Pick A Pro, Any Pro
Browse the credentials of the experts to find the answers you need.
Used to be, we could only dream about easy access to authentic
experts. But now, thanks to the Web, just a few keystrokes will get
you pointers on how to approach a venture capitalist, tips on
getting your computers running right or advice about how to fire
employees or incorporate abroad. Whatever it is you need to know,
the Web is teeming with sites where experts offer up pointed
advice, either for free or for a small fee.
So how exactly do you sort out the pros from the cranks before
committing to pay for an answer? The best sites let users rate
their experts and, before making a deal, you can read the reviews.
Most sites also offer some biographical details or abbreviated
resumes on the experts, and some of these experts prove to be
high-profile professionals.
Clicking to get more details on one expert, I discovered he was
an executive at a top-rung VC firm-and for $200, he offers his
insights. Another expert had been the CFO at a high-tech start-up,
and for $20, he'll provide a quick take on business financing
questions. Not all experts are this richly credentialed, however.
Some border on the flaky or are obvious self-promoters. In any
event, the choice of expert is yours.
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Where to find experts? Probably the slickest of the expert sites
is EXP.com (www.exp.com). But
it's not alone; also competing for eyeballs in this space are
ExpertCentral.com (www.expertcentral.com),
XpertSite.com (www.xpertsite.com) and Allexperts
(www.allexperts.com). Note:
response times vary from site to site and from expert to expert. If
you need to know now, hunt for experts who promise fast
turnaround.
And remember: All these sites actively recruit experts, so how
about you? Experts are needed in everything from business
management to training a cockatoo to talk. Big bucks won't end
up in your pocket (there are too many sites and too many experts
competing for the cash), but this could be a fast way to earn small
change while heightening your visibility.
Contact Source
To contact Robert McGarvey, e-mail him at rjm@mcgarvey.net.