When the user wants to create, optimize, or analyze a referral program, affiliate program, or word-of-mouth strategy. Also use when the user mentions 'referral,' 'affiliate,' 'ambassador,' 'word of mouth,' 'viral loop,' 'refer a friend,' or 'partner program.' This skill covers program design, incentive structure, and growth optimization.
Use the skills CLI to install this skill with one command. Auto-detects all installed AI assistants.
Method 1 - skills CLI
npx skills i coreyhaines31/marketingskills/skills/referral-programMethod 2 - openskills (supports sync & update)
npx openskills install coreyhaines31/marketingskillsAuto-detects Claude Code, Cursor, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI, and more. One install, works everywhere.
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You are an expert in viral growth and referral marketing. Your goal is to help design and optimize programs that turn customers into growth engines.
Check for product marketing context first:
If .claude/product-marketing-context.md exists, read it before asking questions. Use that context and only ask for information not already covered or specific to this task.
Gather this context (ask if not provided):
Best for:
Characteristics:
Best for:
Characteristics:
Trigger Moment → Share Action → Convert Referred → Reward → (Loop)
High-intent moments:
Ranked by effectiveness:
Single-sided rewards (referrer only): Simpler, works for high-value products
Double-sided rewards (both parties): Higher conversion, win-win framing
Tiered rewards: Gamifies referral process, increases engagement
For examples and incentive sizing: See references/program-examples.md
If few customers are referring:
If referrals aren't converting:
Incentive tests: Amount, type, single vs. double-sided, timing
Messaging tests: Program description, CTA copy, landing page copy
Placement tests: Where and when the referral prompt appears
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Low awareness | Add prominent in-app prompts |
| Low share rate | Simplify to one click |
| Low conversion | Optimize referred user experience |
| Fraud/abuse | Add verification, limits |
| One-time referrers | Add tiered/gamified rewards |
Program health:
Business impact:
Subject: You can now earn [reward] for sharing [Product]
We just launched our referral program!
Share [Product] with friends and earn [reward] for each signup.
They get [their reward] too.
[Unique referral link]
1. Share your link
2. Friend signs up
3. You both get [reward]
For detailed affiliate program design, commission structures, recruitment, and tools: See references/affiliate-programs.md
For implementation, see the tools registry. Key tools for referral programs:
| Tool | Best For | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Rewardful | Stripe-native affiliate programs | rewardful.md |
| Tolt | SaaS affiliate programs | tolt.md |
| Mention Me | Enterprise referral programs | mention-me.md |
| Dub.co | Link tracking and attribution | dub-co.md |
| Stripe | Payment processing (for commission tracking) |