Frequently Asked Questions / Definitions / Video Demos / Support

What are you all about? (top)

KnowledgeBid facilitates paid interactions between researchers (primarily investment funds and market researchers) and subject matter or industry experts. When our clients have a research question, we put them in touch with people who can help them make better decisions. Engagements typically consist of phone conversations and pay by the hour. KnowledgeBid does not permit employees of publicly traded companies to consult through the KnowledgeBid platform.

Who pays for services on KnowledgeBid? (top)

Anyone can pay for services on KnowledgeBid. Our buyers tend to be investment professionals, consulting firms, marketers, professional researchers, companies and academics investigating specific segments of the economy or of a specific industry.

Who provides services on KnowledgeBid? (top)

Anyone can provide services on KnowledgeBid so long as they are not breaking contracts or agreements and not directly employed by a publicly traded company. To see more details, check out our terms of service.

What is a user account? (top)

A user account is the primary and most basic type of account on the KnowledgeBid platform. All accounts begin as users accounts.

What is a buyer account? (top)

A buyer account is the type of account created by users that want to post listings on KnowledgeBid and purchase services. Anyone can post listings, but you must have a valid credit card on file to receive and accept applications.

What is a provider account? (top)

A provider account is the type of account created by users when they apply for contracts on KnowledgeBid and sell services.

What is a referrer account? (top)

A referrer account is the type of account created by users that want to refer people to KnowledgeBid listings and collect referral rewards.

What is a KnowledgeBid Research Partner? (top)

KnowledgeBid Research Partners work with KnowledgeBid to find experts and consultants. KnowledgeBid Research Partners have accounts that allow for the easy posting and tracking of numerous listings at once. Research Partners will contract and compensate experts and consultants directly once they have made a connection through KnowledgeBid. If you are interested in becoming a KnowledgeBid Research Partner, please call 800-576-4104 x1 and we will work with you to create an account that best matches your organization's needs.

How do I create alerts? (top)

Create alerts.

How do I log in? (top)

In order to log in to the KnowledgeBid platform, you must have created an account. If you have created alerts, apply for contracts, or posted a listing, we have emailed you login information. Click 'Log In' in the row of navigation links and enter your account information into the fields provided.

What do I do if I can't remember the information required to log in? (top)

If you have forgotten the information required to log in to your account, enter your email address here and we will email you your password. If you have forgotten your email address, call us at 800-576-4104 and we'll help.

How do I import my profile? (top)

Providers have the option of importing details from their LinkedIn public profiles. When an import occurs, the imported data is tagged with the source URL and date of the import. Providers can import their public LinkedIn profile during the signup process or after they have created their account by clicking the 'Import from LinkedIn' link and providing their LinkedIn public profile URL.

How do I create a buyer account? (top)

The easiest way to create a buyer account is to post a listing.

How do I create a referrer account? (top)

The easiest way to create a referrer account is to attempt to refer someone to listing. To do this, click one of the links labled 'Refer' next to or within a listing.

How do I become a KnowledgeBid Research Partner? (top)

If you are interested in becoming a KnowledgeBid Research Partner, please call 800-576-4104 x1 and we will work with you to create an account that best matches your organization's needs.

How do I create a listing? (top)

The easiest way to create a listing is to click 'Create Listing' in the upper row of navigation links.

How do I apply for a contract/listing? (top)

When you are viewing the full description of a listing, you will see multiple blank text fields. Complete these fields as appropriate, continue as necessary, and provide scheduling details. Remember that the more call times you submit, the more likely one of them will work for a buyer and they will select your application. However, you should not submit times that would could not or even might not be able to speak with a buyer. You will not be able to edit the times you submit after you have submitted them.

How do I know a provider is who they say they are? (top)

You can never be 100% sure that a provider is who they say they are, however; KnowledgeBid strives to do the utmost to ensure the legitimacy of providers. While we cannot always touch base on the phone with applicants to your listing, we do provide a mechanism to ensure integrity of providers. All providers can take our Identity Authentication test, which authenticates provider names. Nevertheless, it does not verify educational background, work history, or anything else about provider or the information they list in their profile. We highly recommend that you do some research on the web about a provider once your receive their application. Follow the links providers provide in their profiles, use search engines to find more references yourself, be sure to check the 'last edited' dates next to their profile entries, check to see how many contracts they have completed in the past, be wary of providers that have not authenticated their identities, and review their feedback scores.

Why should I authenticate my identity? (top)

Buyers are much more likely to contract with providers that have authenticated their identities. Identity authentication is a powerful tool for buyers to evaluate the merit and veracity of providers. Thus, it is highly recommended that providers authenticate their identities.

Are engagements location specific? (top)

We primarily deal with consulting engagements so you can be anywhere so long as you have access to a phone.

How do I edit a listing? (top)

This functionality is currently prohibited.

How do I delete a listing? (top)

This functionality is currently prohibited.

How do I edit an application? (top)

This functionality is currently prohibited.

How do I delete an application? (top)

It is not possible to delete applications once they have been submitted. Please take the time to make sure you filled out all the requested information correctly.

How do I talk to a buyer? (top)

When a providers' application is accepted by a buyer, the provider's contact information will then be displayed to the buyer. More often than not, the provider will be contacted directly by the buyer shortly after the application is accepted unless the buyer specifies otherwise in the acceptance email.

