Update: In September 2023, Expertwired announced it was shutting down.
Expertwired Review
Expertwired is an expert network headquartered in the Netherlands. Their focus is to create a more automated and transparent marketplace where experts decide their own rates, which is also visible to clients. In addition, their platform enables clients and experts to connect, which they obviously charge a fee for. Still, their fee is not higher than the experts’ pay (which is the case with many of the traditional larger expert networks). So instead of charging the client $1500 and paying the expert $250, which is the traditional way of pricing expert network projects, the expert gets a fairer fee, and the client gets a more cost-efficient price.
We embark on a journey to disrupt the status quo in expert networks. With the smart use of technology, we empower experts to share their expert knowledge, available to anyone for fair, market-driven prices.
Here is a screenshot from Expertwired illustrated with an example of how their pricing model works:
Is Expertwired a legitimate business?
Have you been contacted by Expertwired and wondered if they’re too good to be true? Expertwired is legit, with brick-and-mortar offices in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and real employees. It’s a private company backed by well-known investors such as MB Capital, Pop-up Qapital, and various angels, including former executives from Uber, Funda, and Prosus.
Does Expertwired really offer industry experts a higher hourly rate as claimed?
Expertwired claims to have created a transparent marketplace where “clients are matched to the most relevant top-league experts using AI technology.” In this way, they are trying to disrupt the traditional “closed” market of expert networks by charging a high markup for their services while not allowing direct client-expert interaction nor being transparent on the rate experts receive.
Expertwired says it is time for transparency and fairness. That’s why they let experts choose their own rates, which is also the rate their clients see. Their motto: “Get what you’re worth” – as the expert with many years of accumulated knowledge, you should get a fair price for the value of insights you provide.
We at HuginX like this approach. Instead of keeping the pricing as a black box like traditional expert networks, Expertwired sets the ground for a more balanced marketplace where the expert hopefully gets a fairer share of what the client is paying. It’s the expert that adds the most value in the end, and clients should also be focused on experts getting a fair payment for them to stay motivated. Motivated experts will also go to greater lengths to provide accurate and helpful knowledge.
How do I join Expertwired?
- Register: A quick and easy registration form on the website is all you need to fill out. Expertwired will ask for your LinkedIn profile, so ensure your work history is accurate and up to date.
- Confirmation: After registration, you’ll receive an email asking you to confirm your submission. Then you have to wait for someone to review your profile before getting accepted to their network of experts.
- Selection process: Once you have been added to their network, you’ll be matched with client projects and get an interview request when shortlisted. You might also get additional screening questions before being selected for the project.
- Give advice: You help the client by sharing your industry-specific knowledge in a video call.
- Get paid: You get paid per minute with a 60-minute minimum, normally through bank transfer.
The importance of compliance
While it can seem tempting to do a bit of consulting on the side earning $400 per hour, you’ll also need to keep the compliance rules in mind. As an example, you should not consult on projects which could cause a conflict of interest with your current employer. If in doubt, check with your employer’s HR department to find out if this type of consultation work is allowed under your current contract. Expertwired asks all experts in their network to sign off on their compliance rules before every consultation, which includes:
- Not sharing confidential information
- Not sharing non-public information in respect of any publicly quoted company
- Not sharing information that could cause a conflict of interest
- Not discussing your current employer during a consultation
- Not sharing the identity of the client or the subject matter of the consultation
What are the benefits of Expertwired?
If you’re new to Expert Networks, you might wonder why clients spend so much money on talking to experts. Here are some of the key benefits for clients:
- Access to specialized knowledge: Expertwired allows companies and organizations to quickly and easily access specialized knowledge and expertise they may not have in-house.
- Improved decision-making: By consulting with experts, organizations can make more informed decisions, improving the chances of success.
- Increased efficiency: Using Expertwired can save time and resources that would otherwise be spent researching and identifying experts.
- Networking opportunities: Joining Expertwired allows individuals to connect with other experts in their field and expand their professional network.
- Competitive advantage: Organizations can use the knowledge and insights gained from consulting with experts to gain a competitive advantage in their field.
- Access to difficult-to-find information: Expertwired can provide access to valuable information that might be hard to find through other means, especially in a specific niche.
- Cost-effectiveness: Consulting with an expert in a narrow field can be expensive, but by being part of an expert network, organizations can access many experts without needing to pay each individual.