MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => 123RF => Topic started by: strikerx98 on January 27, 2008, 19:02

Title: 123... yawn
Post by: strikerx98 on January 27, 2008, 19:02
So far I have 123 images at 123RF.  Since the begining of December I've had a total of 2 sales.  One a subscription and one a credit.  Is it worth continuing uploading to this site or a waste of time?

Connie
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: Tim Markley on January 27, 2008, 19:47
It not doing well for me either, two sales in three months.
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: tdoes on January 27, 2008, 20:12
Just started uploading there for almost two months and have a portfolio of 567 images. I've had 29 downloads at 123RF this month with 13 of them subscription sales.  I have a diverse portfolio and a wide range of them have been downloaded there.
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: madelaide on January 27, 2008, 21:39
123RF is a quiet but consistent low earner - my 6th best normally.  Easy to upload, so I stay there.  Subs sales are a bit too common and that's the only real con in their site.

Regards,
Adelaide
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: DanP68 on January 27, 2008, 23:12
They make up about 3%-4% of my total earnings, roughly 1/3 that of BigStock.  I suppose it is up to each individual to determine if it is worth the effort or not.  Personally I think they have the potential to grow at least as large as BigStock.  They came from Inmagine for one.  They also have a sharp, fast, good looking website.
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: epixx on January 27, 2008, 23:38
123RF is a bit slow for me as well, but 20 times as fast as LO and not much behind BS. The ultra-easy upload makes me stay, although I'm not to happy with nearly 50% subscriptions there.
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: sharpshot on January 28, 2008, 02:09
Slow but steady sales, not much more than crestock and LO are catching up.
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: MicrostockExp on January 28, 2008, 05:14
123RF was slower than usual for me this month but got better after the 15 so I might have a BME. It takes at the moment 7% of my earnings.
Overall I like the website and I my best sellers are very differents to the ones in IS and SS.
One thing to do increase sale is to "pimp" 20 of your pictures by adding them to your favorites, it really works very well.
I like the new movable watermark very much
L
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: leaf on January 28, 2008, 05:31
i have pretty slow sales at 123RF too, now sure how they managed to get ahead of bigstock in the voting, but they obviously must be doing all right for some people.
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: jsnover on January 28, 2008, 10:20
I think you get to "Fave" 5% of your portfolio - rather than a fixed number of pictures as noted above. I think it does make a difference in sales.

Back in November I'd commented on one site that 123-rf sales were a rounding error in the monthly totals for me and got e-mail from Alex, one of their admins. He suggested I "Fave" some images to improve their placement in search results.

December and January are much improved at 123-rf so that they're now just below DT at the bottom of the money-worth-counting list (versus scraping along the bottom with CanStock as they had been).
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: stokfoto on January 28, 2008, 10:59
I have 3 times more sales on BS then 123RF. it has always been a slow and low earner for me but like mentioned  a steady one as well.
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: strikerx98 on January 28, 2008, 15:01
Thanks for the suggestions.  I will try the "Fave" thing and see if it makes a difference for me. 

Connie
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: Phil on January 28, 2008, 19:01
Thanks for the suggestions.  I will try the "Fave" thing and see if it makes a difference for me. 

Connie

within a couple of weeks of doing the faved, my sales increased heaps.  Once a week I spend ten minutes, have a look and my old faves, new images I want to be faves, faves that haven't sold etc.  Its a system I like.

This month 123rf will be my number 4 at about 6% of sales, double what I get from StockXpert.

Phil
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: a.k.a.-tom on January 28, 2008, 19:10
my sales suck there... i'll try this fav thing...  if it works for me, it should work for  everyone...  I'll let you know how it goes.... 8)=tom
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: dbvirago on January 28, 2008, 19:17
Normally a steady producer for me, but it's been quiet since Friday. Strange. I also refresh the faves periodically.
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: mwp1969 on January 28, 2008, 23:39
Having a BME at 123rf


November = 0
December = 0
January     = 3 (BME) only one of these was subscription

I am now up to 103 images there and will continue to upload as their Upload system is a breeze and their fast approval process of generally 14-16 hours rocks !

Mark
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: Karimala on January 30, 2008, 05:40
The fave feature works great!  Which reminds me, I need to go back and fave some more.  :-)

And yes, it's worth it to upload to 123RF.  They are consistently exceeding BigStock for me.
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: mwp1969 on January 30, 2008, 19:05
The "Fave" feature increases in proportion to the size of your portfolio (I believe its 5% since I'm just around 100 images approved there)

I am hoping to confirm that it goes higher after I get up to say 125 or 150 images.

