Author Topic: 123... yawn (Read 19664 times)

terifrancis · « **Reply #25 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.

camera shy · « **Reply #26 on:** February 21, 2008, 12:52 »

Terrifrancis,

Thanks for that piece of advice, I will give it a shot.

sharply_done · « **Reply #27 on:** February 21, 2008, 13:21 »

I'll give it a try, too.

mwp1969 · « **Reply #28 on:** February 21, 2008, 16:35 »

Terrifrancis,

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

Mark

dbvirago · « **Reply #29 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.

terifrancis · « **Reply #30 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!

MicrostockExp · « **Reply #31 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

hatman12 · « **Reply #32 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?

Lior · « **Reply #33 on:** February 22, 2008, 18:17 »

I looked around and couldn't really find it, how do you "fav" images there?

nevermind... found it...

madelaide · « **Reply #34 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

vphoto · « **Reply #35 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.

graficallyminded · « **Reply #36 on:** February 22, 2008, 23:02 »

I hit a payout every 1-2 months here - this site is a definite keeper, for me.

Phil · « **Reply #37 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.

madelaide · « **Reply #38 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

DanP68 · « **Reply #39 on:** February 23, 2008, 15:48 »

Quote from: ldambies 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

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.

MicrostockExp · « **Reply #40 on:** February 24, 2008, 08:06 »

I will pass the $200 mark this month not by much I think , I am $175 now...

mitzrah · « **Reply #41 on:** February 25, 2008, 05:05 »

You can change the payout level for paypal to $50 here: https://www.123rf.com/changeinfo.php

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Author Topic: 123... yawn (Read 19664 times)

terifrancis

camera shy

sharply_done

mwp1969

dbvirago

terifrancis

MicrostockExp

hatman12

Lior

madelaide

vphoto

graficallyminded

Phil

madelaide

DanP68

MicrostockExp

mitzrah

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