ReferralLoop resources
Practical ideas to help you get more from word of mouth.
Short guides, examples and ideas to help you encourage referrals, choose better rewards and make it easier for customers to recommend your business.
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Start with these
Six short, practical guides you can read in a few minutes.
3 ways to ask for a referral without sounding awkward
Simple, natural ways to bring up referrals at the end of a job.
Read guide
When is the best time to ask a customer for a referral?
The moments when customers are most happy to recommend you.
Read guide
Cash vs discount referral rewards: which works better?
The trade-offs of cash, vouchers and discounts, and how to test them.
Read guide
5 places to put your referral QR code
Everyday spots where customers will actually see and scan it.
Read guide
How much should you offer as a referral reward?
A practical way to set a reward that's worth sharing and still affordable.
Read guide
How to explain your referral programme to customers
Say it in one sentence, then make the next step obvious.
Read guide
Getting more referrals
Getting more referrals
Simple ways to ask, and the moments that make asking easier.
Why happy customers don't always refer friends
Usually they forget, or don't know how. Here's how to help.
Coming soon
How often should you remind customers?
Gentle reminders without becoming a nuisance.
Coming soon
How to make referrals part of your normal process
Build the ask into jobs you already do.
Coming soon
What makes a customer more likely to refer?
Good work, an easy link and a clear reason to share.
Coming soon
Reward ideas
Reward ideas
Choosing a reward that's worth sharing and comfortable to pay.
Low-cost reward ideas
Reward ideas that feel generous without costing much.
Coming soon
Referral reward ideas for high-value services
When a single job is worth a lot, the reward can reflect that.
Coming soon
Should every referral receive the same reward?
Flat rewards versus rewards that scale with the job.
Coming soon
When should a reward become available?
Choosing the point at which a referral has earned its reward.
Coming soon
Customer messaging
Customer messaging
Example wording you can adapt for messages, invoices and conversations.
Referral request message after a completed job
A short template to adapt and send when the work is done.
Coming soon
WhatsApp referral message
A friendly message customers can forward in one tap.
Coming soon
Email referral request
A simple email template with your link included.
Coming soon
Short invoice footer referral message
One line for the bottom of your invoices and receipts.
Coming soon
Spoken referral request examples
Things you can say in person, in your own words.
Coming soon
Reward-earned message examples
How to thank someone when their referral pays off.
Coming soon
These are templates to adapt and send yourself. Change the wording and reward to suit your business.
QR & sharing
QR & sharing
Where to put your QR code and link so customers actually use them.
How to use QR codes on invoices
Turn every invoice into a gentle referral reminder.
Coming soon
QR codes on business cards
Make the card you already hand out work harder.
Coming soon
Referral posters
Simple posters for shops, salons and waiting areas.
Coming soon
QR codes on vans
What works on a van, and what's too small to scan.
Coming soon
Using referral links on social media
Where to put your link so customers can find it.
Coming soon
How to make a referral link easy to share
Short, clear, and ready to paste anywhere.
Coming soon
Programme setup
Programme setup
Practical steps for setting up and launching your programme.
How to choose your referral reward
Pick a reward type and amount you're comfortable with.
Coming soon
How to choose your reward trigger
Decide when a referral counts as successful.
Coming soon
How to write your referral message
Keep it short, friendly and specific.
Coming soon
How to introduce your programme to existing customers
A soft launch to the people who already like you.
Coming soon
How to launch a referral programme
A simple first-week plan.
Coming soon
What to do after your first referral arrives
Respond quickly, keep the referrer updated, and say thanks.
Coming soon
Industry examples
Example programmes by business type
Illustrative examples only, not recommendations or real businesses. Adjust the reward, trigger and wording to suit you.
Plumber
Example- Reward
- £25 cash
- Trigger
- When the referred job is completed
- Message
- “Know someone who needs a plumber? Send them our referral link and earn £25 when the job is completed.”
- Share it
- Invoice / WhatsApp / thank-you message
Roofer
Example- Reward
- £50 cash
- Trigger
- When the referred job is completed
- Message
- “Thanks for choosing us. If a friend needs roof work, share our link and get £50 once their job's done.”
- Share it
- Invoice / follow-up text
Cleaner
Example- Reward
- £15 off your next clean
- Trigger
- After the friend's first clean
- Message
- “Love your clean home? Refer a friend and get £15 off your next clean after their first visit.”
- Share it
- WhatsApp / card left after a clean
Landscaper
Example- Reward
- £30 voucher
- Trigger
- When the referred job is completed
- Message
- “Happy with the garden? Pass our link to a neighbour and get a £30 voucher when we finish their job.”
- Share it
- Invoice / leaflet / van
Electrician
Example- Reward
- £25 cash
- Trigger
- When the referred job is completed
- Message
- “Need an electrician recommended? Share our link and earn £25 when your friend's job is complete.”
- Share it
- Invoice / email / business card
Builder / trades
Example- Reward
- £100 cash
- Trigger
- When the referred project is completed
- Message
- “If you know someone planning work, send them our link. You'll get £100 when their project is finished.”
- Share it
- Handover pack / follow-up email
Barber
Example- Reward
- Free cut
- Trigger
- After the friend's first visit
- Message
- “Bring a mate. Share our link and your next cut's on us after their first visit.”
- Share it
- Poster at the counter / Instagram
Beauty business
Example- Reward
- £10 off your next treatment
- Trigger
- After the friend's first appointment
- Message
- “Treat a friend: share our link and get £10 off your next treatment after their first appointment.”
- Share it
- Booking confirmation / poster / Instagram
Personal trainer
Example- Reward
- Free session
- Trigger
- When the friend books a package
- Message
- “Know someone who wants to get fit? Share my link and get a free session when they book a package.”
- Share it
- WhatsApp / social bio
Want something ready-made? Browse referral programme examples
Turn the ideas into a referral programme.
ReferralLoop gives you the link, QR code, tracking and reward tools to put your referral strategy into practice.