Author Topic: Predictions For Microstock For 2015 (Read 20254 times)

Rinderart · « **on:** January 03, 2015, 17:54 »

Lets hear them Please.

Semmick Photo · « **Reply #1 on:** January 03, 2015, 17:57 »

Whats yours?

Perry · « **Reply #2 on:** January 03, 2015, 18:10 »

In 2015, some agencies are planning to screw the contributors even more.

stockastic · « **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2015, 20:39 »

Some have already weighed in:

http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/2015-your-image-market-predictions-personal-resolutions/

Hobostocker · « **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2015, 22:21 »

- more polarization across the industry with SS reaching near-monopoly status
- some new M&As, probably Dreamstime will be sold
- falling sales in all the smaller agencies
- no "mobile revolution" at the horizon
- Adobe embedding FT into the next Adobe CC
- iStock merged with Thinkstock

PixelBytes · « **Reply #5 on:** January 03, 2015, 22:44 »

Microstock agencies realize they need contributors to do well if they want to succeed, and change policies so we will all be rich!!

Pauws99 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2015, 03:34 »

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

I think the theme will be polarization

KnowYourOnions · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2015, 05:50 »

Stick with professionals and avoid experimental companies who just like to store our media files for their PR stunts, all in attempt to get funding and not do anything for us afterwards! seriously... it's like a scam of some sort...

SS yeah!

Semmick Photo · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2015, 05:54 »

Big 4 contain 2 of the worst agencies for contributors

Edit: SSartist deleted a part of his comment I was referring to. Something like, the big 4 yeah !!

panicAttack · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2015, 06:19 »

SS is great, best agency for me, but when downloads on SS from 30-35 drops to 5-10 daily as last few weeks it's something that reminds me that it's never good to have near monopoly.

I hope fotolia, 123 and Istock will get better as soon as possible.

Red Dove · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2015, 06:37 »

What were the predictions for 2014 and did any of those come to fruition?

Snow · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2015, 07:48 »

I'm not that good with words so will keep it simple:

More hobbyists, factories and those who can live from a few hundred bucks on a few thousand images. Not to forget those who complain all the time but do nothing about it or the groupies that just don't know any better. I've already seen a few in this very thread.
The downward trend will continue for most of us but the agencies will continue to make a fortune. They will continue to strip us down to the very last penny using any means possible so our slice will get even smaller. New ones will continue to pop up but without success.
None will fade out since they will always find a way to get back into the game or lure us back in with some new candy.

So good times ahead!

Mantis · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2015, 09:25 »

Quote from: Snow on January 04, 2015, 07:48

I'm not that good with words so will keep it simple:

More hobbyists, factories and those who can live from a few hundred bucks on a few thousand images. Not to forget those who complain all the time but do nothing about it or the groupies that just don't know any better. I've already seen a few in this very thread.
The downward trend will continue for most of us but the agencies will continue to make a fortune. They will continue to strip us down to the very last penny using any means possible so our slice will get even smaller. New ones will continue to pop up but without success.
None will fade out since they will always find a way to get back into the game or lure us back in with some new candy.

So good times ahead!

With all the bumps in the micro stock road, this is the single BIGGEST issue that deflates my hope of making this a long term income stream. It's not like it hasn't happened yet. The last three years paves a clear record of reality in terms of cutting commissions. It's not like one agency did it and all the rest are guilty by association. IStock, Dreamstime, FOTOLIA, Deposit Photos, RF123, Alamy all have a history of cutting commissions or "tweaking something (search)" or "implementing something (credit system)" that results in lower commissions. I see NO POSSIBLE WAY that any of these actions will be reversed in favor of the contributor. Case and point. In 2013 I made $7500 at Istock. In 2014 I made $4500. That trend will never be reversible for me as I am not an image mill that can make up for losses by pumping in more volume.

Shutterstock has changed their search a few times most of which have resulted in poor sales for me. Then it changes to something else and I do ok. But by in large they haven't introduced any scheme to formally grab back commissions. That being said, today, I am most worried about SS. It's like an inflating balloon that will eventually pop, and when it does watch out. SS makes up 45% of my income, mainly because of all the new license types they have introduced, resulting in a few large sales per month. If that by itself goes away or is eroded it will be a big impact on monthly income. SS should be our biggest worry, but I have no idea if 2015 will bring bad news from them. I hope they offer a raise, and that starts a trend across the big four.....woooohooooo

Dook · « **Reply #13 on:** January 04, 2015, 09:38 »

Quote from: panicAttack on January 04, 2015, 06:19

SS is great, best agency for me, but when downloads on SS from 30-35 drops to 5-10 daily as last few weeks it's something that reminds me that it's never good to have near monopoly.

