CASE STUDY: ENTERPRISE CUSTOMER
CASE STUDY

How Renogy Empowers Content Creators and Community With a Refer-a-Friend Program

How Renogy Empowers Content Creators and Community With a Refer-a-Friend Program

Referral program top line results

  • Close to $300,000 in referral sales in just under 18 months
  • The referral program has generated 7.5x ROI for the company
  • Community creators are rewarded when they use Renogy’s refer-a-friend links
Referral candy - Marketing Supervisor, Renogy recommend referralcandy referral program software
"ReferralCandy specializes in ‘word of mouth’, which is perfect for our brand goals of building our audience and staying ahead of the competition."

Daniel Brewer,
Marketing Supervisor, Renogy

About Renogy

Renogy is an American renewable energy company, offering DIY-friendly, off-grid solar solutions. Started in 2010, Renogy has exploded in popularity and the brand represents reliable, easy-to-install solar energy.

Renogy has a mission to empower the energy independence of 50 million people with DIY-friendly, renewable energy products before 2030.

Today, Renogy’s products are used by people around the world to generate power off-the-grid, whether it’s travellers living the mobile life who install it in their RVs and 4x4s; outdoor enthusiasts looking to power their cabins; or people enjoying the marine life aboard yachts or boats.

Tapping the power of word of mouth and branding

“A lot of our customers come in through word-of-mouth and key opinion leaders,” shares marketing supervisor Daniel Bruwer.

In recent years, a growing interest in DIY and off-grid living has encouraged more content creators to publish content on YouTube and social media. With word-of-mouth a key driver for revenue, it’s no surprise that Renogy started a refer-a-friend program with the help of ReferralCandy.

Renogy started a refer-a-friend program in December of 2019, integrating ReferralCandy directly with their BigCommerce storefront. Here are the results:

  • Close to $300,000 in referral sales in just under 18 months
  • The referral program has generated 7.5x ROI for the company
  • Community creators are rewarded when they use Renogy’s refer-a-friend links

The success of the program can be attributed to three major factors:

  1. An easy-to-understand program with generous referral rewards
  2. How easy it is for customers to share their referral link
  3. Renogy promoting the referral program on their website

Let’s take a deeper look.

"Referrals are a cost-effective way of growing our customer base. We pay a reward, and we get new customers referred to us, which grows our audience."

Daniel Brewer,
Marketing Supervisor, Renogy

1. How Renogy set up their simple refer-a-friend program

renogy landing page
Renogy’s beautiful referral landing page

Renogy offers a simple refer-a-friend program that rewards customers for sharing their referral link with their friends;

  • When new customers make a purchase through the referral link, they receive 10% off their first purchase
  • The referring customer receives 6% of their friends’ first purchase amount

New customers get a very attractive 10% off discount. For existing customers, the generous payout heavily incentivizes them to refer multiple new customers, by sharing their referral links regularly - especially if they have a YouTube Channel or DIY Blog.

2. Making it easy for customers to share their referral links

“Because it’s a DIY product, a lot of people will look online for advice or go to YouTube for tutorials, and Renogy features on these platforms when they share their set-up.”

With attractive referral rewards and an easy-to-share referral link, it’s no wonder that many of Renogy’s customers have taken to sharing their personalized referral links when they share about their van builds, or content they create.

renogy referralcandy case study refer a friend content creator youtube
This RV Solar Install video features the creator’s referral link prominently

Daniel believes that Renogy’s products are the best on the market - which makes it easy for customers to recommend and refer their friends. “These are tight-knit communities, like RV enthusiasts and social media personalities.

“Over the years, when people meet in person or talk amongst themselves on forums, that’s where they mention us and refer a friend.”

renogy referralcandy case study refer a friend content creator forum
A Renogy customer shares his referral link on an RV forum

Daniel shared that many content creators and opinion leaders reach out to the brand for partnerships. As part of growing the brand, Renogy is also proactively reaching out to new creators. “We’re looking to expand into marine life, and reaching out to influencers in that space to create content for us.”

Whether it’s how-to content on YouTube or blogs, discussions in communities or forums, or even personal posts on social media, Renogy has a definite presence through word of mouth.

renogy referralcandy case study refer a friend content creator twitter
An organic mention by a customer on Twitter
"Community creators are a key part of our business, and ReferralCandy is an easy way to reward them."

Daniel Brewer,
Marketing Supervisor, Renogy

Another big reason for the success of the referral program? Renogy features the program proudly all over its website.

3. How Renogy promotes its refer-a-friend program

The refer-a-friend program has pride of place at the top of Renogy’s homepage:

renogy referralcandy case study refer a friend frontpage

The program is also highlighted on the front page, as well as in the footer:

renogy referralcandy case study refer a friend footer feature

In addition to that, Renogy also makes use of ReferralCandy’s Klaviyo integration. Customers who make a purchase from Renogy receive an email inviting them to enroll into the refer-a-friend program.

Refer-a-friend program success: Renogy

The success of Renogy’s refer-a-friend program in America has led them to replicate the program in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. ReferralCandy is the perfect way for the brand to tap into the power of community creators and word of mouth.

Start your own referral program

Join Renogy and other fast-growing brands to reward your most engaged customers

Try Free for 14 Days
No contract. Cancel anytime