Author Topic: I quit microstock and you can too! (Read 26803 times)

Zero Talent · « **Reply #75 on:** October 20, 2015, 17:56 »

Quote from: PROStalkFatagopher on October 20, 2015, 17:47

Quote from: FlowerPower on October 20, 2015, 12:49
Quote from: PROStalkFatagopher on October 19, 2015, 08:44
It's no joke. I really quit. I'm busy working on more dignified and lucrative pursuits. Believe it or not.

You came to a forum about microstrock with people who work microstock to say, you don't do this. Makes no sense.

What? I did do microstock for years! Obviously you haven't been paying attention.

Good for you and good luck!

Less competition for the rest of us, who enjoy the ride, while simultaneously pursuing more lucrative endeavors.

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

fotoroad · « **Reply #76 on:** October 20, 2015, 18:11 »

Quote from: Dumc on October 17, 2015, 07:21

Quote from: anathaya on October 17, 2015, 06:32
Quote from: PROStalkFatagopher on October 17, 2015, 06:00
I did it! I pulled all of my ports. No complaining about getting screwed over by these thieves. I will not be give my work out for free (that's sure how it feels) any longer.

I wish many others will follow you.

Me too. Less competition is always good.

Hmm, dear Dumc I sold last month only one image for $1,000 how many times I must sold this image on SS or any other micro stock pages? If is for $0.35 it is over 2, 850 times, hahahahaha

enjoy less competition and support rich people in luxury Manhattan offices ;( ;( I do not think you have lunch, drink, fun time, gym, snack, coffee and many others extras for free in photographers position ;( ...or maybe???......

....good luck anyway

anathaya · « **Reply #77 on:** October 20, 2015, 19:43 »

Quote from: PROStalkFatagopher on October 20, 2015, 17:50

Quote from: anathaya on October 19, 2015, 22:23
Quote from: PROStalkFatagopher on October 19, 2015, 08:44
It's no joke. I really quit. I'm busy working on more dignified and lucrative pursuits. Believe it or not.

If you really quit, why to waste more time persuading others? Now you even don't get pennies.
Good luck with more dignified and lucrative pursuits.

Hehe! Wow are you going to defend getting pennies? Well good luck to you too. You must be some Shutterstock/Istock goon or whatever..

I'm not defending anything. However, if I decide to leave, I won't waste my time to persuade others to do the same. It sounds very much like you are lying here. You just want others to stop. Less competition is always good, as Dumc already said.

anathaya · « **Reply #78 on:** October 20, 2015, 19:48 »

Quote from: fotoroad on October 20, 2015, 18:11

Quote from: Dumc on October 17, 2015, 07:21
Quote from: anathaya on October 17, 2015, 06:32
Quote from: PROStalkFatagopher on October 17, 2015, 06:00
I did it! I pulled all of my ports. No complaining about getting screwed over by these thieves. I will not be give my work out for free (that's sure how it feels) any longer.

I wish many others will follow you.

Me too. Less competition is always good.

Hmm, dear Dumc I sold last month only one image for $1,000 how many times I must sold this image on SS or any other micro stock pages? If is for $0.35 it is over 2, 850 times, hahahahaha enjoy less competition and support rich people in luxury Manhattan offices ;( ;( I do not think you have lunch, drink, fun time, gym, snack, coffee and many others extras for free in photographers position ;( ...or maybe???...... ....good luck anyway

For me, it's a matter of consistent monthly income. I'll be happy if that number goes high...

YadaYadaYada · « **Reply #79 on:** October 20, 2015, 20:08 »

Quote from: PROStalkFatagopher on October 20, 2015, 17:47

Quote from: FlowerPower on October 20, 2015, 12:49
Quote from: PROStalkFatagopher on October 19, 2015, 08:44
It's no joke. I really quit. I'm busy working on more dignified and lucrative pursuits. Believe it or not.

You came to a forum about microstrock with people who work microstock to say, you don't do this. Makes no sense.

