The Problem with Per-Lead Pricing for Small Tasks
Most service marketplace platforms charge providers a fee to connect with job posters — a per-lead cost, a monthly subscription, or a commission on every job. For providers doing high-value work — appliance repair, renovation, professional cleaning — these fees are manageable. For dog walkers, grocery runners, tutors, and pet sitters taking $30 to $80 jobs, the math often does not work.
If you pay $8 for a lead on a $40 grocery run, you have already given up 20% before labour costs, transit, or time are factored in. This is why small-task providers consistently leave major platforms — the economics only work at scale or for high-ticket jobs.
HelperGen's Answer: Free Leads Under $120
HelperGen was built with small-task providers in mind from day one. Job leads for postings under $120 are completely free. No subscription. No per-lead charge. No catch.
| Job Value | Lead Cost |
|---|---|
| Under $120 | FREE |
| $120–$299 | 25 Gen Points |
| $299–$699 | 50 Gen Points |
| $699+ | 100 Gen Points |
For a dog walker doing six $40 walks a week, this means zero platform fees on leads — only a commission when the job completes. For a student tutoring four evenings a week at $25 per hour, the same logic applies. The platform earns on completed work, not on access.
Who Benefits Most
- Pet Care — dog walks, pet sitting, grooming visits ($20–$80 typical)
- Tutoring & Learning — academic sessions, language lessons, music lessons ($25–$70 per session)
- Transportation & Errands — grocery runs, airport pickups, errand services ($25–$75)
- Companionship & Support — companion calls, check-in visits ($30–$60 per visit)
- Tech & Admin Support — computer help, printer setup, phone support ($40–$80)
These are also the categories that no competing platform serves well — TaskRabbit focuses on handyman and moving, Jiffy on home maintenance trades, UrbanTasker on renovation. HelperGen is the only major Canadian marketplace that treats pet care, tutoring, and errands as first-class service categories.
The Flywheel: More Providers, More Posters
The free-lead policy creates a reinforcing loop. Because small-task providers face no lead cost, more of them join and stay active. More active providers mean faster response times and more booking options for job posters. More completed small tasks means more reviews, more trust signals, and more repeat bookings.
How to Get Started as a Small-Task Provider
Signing up takes about 10 minutes. New providers receive 75 free Gen Points as a welcome bonus — enough to access lead credits for jobs above $120, premium features, or Gen Ultra job discovery. For jobs under $120, you simply apply and the lead is free. With HelperGen's Stripe escrow model, your payment is guaranteed from the moment the Quick Pay Code is entered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are job leads really free under $120 on HelperGen?
Yes — completely free. If a job posting is valued at under $120, providers pay zero lead cost to apply. There is no subscription required and no per-application fee. HelperGen earns its commission only when a job is completed, not when you apply.
What do job leads cost for higher-value jobs on HelperGen?
Jobs valued at $120–$299 cost 25 Gen Points (~$3.00) per lead. Jobs at $299–$699 cost 50 Gen Points (~$6.00). Jobs at $699+ cost 100 Gen Points (~$12.00). New providers receive 75 free Gen Points as a welcome bonus, covering several high-value leads immediately on signup.
Do I still pay a commission on jobs under $120?
Yes. The free lead applies to the cost of applying for the job. When a sub-$120 job is completed, HelperGen charges a standard commission of 18% (or 15% for Golden Providers) on the job value. The lead fee — the cost to apply — is what is waived, not the completion commission.
Which service categories qualify for free leads on HelperGen?
All 9 service categories qualify — the free lead threshold is based on job value, not category. Dog walking ($30–$50), grocery runs ($25–$45), tutoring sessions ($30–$70), tech help ($40–$80), and companion visits ($30–$60) are the categories where most jobs fall under $120 and where the free lead model makes the biggest income difference.