Referrals can be a powerful growth strategy, but they should be measured for incrementality to ensure they are effective and not just perceived as free growth.

The mechanics of a referral program should be clear and enticing. For example, offering rewards for both the referrer and the new user can incentivize sharing.

Referrals amplify word of mouth; offering financial incentives for users to share your product can enhance this effect.

We implemented a referral program that incentivized users to invite others, which significantly contributed to our growth by leveraging shared folders.

Even if your growth strategy involves referrals or virality, personal networks can be a great way to start acquiring customers.

Viral growth requires not just a good product but also an excellent user experience that encourages users to share it with others. A strong referral program is essential for facilitating this growth.

Successful startups often start with non-scalable methods to acquire their first customers before moving to scalable growth channels.

Paid referral schemes can be a form of paid acquisition, but they risk cannibalization, where you pay for users who would have signed up for free. It's essential to test these schemes to measure their true impact.

There are three types of growth: sticky growth, which focuses on retaining existing users; viral growth, which relies on users referring others; and paid growth, which involves spending money to acquire users.