AMOR: Passive Income with Microstock

On Monday, May 19, 2025, BPS-Statistics Sumatera Utara Province held an AMOR (Anak Medan mOnday Reaction) session with the theme Passive Income with Microstock. The speakers were Didit Puji Hariyanto and Apri Sahmarido Saragih.

In today’s digital era, opportunities to earn passive income are more accessible than ever. One increasingly popular method, especially among creatives, is through microstock.

Microstock platforms allow people from around the world to purchase and use digital works such as photos, illustrations, videos, or graphic designs for commercial or editorial purposes.

The process is simple: we create content and upload it to platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, Freepik, or iStock. Every time our work is downloaded or purchased, we earn royalties.

This can happen anytime—even while we're asleep, on vacation, or busy with our main job. This is what’s referred to as passive income.

One of the key advantages of microstock is its scalability. A single good photo can be purchased hundreds or even thousands of times by people from different countries.

This means one-time work can generate recurring income. There’s no need to deal with clients directly—these platforms handle everything from distribution to payment.

During the discussion session, the Head of BPS-Statistics Sumatera Utara Province, Asim Saputra, shared insights on Maslow’s Hierarchy for Building Teams.

He discussed how team development starts from basic needs, the need to belong, the need for recognition, the need to grow, self-actualization, and finally, the level of transcendence.