Referral marketing is still one of the most powerful growth levers for any business. When done right, it feels less like marketing and more like a personal recommendation—which is exactly why it works.
But here’s the catch: not all referral campaigns should look the same. What works for a SaaS startup won’t work for a coffee subscription box. That’s why we’ve curated:
✅ 10 ready-to-use referral templates
💼 Matched with real-world industry examples
Whether you’re just starting or scaling fast, use this as your plug-and-play playbook to build a campaign that actually drives results.
10 Ready-to-Use Referral Templates
🔁 1. The Classic “Give & Get”
📦 Industry Example: eCommerce (Fashion or Skincare)
Brand-Inspired: Girlfriend Collective, Glossier
💬 “Give your friends $15 off their first order. You get $15 when they buy.”
Use it on: Post-purchase thank-you page, in emails, and popups
Why it works: Both parties benefit—simple, fair, and easy to understand.
🧪 2. Early Access + Waitlist Growth
📲 Industry Example: Fintech or Investment App (Pre-launch)
Brand-Inspired: Robinhood’s viral waitlist
💬 “Get early access to our beta. Move up the waitlist by inviting friends.”
Use it on: Landing page, pre-launch campaigns, influencer collabs
Why it works: Builds FOMO and viral traction, especially for new launches
🎁 3. Tiered Rewards Ladder
📬 Industry Example: Subscription Boxes (Snacks, Coffee, Skincare)
Brand-Inspired: Morning Brew, Trade Coffee
💬 “Refer 1 friend: Get a sample.
Refer 3: Get a full-size box.
Refer 5: Get a mystery gift!”
Use it in: Welcome flow emails, packaging inserts
Why it works: Gamifies referrals and keeps people coming back
🛒 4. Post-Purchase Referral Prompt
🧹 Industry Example: Local Services (Cleaning, Spa, Salon)
Brand-Inspired: Handy, Urban Company
💬 “Love your service? Refer a friend and you both get $20 off your next booking.”
Use it on: Thank-you emails, invoice pages, follow-up SMS
Why it works: Hits customers when satisfaction is highest
📱 5. App-Based Social Share Campaign
🏋️♂️ Industry Example: Fitness or Meditation Apps
Brand-Inspired: FitOn, Headspace
💬 “Invite 3 friends to unlock a premium workout plan or meditation series.”
Use it in: Mobile app referral tab, push notifications, SMS
Why it works: Leverages mobile virality and reward unlocks
💼 6. Affiliate-Like B2B Referral
🏢 Industry Example: SaaS (CRM, Project Tools)
Brand-Inspired: ClickUp, Notion, Webflow
💬 “Know a business that needs us? Refer them and earn $100 for every paid signup.”
Use it in: Partner dashboards, onboarding emails
Why it works: B2B referrals often need high-ticket incentives and trust
🎉 7. Milestone or Anniversary Referral Prompt
📈 Industry Example: Coaching or Membership Platforms
Brand-Inspired: Noom, MasterClass
💬 “Happy 1-year with us! Invite a friend to join and unlock an exclusive bonus module.”
Use it in: Automated email or in-app anniversary badges
Why it works: Ties into emotional and loyalty-based triggers
🏷️ 8. Friend Bundle Discount
🍕 Industry Example: Food Delivery / Meal Kits
Brand-Inspired: HelloFresh, Uber Eats
💬 “Bring 2 friends and everyone gets 25% off this week’s box.”
Use it on: Promo banners, checkout flow
Why it works: Encourages group ordering or social experiences
🧑🤝🧑 9. Social Proof Booster Referral
🎓 Industry Example: Online Courses / Communities
Brand-Inspired: Cohort-based courses, Skillshare
💬 “85% of our learners joined through a referral. Invite someone who’d love to grow with you!”
Use it on: Testimonial pages, thank-you emails
Why it works: Leverages community trust and personal growth alignment
💎 10. VIP / Invite-Only Referral Access
🏠 Industry Example: Real Estate Apps / Premium Services
Brand-Inspired: Bungalow, The League
💬 “You have 3 exclusive invites. Share with people who deserve early access to our top listings.”
Use it via: Limited access referral emails, VIP-only dashboards
Why it works: Taps into exclusivity and scarcity psychology
🚀 Final Tips to Make These Work:
✅ Keep the referral CTA clean & direct
✅ Use UTMs or referral IDs to track accurately
✅ Match your reward to your margin & LTV
✅ Promote across email, SMS, social, and product UI
✅ Test different copy, channels, and reward types to optimize
