1. What is Rent-a-Researcher?
Rent-a-Researcher is Research Rockstar’s temporary staffing service for clients who are understaffed due to employee leaves (maternity, medical, etc.), schedule conflicts or other temporary workload fluctuations.
2. What companies use the Rent-a-Researcher program?
Although our client list is confidential, we work with market research departments within Fortune 100 companies as well as market research agencies and marketing consultancies. Often our clients have a market research team, and they just need temporary help.
3. Why do clients hire freelancers through the Rent-a-Researcher program vs. hiring them directly?
Most of Research Rockstar’s clients are either A) larger organizations that prefer not to work with individual freelancers due to legal and insurance reasons or B) fast-moving teams with no time to find and screen candidates.
4. Why do market research freelancers choose to work through the Rent-a-Researcher service?
We build relationships with our clients so that we can act as your sales department, if your qualifications match a client’s needs. Also, while on an active engagement, you are paid every two weeks vs. the 60/90 day payment terms freelancers typically get when working directly with clients. Another benefit is that our model is designed to protect the value of your time: no “eating” extra hours from scope creep.
5. What types of skills are currently in demand?
We get requests for a variety of market research skills. Common requests include survey programming, banner tables and statistics help, moderation/ interviewing, project management and report writing. Less commonly requested but highly valued skills include advanced SPSS, Sawtooth, online qualitative design and data collection, Tableau and secondary research. Be sure to complete the application carefully so that we know all of your skills.
6. How much do I earn?
You should expect your hourly rate to be about 30% less than the rate you would charge if you had found the client on your own. Since we are acting as your sales department, we will mark up your rate, as all staffing agencies do, to offset costs for screening candidates, client development and support, and administration. In all cases, our clients pay Research Rockstar, and we pay the contractor. All contractors are paid on an hourly rate basis, even for qualitative research work. We know many moderators expect to earn a fixed amount per group. However, think about all of the hours that go into such projects and the risks of excessive hours when working on projects where there are many changes: we protect the value of your time and work with you to estimate the actual number of hours needed (often expressed as a range).
7. What is the typical duration of Rent-a-Researcher engagements?
Engagements vary depending on the client’s needs. A “rush” gig might be 10-20 hours. More common project engagements are 20-60 hours. Other engagements are longer term, such as 25 hours a week for six months. The scope and duration is always documented in writing.
8. What is the process for a Rent-a-Researcher engagement?
Once a client accepts you as the contractor for the project, you will receive a statement of work (SOW). Timesheets are due weekly on Fridays, and payments (ACH) are made by Research Rockstar to the contractor every two weeks for hours worked during the engagement. If during the engagement the client asks you to take on additional work, simply notify us so we can update the client agreement and make sure you get paid for the expanded scope.
9. How often will I get projects?
We are unable to predict this. Project frequency varies based on lead volume and topics, which can vary a lot on a month to month basis. Not all leads suit all researchers, and we strive to match you clients that will be a great fit for you and the client. Promptly responding to Gig Alerts increases your chances of selection for interviews and securing more projects. Also, you may work with multiple clients and then find yourself with a great match–a client who hires you repeatedly. Some of our freelancers have worked with the same clients regularly for over five years.
10. I am in the RAR program but haven’t received any leads—why?
There are four common reasons why freelancers may not be winning projects through our service:
- You do not have in-demand industry experience. For example: if a client wants a researcher with auto industry experience, that’s what we match them with.
- You do not have competitive reporting samples. Clients who engage with us for report writing typically have very high standards for analysis quality, writing excellence and PowerPoint design. PowerPoint design is often the disqualifier; even though the client will provide their own template for the researcher to use, if they see a reporting sample that looks “old school”, they will usually decline the candidate.
- Your geographic location does not match. Some clients prefer freelancers who are in their time zone to make it easier to communicate or reduce travel expenses.
- Your rate is uncompetitive. If your rate to us is higher than what we get from other freelancers, then when we propose you as a potential candidate to the client (and we usually offer the client three or four candidates from which to choose for any gig), you will get priced out.
11. What if the client wants me to travel?
If a project will require travel, we will always get your agreement to that before matching you with a client. Although travel time is generally unpaid, the client is responsible for your travel expenses.
12. What if I’m unhappy with a project?
Please bring it to our attention right away. We’ll see if we can resolve the situation; but if not, we’ll arrange to transition you out as quickly as possible.
13. What if a client wants to hire me as an employee?
“Temp-to-perm” is a great way for you and a future employer to get to know each other. If you and a client have a match and want to move to an employee status, just let us know. The client knows that they will owe a one-time fee per their agreement with Research Rockstar, but this will not affect you in any way.
14. Will I be subject to a background check?
Possibly, but not usually. Research Rockstar has non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements with all freelancers. Background checks are conducted upon the request of a client and usually only requested by government clients.
15. What happens if I think I may go over the hours stated in the SOW?
Before starting any engagement with us, you will sign a Statement of Work (SOW) which documents the maximum number of hours that have been approved. If you are getting close to the maximum and feel you may need more time, bring it to our attention immediately so we can negotiate with the client to get approval. Under no circumstances should the freelancer exceed the maximum number of hours as documented in the SOW, because we cannot guarantee payment for the excess hours.