Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions for Consultants/Experts

Note: The terms 'consultants' and 'experts' are used interchangeably throughout this document

Getting started is simple. First, create your profile on the Vedak platform and accept our terms and conditions for providing consultation services. We recommend that you complete our expert engagement tutorials to understand best practices and make your profile project-ready. Once your profile is complete and approved, Vedak's team will notify you directly when a suitable client project matches your expertise. You can then review project details and choose to engage if it's a good fit.

Vedak's clients include a range of organizations such as investment firms, consulting companies, startups, large corporations, and even non-profits. These clients typically seek expert insights or project-based support and come to Vedak for high-quality professional consulting services.

We welcome seasoned professionals and subject matter experts from various industries. Typically, our consultants have at least 5-7 years of significant experience in their field, a demonstrable track record of success, and strong communication skills. We seek individuals who can provide immediate, high-value insights to our clients.

Trust and quality are paramount. Our verification process includes reviewing your professional profile (such as your CV and LinkedIn), verifying your work history, and assessing your stated expertise. Sometimes, we may conduct a brief onboarding call to understand your experience better and ensure a good fit for our client base.

A strong profile is key. We recommend you:
  • Be Specific: Instead of "marketing expert," write "B2B SaaS marketing expert specializing in user acquisition and content strategy."
  • Quantify Achievements: Use numbers to demonstrate impact, e.g., "Grew organic traffic by 300% in 12 months" or "Led a team that reduced operational costs by 15%."
  • Use a Professional Headshot: A clear, professional photo builds trust.
  • Keep it updated: Regularly add new skills, projects, and accomplishments.

Provide enough detail to demonstrate your role and outcome clearly without breaching past confidentiality agreements. Focus on the challenges you solved, your actions, and the results you delivered. A few well-described, impactful projects are more effective than a long list of simple tasks.

Yes, we encourage it! Linking to a comprehensive LinkedIn profile or a professional portfolio can significantly strengthen your Vedak profile and give clients a complete picture of your expertise.

Our categories are constantly expanding. If your niche isn't listed, please select the closest available category and use specific keywords in your profile's summary and skills section. Our matching algorithm considers these keywords, ensuring you're still found for relevant projects.

We collect personal and professional information necessary to create your profile, verify your expertise, and facilitate payments. This includes your name, contact information, work history, and financial details for payouts. All data is used strictly to operate the Vedak platform, match you with clients, and process payments in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

No, there is no cost to register as a consultant on Vedak, and there are no subscription fees or mandatory commitments. You have the flexibility to take on projects at your convenience, and you only engage when you choose to bid on and work on a project.

You can update your profile anytime by logging into your Vedak account and navigating to the "My Profile" section. We recommend keeping your profile current to maximize your chances of matching with relevant projects.

Projects are diverse and span various needs, including:
  • Short-term expert consultations (1-hour calls)
  • In-depth market analysis and research
  • Strategic advisory and roadmap development
  • Technical due diligence
  • Specialized workshops and training sessions
  • Part-time, ongoing advisory roles

This varies greatly. A project can be a single one-hour phone call or a multi-month engagement requiring several hours per week. You set your own hourly or project-based rate. Vedak provides market data to help you set a competitive price, but you determine the final rate.

When a client posts a project that matches your profile's expertise, skills, and industry, you will be notified via email and on your Vedak dashboard. The notification will include a detailed project description, expected duration, and the client's budget, allowing you to assess whether it fits well. In some instances, considering the time sensitivity of some projects, a Vedak team member may also contact you directly by phone to discuss the opportunity and confirm your interest.

  1. Get Matched: Receive a project notification.
  2. Review & Express Interest: Review the project details and confirm your interest.
  3. Client Selection: The client reviews interested consultants and selects the best fit.
  4. Engage: You'll be formally engaged through the platform, which includes finalizing the scope and payment terms.
  5. Work & Collaborate: Complete the work and communicate with the client via our platform.
  6. Invoice & Get Paid: Submit your invoice through Vedak upon completion of milestones.

This depends on the project type. For most expert call projects, direct client interaction before the call is limited; clients typically review your profile and responses to screening questions, and if you're shortlisted, you are directly engaged for the call without a preliminary discussion.

However, once a client expresses interest in your profile for in-depth consulting or larger projects, you may have the opportunity to connect with the client to clarify expectations. In such cases, we can schedule a scoping call at a mutually convenient time to discuss the project's scope, deliverables, and timelines in detail, ensuring alignment before you officially begin.

