Why I’ve launched Credo Annual (the backstory)

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In February 2013, I launched HireGun.co.

In September 2015, I lost my job and went full time on HireGun.

In January 2016, HireGun became Credo.

In May 2016, I launched Credo Pro.

Now in September 2017, I have finally launched an Annual Membership to Credo.

I’ve resisted this for a long time, but I think it’s the right move.

I want to do two things here:

  1. Explain to you in raw transparent terms why I’m doing it;
  2. Invite you to apply to be listed.

Why I’ve launched Credo Annual

I have long wanted Credo to be the best place for any business to come to find a vetted consultant or agency. But I had no idea how to make it work as a business.

I’ve been through multiple models by this point – pay per lead, only commission, and only retainer. Each one has their plusses and minuses.

At one point earlier this year, I had 120 agencies and consultants counting on me for leads each month.

That is exhausting. And when I looked at the numbers on how well these “leads” were closing to projects, I saw that they were around 10-20%.

I was not happy with that.

So over the last few months, I have been working to cut back on the number of customers I am actively sending projects to. I am much happier and less stressed, and my customers are happier too. And they are signing more work.

So why an Annual plan?

One thing I’ve learned is that there are a lot of great solo consultants and smal agencies out there who only take on a few new clients per year. In that case, the monthly membership model does not make sense for them.

Similarly, if Credo is going to be the best place to find a vetted agency or consultant, I need to have more people listed within the directory.

Chicken, meet egg.

An Annual plan allows me and you to do a few things:

  1. You get associated with the best of the best, but don’t pay monthly. You get a few leads a quarter, and hopefully 2-3 clients a year.
  2. I get to spend more time developing content to actually help you grow your business. Leads are worthless if you can’t close them or retain them.
  3. More providers on Credo means more choice for businesses looking to hire, which is better for them. They’re much more likely to get the right person.

I’d love to have you apply

I resisted the Annual plan for so long. I felt like I was going to be compromising my values of wanting to build only the best place with the best providers.

But now is the right time to launch this. We still manually approve everyone applying to be listed, so quality will not suffer.

I’m excited to get more of you on Credo, and excited for the direction of my company.

Go here to learn more and then apply if you’re interested.

To the future!