I think its a great feature !

Mark
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: mitzrah on February 19, 2008, 00:47
Yes, the faves really do help! Check this one out too (Watermark tool) http://submit.123rf.com/watermark_pos.php
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: a.k.a.-tom on February 19, 2008, 23:12
my sales suck there... i'll try this fav thing...  if it works for me, it should work for  everyone...  I'll let you know how it goes.... 8)=tom

just pulling back my comment..    I tried the fav thing.   I don't know if it is just a big fat coincidence or what...  but I started selling after I did it...  I'm not going to be retiring on my 123 sales,  but  at least  something's happening now!...    got nothing to lose but a little time setting it up.   give it a try if your  sales are poor to zero there.  8)=tom
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: ozbandit on February 19, 2008, 23:59

Personally from among seven sites that I contribute to, I find 123rf the most consistent thus moving into my third best seller, after SS and IS and knocking DT into fourth. While I didn't add any new images for four months (Oct 07 to Jan 08) , 123 seemed the site least affected by this...
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: nruboc on February 20, 2008, 00:12
Thanks for the tip on the FAVS, it nice to see a helpful thread instead of a thread by a certain member bragging how great they are and how they know everything about Photoshop
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: mwp1969 on February 20, 2008, 17:40
I had a BME at 123rf in January and am approaching another BME there for February (crossing fingers) based on a portfolio of 124 images.

I have been using the "Fav" feature and images that have been faved have seen increased exposure and sales.

Mark
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: madelaide on February 20, 2008, 18:05
February is a BME for me also (which means only US$9.19...), and I've reached my first pay-out.  Also an increase in credit/subs sales, which is always good news.

Regards,
Adelaide
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: DanP68 on February 20, 2008, 23:28
Already over $12 this month Adelaide, and averaging $0.78 per sale even with a few subscriptions.  I could not be more pleased with the progress at 123rf, and I hope it continues.
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: terifrancis on February 21, 2008, 11:47
Hi all,

Been reading the forums here for a while--this is my first post.  I'm just past my rookie year at microstock ... joined DT Nov06, 123rf in Jan07.  Submitting to DT was rough on a newbie like me, but the folks at 123rf (admin, reviewers, and members) were all very helpful and encouraging.

My first few months at 123rf resulted in 3-6 dls/mo ... one year later, my average now runs 15-18 dls/mo, with the occasional UltraHiRes sale here and there.  I know it's not much in comparison to what others are doing, but I've been very happy with the progress of the site and my own experience in learning the ropes.  Probably not a great selling site for the pro's, but for those of us just getting started it's offers a lot of incentives.  As a result of what I've learned at 123rf, my approval rating and sales have increased significantly at DT, FT and BigStock as well.

The "fav" thing definitely helps portfolio exposure/sales ... but the best tool I've found at 123rf -- and I know this will be controversial -- is their free image system.  Their free images are low res only, and you control when and how long your freebies are available.  This system has routinely resulted in X-large and UltraHiRes (at $10/dl!) sales for me.  And it's often images that would never have been seen among the many, let alone downloaded, if not for the exposure in the Free section. 

I'll gladly give up the 10-12 subs sales that any image might garner at $.36/dl (maybe $3-$4 over time) for the increased number of X-large and HiRes sales (at $4.50-$10/dl) that the freebie exposure brings to my portfolio. 

Just thought I'd add this to the discussion as it seemed no one has mentioned it yet.  Now, let's hope I didn't bring the sophomore jinx down upon my head!  Good luck and continued to success to all.
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: camera shy on February 21, 2008, 12:52
Terrifrancis,

Thanks for that piece of advice, I will give it a shot.
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: sharply_done on February 21, 2008, 13:21
I'll give it a try, too.
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: mwp1969 on February 21, 2008, 16:35
Terrifrancis,

Thanks for sharing ! I'll give it a try and see how it works out ...

Mark
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: dbvirago on February 21, 2008, 16:59
I use the faves although I have a tendency to forget to add to it or change it as often as I should. Regardless, although not a BME, 123 is currently 50% ahead of a 3 way tie for 3rd place.
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: terifrancis on February 22, 2008, 11:23
Glad I could contribute something  :)   I'm very appreciative to all those who have shared their insights, and tips with me as I stumble along the learning curve, so I'm glad to share any info I pick up along the way ... hope the 123rf freebie thing works out well for all of you as well!

