Make Money Online With Your Videos: A Complete Guide to Creating and Selling Stock Video Footage at Microstock Agencies

By Jeffrey Dennis

Make Money Online with your Videos: A complete guide to creating and selling stock video footage at microstock agencies

If you're one of the millions who own a camera, you can create residual passive income for life doing what you love!  Learn how to turn your passion for video from hobby to profitable online business.

 

Make Money Online with your Videos guides you in creating and selling your videos through top ranked microstock agencies. The down to earth, no-nonsense, step-by-step approach makes it easier than ever.

 

You will learn how to:

•     Claim your stake in the multimillion dollar a year stock footage industry.
•     Create your videos once and sell indefinitely.
•     Choose the best video and computer equipment.
•     Get the most out of your video camera.
•     Capture better compositions and subjects that sell.
•     Be a better videographer.
•     Choose the best software tools to process and upload your videos with ease.
•     Drive more customer traffic to your videos for higher sales.
•     Gain a competitive & financial edge with 4K video technology.
•     Take your videos to a higher level with UAV's, drones and aerial videography.
•     Access author Jeff Dennis' portfolio for new ideas, tips, tricks & inspiration.
•     Gain access to unique online tools, resources and much more.

What readers are saying

"Jeff's work is a well-rounded and truly fun way to learn about the challenging yet rewarding pursuit of money-making by way of selling stock footage online. Whether you are curious or just starting out or perhaps feel the need for inspiration with your existing work, this book will give you the tools and ideas you seek." -- Gene Cornelius (Mizamook) Pond5 Artist/Producer.

 

"This is a really enjoyable book! It's easy to read and understand regardless of your educational background … Awesome work!" -- Shannon Powell (Sftigress), Pond5 Artist/Producer

 

"A concise and well documented book on shooting stock video, recommended for new comers and veterans alike" -- Jake Hellback (kk5hy), Pond5 Artist/Producer

"For those with a desire to turn a hobby into a profession or expand your profession into an international photography business; Jeff's book gives a great insight on the how, where, why to get started in stock footage. Well worth the time and money to read this great get started book!" -- Don Despain (RekindlePhoto), Pond5 Artist/Producer

Want to learn more?

If you're ready to profit from your interest in video, Make Money Online with your Videos can show you how – so don't waste another moment!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeffrey Dennis
• Release date: Feb 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201117474

Jeffrey Dennis

Author, Videographer, Entrepreneur and Engineer. Jeff is passionate about creating multiple streams of passive income. He loves teaching and helping other part time aspiring entrepreneurs how to reach their fullest creative and independent potential so they can live the digital nomad lifestyle. Jeff's engineering background provides a no-nonsense, straight forward logical approach that sets him apart. His easy to follow step-by-step strategies allow you to turn your dreams and passions into reality. He's an accomplished, award winning videographer whose work has appeared on numerous television broadcasts such as CBS News and Outrageous Acts of Science. He is a regular contributor to many stock footage sites and author of kindle best seller Make Money Online with Your Videos. Admittedly, he's been known to frequent the local landfill or the occasional dumpster in search of "diamonds in the rough" to sell on Craigslist.... check out his book for more details. When he's not holding a camera or dumpster diving... he enjoys hiking, kayaking and long walks in the woods.

Book preview

Make Money Online with Your Videos:

A complete guide to creating and selling stock video footage at microstock agencies

By Jeffrey Dennis

Copyright © 2014 by Jeffrey Dennis.

Cover & book design by Jeffrey Dennis.

The author/publisher shall have no liability or responsibility to any person or entity regarding any loss or damage incurred, or alleged to have incurred, directly or indirectly, by the information contained in this book.

