OK, this is. DISGUSTING ! Just. Ugh.
WARNING: This blog post is not suitable for those under the age of 18 years nor those easily offended or of a nervous disposition.
It's not often I get the urge to blog, but today I'd just had my teeth and talons sharpened and thought:
"Aw, I'm feeling just a little bit more gruesome than usual, why not?!!"
So, does this image make you: Upchuck?! Recoil?!! Burst out laughing?!!
OK, I'll bet there's very few long-standing Members who are unaware that I'm a firm believer that great images add immeasurably to a visitor's perception of a website. I honestly think they can make-or-break it.
Oh, and many of you know how the "snagging" of other people's images just "thrills" me too… !
If you haven't yet seen Muffin's seminal piece on How to Find & Add Images To Your Website then I thoroughly recommend that as a fantastic guide to finding and using images for your site.
However, earlier today, I received a little freebie "treat" that I thought I should share in case it's of interest to other Members, although you do have to be exceptionally careful if you want to use it.
BigStock
Here's the deal, you can download 30 high resolution images from a selection of over 15,000,000+, absolutely free of charge and us them "legitimately" on your website, courtesy of BigStock.
You'll need a credit card and the memory of an elephant, that or the ability to set alerts on your computer or mobile phone, preferably both.
Oh, and if you'd like to check out BigStock's selection first, head over to http://www.bigstockphoto.com
You do have to follow these instructions to the letter. I won't take any responsibility if anyone ends up getting charged. Caveat Emptor, and all that... latin!
Here's how…
Click this link: http://d.pr/SztC LOL. No. I promise, with "hand" on heart. It's not affiliated. :)
Ignore the "Get Started" on the header image, scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Get Started" there.
OK, I know, it says 7 days and 35 images, but bear with me a sec. ….
- In the Full Name box you need to use the name that appears on your credit card.
- Fill in the rest of your details and tick the box accepting their Terms of Service.
- You'll be asked to enter your credit card number, CVV and expiry date.
If you don't have an image editing application, such as the hideously over-priced Adobe Photoshop, then give the gorgeous free GIMP a try by downloading it from http://www.gimp.org and then perhaps pop over to Lynda at http://www.lynda.com and do her training course on it using their seven day free trial offer.
6 Days vs. 7 Days?
So, why am I suggesting letting one of those days and five whole images go unused?
If after you've signed up, you go to the top of the screen where it says "Hi, *Your Name*" and click on the "My Account" dropdown and look at the "Next Charge…" line, you'll see listed the date at which your credit card will be billed for a month's cycle after the free trial ends.
I'm afraid that I'm not sure how and when BigStock's billing cycle is triggered. I'm reluctant to wait it out before posting this, as I suspect this freebie might end quickly as it's likely to be popular. Therefore, I'd strongly recommend you only stay for 6 days and 30 images, and not for the full 7 days and 35, unless of course you want to inadvertently or even deliberately subscribe for a month.
So, why not cancel immediately after sign-up? I suspect if you do that then the trial period will be cancelled immediately as well.
It's therefore ESSENTIAL to set several alerts to remind you to CANCEL your trial the day before it's due to bill, in my case I'd need to cancel on September 24th. To cancel, just log in to your BigStock account, go to My Account and click the blue Cancel subscription underneath the renewal date.
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/rich/blog/ok-be-a-sheeplewussy-but-don-t-join-the-circus
You should also set a daily alert for each of the next five days ahead to remind you to download five of your selected images every day. You can't carry "unused" downloads over to another day.
OK, that's all there is to it. Enjoy! ...
... oh, and do please let me know how you get on in the comments below... :)
Rich. x
Recent Comments
175
Good to know! Thanks :)
I wound up with something similar with a credit check service (ScoreSense). They had a $1 trial period, then hit me with a full month of $29.95 service within 2 days! However, when I went to complain, they knocked the price back from $30-12.95 per month. That's doable *and* they include one that my free (CreditKarma) service doesn't, Experian). So now I have 2 :)
Yup. I myself have been stung often, usually with television subscription charges such as Sky, Netflix, NowTV, etc. that we've long since stopped watching. It's why I went for "overkill" regarding cancellation. :) Rich.
Good thing I have been stockpile credit cards lol. This is a good way for people to get some high quality images and some REAL stock photos. 30 images would be enough to drive a very good solid foundation for their websites...add some image editing, some personal photos and screen captures, and this is more than adequate to drive an entire niche business.
Hey Muffin, I really appreciate the support, you know how "obsessive" I am over photography and illustration in general. "If a picture paints..." :) Rich. x
Thanks Rich.
I always like to use one of those prepaid Visa or Mastercards which are absolutely perfect for this sort of thing. In the UK you can pick them up all over the place now, they are issued free and you don't have to add any credit to them unless you want to.
This way if you do forget it isn't going to cost you anything.
Orange/EE phone shops and Co-Op Travel (for overseas travel cards) do them over the counter.
I'm in total accord, you're absolutely right, it's a very smart move. In fact the "Mastercard" that I used for to sign up for the BigStock trial above was a prepaid CashPlus one http://www.mycashplus.co.uk/ I've also used VISA gift cards in the past for purchases where I have any doubts or concerns about the legitimacy of the payment processor. :) Rich.
This is Bloody brilliant! whoops! am i allowed say that? lol Rich, i like the way you think lol. im of to check it out, before they cop on to all the wealthy affiliates pouring in ,grabbing the prize and legging it. cheers
LOL, "bloody" is right, huh?! I have a sneaking suspicion that the trial offer will be popular and therefore probably won't be available for more than a day or so. If there's images there that you like, get them while you can. :) Rich. x
I find it extremely worrying that you and Muffin had exactly the same idea. There's obviously some "hidden" training going around that I haven't caught up on. Yet! :) Rich. x
Yup, I was thinking of that possibility too, Jorge. If in doubt.... it's always Nate's fault. :P R. x
Cheers! High quality photos that you can use on your site with no worries for free? Can't be beat.
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By the way, I thought the photo was funny.
It's interesting to "hear" the differences of opinion on it, huh?! I was certainly trying to make the point that images can be "engaging" and help keep visitors from bouncing away from your site. :) Rich.