Today's lesson: why his real payout was 80% of the headline

Today's lesson: why his real payout was 80% of the headline

New to recurring? Let's look at an honest number. An affiliate's dashboard showed 20 sign-ups at $5/mo = $100/mo. But his actual deposit was lower.

1. Programs have a refund window — if a customer cancels and gets a refund, that commission is reversed (a 'clawback').
2. About 4 of his 20 refunded in the first month.
3. His real recurring base settled at 16 customers = $80/mo, not $100.

Knowing this, he stopped over-promising in his head and planned around the steadier $80.

In plain English: a few early sign-ups will refund — your true recurring number is what's left after the first cycle settles.

Try today: when you see a sign-up count, mentally shave 15–20% for refunds. Plan around the realistic figure, not the headline.