I hope fotolia, 123 and Istock will get better as soon as possible.

It is normal at this time of the year.

No Free Lunch · « **Reply #14 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 ... $:-\$

bunhill · « **Reply #15 on:** January 04, 2015, 11:59 »

Quote from: Dook on January 04, 2015, 09:38

It is normal at this time of the year.

There will be growth in the spring.

cobalt · « **Reply #16 on:** January 04, 2015, 12:04 »

by the end of the year Getty will realise how much money they can make if they leave all the Community/marketplace thing to Shutterstock and Fotolia and will start to distribute their (older) exclusive content through them as well.

they distribute via Corbis, masterfile, etc...why not through the other micros in addition to istock?

It would certainly be better than wasting money on embedded images and putting files for free on sites where noone pays...

Instead put your files where the customers are. Just follow the money.

panicAttack · « **Reply #17 on:** January 04, 2015, 12:33 »

Quote from: Dook on January 04, 2015, 09:38

Quote from: panicAttack on January 04, 2015, 06:19
SS is great, best agency for me, but when downloads on SS from 30-35 drops to 5-10 daily as last few weeks it's something that reminds me that it's never good to have near monopoly.

I hope fotolia, 123 and Istock will get better as soon as possible.

It is normal at this time of the year.

yes I know it, but this year it is more extreme then last year. I doubled my small portfolio (from about 450 to 900+) this year so I expected it will not be such hard hit, but it was. I hope sales will start to recover this week.

cheers!

Dook · « **Reply #18 on:** January 04, 2015, 13:31 »

Quote from: bunhill on January 04, 2015, 11:59

Quote from: Dook on January 04, 2015, 09:38
It is normal at this time of the year.

There will be growth in the spring.

Good one

Dook · « **Reply #19 on:** January 04, 2015, 13:32 »

Quote from: panicAttack on January 04, 2015, 12:33

Quote from: Dook on January 04, 2015, 09:38
Quote from: panicAttack on January 04, 2015, 06:19
SS is great, best agency for me, but when downloads on SS from 30-35 drops to 5-10 daily as last few weeks it's something that reminds me that it's never good to have near monopoly.

I hope fotolia, 123 and Istock will get better as soon as possible.

It is normal at this time of the year.

yes I know it, but this year it is more extreme then last year. I doubled my small portfolio (from about 450 to 900+) this year so I expected it will not be such hard hit, but it was. I hope sales will start to recover this week.

cheers!

I hope too.
Believe me, it happens year after year, no matter how big your portfolio is.

Rinderart · « **Reply #20 on:** January 04, 2015, 14:38 »

Quote from: stockastic on January 03, 2015, 20:39

Some have already weighed in:

http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/2015-your-image-market-predictions-personal-resolutions/

Didn't see that thread, some really good words there. especially yours. Forget this thread and go there.

stockmarketer · « **Reply #21 on:** January 05, 2015, 06:57 »

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.

Hobostocker · « **Reply #22 on:** January 05, 2015, 09:34 »

Quote from: stockmarketer on January 05, 2015, 06:57

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.

what did they expected ? studio shootings with paid models sold for a pittance per download, millions of still life images with white background, business concepts copied over and over in any possible way, what could ever go wrong ?

stockastic · « **Reply #23 on:** January 05, 2015, 11:49 »

"Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."

- Yogi Berra

etudiante_rapide · « **Reply #24 on:** January 05, 2015, 13:46 »

Quote from: stockmarketer on January 05, 2015, 06:57

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.

everyone i'm sure achieve better quality ,etc with time. it's whether u get to be found that makes the diff between earning 1K a week or a month and 0 . looking at so many identical work from so many contributors, doing as good if not better than the top sellers say lifestyle category, it's not whether your work is better or worse, it's whether you can pull the string to get your work seen.
as they say in show biz, it's not how good or what you are, it's who you know.

i think he who knows how to pull strings will continue to earn.

No Free Lunch · « **Reply #25 on:** January 05, 2015, 13:52 »

Quote from: stockmarketer on January 05, 2015, 06:57

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

DallasP · « **Reply #26 on:** January 08, 2015, 15:23 »

Well, I keep hoping to see some of the work that I've done pay off ... but, I guess I really don't care.

