Author Topic: 2022 Predictions for the Microstock Business (Read 20796 times)

For Real · « **on:** December 16, 2021, 13:57 »

Hey Folks,

Love to hear your predictions for the up and coming 2022 on the Microstock business. I will toss a few of mine out now:

1. AdobeStock will be the top earner of the Poll Result thus trumping Shutterstock (for some that is already happening)
2. At least two of the sites on the poll results will be gone
3. A few new companies will be entering the business

Wish the best for us in 2022!

f8 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 16, 2021, 14:28 »

a) All of the agencies will continue to leech off the contributors and distract them with carrot dangling techniques to entice corporate profit and keep reducing royalties all the while contributors will take it and complain like there is no tomorrow and put forth empty threats on forums.

Same same.

b) All of the agencies will realize that without their contributors, the very people who produce their content for sale and keeps them in business will finally show their tremendous gratitude, respect, and increase royalties so that 'we' could all profit and once again make this a sustainable industry.

Dreaming.

Wishing you all the very best for 2022.

HappyBunny · « **Reply #2 on:** December 16, 2021, 14:36 »

Quote from: CantFixStupid on December 16, 2021, 14:28

a) All of the agencies will continue to leech off the contributors and distract them with carrot dangling techniques to entice corporate profit and keep reducing royalties all the while contributors will take it and complain like there is no tomorrow and put forth empty threats on forums.

Same same.

b) All of the agencies will realize that without their contributors, the very people who produce their content for sale and keeps them in business will finally show their tremendous gratitude, respect, and increase royalties so that 'we' could all profit and once again make this a sustainable industry.

Dreaming.

Wishing you all the very best for 2022.

I don't think so. They don't need any new photos. They have more than enough photos of everything.

Jaggy · « **Reply #3 on:** December 16, 2021, 14:41 »

I predict that the market for images and video will continue to be strong but RPD will continue to decline as agencies pursue market share.

That means we will probably have to sell 25% more product to make the same amount of money that we made this year.

Level6 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 16, 2021, 15:00 »

Quote from: HappyBunny on December 16, 2021, 14:36

Quote from: CantFixStupid on December 16, 2021, 14:28
a) All of the agencies will continue to leech off the contributors and distract them with carrot dangling techniques to entice corporate profit and keep reducing royalties all the while contributors will take it and complain like there is no tomorrow and put forth empty threats on forums.

Same same.

b) All of the agencies will realize that without their contributors, the very people who produce their content for sale and keeps them in business will finally show their tremendous gratitude, respect, and increase royalties so that 'we' could all profit and once again make this a sustainable industry.

Dreaming.

Wishing you all the very best for 2022.

I don't think so. They don't need any new photos. They have more than enough photos of everything.

In this economy the agencies literally have enough video and photos to last many years, just wish I'd gotten out in April 2019.

Justanotherphotographer · « **Reply #5 on:** December 16, 2021, 15:05 »

Lots more Canva clones.

Less of even standard sub sales with mostly sub 10c RPDs as more customers switch to these ways of using content. Canva was great as an additional revenue stream, as long as a large enough amount of these sales were new. As agencies improve their Canva-clone offerings too many of our sales are going to be in the 4-5c range (as they are with Canva if I remember correctly). That's why I was trying to get a straight answer from Adobe re. revenue share...

Level6 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 16, 2021, 15:09 »

Let me refine my response: Ticket to bankruptcy

Brasilnut · « **Reply #7 on:** December 17, 2021, 05:40 »

Unsplash goes public and will be listed on the NYSE, alongside Getty and SS, with contributors rejoicing at the "amazing exposure" they're receiving for their work.

Pixingphotos · « **Reply #8 on:** December 17, 2021, 11:00 »

I predict more and more frustrated contributors...

DavidK · « **Reply #9 on:** December 18, 2021, 09:20 »

I don't know, I think that as the market devolves by virtue of attrition there might actually be fewer frustrated contributors. As SS pushes further into Stan's dream of a subscription only model and AS promotes CCE to the detriment of our silent yet critical partners like mom & pop designers and smaller ad agencies, the market for higher value sales will dwindle even further. Couple this with an industry wide adoption of free content libraries and the incomprehensible (to me) embracement of those by many contributors, means there's little if any room for the pendulum to swing back closer to equilibrium at this point. For anyone whose content actually comes at a cost, or even anyone who places a value on their own time for that matter, the situation will be untenable. Leaving only hobbyists and a handful of factory producers with any incentive or motivation to continue.

I think one needs look no further than the engagement on this forum over the past year to see evidence of this already.

