Author Topic: 123RF - dead or takes time? (Read 5614 times)

hatman12 · « **on:** March 04, 2015, 16:03 »

I've been uploading to a number of agencies since becoming non-exclusive on Feb 1st, 123RF amongst them. I've uploaded a couple hundred files, some of which have been good sellers in the past. So far not a single sale. Not one. Not even a 25c sub sale. I realise that 200 files isn't much, but with proven sales in the past I'm somewhat surprised at how dead 123RF feels. I know that others here have a solid experience at 123RF. Is it one of those agencies where it just takes time for things to fall into place?

garth11 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 04, 2015, 16:13 »

It works fine for me...

Semmick Photo · « **Reply #2 on:** March 04, 2015, 17:21 »

Yeah, it takes a moment, 200 is not much though. But it should get momentum. I would stick it out, keep uploading.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2015, 20:04 »

If you'd asked me 6 months ago, I'd have given you a very different answer about 123rf. I had seen very solid sales from them. Last year I uploaded a catch-up batch of images (several hundred; don't remember exactly) thinking that might boost sales numbers a bit.

I've seen the exact opposite (and I'm not suggesting that uploading new files caused the drop in sales). As they do a rolling 12 month credit total I watch the number tick down a bit at the start of each month, which isn't what I want to see.

I have no clue what's up or why. It's possible that they are leaning more on partner sales - and I opted out of their partner sales ages ago.

Have you checked to make sure your images show up in a search? A while back they had some bug where if you searched and ordered by Newest first, the new files ended up on the last page (which clearly didn't help sales!). Support is generally pretty responsive if you have to report a problem.

hatman12 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 04, 2015, 20:31 »

Well, my apologies to all. I now see that I've actually had a small flurry of sales. I had been mistakenly expecting the 'balance' shown in the top right of the page to change to reflect sales, but now realise that balance is for buying customers only. It seems that to actually see sales, one has to go to the downloads section of the supplier dashboard. My mistake, and glad to see some sales.

sgoodwin4813 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 04, 2015, 21:46 »

And when you check the earnings page (you have to go through a captcha to get there) you will see that the subs I think are only 22 cents to start - it will be a while before you get to 25-cent subs there.

hatman12 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 04, 2015, 23:04 »

Hmmm... 22c seems a bit miserly. I see they're okay at higher levels, although those heights don't look very attainable at the moment...

hatman12 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 04, 2015, 23:07 »

Quote from: Jo Ann Snover on March 04, 2015, 20:04

Have you checked to make sure your images show up in a search? A while back they had some bug where if you searched and ordered by Newest first, the new files ended up on the last page (which clearly didn't help sales!). Support is generally pretty responsive if you have to report a problem.

Yes, I saw that bug when I first started uploading - all my files at the back of the search. Didn't give me much inspiration to upload more work, I must say. Problem seems to have been solved at the moment.

pixel8 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 05, 2015, 01:00 »

Who are the 123rf partner sites and whats your take on allowing your images on the partner sites, good or bad and why?

fotografer · « **Reply #9 on:** March 05, 2015, 04:06 »

Quote from: sgoodwin4813 on March 04, 2015, 21:46

And when you check the earnings page (you have to go through a captcha to get there) you will see that the subs I think are only 22 cents to start - it will be a while before you get to 25-cent subs there.

Subs go higher than 25c, I get 36c there.

dirkr · « **Reply #10 on:** March 05, 2015, 05:16 »

Quote from: fotografer on March 05, 2015, 04:06

Quote from: sgoodwin4813 on March 04, 2015, 21:46
And when you check the earnings page (you have to go through a captcha to get there) you will see that the subs I think are only 22 cents to start - it will be a while before you get to 25-cent subs there.
Subs go higher than 25c, I get 36c there.

We all used to get that. Until they decided that they should pay us less when they are not doing their job (which is selling our images) well enough.

That's when I stopped uploading to them.

Steveball · « **Reply #11 on:** March 05, 2015, 05:43 »

Sales for me have pretty much halved every month for the past 6 months which is disappointing (1600 pics).

stockmarketer · « **Reply #12 on:** March 05, 2015, 06:45 »

So far this year, 123RF is my #2 earner (well DT would be, but when I subtract the big Google purchases which were a one-time occurrence for the year, it falls to #3)

sgoodwin4813 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 05, 2015, 11:45 »

Quote from: fotografer on March 05, 2015, 04:06

Quote from: sgoodwin4813 on March 04, 2015, 21:46
And when you check the earnings page (you have to go through a captcha to get there) you will see that the subs I think are only 22 cents to start - it will be a while before you get to 25-cent subs there.
Subs go higher than 25c, I get 36c there.

Yes, but I think it's 22 cents to start so anyone new will be at that level for quite a while when starting out. I don't think they should be supported at that level.

Snow · « **Reply #14 on:** March 05, 2015, 12:19 »

123RF (level 5) 2nd best earner for February beating FT (silver)

pancaketom · « **Reply #15 on:** March 05, 2015, 16:46 »

My sales never doubled when that was promised. In fact I don't think they ever really increased at all. My RC totals drift up and sadly mostly down but in the same general level they were when they first announced the "lets screw the contributors" RC scheme. Starting out there would be especially painful since sales are seldom for a good amount even if you got 50%.

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Author Topic: 123RF - dead or takes time? (Read 5614 times)

hatman12

garth11

Semmick Photo

Jo Ann Snover

hatman12

sgoodwin4813

hatman12

hatman12

pixel8

fotografer

dirkr

Steveball

stockmarketer

sgoodwin4813

Snow

pancaketom

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