referral-program_skill

Overview

This skill designs and optimizes referral and affiliate programs that turn organic word-of-mouth into scalable acquisition. It helps define reward structures, referral mechanics, two-sided incentives, partner/affiliate models, and anti-fraud controls. Use it to build programs that respect unit economics and improve referral conversion and ROI.

How this skill works

I guide you through diagnostic questions to assess product-market fit for referrals, LTV and margin constraints, and existing sharing behaviors. I map the referral loop (Trigger, Share, Incentive, Reward), recommend program types (customer, affiliate, hybrid), and produce concrete implementation checklists and reward calculations. I also flag tracking, anti-fraud, and product-surface opportunities so the program is measurable and automated.

When to use it

• You want to launch a new refer-a-friend, ambassador, or affiliate program.
• You need to optimize an underperforming referral flow or improve referral-to-activation rates.
• You want to design two-sided incentives that fit your LTV and gross margin.
• You need guidance on tracking, anti-fraud, and reward fulfillment automation.
• You’re deciding between customer referrals, partner affiliates, or a hybrid model.

Best practices

• Start with diagnostics: NPS, LTV, current CAC, and natural sharing behaviors before designing rewards.
• Prefer two-sided rewards for higher participation unless product love alone drives referrals.
• Automate reward fulfillment and instrument end-to-end tracking from share to activation.
• Layer triggers (NPS promoters, milestone prompts, in-product invites) to capture diverse referrers.
• Implement anti-fraud controls: self-referral blocks, velocity limits, activation gates, and manual review thresholds.

Example use cases

• B2C subscription: two-sided discount or credits to increase trial-to-paid conversion.
• SaaS team product: invite teammates via in-product share + account credits for referrer.
• Affiliate program for agencies: recurring commission or tiered commissions with clear TOS.
• Product launch: NPS-based outreach asking top promoters to invite peers with a special reward.
• Community brand: tiered swag rewards to gamify referrals and create social proof.