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Author Topic: Sales have tanked big time  (Read 180559 times)

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tee

« Reply #700 on: November 14, 2011, 12:40 »
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With all this continuing bad news (and it is continuing, just look at the latest posts in the Oct. sales thread on iS), if they don't change the RC targets I'm dropping my crown for sure. And speaking of being "...nuts for becoming a photographer in the first place", I'm feeling a little crazy staying exclusive with iS at this point. ::)


helix7

« Reply #701 on: November 14, 2011, 13:10 »
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With all this continuing bad news (and it is continuing, just look at the latest posts in the Oct. sales thread on iS)...

Interesting comments over there about this part of the year supposedly being the best for sales, especially as it relates to the RC targets and istock's claim that they do most of their business in this quarter. If this is the new "good times", I wonder what the new slow quarters will be like.

« Reply #702 on: November 14, 2011, 14:12 »
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Interesting comments over there about this part of the year supposedly being the best for sales, especially as it relates to the RC targets and istock's claim that they do most of their business in this quarter. If this is the new "good times", I wonder what the new slow quarters will be like.

It's going to be very interesting (or excruciatingly awkward, depending on which side of the fence you are on) to hear what Istock management announce about the RC targets for both this year and 2012. Do they confess to falling sales and reduce the targets ... or do they risk an army of exclusives dropping their crowns if they don't?

My guess is that they will tie themselves up in knots with an even more complex system, either adapting or abandoning the existing RC targets, in a smoke-and-mirrors exercise designed to obfuscate and confuse.

This will probably be the first major announcement from Rebbecca too __ something for us all to look forward to perhaps.
« Last Edit: November 14, 2011, 14:14 by gostwyck »

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #703 on: November 14, 2011, 14:18 »
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I thought things were starting to pick up for me again last Thurs and Friday. I've been out all day today and just had a look - 1 (ONE) sale all day.

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #704 on: November 14, 2011, 14:23 »
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With all this continuing bad news (and it is continuing, just look at the latest posts in the Oct. sales thread on iS)...

Interesting comments over there about this part of the year supposedly being the best for sales, especially as it relates to the RC targets and istock's claim that they do most of their business in this quarter. If this is the new "good times", I wonder what the new slow quarters will be like.
That came from last year, when they suddenly introduced the RCs in September and Kelly T said we hadn't to worry as the last quarter was best for sales, and we'd mostly meet our targets and most of us would be paid the same as before (which was clearly disingenuous, as if they weren't trying to squeeze more money out of many of us why would they have introduced the RC scheme).
Although in previous years, the last quarter wasn't a great increase in sales [as it had been in previous years: my BME for dls and $$ is still Nov '08 (sic)], for me, and for many other people, leading them to revise the RCs down last year.
I'd be surprised if they revised the RCs down this year, as that would be a real admission that they're in deep trouble. But I could easily be wrong.
« Last Edit: November 14, 2011, 14:30 by ShadySue »

tee

« Reply #705 on: November 14, 2011, 14:35 »
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I thought things were starting to pick up for me again last Thurs and Friday. I've been out all day today and just had a look - 1 (ONE) sale all day.
Same here! None today, but a decent # Friday, although still slowish, and one small download Sunday. Sheesh.

Quote from: ShadySue
I'd be surprised if they revised the RCs down this year, as that would be a real admission that they're in deep trouble. But I could easily be wrong.
You're probably right. Regardless I'm going to shoot again today, start uploading some more, and see how the rest of the year goes. At the very least I'll have more material to send to other sites down the road. ;D They really need a "Guide for suckers exclusives: How to leave iStock and join the rest of the world." I started there, was happy with the relationship at the beginning and happy to give them exclusivity (that decision being 90% financial, 10% good will), but can only put up with so much.

« Reply #706 on: November 14, 2011, 14:46 »
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...


My guess is that they will tie themselves up in knots with an even more complex system, either adapting or abandoning the existing RC targets, in a smoke-and-mirrors exercise designed to obfuscate and confuse.

This will probably be the first major announcement from Rebbecca too __ something for us all to look forward to perhaps.

I am predicting some sort of way that they can boost RC for their chosen people - double RC for Vetta or something like that. Whatever it is it will be pre-announced leading to a lot of speculation and then announced poorly - so nobody really knows what they said. Finally it will be explained and be underwhelming for most. - or maybe they will just admit the low sales and drop RC targets or keep the RC targets about where they are and grab a greater percentage of less for next year.

« Reply #707 on: November 14, 2011, 14:48 »
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...
My guess is that they will tie themselves up in knots with an even more complex system, either adapting or abandoning the existing RC targets, in a smoke-and-mirrors exercise designed to obfuscate and confuse.
...

