Hi, I have been doing some research on micro-mid stock sites. I have looked at percentage´s, future opportunities the site offers (macro farm site or increasing %s), community offered, ease of use, etc. Are those what matter to you? Please share the the most important features you, as photographer, look for in a micro-mid stock site. Thanks.

This is a good question, and I'd be interested to know what others think as well.

Here's my ranking:

1. Income - which sites make the most of it. This is tied into how visible they are in the market, how much they advertise, how they treat their customers, etc.

2. Ease of upload. FTP is a prerequisite with everyone but IStock for me. Lucky Oliver doesn't sell real well for me, but they are a breeze to upload to. So I keep sending images their way and hope they'll continue to grow.

2.1 Payment up front. This is a real different animal, but there are a few out there that pay up front. Some let you keep the rights and some want exclusive, so you have to negotiate (or take what they offer) and be happy with the result. You make money fast this way, but it's limited. Obviously. I like this approach for a part of my income from Microstock. It's a balance.

3. How "human" is the site. There are a couple sites I supply that don't sell tons...but I really like the people I've been in touch with there. PhotoZip is a great example. I'd really recommend them...great people and they do sell a few every month. The upload process is WAY simple and they keep in touch with me. ImageCatalog is another example. Great interaction and a sense that they are growing...coupled with genuine human beings on the other side.

3.1 The community. I really like the community at ShutterStock. The forums are active and fun and people seem to be supportive and nice.

4. How are my acceptance ratings? I vary from 100% on some sites to around 50% on some of the tough ones. Even so, funny how the toughest ones are my best sellers.

5. Cool factor. Fun factor. OK. Lucky Oliver again. others, too.

6. Future prospects. Some of the sites just seem like they have a future, even if they aren't blazing sales right now.

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All that said, I've been paring down my list...and I consider all of the things above when I decide who to tend to and who to ignore for a while or forever.

Thanks for such a complete answer.