · « **Reply #23 on:** December 22, 2007, 18:53 »

...just to survive...

I think things/times is changing...But I hope to have a portfolio of 1000 pics in the end of 2008...and...not the same pictures on the big 5....

epixx · « **Reply #24 on:** December 22, 2007, 20:14 »

Here are my goals:

- Promote my portfolios at Featurepics, Snapvillage, Alamy and Photoshelters to increase earnings on existing portfolio.

- Take more photos that sells, ans skip the sentimental crap that only I think will sell.

- Increase my earnings to at least $2,500 a month, which will give me a decent, but not great living where I live (Thailand).

- Spend less time on internet forums, and more time taking, editing and uploading photos

ale1969 · « **Reply #25 on:** December 22, 2007, 20:24 »

That's my 2008 goal:

- Learn to shoot.

The rest will come accordingly

grp_photo · « **Reply #26 on:** December 23, 2007, 02:06 »

My goals:
- keep away from sites which offer subscription with no possibility to option out.
- keep away from Agencies which pay less than 30% commission.
- push my midstock-earnings over a constant monthly 1000,- Euros.
- push my rightsmanaged-earnings over a constant monthly 1500,- Euros.
- keep my microstock-earnings at the current level (a little bit over 1000,- Dollar)

2008 will be a very hard year for photostock traditional and midstock-agencies will continue to loose customers to microstock.
But Microstock itself will be much more competitive the days of easy money will be gone and photographers have to put a lot of effort in their collections just to keep their current earnings. So it will be interesting to see if any of us can reach their goals.

sharpshot · « **Reply #27 on:** December 23, 2007, 02:51 »

Quote from: grp_photo on December 23, 2007, 02:06

2008 will be a very hard year for photostock traditional and midstock-agencies will continue to loose customers to microstock.
But Microstock itself will be much more competitive the days of easy money will be gone and photographers have to put a lot of effort in their collections just to keep their current earnings. So it will be interesting to see if any of us can reach their goals.

I remember people saying that about 2007 and they were wrong. The demand for microstock images is still growing fast and most of the supply doesn't reach a good standard. None of us know when the industry will reach the point where it becomes a lot harder to make more money.

grp_photo · « **Reply #28 on:** December 23, 2007, 03:08 »

I think you are wrong sharpshot. I know Microstock since 2004 and 2007 was for sure already a point of beginning saturation, maybe not so drastic as i personally expected, but in no way comparable with the impressive growth in 2004,2005 and 2006.
Things will level more out in 2008.

null · « **Reply #29 on:** December 23, 2007, 03:44 »

Quote from: sharply_done on December 22, 2007, 12:46

My 2008 goal is to keep a lower profile than I did during 2007. I enjoy sharing my experiences and participating in this community, but I think I'd be further ahead if I bit my tongue more often.

Please don't. You are my favorite poster, and with a sharp mind.

My goals are basically to enhance time input vs. yield ratio in stock. I have been putting far too much input in postprocessing, uploading, categorizing to too much sites that don't deliver. I quit LO recently and more will come. I stopped uploading already to iStock, CanStock, Snapvillage, Geckostock and all the "new" sites. My last batch to iStock took me a day going through all their disambiguation crap. Not for 200$ = 160 Euro per year. That's just 20 hours of flipping hamburgers.

I will also stop submitting to sites that sell my shots for 0.25$. It's a disgrace. I'd rather post them on Flickr for free, what the heck. If I would have spent the time uploading/categorizing to CanStock in the past 2.5 years just flipping hamburgers, I would have made 10 times as much. An exception is ShutterStock that makes up by volume what they lack on pay per sale. I just wish they paid me in Euro (as they charge their European customers) because the falling Dollar sucks big time.

I need to concentrate more on isolated and studio shots, both food/objects and models. I have a studio space ready in my second home in SE Asia but I need softboxes and light tents. The ceiling-bounced flash just doesn't give me enough DOF and overexposed backdrops will reduce the isolation work to 5 mins. Plenty of free models there. Having the studio, I need to shift to commissioned shoots and events of fat ugly rich ladies with broken teeth, cloning out their pimples, play digital dentist, change their horizontal aspect ratio and perform Photoshop-facelifts. I will cry all my way to the bank.

I'm going to concentrate more on sites that give a higher yield per photo, like Alamy, Featurepics, Photoshelter, Zymmetrical. One sale at FP on average equals 20 sales at ShutterStock.

I want to emulate Phildate with mass production of mindless goodlooking Asians with plastic smiles, headsets and laptops

I got a guy trained in tagging and postproducing. He costs me 300php = 5 Euro per work day but for that price he cooks, cleans and shops too. I want to emulate Yuri Arcurs with gorgeous guys and girls in business suits gazing clumsily over a flipchart and pointing success, yeah!

