The way it works is that you buy a bundle of `credits', say 100. I think they work out at less than £1 each. You then input details of your business, and they provide a list of options as to the type of work you're seeking. Once you're signed up and have bought some credits you will receive a list of potential leads with a brief description of the work on offer.
Each lead contains details of where the customer is located, though if you're anything like me it doesn't really matter nowadays, and most of my clients are not local - in fact I have quite a few overseas clients as well. There's a `price' for the lead - generally, the better the quality of work the more the lead costs. Another useful feature is that it tells you how many others - if any - have contacted the customer, though I think they limit it to 5.
You can then select a lead that looks good and pay for it using your credits - typically between 5 and 15 credits. Bark then releases their phone number and email address, and you can also message them via the website.
It's then up to you to sell yourself to the customer. I've prepared a set of standard responses to deal with the common requests for help, so I just copy and paste them, so that they only need minor edits.
It's obviously a bit hit and miss, but there are plenty of good quality leads, and I reckon to convert maybe 1 in 3 into a decently paid job. Sometimes I decline the work having spoken to the client, and sometimes I simply don't get the job, probably because someone else has offered to do it more cheaply, but I keep a record of my leads and the revenue versus expense, and as things stand I've earned 19 times my outlay, which is a pretty good rate of return. I've also received a fair amount of repeat work, and in general I've found the clients to be intelligent, willing to accept advice and pleasant to work with.
So give it a go, and I hope you'll enjoy similar success.