Two trends that I've noticed with it  1) donating a couple of freebies right after a new batch is approved almost always results in at least one or two sales, and 2) staggering the expiration time on your freebies also helps ... i.e., I try to always have at least one freebie in the 26-30 day range, one in the 18-24 day range, one in the 9-14 day range, and one or two in the 1-7 day range.  Some buyers first browse the "newest" freebies (the last page - 28-30 day range), others first check out the ones that are about to expire (on the first page - 1-3 day range).  Those seem to get the most views and "free" downloads, often converting to a larger-size sale ... but I've been surprised how many times a freebie in the 10-20 day range gets a paid dl out of the blue.  Those surprises are always nice!

Look forward to hearing about any other trends or strategies that you notice on the favs or freebies.  Again, good luck and good sales to all!
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: MicrostockExp on February 22, 2008, 11:37
I use the fav as well try to rotate them, removing the unsold ones after a while.

For DanP68 we are close on 123RF, almost $12 for me so far, around $ 170 overall, did u reach the $ 200 yet ??
L
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: hatman12 on February 22, 2008, 17:28
The free images system doesn't work.  People THINK it works, but those people usually have small portfolios where a few extra sales make a big difference in monthly income.

I tried it out last year - for the whole month of September I had lots of free images staggered with various time frames.  In October I had zero free images (deliberately).

My income in October was 40% higher than September.

I have tried it again this year - I had zero freebies in January and I've rotated a few in February.  My income in February is less than January.

The only thing the free image facility does is devalue the microstock industry.  It also attracts to 123RF customers who ONLY want free images and nothing else.  I've noticed a huge number of views of my 'profile' and I've often wondered why - the plain fact is that it is by viewing a contributor's profile that a customer is then able to gain access to the photographer's free image list.

The free images get hundreds or thousands of downloads; far higher than is reasonable in relation to normal sales; I've got images with a handfull of sales but two or three hundred free downloads.

What 123RF is doing is creating a rod for its own back - because the free downloads are so huge relative to normal sales this suggests that only a small percentage of customers actually also pay for higher resolution, and that small percentage represents massive business risk because those customers will disappear if the free stuff ever comes to an end.  It's a house built on sand.

Imagine this scenario:  I'm a potential customer and I say to you "hey, I really like your pictures; I'll buy a few medium and high resolution copies, IF at the same time you give away for free two or three hundred web resolution images to my designer friends dotted around the world".  Think how you would react to that proposal.

If you have a good quality, commercial portfolio, my own experience says you will make MORE money at 123RF by NOT giving away free images.

And think also of your customers at other agencies - how would they react when they have been paying good money to buy small images of yours, and then find you are giving away those same images for free elsewhere?
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: Lior on February 22, 2008, 18:17
I looked around and couldn't really find it, how do you "fav" images there?

nevermind... found it... :)
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: madelaide on February 22, 2008, 20:10
Today 123RF has risen to the 4th position in my best sites this month (very close to FT in 3rd), after some nice sales yesterday and a 10-credit one today (geez, they also sell upsized images there!). An impressive improvement from the past.

Regards,
Adelaide
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: vphoto on February 22, 2008, 20:12
no increase for me, even though I have there 100 more images. FT, IS, BigStock  sales increased, but not 123RF.
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: graficallyminded on February 22, 2008, 23:02
I hit a payout every 1-2 months here - this site is a definite keeper, for me.
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: Phil on February 23, 2008, 04:07
hi, still easily number 4 for me.

I agree about the free images, I have a 2nd batch going through but I am thinking it doesnt make a difference.
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: madelaide on February 23, 2008, 10:14
Is it correct that the minimum payout for MB there dropped to US$50?  I have been waiting a while for the US$100.   :-\

Regards,
Adelaide
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: DanP68 on February 23, 2008, 15:48
I use the fav as well try to rotate them, removing the unsold ones after a while.

For DanP68 we are close on 123RF, almost $12 for me so far, around $ 170 overall, did u reach the $ 200 yet ??
L


I hit $200 last month, and it looks like I will barely beat it out in February for another BME.  $175 heading into the weekend with a full week of sales to go.   8)
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: MicrostockExp on February 24, 2008, 08:06
I will pass the $200 mark this month not by much I think , I am $175 now...
Title: Re: 123... yawn
Post by: mitzrah on February 25, 2008, 05:05
You can change the payout level for paypal to $50 here: https://www.123rf.com/changeinfo.php