Microstock April 2008 Update
April was a really busy month but I still got to do some shooting and uploading. Even got a couple more added to most of the sites. I got a good jump in my average portfolio size, but I’d really like to do something like Lee Torrens’ Shoot Daily and Contribute Nightly or Matt Antonino’s April 450 - monthly microstock goal . Both of which are very ambitious but not really an attainable goal for me right now.
Had an interesting experience with my best sale from last month. It was just a simple shot of some gravel I took while watching one of my boys baseball practice. That is what I’m working at getting better at, having the camera with me and seeing the opportunity to take a shot that is a good microstock shot. The shot is the picture to the right. Makes me think if you can get it past the review process, it may well sell on Microstock, within reason.
My average portfolio size is currently 52 up from 43 images. It looks like that will take a hit along with my total balance when Lucky Oliver goes away in May. I did sign up for 123RF last month but need to submit my first batch of images there too, probably use the same batch I use for ShutterStock.
I should point out that these numbers are my career TOTALS not just the totals for April. When I get some more consistent downloads and earnings I switch to monthly numbers.
| Sites | Portfolio Size | Downloads | Balance | Comments |
| Fotolia | 112 | 12 | $7.59 | Sold one |
| Lucky Oliver | 98 | 2 | $1.20 | Guess I’ll have to say Bye-Bye to my $1.20. |
| IStockPhoto | 34 | 5 | $4.56 | Good month here |
| Crestock | 9 | 0 | $0.00 | |
| ShutterStock | 0 | 0 | $0.00 | Got the notice that I can resubmit #5 but haven’t had time. |
| StockXpert | 0 | 0 | $0.00 | Need to get my second attempt together |
| Dreamstime | 8 | 0 | $0.00 | |
| Totals | Avg.52 | 19 | $13.35 | Hopefully I don’t see this number go backward with the loss of LO |
Here’s a couple other blogs I follow, hopefully someday my earnings will rival some of theirs:
Microstock Diaries: Microstock Results for April 2008
Nil to Mil: April Earnings and Portfolios
Pixels Away: Microstock Photography Earnings Report for April 2008
Allen
Hi Allen!
First thought - don’t upload 10 to 123RF, dump like 50 there. They take *most* of my stuff, like 95%. They are also very fast reviews so you should have almost your whole folio there by the end of the month.
As far as the 450 challenge, it’s tough. I didn’t QUITE make it for April (submitted almost 400 to most of my sites) but I have faith that I can do better this month. My goal is to get to the top 20 overall … it’s attainable but it’s extraordinarily tough!
Good post & keep up the entries!
~Matt
Thanks for the tip on 123RF. I thought I saw somewhere on their site that they only wanted 10 for the first upload, but most places I’m seeing that you can upload a lot more.
I’m thinking about setting the goal of 10 images/week to get uploaded to all the sites I contribute to. I can see how once you get the routine established it would get easier.
Allen