That may be, but right now I am thinking that they don't have any time for smoke and mirrors ... things are really catastrophically bad this past week.  If my own results are in any way typical then they had better be holding emergency meetings with a view to implementing a major, immediate revamp aimed at recapturing market share.

Do they actually benefit greatly from having a lot of exclusive contributors?  If they do then I think that they had better do something extremely quickly to retain them.  I was thinking of possibly dropping out in Jan. 2012 but now I'm thinking, no point hanging around for another disastrous 6 weeks, if they're only going to be dilly-dallying and (as you say) planning for more smoke and mirrors.

tee

« Reply #708 on: November 14, 2011, 15:05 »
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Do they actually benefit greatly from having a lot of exclusive contributors?

They sure don't act like it, do they?

« Reply #709 on: November 14, 2011, 15:09 »
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Do they actually benefit greatly from having a lot of exclusive contributors?

They sure don't act like it, do they?

They don't act like they benefit from any contributors. Period.

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #710 on: November 14, 2011, 15:21 »
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Ooooh, whining here about poor sales sometimes prompts one - in today's case, two!  ;D

« Reply #711 on: November 14, 2011, 15:29 »
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Interesting comments over there about this part of the year supposedly being the best for sales, especially as it relates to the RC targets and istock's claim that they do most of their business in this quarter. If this is the new "good times", I wonder what the new slow quarters will be like.

It's going to be very interesting (or excruciatingly awkward, depending on which side of the fence you are on) to hear what Istock management announce about the RC targets for both this year and 2012. Do they confess to falling sales and reduce the targets ... or do they risk an army of exclusives dropping their crowns if they don't?

My guess is that they will tie themselves up in knots with an even more complex system, either adapting or abandoning the existing RC targets, in a smoke-and-mirrors exercise designed to obfuscate and confuse.

This will probably be the first major announcement from Rebbecca too __ something for us all to look forward to perhaps.
I  have the feeling they'll lower targets for exclusives only; the last initiatives seemed directed towards them (no forced opt-in,acces to some Getty pages,..)
« Last Edit: November 14, 2011, 15:32 by Artemis »

lagereek

« Reply #712 on: November 14, 2011, 15:35 »
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I can live without their money, no problem!  the depressing part in all this, is to watch what was once a brillant site, slowly, slowly fading away into oblivion, losing just about everything and STILL pretending it aint happening, still keeping up appearances in front of a crumbling number of poor exclusives who seem so blue-eyed, they are still wet behind the ears. Pittyful.

lisafx

« Reply #713 on: November 14, 2011, 16:29 »
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If this is the new "good times", I wonder what the new slow quarters will be like.

God, what a sobering thought.  :(

RacePhoto

« Reply #714 on: November 14, 2011, 17:01 »
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Do they actually benefit greatly from having a lot of exclusive contributors?

They sure don't act like it, do they?

They don't act like they benefit from any contributors. Period.

Every exclusive that goes Indy means more images for StinkStock. How about this, what if IS announces no more exclusives? I mean they have screwed with canisters, commissions, opt-outs for Subs and ThinkStock, why not just drop the Exclusives and in effect cut all that extra commission.  (I hope this doesn't give them any crazy ideas) But what better way to make more money fast! They have broken just about every promise made up until now, why not complete the twist of the knife in contributors backs?

Yours Truly,

Unsustainable

« Reply #715 on: November 14, 2011, 17:07 »
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Every exclusive that goes Indy means more images for StinkStock. How about this, what if IS announces no more exclusives? I mean they have screwed with canisters, commissions, opt-outs for Subs and ThinkStock, why not just drop the Exclusives and in effect cut all that extra commission.  (I hope this doesn't give them any crazy ideas) But what better way to make more money fast! They have broken just about every promise made up until now, why not complete the twist of the knife in contributors backs?

Not a chance. How could they justify the higher prices for exclusive images, Vetta, etc if they were spread all over the net? That would just accelerate their decline.

« Reply #716 on: November 14, 2011, 17:16 »
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Do they actually benefit greatly from having a lot of exclusive contributors?

They sure don't act like it, do they?

They don't act like they benefit from any contributors. Period.



Every exclusive that goes Indy means more images for StinkStock. How about this, what if IS announces no more exclusives? I mean they have screwed with canisters, commissions, opt-outs for Subs and ThinkStock, why not just drop the Exclusives and in effect cut all that extra commission.  (I hope this doesn't give them any crazy ideas) But what better way to make more money fast! They have broken just about every promise made up until now, why not complete the twist of the knife in contributors backs?

Yours Truly,

Unsustainable

That's an interesting thought. I'm sure Rebecca is reviewing all the holy cows of iStock. They are losing content from the likes of Yuri Arcus through the non-exclusive restrictions. They could always make Vetta an image exclusive programme. Exclusive plus doesn't seem to be very popular and the photo-+ scheme has probably already got most of the best non-exclusive material priced at the same rate as ordinary exclusive.