What? I did do microstock for years! Obviously you haven't been paying attention.

I quit church and stopped religion, now I spend my days going to Christian sites telling them what fools they are and how happy I am as an atheist.

I love dogs, and spend my day going to cat fancier sites, telling them how stupid they are because dogs are smarter and better companions.

You quit Microstock and come to a Microstock forum to tell us, we should do what you did.

Yes I'm paying attention, but you aren't making any sense. Hope you are happy and making money with your new market. Many of us are happy with ours and don't need you telling us how to run our life or that we should quit.

Are you paying attention to the answers? Good for you, good that you are happy and left. Leave us alone you don't run my life or my business.

DavidArts · « **Reply #80 on:** October 21, 2015, 04:25 »

Quote from: Cesar on October 20, 2015, 15:42

My income from MS is 150% from my regular salary, probably i earn more then you, on every page i upload i have to digit sales on workday, so dont tell me about earnings, ok?

MS is very hard to have new ideas every day. it is hard to work.

Quote from: DavidArts on October 20, 2015, 10:55
Quote from: Cesar on October 19, 2015, 14:36
Is is true American photographer earns 5k $ per wedding? i can live with 20 weddings per year

why bother then with MS.

Those are words of a person that are NOT ACTUALLY LIVING of microstock.
I would never give up earning what I earn just for the concept "I don't want to give away my works or pennys"... that's a child way of thoughts...

We ALL KNOW then you sell images for pennies... but you sell HUNDREDS OF THEM.. and that makes MONEY...

Tell me where else I can sale HUNDREDS OF IMAGES DAILY and I'll be glad to here you....

I've never been as satisfied as with microstock... But I know that only a few can live with this and the days coming are even HARDERS... but I'll keep upload my vectors till I'll earn twice or more of a normal job... that's my thought...

Just 2 things:
1." Probably I earn more that you"... I say aahahaha :-D no offense ....but if you would have my monthly downloads you wouldn't quit the business... just a CLEVER thing...
2. I don't believe that just 1 pic of 1000$ sometimes can be compared to thusands of CONSTANT monthly sales... that's another OBVIOUS thing...

And again.. if you earn 150% on MS ( I DON'T BELIEVE YOU ) compared to your regular job.... you've something wrong to quit...

It's easier to BLAME someone else for a fail rather than look into ourself errors... Quit instead fight it's not a solution... as I said... just a CHILD THOUGHT...

PS: Maybe there could be some confusion with quotes and name... of course my original answer was for the makes of the post and all my exposed ideas

Harvepino · « **Reply #81 on:** October 21, 2015, 04:28 »

Who are the thieves? The stock agencies paying pennies per image? But when you joined the business you already knew what they pay, didn't you? This is where the market equilibrium currently stands... not robbery, but the way how market works. This is how every free capitalist market works.

If your production cost is high, you might have simply been in wrong business. If someone is willing to pay $500 dollars for an image you placed in microstock, you placed it in the wrong market.

I see microstock as a place where you need to produce large quantity of images at lowest production cost possible. Don't go over $1-$3 direct cost per image, headover cost of $100-$200 per month and you surely must earn satisfactory income.
My top sellers earned me thousands, but noone would ever pay $500 for them, because they are very simple illustrations... but apparently thousands of people were willing to spend $1 or $5 to buy them rather than having to draw it themselves. Microstock is simple and cheap. Keep the production simple and cheap. No reason to leave then.

bunhill · « **Reply #82 on:** October 21, 2015, 05:17 »

Quote from: Harvepino on October 21, 2015, 04:28

My top sellers earned me thousands

Me too. But for most people those days are over. Because of over-supply.

