Stream by AlphaSense
Stream by AlphaSense Review
Considering joining Stream by AlphaSense, an expert network for conducting and sharing expert calls? Before you dive in, let’s take a critical look at what this platform offers. While it presents opportunities for sharing knowledge through its transcript library, the lack of compensation for initial calls and concerns about anonymity raises important considerations. Let’s explore the pros and cons in this review.
Sophie – Our Expert Network Specialist: Sophie is from Hamburg, Germany and is our specialist on Expert Networks. After several years of working as a top executive, Sophie is now an independent consultant and is signed up as a council member of several networks. When she is not helping HuginX write Expert Network reviews, she can often be found enjoying thrilling Nordic noir crime series.
About Stream
Stream is an expert network library owned by AlphaSense (not to be confused with AlphaSights) which is a financial search engine that provides data and insights to investment firms and corporations. AlphaSense was founded in 2011 by Jack Kokko and Raj Neervannan and acquired Stream in October 2021. The Stream platform allows professionals to conduct expert calls, which are then transcribed and added to the Stream library. It serves as a hub for sharing knowledge and insights among professionals seeking valuable expertise in various industries. Stream has previously also been known as “Stream Research Group” and “Stream by Mosaic”.
Is Stream by AlphaSense legit?
While the negative aspects of Stream by AlphaSense raise some concerns, it is essential to differentiate between a legitimate platform and a scam. Based on the information provided, Stream by AlphaSense does not appear to be a scam, as it does not ask for financial information such as credit card numbers or engage in fraudulent practices. The site genuinely offers opportunities for professional exposure and high hourly consulting rates, which are positive attributes.
However, being legitimate does not necessarily mean that the platform is flawless or without issues. The negative aspects highlighted in the review, such as offputting outreach emails, lack of compensation for the first call, confidentiality concerns, an unfair revenue-sharing model, and pushy associates, can still impact users’ experiences and perceptions of the platform.
It’s important for potential users to approach Stream by AlphaSense with realistic expectations. While the platform provides legitimate opportunities for exposure and consulting for some users, you should carefully assess whether the benefits outweigh the drawbacks as highlighted further down in our review.
How do Expert Networks operate?
New to expert networks? Here is a quick guide to 10 key steps networks take when matching experts with clients for ad-hoc phone consultations.
Expert Networks explained in 10 steps
1. Client request recived
Expert Network receives specifications from client.
2. Search for candidates
Internal network checked for matching candidates
3. External resources utilized
Additional external candidates are sourced if needed
4. Vetting of candidates
Candidates are vetted over phone or through screener questions
5. Compliance and confirmation
Candidate undergoes compliance training
6. Scheduling of consultation
The phone consultation is scheduled
7. Consultation takes place
Phone consultation is conducted, usually on a single blinded basis.
8. Post-call confirmation
You receive confirmation of compensation amount after the call
9. Request payment
You'll fill in your payment details and request payment
10. Payment received
You receive the payment. Usually through bank-transfer, PayPal or pre-paid credit card.
Read more about how expert networks operate
What’s the concept?
Signing up for the expert network transcript library Stream by AlphaSense introduces business professionals to the concept of contributing their valuable insights to the platform’s growing library. The model revolves around the idea of sharing knowledge and expertise, allowing other investors to subscribe to the library and benefit from the collective wisdom. However, the issue arises when it comes to compensation for the experts’ participation.
In many cases, experts are not compensated for their initial calls, which seems unfair considering that Stream will eventually monetize the content as part of their library. While the platform benefits from the experts’ contributions, the lack of compensation leaves participants feeling undervalued and unappreciated.
Moreover, a significant concern raised by many experts revolves around their anonymity. Although their identities are anonymized in the transcripts, the context of the information can potentially lead to the discernment of their real identities, especially when cross-referencing with profiles on platforms like LinkedIn. This anonymity concern can deter experts from participating if concerned about their sensitive information being accessible to a large pool of professionals without adequate safeguards.
Stream by AlphaSense Consulting Rates
Instead of connecting directly with clients for high-paying consulting calls like with traditional expert networks, you’ll start with a recorded interview conducted by an expert analyst, usually an investment manager with experience in your field. The catch is that your name is stripped from the recording and transcript, supposedly providing anonymity, although savvy clients might still figure out your identity.
Unfortunately, you won’t be compensated for this initial interview, although it’s suggested that you should request payment. Instead, you’ll receive a copy of your interview and free access to a vast transcript library with over 10,000 recordings for three months. The hope is that clients reviewing your interview might decide to contact you for paid consulting calls, but there’s no clear indication of how often this actually happens.
While Stream doesn’t pay for these analyst interviews, this is not the standard practice in the industry. Other platforms like Tegus offer similar transcript subscription products but compensate you for all consulting calls. Traditional expert networks like Guidepoint produce limited analyst interviews but usually pay 1.5 to 2 times your regular hourly rate for participation.
Offering your professional knowledge and candid feedback for free, with the risk of it being freely accessed by anyone on platforms like Stream raises several concerns. It’s essential for Stream to develop a better revenue-sharing model and prioritize the protection of their experts’ identities to ensure a fair and secure platform for all parties.
As opposed to the initial call with Stream, the consulting rates with Stream’s clients, seem to align with industry norms. The hourly rate is determined by factors such as seniority, how recently you’ve held a relevant title, the difficulty in finding an expert on the topic, and the demand for your insights. Typically, director-level or below professionals can expect rates between $100 to $200 per hour, while director-level and above professionals might get $200 to $350 per hour. Senior executives and physicians can command rates of $500 or more per hour.
Summary – Pros and Cons
Let’s summarize the pros and cons of signing up for the expert network Stream by AlphaSense:
Positives.
- Added exposure:
One of the potential benefits of joining Stream by AlphaSense is the exposure it offers to professional consultants. By having their expertise showcased in the transcription library, consultants can attract potential clients and gain recognition in their field. This increased visibility can lead to future consulting opportunities. - Potential future income:
If a consultant manages to secure engagements with Stream’s clients after the initial transcription call, they can expect to receive a high hourly consulting rate similar to other recognized expert networks.
Negatives.
- The outreach email:
I found the outreach emails from Stream by AlphaSense slightly offputting. The tone or content of these emails can come across as intrusive or pushy, which can create a negative impression of the platform from the start. - No Payment for the first call:
Consultants are usually not compensated for the first call, as the transcript provides the consultant with “free exposure” as part of the transcription library. This means that the consultant is providing their expertise without any immediate financial reward, which is different to how most other expert networks operate. - Anonymity concerns:
It’s not totally clear to me how and by whom sensitive data from the transcription library is accessed. This raises questions about confidentiality and compliance, especially if the data contains sensitive information. Discerning someone’s identity is not really difficult if you’re a high-ranking manager within a small niche. - Unfair revenue share model:
The revenue model seems unfair from an expert’s point of view. If experts contribute valuable insights to a transcription library which is sold multiple times to countless platform subscribers, it seems obvious that they should be compensated. - Pushy associates:
Pushy or aggressive behaviour from associates during the signup process can leave a negative impression on potential experts.
Overall verdict
While the platform offers potential exposure for consultants through the transcription library and the promise of high hourly consulting rates, there are several significant drawbacks. These include the offputting outreach emails, lack of payment for the first call, anonymity and compliance concerns, unfair revenue share, and pushy associates during the signup process.
My advice is that consultants should consider other expert network sites that offer more favourable terms and a fairer revenue-sharing model for their expertise and efforts.
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