Referral Emails are one of the most successful promotion strategies that our retailers use to promote their referral program to their Advocates.
It’s one of the first touchpoints where Advocates (i.e your customers) are made aware that they can refer their friends to the store, and earn rewards when their friends make a purchase.
As a result, making sure that your referral email is effective (design + copy) is very important.
Once you’re in, click “Edit” on Simple Theme (The Autopilot theme was built to help retailers launch quickly, so there’s limited editing)
Then, go to Content > Edit (you can choose to edit either your post-purchase email or the reminder email):
That being said, crafting a great referral email from scratch is decidedly difficult. Sometimes, you need inspiration before you even begin.
Or, sometimes, you need to look at what the best are doing so you can learn and model from them.
To help you with that, we’ve collected some of our favourite referral email designs from our ReferralCandy customers so that you can draw inspiration and start creating your own gorgeous referral email.
1. Misty Robotics
Misty Robotics sells an advanced personal robot that is easy to program.
Why we like it
- Easy-to-understand benefits and rewards for both the advocates and their friends
- Headline is clear
- Header image shows that you’re not only giving your friend something, but supporting a small business that desires to give you the best!
2. Leonisa
Leonisa is one of the most popular lingerie brands in Latin America.
Why we like it
- Attention grabbing header image that showcases both their product and highlights the referral program’s incentives
- They used long form copy in their email to explain the benefits of joining their referral program
3. Riff Raff & Co.
Riff Raff is a store that sells sleep toys specifically designed to appeal to the three main sensory cues babies and toddlers rely on for comfort and self-settling.
Why we like it
- Babies! Babies always works.
- Distinct imagery shows off Riff Raff’s range of cute products
- Personal copy that speaks directly to their target audience – moms (“these cuties”, “seeing your little ones”)
- Giving customers a reason to get more Riff Raff toys (wash days, childcare, etc.) – Riff Raff has done their market research
4. Acton Global
Acton sells electric skateboards.
Why we like it
- Simple and to-the-point: Acton provides a simple referral messaging that their customers can send their friends
- Acton knows their best performing social channels (Facebook & Twitter), and although ReferralCandy provides more ways of sharing – they have narrowed it down to just these two.
5. ZooShoo
ZOOSHOO is a retailer that sells all sorts of stylish women’s shoes.
Why we like it
- Great use of header image to showcase both their products, as well as the benefits of the referral program: “Give $10, Get $10”
- The body copy is easy to understand, yet covers the main conditions Advocates need to satisfy to receive their Referral Reward
- Great use of visuals to convey the steps required for the Advocate and Friend to get their incentives
6. EverlyWell
EverlyWell sells simple lab testing kits that anyone can use at home.
Why we like it
- Bright colours in EverlyWell’s brand colours stand out as an email
- The cute illustrations clearly convey what their customers stand to get if they refer their friends to EverlyWell
- Easy-to-understand instructions about their referral program – “share and we pay you via PayPal.”
- A seemingly throwaway line – “If you’re popular you may never have to pay for a health test again” but conveys the biggest benefit of all – refer enough friends and everything is free for you!
7. Brooklinen
Brooklinen sells high quality sheets and bedding at affordable prices.
Why we like it
- Animated GIF is very eye-catching and exciting
- Very short and sweet, gets the main points of their referrral program across
8. Advancement Courses
Advancement Courses sells professional development courses for teachers.
Why we like it
- The cute illustration, together with a clear benefit-oriented headline “Refer a friend, get $20 cash” is an attention grabber
- Simple, easy-to-understand copy which also showcases Advancement Courses’ wide range of programs to choose from
9. Mad Rabbit Kicking Tiger (MRKT)
MRKT (Mad Rabbit Kicking Tiger) sells designer backpacks, briefcases and other accessories.
Why we like it
- Made use of our templating system to fully match the design of their Referral Email to their store’s branding
- Large and effective header image that tells Advocates what they need to do: Share their referral link with their friends
- Simple 2-step explanation on the benefits of joining their referral program
10. Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Scotch Malt Whisky Society (or SWMS) is an international members club offering the world’s widest collection of rare and exceptional single cask whiskies.
Why we like it
- I like the way they wrote their copy – it feels as if I’m being invited into a posh, classy members club
11. POPRAGEOUS
POPRAGEOUS sells premium leggings inspired by art and pop culture.
Why we like it
- Made use of the HTML/CSS editing tool to fully customise their referral email to match their brand
- Great use of copy to match their brand’s voice very well
12. ezpz
ezpz sells all-in-one sillicone plates and placemats.
Why we like it
- Very catchy hero image used that reflects the fun aspect of their branding
13. Aura Frames
Aura Frames sells a cool frame that allows you to send photos digitally to the frame!
Why we like it
- Clear, benefit-oriented headline
- Header image reminds customers what they are signing up for
- Personal copy makes them sound genuine and authentic
- Instead of saying “join our referral program”, “Welcome to the Club” sounds exclusive and something to look forward to!
Final Thoughts
Crafting a successful referral email can be difficult, so take as much time as you need in creating the best possible design and copy that will compel your customers to share with their friends.
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