Microstock is still a volume model. But in most cases that means the agency selling volume made up from an over-supply of photographers. Unless, like the factories, you own a considerable slice of that volume.

sharpshot · « **Reply #83 on:** October 21, 2015, 09:42 »

Quote from: FlowerPower on October 20, 2015, 12:49

Quote from: PROStalkFatagopher on October 19, 2015, 08:44
It's no joke. I really quit. I'm busy working on more dignified and lucrative pursuits. Believe it or not.

You came to a forum about microstrock with people who work microstock to say, you don't do this. Makes no sense.

It does if they're a troll. They must get fed well here because they keep coming back.

KnowYourOnions · « **Reply #84 on:** October 21, 2015, 17:08 »

Meanwhile in Prague, the whole company in one place enjoying their vacation ...Guess who? Pond5

Why would anyone give their files to this bunch in hope they will sell it?

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154323719409972&set=p.10154323719409972&type=3&theater

Employee says: "I'm starting to Realize-that I have a job! Not recommended for everyone, but this one rocks! #emptychairismine - in Prague, Czech Republic."

Ha ha, just incredible ... on eternal vacation while living on our 50%.
Got to love Pond5 circus!

stockmn · « **Reply #85 on:** October 21, 2015, 17:57 »

Quote from: KnowYourOnions on October 21, 2015, 17:08

Meanwhile in Prague, the whole company in one place enjoying their vacation ...Guess who? Pond5

Why would anyone give their files to this bunch in hope they will sell it?

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154323719409972&set=p.10154323719409972&type=3&theater

Employee says: "I'm starting to Realize-that I have a job! Not recommended for everyone, but this one rocks! #emptychairismine - in Prague, Czech Republic."

Ha ha, just incredible ... on eternal vacation while living on our 50%.
Got to love Pond5!

Good for them! A company that pays us a fair 50% AND takes good care of it's employee's!

KnowYourOnions · « **Reply #86 on:** October 21, 2015, 18:36 »

Quote from: stockmn on October 21, 2015, 17:57

Quote from: KnowYourOnions on October 21, 2015, 17:08
Meanwhile in Prague, the whole company in one place enjoying their vacation ...Guess who? Pond5

Why would anyone give their files to this bunch in hope they will sell it?

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154323719409972&set=p.10154323719409972&type=3&theater

Employee says: "I'm starting to Realize-that I have a job! Not recommended for everyone, but this one rocks! #emptychairismine - in Prague, Czech Republic."

Ha ha, just incredible ... on eternal vacation while living on our 50%.
Got to love Pond5!

Good for them! A company that pays us a fair 50% AND takes good care of it's employee's!

ha ha... in your wild dreams amigo! My insiders told me a different story. Check out who is sitting in the first row! Be very afraid of yellow trousers! ;-)

anathaya · « **Reply #87 on:** October 21, 2015, 19:56 »

Quote from: KnowYourOnions on October 21, 2015, 17:08

Meanwhile in Prague, the whole company in one place enjoying their vacation ...Guess who? Pond5

Why would anyone give their files to this bunch in hope they will sell it?

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154323719409972&set=p.10154323719409972&type=3&theater

Employee says: "I'm starting to Realize-that I have a job! Not recommended for everyone, but this one rocks! #emptychairismine - in Prague, Czech Republic."

Ha ha, just incredible ... on eternal vacation while living on our 50%.
Got to love Pond5!

If you don't like them, why would you sell your files in their site? Why wouldn't you market them yourself?
This is the reality in every business. I think 50% is fair enough. Start growing apples and see what happens

Hongover · « **Reply #88 on:** October 22, 2015, 01:07 »

I don't see any reason to pull all the ports. I see Microstock as a great source of passive income...you know, money you keep earning once you put in the initial investment. If you're going exclusive or selling it on your own, then I can understand, but if you pull it out of frustration, you just wasted all the hours you put in and all the time it took to move up the ranks.

Microstock has been a great source of extra income and I plan to double it by the end of next year.

