MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => 123RF => Topic started by: Magnum on March 21, 2009, 10:26

Title: Donating free images
Post by: Magnum on March 21, 2009, 10:26
This is how they say it:

"What are the benefits of donating? Expect a huge increase in your portfolio exposure! Increase your sales, (oh yea), as much as 40% to 2800%!! Sell higher resolution images!"


The donation is time limited so I thought I´d give it a try, with five.    Nothing´s happening after a week. about 0% increase in sales:)

What about you?
Title: Re: Donating free images
Post by: null on March 21, 2009, 10:30
The donation is time limited so I thought I´d give it a try, with five.    Nothing´s happening after a week. about 0% increase in sales:)

What about you?

Freebees don't work. They get massive downloads by freebee hunters that aren't even interested in your paying portfolio. I thought most knew that by now.  :P

I'm scavenging sites regularly too for freebees. They go in a freebee folder and perhaps I can use them later without breeching any copyright. I never look who's the artist. I know it sounds harsh but that's the way it is in this jungle.
Title: Re: Donating free images
Post by: Magnum on March 21, 2009, 10:32
So they lie you right in the face?
Title: Re: Donating free images
Post by: null on March 21, 2009, 10:34
So they lie you right in the face?

No comment.  ;D
Maybe not and I'm wrong. You found out yourself, right?  :P

Freebees are good for the traffic of the site, so they benefit everybody in the end. Thanks for being Mother Theresa.
Title: Re: Donating free images
Post by: Pixart on March 21, 2009, 10:47
I know this is a 123 thread, but personally, I wouldn't give a freebie anywhere but IS or SS where you get front page placement on a site with a lot of traffic.

I had the free photo spot last week at Shutterstock.  I had a couple very good days, but the rest of the week was maybe 10-20%% better than usual.  The good thing is that older photos that sold *may* get a slightly better ranking from the deal.  They picked a rather unremarkable photo - it was new in Feb and had sold 11 times before the freebie week, 4 times during freebie week, and not once since the photo was swapped out on Wednesday.  They don't let us know how many freebies went out.  It was a nature shot, I wish they had picked something more "stocky" that might have benefited in the long term from an artificial boost in downloads (if that's how it works?).

Anyhow, I was quite thankful/flattered to get a free photo spot at SS.  I thought it was a very good opportunity for my little port.
Title: Re: Donating free images
Post by: Magnum on March 21, 2009, 10:52
The donation is time limited so I thought I´d give it a try, with five.    Nothing´s happening after a week. about 0% increase in sales:)

What about you?

Freebees don't work. They get massive downloads by freebee hunters that aren't even interested in your paying portfolio. I thought most knew that by now.  :P

I'm scavenging sites regularly too for freebees. They go in a freebee folder and perhaps I can use them later without breeching any copyright. I never look who's the artist. I know it sounds harsh but that's the way it is in this jungle.

Flemish is a freebie-hunter ;)  That´s how you got all your bestseller ;D
Title: Re: Donating free images
Post by: Xalanx on March 22, 2009, 05:00
NO, freebies don't work at all. I tried myself several times. Actually I had better sales when I was NOT giving away photos, but that could be a coincidence.
However, I was donating some 4-5 crappy old images and one good photo. So I'm not sure how it'll be if one donates several GOOD images. But I'll simply assume it's the same - no improvements in sales.
Title: Re: Donating free images
Post by: Moonb007 on March 23, 2009, 13:12
I have also donated some photo's that in hindsight I realize that they aren't that great.  Out of all the donations I have done, I have only gotten one sale from it.