This post is the first in a series about our best selling microstock content across several major websites.
Similar with any type of visual content, when selling microstock I believe it is a good idea to become specialized. From personal experience I understand how hard is to resist following in the creative footsteps of the known best, especially when the results are so impressive. Rather than reinvent the wheel with renditions on similar subjects and themes, I learned it is more productive to come up with something we have an edge and can do better; then build our portfolio based on these proven to work (original) visuals.
Finding out a niche and being consistent is not a novel idea, nor is it a guarantee for big returns. It works however for contributors who are looking to expand an existing business (in our case architectural visualization) and find potential clients – without necessarily relying on microstock as main income source.
After a few months of try-outs, we finally established our identity and quality target. The number of downloads following proved this assessment was correct – also the repeat buyers, some of whom became clients and their requests materialized in subcontract projects. Similar with our YouTube viewership, I noticed the snowball effect taking place in microstock sells as well. When a critical mass is reached, the download rate accelerates exponentially. These observations are however based on personal experience, and have yet to be proven as accurate by a longer time in the microstock market.
Following are the types of content we sell and our corresponding (niche) focus – also the results we have based on these three major categories: photography, 3d illustration and video. I will follow-up with our AfterEffects projects once we establish our brand and the download numbers are relevant to understand a trend.
Travel Photography: countries, cities focused on architecture and landmarks
Our collections have a combined coverage of over twenty countries and numerous landmarks – all taken with the desire to document places and reconcile learned history with personal observation, all while finding new angles – a sine qua non requirement for a successful shot. After all, how many Eiffel Tower images can be sold? Judging by our results, the answer to this question is “apparently, not enough”.
3D Illustration: architecture, models and graphics
Architecture is also the starting point and focus for our object graphics and video content portfolios. We add to these occasional sub-sets of futuristic derivations – for illustration, gaming and film – so easy (and fun) to achieve using our existing 3d models and techniques. Architecturally based 3d modeling is also originating our illustration portfolios – and the consistent request to animate them an easy and efficient step adding value to our product (and brand).
Video 3D: graphics, objects and architectural animations
Less consistent in income than graphics and photography, due to a specific usage and limited customization capability; footage has still a higher rate of return across microstock websites. Even though the number of sells is smaller and the higher price of production seldom justifies the additional work required to finalize a clip; a solid and specialized portfolio of videos can attract clients interested in pursuing that specific motion or graphic look or a certain idea similar with the ones depicted. In this sense it is one of the biggest benefits we have at AND Inc. from selling microstock content.
Bestsellers: a few notes on other factors
A bestseller by number of sells only does not necessarily mean the file yields the best financial return. Many times the pricing scheme on different sites, also the resolution or download format translates in bigger returns if for example the file is purchased at a higher resolution or on an extended license. To be more accurate these download numbers have to be discussed relatively to the overall return across several websites – and relatively to the portfolio size. Consistency in uploading and timing the market are also factors deciding return outcome.
In a future post I will focus on these other factors and lessons learned – in specialized forums and from own experience.
Until then, be well.