[Archived - Polystyrene] Drastic drop in sales

Posted by “FemmeDraven” on May 28, 2022.

Cushy may have been the wrong word to use but the equivalent of $30K per year could be considered such for some folks considering what many creators are now earning because IMVU has done everything in its power to stop them from making a living. Working for (or with) them at this point is akin to sleeping with the enemy and while there is no union this just confirms it really is "every man/woman for themselves." I for one wouldn't want their scraps if there's the slightest chance the end goal would be to do away with the Creator Program and by working with them I might be contributing to that goal. Maybe that's not the goal...I said I could be wrong but if their past actions toward creators predict future behavior it sure seems plausible. And if there were a ratio of users to creators the number of creators would have been more than cut in half by now. Though there should be some requirements for becoming a creator...even something as simple as making sure they know what a pixel is or how to properly resize an image. Relisting someone else's work does not make you a creator nor does slapping google images on an item but those are two things that continue to happen and IMVU doesn't care. The proof is right there for all of us to see when they force everyone to take Monopoly money as payment for hours (or days) of work.

Posted by “Sylaraia” on May 28, 2022.

We're not a union. We're not a guild, although I have often said that IMVU screwed up by not guilding us from the go and setting a limit on the number of creators that would be set by some sort of ratio to users. Calling out people who seek an extra dollar by applying to IMVU when economic times are tough really isn't cool. You don't know their economic situation, but I've seen enough creators since this thread started saying that their rent money is in question now thanks to the sales downturn. Please don't turn on other creators for investigating the job opportunity offered - it's uncouth.

Posted by “LovedWarrior” on May 28, 2022.

As far as I understand, they are looking for only 1 creator for every 4 months.

Posted by “stymesh” on May 28, 2022.

I myself inquired for the CIR Program because I will take any opportunity right now to earn extra bucks considering that expenses are high and the earnings are low. But I realize I'd be too busy for it so I didn't pursue. I believe this is the job that qualifies mostly the likes of Bojan, Polystyrene, Emes or Miaka. But whoever was chosen, I'd be proud of them.

Posted by “LestatDeLioncourt” on May 28, 2022.

Although this thread seems to be going further and further off-topic, I also feel a need to congratulate those who have applied for the CIR Program. Yes, any Creator who wants to work in the CIR Program should do so.

I see IMVU already has their Creators who make special projects for them. I am talking about the Creators for special Room Bundles, Giveaways, etc. They currently get paid on a "project by project" basis. This has been going on for years.

If anything, IMVU is looking for another way to "contract" those special projects and new projects, too. I think IMVU is offering this to help some experienced creators a way to get out of the lake of income we have been talking about (back to topic :).

I would guess this included making Products, Tutorials, Article writings, making teaching videos, etc. I foresee the CIR people teaching online classes and providing technical help with Studio, etc. More information including the basic job descriptions are listed Here: https://create.imvu.com/imvu-creator-in-residence-program/

Sorry for going off topic and thank you all for listening.

Posted by “Polystyrene” on May 28, 2022.

That's unfair. Creators have every right to apply for the program and shouldn't be shamed for wanting to do so. Creators already get paid directly by IMVU for contract work - are they traitors too? And just so you know, the pay is far from cushy.

Posted by “FemmeDraven” on May 28, 2022.

All I have to say is any creator who has joined IMVU via their Intern Creator Program has basically stabbed every other creator in the back. I'm sure that in doing this IMVU is testing out having their own staff of creators and finding out how much it will cost them and how productive they will be vs allowing everyone to create through the Creator Program. If they find having creators on staff benefits them they will continue to make it more and more difficult for independent creators to stay and/or do away with the Creator Program altogether. I could be wrong but ever since they sent out multiple messages asking people to apply this has been my one concern. I hope the intern creators enjoy their nice, cushy paychecks and not having to stress over sales because their income is guaranteed because it won't last...someday IMVU will figure out a way to cut you off too. MASA was their way of avoiding paying creators what they've earned and they'll figure out a way to avoid paying you someday too.

Posted by “MsPixelicious” on May 28, 2022.

imvu never has

Posted by “FemmeDraven” on May 26, 2022.

Once again, IMVU is proving through their actions exactly how they feel about the creators. They do not care. Every step they've taken over the years where we're concerned has been harmful to us and when confronted they either respond with "we'll look into it" to placate us for a moment, or we hear nothing at all. They don't have to care because for everyone who leaves there will be someone who will stay and take the abuse. I for one, am no longer creating. They say the definition of insanity is repeating the same behavior while expecting a different outcome and the only way we'll change the outcome here is by doing something different.

Posted by “Ahndante” on May 26, 2022.

My sales have come to a screeching halt the last few days. I had a bump at the beginning of the month with some new products uploaded and promoted and now it's back to practically nothing. This is unsustainable - I will literally be forced to move to another platform very soon if this keeps up.

Posted by “shopdaisylogo” on May 25, 2022.

From what i am seeing now my deving has come to a grinding halt because when you get a steady flow of sales you can out your slider on a percentage that gives you some creds to dev and some that gives you earnings. Now ales are so low you either want to just cash in or just dev when you get the scrapings of credits that are coming through. And more free credits being given away by imvu another advert ...

Posted by “FemmeDraven” on May 25, 2022.

Yep, this has happened to me since I can remember hunting for meshes or shopping at all really. I guess it's like everything else on the site that isn't working right

Posted by “Sylaraia” on May 25, 2022.

Okay, I have to ask this because it has been annoying the eff out of me for a long time, and if other people are experiencing it, I feel like it affects our bottom line by making it harder to shop.

I often go mesh shopping, which means a lot of going from page 2 to 3 to 4, etc. And I will see stuff from the previous page constantly. Oftentimes I will see the same product(s) repeatedly. Occasionally I Homer Simpson it up and try the same product twice. Doh. It happens when I'm shopping for regular stuff too - not just when I have the derivable only box checked. Has anyone else noticed this?

Posted by “Polystyrene” on May 25, 2022.

They've given us an answer (if you can call it that), I'm guessing that'll be it.

Posted by “MsPixelicious” on May 25, 2022.

d'yah think imvu's still out there??...its sooo sooooo quiet!