Chapter 1: My Journey with Thumbtack

In this section, I’ll share my personal experiences with Thumbtack, including the highs and lows, and how I managed to earn approximately $1,600 while only investing under $100 in leads over the last two months.

Thumbtack is a platform that connects people who need to hire various services—such as landscapers or DJs—with professionals in those fields, all at no initial cost. However, for entrepreneurs and side hustlers, Thumbtack can present a mixed bag, often offering leads that can be quite pricey. It has faced its share of criticism for allegedly taking advantage of business owners, which wasn't always the case.

Back in 2016, when I was just starting out in entrepreneurship, I struggled to attract clients to build my portfolio. Then, I discovered Thumbtack, which proved to be a game changer. The platform allowed clients to reach out to me without any upfront costs until they officially hired my services. This made my investment in leads feel justified and worthwhile. Thumbtack played a crucial role in my early growth, and I have mixed feelings about any negative aspects that have emerged recently.

After relocating to Los Angeles and feeling like a small fish in a vast ocean, I considered using Thumbtack again for client acquisition. I logged back in and began listing all the services I could provide without fully reviewing their updated rules and payment structures.

This led to an unexpected shock when I was charged over $200 for a web design lead! I was furious and reached out to customer support, only to be offered a credit, which I found unsatisfactory. So, where did I go wrong?

These days, Thumbtack operates differently: you select the services you're interested in to receive "opportunities." You can also opt for direct lead targeting, which provides leads directly, but you might be charged a fee deemed appropriate by them. If I had been aware of this, I would have avoided enabling targeting for web design.

They heavily promote turning on targeting, which can lead to unexpected costs. However, after understanding how Thumbtack functions, I managed to generate around $1,600 by spending just about $100 in the last two months, which is impressive.

I've decided to concentrate on my real estate photography skills, as the cost per lead is around $20, which I found reasonable. Thumbtack allows you to set your standard prices for services, matching you with leads that fit your offerings. Out of five direct leads, four resulted in scheduled appointments, and one client even booked me three times. Unfortunately, there were one or two leads that didn't respond, resulting in wasted expenses, which can be frustrating if you're in a tight spot.

This experience has taught me the importance of accurately labeling and pricing every service I offer and only activating those that I am confident in delivering. Being strategic with your spending is crucial!

So, what's the takeaway? Thumbtack can be an excellent resource for both experienced professionals and novices looking to expand their business. I advise being selective about the services you use Thumbtack for, ensuring that your costs for direct leads remain reasonable. Additionally, you can adjust your service prices to offset Thumbtack's lead fees.

When it comes to recommending Thumbtack for everyone, I believe it should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. For photographers, especially those starting out, using Thumbtack can help establish your foundation, garner reviews, build your portfolio, and boost your income. Just be cautious!

If you have any questions regarding Thumbtack, feel free to reach out. I hope this information proves helpful.

For those interested in a visual representation of this journey, check out the video linked below.

Chapter 2: Exploring Alternatives

Another platform that resembles Thumbtack is Bark, which may also serve as a viable option for generating leads.