What Is an Expert Call?

An expert call is a live, private discussion—usually by phone or video—between a client (such as a company, investor, or consultant) and an industry expert. The purpose is to get firsthand insights, opinions, or explanations from someone with practical experience in a specific field.

Unlike webinars or podcasts, expert calls are completely customized to the client’s needs. The questions are targeted, the time is optimized, and the knowledge shared is often confidential or context-specific.

These conversations are typically arranged through expert networks such as GLG, AlphaSights, Guidepoint, or Maven, which handle expert sourcing, scheduling, and compliance.

Why Are Expert Calls So Valuable?

Expert calls allow professionals to make decisions with speed and accuracy, reducing the uncertainty that comes with incomplete or outdated information. Rather than relying on secondhand data, clients can speak directly with someone who has lived through the situation they’re analyzing.

For example, a private equity firm exploring an acquisition in the logistics industry might schedule a call with a former operations director from a competing company. Within an hour, the firm could learn about operational challenges, supplier issues, customer retention strategies, or pricing models—insights that would be difficult to extract from a spreadsheet.

Similarly, a SaaS startup preparing to launch in a new country might book an expert call with a local go-to-market strategist to understand cultural barriers, regulatory nuances, or sales channels.

Who Uses Expert Calls?

Expert calls are widely used across many industries and functions:

In Finance

Investment analysts, private equity firms, and hedge funds use expert calls to perform due diligence before making high-stakes decisions. A well-timed conversation with a former executive, customer, or competitor can help validate assumptions and uncover hidden risks.

In Management Consulting

Consultants rely on expert calls to support client projects with real-world context. Whether designing a market entry strategy or benchmarking operational performance, they gain clarity from those who have been “on the ground.”

In Corporate Strategy

Internal strategy teams and product managers use expert calls to accelerate decision-making, especially when evaluating a new vertical, vetting technologies, or expanding internationally.

In Startups and Innovation

Founders and innovation leads use expert calls to test hypotheses, challenge ideas, and better understand customer behavior—all without running a full market study.

How Does an Expert Call Work?

The process for scheduling an expert call is straightforward. It typically follows these steps:

1. The client defines the information gap they need to fill and submits a request to an expert network.
   
   

2. The network identifies relevant experts, either from their internal database or via targeted outreach.
   
   

3. Once an expert is confirmed, the call is scheduled—often within 24 to 72 hours.
   
   

4. The conversation takes place by phone or video, lasting between 30 and 60 minutes.
   
   

5. After the call, the client may receive a summary or transcript, depending on the service provider.

All reputable networks implement strict compliance protocols, especially in industries like finance, pharmaceuticals, and publicly listed companies. Experts are trained not to share confidential or non-public information.

How Much Does an Expert Call Cost?

Prices vary depending on the expert’s background, seniority, and industry. On average, an expert call costs between $800 and $1,200 per hour, though some networks offer more flexible, lower-cost options for shorter engagements or surveys.

While this may seem expensive at first glance, businesses often find that the value of insight gained in a single call far outweighs the cost—especially when the decision at stake involves millions of dollars or strategic positioning.

The Future of Expert Calls

The popularity of expert calls continues to grow as organizations prioritize agility and precision. In a landscape defined by rapid change, gaining exclusive insight from a seasoned professional is no longer a luxury—it’s a competitive necessity.

With the rise of remote work, global expert databases, and real-time translation tools, the barriers to accessing expert knowledge are lower than ever. Businesses of all sizes, from startups to multinationals, now rely on expert calls not only to validate strategies but also to drive innovation and reduce risk.

Conclusion

An expert call is one of the most powerful tools available to modern decision-makers. In just one conversation, companies can unlock the kind of insider knowledge that usually takes weeks of research to acquire. From finance to strategy, and from product design to international expansion, expert calls provide clarity, direction, and actionable insight—when it matters most.

If your team is facing a critical decision or exploring a new opportunity, consider the value of a 30-minute call with someone who’s already been there. In a world where knowledge is power, an expert call might be the smartest investment you make.