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There’s no use having a top-notch referral program if nobody knows about it!
Once you’ve designed the perfect rewards, made a memorable plan, and figured out how you’re going to keep track of everything, it’s time to get the word out.
Confusing or boring marketing can make even the best referral program fall flat, and people not knowing about your program is one of the biggest reasons it might fail.
I’m letting you in on some of the best tips and tricks to get everyone talking about talking about you!
What Makes A Great Referral Program Announcement?
The biggest goal of your announcement is to catch people’s eyes and get them interested in learning more.
You’ll want to make sure it’s enticing, with solid visuals and exciting copy.
The information it includes is up to you. You might consider telling people:
- What counts as a successful referral
- Any limitations or “fine print”
- The process involved
- Most importantly - What’s the reward?
While all of this info likely is unnecessary, people will need to know what the reward is and how to get it.
A flyer is a great option because it can be sent in an email, used in online marketing, or even posted in person!
For example, if you’re looking for new team members, you can post a flyer in the break room or any other area that people go to often. This way, they’ll have a constant reminder of what’s happening.
You can even design a QR code that takes people to your referral page and gets them set up with a referral code of their own!
It can get difficult to keep track of referrals if you have them coming in from everywhere, which is why I recommend connecting these QR codes and links directly to a tool like ReferralHero.
Not only will they track referrals as they come, they’ll also be able to let you know which of your marketing methods got people most excited.
What to Avoid When Making a Referral Program Flyer
For every epic flyer on the market, you can be sure there are 50 terrible ones.
Here are a few common mistakes to keep an eye out for.
Issue One: Too Much Information
With such a limited amount of space and time to catch your audience’s eye, you need to make sure every inch of space counts.
Don’t get sucked into putting too much information on your flyer. When there are too many details, people will get overwhelmed and miss the main point.
It can also be a bit much if there are too many steps or terms and conditions involved in the referral process.
You should focus on what makes your program exciting and keep it simple - list the reward, how to refer someone and any additional info that might be helpful (such as a deadline for taking advantage of the offer).
Issue Two: Boring Delivery
A run-of-the-mill campaign will garner run-of-the-mill results. Whodathunk?
Boring flyers will not attract attention or get people interested, no matter how great your offer is.
Find clever turns of phrase and engaging graphics or photos that get people looking at your flyer long enough to want in.
Issue Three: Focusing On The Wrong Things
People won’t be invested in your program just to get a reward.
Don’t get me wrong, the reward is sweet, and likely what will get their attention.
However, for people to find great connections and stay invested in bringing friends in, they need to feel like they’re sharing the experience of something they care about.
Your customers love your product - you need to have flyers that remind them why so they’re excited to share.
Where Can You Make A Referral Program Flyer?
There are several graphic design tools that can help you make your flyer.
I’ve even done it with a simple Word document - though I don’t recommend that.
Now you can pull up any design program and likely find stellar templates to help make your flyer pop.
- Canva - A favorite among beginning graphic designers, Canva offers lots of options, a simple interface, and a few flyer ideas and inspirations.
- Poster My Wall - With tons of referral flyer templates to choose from, Poster My Wall is a great place to get inspiration and make the flyer you’re dreaming of.
- LucidPress - With their focus on brands and businesses, LucidPress knows exactly what you’re looking for in a flyer
- Appy Pie Design - With tons of templates to choose from, Appy Pie Design is a great place to look for inspiration and find exactly what you need.
No matter what you choose, make sure there’s a clear call to action and a way for people to start getting referrals right away.
Examples of Successful Referral Program Flyers
While templates are great, taking a look at what other companies have used to succeed can spark creativity.
Here are a few examples, along with why they worked so well.
Casper
Since mattresses are a large purchase that people typically only need every once in a while, Casper had their work cut out for them when it came to growth.
With a stellar referral program, however, they were able to stay on top of the bed-in-a-box game.
What Works:
Casper’s flyer is eye catching with unique visuals and a cohesive color scheme.
It appeals to our sense of friendship with clever copy and a clear call to action.
Customers know exactly what is being offered, and understand what they’ll need to do to get it.
The design also translates well digitally and in person.
Chase
Building on their successful refer-a-friend program, Chase offers extended rewards depending on the type of customer you bring in.
This flyer was partnered with similar flyers in banks that replaced the button with a call to speak with one of the tellers.
What Works:
These flyers tell you everything you need to know about the referral program, and has a clear call to action.
With a focus on the rewards, it’s clear that Chase understands what their customers want and why.
AirBnB
By getting to know their audience and testing out different potential email campaigns, AirBnB was able to create one of the most successful referral programs around.
The team got specific about what they would highlight on their flyer. They wanted the program to feel like a gift, both for their existing customers and their friend
What Works:
AirBnB found that giving their customers a chance to give a friend a gift pulled in WAY more referrals than just telling them what they could get themselves.
This flyer lets the potential referrer know exactly what gift they’re giving, and even features a sweet home that their friends could enjoy as a group.
With a clear call to action and straight forward copy, it’s easy to see why AirBnB found so much success with this campaign.
Evernote
One of the first “unicorn” companies, Evernote grew at a RIDICULOUS rate, due in part to their referral program.
It took a unique approach to referrals, having people earn points that can be redeemed for subscriptions or uploads.
What Works:
Focused more on information, this flyer lets its audience know exactly what they’re getting into.
Those who refer friends to Evernote were able to get points multiple times, when their friend signed up, if they got premium, and more.
This gets people excited to bring in higher quality leads!
Revolut
Revolut has grown exponentially through referrals by utilizing the power of FOMO- that’s fear of missing out.
Their unique flyers exist in-app and center a ticking clock to when a specific referral bonus will end.
What Works:
By focusing on a specific time frame, Revolut engages with its customers and makes referring a bit of a game.
The flyer has all the information they could possibly need, while the central image lets them know that if they don’t get a move on, they’re likely to miss out on the offer.
Flyer Templates
While many fliers are going to be more visual based, sometimes you want to use more text.
Here are some templates you can use as a jumping off point for your flyer announcement!
Customer Referral Program:
Don’t be shy, we know you love our [Product/Service], and we love you for it! We wanted to find a way to reward you for sharing that love with the people in your life.
Here's how it works:
1. Refer a friend to our [Product/Service]
2. When your friend signs up, you both get rewarded! You'll receive [Reward], and your friend will get an exclusive discount on their first order.
3. Keep referring friends and enjoy even more rewards! The more people you refer, the bigger the rewards become – it's that simple!
So what are you waiting for? Spread the love and start referring today!
Employee Referral Program:
Attention all [Company Name] team members!
We’ve got exciting news – we’re launching a new employee referral program!
Do you have friends or colleagues who would be great additions to our team? Now is your chance to let us know and get rewarded for it.
For each successful referral, you will receive:
[REWARD]
Recognition from management for your contribution to the team
So don't delay – start referring today! If you have any questions about the program, please contact HR. We look forward to hearing from you!
Ultimately, any template should be seen as a jumping-off point.
You’ll want to customize your approach to fit your brand image and customers.
Conclusion
The launch of your referral program can be scary, but with the right tools in place and a killer marketing plan, you’ll have it off the ground in no time.
Design something that’s as eye-catching as the rest of your brand, and make sure you have a way to handle the referrals that come pouring in.
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