Complete Workflow Guide

How AlongSide Works
Start to Finish

From posting a project to getting paid — every step, every email, every status. No surprises.

Seeker flow →Provider flow →Payment & escrow →
🔍

Seeker Journey

From "I want to learn this" to walking away with real skills

📋
01
Post a gig or browse providers
Seeker

Describe what you want to do — change your brakes, reef tank setup, learn to weld — and post it to the gig board. The moment you post, AlongSide suggests qualified providers matched to your gig — invite them directly, or let providers in your area apply with tiered offers. You can also skip the post and message a provider straight from their profile.

📬
02
Receive offers
Seeker

Providers submit offers with tiered engagement levels: Talk through it, Work alongside, Take the lead, or Handle it completely. Each tier has its own price. You'll get an email the moment an offer lands.

✏️
03
Review, negotiate, or accept
Seeker

Review the provider's pitch, portfolio, and pricing. Accept any tier, send a counter-offer to negotiate price, or decline. The negotiation stays in the app until both sides agree.

04
Booking confirmed
Both

Once you accept an offer, a pending booking is created and the provider is notified. The provider reviews and confirms. You both get a confirmation email with the full session details.

💳
05
Authorize payment
Seeker

After confirmation, you authorize payment. Your card is held — not charged — until the session is marked complete. Free sessions skip this step entirely.

🤝
06
The session happens
Both

Show up, do the work, ask every question. The provider guides, demonstrates, or works alongside you depending on the tier you chose. You leave with real skills and a completed project.

07
Review each other
Both

After the provider marks the session complete, both parties receive a review request. Seekers rate the provider on expertise, teaching, communication, and value. Providers rate seekers on preparedness, communication, and respect.

💸
08
Payout released
Both

48 hours after session completion, your held payment is captured and transferred to the provider's bank account. The provider receives an email confirmation. Disputes can be raised before the 48-hour window closes.

Provider Journey

From listing to payout — what happens on your side

🛠️
01
Create your listing
Provider

Apply to become a provider and set up your profile. Describe your expertise, session types (in-person, remote, or both), and rates. No certifications required — real-world expertise is what matters.

📋
02
Browse the gig board
Provider

Seekers post open projects on the gig board. AlongSide suggests the gigs that best match your services and area right on your dashboard — or browse the full board by category, skill level, and location. Apply to gigs that fit with a pitch and your tiered pricing.

🤝
03
Seeker accepts your offer
Provider

When a seeker accepts your offer, you'll get an email with the booking details. Review the project scope, session type, and earnings. Accept to lock it in or decline to pass.

📅
04
Confirm the booking
Provider

Accept the booking from your provider dashboard. The seeker is notified and prompted to authorize payment. You can message each other through the booking page to align on logistics.

🔧
05
Run the session
Provider

Show up and do what you do. Start the session from your provider dashboard — it timestamps everything. Mark complete when done. Your private notes are only visible to you.

06
Rate your seeker
Provider

After marking complete, you'll be prompted to rate the seeker on preparedness, communication, attitude, and safety awareness. Your rating helps other providers know what to expect.

💸
07
Get paid
Provider

48 hours after session completion your earnings are transferred directly to your connected Stripe account. You'll receive a payout confirmation email. Free sessions have no transfer — they're logged for trust and certification purposes.

💳

Payment & Escrow

Your card is never charged until your session is complete

Payment status flow
Every booking moves through these states in order
unpaid
Booking created, awaiting seeker payment
🔐
authorized
Card held via Stripe — not charged yet
🏦
escrowed
Payment confirmed and held in escrow
captured
Session complete — escrow window open
💸
released
48hr window closed — provider paid
🔐
Your card is held, not charged
Stripe authorizes and holds your payment when you confirm. The provider can't access any funds until after your session is marked complete.
⏱️
48-hour dispute window
After a session is marked complete, there's a 48-hour window before funds are released. If anything went wrong, open a dispute before it closes.
🆓
Free sessions skip payment
If a session is priced at $0 — a free intro, a barter, or a test session — no payment is collected and no card is required. The session still logs for trust and certification purposes.
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Provider gets paid automatically
Once the 48-hour window closes, earnings transfer directly to the provider's connected bank account. AlongSide keeps 9% from the provider (less on paid plans), plus a 9% seeker service fee. No manual action needed.
📧

Email Notifications

When you'll hear from us and why

📬
New offer received
Seeker
When a provider submits an offer on your gig
🤝
Booking request
Provider
When a seeker accepts your offer
Gig confirmed
Seeker
When you confirm the booking
Review request
Both
When the session is marked complete
💸
Payout confirmation
Provider
When your earnings are transferred
24-hour reminder
Seeker
The day before your scheduled session
Cancellation
Both
If either party cancels a confirmed booking
⚠️
Dispute opened
Both
If a dispute is raised on a booking
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Ready to get started?

Post a project as a seeker, or apply to become a provider.
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