More Flexible and Fair-priced: Why Customers Turn to Younger Expert Networks

Whenever you need to access expert insights, it should always be a case of choosing the right network to suit your budget and meet your expectations.

Legacy expert networks usually rely on credit-based systems, long-term contracts, and prepaid packages, which have been acceptable to many businesses until now.

However, more flexible and client-oriented expert network models are gaining ground since the demand for quick, targeted knowledge continues to surge across various industries.

Can the traditional approaches used by large expert networks meet the needs of today’s research teams?

Is there a problem with credit and prepaid packages?

Customers of large expert networks may have to buy credit or sign up for quarterly or annual call packages.

Eventually, they will utilize all the credit they have and make the calls they paid for, but sometimes businesses may feel under pressure to use all the credit or prepaid package to make expert calls or risk losing money.

For instance, if you have paid for 50 expert calls, it could be that the last few calls are of little to no value, but you still feel the need to use up your credits.

ENC, the expert network aggregator platform with 17+ networks, boasts a more flexible approach of ‘pay-per-call,’ which is described in more detail below.

Does working with big networks require big research projects?

The biggest players in the expert network industry have dominated the market for many years, mainly serving large businesses, major consulting companies, and private equity funds.

Up until now, they have boasted a global reach and an extensive pool of expertise, but big projects may lead to hidden costs and even unsatisfied customers, as with every other business model.

Credit Confusion and Extra Fees

The clients of some large expert networks who have a prepaid contract may be surprised to discover that a one-hour call used up several credits (usually 1.5 to 3) because they requested a transcript or the expert was rated as ‘premium’.

One network user pointed out that even the smallest overrun of an expert call is tracked closely and charged for, with minimal flexibility. For example, if a call lasts ten minutes longer than anticipated, you can expect to be charged more.

Operational Friction

Large expert networks have huge expert databases that are managed in-house, which is why it can be argued that they provide value for money.

However, players new to the market are now custom-recruiting outside fixed lists and digging deeper into unexplored pools of experts to find the perfect match to meet niche or emerging needs.

If you’re a client, think about this: Was the value of the call cost-effective? Was there more flexibility?

Whether from the tech, pharma, private equity, or consultancy industry, more affordable and agile alternatives are becoming increasingly available on the market.

Expert Network Calls (ENC)’s No-Commitment Model Alternative

ENC is a platform that allows businesses to connect with several expert networks to find just the right professionals and increase the chances of obtaining the most niche insights at an affordable price.

Instead of demanding prepayments or volume commitments, ENC allows clients to engage experts on a pay-per-project basis.

At ENC, there is no subscription cost and no opaque credits – simply a straightforward fee to gain the insights you need and a platform-wide 15-minute grace period for every call. On top of that, you get free recordings, transcripts, and even summaries drafted with the help of an AI assistant.

Every penny spent is tied to an actual expert interaction

If you require three calls instead of the 10 you may have anticipated, you will only pay for those three calls, nothing else, and there are no penalties for making fewer calls.

If an expert call doesn’t happen or an expert doesn’t meet your criteria, you will not be billed.

Streamlined, user-friendly experience

Another hallmark of ENC’s model is that it is a modern platform that puts you, the client—in control.

Should you need an expert for insights on a niche topic, you simply submit your project request on our platform and watch the candidates step forward.

As a user, you can review expert profiles, see the proposed hourly rates, and schedule calls – all within a single platform.

Final word

As the expert network industry evolves, the smart money is on flexibility and transparency. After all, whether you’re in consulting, private equity, pharma, or tech, the goal is to pay only for effective insights.