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Author Topic: October 2021 Brutally Honest Earnings Report (Special Book Cover Edition)  (Read 14952 times)

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For Real

« Reply #25 on: November 15, 2021, 18:18 »
+1
congrats on your first sale! Hopefully more to come  8)


« Reply #26 on: November 16, 2021, 02:49 »
+1
I've been paid for my 1st Arc sale.  A little disappointed in that it was just under a 3 figure sum.  However, it's a lot better than microstock.

I believe from what I've read that the smaller sales amount is probably due to lower distribution/licensing numbers.  It's a German language novel only, as far as I know only printed in Switzerland. 

I think that English language international best sellers will earn more.

So, the project is that everyone who reads this please buys this novel, to turn it into a bestseller, that will then be translated into several languages (for which I think I'll be paid again).

You may have to learn German 1st.

Christof Gasser: 'When the Shadows Die'.

Incidentally, for anyone who cares to look, the red brush strokes are mine (on an authentic vintage photo).

I was in an email discussion today with Ole (formerly of the Sstock forum) about whether the contributors who spend more (in money and time) say on models, sets etc, are paid more, but my gut feeling is that it's just down to distribution numbers/usage of the image.  I'd love to know the answer to this question ...
Congratulations.. its always the best feeling to see 1st sale :) even to listen someone's :p After how many images accepted, u guys got your 1st sale in Arcangel ?

Suspect

« Reply #27 on: November 16, 2021, 04:49 »
+2
Congratulations.. its always the best feeling to see 1st sale :) even to listen someone's :p After how many images accepted, u guys got your 1st sale in Arcangel ?
[/quote]

Thank you Alex, For Real, and G12 for your congrats  :)

G12 - it was a year + 100 images for me before my 1st sale..

Alex - Alhambra looks wonderful - hope you enjoy your photo shoot - pastures new (literally and figuratively)  8)
« Last Edit: November 16, 2021, 05:04 by DOP »

S2D2

« Reply #28 on: January 31, 2022, 08:05 »
0
Only 15% acceptance rate on Arcangel for January  :(

I'd be interested to know if it's only me, or if they have become much stricter with acceptances, as it seems to me.


« Reply #29 on: January 31, 2022, 09:37 »
+1
Only 15% acceptance rate on Arcangel for January  :(

I didn't submit anything in January, but all in all my acceptance rate is 16.31%  ;D
I really need to get my act together and find some inspiration.

S2D2

« Reply #30 on: January 31, 2022, 09:43 »
+2
Only 15% acceptance rate on Arcangel for January  :(

I didn't submit anything in January, but all in all my acceptance rate is 16.31%  ;D
I really need to get my act together and find some inspiration.

Thanks for letting me know Sari.  I hope it picks up for you too.

I did get some inspiration using broken glass this time, but they were all rejected, so it's rather demoralising.

I need to get some people to dress up in 19th Century costume and look moody  8)

« Last Edit: January 31, 2022, 09:48 by DO »

S2D2

« Reply #31 on: January 31, 2022, 09:55 »
0
Only 15% acceptance rate on Arcangel for January  :(

I didn't submit anything in January, but all in all my acceptance rate is 16.31%  ;D
I really need to get my act together and find some inspiration.

I just worked out my acceptance rate for the 15 months I've been contributing and it's only 19.47%  :'(

Brasilnut

  • Author Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock & Blog

« Reply #32 on: January 31, 2022, 12:10 »
+2
For January, I'm at 39.5% acceptance 79/197...whole lot better than 5% back in the summer   ;D

Yes, they have become stricter in the past year.
« Last Edit: January 31, 2022, 12:13 by Brasilnut »

S2D2

« Reply #33 on: January 31, 2022, 12:24 »
0
For January, I'm at 39.5% acceptance 79/197...whole lot better than 5% back in the summer   ;D

Yes, they have become stricter in the past year.

Thanks Alex.  You clearly have the fighting spirit  :)

Any idea what your acceptance rate is for the past 12 months?


Brasilnut

  • Author Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock & Blog

« Reply #34 on: January 31, 2022, 12:39 »
+1
Quote
Any idea what your acceptance rate is for the past 12 months?


