The Ladder
Five tiers. Every rung is a real step.
Your tier is based on active retained referrals — people you brought in who stayed subscribed for at least 60 days. We don't reward volume without retention. We reward introducing the right people.
1
Apprentice
20%
commission · 12 months
Entry
Accepted after application and voice interview
To advance
5 active retained referrals
What unlocks
- Full Guildmember dashboard
- Three free books — write any kind, on us, to walk the talk
- All seven AI support agents at Apprentice configuration
- Guild Academy core curriculum (three mandatory modules)
- Unique referral code and personalised link
- Co-branded social share assets
- Monthly Guild seminar attendance
- Weekly Guild Digest email
2
Journeyman
25%
commission · 12 months
Entry
5 retained referrals as Apprentice
To advance
25 retained referrals with 70% retention rate
What unlocks
- Everything at Apprentice
- Custom vanity referral link (guild.penworth.ai/m/yourname)
- Coach agent builds 90-day plans (was 30)
- Creator agent unlocks video script generation
- Journeyman-only educational electives (6 courses)
- Early beta access to new Penworth features
- Quarterly review with a dedicated Success Manager
3
Artisan
30%
commission · 12 months
Entry
25 retained + 70% retention
To advance
100 retained + 75% retention + 6-month consistency
What unlocks
- Everything at Journeyman
- Co-branded micro-landing page (/partner/yourname)
- Strategist agent unlocks multi-campaign planning
- Analyst agent unlocks cohort analytics
- Automatic inclusion in monthly Top 10 spotlight (if qualifying)
- Private Artisan Slack channel with founding team access
- Annual slot in Penworth paid ad creative (with bonus)
4
Master
35%
commission · 12 months
Entry
100 retained + 75% retention + 6-month consistency
To advance
500 retained + 80% retention + 12-month consistency + Fellow sponsorship
What unlocks
- Everything at Artisan
- Monthly 1:1 video call with Nawras or founding team
- Vote on the Penworth product roadmap (top 3 per quarter committed)
- Custom campaign support from a Success Manager
- Private monthly Master Sessions (20-person cohort)
- Travel stipend for in-person Penworth events
- Quarterly performance bonus (5% on quarters above $25K in commissions)
5
Fellow
40%
commission · 12 months
Entry
500 retained + 80% retention + 12-month consistency + sponsorship by 3 existing Fellows
To advance
Fellowship is a lifetime honour
What unlocks
- Everything at Master
- Seat on the Guild Council
- Revenue share on major Penworth product launches (e.g., 2% of Penworth Computer year one)
- Public Fellow profile page on penworth.ai
- Custom title (e.g., "Fellow of the Guild, Southeast Asia")
- Annual Guild Retreat — flights and accommodation paid
- Annual performance bonus (10% on yearly commissions above $50K)
- Mentorship bonus ($1,000 when a mentee reaches Master)
How commission works
First-tier only
You earn commission on the first level of referrals — people who subscribe through your code. No pyramid, no overrides, no downline.
Twelve months per referral
Each referral earns you commission for 12 consecutive months from their first paid month. Month 13 onward, they keep using Penworth, but the commission window closes.
Your rate locks at referral time
If you're an Apprentice when you refer someone, they earn you 20% for the full 12 months — even if you're promoted to Artisan tomorrow. Promotions apply to new referrals only.
Retention matters for advancement
A referral must stay subscribed for 60 days before counting toward tier promotion. This protects the integrity of the ladder — volume without retention doesn't advance you.
No commission on upgrades or credit packs
Commission is calculated on the plan the user originally subscribed to. If they upgrade from Pro to Max, you keep earning your Pro-based commission. Credit pack purchases generate no commission.
Paid monthly
Last business day of each month, midnight Adelaide time. Via Wise or USDT — your choice. $50 minimum; balances under roll to next month with no fees.