Scrap exclusive-+, leave all existing exclusive material as photo-+ and make Vetta image exclusive and open to all on those terms. It would probably boost their income and would slightly simplify the pricing structure, while favouring the top independents with higher upload limits.

I think it is feasible.
« Last Edit: November 14, 2011, 17:18 by BaldricksTrousers »

lisafx

« Reply #717 on: November 14, 2011, 17:30 »
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At one time, not long ago, the idea of Vetta as open to all on an image exclusive basis would have really been exciting to me.  I would've happily submitted some of my best new stuff to Vetta. 

Now, to be honest, I don't know that I would bother submitting anything exclusively to Istock.  They seem to be on the way down and out.  I would prefer to place my best new stuff on sites that offer me the most return and can deliver the most sales.

Phadrea

    This user is banned.
« Reply #718 on: November 14, 2011, 17:53 »
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Even after a really good EL to start the month off with a good head start push, I am starting to fall behind from what I usually get this time of year. Oh well, in a month I will sever this exclusive ball and chain to pastures more productive.

« Reply #719 on: November 14, 2011, 17:57 »
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November has been stable for me, no big ups and downs.

E+ works very well for me, too.

Rebecca seems to be prudent. At least, she has not caused any big drama yet, unless I miss something.

lagereek

« Reply #720 on: November 15, 2011, 00:57 »
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At one time, not long ago, the idea of Vetta as open to all on an image exclusive basis would have really been exciting to me.  I would've happily submitted some of my best new stuff to Vetta. 

Now, to be honest, I don't know that I would bother submitting anything exclusively to Istock.  They seem to be on the way down and out.  I would prefer to place my best new stuff on sites that offer me the most return and can deliver the most sales.

At one time I would have done the same but not today. Today I would and am supplying my best to SS, DT and FT, the rest, differant shots are going into RM.

tee

« Reply #721 on: November 15, 2011, 14:35 »
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Quote from: Freedom
Rebecca seems to be prudent. At least, she has not caused any big drama yet, unless I miss something.

Unless I missed something she hasn't said much of anything yet, even with tanking prices and now the unexpected (untimely?) price increases on buyers. There's drama going on, just none that they're willing to admit. ;)

RacePhoto

« Reply #722 on: November 15, 2011, 15:53 »
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Every exclusive that goes Indy means more images for StinkStock. How about this, what if IS announces no more exclusives? I mean they have screwed with canisters, commissions, opt-outs for Subs and ThinkStock, why not just drop the Exclusives and in effect cut all that extra commission.  (I hope this doesn't give them any crazy ideas) But what better way to make more money fast! They have broken just about every promise made up until now, why not complete the twist of the knife in contributors backs?

Not a chance. How could they justify the higher prices for exclusive images, Vetta, etc if they were spread all over the net? That would just accelerate their decline.

Of course you just made my point. Seems they have a gun pointed at their own foot and keep shooting, next they may move up and finish the job.  :o

I also need to add for the conspiracy minded that low indy sellers have not received a boost in the rank, page display or a sudden burst of sales. It's possible that some diversity action was added to the searches to distribute results between more different contributors, but that doesn't mean that low life's like me, are suddenly getting a boost in placement.

Dropping exclusive wouldn't be the first really poor decision that IS has made in the last year?

And yes, I've always said that the exclusive collection is the best asset they have going for them. If I was a buyer, I'd want just what you pointed out, images that weren't for sale on 50 other agencies and being used by thousands of other people. Something nice and a little different from all the rest. There's hardly a difference between chasing away exclusives with lower commissions, bad placement, and other negative changes, vs just elimination of that class of contributors?

« Reply #723 on: November 15, 2011, 22:12 »
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Quote from: Freedom
Rebecca seems to be prudent. At least, she has not caused any big drama yet, unless I miss something.

Unless I missed something she hasn't said much of anything yet, even with tanking prices and now the unexpected (untimely?) price increases on buyers. There's drama going on, just none that they're willing to admit. ;)

It would seem that she has recognised the pitfalls inherent in goofing around with the kids and trying to be a cool guy and has decided to sit in the background where she won't become a target.

« Reply #724 on: November 16, 2011, 03:41 »
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Quote from: Freedom
Rebecca seems to be prudent. At least, she has not caused any big drama yet, unless I miss something.

Unless I missed something she hasn't said much of anything yet, even with tanking prices and now the unexpected (untimely?) price increases on buyers. There's drama going on, just none that they're willing to admit. ;)

It would seem that she has recognised the pitfalls inherent in goofing around with the kids and trying to be a cool guy and has decided to sit in the background where she won't become a target.

... or she may have little spare time to attend to her new part-time position.


 

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