Here is the income report for September 2012. While stock photo sales showed a small increase in September (I’m talking REALLY small), my book sales declined. One thing that was interesting to me was my most popular photo. Okay, so I only sold 4 photos of the Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC, but really I was brand new to Shutterstock, so it was something! At the least, I could afford to go out on a date and buy an ice cream! A sale, is a sale, after all. Looking forward to more growth.
Here’s one thought, if you really want to earn more money from stock, you have to put in the time and effort. The same goes for self-publishing. Your book will spike and then dip and then maybe not sell very much at all. We all have to start somewhere. My journey has started small and has remained there while I have been raising my kids. It’s okay:) It’s all part of the process.
The biggest learning curve for me has been the acceptance ratio of my photos to the stock agency. My most common complaint has been “Poor lighting.” I have learned a lot and continue to learn on a daily basis. Lighting is critical to good photography. So is image stability (aka using a tripod, using mirror lock up, etc.).
None of us will be perfect at first. Nor should we expect it. One of my favorite quotes that I tell my kids all the time is “Perfection is not a state. It’s a direction!” Here’s to more growth, happiness, and most importantly joyful living!
September 2012 INCOME:
Shutterstock: $1.75
CreateSpace: $15.72
TOTAL SEPTEMBER 2012 INCOME: $17.47
