Wednesday, November 25, 2009

How to start a new microstock agency

Bandwagons keep on rolling long after there is really any room left to jump aboard.

I'm really quite surprised to find there are still new microstock agencies popping up. Sure it is relatively cheap and easy to throw a site up. However, it takes a lot more effort to build a worthwhile collection of images that might start enticing buyers. Microstock is not new anymore, so any new agency has to somehow differentiate itself to potential buyers who are already familiar with and buying from one or more of the top six microstock sites.

This is where most of the newer sites playing catch up are struggling; their offerings are largely duplications of what is already on offer from the established players built up by non-exclusive contributors seeing each new site as another potential outlet for their images. Potential that unfortunately is often not realised as the buyers don't come in enough volume (microstock is all about volume). Think about it. Why would they, if there is essentially nothing new on offer?

Microstock contributors are becoming increasingly wary of investing time and energy uploading to new startups and so new agencies are resorting to using pay to upload enticements. Read the rest of this post over at fstop57.com

9 comments:

Luis Santos said...

Nice post.. :)
I have submitted the 5 photos for review at this new agency, I will upload the 500 photos to get the 100$ (only if it have a good submission system), after that I will see if any sale occur..!

cheers!

Alex said...

Thanks Luis. Sounds like the right approach to the offer, and with any luck sales may follow.

Angkorphototours said...

Nice post as usual:) I think it is very difficult for newcomers to build trust with contributors. I think I will hold for deposit photo, better put some work on Istock:)

Luis Santos said...

Just to let you know both they accepted me around 100 pictures (from 150).. and got there already 20$ almost! I will post on my blog in a few days when I have the earnings sent to my paypal!

Alex said...

Thanks Luis. How was the upload and submission process? Sounds like it could offer an easy little pay day if it isn't too time consuming. You should do a review on your blog, I'm sure there would be a few people interested!
Alex

Luis Santos said...

The upload is really fast and IPTC works very good, you just need to put 1 category and that's it..! The review took less than a day.. This week I will post about this agency, I want also to get the earnings, after that I will post immediately..! :)

Alex said...

Yes, proof is when the cash is in your paypal! Sounds potentially worthwhile for non-exclusives interested in another outlet and a quick payback. Look forward to your posts.

@ MicrostockExp. You're right concentrating your effort on your tried and trusted outlets should be the first priority. Then fit in potential opportunities like this if it can be done without taking focus away from your core activity.

Luis Santos said...

Done yesterday! check my blog :)

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