In today’s professional world, networking, and referral emails are crucial for career growth and success.
Referrals from trusted contacts can open doors and provide valuable opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable.
However, reaching out to someone for a referral can be daunting, especially if you’re not sure what to say.
That’s why we’ve put together a collection of referral templates to help you craft effective messages that make a lasting impression.
Whether you’re looking for a job, seeking a new client, or trying to grow your business, these templates will guide you in requesting a referral in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
With these sample referral emails, you can confidently reach out to your network and harness the power of referrals to take your career or business to the next level.
What Exactly is a Referral Email?
Referral email is a fancy way of saying “word-of-mouth” marketing where businesses ask happy customers to recommend their products or services via email.
It’s like when you recommend a great restaurant to your friend and they end up loving it too. Except, in this case, the business is asking you to recommend them to others through email.
Email referral can be a powerful tool because people trust their friends’ opinions, which can lead to more sales and loyal customers. As per a 2021 report, 92% of consumers trust recommendations or referrals from people they know personally.
Email referral marketing is also great from a business standpoint due to its cost-effectiveness. Encouraging customers to refer their friends via email saves businesses money on advertising and attracts high-quality leads.
Plus, email referral marketing can be fun! Some businesses even offer rewards or incentives for successful referrals, so it’s like getting a prize for being a good friend.
So, if you love a business and want to help them out, consider sending an email referral to your friends. Who knows, you might even get a little something for it!
Why Referral Email Marketing is Essential for Business Growth
Referral marketing is a powerful tool for businesses looking to grow their customer base and increase revenue. Here are some reasons why referral marketing is essential for business growth:
Trusted Recommendations
Referral marketing leverages the trust and credibility that comes with a personal recommendation from a friend, family member, or colleague. People are more likely to trust the opinion of someone they know, and this can lead to higher conversion rates and a more loyal customer base.
Cost-Effectiveness
Referral marketing is often more cost-effective than other marketing strategies. Why? Because it relies on the positive experiences and personal networks of existing customers to attract new customers, rather than paying for traditional advertising or marketing tactics. This approach helps create a positive feedback loop that can lead to long-term growth and success.
Increased Customer Lifetime Value (CLV)
Referral marketing can boost CLV by creating loyal customers who make repeat purchases and refer others to the business. As per Influitive, customers referred to a business tend to have a 59% higher lifetime value.
Higher Quality Leads
People who are referred are often more likely to be a good fit for the business and have a higher likelihood of converting. These leads have already been pre-screened by the referrer and are more likely to be interested in the product or service on offer.
When to Start Sending Business Referral Emails?
Launching a referral email program indiscriminately without meeting certain criteria could result in a waste of time and effort. A business is only ready to start using referral emails when they have the following in place:
- A Satisfied Customer Base
Referral emails are most effective when you have a customer base that is happy with your product and willing to recommend it to others. Having a high customer retention rate and repeat customers is an obvious tell-tale sign that that is the case. Make it a habit to monitor online reviews and customer feedback to accurately gauge your customer satisfaction levels.
- Way to Track Referrals
It’s important to have a reliable way to track referrals so that you can reward customers who refer new business to you. Make sure you have a system in place to track referrals and monitor the success of your email referral program. This system could be as simple as a spreadsheet or as complex as dedicated referral tracking software. Whatever it is, make sure you regularly monitor your referral activity and analyze your data to make improvements to your program.
- When You’re Ready to Handle New Business
When it comes to referral emails, it’s essential to remember that they are a powerful tool for generating new business. However, it’s equally important to ensure that you’re ready to handle the increased volume of business that these emails can generate.
Before you start sending referral emails, take some time to assess whether your team is equipped to handle an influx of new customers. Are you confident that you can provide excellent customer service to new customers, even if your workload increases significantly?
Email Referral Template Best Practices
Here are some best practices to keep in mind when creating an email referral template:
Use a Compelling Subject Line
Did you know that the subject line alone can be a determining factor for 47% of email recipients to open an email? The subject line is the first thing the recipient sees when they receive your email referral template, so make sure it’s attention-grabbing and compelling. Use action-oriented language, and consider including a specific benefit or offer to entice the recipient to open the email.
Keep It Simple and Clear
Your email referral template should be easy to read and understand. Keep the messaging straightforward and use clear language. Avoid using technical jargon or buzzwords that may confuse your customers.
Highlight the Benefits
Make sure to emphasize the benefits of your product or service and why someone would want to refer others to you. This could include special offers, discounts, or other incentives. After all, over 50% of people are likely to offer a referral If provided with a direct incentive.
