Marks for Marks: Reciprocal Services System

“I’ll babysit if you fix my air conditioner.”

The Simple Pitch

Pick what you need done. Pick what you can do. Post. Done.

Liana Banyan handles the rest.

How It Works

Step 1: Setup (Once)

1. Buy Joules (any amount)
2. Joules go to your Stake Account (your collateral)
3. This backs your MARKS (your service currency)
4. You now have MARKS to spend OR earn

Step 2: What You Can Do

• Check boxes from a service list
• “I can babysit” ✓
• “I can do basic plumbing” ✓
• “I can teach guitar” ✓

Step 3: What You Need

• Check boxes from same list
• “I need AC repair” ✓
• “I need lawn mowing” ✓
• Add MARKS to each (your bounty)

Step 4: Click Go

• LB matches you with providers in your area
• They see your bounty
• They accept
• They do the work
• You sign off
• MARKS transfer

The Economics

Solvency Guarantee

Every MARK is backed by Joules in someone’s Stake Account.

Your Joules in Stake Account = Maximum MARKS you can offer

You cannot spend what you haven’t backed.

Cost Per Post

Geographic Limiting

• Enter postal code or city name
• System shows only services within your defined radius
• Why? Servers don’t need to show “plumber in Alaska” to someone in Florida
• Solvency: Limited compute = sustainable operation

First X Member Bonus

If you’re one of the first [X] members:

1. Buy Joules
2. Get BONUS Joules for every credit purchased
3. Use bonus Joules to:
   • BUY services (spend)
   • SELL services (back your offers)
   • BUY products (when available)
   • SELL products (when available)

Example:

• First 100 members: 2x Joule bonus
• First 500 members: 1.5x Joule bonus
• First 1000 members: 1.25x Joule bonus
• After 1000: Standard rate

Your Captain’s Chair

Once you set up services:

Your Portfolio (Eagle’s Nest)

• List of services you offer
• Photos of your work (optional)
• Letters of recommendation from other members
• Your reputation score (from completed bounties)
• Your MARKS balance
• Your Joules (collateral)

Your Ship’s Bridge

• Incoming requests
• Accepted bounties
• Completed work
• Earnings history
• Reviews received

Viral Campaign Hooks

Hook 1: “Free to Try”

“Your first bounty is free. Post what you need. See who responds.”

Hook 2: “Your Skills Pay”

“Already good at something? Turn it into MARKS. Then spend MARKS on what you need.”

Hook 3: “Time Bank 2.0”

“Remember time banks? This is better. MARKS are backed by real value, transferable, and tradeable.”

Hook 4: “First 100 Get Double”

“The first 100 members get 2x Joules on every purchase. That’s 2x service-buying power.”

Hook 5: “The Neighbor Network”

“Your neighbor can babysit. Their neighbor can fix cars. Connect them with MARKS.”

Trust Signals

Reputation from Others

• “Sarah fixed my AC — 5 stars”
• “John babysat twice — reliable”
• Reviews from verified members

Collateral Backing

• “This person has 500 MARKS backed”
• Means they have Joules in their Stake Account
• They’re not a fly-by-night

Portfolio Evidence

• Photos of work
• Certificates (if applicable)
• Past bounties completed

Implementation Priority

This system needs to be dead simple:

1. Landing page: “Need something done? Can do something?”
2. Two buttons: “I need” / “I offer”
3. Checkbox lists: Pre-populated services
4. Location entry: Postal code or city
5. Instant matching: Show available in area
6. One-click accept: For providers
7. One-click confirm: For requesters (after done)
8. Auto-transfer: MARKS move on confirmation

Cue Cards for This System

Related Innovations

“You have skills. Your neighbors need them. MARKS make it simple.”