You have complete autonomy to decline any project invitation. Doing so will not negatively affect your standing. We understand that your availability and interest can change. If possible, providing a reason for your decline will help us improve our matching algorithm.

We encourage consultants and experts to respond quickly to project invitations. For expert call requests, replying or applying within 30 to 90 minutes significantly increases your chances of being selected, as clients often make decisions quickly. For mid- to long-term project engagements, a response within 24 to 48 hours is acceptable. Prompt responses are a key indicator of professionalism and are highly appreciated by clients.

If a client requests work outside the original agreement, you should immediately communicate with them via Vedak. You can propose that the new tasks be scoped as a separate milestone or a new project on Vedak. Contact our support team if you need assistance in managing this discussion.

Feedback is typically immediate for expert calls, single-milestone, or small projects. Any clarifications or follow-ups are addressed quickly, and the project is completed soon after your consultation or response. Once the client confirms completion, payment is processed.

A structured feedback system is in place for mid-to-long-term projects or engagements with multiple milestones to maintain high-quality work. After the project concludes and payment is processed, both the client and consultant are prompted to leave a review and rating for each other. This two-way feedback system helps maintain a professional community and builds your reputation on the platform for future opportunities.

Vedak always facilitates direct communication between the expert and the client as the first step in resolving any dispute. For all engagements, we maintain well-documented project scopes, clear commercial terms, and interim feedback records—this transparency helps prevent misunderstandings and makes dispute resolution straightforward. We encourage both parties to communicate openly and work toward a solution if a disagreement arises. Vedak will act as a neutral mediator, helping both sides reach a fair and amicable resolution.

If no contractual obligation prevents you from accepting projects or assignments from other clients or platforms, you can take on different projects on Vedak or outside Vedak. We encourage you to manage your commitments transparently and ensure that you can meet all agreed-upon timelines and quality standards for Vedak projects.

After completing your engagement, you'll be asked to submit your account details and a summary of the work delivered. The client then reviews and approves your engagement. For all undisputed payments, Vedak processes and transfers funds to your designated bank account within 15 working days from completion.

Vedak charges a platform fee on the top of your fees to the client directly, so there will not be any deductions in the fees communicated to you.

We support payments in several major currencies.

No, you do not need to send invoices to the client. Vedak handles all billing and invoicing directly with the client on your behalf. Your responsibility is to complete the project and report its completion; Vedak will then invoice the client and ensure you receive the payment for your work.

Yes. If applicable, Vedak will deduct necessary taxes (for example, Tax Deducted at Source, or TDS, for consultants in India) from your earnings as required by law. You will be provided with the appropriate documentation (such as a TDS certificate) for any taxes withheld, which you can use for your tax filings.

The "Refer" tab allows you to refer talented colleagues to join the Vedak network or refer potential clients who could benefit from our services. We often offer referral bonuses as a thank-you for helping us grow our community.

Congratulations! Our goal is to create valuable connections. As per our Terms of Service, if you accept a full-time position with a client you met through us within a certain timeframe, the client is required to pay Vedak a one-time success fee. Please notify us so we can facilitate the process smoothly.

All projects and payments must be managed through the Vedak platform to protect you and the client. This ensures payment security, confidentiality, and proper record-keeping. Direct the client to initiate the new project through their Vedak dashboard. Circumventing the platform is a violation of our Terms of Service.

Confidentiality is fundamental to Vedak's service. All users are bound by Vedak's platform confidentiality agreement, and additional Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) or contracts are signed between experts and Vedak, as well as between Vedak and clients. This ensures that all project details, communications, and deliverables remain strictly confidential and are not disclosed to any third party. Clients may also require consultants to sign their own NDA prior to project commencement. All project-related communications and file sharing are conducted within Vedak's secure platform to maintain the highest standards of confidentiality and data protection. By default, your profile is private and can only be viewed by clients whose projects you have actively bid on; other consultants do not have access to your information. Vedak also takes measures to prevent matching you with projects from your current employer or related conflicts, and all consultants agree to confidentiality terms, including NDAs, upon joining the platform.