For Real · « **Reply #10 on:** December 18, 2021, 19:40 »

---buyers will demand better quality images thus rejection rates will increase on the Top Tier sites.

csm · « **Reply #11 on:** December 18, 2021, 19:55 »

Quote from: DavidK on December 18, 2021, 09:20

I don't know, I think that as the market devolves by virtue of attrition there might actually be fewer frustrated contributors. As SS pushes further into Stan's dream of a subscription only model and AS promotes CCE to the detriment of our silent yet critical partners like mom & pop designers and smaller ad agencies, the market for higher value sales will dwindle even further. Couple this with an industry wide adoption of free content libraries and the incomprehensible (to me) embracement of those by many contributors, means there's little if any room for the pendulum to swing back closer to equilibrium at this point. For anyone whose content actually comes at a cost, or even anyone who places a value on their own time for that matter, the situation will be untenable. Leaving only hobbyists and a handful of factory producers with any incentive or motivation to continue.

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

Very true.
The cost of taking pictures has come come down because of digital, and like many other industries prices have dropped, but the cost of travel hasn't come down, good cameras are still relatively expensive, models or locations don't come cheap either, if you live in Europe or the US mainly. It seems to me there is a big gulf in what most contributors produce and what agents want. Look at "whats new", flower pots and sunsets and other objects. Front page of most agents sites, is authentic lifestyle which most people aren't producing. I think agents should only be keeping images that they'd be happy to show off on their front page.

I think one needs look no further than the engagement on this forum over the past year to see evidence of this already.

Mantis · « **Reply #12 on:** December 18, 2021, 20:09 »

Same crap different day

Level6 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 18, 2021, 22:47 »

Quote from: DavidK on December 18, 2021, 09:20

I don't know, I think that as the market devolves by virtue of attrition there might actually be fewer frustrated contributors. As SS pushes further into Stan's dream of a subscription only model and AS promotes CCE to the detriment of our silent yet critical partners like mom & pop designers and smaller ad agencies, the market for higher value sales will dwindle even further. Couple this with an industry wide adoption of free content libraries and the incomprehensible (to me) embracement of those by many contributors, means there's little if any room for the pendulum to swing back closer to equilibrium at this point. For anyone whose content actually comes at a cost, or even anyone who places a value on their own time for that matter, the situation will be untenable. Leaving only hobbyists and a handful of factory producers with any incentive or motivation to continue.

I think one needs look no further than the engagement on this forum over the past year to see evidence of this already.

Couldn't agree more on every point and same in the Pond5 forums, I was noticing as well a lot less activity, some walk away but make a big noise about it (like me) and others quietly close the business or go bankrupt and find another job or business.

The only video/photos that might still sell are the extremely niche and hard to get editorial content, something that there isn't a lot of home video shot of cell phones by the public of, other than that it's all free now.

They had all the tornadoes in the US, the media didn't buy from the professional storm chasers but took free video from social media and used, sometimes with permission and sometimes not.

And the free sites?, someone is supplying them? why?, it's quite the social experiment so see an entire industry collapse because people thing free will pay the bills.

Level6 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 18, 2021, 22:54 »

Quote from: Brasilnut on December 17, 2021, 05:40

Unsplash goes public and will be listed on the NYSE, alongside Getty and SS, with contributors rejoicing at the "amazing exposure" they're receiving for their work.

The worst part is these "clowns" really think that's a good thing, I didn't take business in college but I know that exposure and likes don't pay the bills, the operators of these "startups", the stock agencies and the free sites might be laughing so hard their beer comes out their noses and spills on their keyboard in the offices.

As I am looking for a new job as I can't make a living in stock video anymore it's been near impossible, when your past is camera work you can't get a job in fast food or car wash but I made the boss of a local car wash and car rental place and offer, I offered to work for FREE for a full week just to see if both sides are happy, I love working around cars so I know I can wash and detail cars and trucks, the boss says "I can't have you working for free that would be illegal".

In stock video?, work for free for "exposure" and "likes".

I tried to explain again to him that the it was working for free in stock video that bankrupted me and he didn't understand and said "I think you got scammed buddy", "no one works for free".

Pacesetter · « **Reply #15 on:** December 18, 2021, 23:15 »

Level6 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 18, 2021, 23:19 »

Quote from: Pacesetter on December 18, 2021, 23:15

Day trading?, Swing trading? or option trading?, not like stock video/photo gonna print

Mimi the Cat · « **Reply #17 on:** December 19, 2021, 00:09 »

I predict more "exciting news"

TonyD · « **Reply #18 on:** December 19, 2021, 13:27 »

I think the main stock sites need to explain to stingy buyers the advantages of paying for content instead of going to the freebies.

cascoly · « **Reply #19 on:** December 19, 2021, 13:47 »

Quote from: Level6 on December 16, 2021, 15:09

Let me refine my response: Ticket to bankruptcy

how can you go bankrupt if you have passive income? if you're splurging on expensive equipment that's a personal choice & cant be blamed on MS

Level6 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 19, 2021, 14:34 »

Quote from: vintage age on December 19, 2021, 13:27

I think the main stock sites need to explain to stingy buyers the advantages of paying for content instead of going to the freebies.

