# Referral Program

Design referral programs and viral growth loops.

- Repository: https://github.com/OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills (724 stars)
- Category: Design
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-10-29
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills --skill referral-program -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills --skill referral-program -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills --skill referral-program -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills --skill referral-program -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Design referral programs and viral growth loops. Use when asked to create referral systems, viral mechanics, word-of-mouth campaigns, or growth loops. Trigger phrases: "referral program", "viral loop", "refer a friend", "word of mouth", "viral coefficient", "referral incentive", "growth loop", "invite system", "ambassador program".

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Referral Program Design

Design effective referral programs and viral loops that drive sustainable growth.

---

## 1. Referral Program Frameworks

### One-Sided Incentives

Only the referrer gets rewarded.

**Best for:**
- Products with strong organic word-of-mouth
- Low-friction signups where the referred user needs no extra motivation
- Cost-sensitive businesses

**Examples:**
- Uber: "$10 credit for every friend you refer"
- Amazon Associates: Commission on referred purchases

**Template:**
```
Refer a friend and get [reward].
Share your unique link: [referral_url]
```

### Two-Sided Incentives

Both referrer and referred user get rewarded.

**Best for:**
- Products requiring activation effort from new users
- Competitive markets where new users need a nudge
- Subscription businesses

**Examples:**
- Dropbox: Both get 500MB extra storage
- Airbnb: Referrer gets $25 credit, friend gets $40 off first stay
- PayPal: Both get $10 when friend makes first transaction

**Template:**
```
Give [friend_reward], get [referrer_reward].
Share your link and you both win: [referral_url]
```

### Tiered Incentives

Rewards increase with number of successful referrals.

**Example tier structure:**
| Referrals | Reward |
|-----------|--------|
| 1 | Free month |
| 3 | Exclusive feature unlock |
| 5 | Premium plan for 3 months |
| 10 | Lifetime premium access |
| 25 | Cash payout or swag box |

**Best for:**
- Creating power referrers / ambassadors
- Products with passionate user bases
- Building a referral leaderboard culture

---

## 2. Viral Coefficient Calculation

The viral coefficient (K-factor) determines whether your referral loop is self-sustaining.

### Formula

```
K = i * c

Where:
  i = number of invites sent per user
  c = conversion rate of each invite

If K > 1: viral growth (each user brings more than one new user)
If K < 1: referrals supplement but don't replace other acquisition
```

### Example Calculation

The rest: https://github.com/OpenClaudia/openclaudia-skills/blob/HEAD/skills/referral-program/SKILL.md