Built by a Freelancer,
For Freelancers

The Story

I've been working as a freelancer in the Motion Graphics and VFX industry for years. When I first learned about the "hold system" that pretty much every studio uses, I was confused — why can't these producers just book me?

Over time, I learned that the system exists to help juggle unpredictable clients and shifting budgets. Producers would love certainty, but their world is constant change — and god bless them for dealing with it. I'm not built for that part of the job. I just want to make cool visuals and experiment with cutting-edge techniques.

The hold system is here to stay, and freelancers need to work within it — but that doesn't mean it can't be improved. That's how the idea for Bookr came to life.

Why I Built This

I built Bookr to automate and track holds, bookings, and invoices for the industry I love. I'm tired of relying on scattered emails, personal notes, and whatever tracking method a studio happens to use that week.

We deserve a system built specifically for our industry. We have enough to manage already — and after years of dreaming about it, I finally built something to help us break free from the chaos.

How It's Built

This is a solo, bootstrapped project. I design it, code it, maintain it, and support it. No investors, no board — which means I'm not optimizing for profit, I'm optimizing for usefulness.

The tech stack is modern and reliable: Next.js, TypeScript, Supabase, and Vercel. I chose tools that prioritize speed, security, and developer experience so I can iterate quickly and keep the platform stable.

The Business Model

Right now, the beta is completely free — no fees, no charges. I want to ensure Bookr actually solves real problems before asking anyone to pay.

Once monetization rolls out, here's the plan:

No one is forced to pay a subscription. If the per-transaction fee works for you, great. If you prefer a monthly subscription with no transaction fees, also great. My goal is to stay sustainable without resorting to ads, selling data, or compromising freelancers — but I do need to keep the lights on.

My commitment is honest, clear pricing — without anyone feeling taken advantage of.

Future Plans

As the community grows, my long-term goal is to build a curated marketplace of top-tier talent — which is why Bookr is invite-only for now. I want Bookr to be filled with real, skilled artists and experienced producers.

Most job-posting and talent-finding platforms are predatory toward freelancers. It becomes a race to the bottom, and it's nearly impossible to know who's actually capable of doing the work. That's not what I want for Bookr.

I want Bookr's talent pool to be excellent — and I want it to prioritize quality and fair compensation, not who's willing to work for the lowest rate. We've all spent years honing our craft, and our pay should reflect that.

Questions or Feedback?

I'm building this for the community, so your input genuinely matters.

If you have ideas, run into bugs, or just want to talk about the platform, email me directly at alex@bookr.dev.

I read every message. I may not always have an immediate answer, but I'll always reply honestly.