Topmate

What it does

Topmate turns your expertise into a set of bookable services behind a single link. You define what you offer and the platform takes care of the admin around it:

• One to one sessions such as mentorship calls, consultations or discovery calls, each with its own length and price.
• Priority DM, where people pay for a written answer instead of a call.
• Webinars for many people at once, and digital products or bundles of services.
• Scheduling and payments, with calendar, video call and messaging integrations, and payment collection from international customers.

Joining is free. The platform earns through charges on transactions, and the current rates are listed in its help pages and should be checked before you set prices.

Why an engineer would want this

Anyone who writes about their work, answers questions on LinkedIn or speaks at events eventually gets more requests for help than they can handle. The choice then becomes ignoring people or spending evenings on unpaid calls. A booking page makes your availability explicit, filters for people who are serious, and pays for the time you give.

Charging something, even a small amount, tends to improve the sessions. People who have paid usually arrive with a written question and a decision to make, and the conversation is better for both sides.

Setting it up well

• Start with one or two clear offers, such as a 30 minute call on a specific topic, rather than a long menu.
• Ask for the question in advance through the booking form, so you can prepare and the person has to think it through.
• Keep one free or low cost option if you care about reaching students.
• Protect your calendar: set limited slots per week so bookings do not eat your working time.

When something else fits better

If you only take a few calls a month, a free scheduling link and a payment request may be simpler. If your goal is teaching many people rather than one to one advice, a course platform or a written guide scales better than your calendar.

Common questions

Does it cost anything to set up? Joining is free. Charges apply to transactions, and the current rates are in Topmate's help pages.

Can international clients pay? The platform says it collects payments globally. Check which payout methods are supported in your country before launching.

Should a junior engineer use it? Only if people are already asking you for advice. A booking page does not create demand; writing and helping people publicly does.

Is it only for calls? No. Priority DMs, webinars and digital products work well for people who prefer asynchronous help.

Best for: engineers with an audience who want to mentor on a clear schedule and be paid for it.