How do I talk to a provider? (top)

When a buyer accepts an application, the buyer and provider will receive an email notification containing the contact information for the provider. The provider and buyer will then be in contact with each other to set-up the details of the consultation.

How do I pay? (top)

KnowledgeBid accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

How do I get paid? (top)

Depending on the type of listing, one of two ways. If a listing is owned by a buyer with a research account, our client will contract and compensate your directly. You should negotiate your rate with them once they have accepted your application. For all other listings, once you have completed a successful contract, you will have earned money through KnowledgeBid. We will ask you to complete a 1099 form so we can report your payment to the IRS and then we'll either mail you a check or deposit your earnings directly in your bank account. KnowledgeBid pays providers on a bi-weekly basis.

How do I submit a 1099? (top)

Only providers and referrers need to complete 1099 forms. Once a provider or referrer has earned money on KnowledgeBid, they will receive an email containing details about completing a 1099 form. KnowledgeBid will use this information for tax purposes. Please see our Privacy Policy for more details.

Can I contact a provider directly? (top)

Contacting a provider directly without a scheduled call through KnowledgeBid is not permitted.

Can I contact a buyer directly? (top)

Contacting a buyer directly without a scheduled call through KnowledgeBid is not permitted.

Can I schedule additional conversations with a provider I have already spoken to? (top)

This feature will be available soon.

How can I get help? (top)

Click the link labeled 'Help' in the footer to see our directory of Frequently Asked Questions and Definitions. If you cannot find the answer you are looking for there, send us an electronic message through out contact form, or call us at 800-576-4104 and we'll be happy to assist you.

How can I look at listings for just one professional field or industry? (top)

Use the filter bar on the left side of the KnowledgeBid home page to filter the displayed results. Click 'All Industries' or 'All Professions' to industry and profession filters you can use to filter results. Click the filter you want to use, or click 'All Industries' or 'All Professions' to remove the filter.

How can I search listings? (top)

Use the search field in the right hand column of the KnowledgeBid home page to enter search queries, or use advanced search (http://dev.knowledgebid.com/search/industry-profession).

Can I search for providers? (top)

If you are looking for a provider, you should post a listing describing your needs and search within the applications you receive for the best match.

Can I see provider profiles? (top)

You can only see the provider profiles of those providers that have applied for one of your contracts.

Can I see who a buyer is before I apply for one of their contracts? (top)

The only way a provider will learn the identity of a buyer is if a buyer communicates it directly to a provider on a call. Protecting buyer anonymity part of what makes KnowledgeBid attractive to buyers.

Can I see who a buyer is after I apply for one of their contracts? (top)

The only way a provider will learn the identity of a buyer is if a buyer communicates it directly to a provider on a conference call. Protecting buyer anonymity part of what makes KnowledgeBid attractive to buyers.

Can I sell inside information, trade secrets, etc.? (top)

No. KnowledgeBid has a zero tolerance policy towards misuse. Review our Terms of Service for more details.

Can I buy inside information, trade secrets, etc.? (top)

No. KnowledgeBid has a zero tolerance policy towards misuse. Review our Terms of Service for more details.

What is 'Identity Authentication'? (top)

Providers on the KnowledgeBid platform can take our Identity Authentication Test. Our platform extracts the name and address associated with a provider's account and queries billions of public data records, then in real time produces a series of timed questions that would be exceptionally difficult for anyone but the actual provider to answer. You can take the test yourself to see what it's all about.

What do the lock icons mean? (top)

Once a provider has authenticated their identity, they cannot change the name and address listed in their profile. This feature protects buyers from fraudulent providers. In the near future, providers will be able to edit their name and address, but they will have to re-authenticate after they do so.

Do you store any of my responses to identity authentication test questions? (top)

No, our system does not store any of this information.

Do you store my credit card or bank information? (top)

No, our system does not store any of this information.

Do you offer refunds? (top)

Refunds are not offered by KnowledgeBid. Review our terms of service for more detail.

What is a successful referral? (top)

When a listing is posted, referral rewards are attached to each contract. If a user refers someone to the listing and that person successfully engages with a KnowledgeBid client, the referring party is awarded the referral reward. Note that application acceptance alone does not qualify as a successful engagement. The referred party must engage with the KnowledgeBid client for the referral to be successful.

How are payments calculated? (top)

Depending on the type of listing, one of two ways. If a listing is owned by a buyer with a research account looking to connect you with one of their clients, the firm will negotiate rates and payment directly through you. For all other listings, a provider is paid the hourly rate they choose in their profile. Providers are paid for 100% of a contract's preparation time in addition to the actual time spent with a buyer.

How can I contact KnowledgeBid? (top)

Click the link labeled 'Help' in the footer to see our directory of Frequently Asked Questions and Definitions. If you cannot find the answer you are looking for there, send us a message through out contact form, or call us at 800-576-4104 and we'll be happy to assist you.

How can I report a bug? (top)

Send us a message through out contact form to report bugs. Thanks for your help!

How can I report an inappropriate listing or application? (top)

Use the red 'Report' button located within applications and listings to report prohibited, inappropriate, or spam content.

How can I make a feature recommendation? (top)

Send us a message through out contact form to request a feature. Thanks for your input!

How is information transferred between buyers and providers? (top)

Information is transferred via phone call. Once a buyer accepts a provider's application, the provider's contact information will be displayed to the buyer. The provider and buyer will then schedule a time for a consultation.

What do all of these terms mean? (top)

Check out our definitions page for help with the terms used on KnowledgeBid.