# Referral Program

When the user wants to create, optimize, or analyze a referral program, affiliate...

- Repository: https://github.com/TheCraigHewitt/seomachine (7567 stars)
- Category: Design
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-10-23
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

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

## Description

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.

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

# Referral & Affiliate Programs

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.

## Before Starting

**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):

### 1. Program Type
- Customer referral program, affiliate program, or both?
- B2B or B2C?
- What's the average customer LTV?
- What's your current CAC from other channels?

### 2. Current State
- Existing referral/affiliate program?
- Current referral rate (% who refer)?
- What incentives have you tried?

### 3. Product Fit
- Is your product shareable?
- Does it have network effects?
- Do customers naturally talk about it?

### 4. Resources
- Tools/platforms you use or consider?
- Budget for referral incentives?

---

## Referral vs. Affiliate

### Customer Referral Programs

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

**Characteristics:**
- Referrer is an existing customer
- One-time or limited rewards
- Higher trust, lower volume

### Affiliate Programs

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

**Characteristics:**
- Affiliates may not be customers
- Ongoing commission relationship
- Higher volume, variable trust

---

## Referral Program Design

### The Referral Loop

```
Trigger Moment → Share Action → Convert Referred → Reward → (Loop)
```

### Step 1: Identify Trigger Moments

**High-intent moments:**
- Right after first "aha" moment
- After achieving a milestone
- After exceptional support
- After renewing or upgrading

### Step 2: Design Share Mechanism

The rest: https://github.com/TheCraigHewitt/seomachine/blob/HEAD/.claude/skills/referral-program/SKILL.md