Private Discussion Forum for Contrbutors

Imagine if an employee disagreement or protest against a business ran front page every day in the local newspaper; negative comments and bad business decisions were featured as banner headlines daily on the news media websites. Soon the locals, or for that matter, any customers, would discontinue shopping there because of the public discontent. Our public forums, that are accessible to both buyers and sellers, broadcast this discontent to our customers every day. Mistakes have been made for sure, sellers are disgruntled, buyers are frustrated with all the changes, but there is still one very positive thing about iStock, incredibly remarkable, high quality content. So my first recommendation would be a real 'Contributor Lounge'. A private form for contributors only, not visible by buyers. Voices can still be heard, opinions can still be offered, but it will be contained to contributors only. All news from iStock, all changes to the site that does not concern buyers, all complaints on iStock and Getty business practices and site operations will be focused here. Then lets put a better game face on for our buyers. Start with a brand new 'Buyers Forum'. Encouage our customer's feedback, address their concenrns, show them this incedible content, find the remarkable imagery at bargain prices...and promote it, feature the price slider and the improved zoom option on the front page, promote a lightbox of the best priced, highest quality content available, simplify the pricing structure for credits buyers, and promote the credits packages...bring the family of buyers home with their own 'Buyer's Lounge'. Offer them treats for coming back, not credits but, treats. Starbucks coffee gift cards for those late night projects, pizza delivery or Panera gift certificates for missed lunches, a warm neck scarf for these cold winter workdays. We, the sellers, can then continue on in our battle of disagreements with iStock, out of sight and out of mind of the buyers. For we all still have the same goal, satisfying customers, making money and offering up creative imagery.

(Edited on 2013-01-13 11:59:23 by ricardoreitmeyer)

I think this is a good idea. I am just as frustrated as many of the other exclusive contributors but cannot help but think that all the negativity and venting (no matter how founded) in the forums cannot be helping business.

I tend to agree. 

I brought up the same issue about a year ago here and was told, basically, that it was a stupid idea.

Many buyers are contributors, and vice versa. Also, I think it helps with issues that there are repercussions because buyers _can_ see the problems.

I think you both have a point here (Ricardoreitmeyer and Sjlocke).


A room for contributors only is surely easy to implement though and would probably prevent some of the worse "bitching" - however justifiable and understandable - to go public and ultimately damage us all.