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Making Money on Microstocks: A Guide for Artists

Writer: YuliDorYuliDor

Updated: Mar 2

Hey everyone! 👋 Today, let's talk about turning your artistic skills into income through microstocks! If you're an illustrator, designer, or photographer, this is for you.


What are Microstocks?


Microstocks are online marketplaces where you can sell your digital creations (photos, illustrations, vectors, videos) to a wide audience. Think of them as online shops for creative assets.


Here are some of the main players where you can start earning.


Top Tier Microstocks:


This is a favorite among many artists! Adobe Stock is integrated with the Adobe Creative Cloud, making uploads super easy.

Located in the USA.

You can upload photos, illustrations, vectors, and videos.

They offer competitive royalties (around 33-35% for contributors), and you can withdraw funds via PayPal, Payoneer, or Skrill.

The platform is user-friendly, and if you use Adobe software, the integration is a huge plus.


Adobe Stock microstock page

iStock (by Getty Images):

They accept photos, illustrations, and videos.

iStock pays well, which is a significant advantage.

Payment is handled through Payoneer.

However, the site can be a bit tricky to navigate, and the upload process isn't the smoothest.


iStock microstock page

Another US-based giant.

Shutterstock accepts photos, illustrations, vectors, videos, and even AI-generated content.

They have a contributor level system that affects your earnings. While the starting payouts are lower, consistent uploads and sales can increase your level and income.

Payment is handled through Payoneer, PayPal, and Skrill.

They offer AI tools.

The site is easy to use, and uploading is straightforward. Be prepared for a potentially longer wait for your first sale, but persistence pays off!


Shutterstock microstock page

Located in Spain.

Freepik is popular for its vast library of free and premium resources. You can upload vectors, photos, and PSD files.

While prices for downloads are low, Freepik can generate a significant volume of sales.

Payment is handled through Payoneer and PayPal.

They also offer AI tools and free downloads.

Moderation is strict, so pay close attention to their guidelines. However, it can generate very good income.


Freepik microstock page

Second-Tier Microstocks (Still Worth Exploring):


Based in the USA.

They accept photos, illustrations, and vectors.

Payment is handled through PayPal, Payoneer, and Skrill.

Earnings might be lower, but sales do happen, which is always a win!


Vecteezy accepts vectors, photos, and videos.

They offer free downloads, and paid downloads.

Payment is handled through PayPal and Payoneer.

It's a versatile platform with steadily growing sales.


They accept photos, illustrations, and videos.

They offer free downloads.

Payment is handled through PayPal, Payoneer and Skrill.

While the site is user-friendly, the upload process can be a bit clunky, and earnings are generally lower.


123RF:

They accept photos, illustrations, and vectors.

They offer free downloads.

Payment is handled through PayPal, Payoneer, and Skrill.

The site is easy to use, but technical glitches can occur, and sales are moderate.


They accept vector graphics.

They offer free downloads.

Payment is handled through PayPal and Skrill.

The site is easy to use, but the upload process is not very convenient, and sales are moderate.


Tips for Success in Making Money:


Quality over quantity: Focus on creating high-quality, trendy content.

Explore niches: Research what's popular and find your niche.

Be patient: Sales can take time, so don't get discouraged.

Consistent uploads: Regularly adding new content increases your visibility.

Stay updated: Keep an eye on trends and adapt your style accordingly.

Remember, building a successful microstock portfolio takes time and effort. Don't give up!

Profit growth diagram from coins to a bag of dollars

If you have any questions or want to suggest topics for future posts, feel free to ask!


Good luck!

YuliDor

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