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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.getcore.me/llms.txt

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Goal: Design and optimize programs that turn customers into growth engines.

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Tools Required

This skill runs using CORE memory only. No integrations required.

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Trigger

Run on demand when the user wants to design or optimize a referral or affiliate program.

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Setup

Search memory for:
  • “What’s your average customer LTV?”
  • “Do you have an existing referral program?”
  • “What’s your current CAC from other channels?”
If nothing found, ask once:
“Tell me: (1) Average customer LTV? (2) Current CAC from paid/organic? (3) Is this a new referral program or optimization?”
Store the response in memory. Do not ask again in future runs.

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Step 1: Choose Program Type

Decide between or combine:

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Customer Referral Programs

  • Existing customers recommend to their network
  • One-time or limited rewards
  • Higher trust, lower volume
  • Best for: Self-serve, lower-ticket products

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Affiliate Programs

  • Affiliates may not be customers
  • Ongoing commission relationship
  • Higher volume, variable trust
  • Best for: Higher-ticket, content creators, influencers

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Step 2: Design the Referral Loop

Structure: 
Trigger Moment → Share Action → Convert Referred → Reward → (Loop)

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Trigger Moments

  • Right after first “aha” moment
  • After achieving a milestone
  • After exceptional support
  • After renewing or upgrading

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Share Mechanism (Ranked by Effectiveness)

  1. In-product sharing (highest conversion)
  2. Personalized referral link
  3. Email invitation
  4. Social sharing
  5. Referral code (works offline)

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Incentive Types

  • Single-sided: Referrer only (simpler, works for high-value)
  • Double-sided: Both parties (higher conversion, win-win)
  • Tiered: Gamifies process (increases engagement)

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Step 3: Choose Incentive Structure

Examples:
TypeReferrer GetsNew Customer GetsBest For
Discount$5050% off first monthLower-ticket B2B/B2C
Credit$25 account creditFree trial monthSaaS subscription
Commission20-30% lifetime commissionAffiliate rateHigher-ticket products
TieredEscalating rewardsEarly-bird discountNetwork effects
Rules:
  • Referrer reward should be meaningful (>5% of ACV for B2B)
  • New customer incentive should overcome objections
  • Make both incentives clear and easy to understand

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Step 4: Optimize Promotion and Messaging

Key messaging elements:
  1. Benefit to referrer (“Earn rewards for sharing”)
  2. Benefit to referred (“Get exclusive discount”)
  3. How it works (3 simple steps)
  4. How to claim reward (clear instructions)
Promotion channels:
  • In-product prompt (most effective)
  • Email campaign at launch and nurture sequence
  • Website/landing page dedicated to program
  • Social media posts and bio link
  • Word-of-mouth to top customers

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Step 5: Track and Measure

Key metrics:
  • Active referrers (referred someone in last 30 days)
  • Referral conversion rate (referred → signup)
  • Rewards earned/paid
  • % of new customers from referrals
  • CAC via referral vs. other channels
  • LTV of referred customers
  • Referral program ROI
Typical benchmarks:
  • Referred customers have 16-25% higher LTV
  • Referred customers have 18-37% lower churn
  • Referred customers refer others at 2-3x rate

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Step 6: Plan Launch Communication

Launch sequence:
  • Announcement email: “You can now earn [reward]”
  • In-app notification: Prompt with referral link
  • Website banner: Program details and sign-up
  • Support briefing: Team knows how to answer questions
Nurture sequence (post-launch):
  • Day 7: Reminder about program
  • Day 30: “Know anyone who’d benefit?”
  • Day 60: Success story + referral prompt
  • After milestone: “You achieved [X]—know others?”

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Output Format

Referral Program Strategy — [Product Name] Program Type
  • Type: [Customer referral / Affiliate / Both]
  • B2B or B2C: [And specific segment]
  • Average customer LTV: $[amount]
  • Current CAC from paid/organic: $[amount]
Incentive Structure
  • Referrer reward: [Amount and type]
  • New customer incentive: [Amount and type]
  • Single-sided or double-sided: [Which]
  • Why this structure: [Rationale based on LTV/CAC]
Referral Loop Design
  1. Trigger moment: [When to ask]
  2. Share mechanism: [Primary + fallback]
  3. Tracking method: [How to attribute]
  4. Reward delivery: [How and when they get it]
Messaging and Copy
  • Headline: [Hook]
  • Program description: [How it works in 3 steps]
  • Referrer benefit: [What they get]
  • New customer benefit: [What they get]
  • CTA: [Share/Invite button text]
Launch Plan
  • Announcement email: [When and to whom]
  • In-product prompt: [Where and how]
  • Website/landing page: [Link and prominence]
  • Support briefing: [What team needs to know]
Nurture Sequence
  • Day 7: [Email focus]
  • Day 30: [Email focus]
  • Day 60: [Email focus]
  • Milestone-triggered: [When and what]
Success Metrics
  • Target active referrers: [X% of customer base]
  • Target referral conversion rate: [X%]
  • Target referral CAC: $[Target]
  • Target % of new customers from referrals: [X%]

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Edge Cases

  • Product not shareable: Focus on high-touch B2B partnerships or influencer affiliate program
  • No existing customer base: Pre-referral incentive for launch list building (friends/investors first)
  • Fraud/abuse risk: Verify referrals, limit rewards, add referral caps per customer
  • One-time referrers only: Add tiered/gamified rewards to increase repeat referrals
  • Low awareness of program: Prominent in-product prompt and email nurture essential
  • Long sales cycle (B2B): Partner affiliate program may work better than customer referral