two numbers

Microstock is much about numbers. So much, actually, that while looking for the top secret number to success (whether or not there is one) we can easily miss the simple guides along the way.

While analyzing my 2010 statistics and looking at the goals I’ve set for myself for 2011 I decided to not do what I’ve done so far… ie. fall for the overly complex equations. I wanted to focus on the plain, simple and solid data which was easily available. So I did.

I asked two key questions along the way:

1. How do you outpace the growth of the agency?
2. How do you evaluate the success of your portfolio?

So, first things – first. How in the world do you outpace the growth of a 10+ million image bank, where tens of thousands of people regularly upload new content? Quite simply – you don’t. What you CAN do, however, is outpace its growth in relation to where you stand. Or outpace the others like you, individually.

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copycat: protect your images

Cop·y·cat·ted, cop·y·cat·ting, cop·y·cats… The words most hated in microstock (well, after re·ject, I suppose). For the non-native English speakers – copycat as a verb means “to act as an imitator or mimic” (ref: the free dictionary). You can guess the meaning of the other possible uses.

For you as a microstock photographer (although I’d argue – as a photographer in general) this means – your successful work being copied. There’s nothing wrong with others trying to achieve what you already have for learning purposes, for the fun of trying, etc. The problem becomes when one’s successful work is being copied in the context of the marketplace by people who do so purposefully. This is what we’ll be talking about today – what are the consequences and how to prevent it from happening (for some time).

First, a little disclaimer/clarification/intro to the topic, so some of you don’t get offended. I’m not going to argue whether a green apple on seamless background is a copy(cat) of the other green apple on a slightly darker seamless. The photography market is so dynamic, yet so much of it is so similar – beginners seem to share too much in common, so they shoot the same stuff in ways that differ very little. This article is addresses the intentional copying of a certain interpretation of a concept, subject, etc. for commercial purposes.

It’s alright to try and achieve what great photographers have done as part of your exercise – if you’re not trying to mimic them precisely you’d come with a very different result and learn a ton in the process. Just don’t go ahead and try to sell this as “your thing”. Take whatever you’ve learned and make your own thing from scratch. Then sell it.

So, all clear… Let’s dive in the pool of ideas for protecting your images from copycating. It’s actually more of a pond of ideas, given that they’re merely four of them, but they’re basic enough to allow for further thought.

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steps to success in microstock

Yes, it really is that simple. That is, if you care enough to realize it and adjust whatever it is that you’re doing accordingly. The catch? Do it now and you’ll be ahead of the crowd, because far too many of the middle class contributors aren’t putting the three piece puzzle together just yet.

Why am I telling you all this, you may ask. Firstly, because I don’t want you to be stuck in the same spot I was for far too long. Secondly, because I believe the entire industry will be revolutionized if more of the people who depend on it actually took it for what it can be. So, read on and analyze your own situation as you do it.

#1 BE SERIOUS ABOUT IT. I suppose you can get just this part down and be as happy as one can be. This is the foundation on which you’re building – your hobby, your business, your holiday money… whatever microstock is to you, it stands on “how seriously you do it”. Ironically, this may be the easiest step to describe as it comes down to one short question: Am I going to make an effort to make this happen or not? Check these definitions of “serious” to see the picture from another angle. There is no some sort of “microstock secret” to being serious. Really, there isn’t.

Are you choosing to be serious?

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misconceptions about microstock

“Make cash from your vacation photos” – that’s pretty much how microstock was viewed not too long ago. Unfortunately, some still view it the same way today in 2010/2011. Well, that’s no longer what it is (if it ever was to begin with).

There’s a ton of similar articles out there – some more useful and realistic than others. Below you’ll find my take on some of the most common mistakes microstock contributors make. I’ve been a contributor for more than four years and an editor/reviewer for over three of them. As such I’ve had the chance to look at the industry from two very different standpoints, the combination of which will hopefully enable me to help you at least a bit. Add to this my own mistakes and you have a lot to read.

Not taking it for what it is. Everyone comes to microstock with the goal of making some money. A lot of people, however, seem to forget that this is a business. Besides what you went there for (ie. your money), the agency also needs to make some for the service they offer and the customers want quality in exchange for what they give. Business as such isn’t always pretty – the competition becomes fiercer (pretty much by the day), your work gets rejected because it is (no longer) up to the standards, the strive for success becomes even more demanding. If you’re not ready for all of this, then you better toughen up because it’s coming your way no matter what.

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