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Microstock Photography Forum - General => General Stock Discussion => Topic started by: Tyson Anderson on March 10, 2016, 15:38

Title: Does offering free clip or image really boost sales?
Post by: Tyson Anderson on March 10, 2016, 15:38
Hello, I'm new to Microstock Group and this is my first post.  Been following discussions for a while and figured I'd get involved.  First question is one I've been wondering for a while.  Has anyone experienced an increase of traffic to their portfolio or sales after offering clips or images for free?

(I apologize if this has been covered before)
Title: Re: Does offering free clip or image really boost sales?
Post by: Noedelhap on March 10, 2016, 15:45
Never tried it. It devalues my hard work and I doubt people looking for free stuff will turn into paying customers.
Title: Re: Does offering free clip or image really boost sales?
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on March 10, 2016, 15:54
I have never seen any evidence that freebies boost paid sales for my own  portfolio. Back in the earlier days of microstock (before agencies were solidly established) I viewed the free image offerings as a way to help the agency build traffic for itself and I did offer images for a weekly freebie. That was then. I wouldn't do it now.
Title: Re: Does offering free clip or image really boost sales?
Post by: motionguy on March 10, 2016, 16:00
Did that several times a few years ago and I never saw increased sales.
Title: Re: Does offering free clip or image really boost sales?
Post by: Justanotherphotographer on March 10, 2016, 16:02
They're only designed to draw more traffic to the site. It will do nothing for your sales. It's common sense, why would it? If a buyer wants an image in addition to the free one they will do a general search on the site.
Title: Re: Does offering free clip or image really boost sales?
Post by: Tyson Anderson on March 10, 2016, 16:35
Ok, sounds pretty unanimous, hasn't helped anyone.  I appreciate everyone taking the time.
Title: Re: Does offering free clip or image really boost sales?
Post by: Rinderart on March 10, 2016, 16:54
NO.
Title: Re: Does offering free clip or image really boost sales?
Post by: Cider Apple on March 10, 2016, 17:05
About 8 months ago I offered one of my clips as a free video of the month. I did see a slight increase in related sales. Out of the 5000 free downloads I had 10 sales of a related theme. So nothing to amazing but deffinatly a slight increase. It also helped a file reach higher in the search and so I've been getting more sales since.
Title: Re: Does offering free clip or image really boost sales?
Post by: stuttershock on March 10, 2016, 17:21
I have never seen any evidence that freebies boost paid sales for my own  portfolio. Back in the earlier days of microstock (before agencies were solidly established) I viewed the free image offerings as a way to help the agency build traffic for itself and I did offer images for a weekly freebie. That was then. I wouldn't do it now.

just as "Black Friday" specials which the whizz kids at Harvard et al have "now discovered" to cost money overall...
Title: Re: Does offering free clip or image really boost sales?
Post by: Tyson Anderson on March 10, 2016, 19:20
About 8 months ago I offered one of my clips as a free video of the month. I did see a slight increase in related sales. Out of the 5000 free downloads I had 10 sales of a related theme. So nothing to amazing but deffinatly a slight increase. It also helped a file reach higher in the search and so I've been getting more sales since.

Thanks.  Which site was it?
Title: Re: Does offering free clip or image really boost sales?
Post by: noodle on March 10, 2016, 22:03
Its the lie the agencies try to sell you
Title: Re: Does offering free clip or image really boost sales?
Post by: HappyBunny on March 11, 2016, 08:18
They are not getting anything free from me. Soon we will have to pay them for letting us upload a photo.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Does offering free clip or image really boost sales?
Post by: Leo on March 11, 2016, 21:20
I've found its either useless or hurts sales. If your image is part of a set of complementary elements (the others of which you sell ) you might see success.
Title: Re: Does offering free clip or image really boost sales?
Post by: Cider Apple on March 12, 2016, 04:16
About 8 months ago I offered one of my clips as a free video of the month. I did see a slight increase in related sales. Out of the 5000 free downloads I had 10 sales of a related theme. So nothing to amazing but deffinatly a slight increase. It also helped a file reach higher in the search and so I've been getting more sales since.

Thanks.  Which site was it?

istock