#referrals

Build repeatable referral system. Best timing: 1. After successful implementation. 2. After positive review/NPS score. 3. During quarterly business review. The ask: 'I'm glad you're seeing results. Who else in your network faces similar challenges?' Be specific: 'Do you know any [job title] at [company size] in [industry]?' Offer value exchange: refer them clients too, provide introduction template, offer referee incentive (Amazon gift card, discount). Process: 1. Identify top 20 happy customers. 2. Reach out personally (not bulk email). 3. Make ask easy ('Just reply with 2-3 names and I'll handle outreach'). 4. Send update when contact is made. 5. Report results back to referrer. Track referral source in CRM. Calculate referral conversion rate (typically 30-50% higher than cold). Incentivize reps: SPIF for most referrals monthly.

Engineer viral growth loops into product experience. Viral loop components: 1. Motivation: why users share (social currency, utility, reciprocity). 2. Ability: how easy it is to share (reduce friction). 3. Trigger: when/where sharing prompts appear. 4. Value for recipient: benefit for person receiving invitation. Viral mechanisms: 1. Referral programs: incentives for successful referrals. 2. Collaborative features: shared workspaces, team projects. 3. Content sharing: user-generated content with product branding. 4. Social proof: public profiles, achievements, leaderboards. 5. Network effects: product gets better with more users. Measurement: 1. Viral coefficient (K): average invitations per user × conversion rate. 2. Viral cycle time: time from invitation to new user activation. 3. Organic vs. paid acquisition mix. Design considerations: 1. Natural sharing moments: after positive experiences. 2. Value clarity: recipient understands benefit immediately. 3. Friction reduction: minimal steps to invite. Examples: Dropbox storage bonuses, Slack workspace invitations, Notion page sharing.