Partner Program Terms

1. Program Overview

The Story Signal Partner Program ("Program") enables approved individuals and organizations ("Partners") to earn recurring commission by referring new users to the Story Signal platform. This agreement ("Agreement") sets forth the terms and conditions governing your participation in the Program.

By applying to or participating in the Program, you agree to be bound by these terms. If you do not agree to these terms, do not apply to or participate in the Program.

2. Eligibility & Enrollment

2.1 Partner Types

The Program accepts three types of Partners:

2.2 Application Requirements

To apply for the Program, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction)
• Provide accurate and complete application information
• Have a verifiable presence in the author community (minimum 2 social profiles or website)
• Not have been previously terminated from the Program
• Be located in a country where Stripe Connect is available (40+ countries)

2.3 Stripe Connect Onboarding

Upon approval, you must complete onboarding through Stripe Connect to receive payouts. This includes providing identity verification, tax information, and bank account details. Story Signal uses Stripe Connect Express, which means Stripe (not Story Signal) collects and secures your sensitive financial information.

3. Commission Structure

3.1 Tiered Commission Rates

Commission rates are based on your number of active referrals (referred users with active paid subscriptions):

3.2 Net Revenue Definition

"Net revenue" means the gross subscription payment amount minus payment processing fees (Stripe fees, approximately 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction). Commission is calculated on this net amount.

3.3 Tier Upgrades

When you reach a new tier threshold, the higher commission rate applies to all your active referrals, not just new ones. Tier upgrades take effect immediately upon qualifying.

3.4 Tier Lock Period

Once you achieve a tier, that tier is locked for 12 months. If your active referrals drop below the threshold during this period, you retain the higher rate. After 12 months, if you remain below the threshold, your rate will adjust to the appropriate tier.

3.5 Lifetime Commissions

Commission is earned for the lifetime of each referred customer's subscription. As long as a referred user remains subscribed, you continue to earn commission on their payments. There is no cap on total earnings.

4. Referral Attribution

4.1 Referral Link

Upon approval, you will receive a unique referral link (e.g., storysignal.io/r/YOURCODE). Users who sign up using your link will be attributed to you.

4.2 Cookie Duration

When someone clicks your referral link, a tracking cookie is set that lasts for 90 days. If that person creates an account within 90 days, you receive credit for the referral, even if they don't subscribe immediately.

4.3 Attribution Model

We use a "first-click wins" attribution model. The first partner whose referral link a user clicks receives credit for that referral. Subsequent clicks on other partners' links do not change attribution.

4.4 Qualifying Referrals

A referral qualifies for commission when:

• The referred user is a new Story Signal user (not a returning user)
• The referred user is not the Partner themselves (no self-referrals)
• The referred user converts to a paid subscription
• The referred user's payment is not subsequently refunded or charged back

5. Payout Terms

5.1 Holding Period

Commissions enter a 30-day holding period from the date of the original payment. This allows time for refunds, chargebacks, and payment disputes to be resolved before commissions become payable. During this period, commissions appear as "pending" in your dashboard.

5.2 Payout Schedule

On the 1st of each month, we calculate all commissions that have cleared the 30-day holding period. If your cleared balance meets or exceeds the minimum payout threshold ($25), a transfer will be initiated to your Stripe Connect account by the 15th. Funds typically arrive within 1-2 business days.

5.3 Balance Below Minimum

If your cleared balance is below the minimum payout threshold, it will carry forward to the next month. Your balance accumulates until it reaches the minimum.

5.4 Refunds and Chargebacks

If a referred customer receives a refund or initiates a chargeback, the associated commission will be reversed from your pending balance. If this results in a negative balance, it will be deducted from future commissions.

