This short guide helps freelancers get up and running quickly.
🖼️ Step 1 – Complete your profile
After signing up, finish your profile so studios can recognise you immediately.
Add your photo, job title and a link to your portfolio.
A complete profile builds trust and makes connection requests feel genuine.
🤝 Step 2 – Connect with studios
Freelancers cannot establish connections with studios directly through the app to avoid overloading studios.
To onboard a studio:
- Go to Dashboard → Invite Studio.
- Copy your onboarding link.
- Send it directly to your producer or point of contact, and they will be guided through signup.
- If the studio is already registered, ask them to send you a connection request.
Once accepted, you will both see shared availability and can place pencils.
📅 Step 3 – Add your availability
Go to My Project → Add Booking to mark out your schedule.
You can add:
- Pencils and confirmed bookings
- Studio ownership for new blocks
- Do Not Disturb (DND) blocks
- Challenge responses when required
Accurate availability is what keeps your PencilCase calendar useful.
✏️ Step 4 – Manage your pencils
When a studio places a 1st or 2nd pencil, or issues a challenge, PencilCase notifies you by email.
If your dates are challenged, you will choose which studio gets the booking.
The system guides you through the confirmation or release flow.
🔁 Step 5 – Keep your calendar updated
Your calendar is the source of truth for studios you work with.
Update it whenever your plans change.
Accurate calendars prevent double bookings and unnecessary challenges.