Triggers and actions: Using the Referral Action trigger

The Referral Action trigger lets you start an automation workflow based on a subscriber’s referral activity. You can enroll subscribers when one of the following occurs:

• The subscriber reaches a referral milestone you’ve already set up.
• The subscriber hits a specific referral count that you define.

This trigger is especially helpful for engaging your most active referrers. You can use it to automatically send exclusive content to top referrers, recognize and reward referral milestones, or build awareness and strengthen relationships with your most engaged subscribers.

How to start a workflow with the Referral Action trigger

1. From your account dashboard, go to Audience > Automations, then either create a new automation or open an existing workflow.
   
   
2. On the workflow canvas, the trigger box will appear first — this defines when the workflow begins.
   
   Click the Add Trigger button on the trigger box, or click the Configure step icon in the top-right corner of the box. Either option will open the settings panel on the left.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. In the left panel, click + Add Trigger and select Referral Action.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Set the criteria for the trigger. Click the arrow to select if the trigger should happen based on a Referral Milestone hit, or Referrals achieved.

• Referral Milestone hit: Choose from the referral milestones already created in your account.
  
  
  

• Referrals achieved: Enter a specific number of referrals needed to trigger the automation.
  
  
  
  
  
  

5. (Optional) Click Add Conditions to include any additional requirements. When done, click Back to return to the main panel.
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. (Optional) To include multiple trigger options, click + Add Trigger again. Each added trigger creates an OR condition — subscribers only need to meet one of them to enter the workflow.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Tech Note: Every automation begins with a trigger that defines when it starts. You can add conditions to this initial trigger, but you can’t add new triggers later in the workflow. After the trigger is set, use actions to build the remaining steps.
7. Review your selections, then click Save in the bottom-right corner of the Triggers panel.
   
   
   

8. Once saved, the trigger will appear on the canvas in grey. Continue building your workflow by adding the desired actions and branches.
   
   
9. After building the full workflow, activate each step — leaving the trigger for last. When ready, click the Configure step icon in the trigger to open the settings panel.
   
   
   
   
   
   
10. At the top of the left panel, toggle on Activate so it turns pink.
    
    
    
    
    
    
11. A confirmation message will appear. Click Confirm to proceed.
    
    
    Reminder: Once the trigger is activated, subscribers who meet the criteria will immediately begin flowing through the automation. Make sure all steps are built and activated before enabling the trigger.
    
    
    
    
    
    
12. Click Save in the bottom-right corner of the panel to finalize. Or click the Delete icon to remove the trigger.
    
    
    
    
    
    
13. Once activated, the trigger will appear in color on the canvas, and the full automation will be live. You’ll see a green Running status at the top of the canvas indicating that the workflow is active.