6. Partner Responsibilities

As a Partner, you agree to:

• Represent Story Signal honestly and accurately in all promotional activities
• Clearly disclose your affiliate relationship when promoting Story Signal (e.g., "affiliate link" or "I earn a commission")
• Comply with all applicable laws, including FTC disclosure requirements for affiliate marketing
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date account information
• Not make false, misleading, or unsubstantiated claims about Story Signal
• Respond to communications from Story Signal regarding your Partner account

6.1 Referred User Benefits

Users who sign up through your referral link receive a 10% discount on their first 3 months of subscription. You earn commission on the discounted amount.

7. Prohibited Activities

Partners are prohibited from:

• Self-referrals: Referring yourself or accounts you control
• Fake accounts: Creating fake accounts to generate referral commissions
• Spam: Sending unsolicited emails, messages, or other communications to promote Story Signal
• Misleading claims: Making false or misleading statements about Story Signal's features, pricing, or capabilities
• Trademark misuse: Using Story Signal trademarks in domain names, social media handles, or in any way that implies official endorsement
• Paid advertising on branded terms: Bidding on Story Signal branded keywords (e.g., "Story Signal", "storysignal") in paid search advertising
• Cookie stuffing: Setting referral cookies without user knowledge or consent
• Incentivized signups: Offering monetary incentives to users to sign up (beyond the standard referral discount)
• Circumventing terms: Any activity designed to circumvent these terms or game the referral system

8. Termination

8.1 Termination by Partner

You may terminate your participation in the Program at any time by contacting us at team@storysignal.io. Upon termination, you will receive any earned commissions that meet the minimum payout threshold.

8.2 Termination by Story Signal

Story Signal may terminate your participation in the Program at any time, with or without cause, upon written notice. Reasons for termination may include, but are not limited to:

• Violation of these terms
• Fraudulent or illegal activity
• Inactivity (no referrals for 12+ months)
• Bringing the Story Signal brand into disrepute
• Discontinuation of the Program

8.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination, your referral link will be deactivated and you will no longer earn commission on new payments. If termination is for cause (violation of terms), unpaid commissions may be forfeited. If termination is without cause, you will receive any earned commissions that meet the minimum payout threshold.

9. Tax Responsibilities

9.1 Independent Contractor Status

Partners are independent contractors, not employees of Story Signal. You are solely responsible for any taxes, insurance, and other obligations arising from your participation in the Program.

9.2 Tax Information Collection

Stripe Connect collects necessary tax information during onboarding. For US-based Partners earning $600 or more in a calendar year, Stripe will generate and file a 1099-NEC form on our behalf. You can access your tax documents through the Stripe Express Dashboard.

9.3 International Partners

International Partners are responsible for understanding and complying with tax obligations in their jurisdiction. Stripe handles local tax reporting requirements where applicable.

10. Modifications to Terms

Story Signal reserves the right to modify these terms at any time. We will provide at least 30 days' notice of material changes via email to the address associated with your Partner account.

Your continued participation in the Program after the effective date of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the modified terms. If you do not agree to the modified terms, you may terminate your participation before the changes take effect.

Changes to commission rates will not affect commissions already earned prior to the change.

11. General Provisions

11.1 Relationship of Parties

Nothing in this Agreement creates a partnership, joint venture, agency, or employment relationship between you and Story Signal. You have no authority to bind Story Signal or represent that you have such authority.

11.2 Limitation of Liability

Story Signal's total liability under this Agreement is limited to the commissions actually paid to you in the 12 months preceding any claim. Story Signal is not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages.

11.3 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Story Signal from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your violation of these terms, your promotional activities, or your failure to comply with applicable laws.

11.4 Governing Law

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, United States, without regard to conflict of law principles.

11.5 Entire Agreement

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and Story Signal regarding the Program and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings.

11.6 Severability

If any provision of this Agreement is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

11.7 Waiver

Failure by Story Signal to enforce any provision of this Agreement does not constitute a waiver of that provision or the right to enforce it later.

12. Contact Information

If you have questions about these terms or the Partner Program, please contact us:

Email: team@storysignal.io

Story Signal
Story Signal, LLC