Gave Notice

digitalskillet · #1 (**permalink**) 06-01-2007, 07:24 PM

I wanted to know from people that have been doing micro stock for more than one year or longer have notice what times of the year you see a decrease in dl.

In October I will have been doing stock for one year. I am going to go full time with micro stock October 1st. I am such a planner. I am trying to anticipate my finances for the following year.

Time seems like it is has sped up since I gave notice and I am getting a little nervous about not have a steady paycheck.

Thanks for your input.

nicemonkey · #2 (**permalink**) 06-01-2007, 08:12 PM

Dont worry, I gave in my notice...I have been dreaming about it for a long time and just handed in my notice at the start of May. If you put the time in you will get the results. I didnt have enough sales (month on month) to cover my outgoing as of the start of the month but now I do, I have worked many hours a day and set myself a goal of 10 images a day (illustrations) and now the figures are looking much healthier. Althought they are nowhere near my previous income, I am much happier and predict if I keep going at the same rate of production I will be back on the same money by the end of August.

ajn · #3 (**permalink**) 06-01-2007, 08:14 PM

In my experience, it all depends on how much you put into it.

I noticed a BIG drop in sales in June/July last year.

Then, Sep to Dec was in constant increase of about 30% / month.

The last week of the year is very bad... like a big weekend. From Dec, 24th to Jan, 2nd give or take a day.

The rest of the year is "you get what you give". If you upload constantly and keep the quality standards high, you'll be constantly getting revenue increase. If not, you may be able to get steady results from Jan to May, depending on your portfolio. I uploaded very little from Jan to April and my sales were steady. Restarted uploading more seriously in May and had a 22% increase.

Then you may consider the holidays, but those shouldn't affect the whole picture. I'd say, apart from summer holidays and xmas/nye there are no real down times.

Hope it helped somehow. Cheers,

Antonio

helix7 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-01-2007, 08:39 PM

Congrats on giving notice. I can't comment on the slow months of microstock since I only have one full month of experience myself. But I did quit my day job just over a year ago, and I know the financial planning can be daunting. If I considered giving notice and really weighed the financial risks, I probably would never have done it. I just needed to make the jump, went for it, and I'm glad I did. Some days it can be tough, but the benefits of not answering to anyone and making your own rules and schedule are well worth it.

One thing I will say about microstock, and self employment in general, is that you should always have multiple sources of income. Obviously you already know this about microstock and upload to multiple sites. Apply the same principle to self employment in general and you won't have to worry about slow times of year. If microstock sales drop off during a particular time of year, you'll have something else ready to fill in the gaps. I do freelance graphic design work, web design, etc. I think most freelancers have a few differnt things going on all at once just to be safe and always have constant invoices going out, money coming in, etc.

Good luck! :-D

rinderart · #5 (**permalink**) 06-01-2007, 10:23 PM

depends on your work.

digitalskillet · #6 (**permalink**) 06-02-2007, 05:57 AM

Thanks guys...I am starting to feel better already...thanks for the inspiring testimony nicemonkey.

eendicott · #7 (**permalink**) 06-02-2007, 09:03 PM

I agree with Laurin - depends on your portfolio. I seem to have the contrarian portfolio. Everyone else's sales slow down and mine pick up. Everyone else's pick up and mine slow down. I've been in a 5 month slump this year and they are finally starting to pick up again. This is about the time of year when everyone else's sales start to slow down for the summer.

I do very well the month of December. It's usually my best month ever. I don't have any Christmas images.

My snowmobile and snow images tend to sell better in the spring and summer and my summer images tend to sell the best in the fall.

About the best plan you can put together is to keep uploading on a regular basis - even when you're working with a site that isn't selling. Spread the expense around multiple sites.

Good luck! Very smart idea to start planning this early.

RTimages · #8 (**permalink**) 06-03-2007, 12:47 AM

You're doing the right thing, better to give it your best shot now than to be sitting in a rocking chair at 70 thinking if only.....
You will soon be the master of your own destiny.

digitalskillet · #9 (**permalink**) 06-04-2007, 02:41 PM

Thanks for all your input. I really appreciate it. I have made this decision because of traumatic events that happen earlier this year to my family. When things like this happen you re-evaluate the life you're living. Even though I have a great job it keeps me extremely busy and no time for the people in my life. I have decide that I will no longer give anyone that much control of my time…so here I am making a decision that to most seems irrational but I think it’s worth it to make sure I spend more time with my family and friends…I no longer need money to buy me a lot more stuff…I am going to use to buy me a lot more time…I finally see how it can serve me instead of me serving it…It is scary thought not to have the security of a paycheck…but the thought of the FREEDOM I could have over shadows the fear…thanks again for your input?

Karimala · #10 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 06:05 PM

Great post!

My life is so much better now that I'm a full-time microstocker. Money is tighter, sure, but the trade-off is less stress, more freedom and flexibility with my time, and being able to do something I love for a living.