From Hobbyist to Entrepreneur: How to Create and Sell Your Own Lightroom Presets Online

by Laura C. Jones
1.2K views

Working with post-processing applications is not just about editing your photos. It’s also about how to make a passive income. The online stock photography market developed in the late 2000s. Every year it grows in popularity, and photographers who sell stock photos make an effortless income. Now, passive income can be earned in a different way, namely by creating online stores that host presets and custom filters.

We think you understand that just creating the best presets for Lightroom is not enough. It is also necessary to sell it profitably, and for that, you will have to put in a lot of effort. How do you do that? That’s what we want to tell you about!

If you’re wondering where to get a source of inspiration when creating the best presets for Lightroom, we suggest you head over to Skylum’s blog. Firstly, there are many useful and interesting articles there for photographers, not only for professionals but also for beginners. Secondly, you will have an opportunity to learn a lot of interesting things not only about the best free presets for Lightroom, but also about other important things for photographers and editors!

How to Create a Preset?

Before you start selling, you need to create what you are going to sell. In our case, these presets. Here’s how you can create them:

  • Begin by importing an image and making desired edits using the Develop Module.
  • Once satisfied with the adjustments, navigate to the Presets tab and click “Create Preset”.
  • A New Develop Preset box will appear, allowing you to select which settings to include in the preset. Give the preset a descriptive name and save it.
  • To ensure the preset works well with other photos, test it on additional images and export copies of the before and after photos for comparison.

If you want to sell a preset, exporting it is the first step. These presets are commonly sold in three file formats: .lrtemplate (for Lightroom Classic), .xmp, and .dng. It is important to note that .xmp and .lrtemplate formats are not supported by Lightroom Mobile, whereas .dng is compatible with both Mobile and CC. To reach a broader audience and ensure maximum compatibility, it is advisable to offer your works in all three formats.

If you plan to sell presets, it’s common to offer them in packs that include preset files and instructions. Packaging correctly is crucial to ensure a smooth and professional experience for your customers. Most sellers choose to bundle their presets together to provide better value for buyers.

How to Sell Presets?

When you decide to start selling, consider these points:

Place

Starting out as a seller can be overwhelming, but online marketplaces such as Etsy, Sellfy, or Amazon offer a convenient and cost-effective way to begin. By using these platforms, you can avoid the expenses and difficulties of creating your own website or store.

While these marketplaces may take cut off your sales, they provide a straightforward and accessible path to quickly start selling your presets. As you grow your customer base, it may become feasible to establish your own online store or e-commerce platform on Shopify to streamline your selling process and increase your profits.

Pricing

Determining the optimal pricing strategy can be a challenging task, as there is no standard pricing structure to follow. Your pricing will depend on the platform you’re selling on and the competitive landscape of other sellers.

While considering it, it’s important to remember the significant amount of time and effort invested in creating your presets, as well as the time they save your customers. Therefore, don’t undervalue your work and ensure that you receive a fair price for your efforts. Think about what is the best presets for Lightroom that you created. How much time did you spend?

It’s also essential to factor in any business-related costs, such as your Lightroom subscription or seller fees on marketplaces like Etsy, to ensure you generate adequate profits. Overall, a well-planned pricing strategy is crucial for the long-term success of your business.

Tips And Tricks

We want to give you some tips to help make your sales higher. It’s not hard, believe me! So, what you need to do:

1. Show before and after results.

To effectively market your Lightroom presets, it is essential to provide potential customers with clear and compelling visual aids. This includes high-quality before-and-after photos that demonstrate the significant improvements your presets can make to their images.

2. Think seasonally.

To maximize the potential of this strategy, it’s important to plan ahead and have your seasonal presets available for sale well in advance of the corresponding season. For instance, if you’re selling presets during the summer, it’s wise to start developing and marketing your fall and Christmas-themed presets in advance.

3. Be social.

Social media is the most potent tool for promoting and marketing. Encourage your customers to post their photos edited using your presets with a unique hashtag, such as your store name, to help spread the word about your product. Hashtags can work as a contemporary version of word-of-mouth marketing. Don’t hesitate to ask your friends and family to share their experiences with your presets with their social media followers to gain more popularity.

4. Advertise.

Acquiring knowledge of social media advertising is a valuable investment for promotion. Platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest offer paid advertising options that can attract a significant number of customers for a reasonable cost. Integrating paid social media ads into your marketing strategy can enhance visibility and sales potential. Establishing a partnership with Amazon Influencer is also a great option, and your marketing network will expand even further.

To Sum Up

As you can see, selling Lightroom presets can be profitable. It is not at all difficult to arrange it. Move forward, and you’re sure to succeed!

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