Referral Program Design Skill

A referral program is a growth loop, not a coupon. It only compounds if each new user invites more than they cost and the cycle is fast. This skill designs the mechanics and incentives, then sanity-checks them with the viral math — because most referral programs fail not on creativity but on a k-factor below 1.

Required Inputs

Ask for these only if they aren't already provided:

• Why users would share — the genuine reason (status, mutual benefit, the product is better with others).
• Economics — the value of a new customer (so the incentive budget is grounded) and current organic word-of-mouth.
• The moment of delight — when users are happiest (the best time to ask for a referral).
• Goal — what the program must do (lower CAC, accelerate growth) and over what horizon.

Output Format

Referral Program: [product]