2008 Microstock Goals - What are yours

[leaf]

So what are they?  I realized I didn't write down any 2007 goals, so I think I will do that this year.   Just have to figure out what they will be.  It was fun to read the 2007 goals thread and see how people did, so hopefully I can partake in that next time.

[vphoto]

to earn $300-400 per month.

vphoto

[Clivia]

To learn how make really good video footage, and sell lots of it. A new venture for the New Year.
To do more photography for my own pleasure rather than with stock always in the back of my mind.
To master HDR imaging.
That should keep me busy for a while!

[PaulieWalnuts]

I read the 2007 goal thread and it was pretty interesting. My goals for 2008 are:

- Buy a D300
- Build my RF portfolio to at least 500 quality marketable images (long term goal is about 5,000)
- Start building a separate RF/RM/ED portfolio and contribute to Alamy and Photoshelter
- Hit Silver at Istock
- Have stock become at least 10% of my total income

[leaf]

To earn $5000/month, which would put me in the average amount of $$ earned for people living in Norway.  I think it would feel like a nice accomplishment to really be able to say that microstock by ITSELF is providing me with a viable income.

After that goal, $8333.33 per month which is the magical number of $100,000/ year which seems like a crazy high amount, but it is totally within reach - maybe not within the next 12 months, but hopefully in the next 24

[Velvia]

I had a great start so far this year.
My goals for 2008 is to earn $400 monthly

- Build my portfolio to 500 or so images
- Dedicate more time for stock
- Limiting myself only a few hours on this site a month (yeah right!)
 

[kosmikkreeper]

My goal is to make $6000.00/month from micros only which would be a 50% increase.
Buy a Nikon D400: 16 mp, full frame   
Do at least 3 trips. 2 are already planned: Panama and Calgary. Maybe Honduras for the third.. dunno yet.

That's it! 

[GeoPappas]

To earn $5000/month, which would put me in the average amount of $$ earned for people living in Norway.

Wow, you guys must be rich up in Norway!  The median household income for a whole FAMILY in the U.S. is around $48,000/yr. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Household_income_in_the_United_States).

[leaf]

well.. sort of norwegians are rich.. but not really.  The median household income in Norway (after tax) is $56,700, but things are much more expensive in Norway so it feels more like $30-40,000 - quite similar to the states.

The advantage comes when travelling.  Things in the states or Canada are quite cheep - not to mention places like malasia or eastern europe.

[leaf]

My goal is to make $6000.00/month from micros only which would be a 50% increase.
Buy a Nikon D400: 16 mp, full frame   
Do at least 3 trips. 2 are already planned: Panama and Calgary. Maybe Honduras for the third.. dunno yet.

That's it! 

Oh yeah, I forgot, a couple microstock funded trips and the new 1Ds Mark III does sure look nice   Not sure how much of that will get into the buget though.  I guess I am interested to see what the 5D replaced looks like first.

[Kngkyle]

Making $1,000/month by the end of 2008.
Have at least 1,000 submissions by the end of 2008.

Hopefully that will work out. I have about 300 images now and make about $300 a month.

[Rozmaryna]

I PLAN to create a microstock portfolio that will pay (at least) my rent, which would be about $900 per month.

I WISH to create a microstock portfolio that will allow me doing photography on full time (THAT would be about $2.000 per month )

[DanP68]

Great thread idea Leaf.  Goal setting, and announcing them publicly, is a great way to push yourself forward.  It holds you accountable.

My newbie status goal is to ramp up to 50 sales/month on Dreamstime by July 31st, and 75 sales/month on Dreamstime by December 31st.  Hatman12 has been giving me some advice on the DT boards, and has set some goals for himself too. I'm a big fan of Dreamstime, but not a big fan of my performance there.  So I want to push myself to a respectable level there.  I know my increased performance there will translate well to other sites.

[Mellimage]

In October I started a new job and I do not have much time to devote to microstock.
I hope to add 100-200 pics to my portfolio at FT,SS and IS - and fully upload my existing portfolio to DT.
I hope to have a steady income from microstock of around 250-300 Euros each month. By the end of this year, this seems to be in reach - a dream would be to earn 5000 Euros/year from microstock... .

Wonderful holidays to all of you! And all the best for 2008! May you reach your goals!

[sharply_done]

My 2008 goal is to keep a lower profile than I did during 2007. I enjoy sharing my experiences and participating in this community, but I think I'd be further ahead if I bit my tongue more often.

[strikerx98]

Please no Sharply!  I've valued your input so far.

Since I've just begand I'd be happy right now to make $100 per month, but I would like to get to at least $1000 per month by the end of 2008.  I can see it, I can feel it now I want to taste it!

BTW, Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays everyone!!!  This group has been such a blessing to me!

Best,
Connie

[takestock]

2007 way exceeded my goals set.

I'll be happy to increase my earnings by maybe 50% in 2008

[Smithore]

Hope to reach  1500$/month at the end of 2008.
I begin the new year with new camera (5D) and studio lighting equipment...

merry christmas everyone!!!

[araminta]

My main goal is to be able at the end of the year to have an answer to the question "Could the photography / graphic design become my full time job within a few years?".

I'm living in Switzerland and basically it's as expensive as Norway. Moreover, I've a good job right now and I would like to keep the same level of earnings... I'm afraid $5000 a month is not sufficient here

So, for 2008:

• Increase microstock earnings by 50%
• Have 800 pictures in my microstock portfolio
• Build a small RM/RF fortfolio at Alamy and Photoshelter and have at least 2-5 sale a month
• Investigate alternative to stock business... Zazzle, CafePress, Imagekind
• Improve my skills... optimize workflow, learn HDR photography, improve 3D, learn vector illustration

Good luck to everyone for 2008!

[PaulieWalnuts]

Now that I think about it after reading Araminta's post, my overall goal for 2008 is pretty much the same. To see if it's possible for me to live on this and figure out how long it will take to get there.

[Freezingpictures]

Very interesting to read all your goals for 2008. If I would double my earnings that would be great, however my main goal would be to spent less time watching microstock and instead be more productive with microstock.
And another goal, creating 100 sandwich images which earn me $300 a month :-) But we will see..

[sharpshot]

As time goes by I am finding it hard to take photos for the microstock sites.  I am losing motivation selling at low prices and I don't enjoy taking the photos that sell well, like isolated object.

Next year I want to do more vectors for the micros and send most of my photos to sites that sell for higher prices.  At the moment, I am not very good with vectors and have failed to get in to istock, so that is going to be a challenge.

[leaf]

And another goal, creating 100 sandwich images which earn me $300 a month :-) But we will see..

haha... cool idea.... take enough food pics to to pay for your monthly food expense.

[ason]

...just to survive...  I think things/times is changing...But I hope to have a portfolio of 1000 pics in the end of 2008...and...not the same pictures on the big 5....

[epixx]

Here are my goals:

- Promote my portfolios at Featurepics, Snapvillage, Alamy and Photoshelters to increase earnings on existing portfolio.

- Take more photos that sells, ans skip the sentimental crap that only I think will sell.

- Increase my earnings to at least $2,500 a month, which will give me a decent, but not great living where I live (Thailand).

- Spend less time on internet forums, and more time taking, editing and uploading photos