Author Topic: Do you have (microstock) secrets? (Read 16341 times)

Lucadp · « **Reply #25 on:** August 01, 2012, 14:39 »

my main secret:
work hard!

my first post at MG so, hi to all!

oxman · « **Reply #26 on:** August 01, 2012, 15:25 »

All you need to know...


How to use Program Mode

cascoly · « **Reply #27 on:** August 01, 2012, 15:40 »

Quote from: Perry on August 01, 2012, 13:06

Quote from: noodle on August 01, 2012, 12:56
this really is a thread about nothing...

getting traffic , some comments, but really... nothing

Not really. I would like to know if people here are completely open about things or if they are holding back on some good things

so basically you're looking to feed off of others without contributing anything to the society -- do you remarket subprime mortgages as a sideline?

grp_photo · « **Reply #28 on:** August 01, 2012, 15:56 »

Quote from: etienjones on August 01, 2012, 07:16

My secret is that I hate cameras . . . . . . . . if we could only do without.

My secret is that I love cameras. . . . . .. .and spend way too much money on it ( I have several systems from different brands but we all know one system is enough)

My second secret is that I make way too much pictures if I could ever upload them all I would earn several times more than I make now, I love shooting but hate all the rest :-)

lisafx · « **Reply #29 on:** August 01, 2012, 17:13 »

I used to have secrets, but over time those secrets have been neutralized. I was really good at keywording - now Yuri's tool has made that skill unnecessary.

I came up with some good niche areas early on, but now they have been all been discovered and my images are just a drop in the bucket.

I was better than average at isolations, but so many articles and blogs have demonstrated how to do it, that's no longer a unique skill either. Not to mention that isolations have become so common that there's an oversupply and not much demand.

So no, I would not say I have any secrets anymore.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #30 on:** August 01, 2012, 21:31 »

Quote from: Perry on August 01, 2012, 06:44

I upload to two sites "nobody" is talking about

how about telling me your two and I will give you my two too

PaulieWalnuts · « **Reply #31 on:** August 01, 2012, 21:58 »

My secret to doing well in microstock is having a day job. Shhh. Don't tell anyone.

Elenathewise · « **Reply #32 on:** August 01, 2012, 22:35 »

My secret is I do whatever I please... and still manage to make a living out of it. Actually, I should call it a wonder!

djpadavona · « **Reply #33 on:** August 01, 2012, 23:37 »

My secret site that I contribute to is called Shutterstock. I get a lot of sales there.

djpadavona · « **Reply #34 on:** August 02, 2012, 00:05 »

I haven't read Rob Sylvan's book, but I read Ellen Boughn's. Honestly I didn't get anything out of it. Douglas Freer wrote a book a few years back which I felt was very useful:

http://www.amazon.com/Microstock-Photography-Money-Digital-Images/dp/0240808967/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343883651&sr=8-1&keywords=douglas+freer

He has interviews/quotes from many of our own long time MSG members. He also combines sample stock images with photos of setups (especially still life, isolated objects, etc). If I had to recommend a book to someone starting out in microstock, Freer's would be it.

I'm sure Rob Sylvan's book is great too, as he is extremely creative and cogent. He was one of the main reasons I liked iStockphoto enough to go exclusive with them. That "community spirit" is long gone unfortunately.

Sion · « **Reply #35 on:** August 02, 2012, 03:40 »

My secret is not to shoot RM for microstock.

etienjones · « **Reply #36 on:** August 02, 2012, 04:29 »

Quote from: lisafx on August 01, 2012, 17:13

I used to have secrets, but over time those secrets have been neutralized. I was really good at keywording - now Yuri's tool has made that skill unnecessary.

I came up with some good niche areas early on, but now they have been all been discovered and my images are just a drop in the bucket.

I was better than average at isolations, but so many articles and blogs have demonstrated how to do it, that's no longer a unique skill either. Not to mention that isolations have become so common that there's an oversupply and not much demand.

So no, I would not say I have any secrets anymore.

Lisafx,

I would have kept all that information secret. Its very revealing.

PS

Microbius · « **Reply #37 on:** August 02, 2012, 05:49 »

Quote from: Lucadp on August 01, 2012, 14:39

my main secret:
work hard!

my first post at MG so, hi to all!

Shhhhhh. Don't give it away.
That is actually the only real secret and one nobody wants to hear.
How is it people make six figures at micro? Well I guess several years of no weekends or holidays and 12+ hour days every day honing your skills, learning the business and building a portfolio.
Same way as anyone is successful in any business.
Thankfully few people are prepared to do it so the field is wide open for those who are.

tab62 · « **Reply #38 on:** August 02, 2012, 09:13 »

My secret is that I shoot all day and night for about 18 hours, never shave or shower and submit as much as possible to make about $50 per day...

leaf · « **Reply #39 on:** August 02, 2012, 10:28 »

Quote from: Microbius on August 02, 2012, 05:49

Quote from: Lucadp on August 01, 2012, 14:39
my main secret:
work hard!

my first post at MG so, hi to all!