Company and product names mentioned herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

All rights reserved.  No part of this book may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the author/publisher.  The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy.  Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Most all links in this book are not affiliate links therefore I will not receive any commission for purchases through them.  The only affiliate links are those to the microstock agencies I belong to and recommend.  If you sign up with any of these agencies through these links, I will receive a small commission.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Testimonials

Introduction

Chapter 1 Stock Media Defined

Chapter 2 The Ideal Business Model

Chapter 3 What to Buy

Chapter 4 Defining Your Workflow

Chapter 5 How to Pick a Topic

Chapter 6 Shooting Guidelines & Tips

Chapter 7 How to Process Your Footage

Chapter 8 Information Database

Chapter 9 Getting Your Footage Online

Chapter 10 Waiting for Approval

Chapter 11 Your First Sale

Chapter 12 4K Footage

Chapter 13 Aerial Footage

Chapter 14 Conclusion

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Resources

Foreword

So you think you might want to jump into making stock video?  Got a penchant for shooting video and want to earn some dough to finance your next camera, lens or tripod?  Ever have anyone make fun of you for shooting a shot of a pigeon on a city street or an oil slick in a puddle? Well you can have the last laugh - these shots are often worth something to somebody! But how do you let those Somebodies know that you have the B-roll they are looking for? How about that backlog of footage you have acquired as a pro shooter over the years?  Why is it just gathering virtual dust?  Get it out there - put it to work for you.

Jeff's book tells you how to do these things, and can inspire even the experienced stock professional by sparking ideas ... there's nothing like revisiting the basics or double-checking one's preconceptions that can have a synergistic, catalytic effect on your creativity.  Jeff's concise, yet thoughtful and friendly writing, with examples from his own portfolio, was a joy to read, even twice, as I helped him touch up the work.  Even as I read through, I found myself reaching for my Ideas Notebook several times, and I expect I will climb to another level of creativity after making some of those ideas a reality, expressed in video clips.

For the beginner, this book contains all the information, with references, that you will need to get started.  A comprehensive work, it is not so pedantic and technical that you cannot simply enjoy the reading of it, yet where a topic might prove too complex or deep for the scope of this writing, you will be provided with information, search terms, and helpful clues that enable you to find the information once you are ready to learn the deeper mysteries of technical videography and photography.

For those who have already a background in photography, and recently discovered that your DSLR actually shoots some pretty kick-ass video, or for the seasoned pros who have been shooting projects for years and want to start getting paid for that library of B-roll you've got on your drives, or even film stock, after you transfer it to video, this book will help you get organized, create a system for yourself so that you can methodically, efficiently, create clips, upload and tag them, and get them selling.

After all is said and done, I look forward to reading Jeff's excellent book again as a reader, not an editor.  It is a fun read that gives one the hankering to get out there and shoot some video, and to pursue those ideas that may or may not lead to sales.  Hope to see your shots out there on the 'net and happy shooting!

Gene Cornelius

Testimonials

This is a really enjoyable book!  It’s easy to read and understand regardless of your educational background... Awesome work!

Shannon Powell (Sftigress), Pond5 Artist/Producer

A concise and well documented book on shooting stock video, recommended for new comers and veterans alike

Jake Hellback (kk5hy), Owner JHDT Stock Images

For those with a desire to turn a hobby into a profession or expand your profession into an international photography business; Jeff’s book gives a great insight on the how, where, why to get started in stock footage. Well worth the time and money to read this great get started book!

Don Despain (RekindlePhoto), Owner Rekindle Photo

Jeff's work is a well-rounded and truly fun way to learn about the challenging yet rewarding pursuit of money-making by way of selling stock footage online.  Whether you are curious or just starting out or perhaps feel the need for inspiration with your existing work, this book will give you the tools and ideas you seek.

Gene Cornelius (Mizamook), Pond5 Artist/Producer

Introduction

Do you enjoy shooting video or have an interest in videography or cinematography?  Would you like to earn an extra income or even work for yourself?  This book is about turning that interest into a profitable home based business.  By creating and selling your own video clips, also referred to as stock footage, you can be part of this multi-million dollar a year industry while earning money from the comfort of your home.  This book is intended for anyone interested in creating and selling stock footage.  New artists and producers will benefit in particular since the early learning curve can be fairly steep.

