Quote from: ShadySue on December 20, 2013, 08:29

You go first second.

OK: I think Symbiostock has the potential to be one of the biggest stories in 2014. I am not part of it but can see that it is a big achievement already. I could definitely see groups emerging from within it and forming their own mini-agencies whilst still being in some ways part of the wider project as a whole. I would expect to see some big 'players' joining which should give it a boost. Maybe even subscriptions. It needs to be a much more unified customer experience like an agency - but I have no doubt that will gradually happen and especially within smaller groups.

Personally - Alamy RM and Airbnb is becoming a big part of my life. And much smaller cameras - since I like to be able to travel with only carry-on luggage.

I really hope you are right on Symbiostock!

I hope Symbiostock takes off, but I'm not getting on board yet. The problem I see is lack of committed developer support going into the future.

Quote from: luissantos84 on December 20, 2013, 19:09

Quote from: dolgachov on December 20, 2013, 18:08

2014 will be amazing.

we are planning to triple our income comparing to 2013.

how do you know the next year sales? crystal ball?

edited: you guys can hide this post but I haven't said anything stupid, how can anyone know if agencies will maintain/lower royalties or even some closing doors or dramatic changing in terms of searches or lowering marketing or approving different content? I can only understand "triple income" statements if there is inside info regarding future earnings, yes I mean deals

Jeez Luis, you make a joke and people act like you peed in their conflakes . 

FWIW, I agree with you - too many variables in this industry and too many changes in too short a time to make any firm predictions. 

I can only predict I will keep at it and try to come up with good ideas and execute them with care.  Anything beyond that is out of my control and therefore beyond my ability to predict

I agree, much appreciated Lisa!

H'mm marked down for asking for evidence?

Thats right though you need to take into account that any additional agencies are likely to be lower earners. Whilst you can plan increased income I wouldn't take out a loan based on it 

If someone says they are planning to triple their income they dont need a crystal ball. The key is in the word planning. If you have 10k images on 10 agencies, and you are going to add 30k more and expand to 20 agencies you can say you are planning to triple your income

sure, we can say whatever we wish!

Or make "cheap" photos look expensive

Or make "cheap" photos look expensive

That is definitely the holy grail of microstock

I have a choice, I can choose between two options:

Agree with the rest of your message also. I'll add my two options:

1. Cut Bait
2. Or Fish

First is create new, second is start editing things that I have in the Working folders on the hard drive. I have much more shot, to be edited, than I can shoot in the next year. Thus, time to start fishing and stop creating more unfinished projects.

While some people wish to expand by adding new, more equipment, more staff, getting bigger, I think the idea of creating product for less, based on the lower returns, can be a good plan. Lower expenses, lower production costs = greater profits and more income.

I do have two goals for 2014.

First: Get the independent site up and running, whatever software it takes. Nothing fancy I just want to have a way to show a special collection I'm working on, and have an easy cart with one time use license. CHEAP! (that would exclude places that charge per month for warehousing my images and I do the promotions. Also anything that has Pay software which will exceed the expected returns for the first two years)

Second: Start adding much more Editorial to SS. That used to be sent to Alamy exclusively, but they have fallen off so much that SS presents a better opportunity for returns on efforts. License conflict has had me only adding a test batch to SS because of that RF/RM issue. Follow the money.

Three: (oh wait, I said two didn't I?) I guess three will have to wait for 2015. 

Or make "cheap" photos look expensive

Yes!

Quote from: tickstock on December 20, 2013, 08:41

Diversify.  That's my word of the year.

This is the right advise. I am trying to expand the breadth of my port and also started shooting video in addition to stills. I currently only have 20 vids or so on p5 and SS with no sales. Like images I know I need usable content and a lot of it. I need to apply to a few more agencies but will probably keep my videos to only certain agencies unlike the 10 I am on with pics.

No No - people need to specialize and find a Niche'   

I find it interesting that both answers are good answers, depending on what ones goal may be. Diversify is good. But specializing is also a good plan?

I predict Another Record Year in sales and in SS Stock!
Perhaps it will Split and even be MORE FUN!
One can only hope

Merry Christmas to all



Ho Ho Ho

I hope Symbiostock takes off, but I'm not getting on board yet. The problem I see is lack of committed developer support going into the future.

Sort of agree.  It needs to works as a proper business where the founder can generate a decent income from it and continue to lead it.

Quote

If someone says they are planning to triple their income they dont need a crystal ball. The key is in the word planning. If you have 10k images on 10 agencies, and you are going to add 30k more and expand to 20 agencies you can say you are planning to triple your income

Quite correct!
Tripling the number of images should triple the income, while doubling the number of agencies will do nothing.

Tripling your images doesn't triple your income.  Would be nice if it did, but I never heard of it happening.  Too many other factors in play. 

Image market predictions?

The way to go is not images, but multipart files.

PSDs, 3d files, etc. Stuff with multiple parts customers can work with. I'm surprised its not a more popular approach already.

This is not my own insight - someone else's -- get out of Microstock and find a more dignified way to sell such as RM. Of course I don't sell RM, so I'm just echoing stuff. But it make sense.

My goal is to make Symbiostock more easily assimilated by everyone - developers and users. A general cart for downloadable items, with emphasis on images. Also a prestine out-of-box look, then make it available in several popular market places and as a sort of standard for anyone serious about their online presence. Possibly not even dependent on Wordpress.

Of course there's the other 50% chance I'll just drop it and go back into 3d and other development. I've been tempted with making a living in electronics and getting out of the strictly digital stuff. Choices, choices...

I think 2014 will finally give us flying cars and possibly aliens will come looking for intelligent life and leave disappointed.