If you run a local business or service-based brand and you don’t have a referral program yet, you’re leaving money on the table.
This guide is for the doers. The gym owners, salon managers, wellness pros, and anyone else who needs more customers without burning a budget on ads.
We’re not just talking about theory here. You’ll walk away with a ready-to-use referral program template you can use to save an incredible amount of valuable time.
Let’s start building something that will actually bring people through the door.
Who Can Use This Referral Program Template?
Anyone who sells something real to real people.
But here’s who will get the most out of it:
- Local Service Businesses: If you run a gym, salon, spa, studio, clinic, or any kind of local service, this is made for you. Your business lives or dies by trust and repeat customers. A referral program turns happy clients into your best sales team.
- Solo Providers: Personal trainers, massage therapists, lash techs, hairstylists, coaches. If you work with clients one-on-one, this template makes it stupid-easy to reward word-of-mouth.
- Multi-Location Owners: If you’ve got more than one location, this referral program template scales.
Why Referral Program Still Rules?
It’s hard to cut through the noise. But you know what still works? A real recommendation from someone you trust. That’s why referral programs continue to crush.
92% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family more than any other form of advertising.
That trust translates to action. Referred customers don’t need a big pitch. They show up pre-sold and ready to go.
Key Parts of Referral Program Template
Here’s what every solid referral program needs. These are the pieces we’ll walk through and customize for your business:
- Objective
- Eligible Referrers
- Eligible Referees
- Reward Structure
- How to Share
- Fraud Rules
- Launch Plan & Channels
- Success Metrics & Review Cadence
Referral Program Template (Copy-and-Paste)
Here’s the plug-and-play template you can drop straight into a Google Doc, Notion page, or internal SOP doc. Just swap the text inside the braces {} with your business-specific details.
Objective
What’s your goal?
- Gym: {Acquire 50 new monthly memberships}
- Massage Clinic: {Book 40 first-time appointments per month}
- Salon: {Grow high-ticket service clients by 25%}
- Spa: {Get 100 new package buyers this quarter}
Eligible Referrers
Who’s allowed to refer?
- {All active members}
- {Customers with at least one purchase in the last 3 months}
- {Email subscribers who’ve booked before}
- {Staff or employees (for internal incentive program)}
Eligible Referees:
Who counts as a valid referral?
- {New clients only. No booking history}
- {First-time customers booking a service over $50}
- {Anyone who has never purchased a package or membership}
Reward Structure
Referrer
- {Free group class credit}
- {20% off next service}
- {One-month free if 3 referrals convert}
- {Exclusive merch like a branded yoga mat or t-shirt}
Referee
- {No reward}
- {10% off their first visit + free aromatherapy add-on}
- {Free trial week for gym memberships}
- {$10 gift card toward next booking}
- {Bonus service upgrade if booked within 7 days}
How to Share
Make it easy and fast.
- {Unique referral link + QR code printed on receipts}
- {Pre-written SMS and Instagram DM copy customers can use}
- {In-app referral page with one-tap share options}
- {Physical referral cards with a custom code}
Fraud Rules
Protect the program.
- {One reward per household}
- {No self-referrals. Must be new email + phone number}
- {Manual audit of red-flagged entries every Friday}
Launch Plan & Channels
Where and how are you spreading the word?
- {Email blast to past 90-day customers}
- {Front-desk script + print flyers + SMS campaign}
- {Post-service thank-you email with referral link}
- {Instagram Stories + website banner + packaging insert}
Success Metrics & Review Cadence
What are you tracking and when?
- {Referrals sent per week}
- {Share-to-click % and click-to-book %}
- {New customer AOV vs. regular AOV}
- {Monthly dashboard review every 30 days}
Referral Program Template Walk-Through
Here’s how to go from zero to a live referral program that actually works.
Map the Customer Journey & Find “Shareable Moments”
Ask yourself: When are your customers happiest? That’s your window.
- After a great service
- After a class or session
- When they leave a 5-star review
- Right after a purchase or booking
These are the moments they’re most likely to share, so make it frictionless. QR codes, SMS links, referral cards. Give them something to pass on right there and then.
Draft Incentives & Sanity-Check Margins
Don’t just toss out a discount because it sounds good.
- Can you afford to offer $20 off if the customer only spends $30?
- Will that free class lead to a longer membership?
Run the math. Make sure your referral rewards don’t eat your profit.
Write the Program Copy (Landing Page, Emails, SMS)
Keep it snappy and clear. Use the 15-second rule: if someone can’t understand the offer in 15 seconds, it’s too complicated.
You’ll need:
- A clean landing page or popup
- A referral email with a personal link
- A text message version for easy mobile sharing
Pro tip: Use language that feels like a hook, not a pitch. “Invite your friends and get rewarded” beats “Refer now to earn $10.”
Configure Software
Set up your referral tool of choice (like Referrizer).
- Make sure every referral link is tracked
- Integrate with your CRM or POS to trigger rewards automatically
Soft Launch to a VIP Cohort
Before you go wide, go small.
- Test the program with your best, most loyal customers
- Ask them to share and see what sticks
- Gather feedback on what’s confusing, broken, or just meh
This group gives you cleaner data and honest opinions. Use that before the big push.
Full Launch with Multi-Channel Promo Blast
Once it’s dialed in, blow it up:
- Email blast
- SMS to active clients
- Posters in-store
- Scripts for staff
- IG Stories with referral swipe-up
- Add it to receipts, thank-you pages, DMs, everything
If someone interacts with your brand, they should see the referral program.
Monitor, A/B Test, Iterate Monthly
Set a recurring calendar reminder. Every month:
- Review KPIs (referrals sent, conversions, AOV)
- Test one thing (subject line, incentive, copy tweak)
- Drop what’s not working, double down on what is
Referral programs aren’t set-and-forget, they’re living systems. Tweak the machine.
A Referral Program Tool for Every Budget
With a right referral program tool, the entire process is incredibly easy. Referrizer is exactly what you need.
It’s designed for gyms, salons, wellness studios, clinics… Local businesses that want to grow. No matter if they have one location or hundreds.
With Referrizer, you get:
- Automated referral tracking – no spreadsheets, no guesswork
- Email + SMS built in – send invites and reward alerts automatically
- CRM & POS integrations – connects with Mindbody, Booker, ClubReady, and more
- Real-time reporting – so you know what’s working and where to improve
Final Thoughts
We’ve handed you the blueprint: a ready-to-use referral program template, real-world examples, and a step-by-step walkthrough to launch fast and smart. Now go make it happen and let your customers do the marketing for you.
