“@sbartholomew commented: Great idea. Trusted contacts are worth 100x more to people than a traditional directory. I’ll be interested to see this develop.”

I completely agree with Steven Batholomew on this but I also recognize the following…

“@maverickwoman suggested such contacts are: worth protecting! Nothing that annoys me more than someone messing with my contacts in my network+doing the wrong thing”

I take this comment on board completely but can’t help but feel that providing such list information whilst including day rates and skill-sets will help reduce any likelihood of potential inquiry time wasters. I’d also suggest that my contacts are wise enough, and have been in business long enough, to know how to spot a time waster. Plus in many cases I’d expect to be connecting folk directly and making personal recommendations of connection as per usual – which hopefully covers part of the next comment:

“@superdeluxesam commented: Trust is required. Which probably entails a need for privacy or curation, or both. Don’t think a public resource would work.”

I understand the concern for privacy but I don’t really see an issue here, money is usually the sticking point for painful projects and time wasting clients but stating day rates openly helps cut through the crap. In my personal experience I never quibble a costing, if I decide upon a service I pay the rate without question but if the service doesn’t deliver an equivalent value I never return. Everyone knows I charge (on average) £450 +VAT per day [please do feel free to comment but be aware I ofter work at least ten hour days] but I’m yet to hear from a client who thinks I don’t deliver value.

So, how do I think this concept differs from LinkedIn? In short I feel LinkedIn is about winning business and their testimonial structure encourages reciprocation and recommendations that wouldn’t necessarily be given in conversation. The *Trustee* method actually aligns such recommendations at the heart of a brand, business philosophy and actual website (not removed and separated on to a third-party service website such a LinkedIn). I’d also suggest that the *Trustee* route is to benefit the freelance community and truly reliable services, not yourself. [I will say I'll ponder this and adjust as the concept grows].

Do I see it becoming something more in the future? I’m not sure, nor did I consider when I posted – its simply something I’d like to do to help the good folk that surround me. I personally think its an interesting launch-pad for upcoming talent and students in such networks but once again I’ll adjust this answer as the concept grows.

Thanks for comments. Please keep them coming. Much to ponder ;-)

:-)