5 Great Referral Email Templates To Copy & Paste

Referral emails are a powerful way to let your biggest fans spread the word about your business. We're breaking down five key templates to help you get more people talking.

Using a template takes the guesswork out of what to say, so you can send beautiful, effective emails with confidence.

Tips for Writing Referral Emails

• Make the ask obvious. Your subscribers are busy. Use a clear, standout button or link so they know exactly what to do. Don't make them hunt for the referral link.
• Clearly state the reward. Be upfront about what’s in it for them and their friend. Whether it’s a discount, credit, or a free gift, a win-win incentive is a powerful motivator.
• Keep it personal. Use their name and remind them why they enjoy your brand. A personalized email feels less like a marketing blast and more like a genuine request between you and a happy customer.
• Write the share message for them. Remove any friction by providing a pre-written message they can easily copy, paste, and send. The easier you make it, the more likely they are to follow through.
• Time it right. Send your referral request when your customer is most engaged—right after a purchase, a positive review, or a great customer service experience. Capitalize on that good feeling.

Types of Referral Email Templates We Will Cover

1. Customer Referral Email Template
2. Employee Referral Email Template
3. Friend Referral Email Template
4. Affiliate Referral Email Template
5. Partner Referral Email Template

5 Referral Email Templates

1) Customer Referral Email Template

<template>

Subject: Give [Friend's Reward], Get [Your Reward]

Hi [Customer Name],

We’re so glad you’re a part of the [Your Company Name] community and hope you’re enjoying [Product/Service].

Because you're a valued customer, we'd like to invite you to our referral program. It’s a simple way for you to share [Your Brand] with friends who you think would love it too.

Here’s how it works: When you refer a friend, they get [Friend's Reward, e.g., 20% off their first purchase]. As our thank you, you'll get [Your Reward, e.g., a $20 credit] once they become a customer.

You can share your unique referral link below:

[Your Referral Link]

To make it easy, we've drafted a short message you can send them:

Hey! I've been using [Your Brand/Product] and thought you might like it. They gave me a special link to share that gives you [Friend's Reward] on your first purchase. Enjoy! [Your Referral Link]

Thank you for helping us grow.

Best,

The [Your Company Name] Team

</template>

2) Employee Referral Email Template

<template>

Subject: Know someone great for our [Department Name] team?

Hi [Employee Name],

We’re looking for a [Job Title] to join our team, and we thought you might know the perfect person. We value your judgment and know that great people know other great people.

The ideal candidate is someone who [briefly describe key qualities or experience]. You can find the full job description and responsibilities here: [Link to Job Description].

If your referral is hired, you’ll receive a [Referral Bonus Amount] bonus as our thank you for helping us grow our team.

To refer someone, please send their resume and contact information to [Hiring Manager or HR Email]. Let us know why you think they would be a good fit.

Thanks for your help in building our team.

Best,

[Your Name]

[Your Position]

</template>

3) Friend Referral Email Template

<template>

Subject: Thought you'd like this

Hi [Friend's Name],

I've been using [Product/Service] from [Your Company Name] and immediately thought of you. Knowing your interest in [Friend's Interest], I think you'd find it really useful.

They gave me a link to share that gets you [Friend's Reward]. If you end up signing up, I get [Your Reward] as a thank you, so it's a nice win-win for both of us.

Here is the link if you want to check it out:

[Your Referral Link]

No pressure at all, just wanted to share!

Best,

[Your Name]

</template>

4) Affiliate Referral Email Template

<template>

Subject: An invitation to our affiliate program

Hi [Affiliate Name],

We're reaching out because we believe your audience would find value in [Your Product/Service]. As a trusted voice in your community, we'd like to invite you to join our affiliate program.

The program is straightforward. You'll receive a unique link to share with your audience. For every person who becomes a customer through your link, you will earn [Commission Rate or Amount].

Here is your unique affiliate link:

[Your Affiliate Link]

You can track your referrals and earnings in your affiliate dashboard here: [Link to Affiliate Dashboard]. We've also included some brand assets to make sharing easy.

We look forward to partnering with you.

All the best,

The [Your Company Name] Team

</template>

5) Partner Referral Email Template

<template>

Subject: A partnership opportunity with [Your Company Name]

Hi [Partner Name],

We’ve been following [Partner Company Name] and see a lot of synergy between our brands. We believe our audiences share a common interest in [Shared Interest/Value], and we see an opportunity for us to grow together.

We’re inviting you to join our partner program. It’s a simple way for you to add value to your audience by introducing them to [Your Product/Service], while also creating a new revenue stream for your business.

For every customer you refer to us, you will receive [Commission Rate or Reward]. We are also happy to discuss ways we can feature [Partner Company Name] to our community.

If you’re interested in learning more, you can find all the details and sign up here: [Link to Partner Program Page].

We look forward to the possibility of working together.

Best,

[Your Name]

[Your Position]

[Your Company Name]

</template>

What About Using Flodesk?

Once you've customized these templates, you'll need a platform to send and manage your referral campaigns. Flodesk allows you to create and automate your referral emails, helping you grow your audience without the technical hassle.

Our intuitive email builder helps you design emails that reflect your brand and engage your subscribers. You can start sending beautiful, effective referral emails by getting started with Flodesk.

Wrapping Up

Referral marketing is a direct way to grow your business through your existing community. These templates provide the foundation to start asking for referrals with clarity and confidence.

With your templates ready, Flodesk is the next step to bring your referral program to life. Get started and send emails your audience will be happy to share.