Linchpin Influencer Program

Build chains of connection. Earn rewards. This is NOT MLM.

Why “Linchpin”?

A linchpin is the pin that holds a wheel on an axle. Remove it, and the wheel falls off.

Linchpin Influencers are people who hold connections together — they bridge communities that wouldn’t otherwise connect.

Influencer Tiers

Tier 1: Linchpin

Qualification:

• Become a 5K sponsor
• Connect at least 1 person who also joins

Benefits:

• Full 5K Sponsor package (see Sponsor Offering)
• Chain credit for first connection
• Linchpin Medallion (Chalk Three)

Tier 2: Matchstick

Qualification:

• Be a Linchpin
• Connect 3 people who become members OR sponsors

Why “Matchstick”: A matchstick lights one flame that can light many more. Three connections = fire starts spreading.

Benefits:

• All Linchpin benefits
• Matchstick Medallion (Chalk Three, special design)
• 100 Joules bonus per subsequent connection
• Named publicly as Matchstick

Tier 3: Torch

Qualification:

• Be a Matchstick
• Connect 6 people who become members OR sponsors

Benefits:

• All Matchstick benefits
• Torch Medallion (Chalk Four)
• 200 Joules bonus per subsequent connection
• Input on influencer program design
• Direct communication channel with Founder

Tier 4: Beacon

Qualification:

• Be a Torch
• Connect 12+ people who become members OR sponsors
• OR at least 2 of your connections ALSO become Linchpins (they connect someone who joins as 5K sponsor)

Clarification: The “2 linchpin connections” is a QUALIFIER, not downline revenue. You earn nothing from their connections — you’re just recognized for having brought in high-quality connectors.

Benefits:

• All Torch benefits
• Beacon Medallion (Chalk Four, unique design)
• 500 Joule Options per subsequent connection
• Named in platform history
• Governance voice on community matters

Chain Rewards (Why This Is NOT MLM)

What We Pay For

What We DON’T Pay For

Critical Difference from MLM:

• MLM: Money flows UP from downstream activity
• Linchpin: Money flows from PLATFORM to you for direct action ONLY
• When your connection becomes a Linchpin, you get a ONE-TIME recognition bonus — you don’t get a cut of their future connections

The 2 Linchpin Connection Rule (Beacon Tier): This is a QUALIFIER, not revenue. If 2 of your connections also bring in 5K sponsors, you’re recognized as Beacon for your talent scouting. But you DON’T earn from what those 2 Linchpins do. They earn their own rewards.

Reference: See Anticipated Criticism: Is This MLM? for full legal and ethical analysis.

The Chain Mechanics

How Chains Work

YOU (Linchpin)
  │
  ├─→ Person A joins (you get 100 Joules)
  │     │
  │     └─→ Person A connects Person D (A gets 100, you get NOTHING)
  │
  ├─→ Person B becomes sponsor (you get 500 Joules)
  │     │
  │     └─→ Person B becomes Linchpin (you get 1,000 Joules)
  │           │
  │           └─→ Person B connects Person E (B gets 100, you get NOTHING)
  │
  └─→ Person C joins (you get 100 Joules)

You only earn from YOUR direct connections. Not their connections. Not their connections’ connections. This is the key difference from MLM.

Chain Tracking

Every connection is documented:

Chain #42
├── Origin: ZiWe (Linchpin → Matchstick → Torch)
├── Degree 1: Vince Staples (via ZiWe) — joined
├── Degree 1: [Fan 1] (via ZiWe) — joined
├── Degree 1: [Fan 2] (via ZiWe) — became sponsor
├── Degree 1: [Fan 3] (via ZiWe) — became Linchpin
│   └── Degree 2: [Fan 3's contact] — joined (ZiWe gets nothing)
└── Status: ZiWe = Torch (6 connections)

Cue Cards for Each Connection

Each Linchpin gets personalized Cue Cards they can share:

ZiWe’s Cue Card (Example)

"I'm backing Liana Banyan — a community-owned platform where 
members help each other help themselves.

Your 100-dollar stake gives you:
• Voting rights
• Marketplace access
• The ability to split into 10 stakes for others

Use my link: lianabanyan.com/join/ziwe

— ZiWe"

Customization Options

• Add personal message
• Choose which benefits to highlight
• Select visual template
• Track who uses the card

Recipient Starting Point

Each person who joins through a Linchpin starts fresh:

Everyone starts at 1. No inherited tiers. No purchased ranks.

Anti-MLM Safeguards

What We Built In

1. No downline revenue — You only earn from direct actions
2. Real products first — Platform provides genuine value
3. No inventory requirements — Nothing to stockpile
4. Transparent terms — All rules published
5. No pressure tactics — Take it or leave it
6. Exit anytime — No lock-in, no penalties

Reference Document

See “Anticipated Criticism: Is This MLM?” for the full legal and ethical analysis.

Implementation

Database

CREATE TABLE linchpin_influencers (
  id UUID PRIMARY KEY,
  user_id UUID NOT NULL UNIQUE,
  tier TEXT DEFAULT 'linchpin', -- linchpin, matchstick, torch, beacon
  connections_count INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
  sponsor_connections INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
  linchpin_connections INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
  total_joules_earned DECIMAL(12,2) DEFAULT 0,
  created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT NOW(),
  tier_upgraded_at TIMESTAMP
);

CREATE TABLE connection_chains (
  id UUID PRIMARY KEY,
  linchpin_id UUID REFERENCES linchpin_influencers(id),
  connected_user_id UUID,
  connection_type TEXT, -- 'member', 'sponsor', 'linchpin'
  joules_rewarded DECIMAL(12,2),
  connected_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT NOW()
);

Tier Upgrade Trigger

CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION check_linchpin_tier()
RETURNS TRIGGER AS $$
BEGIN
  -- Check for Matchstick (3 connections)
  IF NEW.connections_count >= 3 AND NEW.tier = 'linchpin' THEN
    NEW.tier := 'matchstick';
    NEW.tier_upgraded_at := NOW();
  END IF;
  
  -- Check for Torch (6 connections)
  IF NEW.connections_count >= 6 AND NEW.tier = 'matchstick' THEN
    NEW.tier := 'torch';
    NEW.tier_upgraded_at := NOW();
  END IF;
  
  -- Check for Beacon (12 connections OR 2 linchpin connections)
  IF (NEW.connections_count >= 12 OR NEW.linchpin_connections >= 2) 
     AND NEW.tier = 'torch' THEN
    NEW.tier := 'beacon';
    NEW.tier_upgraded_at := NOW();
  END IF;
  
  RETURN NEW;
END;
$$ LANGUAGE plpgsql;

Medallion Designs

“Light one flame. Watch it spread. But YOU don’t profit from THEIR spreading — that’s the key difference.”