Directory Of The West FAQs

We know you all are just as excited as we are about the launch of Directory Of The West, and you’ve been waiting patiently for details, so that’s what we’re giving you here! 

Below you will be able to find answers to all the questions you have, but in case we missed one, please feel free to send us an email at hello@ofthewest.co

Who, or what type of business, is The Directory for? 

The Directory is the perfect place for solo entrepreneurs or agency-type businesses where multiple people are employed. The service you’re offering can be a side hustle or your full-time gig, we welcome both types of people! This platform is also a place for all experience types, so whether you’ve only been in business for six months, or a veteran who’s been rocking the industry for 10 years, there will be people looking for all experience and price levels.

What different services will be listed?

The initial launch was Phase 1 and focused on creative services such as photographers, videographers, graphic designers, artists, web designers and developers, marketing professionals and agencies, public relations, social media managers, journalists, podcast editors and managers, event planners, event speakers, and voice talent. Phase 2 includes what we are calling Professional Services like consultants and strategists, accountants, bookkeepers, fractional CFOs, equine insurance brokers, etc. 

How will the search function look?

With the search function you will be able to search, sort, and filter by a person’s/business’s area of expertise, detailed skillset, the region/area served, types of platforms they have experience in, the industry sector(s) they have experience in, and also by their star rating!

• Area of expertise: This is the basic category each creative will be a part of. Ex: Graphic Design, Photography, Event Planning, Event Speaking, etc.
• Detailed Skillset: This area goes more in-depth to their area of expertise. We will use Marketers as an example. Marketing is their area of expertise and their detailed skillset can be: Email marketing, E-commerce marketing, Digital Advertising, Social Media Marketing, etc.
• Region/Area Served: Pretty self-explanatory here, but this will be the area the creatives are willing to serve. Creatives will also be able to share if they are willing to travel for projects and if they are open to working with anyone/anywhere.
• Type of Platforms they have Experience in: You will also be able to filter by certain platforms. If you’re looking for a Web Designer who needs experience in WordPress, this is the place you’ll find that. 
• Industry Sector(s) they have Experience in: The industry sectors will be farming, livestock, western sports, equine, western lifestyle, dairy, etc.
• Star Rating: People who have worked with the creatives will have the ability to leave them a star rating based on their experience and the work provided. You will be able to search by these star ratings.

How will the creatives/professionals be paid for their services?

This one’s easy – just like you’re being paid now! Directory Of The West is the connection point, so all payment and communication will be taken care of offsite and the responsibility of the creative. This will help the creatives/professionals by allowing them to keep all payments and communication consistent in their original place of choice.

Will the creatives/professionals communicate with the clients on Of The West?

No! The profiles of the creatives/professionals will have all of the pertinent contact information, so once someone is logged into the site, they’ll be able to contact the creatives directly through the information in their profiles. An exciting element is creatives will have the ability to log into their dashboard and see how many people have clicked on their contact button, to gauge what type of traffic they’re getting from the site.

Will we be able to edit our profiles once they are listed?

Yes! Creatives/Professionals will have full control over their profile, allowing them to edit and update at any time. 

Will there be an opportunity to be featured just like certain jobs can be?

We are first going to focus on marketing and sharing the categories as a whole (Ex: “Find Graphic Designers, here!), and then in the future there will be an opportunity for creatives/professionals to be featured just like certain jobs on the job platform side of the site.

Does this replace how I hire for a full-time or part-time creative role? 

No! The Directory is a tool to help connect people needing creative help with the creatives looking to take on additional clients and work. If you are looking to hire someone on a full-time or part-time basis, then you will want to post a job through Of The West’s job board. 

Now, if you are someone who needs creative or professional help but would rather them come to you versus you searching for them, you can still post a freelance or contract job on the job platform side of the site. Through this route, the “employer” would pay for a job listing, post the job, and those interested will apply like a regular job seeker to your job listing. You can get more details on how to do that, here.

What is the pricing and how does it work?

Annual Option

• $299.88 which equals out to $24.99/month
• With the annual option, you pay for the entire year at the time of sign-up.

Monthly Option

• $34.99/month (which equals out to $419.88/year)
• With the monthly option, you will be charged the price at the same time every month.

We believe The Directory will be such a welcomed addition to the ag + western industry giving creatives and professionals a way to grow their network and those in need of these types of services, a one-stop shop to find their creative or professional match!

You can hear Of The West’s Founder, Jessie Jarvis, and Director of Marketing, Sarah Wilson, chat all things The Directory on Leaders Of The West, so make sure you check that episode out, here!