Author Topic: New guide for beginners - "Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock Photography" (Read 18200 times)

Minsc · « **Reply #75 on:** June 29, 2017, 15:32 »

No offense friend, but your posts are getting a bit spammy. It's time to reign it in a bit and find other channels to market your book.

Bad Company · « **Reply #76 on:** June 30, 2017, 08:33 »

Quote from: Minsc on June 29, 2017, 15:32

No offense friend, but your posts are getting a bit spammy. It's time to reign it in a bit and find other channels to market your book.

He means well. His intent isn't to take our hard earned dollars. He actually listen to our suggestions which is more that I can say about the folks that own the micro-stock companies

Justanotherphotographer · « **Reply #77 on:** June 30, 2017, 09:06 »

I think he has been keeping it to the one thread right? I feel that is fair. Maybe Leaf could have a section for promoting projects like this and the other guy's tutorials if it is annoying other members.

Minsc · « **Reply #78 on:** June 30, 2017, 22:05 »

Quote from: Bad Company on June 30, 2017, 08:33

Quote from: Minsc on June 29, 2017, 15:32
No offense friend, but your posts are getting a bit spammy. It's time to reign it in a bit and find other channels to market your book.

He means well. His intent isn't to take our hard earned dollars. He actually listen to our suggestions which is more that I can say about the folks that own the micro-stock companies

I know he does mean well. I should have sent him a private message instead instead of making a public post. I do a lot of these types of projects as well...not Microstock books, but other stuff. It's not easy getting it to sell, so I know where he's coming from.

cathyslife · « **Reply #79 on:** June 30, 2017, 22:30 »

Quote from: Bad Company on June 30, 2017, 08:33

Quote from: Minsc on June 29, 2017, 15:32
No offense friend, but your posts are getting a bit spammy. It's time to reign it in a bit and find other channels to market your book.

He means well. His intent isn't to take our hard earned dollars. He actually listen to our suggestions which is more that I can say about the folks that own the micro-stock companies

Are they giving away the books for free? I thought they were for sale. Seems to me they are shamelessly using this forum to do exactly that.

Brasilnut · « **Reply #80 on:** July 03, 2017, 04:31 »

Quote

Are they giving away the books for free? I thought they were for sale. Seems to me they are shamelessly using this forum to do exactly that.

Wishing you a nice week, Cathy

cathyslife · « **Reply #81 on:** July 03, 2017, 04:42 »

Quote from: Brasilnut on July 03, 2017, 04:31

Quote
Are they giving away the books for free? I thought they were for sale. Seems to me they are shamelessly using this forum to do exactly that.

Wishing you a nice week, Cathy

Same to you! Happy fourth of July!

Brasilnut · « **Reply #82 on:** July 03, 2017, 05:09 »

Quote

Same to you! Happy fourth of July!

Enjoy the fireworks and bbqs. My country's independence day is on the 7th of September (Brazil)!

cathyslife · « **Reply #83 on:** July 03, 2017, 07:11 »

Quote from: Brasilnut on July 03, 2017, 05:09

Quote
Same to you! Happy fourth of July!

Enjoy the fireworks and bbqs. My country's independence day is on the 7th of September (Brazil)!

enhiro · « **Reply #84 on:** July 03, 2017, 20:58 »

Hello to all, this is my first message here. I finished reading the book a few days ago, and I must to say that is very helpful to newbies. I had a lack of knowledge about this business that the book has covered.

I think that the point is not if you like more or less the job of Alex but If he has a good knowledge of this world and he know how to transmit it to others. And he has made a great job with this book.

Regards and sorry for my english.

Brasilnut · « **Reply #85 on:** July 04, 2017, 01:31 »

Quote

Hello to all, this is my first message here. I finished reading the book a few days ago, and I must to say that is very helpful to newbies. I had a lack of knowledge about this business that the book has covered.

I think that the point is not if you like more or less the job of Alex but If he has a good knowledge of this world and he know how to transmit it to others. And he has made a great job with this book.

Thanks Enhiro for your kind words and welcome to the forum where you'll find a wealth of information from experienced contributors.

Would be cool to know how you're getting on in this tough game, let's keep in touch!

Alex

nazlisart · « **Reply #86 on:** July 07, 2017, 02:08 »

Quote from: Brasilnut on June 05, 2017, 07:26

Quote
I understand, but why anyone would pay money for a recipe for inaction? I don't have to pay to learn to do nothing. I can do nothing all by myself, without a guru's advice. If I make an effort it is because I want something good out of it.

If you did not succeed in this particular venue, that's fine, it's life, but do you think trying to sell a book on "how to fail to be an actor, scientist, plumber, international spy etc" will work? Do you see many of those around? Perhaps people would like to read about a unique expertise rather than trying to start something they cannot finish because they only learn that they will fail?

You make some valid points. I've certainly approached drafting this guide in a rather unconventional way, but in a thought-provoking and accurate manner, nevertheless. So much so that we're having an interesting discussion on what it means to "fail" or "succeed".

If the aim is to be "brutally honest", I cannot sugarcoat, how easy it would be to make money from Microstock to try to get more book-sales, because everybody here knows how tough this industry is - it would be a "brutally dishonest guide" and i'm sure there's many of those out there.

I don't know whether i'm "failing" or "succeeding" at this game but all I know is that I quite enjoy it and would like to pass on my knowledge to others. I'm by no means a guru, just a travel photojournalist. In any case, I don't believe in "failure", as in life we must learn from our mistakes and try to improve with every minute. It's more like feedback than anything. To receive these feedback to improve, we must try try try try and try - the opposite of inaction. Oh and try some more.