Good question. From the beginning of January 2021 until January 31, 2022 I've had 294 images accepted.

As for the number of rejections, too many to count as there were dozens of batches (with some being outright rejected).

During this period, I estimate that I've had about 1500 images rejected, so an acceptance rate of about 20% on average.

If we want high acceptance rates, plenty of Microstock agencies that will take all our work, but would they sell and if so for how much?!


S2D2

« Reply #35 on: January 31, 2022, 12:51 »
+1
Quote
Any idea what your acceptance rate is for the past 12 months?


Good question. From the beginning of January 2021 until January 31, 2022 I've had 294 images accepted.

As for the number of rejections, too many to count as there were dozens of batches (with some being outright rejected).

During this period, I estimate that I've had about 1500 images rejected, so an acceptance rate of about 20% on average.

If we want high acceptance rates, plenty of Microstock agencies that will take all our work, but would they sell and if so for how much?!

That's a good mindset.

« Reply #36 on: January 31, 2022, 14:05 »
+2
I need to get some people to dress up in 19th Century costume and look moody  8)
  ;D ;D ;D and make them wander on the moors on a foggy day
« Last Edit: January 31, 2022, 14:08 by SariMe »

csm

« Reply #37 on: January 31, 2022, 15:09 »
+2
Quote
Any idea what your acceptance rate is for the past 12 months?


Good question. From the beginning of January 2021 until January 31, 2022 I've had 294 images accepted.

As for the number of rejections, too many to count as there were dozens of batches (with some being outright rejected).

During this period, I estimate that I've had about 1500 images rejected, so an acceptance rate of about 20% on average.

If we want high acceptance rates, plenty of Microstock agencies that will take all our work, but would they sell and if so for how much?!

I once made a good living from 500 images.
Everyone needs to stop obsessing with numbers.
Sometimes its quality not quantity.
The success rate with Corbis probably even less.
Often I'd go on a trip abroad and get 20 images accepted, and that felt like a success.
They sold them well though.

« Reply #38 on: January 31, 2022, 15:12 »
+1
Yes, unfortunately they are quite predictable in what they like and accept. There is brilliant work there, but many images are not very original where we see the same Victorian women back looking at a field , sea or pathway, the same man running and the same house in darkness with a window lit. I guess they sell lots of those, so no problem with that. If you want images accepted shoot models and in period costumes that rate will go up. :-)

Or be bold and create a very unique style. I think what they are tired of is old doors, abandoned houses, most landscapes or cityscapes.

I am at a 50+% acceptance and I am fine with that. Sometimes I agree with rejects and sometimes not but usually when I look back when time has passed I agree with the rejection. They are quite good at spotting what has sale potential.

I need to get some people to dress up in 19th Century costume and look moody  8)
  ;D ;D ;D and make them wander on the moors on a foggy day

« Reply #39 on: January 31, 2022, 17:37 »
+2
I know I read this a few months late -but thanks so much for sharing the tips re:Arcangel

I've been concentrating much more on fine art this past year with growing sales and I realize that some of my moodier concept art might be right for Arcangel. I've considered applying before but fear of rejection kept me from doing so. Your post has me thinking it should be on my resolutions for 2022 and since it's still January it's a timely goal to add to my list.

Thanks as always for your in-depth report.

Brasilnut

  • Author Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock & Blog

« Reply #40 on: February 01, 2022, 05:27 »
+2
I know I read this a few months late -but thanks so much for sharing the tips re:Arcangel

I've been concentrating much more on fine art this past year with growing sales and I realize that some of my moodier concept art might be right for Arcangel. I've considered applying before but fear of rejection kept me from doing so. Your post has me thinking it should be on my resolutions for 2022 and since it's still January it's a timely goal to add to my list.

Thanks as always for your in-depth report.

You're welcome :)

No harm and sending over a first batch, even if it's rejected you may receive some feedback to improve for next time. Embrace it and try to improve...we often think that our work is better/more commercial than it actually is.

Glad I stuck with them, already anticipating that my goal for 2023 is to give up completely on Microstock (right after SS adopts the "free-download model"). Let's see!

