Resources

Everything here is yours to copy, paste and adapt. The hard part of sending us business isn't enthusiasm — it's recognising which conversation is a 10x conversation. Most of this is about that.

The six moments worth spotting

They need someone good, quickly

A team is blocked and hiring would take months. 10x can have someone working in as little as two days.

“We're a developer short and it's holding up the release.”

They need expertise nobody in-house has

A specific skill, or an outside perspective on something the team is too close to.

“Nobody here has done this before and we're guessing.”

Ongoing work that never quite gets an owner

Upgrades, maintenance, implementing new code and designs, testing — steady hourly work rather than a project.

“Our platform needs constant attention and we keep deferring it.”

A defined project with a clear finish line

A specific scope with a tangible deliverable at the end.

“We know exactly what we want built, we just can't build it.”

A bridge while they hire

Rather than rushing a permanent hire, bring in a senior contractor while the search runs. 10x calls this hire slow, rent fast.

“We've been trying to fill this role for six months.”

A whole team, not a person

Several needs at once, met by a team that already works together.

“We need to stand up an entire product function.”

Who fits, and who doesn't

Worth introducing

Startups, non-profits and established companies alike — 10x works with all three.
Somebody senior enough to make the decision: a CTO, a head of engineering, a founder.
A real need with a budget behind it, even a rough one.
Remote is fine, and usually preferable — it widens the pool of people who could help.

Not worth either of our time

Junior roles. 10x represents senior technologists exclusively.
Companies looking to fill a permanent, full-time position and nothing else.
Recruiting, staffing or outsourcing firms — those are competitors, not customers.
Anyone shopping purely on lowest hourly rate.

What to say

The email introduction

You know both sides and you're connecting them directly.

Hi both — connecting you.

NAME, COMPANY is a talent agency for senior freelance technologists. They're not a job board or a marketplace; they represent a small, vetted roster and match people personally. When you mentioned you were short a DISCIPLINE, they were who came to mind.

AGENT, NAME is at COMPANY and is looking for WHAT THEY NEED.

I'll leave you two to it.

The heads-up

You'd rather flag it to 10x first and let them reach out.

Hi — I was talking to NAME at COMPANY and they're looking for WHAT THEY NEED. Seems like your sort of thing. Want me to introduce you, or would you rather reach out directly?

If they ask what 10x actually is

Somebody wants a sentence before they'll take the introduction.

They're a talent agency for senior freelance technologists — the same idea as an agency representing an actor or an author, applied to engineers. The company doesn't pay them a fee; they're paid out of what their talent earns. About 95% of the time a company hires the first person they put forward.

What happens after you introduce someone

An agent gets in touch with your contact, usually within a couple of business hours.
They have a conversation about what's actually needed — skills, timing, budget, whether it's remote.
They put forward a specific person from the roster, with a profile and the reasons that person fits this particular job.
If it looks right, the two of them talk directly, and 10x handles the contract, invoicing and everything after.
You get told how it went either way. If it turns into an engagement, your six months starts from the date you made the introduction.

Things you can say about us that are true

95% of companies engage the first technologist 10x puts in front of them.
The roster averages over 15 years of professional experience.
The average customer comes back — 5.8 engagements each.
Work delivered for Vice, American Express, Birchbox, MIT and BMW, among others.
In business since 2012.

Questions

What if you already know the company I'm about to introduce?

Then it isn't a referral under the agreement — but don't let that stop you introducing anyone. We'd rather have the introduction and sort it out afterwards than have you hesitate over it.

What if I introduce a company and then do the work for them myself?

There's no referral commission on that one. The programme is there to reward introductions that aren't already in your own interest.

How much do I earn, and when?

10% of what 10x actually collects from that customer, for six months from the date you introduced them. It's paid as the money comes in, not when it's invoiced.

Is there a minimum, or a quota?

No. Introduce nobody for a year and nothing happens.

What do I say about price?

Nothing — and that's deliberate. Rates depend on the person and the engagement, and a number from you that turns out to be wrong makes the introduction harder. “They'll walk you through it” is the right answer.

Do I need to know anything technical?

No. You need to recognise a company that's short of good engineers. 10x works out the rest.

Read and sign the agreement

Not sure whether we already know a company? You don't have to check first — make the introduction and we'll sort it out. But if you'd rather ask, tell us the name and we'll come back to you.