> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.earthcare.network/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting paid

> How the businesses you bring in turn into commissions, and how you get paid — tracking, the commission lifecycle, tiers, and Stripe Connect payouts.

## Sign up and get your links

<Steps>
  <Step title="Join the program">
    Apply via the ambassador signup page (`/affiliates/apply` or `/affiliates/join`).
    Once approved, you're an ambassador partner.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Grab your tracking links + creatives">
    Your dashboard exposes your **tracking links** (`/affiliates/me/links/`) and any
    shared **creatives** (`/affiliates/me/creatives/`). A link can carry a `sub_id` so
    you can tell channels apart.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## The commission lifecycle

```
  Visit (your link)  ──►  Lead  ──►  Converted  ──►  Commission  ──►  Payout
  attributed to you       signed      paid customer    earned          paid out
                          up                            (pending→due)   (Stripe Connect
                                                                         or manual)
```

* **Referrals** (`/affiliates/referrals/`) track the visitor → lead → converted journey.
* **Commissions** (`/affiliates/commissions/`) are earned on conversions. Kinds include
  the sale commission, a first-introducer bonus, a mentee override (if you mentor other
  ambassadors), and wellness-pool contributions. They move `pending → due → paid`.
* Referrals expire after a program-set window, so timely follow-up matters.

## Tiers and bonuses

Programs can run **flat** (one rate) or **volume tiers** (refer more, earn a higher
rate). Mentors earn an **override** on their mentees' referrals. The exact rates, tiers,
and minimum payout are set per program — check your dashboard (`/affiliates/me/` and
`/affiliates/summary/`) for your live numbers.

## Get paid

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect Stripe (one time)">
    Onboard a payout account at `/affiliates/me/connect/onboard/`; check status at
    `/affiliates/me/connect/status/`. Once `payouts_enabled`, you can receive Stripe
    Connect transfers.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Payouts run">
    Due commissions are bundled into a payout once you clear the program's minimum.
    Payouts go out via **Stripe Connect transfer** (or manually, depending on the
    program). Track them at `/affiliates/me/payouts/`.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Building on the program? The full affiliate/ambassador API lives under
  `/api/v1/affiliates/` in the [API reference](/api-reference/introduction) — the program
  infrastructure is shared; "ambassador" is the ECN-facing role on top of it.
</Note>