Writing has been about twice the income at around half the dedicated effort of micro ... So, for 2015 I think I'll be dedicating more time toward writing and other ventures. I'll return to my previous thinking that microstock is a hobby. If I make a quarter today that's great, if not ... that's great.

Rinderart · « **Reply #27 on:** January 17, 2015, 01:04 »

Quote from: Semmick Photo on January 03, 2015, 17:57

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.

Red Dove · « **Reply #28 on:** January 17, 2015, 12:15 »

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

Rinderart · « **Reply #29 on:** January 17, 2015, 14:22 »

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.

etudiante_rapide · « **Reply #30 on:** January 17, 2015, 16:57 »

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

PixelBytes · « **Reply #31 on:** January 17, 2015, 21:17 »

Quote from: etudiante_rapide on January 17, 2015, 16:57

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.

captain · « **Reply #32 on:** January 17, 2015, 22:13 »

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

No Free Lunch · « **Reply #33 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'

DallasP · « **Reply #34 on:** January 18, 2015, 04:53 »

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.

Rinderart · « **Reply #35 on:** January 18, 2015, 14:25 »

Quote from: DallasP on January 18, 2015, 04:53

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

bangmok · « **Reply #36 on:** January 24, 2015, 23:31 »

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

Rinderart · « **Reply #37 on:** January 25, 2015, 14:09 »

Quote from: bangmok on January 24, 2015, 23:31

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

Thats a Given.

jamesbenet · « **Reply #38 on:** January 27, 2015, 20:14 »

SS will do better
IS Will Continue it's Gettyfication
Fotolia might surprise due to the Adobe integration! However who will benefit?
4k in Video will be emerging stronger.
The $ pie for all of us continues to decrease.
Many full timers will need to get a side job to make ends meet.

Nikovsk · « **Reply #39 on:** January 27, 2015, 20:20 »

SS + FT

All the rest

DallasP · « **Reply #40 on:** January 28, 2015, 03:42 »

Quote from: Nikovsk on January 27, 2015, 20:20

SS + FT

All the rest

Actually, the FT/Adobe deal might be my only excitement about microstock this year. Adobe has always held a decent standard in my point of view ... even with their monopolization of multiple industries it seems like they've remained their stance to be relatively transparent and fair. As I'm mostly a designer I can see the benefit of an integrated library just ready to "drag and drop" or close to it. Immediate purchase and cc integration will be pretty important to its success ... as well as the fact that (If my employer subscribed to Fotolia instead of their current subscription) would shave a few hours off my weekly workflow easily. I'm optimisticish, that it will work in favor of contributors as well ...

I still don't plan on doing much on microstock, I love the forums and most of the people here ... but, I've made just as much in 6 months writing as I have in 2 years of trying to be an illustrator ... Keeping my Symbio site is still a decision I keep tossing around since the deadlines coming up ... I just don't know if I can waste another year of my life on yet another dying ambition (when I'll always find new ones for their place ... like finish this beer. I should finish this beer

) ...

Red Dove · « **Reply #41 on:** January 28, 2015, 06:48 »

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/

Semmick Photo · « **Reply #42 on:** January 28, 2015, 08:31 »

Quote from: Red Dove on January 28, 2015, 06:48

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/

LOL, your comments are always quality. Keep em coming Red!

Batman · « **Reply #43 on:** February 01, 2015, 20:14 »

Quote from: Rinderart on January 17, 2015, 14:22

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?

Rinderart · « **Reply #44 on:** February 03, 2015, 02:17 »

Quote from: Batman on February 01, 2015, 20:14

Quote from: Rinderart on January 17, 2015, 14:22
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?

Because I care, I always have. when it's good I say so, When I see colleagues hurting I use my right to say something. don't like it? IGNORE! You want a chat room?. Not my cup of tea and yes I can Change my Mind on a dime. something stinks, and it's been smelling for a long time.

"You caused this taking 25 cent for a download and advertising the sites with new blood" Care to explain this comment...Way past me.

Sorry, Im Vocal about things Im passionate about especially Injustice or anyone taking advantage of me or my friends.

Do you want me to stop posting here My thoughts, Opinions ,experience or feelings. Just say the word.

Me · « **Reply #45 on:** February 03, 2015, 05:17 »

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Author Topic: Predictions For Microstock For 2015 (Read 20254 times)

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