You will be provided with the tools, techniques, knowledge and insight necessary to succeed in the stock footage industry.  You will gain a clear understanding of what stock footage is, how to capture, manage and process it and how to make it available to the world.  You will learn how to build a valuable footage portfolio with the potential to generate income for many years.  This book will help you gain a solid foundation on which to build your own stock footage empire.

Although you are certainly free to jump around to get to the chapters of interest, all efforts have been made to keep things efficient and organized in a logical progression of topics and steps.  Throughout the book, you’ll find images with links to examples from my portfolio as well as other sites of interest.

I’ve made some assumptions that you have some basic knowledge of computers and editing software.  In addition, a basic understanding of camera and video operations is beneficial.  Don’t worry you won’t need a formal education in film or video.  Many stock footage artists and producers started out with no previous training or experience and have become very successful.  If you are willing to work hard and apply the principles in this book you’ll have a much better chance for success in building your own profitable home-based business.

I'm very excited to be able to offer this book and thrilled at the prospect of helping artists and producers excel in the stock footage business.  I look forward to seeing your portfolios grow and hearing your stories.  There’s a lot of material to cover so let’s get started!

Chapter 1 Stock Media Defined

The best place to start is with an understanding of what stock media is.  The word stock implies something kept on hand for future use and media is a generic term encompassing a broad range of content material such as video footage, still photos, illustrations, vectors, animated graphics and other graphic design elements.  Things like After Effects templates, 3D models, music, sound effects and other audio samples also fall under the stock media definition.

So naturally you could draw the conclusion that stock media is extra content or supporting material available to be used in film, video and a host of other multimedia productions.  Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you are surrounded and bombarded by stock media every day on TV, the internet, smart phones, tablets and other multimedia gadgets.

This eBook does not cover the broad spectrum of stock media but will instead concentrate specifically on stock video footage as it applies to film and video productions.

You may also here it referred to as archive footage, B-roll, fillers, content, stock video, stock shots, stock video footage and video footage.  I refer to it throughout the book as video clips, stock footage, or just footage.

While most of these clips are in the order of 15-20 seconds long, the editor or buyer might use only half a second’s worth or the entire clip, depending on the production.

So How & Where Is It Used?

Stock footage can be used in a number of ways such as to add interest to a story.  It can be used to help illustrate an idea or concept like that of melting ice illustrating the effects of global warming.  Embellishing, accentuating or enhancing a subject is another use.  It may be used to help add variety or complement a storyline or event.  The film and movie industry often uses it in establishing a location or opening shot say for example a city skyline or tropical beach.  Providing a transitional piece between two different scenes is another example.  Stock footage is often used to provide unique historical material.  Sometimes you’ll see stock footage accompanied by a music soundtrack, sound effects or narration, often dovetailed seamlessly into footage shot specifically for the project in question.

You will find examples of stock footage used just about everywhere including commercials, sports, movies, TV series, reality shows, news and documentaries.  In fact some documentaries are made almost entirely from stock footage such as the 2011 (PG13) movie SENNA about Formula One racing.

The corporate world may use stock footage for presentations, in-house meetings, seminars, conventions and other events.  These productions often incorporate a green or blue screen to key out or separate the speaker from the background.  This makes it possible to insert stock footage into the production to impart a particular message or theme.

This is an example of a stock footage clip from my collection.  This could be used as an establishing shot for a TV series or sitcom.

(See footage at Pond5 ID#12338826)

Stock Footage History

Stock footage was originally created for the film and movie industry by production companies.  These companies would often send crews out on location to capture stock footage material for a specific production.  Other times they would capture material with no particular production in mind with the intent of having it on hand to use at some point in the future.  This allowed them to build a library of material to draw from for various projects.

A number of interesting things have happened with the advancement of technology that changed the landscape of the stock footage industry in our favor.  A surge in demand for smart phones, tablets and personal devices has manifested in high demand for content turning us into a visually-oriented society.  Likewise with TV, the proliferation of channels from cable and dish networks has dramatically increased demand for media content.  The demand for rich media content has surged through the internet as speeds have increased making large file streaming, downloads and uploads much more feasible.  Huge advancements in