Author Topic: What is keeping you from going full time in Microstock (Read 37966 times)

08stock08 · « **Reply #25 on:** July 04, 2013, 10:09 »

I know many people who have made it through FT. Full time microstock may not work until you have staff to handle your various things. Going full time would also involve thinking like a business man who would be able to generate money to feed people and keep staff available. I think Microstock + Agency like Getty or better publications would work if someone wishes to leave day Job.

Google for a book "photographer's market 2013" by Mary Burzlaff Bostic, (I have no biz with the publishers or authors), I found it interesting. The guys who survived in this market, found better way of marketing their work. Microstock alone will not do the trick for new entrants. I do not have resources right now to become FT.

djpadavona · « **Reply #26 on:** July 04, 2013, 11:27 »

I agree with Lisa.

I think it is mathematically feasible to go full time in Microstock. It becomes a matter of having enough marketable images at a majority of the successful agencies. The problem is, as Lisa and others have noted, you cannot depend on the agencies to not burn you when you least expect it. Commission cuts, and in the case of one former IS exclusive - outright expulsion for defending his images' copyrights, have brought us to the point where the only way to defend your future is to sell on your own, or sign a contractual agreement with an agency where your terms are guaranteed for X number of years.

Who would go full time today not knowing if your commission percentage tomorrow will be 50%, 20%, or 15%? Or if your credit sales will suddenly become ultra low commission subscription sales? Or if your images will be given away to Google as part of some half-wit promotion? It just isn't worth the risk to me. So microstock remains a healthy side income for me. I would never depend on it.

tab62 · « **Reply #27 on:** July 04, 2013, 12:18 »

new addition to my concerns' list on why I wouldn't go full time to MS world-

5. No PP payments on time unless you consider 60+ days after month end on time...

stockastic · « **Reply #28 on:** July 04, 2013, 14:33 »

Quote from: djpadavona on July 04, 2013, 11:27

Who would go full time today not knowing if your commission percentage tomorrow will be 50%, 20%, or 15%?

That's it, in a nutshell. Images can take years to pay off even if commissions remained steady. Basically you're producing a product and handing it to someone else to sell at any price they choose.

The steady rain of commission cuts has killed the motivation of current microstockers and discouraged potential new ones.

Perry · « **Reply #29 on:** July 04, 2013, 14:55 »

My main problem is that I'm living in a nordic country. It's very expensive to live here, If I'd move to - let's say - Poland, I could quit my other work instantly.

I also like some of my commissioned work: I like to meet interesting people and visit interesting places - I would not like to quit that completely. But I would certainly like to be able to say "no" to certain clients

klsbear · « **Reply #30 on:** July 04, 2013, 15:02 »

A mortgage to pay and need to boost retirement savings, along with a bit of instability in my husband's job are the main reasons. Day job is relatively painless and too lucrative to give up right now. But in about 6 years I'll be at a reasonable retirement age and mortgage will be paid off so I may be pulling the trigger and going full time or at least a lot more hours of part time. Of course that will depend a lot on the state of the industry at that time.

Anita Potter · « **Reply #31 on:** July 04, 2013, 15:05 »

Microstock for me is my full time job which was fine when I started out. Back when I started I was a stay at home mom which was fine it brought in extra money to help pay the bills and incidentals.

That has definitely changed this year with sales being really terrible to start the year off I've started looking for a regular job in the last two months. Very hard to come by even with my diverse work history that I had before I had kids.

If you can do it that's great I wish those that are full time the best of luck, for me I have to get back into the rat race.

Mantis · « **Reply #32 on:** July 04, 2013, 18:11 »

Quote from: borg on June 28, 2013, 09:11

FT and IS will force me to abandon my full time Microstock...

That's what I was thinking exactly. I am shifting my shooting to build a big POD collection and more RM with my underwater work. I am also going to start experimenting with video. I am not full time either, but I work like it. I am working after my day job, before my day job and every weekend for 12-14 hours. My goal isn't to go full time right now, but in five years when I am still in my 50's. My house will be paid off by then and it becomes more feasible once that monkey is off my back. We'll see. I got into MS too late so I am feeling the bug tug to get ahead. More uploading does not = more revenue. It's all I can do to break even each month, let alone be happy I only lost $200-$300 bucks.

grsphoto · « **Reply #33 on:** July 04, 2013, 20:43 »

I came very late to the Microstock market... started off as an exercise to keep away the Christmas blues this year.

My expenses are very low ( I can live nicely on $10 a day) so I am really considering putting the push on to be a serious Microstocker.

One of the things that is holding me back is burn-out. The last time I lived off of the proceeds of my photography I ended up hating my camera and losing the desire to shoot.

Now that my camera and I are friends again, I don't want to destroy that relationship.

tickstock · « **Reply #34 on:** July 04, 2013, 22:23 »

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Author Topic: What is keeping you from going full time in Microstock (Read 37966 times)

08stock08

djpadavona

tab62

stockastic

Perry

klsbear

Anita Potter

Mantis

grsphoto

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