Commissions

Commissions represent payment structures that organizations establish for partners who successfully refer deals or generate revenue within Journeybee.

What You'll Learn

• How to set up different commission types (Fixed, Percentage, Scaling)

• How to configure one-off, recurring, and split payment structures

• How to use period-based rates for recurring commissions

• How to apply filters to control which partners receive commissions

Prerequisites

• Admin access to your Journeybee account

• At least one partner type configured in your workspace

• For scaling commissions: Custom Select fields configured on deals

Commission Types

Fixed Amount

A flat rate paid regardless of deal size. This is useful when you want to reward partners with a consistent amount per closed deal.

Example: $500 per closed deal.

Percentage

Commissions calculated as a percentage of the deal value. This aligns partner incentives with deal size.

Example: 10% of a 10,000dealyields10,000dealyields1,000 in commission.

Scaling

Different commission rates based on custom field values. This allows for sophisticated commission structures based on product tiers, deal size categories, or partner performance levels.

Requirements: Custom Select fields must be configured on deals before using scaling commissions.

Commission Structures by Partner Type

• Referral Partners: Typically 5-15% for introductions

• Reseller Partners: Higher rates with tiered options by deal size

• Recurring Commissions: Lower percentages for ongoing subscription cycles

Setting Up Commissions

Step 1: Navigate to Commission Settings

Go to Settings > Commissions in your Journeybee dashboard.

Step 2: Create a New Commission

Click Add Commission and select the partner type this commission applies to.

Step 3: Configure Basic Settings

• Label: A descriptive name for this commission structure

• Currency: The currency for commission payments

• Filters (optional): Restrict to specific partner categories, tiers, or individual partners

Payment Entries

Payment entries define when and how commission payments are triggered. Each entry consists of:

• Payment Stage: The deal stage that triggers the payment

• Payment Custom Field (optional): A boolean field that must be true for the payment to trigger

• Payment Type: One-Off, Recurring, or Split

• Rate/Amount: The commission value (fixed amount, percentage, or scaling configuration)

Payment Types

One-Off Payments

A single payment made when the configured conditions are met.

Configuration options:

• Fixed: A specific dollar amount

• Percentage: A percentage of the deal value

• Scaling: Different rates based on a custom field value

Recurring Payments

Multiple payments spread over time. Ideal for subscription-based deals where partners receive ongoing commissions.

Configuration options:

• Period: Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, or Yearly

• Number of Occurrences: How many payments to make

• Rate Options: Fixed, Percentage, or Scaling (same as one-off)

• Period-Based Rates: Configure different rates for different periods (see below)

Split Payments

A combination of one-off and recurring components in a single entry. Use this when you want to pay an upfront bonus plus ongoing commissions.

Example: $500 upfront + 5% monthly for 12 months.

Period-Based Rates for Recurring Commissions

Period-based rates allow you to configure different commission rates for different periods within a recurring commission structure. This is particularly useful for scenarios where you want to incentivize long-term partnerships with increasing commission rates over time.

When to Use Period-Based Rates

• Year 1 vs Year 2+ structures: Pay a lower rate during the first year and increase it for subsequent years

• Introductory periods: Offer a higher rate for the first few months to incentivize early partner engagement

• Tiered commitment rewards: Increase commission rates as partners demonstrate longer commitment

• Mixed rate structures: Combine fixed amounts for initial periods with percentage-based rates for later periods

How Period-Based Rates Work

When you enable period-based rates, each occurrence (payment) within the recurring structure is calculated using the rate defined for that specific period. This replaces the standard single-rate calculation.

Example Scenario: Monthly commissions for 24 months with year 1 at 10% and year 2 at 20%

• Period 1 (Occurrences 1-12): 10% of deal value per month

• Period 2 (Occurrences 13+): 20% of deal value per month

For a $1,000/month deal:

• Months 1-12: 100/month=100/month=1,200 total

• Months 13-24: 200/month=200/month=2,400 total

• Grand total: $3,600

Setting Up Period-Based Rates

Step 1: Configure the Recurring Payment

1. Select Recurring or Split as the payment type

2. Choose the recurring period (Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, or Yearly)

3. Set the number of occurrences

Step 2: Enable Period-Based Rates

Toggle on Enable period-based rates in the commission configuration.