Frequently Asked Questions for Clients

Vedak makes it easy to hire top-tier talent on demand.
  1. Post a Project: Tell us about your project and the expertise you need. It's free and takes minutes.
  2. Get Matched: Our algorithm, supported by our in-house team, identifies and vets the most suitable consultants for your needs. You'll receive a shortlist of top candidates.
  3. Engage & Collaborate: Interview your preferred candidates, select the best fit, and start your project.
  4. Pay Securely: All payments are handled securely through our platform upon your approval of the work.

Our clients range from startups and small-to-medium businesses to large multinational corporations, investment firms, and consulting companies. Any organization that needs specialized expertise to solve a challenge, validate a hypothesis, or accelerate a project is a potential Vedak client.

Our consultants are highly-vetted professionals with deep industry experience. They include both independent experts and accomplished professionals currently working in leading companies, as well as former senior executives, seasoned operators, and subject matter specialists from across the globe. Each consultant is selected for their proven expertise and ability to provide on-demand, practical insights tailored to your needs.

Vedak is not an open freelance marketplace. We are a curated, exclusive network of experts. The key difference lies in our rigorous vetting process, our intelligent matching technology that saves you time, and our dedicated support to ensure your project's success. We focus on quality over quantity.

No. It is free to post a project and review the matched consultant profiles. You only pay for the consultant's time once you officially engage them and the project begins.

We stand by the quality of our talent. We offer a no-risk trial period on projects. If you are not satisfied with your chosen consultant within a specified initial period (e.g., the first week or a set number of hours), we will help you find a replacement, and you will not be charged for the initial consultant's time.

Absolutely. Our team is equipped to handle urgent requests and can prioritize your project to deliver qualified consultant profiles within tight deadlines.

Our primary model is to save you time by doing the heavy lifting. You share your need, and we provide a shortlist of the best-matched, available experts. This ensures you see only the most relevant candidates without spending hours searching.

Absolutely. If your project requires a team of experts with diverse skills, we can help you assemble a team of consultants from our network.

Your project can start as soon as you have selected your consultant, agreed upon the scope, and funded the initial milestone or project through the Vedak platform. This process can be as fast as 6-48 hours.

Consultants are professionals who manage their schedules diligently. However, if an unforeseen conflict arises, they are expected to communicate with you immediately. If the unavailability impacts your project timeline significantly, please contact our support team, and we will help you find a suitable resolution or a replacement consultant if necessary.

The intellectual property (IP) rights for all undisputed work belong to the client. If you require alternative IP arrangements, please discuss this with us before project initiation.

Every consultant undergoes a thorough vetting process, including verification of credentials, reference checks, and ongoing performance reviews based on client feedback. Only proven professionals are matched to your projects.

Yes, if your needs are long-term or recurring, we can structure ongoing advisory or retainer arrangements with consultants, providing stability and continuity for your projects.

Consultants on Vedak set their own rates. You will see their hourly or project-based price upfront. You pay this rate plus a Vedak platform fee, which covers our services, including vetting, matching, secure payment processing, and ongoing support.

Vedak's standard engagement model is fee-for-service to ensure clear, standardized terms for both clients and consultants. We do not facilitate equity-based compensation at this time.

Consultants set their rates based on their experience and the value they provide. For expert calls and short projects, rates are generally fixed and not open to negotiation. However, larger or long-term projects can discuss and negotiate the overall project scope and budget with the consultant before the engagement begins.

No, there are no hidden charges. Vedak shares a single, blended rate for each engagement, which includes both the consultant's fee and Vedak's platform charges—what you see is the all-inclusive fee for the engagement. The only addition is GST, which is charged at 18% of the total project value and is clearly mentioned in your invoice. GST is eligible for input credit, which you can claim as per applicable tax laws. You only pay the total fee and GST as stated in your agreement—nothing extra.

We take confidentiality extremely seriously. All users are bound by the confidentiality provisions in our Terms of Service. Furthermore, you can have any consultant sign your company's own Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before they access any sensitive information.

Yes. Our platform is designed to accommodate your compliance needs. You can provide your own legal documents, such as NDAs or specific terms, for the consultant to review and sign before commencing work.

Yes. If you find a consultant to be a perfect fit for a full-time position, you can offer them a role. Our terms include a "buy-out" fee for transferring a consultant from our network to a permanent role, reflecting the value we provided in sourcing and vetting top talent for you.

Vedak offers dedicated customer support via email, live chat, and phone. For enterprise clients or urgent needs, a dedicated account manager can be assigned to guide you through every stage of your project.