Author Topic: What is the Future for Microstock Agencies and contributors? (Read 15882 times)

hoi ha · « **Reply #25 on:** January 01, 2009, 01:04 »

PS - this is the infinite supply I am referring to: http://www.microstockgroup.com/index.php?topic=6690.msg76988;topicseen#new

hali · « **Reply #26 on:** January 01, 2009, 15:21 »

good point hoi ha,
as well as the fact that 25 cents a pop may sounds silly to someone living in N.Am or UK, you'd be tempted to forget micro stock and simply go out to squeegee cars at the traffic lights

but to others where the standard of living is much much lower,
getting a cheque for 50 bucks each month is like getting a decent job.

the supply will not dry up , coming from those countries.

shutterdrop · « **Reply #27 on:** January 03, 2009, 08:37 »

As a designer I have difficulties sort those thousands on images to find the right image. After locating correct images it is crap shoot on quality of image. The criteria on acception of image is varied. States size of the image many time are incorrect. Bad keywords that don't even fit the image, or spammed.

Quote from: Tuilay on December 31, 2008, 10:52

and the improvement of the "search" function for some sites would help too.
lately, i checked on one of my associates work, her new image accepted last week.
guess what? can't find it... using the most obvious keywords.
instead, all i see are pages of single contributors clogging up the first 10 pages
with images that do not even feature the relevant keywords.
then on page 15, or so, aha! her images at last.

it's a mean unjust situation that a site would allow such an abuse of flooding one contributor's images in preference to others who do not have perharps tons of irrelevant images.

would a buyer notice that and get tired of looking?
sure, wouldn't you? and the one who does no spamming suffers.
where's the justification in all this?

shutterdrop · « **Reply #28 on:** January 03, 2009, 08:51 »

Thanks for all the valuable discussion!

It look like the agency style will make all the different in the future of Mircos. Agencies using exclusive, tier pricing, image size, better search engine to seperate themselves from the crowd.

Contributor will keep uploading even if their return rate continue to decline. Better image quality from the uptick in rejection rates.

I personally will become more selective on agencies and stop uploading to some agencies and cancel a few agencies.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #29 on:** January 03, 2009, 08:57 »

Quote from: shutterdrop on January 03, 2009, 08:51

Contributor will keep uploading even if their return rate continue to decline. Better image quality from the uptick in rejection rates.

Well, I don't know about that. I've seen many people drop X agency because it doesn't return well enough, and even a few people who have stopped submitting altogether.

shutterdrop · « **Reply #30 on:** January 03, 2009, 08:59 »

Who is X agency?

Quote from: sjlocke on January 03, 2009, 08:57

Quote from: shutterdrop on January 03, 2009, 08:51
Contributor will keep uploading even if their return rate continue to decline. Better image quality from the uptick in rejection rates.

Well, I don't know about that. I've seen many people drop X agency because it doesn't return well enough, and even a few people who have stopped submitting altogether.

cathyslife · « **Reply #31 on:** January 03, 2009, 09:47 »

X agency = you fill in the name, any microstock agency

I started out submitting to 7 or 8 microstocks and have dropped 3 "X" agencies because of poor sales performance and low return. I'm kind of NOT willing to hang around and see my return per download go down. I guess I'm just stupid that way.

shank_ali · « **Reply #32 on:** January 03, 2009, 09:47 »

X= any. 6x5= x x=30, y=40, z=50, sjlocke =y

avava · « **Reply #33 on:** January 04, 2009, 00:21 »

Hi All,

I think we will see slow growth for some in Micro stock especially because I think we will see prices grow over time. I think there will be a weeding out of some of the less than professional images from all the collections I hope Getty they have needed it forever. ( If an image hasn't sold in Macro RF in the past 3 years then pull it ) ( If no sale in Micro after a year then pull it )By doing this the image creator gets their image back then the creator can do something else with them and their returns aren't going to drop if it isn't selling anyway, they also get a better RPI. DUH!I do think it could help overall image returns at least make the buyers experience more enjoyable bringing them back next time.. I think Micro returns will continue to grow but I also see the quality improving and unlike RM it's shelf life will be much shorter. I don't think we will see micro images selling well for 7 years, but maybe we will. I am just guessing here from what I've seen. Now, doing what few others can do will always guarantee a strong return so if you have magical powers now would be a good time to pull them out of your secret bag. Sorry your not learning anything new here that you haven't already heard I just thought I would add a bit of cheer.

And my two cents.

Best,
AVAVA

shutterdrop · « **Reply #34 on:** January 08, 2009, 12:13 »

5,562,019 royalty-free stock photos
52,442 new stock photos added this week
136,636 photographers

2.3% in new photographers in one week at SS. I guess not all are giving up on submitting to Micros.

lagereek · « **Reply #35 on:** January 08, 2009, 12:33 »

Yes there will be a weeding out of non pro imagery, prices will increase and so will the demands on the suppliers, which is a good thing! there are far too many "hangers-on" jumping on the gravy-train, ( no harm meant) but it is.
I think during 2009 we will see a few Micros crashing, the rest will belong to Getty. For better or worse?

lisafx · « **Reply #36 on:** January 08, 2009, 14:42 »

Quote from: lagereek on January 08, 2009, 12:33

Yes there will be a weeding out of non pro imagery, prices will increase and so will the demands on the suppliers, which is a good thing! there are far too many "hangers-on" jumping on the gravy-train, ( no harm meant) but it is.

Agreed, Christian. The "make millions working from home" hype is way over-rated and I think most who aren't serious quickly discover that.

Quote

I think during 2009 we will see a few Micros crashing, the rest will belong to Getty. For better or worse?

Yikes! What a horrifying prediction!! You have way more experience watching the stock industry develop than I do, so you may be right, but I sure hope you are wrong about Getty owning them all.

Adeptris · « **Reply #37 on:** January 08, 2009, 15:32 »

Quote from: hali on January 01, 2009, 15:21

good point hoi ha,
as well as the fact that 25 cents a pop may sounds silly to someone living in N.Am or UK, you'd be tempted to forget micro stock and simply go out to squeegee cars at the traffic lights
but to others where the standard of living is much much lower,
getting a cheque for 50 bucks each month is like getting a decent job.

the supply will not dry up , coming from those countries.

The supply from these countries will be so small that it would not make a bit of difference, look at a couple of things.

Getting the money to purchase the kit is beyond most where $50 a month is like a decent job, and if they had the sort of money to get started they would already be earning very well or have other disposable income.

It is also hard in these countries to produce standard stock images with people due to the differences in look, location dress etc:, so this leaves generic stock product style images, editorial and travel, you can often see the difference between a lot of UK, EU and USA people shots, not counting the white dental smile, but location, dress or general features of a person in an image that often may have cost a sale.

This may change as new markets evolve but I am sure the images will already be avaliable.

David