Holds & Bookings

Manage your talent pipeline on the Calendar (/calendar) and Schedule (/schedule) pages.

Understanding Holds

Hold = Reserve freelancer availability without committing

Hold Ranks:

• 1st Hold - Top priority, can book anytime
• 2nd Hold - Backup, promoted if 1st releases
• 3rd Hold - 2nd backup, rarely used

Placing a Hold

1. Find freelancer (search or profile)
2. Select dates on their calendar
3. Click "Place Hold"
4. Add optional message
5. Submit request

Freelancer receives:

• Email notification
• In-app alert
• Your contact info
• Project dates requested

Hold Statuses

Pending - Waiting for freelancer response Accepted - Freelancer confirmed availability Declined - Freelancer rejected Countered - Freelancer proposed changes Active - You can book anytime (within booking window) Converted - Became a confirmed booking Released - You released the hold Expired - Booking window expired

Managing Holds (/calendar)

View All Holds

• Active holds shown on calendar
• Filter by status
• Group by project
• Sort by date

Hold Actions

Book

• Convert hold to confirmed booking
• Creates binding contract
• Freelancer is committed
• Appears on schedule

Release

• Free up freelancer's dates
• If you choose someone else
• If project dates change
• No penalty for releasing

Counter-Offer

• Propose different dates
• Suggest different rate
• Add message explaining change
• Freelancer can accept/decline

Message

• Communicate about project
• Ask questions
• Clarify requirements
• Build relationship

Challenging Holds

If you're on 2nd hold and ready to commit:

How to Challenge

1. Click "Challenge" on hold
2. Force 1st hold to decide
3. They have 24 hours (or their policy time)

Challenge Outcomes

If 1st hold books: You lose the hold If 1st hold releases: You're promoted to 1st If time expires: You're automatically promoted

Use when:

• Your project is confirmed
• You need to lock in dates
• 1st hold is taking too long

Confirmed Bookings (/schedule)

Booking Details

• Freelancer information
• Project details
• Confirmed dates
• Agreed rate
• Total cost
• Status

Booking Actions

Request Date Change

• Propose new dates
• Freelancer approves or declines
• Useful for shifting timelines

Cancel Booking

• Cancel if project changes
• Select cancellation reason
• May incur penalty (see policy)

Create Invoice Request

• Remind freelancer to invoice
• After work is complete

Cancellation Policy

Free Cancellation

• More than 7 days before start
• No penalty

Partial Penalty

• 3-7 days before start
• 50% of total booking fee

Full Penalty

• Less than 3 days before start
• 100% of booking fee owed

Mobile Experience

On mobile (/):

• Timeline view of bookings/holds
• Swipe cards for actions
• One-tap booking
• Quick messaging
• Push notifications

Learn more about mobile

Notifications

You'll be notified when:

• Freelancer accepts/declines hold
• You're promoted (2nd → 1st)
• Counter-offer received
• Hold expires soon
• Booking window closing
• Date change approved
• Invoice received

Tips

• Place multiple holds - Backup options
• Release promptly - Help freelancers' calendars
• Book when ready - Don't wait until last minute
• Communicate clearly - Use messages
• Track challenges - Know when you're being challenged
• Pay invoices quickly - Build good relationships