Subject Matter Matters

Pick Your Subjects Wisely

When it comes to selling Microstock and getting cash for pictures, artistic integrity  takes a back seat.

Letting out the inner Artist and expressing your artistic urges only works if you are a highly sought after artist.  That may come with time but until then, the reality is that you need to produce what the buyers and Microstock websites are asking for.

How do you do this?

I follow these 6 steps to ensure I am producing sellable work:

1. Stay Current - follow the news, current events globally and regionally, sporting events and global, regional and high-profile happenings.  Things like the Olympics, Major sporting events, high fuel prices, the economy and more, all make great opportunities for producing sellable Stock Images.


2. Do Your Research - All Microstock websites allow you to see all images from most popular to least popular.  If you have an idea in mind, search a Microstock website using a related keyword and sort by most popular.  this will give you an idea of what is selling related to your idea and can help you in terms of style and drilling down the subject.


3. Exploit Your Best Sellers - Ever notice when a company comes out with a very popular product, it doesn't take long for them to come out with different spins on the same thing?  That's striking when the iron is hot.  If you find you have a particular subject or style that is selling well, start to expand your portfolio using more of the subject or style.  Two things may happen. You may carve out a niche for yourself in that area and you can begin to feel free to express your creativity more in this area.  This happened to me with Circus Tents.  I created several versions of the same tent and it didn't take long for me to see that they were a hit.  Since then, I have produced 30 different Styles and all are my top sellers.


4. Do more Research - Most MicroStock websites list the top searched keywords for the last month and/or year.  Use these lists to determine a sellable subject.


5. Put in the extra effort - I have found that quality wins out over expediency every time.  Buyers can tell when you are just going for the quick buck by hastily producing a number of stock images.  Take your time and produce quality work.  It will pay off in the long run in revenues and in self respect.


6. Create a series of images that tell a story - This method helps to sell a number of separate stock images or adds value if you put them all together in one purchase.  If the purchaser can use  the images to create a theme or idea within a presentation, training document or similar production, they will be more inclined to purchase your work.

Of course, you can probably add to this list.  The time proven formula for increasing sales is to produce Stock Images with the customer in mind.  It is only when  you do this that you will start to gain more sales.