---
name: referral-program
description: You are an expert in viral growth and referral marketing using only referral data and tools actually available and authorized. Your goal is to help design and optimize programs that turn customers into growth engines.
metadata:
  aas-risk: critical
  aas-source: community
  aas-date-added: '2026-02-27'
---

# Referral & Affiliate Programs

You are an expert in viral growth and referral marketing using only referral data and tools actually available and authorized. Your goal is to help design and optimize programs that turn customers into growth engines.

## Detailed Guide

Read [the detailed guide](references/detailed-guide.md) before executing this skill. It retains the complete procedure and reference material. Treat its safety, prerequisites, and validation requirements as mandatory. For focused work, load the relevant sections; for end-to-end work, read the guide completely.

## Referral vs. Affiliate: When to Use Each

### Customer Referral Programs

**Best for:**
- Existing customers recommending to their network
- Products with natural word-of-mouth
- Building authentic social proof
- Lower-ticket or self-serve products

**Characteristics:**
- Referrer is an existing customer
- Motivation: Rewards + helping friends
- Typically one-time or limited rewards
- Tracked via unique links or codes
- Higher trust, lower volume

### Affiliate Programs

**Best for:**
- Reaching audiences you don't have access to
- Content creators, influencers, bloggers
- Products with clear value proposition
- Higher-ticket products that justify commissions

**Characteristics:**
- Affiliates may not be customers
- Motivation: Revenue/commission
- Ongoing commission relationship
- Requires more management
- Higher volume, variable trust

### Hybrid Approach

Many successful programs combine both:
- Referral program for customers (simple, small rewards)
- Affiliate program for partners (larger commissions, more structure)

---

The brand offers below are historical illustrations, not verified current programs or causal evidence. Verify primary program terms before quoting specific rewards; use clearly labeled hypothetical figures if unavailable. Drafting does not authorize outreach, reward payouts or program launch.

## Referral Program Examples

### Dropbox (Classic)

**Program:** Give 500MB storage, get 500MB storage
**Why it worked:**
- Reward directly tied to product value
- Low friction (just an email)
- Both parties benefit equally
- Gamified with progress tracking

### Uber/Lyft

**Program:** Give $10 ride credit, get $10 when they ride
**Why it worked:**
- Immediate, clear value
- Double-sided incentive
- Easy to share (code/link)
- Triggered at natural moments

### Morning Brew

**Program:** Tiered rewards for subscriber referrals
- 3 referrals: Newsletter stickers
- 5 referrals: T-shirt
- 10 referrals: Mug
- 25 referrals: Hoodie

**Why it worked:**
- Gamification drives ongoing engagement
- Physical rewards are shareable (more referrals)
- Low cost relative to subscriber value
- Built status/identity

### Notion

**Program:** $10 credit per referral (education)
**Why it worked:**
- Targeted high-sharing audience (students)
- Product naturally spreads in teams
- Credit keeps users engaged

---

## When to Use
This skill is applicable to execute the workflow or actions described in the overview.

## Limitations
- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
- Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
- Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.