Personalize the Message
Use the recipient’s name and tailor the message to their specific interests or needs. This will help make the email feel more personalized and relevant. More importantly, it will drastically improve your chances of getting a reply. According to a recent survey, 63% of individuals do not respond to non-personalized emails.
Include a Clear Call-To-Action
Make it clear what you want the recipient to do, whether that’s to refer a friend or make a purchase themselves. Use action-oriented language and make it nice and easy for them to take the next step. Here are some awesome email call-to-action examples you can use to create your own.
Optimize for Mobile
Many people check their emails on their mobile devices, so make sure your email referral template is optimized for mobile viewing. Use a responsive design and avoid using small font sizes or long paragraphs.
Test, Test, Test
A/B-test different versions of your email referral template to see what works best for your audience. A full-service autoresponder like Mailvio allows you to test different offers, messaging, or call-to-actions to see what resonates best with your customers. Continuously optimize your email referral template based on the results of your testing.
Keep It Visually Appealing
Use visual elements, such as images or graphics, to make your email referral template more visually appealing. However, be careful not to overload the email with too many images or graphics, as this can slow down the load time and make it harder to read.
Include Social Sharing Buttons
Make it easy for customers to share your product or service on social media by including social sharing buttons in your email referral template. This can help expand your reach and increase the likelihood of getting more referrals.
Follow Up
Don’t forget to send follow-up emails to customers who have referred others to you. Thank them for their referral and make sure they receive any rewards or incentives promised. This will help build trust and encourage them to refer more business to you in the future.
What Are the Different Types of Referral Emails?
Understanding the different types of referral emails is crucial to designing an effective referral program. In this section, we’ll explore the various types of referral emails and how you can use them to expand your customer base and grow your business. To make life easier for you, we’ll also provide a referral email example for each email type mentioned below. Let’s get started!
The Invitation Email Template
These emails are sent to existing customers to invite them to participate in a referral program. The email typically provides details about the referral program, such as how it works, the rewards available, and how to get started.
Subject: Refer a Friend and Earn Rewards!
Hi [Customer Name],
We hope you’re enjoying our products/services! We wanted to let you know about an exciting opportunity to earn rewards by referring your friends and family to our business.
Our referral program is simple: when you refer a friend who makes a purchase using your unique referral link, you’ll receive [Reward Details]. Plus, your friend will receive a special discount on their first purchase.
To get started, simply click the link below and enter your email address to receive your unique referral link:
[Insert Link to Referral Program]
Thanks for helping us spread the word about our business. We appreciate your support!
Best,
[Your Company]
The Simple “Refer a Friend” Email Template
This type of email template simply asks customers to refer their friends and family to the business. It can be a short and sweet message that encourages customers to spread the word about the business.
Subject: Refer a friend and get rewarded!
Dear [Customer’s Name],
Thank you for choosing our business! We hope you’ve been enjoying our products/services.
If you know anyone who would benefit from our products/services, we would be grateful if you could refer them to us. As a token of our appreciation, we are offering a [discount/credit/gift card] for every new customer you refer to us.
Simply forward this email to your friends and family, or share your referral link on social media. We promise to take great care of anyone you may send our way.
Thank you for your continued support!
Best,
[Your Business Name]
The “Thank You for Your Referral” Email Template
As the name suggests, this email thanks customers for their referrals and offers them a reward or incentive for their help. It can be a great way to show appreciation and encourage customers to continue referring others.
Subject Line: Thank You for Your Referral!
Dear [Customer],
We wanted to reach out and thank you for referring your friend [Name] to our business. We truly appreciate your support and trust in our products/services.
To show our gratitude, we’d like to offer you [insert reward or incentive here] as a token of our appreciation. We hope you find it useful and that it brings a smile to your face.
If you know anyone else who could benefit from our products/services, we’d love for you to refer them as well. As a valued customer, your referrals mean a lot to us and help us grow our business.
Thank you again for your referral and for being a part of our community. We look forward to serving you in the future.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
The “Exclusive Offer for Referrals” Email
This type of email template offers an exclusive deal or discount to customers who refer new business. It can be a great way to motivate customers to refer others and reward them for their efforts.
Subject Line: Exclusive Offer for Referrals!
Dear [Customer],
Thank you for being a valued customer of our business. We wanted to reach out to let you know about a special offer we’re running exclusively for customers who refer new business to us.