I think they do, they offer asset insurance and indemnity but perhaps they could focus and do an advertising campaign around the risks or using free content, that's a really good idea but these are startups and startup people live in a different word than we do.

I'm sure a lot of smaller companies or YouTuber don't realize the risks of using free content, just the cost of having to defend from a lawsuit alone can be catastrophic. "If it's free it's not worth the risk"- buy from (insert agency name).

Level6 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 19, 2021, 14:37 »

Quote from: cascoly on December 19, 2021, 13:47

Quote from: Level6 on December 16, 2021, 15:09
Let me refine my response: Ticket to bankruptcy

how can you go bankrupt if you have passive income? if you're splurging on expensive equipment that's a personal choice & cant be blamed on MS

My regular and steady sales at Pond5 ended, only one sale this fall but I've operated (stupidly) off a credit card all fall and kept producing more editorial content, definitely no splurging on new equipment for me, as a matter of fact I am looking to see what I can sell off and I would not invest another penny on equipment for this business. It's not a way to make a living anymore, just really furious with myself that I stayed in past the end of August, the fall selling season sure didn't happen.

Level6 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 19, 2021, 15:02 »

Quote from: Mimi the Cat on December 19, 2021, 00:09

I predict more "exciting news"

I can't believe these startups still use those lines, exciting news, great news, new ways to monetize, earn "more" incremental income yet all mean a pay cut and less income.

Why not just be honest?, everyone hated it when SSTK made their massive royalty cut and the resetting of the levels every year which is another pay cut but as unpleasant as it was they did it straight up and take it or leave it.

I was very disappointed but I knew straight up I wasn't gonna be able to make a living selling on SSTK anymore, over at Pond5 on April 1 2019 sales just ended and nothing but silence and then they came up with the exclusive program and we all know how that worked out.

Kinda reminds me of these points programs the gas stations have up here in Canada, "earn more points" and "save money with petro-points", like the stock agencies it's a SCAM, you know how much gas I'd have to buy to get that one "free" carwash on those points?....yeah.

H2O · « **Reply #23 on:** December 20, 2021, 06:09 »

Microstock will just get worse over the short term, commission rates will continue to be cut, maybe even stopped or put ‘on hold’ as many of the sites will call it.

Shutterstock have shown the way on this with their January restart every year, I believe the overall outlook is very grim.

On the upside, in the long run, I believe that many countries, probably starting in Europe will look to bring in legislation to fairly compensate contributors, perhaps with a law that makes these companies responsible to all stake holders on a equal basis, when a company is sold, takes on debt, commission rates or terms and condition changes, basically all contributors having a equal vote at the shareholders annual meeting.

Perhaps they will bring in laws that state contributors/creatives are the ones who decide how much their work is charged out at, along with the commission rates.

As for the sites manipulating the search engines to favour the highest return for their ‘shareholders’ this will also be outlawed.

As in the music industry, new technology has been used to scam artists in our sector of the creative arts, initially drawing in the talent and then after suckering them in, ripping them off.

The law and basic human rites are always slow to catch up with the 19th century mill owners, but it will come.

Or perhaps the advent of new technology will supersede microstock as we know it, like a search engine that seeks out individual websites of artist, photographers as a listing site, creating a market of independent online shops, which to a certain degree has been happening, maybe this will supersede microstock sites as we know them.

The other point I would make is, companies like Adobe have a vested interest in higher commission rates for us, as we buy their software, lets hope they hold their nerve, as many contributors (myself included) will only be uploading fresh content to them alone, ignoring SS/Getty and the other low hanging fruit, maybe 2022 could be a breakthrough year for Adobe.

I would suggest that if Adobe offered an exclusive contract, this could be a knock out blow for the likes of Getty and Shutterstock.

Personally, and I'm sure most people would like to see this, is Getty going bust and then wound down, with all the constituent parts sold off individually.

I also believe that there should be legislation on separating historic or commisioned photographs, art/illustation libraries from individual contributors portfolios on Microstock sites, companies should only be allowed to sell one or the other, or they should have the two types of content on totally separate sites.

Overall the outlook in the long term is better than in the short term.

thijsdegraaf · « **Reply #24 on:** December 20, 2021, 06:33 »

Legislation, which makes internet companies more responsible for the sale of stolen goods, will be introduced. Just like banks are now being held responsible for money laundering criminal money and receive high fines in the Netherlands.

I don't believe we get more rights through the law.

The biggest problem for us remains the ever-increasing amount of photos and the ever-increasing range of free photos.

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Author Topic: 2022 Predictions for the Microstock Business (Read 20796 times)

For Real

f8

HappyBunny

Jaggy

Level6

Justanotherphotographer

Level6

Brasilnut

Pixingphotos

DavidK

For Real

csm

Mantis

Level6

Level6

Pacesetter

Level6

Mimi the Cat

TonyD

cascoly

Level6

Level6

Level6

H2O

thijsdegraaf

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