make money on the internet

This is a good way to make money on the internet. Make money when you get paid to share photos and images at microstock agencies – it is a way to make money online for the long term.

This is a guide to the major players in the microstock photography business based on my personal experience. Each agency has their own guidelines for submission, payment policies, licensing options and even different levels of earnings. I will only cover the big players as I feel that the lesser known ones are just not worth the time nor risk.

Before you submit your images, you need to meet the basic requirements:
1. Images are at least 4MP – multiply the length and width of your image.
2. Images are sharp and noise-free – use a noise reduction software like NoiseNinja but do not over-process your image as resolution may suffer.
3. Images are commercially in demand – images can be used for advertising, design and other commercial uses.
4. Images are created by you – you are the copyright holder of the image.
5. Images with recognisable human faces have model releases.

Shutterstock
This business model is based on subscriptions. Buyers buy a subscription which allows them to download a certain number of images. Even though payouts are very small, you earn US$0.25 per image, sales tend to be higher, which can add up quite substantially.

The key is to upload on a regular basis as your images will get buried by newer images after a while. Uploading and adding keywords is easy and painless. You need to have a minimum balance of US$75 before you get paid. You need to upload a photo ID to join. Defintely worth joining.

Dreamstime
Each image sold earns you US$0.50. There are opt-in extended and sell-the-rights licences which can earn a higher price. Uploading and keywording is fairly easy and painless as there is an “auto-populate” option. Minimum payouts at US$100. Review times can be quite slow and rejections often but still, it is worth joining.

Fotolia
Each image earns you US$0.33. There is a multi-tier payout system where 0-100 sales earns you 33% of the sale price, 100-1,000 sales earns you 35% of the sale price. This goes all the way up to 10,000 sales where you get to earn 41%. Different size images also earn different amounts. This site probably has the most complicated payment structure, so it is best to read up the specifics at the site.

Uploading is fairly easy but keywording is cumbersome and slow. You cannot change keywords once they are submitted. Reviews are also slow. Request for payments between US$2-US$50 incurs a US$1 surcharge. This is not my favourite site although other people have reported it as their best performing site.

BigStockPhoto
Each image earns US$0.50 regardless of size. Uploading is easy, keywording could be easier. You have to email them if you want to edit keywords. Reviews are slow. Your images have to remain online for 90 days before you have the option to delete them. Minimum payouts at US$30. I have mixed feelings about this one as the 50% earnings and low payouts are attractive but doesn’t seem to have as much sales.

Stockxpert
You earn US$0.50 per image. Bigger size images earn more. Of all the site mentioned here, this is the smallest. Uploading and keywording is easy and smooth. Reviews are fast. Minimum payouts at US$50. Worth joining.

iStockphoto
This site has the lowest payouts – US$0.20 per image. Bigger images earn more. There is also a multi-tier payout system. Uploading and keywording is slow and cumbersome. There is no FTP upload. Illustrations MUST be in EPS format. Rejections are high. You need to upload a photo ID to join. I passed up this site.

If you feel the above information has been useful, and would like to sign up to the various sites, please do so by using my affiliate links below. It would be greatly appreciated.

Shutterstock

Fotolia

BigStockPhoto

If you are looking for how to make fast easy money online for beginners, give this a try.