And when all that works, I'll wander off in nature again on my motorcycle, to my beloved waterfalls and sunsets and landscapes, cityviews, people in public, things I really like ;-)
I wasn't born as a businessman.

mjp · « **Reply #30 on:** December 23, 2007, 04:41 »

2007 goals were to pass 500$ barrier from micros before end of the year (passed in august). The year 2008 have little higher for microstock :

- 1000$/month before next fall from microstocks
- Remodel my garage to home studio (planning starts january and should be ready at summer time)
- Add 1000 images to my portfolio.
- Focus more and more on food & still life photography
- Buy tilt and shift lens and learn to use it

And maybe get more non-microstock related photography income as well.

br, MjP

redfig · « **Reply #31 on:** December 23, 2007, 11:58 »

Hi

I wish and i am going to try to make $500 month by the end of 2008.
Also to try out the other sites ,I seem to only sell with shutterstock and that's only been $15 so far this month so i have a long way to go but its great fun .
Hope you all have a great Christmas and a great Micostock new year
yours

Redfig

JC-SL · « **Reply #32 on:** December 23, 2007, 18:33 »

Firstly...I wish everyone the prosperity that you so richly deserve!

Secondly, Sharply_done.. you will be missed. Your sharply wit, tongue, advice and most importantly, your incredible support of microstock photographers. Enjoy your time as we know you'll still be watching.

And for me, I've decided to sell up the office/studio and move to one of the best surf beaches along side of a great golf course early in 2008. That way, once I can get my surf or golf in each day...I can spend the second half of the day happily working on content for microstock (and macrostock) each and everyday! I look forward to everyone's update this time next year.

Until then... enjoy life and shoot well. Now if I could only figure out what to do with over a million slides sitting here...hmmmm. Thinks me will be busy for awhile.

cheers, JC

jlye · « **Reply #33 on:** December 24, 2007, 03:05 »

Merry Xmas to all and Happy 2008!!

My Goal for 2008

1) Increase my portfolio by 50-100 images a month

2) 25% increase in monthly income

3) Get a new camera possibly the Nikon D300

4) Enjoy Life ...

fotografer · « **Reply #34 on:** December 24, 2007, 07:49 »

Quote from: sharply_done on December 22, 2007, 12:46

My 2008 goal is to keep a lower profile than I did during 2007. I enjoy sharing my experiences and participating in this community, but I think I'd be further ahead if I bit my tongue more often.

Shame, you always seem to have nice encouraging words to say for everybody and I always enjoy reading your posts.

PaulieWalnuts · « **Reply #35 on:** December 24, 2007, 08:16 »

Quote from: sharply_done on December 22, 2007, 12:46

My 2008 goal is to keep a lower profile than I did during 2007. I enjoy sharing my experiences and participating in this community, but I think I'd be further ahead if I bit my tongue more often.

I'm curious about this too. I enjoy your posts and you've always offered solid advice. I have a feeling I know why you'll be biting your tongue more but could you elaborate a bit?

sharply_done · « **Reply #36 on:** December 24, 2007, 14:33 »

I'll say this: unlike the traditional photography business, attracting too much attention can have a detrimental effect on income. If you plan on attacking the market in an unconventional way, it may be best to fly below the radar.

jorgeinthewater · « **Reply #37 on:** December 24, 2007, 16:04 »

Merry Christmas to everyone,
Sharply I will miss your advice.
My main goal will be to produce enough images to be able to pay my yearly home taxes about 8,000 usd. I have a long way to go but I'm willing to work hard.
Thanks to all of you for all that I have learnd in the few months of reading your thoughts and instructions.
Jorge

madelaide · « **Reply #38 on:** December 25, 2007, 17:18 »

I can understand sharply_done's decision. Sometimes what we say does not sound well to others, even when our intention is to give an advice. Even though I try to be polite, I know people get offended so easily, and some react quite madly. I have some angry posts in my guestbook due to that. Mind you, those angry people (in one case from here) took their time to get to my website and leave some gross words in it.

Moreover, spending less time in forums is a wise decision, leaving more time for photography itself. I get involved in discussions so easily, though... Sometimes I spend all the little time I reserved for photography in forums! That should be a good New Year resolution.

But I'll stick around. There is too much valuable information here.

Regards,
Adelaide

jjneff · « **Reply #39 on:** December 26, 2007, 05:29 »

Well 2007 has been great, My goal is to Learn all I can about After Effects as I shoot video. I hope to have a 2500 clip video gallery on Istock by the end of 2008 all good quality. The earnings will follow the work.

keo · « **Reply #40 on:** December 27, 2007, 05:22 »

My Goal is increase 200% or $1000 monthly income, 100% success to submit file!
please dun reject my works, im hard working...

PaulieWalnuts · « **Reply #41 on:** May 02, 2008, 08:12 »

So we're approaching the halfway point for 2008. How's everybody progressing toward reaching their goals? On track, way ahead, or way behind?

ozbandit · « **Reply #42 on:** May 02, 2008, 08:53 »

My goals for 2008 would be:

1 - Shot better and more commercially viable images

2 - Reach 1k per month income

3 - Build folio of images up to 3000

helix7 · « **Reply #43 on:** May 02, 2008, 09:06 »

I didn't post goals here, but back in December I set the goal for myself of achieving $2500 in microstock earnings in a single month by December 2008. I blasted past that goal this month by quite a bit, so I'm way ahead of myself and think I need to set a new one for December. Maybe $6000 earnings for the month of December...

travelstock · « **Reply #44 on:** May 02, 2008, 09:51 »

I also didn't put down my goals at the start of the year, but have sort of been working to my own targets since I quit work in May last year. At that time I was aiming to increase my earnings by about $3 each week and to have an average of 15 photos a week approved.

