# Automations Automations are our built-in, behaviour-triggered messages — sent via **email/SMS** — that keep subscribers informed, engaged, and rewarded throughout your referral campaign. ReferralHero offers **14 powerful automations out of the box** (the most in the industry), with more coming soon. ### Welcome Automations Sent to new subscribers based on their referral status and your campaign’s conversion goal. | Message | Subscriber Type | Description | | -------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Verification Message** | Non-referrals & referrals (based on setting) | Sent to subscribers to **verify** their email or phone number. | | **Welcome Message** | Non-referrals Only | Sent to subscribers who have not been referred when they are **added to your campaign**. | | **Referral Welcome Message** | Referrals Only | Sent to referrals if your campaign tracks only one conversion event, or when they complete the final conversion event in a multi-step campaign. | | **Pending Welcome Message** | Referrals Only | Sent to referrals after completing the **first** conversion event in a campaign that tracks two or three events. | | **Follow-Up Message** | Non-referrals & referrals | Sent to subscribers **after a set amount of time** (e.g., 6 hours) after signup. | | **Activation Message** | Non-referrals & referrals | Sent to subscribers **who haven’t referred anyone** after a set time (e.g., every 30 days). | | **Quick Add Invitation Message** | Referrals Only | Sent to referrals added through the **Quick Add** feature. | ### Participation Automations Triggered when advocates actively participate by referring others. | Message | Subscriber Type | Description | | ---------------------------- | --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **First Referral Message** | Any | Sent to advocates when they refer their **first** friend. | | **Referral Message** | Any | Sent to advocates when they **generate a referral**, except the first (which triggers the First Referral Message). | | **Referral Visitor Message** | Any | Sent to advocates when a **unique referred visitor clicks their referral link**. | | **Milestone Message** | Any | Sent to advocates when they **reach a specific number of referrals** (e.g., 5 referrals). | | **Reminder Message** | Any | Sent to advocates who **haven’t referred anyone in a while** (e.g., 30 days since last referral). | ### Reward Automations Triggered when a subscriber qualifies for or is manually given a reward. | Message | Subscriber Type | Discription | | --------------------------- | --------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Reward Message** | Any | Sent when a subscriber **unlocks a reward**. One message per reward, unless rewards are grouped (then one message for the group). | | **Promoted Reward Message** | Any | Sent when a subscriber is manually **promoted via the dashboard or API**. | ### Email Builder ReferralHero uses an email builder that supports both simple editing and advanced customization. You can edit emails using the visual editor, which supports text editing, personalization using merge tags, and full layout control. For advanced customization, you can also use custom HTML. #### **Custom HTML** If you want full control over design and styling, you can insert your own HTML. To use custom HTML: **Step 1:** Click the **Source code** button (second from the right in the toolbar)
**Step 2**: Paste your HTML code into the popup and save your changes ### Merge Tags A merge tag looks like a snippet of text. ReferralHero replaces that text with the dynamic content the merge tag refers to, like the person name or email. This is the complete list of available merge tags:
Merge tagDescription
%name%Subscriber's name
%email%Subscriber's email address
%crypto_wallet_address%Subscriber's Crypto wallet address
%phone_number%Subscriber's phone number
%confirmation_link%Quick add invitiation email confirmation link
%referrer%Referrer's name if present otherwise Referrer's email address
%reward_value%Reward value
%referral_code%Subscriber's unique referral code
%position%Subscriber's position in list (Eg: 5)
%position_ordinal%Subscriber's position in list in ordinal number (Eg: 5th)
%people_ahead%Number of people ahead in the queue
%referral_link%Subscriber's referral link
%total_referred%Subscriber's total number of referrals
%subscriber_id%Subscriber's id.
%coupon%A unique random coupon code from a Coupon Group of your choice
%group_payout_reward_value%Group payout reward value
%tremendous_reward_link%A unique Tremendous reward link.
%facebook_link%Referral link with source set to "Facebook"
%facebook_icon%Facebook icon with a link to share on Facebook.
%facebook_share_link%Facebook link to share via Facebook.
%twitter_link%Referral link with source set to "Twitter"
%twitter_icon%Twitter icon with a link to share on Twitter.
%twitter_share_link%Twitter link to share via Twitter.
%email_link%Referral link with source set to "Email"
%email_icon%Email icon with a link to share via email.
%email_share_link%Email link to share via email.
%whatsapp_link%Referral link with source set to "Whatsapp"
%whatsapp_icon%Whatsapp icon with a link to share on Whatsapp.
%whatsapp_share_link%Whatsapp link to share via Whatsapp.
%facebook_messenger_link%Referral link with source set to "Facebook Messenger"
%facebook_messenger_icon%Facebook Messenger icon with a link to share on Facebook Messenger.
%facebook_messenger_share_link%Facebook Messenger link to share via Facebook Messenger.
%linkedin_link%Referral link with source set to "Linkedin"
%linkedin_icon%Linkedin icon with a link to share on Linkedin.
%linkedin_share_link%Linkedin link to share via Linkedin.
%reddit_link%Referral link with source set to "Reddit"
%reddit_icon%Reddit icon with a link to share on Reddit.
%reddit_share_link%Reddit link to share via Reddit.
%telegram_link%Referral link with source set to "Telegram"
%telegram_icon%Telegram icon with a link to share on Telegram.
%telegram_share_link%Telegram link to share via Telegram.
%line_link%Referral link with source set to "Line"
%line_icon%Line icon with a link to share on Line.
%line_share_link%Line link to share via Line.
%advocate_dashboard%Link to the advocate's dashboard
%advocate_first_name%Advocate's first name
%advocate_last_name%Advocate's last name
%extra_field%Subscriber's extra field 1
%extra_field_2%Subscriber's extra field 2
%extra_field_3%Subscriber's extra field 3
%extra_field_4%Subscriber's extra field 4
%first_name%Subscriber's first name
%last_name%Subscriber's last name
%last_referral_name%Name of last referral
%referral%Referrals for which reward/automation is unlocked
%total_positions%Total positions in the list
### Test Message ReferralHero allows you to send test messages — for both email/SMS — before launching your automation. To send a test: * Scroll to the bottom of the automation editor. * Enter an email address or phone number. * Click Send Test Email/SMS. {% hint style="warning" %} ReferralHero will send the latest saved version of your message, so make sure to save your work before sending a test. {% endhint %}
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