How to audit a SaaS program's churn before you write one word

How to audit a SaaS program's churn before you write one word

Everyone says "recurring commission" like the recurring part is guaranteed. It isn't. Here's the audit, in order:

— Ask the affiliate manager for blended monthly logo churn. If they dodge, assume 7%+.
— Convert it: 7% monthly = ~58% of cohort gone in a year.
— Ask separately for revenue churn vs logo churn. Revenue churn hides behind downgrades.
— Check the clawback window in the terms, not the pitch deck.
— Request a sample of THEIR public quarterly numbers if they're funded.
— Model your real per-referral lifetime: first-month commission × (1 / monthly churn).

Do that math and a "40% recurring forever" offer often pays out like a one-time bounty with extra steps.

Verdict: if they won't share churn, the churn is the answer.