One year on, and naturally there have been ups and downs, but I've achieved the income target, and the approved photos is about 14.7, which is fairly close also.

I'm in the process of setting some new, and more ambitious targets for the next 12 months!

DanP68 · « **Reply #45 on:** May 02, 2008, 15:07 »

I hit my goal 2 months ago.

Honestly, I need a new one...

hd · « **Reply #46 on:** May 02, 2008, 16:19 »

Learn more.
Earn more.

That's my goal every day, month and year.

Finding a fabulous new space I can live in that doubles as a studio - with lots of windows to feed my need for natural light - would really rock too. (hey universe - are you listening?!)

As much as I want to say "hey Sharply - don't bite your tongue"...I think he's got a point.

MicrostockExp · « **Reply #47 on:** May 02, 2008, 16:46 »

Based on what things are going so far I have a realistic goal I think of $ 500 a month on micro+midstock by uploading 20-30 pics a months.
+ 10 % $ increase each month ...

litifeta · « **Reply #48 on:** May 02, 2008, 19:49 »

1. portfolio on SS and DT reaches 500 images. Statistically that should pay me $250 a month from each agency based on my current sales vs portfolio size.

2. $500 a month in sales by December

3. Enough cash generation to have paid for some decent lighting.

4. Move to full frame when the new 5D comes in and the price of the current 5D falls.

5. a decent lens paid for by microstock

6. acceptance rate at agencies raised from 55% to 75%

erwinova · « **Reply #49 on:** May 02, 2008, 20:01 »

uploading (and approved) 10-15 photos every day. I don't care about sales because last time I focused at my sales, my spirit go down...

RacePhoto · « **Reply #50 on:** May 03, 2008, 00:05 »

Quote from: hd on May 02, 2008, 16:19

Learn more.

Finding a fabulous new space I can live in that doubles as a studio - with lots of windows to feed my need for natural light - would really rock too. (hey universe - are you listening?!)

Finding a studio/workshop that could double as a place to live (pretty much the same as you with a slight twist) would be the perfect living situation. I always have projects and need more space for photography.

Earn enough to pay for some of my equipment, and that's going to come from photo sales to publications and hopefully editorial on Alamy.

Get 30 photos a month accepted, on average, on all the MStock sites that I'm working at. That's not much, but based on time and everything else, it's a one-a-day plan.

I'm still not in this for the money. Maybe next year if the uploads keep making the portfolios growing.

faber · « **Reply #51 on:** May 03, 2008, 08:39 »

Making $1.200,--/month by the end of 2008 (current $750,--)
Have at least 800 submissions by the end of 2008 (current 420)

Decide (by June the latest) whether or not to go exclusive at istock.

helix7 · « **Reply #52 on:** May 04, 2008, 13:24 »

Quote from: faber on May 03, 2008, 08:39

Decide (by June the latest) whether or not to go exclusive at istock.

Easy way to decide that: What's your percentage breakdown? What percentage of your monthly earnings come form istock?

Less than 60% and I'd be wary of going exclusive. Could mean a pay-cut for most people if you're not pulling at least 50% (preferably 60%) from istock and are already at a higher canister level.

CofkoCof · « **Reply #53 on:** May 04, 2008, 14:49 »

Well I answered to a similar topic on DT about 2 months ago. It was to earn 100$ monthly and get acceptance ratio to about 75%. Already acomplished the first goal so I'm setting it higher now, 1000 is my next goal and I'm about half way there. The second one is tougher but I'm at about 50-65% AR now (depends on the site). Another goal is to improve my photography skills so I would need to retouch less.

leaf · « **Reply #54 on:** July 01, 2008, 06:13 »

Just thought i would bump this again since the end of June marks 6 months gone by.

My halfway goal was met in May, but then june's income was lower so now it is not met again

Hopefully the fall holds some good things for the microstock industry.

PaulieWalnuts · « **Reply #55 on:** July 01, 2008, 06:22 »

Quote from: PaulieWalnuts on December 22, 2007, 09:06

I read the 2007 goal thread and it was pretty interesting. My goals for 2008 are:

- Buy a D300
- Build my RF portfolio to at least 500 quality marketable images (long term goal is about 5,000)
- Start building a separate RF/RM/ED portfolio and contribute to Alamy and Photoshelter
- Hit Silver at Istock
- Have stock become at least 10% of my total income

Above are my goals posted back in December 2007.

- I'm now shopping for a D300
- I'm a bit behind on the 500 pics goal
- I now have a separate RM portfolio for Alamy and PSC
- I'm on track for Silver at IS by the end of 2008
- I'm on track for 10% income

One thing I didn't list is going exclusive with IS which I'm planning on doing sometime in July.