Step 3: Configure Your First Period

By default, the first period covers all occurrences. Configure:

• Rate Type: Fixed, Percentage, or Scaling

• Rate Value: The amount or percentage for this period

Step 4: Add Additional Periods (Optional)

Click Add period to create additional rate tiers. For each additional period:

• Last Occurrence: Define where this period ends (the next period starts at the following occurrence)

• Rate Type: Choose Fixed, Percentage, or Scaling

• Rate Value: Set the commission rate for this period

The final period automatically extends to cover all remaining occurrences (shown as "X+" where X is the starting occurrence).

Period-Based Rate Options

Each period within your recurring commission can use a different rate type:

• Fixed: A specific dollar amount per occurrence

• Percentage: A percentage of the deal value per occurrence

• Scaling: Different rates based on a custom field value per occurrence

You can mix rate types across periods. For example:

• Period 1 (occurrences 1-3): $200 fixed per payment

• Period 2 (occurrences 4+): 15% of deal value per payment

Example Configurations

Annual Contract with Increasing Rates

Monthly with Introductory Bonus

Quarterly with Three-Tier Structure

Reseller-Specific Options

When configuring commissions for reseller partners, additional options are available:

• Payment Direction: Choose whether payments flow "To Company" or "To Partner"

• Expiration Days: Set a time limit for deal closure eligibility

Commission Filters

Restrict commissions to specific partners using filters:

• Partner Categories: Limit to partners in specific categories

• Partner Tiers: Limit to partners at certain tier levels

• Specific Partners: Select individual partners (use "Select All" to include all current and future partners)

Common Issues

Commission not calculating

Problem: The commission amount shows as zero or doesn't appear.

Solution: Verify that:

1. The deal has a value entered

2. Payment entries are properly configured

3. For scaling commissions: The required custom field has a value selected

4. The partner matches any configured filters

Payments not being created

Problem: Commission payments are not generated when deals move to the configured stage.

Solution: Check that:

1. The correct deal stage is selected for the payment entry

2. Any required custom fields (boolean triggers) are set to true

3. The deal has a value entered

4. The partner is eligible based on commission filters

Period-based rates not applying correctly

Problem: Recurring payments are using the same rate instead of varying by period.

Solution: Verify that:

1. Period-based rates are toggled ON

2. Period boundaries are correctly configured (check the "Last occurrence" values)

3. The number of occurrences matches or exceeds your period configuration

4. Each period has a rate type and value configured

Multiple entries on same stage

This is valid and supported behavior. Each payment entry creates separate payment records, allowing for complex commission structures with multiple payments at the same deal stage.

Best Practices

• Use descriptive commission labels that clearly indicate the partner type and payment structure

• Start simple with single-entry structures before implementing complex multi-stage setups

• Document deal stages that trigger payments and communicate this to partners

• Use boolean custom fields for conditional payments that require manual approval

• Regularly audit commission structures to ensure they align with current business goals

• Test new configurations with sample deals before applying to production data

• Use period-based rates when you want to reward partner loyalty with increasing commissions over time

• Consider split payments when you want to balance upfront incentives with ongoing partnership rewards

Important Notes

• Only admins can create and modify commission structures

• Changes to commissions do not retroactively affect existing deals

• Commission calculations trigger automatically when deals reach the configured payment stages

• Custom Select fields are required for scaling commissions

• Period-based rates are only available for recurring and split payment types

• When editing the number of occurrences, period configurations will automatically adjust to fit within the new range

Related Resources

• Setting up custom fields for deals

• Partner tier configuration

• Payment processing with Stripe Connect