For every friend or family member you refer to us who becomes a customer, we’ll give you a [insert discount or offer here] on your next purchase with us. This is our way of saying thank you for your loyalty and for helping us grow our business.
To take advantage of this offer, simply have your referral mention your name when they contact us, and we’ll take care of the rest. There’s no limit to how many times you can refer, so feel free to spread the word and take advantage of this exclusive deal.
Thank you for being a part of our community, and we look forward to serving you and your referrals in the future.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
The Onboarding Referral Email Template
This email is sent to new customers during the onboarding process to encourage them to participate in a referral program. The email typically explains the referral program and the rewards available. It also encourages new customers to share their experiences with friends and family.
Subject: Share the Love and Earn Rewards!
Hi [New Customer Name],
Welcome to our business! We’re so glad you decided to try our products/services and we hope you love them as much as we do!
We wanted to let you know about an exciting opportunity to earn rewards by referring your friends and family to our business.
When you refer someone who makes a purchase using your unique referral link, you’ll receive [Reward Details]. Plus, your friend will receive a special discount on their first purchase.
We know that you’re going to love our products/services, and we would love for you to share your experience with your friends and family.
It’s a win-win situation – your friends and family will receive a discount on their first purchase, and you’ll earn rewards for every successful referral!
To get started, simply click the link below and enter your email address to receive your unique referral link:
[Insert Link to Referral Program]
Thank you for choosing our business, and we look forward to continuing to serve you!
Best,
[Your Company]
The Referral Confirmation Email Template
This email is sent to the referrer and the referred person. Its purpose is to confirm that the referral has been received and will be processed.
Subject Line: Referral Received – Thank You!
Dear [Referrer],
We wanted to let you know that we received your referral for [Referred Person], and we’re excited to get in touch with them. We appreciate you taking the time to refer someone to our business and hope we can provide them with the same exceptional service that you’ve come to expect from us.
We’ll be reaching out to [Referred Person] shortly to introduce ourselves and discuss how we can best serve their needs. In the meantime, if you or [Referred Person] have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Once again, thank you for your referral, and we look forward to serving you both in the future.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
The “Referral Reward” Email Template
A referral reward email is sent to the referrer to notify them that they have earned a reward for referring a new customer to the business. It’s a way to incentivize customers to continue referring others and show appreciation for their efforts.
Subject Line: Congratulations! You’ve earned a referral reward
Dear [Referrer],
We wanted to reach out and say thank you for referring [New Customer] to our business. We truly appreciate your support and trust in our products/services.
As a token of our appreciation, we’d like to offer you a [insert reward or incentive here] for referring [New Customer].
We hope you find it useful and that it encourages you to continue referring others to our business.
To claim your reward, simply [insert instructions for redeeming the reward]. Once again, thank you for your referral and for being a part of our community.
We look forward to serving you in the future.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
The Personalized Referral Email Template
A personalized referral email is tailored to the specific interests and preferences of the customer, making it more relevant and compelling to them. It’s a way to increase the likelihood of them referring others and show that the business values their individual needs.
Subject Line: [Customer Name], We Have Something Special For You!
Dear [Customer Name],
We know that you’re a fan of our [insert product/service], and we wanted to reach out and thank you for your loyalty. As a valued customer, we’d like to offer you a special reward for referring others to our business.
For every person you refer to us who becomes a customer, we’ll give you [insert reward or incentive here] that we think you’ll love. It’s our way of saying thank you for your support and showing that we value your unique interests and needs.
To start referring, simply [insert instructions for referring]. We can’t wait to see who you’ll introduce to our business and how we can help them meet their [insert relevant interests or needs].
Thank you again for being a part of our community, and we look forward to continuing to serve you in the future.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
The “Win-back” Referral Email Template
A win-back referral email is sent to customers who have previously used a business’s products/services but have since become inactive or lapsed. The email aims to win them back by offering a referral incentive and encouraging them to refer others to the business.
Subject Line: [Customer Name], We Want You Back (and Your Friends Too!)
Dear [Customer Name],
We noticed that you haven’t used our products/services in a while, and we wanted to reach out and see if there’s anything we can do to win you back.
We value your previous business with us and want to make sure you know that we’re still here and ready to serve you.
As a way to say thank you for your past support and to incentivize you to come back, we’d like to offer you a special referral bonus.
For every person you refer to us who becomes a customer, we’ll give you [insert reward or incentive here].
It’s a win-win for both of us, as you get a great reward and we get the chance to serve new customers who could benefit from our products/services.