Cesar · « **Reply #89 on:** October 22, 2015, 02:16 »

i am not quiting, whole my point was, if you earn with weddings 100.000$ per year, why bother then with MS

Quote from: DavidArts on October 21, 2015, 04:25

Quote from: Cesar on October 20, 2015, 15:42
My income from MS is 150% from my regular salary, probably i earn more then you, on every page i upload i have to digit sales on workday, so dont tell me about earnings, ok?

MS is very hard to have new ideas every day. it is hard to work.

Quote from: DavidArts on October 20, 2015, 10:55
Quote from: Cesar on October 19, 2015, 14:36
Is is true American photographer earns 5k $ per wedding? i can live with 20 weddings per year

why bother then with MS.

Those are words of a person that are NOT ACTUALLY LIVING of microstock.
I would never give up earning what I earn just for the concept "I don't want to give away my works or pennys"... that's a child way of thoughts...

We ALL KNOW then you sell images for pennies... but you sell HUNDREDS OF THEM.. and that makes MONEY...

Tell me where else I can sale HUNDREDS OF IMAGES DAILY and I'll be glad to here you....

I've never been as satisfied as with microstock... But I know that only a few can live with this and the days coming are even HARDERS... but I'll keep upload my vectors till I'll earn twice or more of a normal job... that's my thought...

Just 2 things:
1." Probably I earn more that you"... I say aahahaha :-D no offense ....but if you would have my monthly downloads you wouldn't quit the business... just a CLEVER thing...
2. I don't believe that just 1 pic of 1000$ sometimes can be compared to thusands of CONSTANT monthly sales... that's another OBVIOUS thing...

And again.. if you earn 150% on MS ( I DON'T BELIEVE YOU ) compared to your regular job.... you've something wrong to quit...

It's easier to BLAME someone else for a fail rather than look into ourself errors... Quit instead fight it's not a solution... as I said... just a CHILD THOUGHT...

PS: Maybe there could be some confusion with quotes and name... of course my original answer was for the makes of the post and all my exposed ideas

08stock08 · « **Reply #90 on:** October 22, 2015, 09:45 »

I am not quitting. I read lot of people here telling us that they are quitting an agency. Many members here said many things about FT, DT, IS, SS, like they are going to say final bye to MS markets. In reality that never happened or happened to those who bought these stories.

In real senses and hard numbers, my portfolio is growing and so are returns. I am very happy to see the increased frequency of payouts. I work with 8-9 agencies. Every month, at least two send me the money with my 1200+ images in their ports.

I came to MS markets with long term plan and gradual growth of income. This is what exactly happening with me. I discovered that video footage market is still open and untapped in larger senses and has great potential with videos. The video market is the next big thing. I do not have right equipment to be faster with video production. But certainly, that's what I would do for sure in future. I grabbed the copy of 2015 Photographer's Market by Mary Burzlaff Bostic. This is an annual book. It has great market wisdom for anyone who wishes to sell direct.

nectarina · « **Reply #91 on:** October 22, 2015, 10:51 »

I think we should ALL quit and ONLY be on newbielink:https://www.picfair.com/ [nonactive].

Seriously, what are you all waiting for? There IS an alternative to being ripped off by the agencies, but still making passive money from stock.

Creative Market is also great, you keep 70% of all sales. With Picfair, you keep 100% – and you set your own prices.

What are you waiting for?

Pauws99 · « **Reply #92 on:** October 22, 2015, 10:56 »

70% of nothing is .......nothing

etudiante_rapide · « **Reply #93 on:** October 22, 2015, 11:24 »

lol, don't celebrate just yet...
as the previous commentor said 100% of nothing = .... (close your eyes and you can
see what you will get better!!!)

as bad as i hate ss these days, in all my years with ss,
i make more in 6 days with ss than i make in a year (s) with the other agencies.
some other agencies, i make more in one day with ss
than i make up to date with those other agencies.

as i said, close your eyes and see what you will get with those 100% commission agencies

KnowYourOnions · « **Reply #94 on:** October 23, 2015, 19:09 »

Quote from: Pauws99 on October 22, 2015, 10:56

70% of nothing is .......nothing

Yup!
Also 50% of nothing is.....nothing

EmberMike · « **Reply #95 on:** October 23, 2015, 21:13 »

Quitting seems kind of dramatic. Unless you've got someplace better lined up to sell your existing portfolio, not sure it's worth pulling everything down.

