Who is the best expert network?

Expert networks have gained popularity in recent years due to constant innovation and change in the way that businesses operate. In today’s world businesses are constantly faced with new disruptions and challenges. The best expert networks are of need by these businesses to tackle this uncertainty. These networks connect businesses with subject matter experts for a short while. An expert network is similar to the HR department of a company. Like an HR professional recruits employees, an expert network recruits knowledgeable individuals. These individuals then give consultations to the party seeking them. They are often used when a company conducts due diligence. It’s difficult to say who is the best expert network but below we have some tips to spot one. 

How to spot the best expert network for your business?

Nowadays, expert networks are widely available and it can be confusing to know who the best expert networks is. According to an article by Forbes, the expert network industry is ever-growing. The market size of expert networks is ever expanding, witnessing double-digit growth. However, the question arises: who is the best expert network?

To tackle this question, we have gathered 3 ways to spot the best expert network:

Check their actual experts giving insight

First, a good way to spot the best expert networks is to look at the kind of experts they recruit. Some expert networks have a generalised way of operating and a standard pool of experts. When expert networks use the same pool, they may not be unique to your project needs. So it’s worth spending some time looking into how expert networks recruit experts. You can even have an initial conversation with several networks to find the best one for your needs. 

Usually, businesses find expert networks through online searches on LinkedIn, Google, etc. However, this can be a cumbersome process as there are numerous options to choose from. Technology such as AI can also help in this respect. However, having a human element in decision-making is also important. Moreover, the expert network industry is concentrated and experts have a high price tag associated with them.

Expert calls usually last for an hour and can bear a heavy cost for the party seeking the expertise. So, when looking for the best expert networks, it’s a good idea to go through their business history. Each party has unique needs that may only be met through specific experts. If the company you are looking for is not in your niche, you may not find the relevant expert. The best expert networks also conduct certain checks throughout the recruiting process. These checks are known as screening questions and they ensure that only the correct information is collected.

The way they conduct expert calls for private equity

Second, another way to spot the best expert networks is to see how they conduct the expert call. The best expert networks generally facilitate end-to-end consultations. From start to finish, they custom pick experts and connect them to the party in question. Finding the right expert takes time and call rates are high. So, the best expert networks generally undertake the whole process. They will also ensure to disclose their approach along with pricing information. If an expert network is not transparent with you, they may not be the right choice. At GrapeData, we custom-recruit experts from our platform of 300k contributors. For projects that need specialised and in-depth research, we conduct follow-up calls with our contributors. These calls produce even better quality data and ensure that no corner is untouched. 

Have a look at their social media channels

Third, another way to spot a good expert network is to follow the company’s social media channels. Especially, LinkedIn is a great way to spot which expert network will best suit your needs. A lot of the best expert networks publish reports, and industry trends as well as update their business activities on LinkedIn. Through browsing their social media channels, you can get a good idea of which expert network to go with. These channels will give you a good idea of the past activity and case studies of the expert network. 

Additionally, it also might be worth considering which business model the expert network operates in as it will impact the cost that your business incurs for the expert network. Expert networks usually operate in two types of business models. One type of revenue model is a one-time fee model, in which the expert network charges you a fee for the call. This fee is only levied one time for the duration of the call. On the other hand, in a subscription-based model, a fee is charged on a regular basis. This model may be suitable for your business if you have a constant need for subject matter experts. For more information on these models, you can read our guide on how B2B expert networks work. 

Why should you choose GrapeData?

Choosing the right expert network is a very important decision for your business. Subject matter experts can help you get specialised knowledge for your business. In a matter of hours, you can get insights from professional experts that took years to build. However, there is a high cost associated with the best expert networks. GrapeData understands the intricacies of expert networks and how they can help your business grow. We focus on follow-up calls that provide excellent and high-quality data. Combining qualitative and quantitative research methods, we deliver data-driven results. 

We don’t believe in a static approach when it comes to recruiting experts. Instead, we use AI and geolocation, we find the best experts for your business. Using our platform with over 300k contributors, we are sure to provide the best experts possible. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help, contact us at sales@grape-data.com.

The flip side of expert networks

The flip side of expert networks is that they are a great opportunity for freelancing. Some of the best expert networks provide a great opportunity for knowledgeable individuals to earn income.

Experts not only earn money but can share knowledge in areas that they are passionate about.  Let’s look at some of the benefits of joining the best expert networks:

1. As an expert, you get to share information about subjects that you are passionate about. It can be a great learning experience to share knowledge about the industry that you work in. 
2. Joining an expert network is a great opportunity to make some extra income. Not only do you get to share expert insights with others, but you also get paid for your knowledge. Thus, it’s a great way for a side income in 2022’s $401.4 gig economy.
3. Joining an expert network is also a great way to grow your connections in the industry. An expert network gives you a chance to connect with like-minded people. You can follow industry trends and exchange subject matter knowledge with your peers. 
4. Additionally, joining the best expert network is a good way to ensure that you get clients. If you are working on your own, it can be harder to access a wide variety of clients. However, through an expert network, you can get access to clients, quickly and easily.

‍Final Thoughts

Finding an expert network for your business can be a time-consuming process. However, with our three tips, you can find the best expert network for your business. First, you can look at past case studies of the expert network. Doing this is a good way to ensure that you find the right expert network. You can look at the kinds of experts that they recruit to see if they would be a good fit for you. You can also look at how they conduct expert consultations. This will give an idea of how business processes are conducted. Lastly, you can follow their social channels to stay up to date with their business. Social media activity will also be an indicator of the past work they have done. 

There's also a flip side to expert networks, where you can become an expert yourself. You can register on several platforms to be an expert. This way, you can share the knowledge that we have and you can also get paid to do what you love. Additionally, you can access several connections and clients in your industry. 

To know more about how we conduct calls for your survey project, email us at sales@grape-data.com. Our sales teams would be happy to guide you through your project.