Quote from: No Free Lunch on January 04, 2015, 11:49

Artists will work two times harder and make even less money- wondering why they are in this business in the first place ... 

My prediction: the Wall will come down on more people than ever in 2015, making them so depressed about microstock that they will give up.  This will include many hobbyists who earn just a few thousand a year, as well as some of the big contributors who earn (or once earned) six figures. 

People will do the math and realize that they can no longer increase their own ports as quickly (by percentage) as the agencies can, making microstock a losing game once your port hits a certain size.  There's just no way around this math.  In my first few years, I was certain I could beat the Wall.  I was going to work harder, achieve better quality, find better niches than anyone else.  Oh, how deluded I was. 

I'm predicting my own income will fall 20% or so, and my resolution is to find another income stream.  For me, 2014 was the big wake-up call that microstock is not the reliable source of secondary income I hoped might carry me into retirement.  That dream is long gone.  2015 will be the year I resolve to find another income source to get passionate about and reduce the time I waste on this unsustainable numbers game.

So, the folks that got a shinny new dSLR Camera for Xmas can return back to Santa   

Whats yours?

All depends On your outlook...Time spent...What you want out of this.....And your port and what you think it's worth. My prediction? were screwed. To many who are happy with 25 cents that will replace you in a month if you shoot stuff anyone can do. they know it and you better know it also.  Your 8 years to late My Man. And I put way to much faith in this business along with a lot of my colleagues. I mentality gave up 8 months ago. I'll be leaving this to you guys to figure out sooner than later. and the thousands there farming now to replace you...........FACT!!

Anyone thinks there doing something special....better think again.Folks making 25 cents a DL is far more attractive than folks making 38 Cents in a purely business sense. If this is a numbers game...Which it certainly is.  I totally fell for the nonsense that if you do the work, Have the best equipment,work hard and feed the beast, you will be rewarded. The opposite is where a Lot of us are. Add up the hours,add in cost factor and it's pretty clear. Unsustainable. Simple math.  Then It becomes a hobby. I for one don't need a Hobby. Time spent in this business Must provide a return. I don't have a day Job. Image making is my job, and doing this is not working out. Luckily I have other outlets. Soon...I'll just let it ride and give up caring. Thats my Personal prediction.

I predict Laurin will ask SS for a raise in 2015. Oh, you already have.

We had a chance My friend Many, Many years ago to take a stand and we didn't. Biggest problem for us today and the last 3/4 years is too many simply don't care. When I started it was 20 cents across the board. No EL's SODs' Nothing and a lot of us fought for what we have now.Most other old sites have taken away. at least SS didn't do that But...In light of there success...Mainly due to us in my view. It's time. Trouble is so many are perfectly happy and there ya go. No wonder the search favors them. And to me directly timeline relates to when Exclusives came over. Otherwise there would have been a much slower decline But...Mar 2012 is when I noticed something.

I Gotta stop writing this stuff. Motivation goes out the window. And I gotta move on. Shame that 10 Years went by and here we are.

Quote from: Pauws99 on January 04, 2015, 03:34

Think I will have a pint of whatever Pixelbites is drinking!

I think the theme will be polarization

it will be all of us getting drunk on Pixelbites brew, when we hear coming from lifeboats out in the sea "this is your captain speaking. ship is sinking, hurry to the lifeboats". Oops, all the lifeboats are already filled and sailing away from the ship with you me and everyone of the million image makers

Its my own special moonshine I brew in my cellar.  I call it Delusionaid.  Makes working in stock almost bearable.

I am not optimistic about Microphoto revenue in 2015. More photo upload but less sales from them.   

Have you thought about changing your name to 'Captain Gloom' 

Quote from: No Free Lunch on January 17, 2015, 23:37

Quote from: captain on January 17, 2015, 22:13

I am not optimistic about Microphoto revenue in 2015. More photo upload but less sales from them.   

Have you thought about changing your name to 'Captain Gloom' 

Count me into the gloom club then.

If I upload to microstock this year, it will be because I had to tell the wife that I was doing something.

Best Post ever!! LOL

my foresight and prediction is, 2015 will be more competitive and more upload images from contributors, also more new contributors 

Thats a Given.

SS + FT 

All the rest 

As of January 2015 there are over 3 billion active internet users, 3.6 billion mobile phone users. Take those numbers to any entrepreneur and claim the opportunity for well crafted visual content is no longer there and they will push you out the door and start up a new photography/video/design business on the spot.

http://wearesocial.net/blog/2015/01/digital-social-mobile-worldwide-2015/

Quote from: Red Dove on January 17, 2015, 12:15

I predict Laurin will ask SS for a raise in 2015. Oh, you already have.

We had a chance My friend Many, Many years ago to take a stand and we didn't. Biggest problem for us today and the last 3/4 years is too many simply don't care. When I started it was 20 cents across the board. No EL's SODs' Nothing and a lot of us fought for what we have now.Most other old sites have taken away. at least SS didn't do that But...In light of there success...Mainly due to us in my view. It's time. Trouble is so many are perfectly happy and there ya go. No wonder the search favors them. And to me directly timeline relates to when Exclusives came over. Otherwise there would have been a much slower decline But...Mar 2012 is when I noticed something.

I Gotta stop writing this stuff. Motivation goes out the window. And I gotta move on. Shame that 10 Years went by and here we are.

Why do you keep writing here if its so bad? You started the schools, your book, referal, and make money from computer. You caused this taking 25 cent for a download and advertising the sites with new blood. Now you don't like it anymore and come to complain every day, what you feed and promoted to this. Why don't you quit?

Word