I don't want to give too much away as I'm hoping enough people will want to read it but here's the opening paragraph from Chapter 12 "Getting . Out of Microstock":

It may seem strange in a comprehensive guide to how to be successful at Microstock to end with a chapter on how to get . out of it, but please hear me out! This chapter is aimed at both those more experienced contributors and those just starting out, since both will face similar dilemmas, as I will outline in this chapter.I started in Microstock because my perception at the time was that it was the most practical and low-cost way to monetise my images. During the past four years, I have painstakingly put in the time and effort to keep learning how to make my images stand out from the herd. My experience of submitting to various Agencies has given me an education in the technical and commercial/editorial aspects of photography simply by participating in those markets....

Hope, fresh ideas and success stories is what sells. I have everyday life for "Brutally Honest Grounding"! Maybe have a chapter like "pitfalls and precautions" but overall keep it upbeat. Also something else to reconsider, I've read somewhere that 90% of internet book sales come from the tittle - intriguing and exciting is the key...

One more very important thing: Illustrations, vectors, video & audio is also considered Microstock, no Guide is complete without them (not to mention graphic and video templates, PSD actions and staff that you find in Envato that could be also considered Microstock). All those are far less expensive to produce (except video) and have, in average, far higher RPI & RPD from photos. I'd gladly give you my two bits about vectors but if you want to cover the whole subject you need to interview many more people...

I hope this was helpful
Wish you all the best!

Brasilnut · « **Reply #87 on:** July 07, 2017, 02:27 »

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Hope, fresh ideas and success stories is what sells. I have everyday life for "Brutally Honest Grounding"! Maybe have a chapter like "pitfalls and precautions" but overall keep it upbeat. Also something else to reconsider, I've read somewhere that 90% of internet book sales come from the tittle - intriguing and exciting is the key...

One more very important thing: Illustrations, vectors, video & audio is also considered Microstock, no Guide is complete without them (not to mention graphic and video templates, PSD actions and staff that you find in Envato that could be also considered Microstock). All those are far less expensive to produce (except video) and have, in average, far higher RPI & RPD from photos. I'd gladly give you my two bits about vectors but if you want to cover the whole subject you need to interview many more people...

I hope this was helpful
Wish you all the best!

Great feedback and yes helpful.

You're right that I approached the industry in a pessimistic tone and it may put some readers off. So much so that one of my chapters was called "Getting . out of Microstock", was toned down to "Opportunities Outside of Microstock", together with a softer language in the body (learn --> earn a bit to cover some costs --> look elsewhere for opportunities). In my book and blog I write extensively about diversification, such as submitting premium images to Midstock agencies, photography competitions, Print on Demand & fine art photography.

I completely agree about vectors, footage and illustrations as a way to diversify. I've only recently started on footage, as a way to find other viable opportunities, and would be foolish to write anything about it at this stage due to my inexperience, unless it was an interview with someone who's been doing it for a while.

I would gladly take up your offer to interview you for a blog post about vectors, I'll PM you - thanks.

Alex

Brasilnut · « **Reply #88 on:** July 26, 2017, 10:14 »

So quiet here, seems like everybody's already packed their bags and heading to the beach

SpaceStockFootage · « **Reply #89 on:** July 26, 2017, 13:31 »

Nice subtle bump there.

Brightontl · « **Reply #90 on:** July 26, 2017, 13:34 »

I am here lying on the beach, sipping a gin and tonic and reading the brutally honest guide.
What else do I need?

drd · « **Reply #91 on:** July 26, 2017, 13:50 »

Quote from: Brasilnut on June 04, 2017, 12:13

Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock Photography

I will be brutally honest with you. This is just another PR article. The 2 links mentioned in the article are not even getting any views. Why should I give 10 for this?

Brasilnut · « **Reply #92 on:** September 12, 2017, 14:17 »

Anybody seen the latest edition of Amateur Photographer UK?

Flashy · « **Reply #93 on:** October 18, 2017, 22:04 »

I just got started in stock photography 2.5 months ago. At my onset, I had never wanted to take photographs or do anything artistic. My entire goal was to learn a new hobby, enjoy it, and learn to make money taking pictures. I am a PhD in engineering and very analytical, so I know the value of a good reference book. I was looking for both references to improve my workflow, general approach to the industry, and resources to learn about taking better photos. I read your entire book, enjoyed it very much, and have found the advice to be helpful in many ways as a newbie. In particular, I found much of the advice helpful in altering/refining my approach to the industry and other references more helpful for technical aspects of taking pictures. Having never taking a picture to sell, I have already broke even on the cost of your book. In summary, I know writing books sucks, but they can be wonderful resources for others new to an area and I appreciated your book as a newbie.

Brasilnut · « **Reply #94 on:** October 19, 2017, 04:41 »

Quote

I just got started in stock photography 2.5 months ago. At my onset, I had never wanted to take photographs or do anything artistic. My entire goal was to learn a new hobby, enjoy it, and learn to make money taking pictures. I am a PhD in engineering and very analytical, so I know the value of a good reference book. I was looking for both references to improve my workflow, general approach to the industry, and resources to learn about taking better photos. I read your entire book, enjoyed it very much, and have found the advice to be helpful in many ways as a newbie. In particular, I found much of the advice helpful in altering/refining my approach to the industry and other references more helpful for technical aspects of taking pictures. Having never taking a picture to sell, I have already broke even on the cost of your book. In summary, I know writing books sucks, but they can be wonderful resources for others new to an area and I appreciated your book as a newbie.

Thank you Flashy.

I've PM'ed you. I'd be happy to know how you're getting on and also to answer any specific questions you may have. Otherwise, please feel free to post on here...we're a friendly bunch (most of the time

)

Quote

My entire goal was to learn a new hobby, enjoy it, and learn to make money taking pictures.

Great attitude!

Alex

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Author Topic: New guide for beginners - "Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock Photography" (Read 18200 times)

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