Member Avatar for EmoForums

I'm throwing a $100 contest for refering members. January, 1st, 2005 is when the contest ends. Whoever did the best, will then get $100 via pay-pal. Do you guys think that's to hefty? Or, perfect?


(They got to be sencable members too, no 0-1 post members)

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by baker011

Dani AI

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A cash-for-referrals stunt can produce a short signup spike but often fails to deliver long-term, engaged members. The thread raises the right issues about tracking and value (comments from , , and ). The most useful approach combines clear rules, automated verification, and metrics that measure retained value rather than raw signups.

Checklist for a safer, more useful referral program

  • Give each member a unique referral token or invite link and record invited_by at registration.
  • Require email confirmation and a short probation period before counting a referral. Tie eligibility to meaningful actions (account age, number of constructive posts, or first purchase).
  • Add simple anti-fraud checks: rate limits, flag multiple accounts from the same IP, block disposable-email domains, and require a manual audit for top nominees.
  • Publish short, clear terms (eligibility, payout method, deadlines) and log decisions for audit and disputes.
  • Measure success by retained referrals (30/90-day active users) and compute cost-per-retained-user versus expected lifetime value.

Example query to rank valid referrers (adjust thresholds to policy):

SELECT invited_by AS referrer, COUNT(*) AS valid_referrals
FROM users
WHERE created_at BETWEEN 'start_date' AND 'end_date'
  AND email_confirmed = 1
  AND account_age_days >= 7
  AND posts_count >= 3
GROUP BY invited_by
ORDER BY valid_referrals DESC;

Alternatives that often give better long-term ROI include content or contribution contests (best tutorial, most helpful answers), staggered rewards (small recurring site credit or badge plus a larger prize), or leaderboard prizes paid only after retention checks. Finally, account for payment fees, tax/regulatory rules, and privacy laws; include a manual review step for winners to reduce fraud and preserve community quality.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for Dani

Just make sure you have some type of automated script written to determine who referred the most number of new members that have more than 5 or so posts ;) That is going to be the tricky part.

Also, I would take a look at your current statistics for new member referrals. If, on average, very, very few members refer anyone at all, you may find yourself paying out $100 to a member who referred 2 people!

Member Avatar for Atomica

As a couple of people said in the Admin Zone - You are paying $100 for maybe a handfull or new members/users.

Member Avatar for Dani

Exactly. While it might introduce some hype at first, in the long run, you probably aren't going to get yourself a huge amount of new members. I would try to come up with a contest that stirs hype AND gets long term traffic.

Member Avatar for bubbasmurf

were running the same contest but for less cash.

Member Avatar for Atomica

Did it work - Can you give us your stats before and after the compertition????

Member Avatar for bubbasmurf

Our Community is still fairly young but we have gained three member so far using this method.

Member Avatar for EmoForums

I'm not running it anymore, my friend gave me other ways to advertise for that money.

Member Avatar for baker011

Its very hard to run competitions that "buy" users as there is always someone out ther elooking to exploit it. Also it very rarely leads to good members joining, only money hungry ones who once the thing is over will not even think about returning again. All I can suggest is having content worth returning for first, then worry about member sign up rates.

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