I don't think I'll ever really quit. I might stop uploading, or stop uploading microstock and move on to something else while leaving my previous work on microstock. But it seems ridiculous that I'd ever take down work I did 7 or 8 years ago thinking I could really do any better with it somewhere else.

lucato · « **Reply #96 on:** October 24, 2015, 14:36 »

Quote from: Ariene on October 18, 2015, 10:12

I removed my work from micros last year finally (slow process started in 2013 and even late 2012), some useless files left on SS.
Now I upload only to macro agencies, self pricing agencies, my own website (direct sales) and POD sites and I set up my pricing up to $300. Do I regret? Have no reason as I doubled my income in the first 6 months after the change! I sell less, but I'm more happy with results...

As Paulie said, micro was good to learn the base elements.

What are these macro agencies in the marketing now a days that ar the top tiers which worths to upload and put self pricing?

authenticcreations · « **Reply #97 on:** October 24, 2015, 14:59 »

Following the media and all the movements around stock it looks for me that Microstock is more safe then the Macro agencies.

I take for example Alamy. They paid in 2014 around 14 million to contributors. Shutterstock paid on the same year 84 million to contributors. Alamy and Shutterstock have both the same amount of contributors. It looks obvious where the money is. Looking at the past the amount is growing every year. While on Alamy it looks like it is decreasing.

Mirco

Mantis · « **Reply #98 on:** October 24, 2015, 17:34 »

Quote from: authenticcreations on October 24, 2015, 14:59

Following the media and all the movements around stock it looks for me that Microstock is more safe then the Macro agencies.

I take for example Alamy. They paid in 2014 around 14 million to contributors. Shutterstock paid on the same year 84 million to contributors. Alamy and Shutterstock have both the same amount of contributors. It looks obvious where the money is. Looking at the past the amount is growing every year. While on Alamy it looks like it is decreasing.

Mirco

It's decreasing because they cannot compete with micro stock. Almay has mentioned that issue in this forum and encourages contributors to upload different content on the Alamy site and not have that same content on the micros. I still make sales with my micro port on Alamy but I don't have anything unique on Alamy only.

PixelBytes · « **Reply #99 on:** October 24, 2015, 18:01 »

Quote from: Mantis on October 24, 2015, 17:34

Quote from: authenticcreations on October 24, 2015, 14:59
Following the media and all the movements around stock it looks for me that Microstock is more safe then the Macro agencies.

I take for example Alamy. They paid in 2014 around 14 million to contributors. Shutterstock paid on the same year 84 million to contributors. Alamy and Shutterstock have both the same amount of contributors. It looks obvious where the money is. Looking at the past the amount is growing every year. While on Alamy it looks like it is decreasing.

Mirco

It's decreasing because they cannot compete with micro stock. Almay has mentioned that issue in this forum and encourages contributors to upload different content on the Alamy site and not have that same content on the micros. I still make sales with my micro port on Alamy but I don't have anything unique on Alamy only.

This is very true. I have my micro port on Alamy, but do not have unique content there. I don't have enough sales on Alamy to justify making content only for them. It is a conundrum.

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Author Topic: I quit microstock and you can too! (Read 26803 times)

Zero Talent

fotoroad

anathaya

anathaya

YadaYadaYada

DavidArts

Harvepino

bunhill

sharpshot

KnowYourOnions

stockmn

KnowYourOnions

anathaya

Hongover

Cesar

08stock08

nectarina

Pauws99

etudiante_rapide

KnowYourOnions

EmberMike

lucato

authenticcreations

Mantis

PixelBytes

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