S2D2

« Reply #41 on: February 01, 2022, 15:26 »
+1
My Arc acceptances for January just jumped to 35% as, very unusually, some more were accepted a day later.

50% of my February ones so far have been accepted.

Thanks Alex, for your great report, as always.

Love the term for Sstock 'mega golden turd'  :)  It's not a popular company, is it?

With regard to your Arcangel acceptances, one of them inspired me to rush out and photo my underwear on the washing line  8)

https://brutallyhonestmicrostock.com/2022/02/01/january-2022-brutally-honest-earnings-report/

« Last Edit: February 01, 2022, 15:29 by DO »


Uncle Pete

  • Great Place by a Great Lake - My Home Port
« Reply #42 on: February 01, 2022, 15:42 »
0

I once made a good living from 500 images.
Everyone needs to stop obsessing with numbers.
Sometimes its quality not quantity.


Sometimes it's shooting trending images and useful subjects.

Being accepted has no connection with actually making a sale after that.

Archangel requires exclusive images.

Sometimes for me, it's a matter of self review and I reject images, before I upload them, as they might be on the edge of pass or not pass, but I also ask myself, will anyone ever download this, or am I just adding useless filler to make numbers. Yes, I have been guilty of uploading crapstock, just to make a number. I do less of that and waste less time now, caring about numbers. Except the numbers that start with $

Less is More.  8)

« Reply #43 on: February 01, 2022, 16:18 »
+4
When over 13000 images bring $39, then it's time to question whether it still makes sense.
The other figures also brutallyhonestly show that microstock is a discontinued model.

Thanks for your info, Alex. As far as the trend goes, it's in line with my experience.

Brasilnut

  • Author Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock & Blog

« Reply #44 on: February 01, 2022, 16:37 »
+1
When over 13000 images bring $39, then it's time to question whether it still makes sense.
The other figures also brutallyhonestly show that microstock is a discontinued model.

Thanks for your info, Alex. As far as the trend goes, it's in line with my experience.

Indeed, probably time to pack it in soon or relegate it to some sort of masochist hobby.

If I do ever decide to commit to Microstock I'll have to have a business strategy like Kaspars who I interviewed in January.

https://brutallyhonestmicrostock.com/2022/01/10/interview-with-kaspars-grinvalds-lifestyle-microstock-photographer/

The guy is a Microstock beast and earns regularly EUR 4K a month on "just" 9,376 images and 4 agencies. His content is really technical excellent with trending concepts.

Brasilnut

  • Author Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock & Blog

« Reply #45 on: February 01, 2022, 16:56 »
+1

With regard to your Arcangel acceptances, one of them inspired me to rush out and photo my underwear on the washing line  8)

Better that then playing around with some of the torture items I shot at the Inquisition Museum! :D

Just submitted a batch of 30 images to them and I'll bet my left brasilnut that from the batch this one is almost a guarantee to be accepted...

« Reply #46 on: February 02, 2022, 06:55 »
+8

The other figures also brutallyhonestly show that microstock is a discontinued model.


No, they show that it is a discontinued model for Alex, unless he changes his model or microstock changes. Obviously it is not working for him the way it is now. There are people with smaller port size, but bigger earnings.
 I made more in January from Shutterstock alone than he made with 16 agencies combined and SS wasn't even my best earning agency. Whenever I write stuff like this I fear people might think I am here to boost. I am really not. Compared to some other people my microstock income is a joke.
I just feel the need to point out that Alex is not representative for the whole microstock market. Different people produce different content, some things work for microstocks, some don't. Some things work better at certain times than other things. For example, it's not surprising that someone who spend years building a microstock portfolio focused on travel photography will not see the greatest results during a still ongoing world pandemic with travel restrictions.

« Last Edit: February 02, 2022, 07:09 by Firn »

Brasilnut

  • Author Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock & Blog

« Reply #47 on: February 02, 2022, 11:15 »
+4

The other figures also brutallyhonestly show that microstock is a discontinued model.