To start referring, simply [insert instructions for referring]. We can’t wait to see who you’ll introduce to our business and how we can help them meet their needs.
Thank you for considering our offer, and we hope to hear from you soon.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
The “VIP Referral” Email Template
A VIP referral email is sent to a business’s most loyal and valued customers to thank them for their support and offer them exclusive rewards for referring others to the business. The email is designed to make the customer feel special and recognized for their loyalty.
Example:
Subject Line: You’re a VIP! Thank you for being part of our community
Dear [Customer Name],
We wanted to take a moment to thank you for being a valued and loyal member of our community.
Your support and enthusiasm for our products/services have not gone unnoticed, and we truly appreciate all that you do.
As a VIP customer, we’d like to offer you exclusive rewards for referring others to our business.
For every person you refer who becomes a customer, we’ll give you [insert reward or incentive here] that is only available to our most loyal customers.
It’s our way of saying thank you for your ongoing support and showing that we value your contributions to our success.
To start referring, just [insert instructions for referring]. We’re excited to see who you’ll introduce to our business and how we can continue to serve you and meet your needs.
Once again, thank you for being a part of our community and for all that you do. We look forward to continuing to work with you in the future.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
The Social Media Referral Email Template
A social media referral email encourages customers to refer their friends and followers to a business’s social media accounts, such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. The email provides incentives for customers to share the business’s social media accounts with their network, which can help increase the business’s visibility and reach on social media.
Subject Line: Get [insert reward or incentive here] for Sharing Our Social Media Accounts!
Dear [Customer Name],
We’re excited to announce that we’re now on social media, and we want to invite you to join us!
By following our social media accounts on [insert social media platforms here], you’ll get access to exclusive content, updates, and promotions that you won’t find anywhere else.
But that’s not all!
We’re also offering a special reward for customers who share our social media accounts with their network.
For every friend or follower you refer to our social media accounts, we’ll give you [insert reward or incentive here] as a thank you for spreading the word.
To start referring, simply [insert instructions for referring].
We can’t wait to see how many new people you’ll introduce to our social media accounts and how we can continue to engage with you and our growing community.
Thank you for your support, and we look forward to connecting with you on social media!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
The New Product Launch Referral Email Template
This email is sent to customers to introduce a new product or service and encourage them to refer their friends and family to it. The email provides incentives for customers to refer others to the new product or service, which can help increase its exposure and sales.
Subject Line: Get [insert reward or incentive here] for Referring Your Friends to Our Exciting New Product!
Dear [Customer Name],
We’re excited to announce the launch of our newest product: [insert product name here]!
As one of our valued customers, we wanted to give you an exclusive opportunity to be one of the first to try it out and share it with your friends and family.
For every person you refer who purchases our new product, we’ll give you [insert reward or incentive here], and they’ll receive [insert reward or incentive here] as a welcome gift.
It’s our way of saying thank you for spreading the word and helping us get the word out about our exciting new product.
To start referring, just [insert instructions for referring].
We are eager to see how many people you’ll introduce to our new product and how it will become a part of their daily routine.
Thank you for your support, and we look forward to continuing to provide you with the best products and services!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
The Referral Contest Email Template
Businesses use referral contest emails to customers to announce a contest with rewards for the top referrers. The email typically includes instructions on how to participate, the prizes offered, and the timeframe for the contest.
Subject Line: Join Our Referral Contest and Win Big!
Dear [Customer Name],
We’re excited to announce our referral contest, where you can win big just by referring your friends and family to our business! Here’s how it works:
Refer your friends and family to our business using your unique referral link.
They make a purchase or sign up for our services using your link.
You earn points for each referral and purchase made using your link.
The customers with the most points at the end of the contest win!
Here are the prizes you could win:
- 1st Place: [insert grand prize here]
- 2nd Place: [insert second prize here]
- 3rd Place: [insert third prize here]
- 4th-10th Place: [insert consolation prizes here]
To get started, simply [insert instructions for participating]. It’s easy to refer your friends and family, and with our amazing prizes, you won’t want to miss out!
Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you participate in our referral contest!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
The Seasonal Referral Email Template
This email is sent to customers during a specific holiday or season to encourage them to refer their friends and family to the business. The email can offer special promotions or incentives related to the season or holiday.
Subject Line: Share the Holiday Cheer and Get Rewarded!
Dear [Customer Name],
The holiday season is here, and we wanted to take a moment to thank you for being a valued customer.
