Changes in the way we communicate

Didn't last very long did it? The December/2012 sales thread looks like the proverbial car crash that we can't look away from. The BM discussion thread is heading the same way. The "confusion about the views thread" is getting more confused. And still no communication. Honestly, what can the contributor base take from this? Lack of communication will only breed more and more conspiracy theories that iStock is sinking/trying to get rid of its faithful exclusive contributors and so on. Time for some more communication folks.

Y'know, as a stock contributor, I am used to being treated like dirt.  But there are limits.


They could at least respond with some condescending conciliatory platitudes.


 

^^ Agree.

Come on iStock. Wakey wakey.

But it takes time to explain why we will all be destitute by the end of the month...

Maybe I missed it, but was there any "Merry Cchristmas" or "Happy New Year to all of you" from HQ to hear?

And where is the cutoff dates for 2013?

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=350109&page=1

Last month Rebecca wrote I accept that part of the problem is that we aren't communicating enough. Here's an idea, do something about it. Communicate. Because we haven't heard too much from on high recently.


Then she wrote some of you think we are lazy, incompetent, greedy or uncaring. So what exactly has been done to dispel that image? What tangible results, in the shape of solid sales, would make us think any other way? Seriously, look at the list of bugs, look at sales threads from the last few months and ask does this place look like a well oiled machine or an old clunker headed for a scrapheap?


Or, to use the nautical metaphor that's been used before, are we on the Titanic headed for the icebergs (with us passengers screaming Iceberg! whilst being ignored by the captain & crew on the bridge)?


Of course this was followed by Is BM broken? We don't think so, but we haven't stopped digging into whether it might be. Well, I think we've all ascertained that something is seriously wrong. 


Please. We all want iStock to succeed, that is why we're here. But if you, iStockphoto, don't pull your finger out PFQ this place will top the list of Epic Website failures long before we have to worry about any summer slowdown.

" The peasants are revolting - So? - No, this is serious, we have to DO SOMETHING - Like what? - Oh, I dunno, how about communicate? - Whatdya mean WE?, you do it, -  Seen the paper clips?"


I am doing my Tax Returns and I needed a diversion.

If I thought someone at HQ was listening, I couldn't even begin to fully describe to them my feelings of anger, frustration, disappointment and sheer worthlessness. After so many years of hard work, it all seems to have turned to ashes.

Stop having the finance guys making all the decesions! Listen to the community that built this place! Be honest and act fast! 


When the buyers saw the cash prices they ran!! I would have run too, What DA set those prices and then made them show up instead 


of the credit prices I will never know!

(Edited on 2013-01-08 04:55:01 by jjneff)

Please it is already second week of January and while the slowdown is still expected - not that kind of slowdown. We would like to ask for the communication to resume and something to be done about the istockphoto general performance.

I'm out.  Deleting everything.  If istock gets its act together, I may re-submit things.   They're not going to change unless they get some sort of punishment.  My small portfolio may not make much difference, but I'll feel better.


 


 

Please dont let exclusives die of stagnation, if someone from HQ reads this thread, please do something. Exclusivity as we know it may disappear for good in few month if things dont get fixed here.

I still think istock should try the Walmart approach to buyers. Our royalties would drop per image, but more sales would pick that up. I have noticed that MSN used to use lots of istock images with the stories and news items it publishes, but lately hardly any. Good Luck everyone.

Like Apple got Steve Jobs back maybe its time for new management.

As I said in the OP, its time for someone to come in here and communicate before the theories get out of hand. Its pretty obvious that something has gone terribly wrong and its time someone told us what is happening and, more to the point, what (if anything) is being done about it. I'm a hobbyist, I won't starve. Many contributors depend hugely on iStock for their living.

I am in a four week nose dive for video! I can't stay exclusive much longer at this rate even if I wanted too. BM is not the problem it was the Cash prices that drove buyers away and I can't blame them. We need to hear some plans for marketing iStock!! NOT Thinkstock. You are killing your best brand and the sad thing is you won't listen to the community. I would give up 3% more to have Sean Lock run iStock!


because I know we would get more sales!

(Edited on 2013-01-08 10:32:40 by jjneff)

Many factors influenced the current bad situation. But it is not rocket science to discover that when customers see these high cash prices in $$$ they really start thinking twice before making the purchase. So, you're very right here emphasizing the issue.

Never mind seeing the prices in $$$. Imagine what it is like for buyers outside the USA who see the hugely inflated foreign prices of which the contributor sees nothing of the extra amount charged.