Shhhhhh. Don't give it away.
That is actually the only real secret and one nobody wants to hear.
How is it people make six figures at micro? Well I guess several years of no weekends or holidays and 12+ hour days every day honing your skills, learning the business and building a portfolio.
Same way as anyone is successful in any business.
Thankfully few people are prepared to do it so the field is wide open for those who are.

I think you hit the nail on the head.

Sure there are some helpful tricks that people can use, but you use those while working hard. Even without all the tricks and secrets you aren't going to get anywhere unless you work very hard, and like you say, lukely very few are willing to do so.

lisafx · « **Reply #40 on:** August 02, 2012, 14:49 »

Quote from: etienjones on August 02, 2012, 04:29

Lisafx,

I would have kept all that information secret. Its very revealing.

PS

I did keep my secrets secret, but they got out anyway. There's always some douch_bag or other who can't wait to print every trick or secret in this business.

cthoman · « **Reply #41 on:** August 02, 2012, 15:05 »

Quote from: lisafx on August 02, 2012, 14:49

Quote from: etienjones on August 02, 2012, 04:29

Lisafx,

I would have kept all that information secret. Its very revealing.

PS

I did keep my secrets secret, but they got out anyway. There's always some douch_bag or other who can't wait to print every trick or secret in this business.

That's me.

But, I guess I don't think there are any real secrets. Like others already said, hard work, etc.

WarrenPrice · « **Reply #42 on:** August 02, 2012, 19:34 »

Quote from: lisafx on August 02, 2012, 14:49

Quote from: etienjones on August 02, 2012, 04:29

Lisafx,

I would have kept all that information secret. Its very revealing.

PS

I did keep my secrets secret, but they got out anyway. There's always some douch_bag or other who can't wait to print every trick or secret in this business.

Sean Locke?

RacePhoto · « **Reply #43 on:** August 02, 2012, 21:33 »

Quote from: cthoman on August 01, 2012, 10:03

I'm Batman. Not the one on this forum, but the real one.

Odd I'm not the real one, but I am the one on this forum? (now watch the real one show up and nab us both for lies?)

lisafx · « **Reply #44 on:** August 03, 2012, 12:30 »

Quote from: WarrenPrice on August 02, 2012, 19:34

Quote from: lisafx on August 02, 2012, 14:49

I did keep my secrets secret, but they got out anyway. There's always some douch_bag or other who can't wait to print every trick or secret in this business.

Sean Locke?

ROFL! The most tight lipped guy in microstock?! I think NOT!

Batman · « **Reply #45 on:** August 03, 2012, 12:32 »

Quote from: RacePhoto on August 02, 2012, 21:33

Quote from: cthoman on August 01, 2012, 10:03
I'm Batman. Not the one on this forum, but the real one.

Odd I'm not the real one, but I am the one on this forum? (now watch the real one show up and nab us both for lies?)

No you aren't.

Microbius · « **Reply #46 on:** August 03, 2012, 12:38 »

You would say that though wouldn't you?

Sion · « **Reply #47 on:** August 06, 2012, 07:31 »

The biggest secret in microstock is: "Don't expect anything."

This way you'll never be disappointed.

ShadySue · « **Reply #48 on:** August 06, 2012, 07:33 »

Quote from: lisafx on August 03, 2012, 12:30

Quote from: WarrenPrice on August 02, 2012, 19:34
Quote from: lisafx on August 02, 2012, 14:49

I did keep my secrets secret, but they got out anyway. There's always some douch_bag or other who can't wait to print every trick or secret in this business.

Sean Locke?

ROFL! The most tight lipped guy in microstock?! I think NOT!

That's just a facade. He's a lamb in wolf's clothing.

stockmarketer · « **Reply #49 on:** August 09, 2012, 15:50 »

Just did another search on microstock secrets on Amazon and came across this book... someone is selling a collection of Wikipedia articles on microstock. Does Wikipedia allow this kind of thing?

http://www.amazon.com/Stock-Microstock-Photography-Characteristics-Companies/dp/1240961677/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344545242&sr=8-1&keywords=microstock+characteristics

MicrostockGroup Sponsors

Author Topic: Do you have (microstock) secrets? (Read 16341 times)

Lucadp

oxman

cascoly

grp_photo

lisafx

luissantos84

PaulieWalnuts

Elenathewise

djpadavona

djpadavona

Sion

etienjones

Microbius

tab62

leaf

lisafx

cthoman

WarrenPrice

RacePhoto

lisafx

Batman

Microbius

Sion

ShadySue

stockmarketer

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