As a token of our appreciation, we’re offering a special holiday referral program to help you spread the cheer.
Here’s how it works: refer your friends and family to our business using your unique referral link, and they’ll receive [insert reward or incentive here].
Plus, you’ll receive [insert reward or incentive here] for each person who signs up or makes a purchase using your link.
But that’s not all! For every [insert number] referral you make during the holiday season, you’ll receive a special bonus reward [insert reward or incentive here].
Spread the joy this holiday season and help your friends and family take advantage of this great offer. To start referring, simply [insert instructions for referring].
Thank you for your support, and happy holidays!
Regards,
[Your Name]
The Testimonial Referral Email Template
Businesses use testimonial referral emails to request feedback or reviews from customers about their experience with the brand. The email typically thanks the customer for their business and asks if they would be willing to share their thoughts in a testimonial or review. The template can also include a referral link or incentive to encourage customers to refer others.
Subject Line: We’d Love to Hear Your Feedback and Reward You!
Dear [Customer Name],
At [Business Name], we’re always striving to improve our services and products to better serve you. That’s why we’d love to hear your feedback about your recent experience with us.
Would you be willing to share your thoughts in a brief testimonial or review? Your feedback helps us to better understand your needs and improve our services to meet them.
Plus, as a thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback, we’d like to offer you [insert reward or incentive here].
And if you know anyone else who might benefit from our services, we’d love it if you could share your experience and refer them to us using your unique referral link.
Thank you for your support, and we look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
The “Tiered Reward” Referral Email
Subject: Refer your friends and earn bigger rewards!
Dear [Customer],
Thank you for your business and for being a loyal customer of [Company]. We’re excited to offer you a new referral program that rewards you for sharing our business with your friends and family!
Here’s how it works:
- Refer one person and receive a $10 discount on your next purchase
- Refer three people and receive a $25 discount on your next purchase
- Refer five people and receive a $50 discount on your next purchase
The more people you refer, the bigger the reward you’ll receive. Plus, your friends and family will get a special discount on their first purchase as a thank-you for being referred by you.
To get started, simply share your unique referral link with your network. You can find it in your account dashboard or by clicking the link below:
[Insert unique referral link]
Thank you for your continued support, and we can’t wait to see the rewards you’ll earn through our referral program!
Best,
[Your Name] at [Company
The Partner Referral Email Template
This is a type of referral email that businesses send to their partners or affiliates to encourage them to refer their audience to the business. The email can offer rewards or commissions for successful referrals and can also provide promotional materials to help partners promote the business effectively.
Subject: Earn commissions by referring [Business Name]
Dear [Partner Name],
We hope this email finds you well. We are excited to announce our new referral program for partners like you!
As a valued partner of [Business Name], we want to reward you for spreading the word about our products/services to your audience.
For every successful referral you send our way, you will receive a commission of 10% on the sale.
To make it easy for you to promote our business, we have created a range of promotional materials that you can use on your website, social media pages, and email campaigns.
You can find these materials by logging into your partner account on our website.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to working with you to grow our businesses together.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
The “Referral Reminder” Email Template
This email typically includes a call-to-action and a reminder of the rewards or incentives for successful referrals. Here’s an example:
Subject: Don’t forget to share the love!
Hello [Customer Name],
We wanted to remind you that our referral program is still going strong and we’d love for you to participate.
If you know anyone who could benefit from our [product/service], we encourage you to refer them to us. Not only will they thank you, but we’ll also thank you with a [reward/incentive].
Remember, sharing is caring! Thank you for being a valued customer and for considering spreading the word about our business.
Regards,
[Your Name]
Over to You
These are just some examples of the different types of referral emails you can use.
Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to creating effective referral emails.
That’s why it’s crucial to experiment with different types of referral emails and see what resonates with your audience.
That said, it’s very important that you adhere to the above-mentioned best practices when creating referral emails.
These include A/B testing to optimize your content and design, personalizing your messages to make them feel more genuine and tailored to the recipient, and offering enticing incentives to motivate customers to refer their friends and family.
Using an email autoresponder like Mailvio can be a huge help in implementing these best practices and scaling your referral campaigns.
With features like A/B testing and dynamic personalization, Mailvio makes it easy to create targeted and effective referral emails.
Plus, its automation capabilities allow you to set up triggered messages and follow-up sequences, ensuring that your referral program is running smoothly and efficiently.
So, give it a try for free for the next 7 days and see how it can help you take your referral program to the next level.
