Do you know why almost none of the microstockers blog? Well, if we discard those who believe that they have no time / do not want / they can not write? Because they are afraid to breed competitors!

This is not very clear to me. Because, first of all, he who seeks will always find, learn, do. Let it take him a little longer – but he will still get through.

Secondly, personally, I consider other stockers to be colleagues, not competitors, and I am pleased to help with what I can and when I can. And, thirdly, I am sure that only those who are seriously keen on this will stay on the stocks anyway.

Because earning money on microstocks is not passive income that you can get while lying on the couch and looking at the ceiling.

Microstocks, if you deal with them seriously, are still an absorber of time and energy. So if you’re thinking about becoming a stock illustrator in the meantime, you might want to look for a better investment for your time.

Reason one: Stocks take longer than you realize

Yes, you can draw on drains in fits and starts, in the evenings after work, on weekends, while the child is sleeping, etc. But with such drawing, you need to be able to work very smartly and guess good topics in order to earn some tangible money.

Plus, you run the risk of falling into a trap: when the natural growth of income stops, you will begin to feel that it is worthwhile to push even more – and you will earn more. Sometimes it helps, and sometimes not so much 🙂 But in the end you yourself will not notice how you work many more hours than you originally planned. And it is already difficult to stop, because it seems that as soon as you stop yourself, the growth of income on stocks will also slow down.

Reason two: Stocks are a full-time job

It seems to follow from the last point – stocks require a lot of time and attention. It is almost impossible to be a stock illustrator for “part-time” and have a solid income on microstock. However, if you are satisfied with an income of $ 100-200, then you can stop reading, but it is better to go and draw a picture. If you want something more (and much more), then think: will you pull? Will you have enough time and energy?

Reason three: Although, in general, stocks are not even work, they are a whole business

It will not be enough for you just to draw beautiful pictures from time to time. You will need to analyze sales, look for niches, select keywords, look at competitors, follow trends, promote your “brand”, plan a strategy, think about the holidays, in general – do everything that people who have their own business do.

Reason four: Stock makes illustrators “corrupt”

Microstock is changing creative thinking. As soon as some wonderful bright idea comes into your head, a microstock “scanner” pounces on it – and shines through in all the details, examines whether the idea is good for drains. Is there any commercial value in it? How many similars can be made of such work? Wouldn’t it take too much time for such an illustration, maybe draw something simpler, but more?

You can, of course, send all these thoughts away – and still draw what you want. But not everyone succeeds, and not always. And, leaving the office to do something magical and beautiful every day, you may find that, becoming a microstock illustrator, create less than you once did in the same office :))

Reason five: It is not profitable to draw “what customers want” without pleasure

On the one hand, when working for stocks, you need to constantly think about the commercial value of the illustration. On the other hand, you need to draw what you like, from which you are rushing, because a picture, even if it is on the most trendy topic and is of high quality, but drawn “through force”, will not sell well. This is completely inexplicable (at least by modern scientists), but illustration, like everything we do, apparently carries some energy.

Some are lucky – they buy from them what they paint with pleasure. Well, those who are not so lucky are looking for pleasure in what they buy (I point a finger at myself :)).
The main problem is that most of us are “rushing” from the fact that there are already one hundred and fifty million pages on stocks, and no matter how perlo you, sales will not trample, forgive the tautology.

Reason six: There is no guarantee of high earnings

Even if you draw with pleasure, a lot, with high quality, on niche topics in trendy styles (imagine such an idyll :)), it is not at all a fact that your earnings on microstock will allow you to live without denying yourself anything. Because there are a hundred more factors that affect your sales, and even a tenth of us, mere mortals, are not known.

That is, the following scenario is more than likely: you spend a year or two in your life, a lot of time and effort, and as a result you will get an amount that will be enough to go to a restaurant (without Michelin stars) once or twice a month.

Reason seven: There are no guarantees at all on stocks

After what Photolia arranged in the spring, many stockers felt very acutely the fragility of the “profession” – as soon as one particular person decides to cut the dough quickly, the entire market can collapse, and goodbye to the annual efforts to build up the portfolio.

That is, it is unlikely, of course, that income will disappear altogether, but will you be very happy if, only after reaching the level of $ 1000, you find $ 200 at the end of the month? This is especially dangerous if, in addition to earning from microstocks, you have no other sources of income, and there is no one who could provide financial support in case of something.

In general, I hope it is clear that I am exaggerating reality a little, and in fact, not everything is so scary. But it’s good to get rid of the “pink snot,” as one of my bosses used to say, and see things realistically. Stock is either a full-fledged job that requires more effort and time than you might think, or it is a hobby that brings a certain extra amount to “go to the movies”. There is no third. At least the first few years.

Author: Olga Zakharova
Source: successfulstocker
Cover photo and article: ShutterStock