No, they show that it is a discontinued model for Alex, unless he changes his model or microstock changes. Obviously it is not working for him the way it is now. There are people with smaller port size, but bigger earnings.
 I made more in January from Shutterstock alone than he made with 16 agencies combined and SS wasn't even my best earning agency. Whenever I write stuff like this I fear people might think I am here to boost. I am really not. Compared to some other people my microstock income is a joke.
I just feel the need to point out that Alex is not representative for the whole microstock market. Different people produce different content, some things work for microstocks, some don't. Some things work better at certain times than other things. For example, it's not surprising that someone who spend years building a microstock portfolio focused on travel photography will not see the greatest results during a still ongoing world pandemic with travel restrictions.

Well put and pretty much sums it up.

My results are disappointing to say the least but I'm of course largely to blame. I've focused on a travel niche that is both expensive and not highly paid, while not hugely sought after, especially during the middle of a pandemic.

It's been a choice all along and even though I've delved into model released lifestyle stuff and composites, it's not something I particularly enjoy(ed) even if I know for a fact that it would bring in more returns. For those that have been following me for a while, about 3 years ago I decided to focus more on videos but even that isn't bearing fruit. Perhaps with some quality drone shots that will change.

I'm not greedy and have no intentions to make this a full-time job, my expectations have always been realistic but anything under $800/month at this stage in the game is simply a disaster. Hope that this year at least the average earnings will balance out at $1k/month on average which would be acceptable but seems quite unrealistic at the moment (only real hope are the book covers). $1k a month would be enough for guilt-free gear upgrades and travel with enough leftover for some surprises. The rest, to cover my living expenses, I can make with my dayjob, photography commissioned work and freelance writing.

If I choose to continue with Microstock it's insanity which is defined as "doing the same thing over and over and expecting expecting different results". I'm glad I managed to get a bit of tail-end of the good times of the business back in 2012/2013. Nowadays, I'm hoping that I can give away most of my Microstock images for a one-time fee for $5 as was done with AS and not look back.

Happy about book covers and it shows :) Greener pasture there, or I should say a torture chamber of dark themes :D Here's to death of Microstock!

Uncle Pete

  • Great Place by a Great Lake - My Home Port
« Reply #48 on: February 02, 2022, 12:52 »
0
When over 13000 images bring $39, then it's time to question whether it still makes sense.
The other figures also brutallyhonestly show that microstock is a discontinued model.

Thanks for your info, Alex. As far as the trend goes, it's in line with my experience.

Yes and so much for many people their former success and all the hard work. The model is not what it was when many of us started. I really can't understand why new people are still believing there's some kind of future or residual earnings in Microstock?

Oh yes, and I do still upload.  :o I try to force myself to complete one new image a day. One better image that's something in the news, or maybe topical or something that's going to add to a subject that isn't well covered or dominated. Not Sliced Vegetables.  ;)

Yes Firn I represent my own small place and not anyone else. And yes I know people personally that made more for years on smaller collections of highest quality and interest. I'm just not as smart or good as they were.
« Last Edit: February 03, 2022, 11:44 by Uncle Pete »

« Reply #49 on: February 02, 2022, 14:11 »
+2

My results are disappointing to say the least but I'm of course largely to blame. I've focused on a travel niche that is both expensive and not highly paid, while not hugely sought after, especially during the middle of a pandemic.
...

I'm not greedy and have no intentions to make this a full-time job, my expectations have always been realistic but anything under $800/month at this stage in the game is simply a disaster. Hope that this year at least the average earnings will balance out at $1k/month on average which would be acceptable but seems quite unrealistic at the moment (only real hope are the book covers). $1k a month would be enough for guilt-free gear upgrades and travel with enough leftover for some surprises. The rest, to cover my living expenses, I can make with my dayjob, photography commissioned work and freelance writing.
....

Similar story here; income has been $500-600/ mo for last 2+ years; down about 25% from a high 3 yrs ago.  SS decline offset by AS/Wirestock 1-time payments & Canva monthly sub payments. 

My main emphases are travel, historical/archaeological sites(!) and other nature. It doesn't cover all my travel but pays for 2 intl trips (in non-covid times) with minimal new gear. additional travel expenses reduce my taxes.  i live frugally but comfortably - my living expenses come from social security, a small IRA, ebay/amazon & Medicare, with house paid off years ago.

so nowhere near full-time, but a reason to stay w MS (and working on acceptance in Arcangel)


 

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