Integration Guide

How to Send Referral SMS Campaigns with Klaviyo + GrowSurf

Name: GrowSurf
Rating: 4.74 (47 reviews)
Author: GrowSurf

Use Klaviyo's SMS features to send real-time referral notifications and drive sharing via text messages.

SMS has a 98% open rate — making it the highest-engagement channel available for referral program communication. While email is great for detailed content, SMS excels at time-sensitive notifications and quick-action prompts. By connecting GrowSurf referral events to Klaviyo's SMS capabilities, you can instantly notify referrers when their friends sign up, send referral links via text for easy mobile sharing, and prompt action when rewards are ready to claim.

This guide covers setting up SMS referral notifications in Klaviyo, building SMS flows triggered by GrowSurf events, combining SMS with email in multi-channel flows, and complying with SMS marketing regulations to protect your sender reputation.

Integration Steps

Step 1: Enable SMS in Klaviyo and Configure Compliance

Set up Klaviyo's SMS channel with proper compliance and consent management.

Go to Klaviyo Settings > SMS > Getting Started
Set up your SMS sending number (toll-free or short code)
Configure your SMS consent collection form:
- Add an SMS opt-in checkbox to your referral program sign-up
- Include required TCPA compliance language
- Set up auto-reply for STOP, HELP, and other required keywords
Important: Only send SMS to contacts who have explicitly opted in to SMS

Step 2: Collect SMS Consent During Referral Sign-Up

Add phone number and SMS consent collection to your GrowSurf referral program registration.

Add a phone number field to your GrowSurf participant sign-up form
Include an SMS opt-in checkbox with compliant language
Pass the phone number to Klaviyo when creating/updating the profile
Only subscribe to Klaviyo SMS list if the participant explicitly opted in

Step 3: Build SMS Notification Flows for Referral Events

Create Klaviyo SMS flows triggered by key referral moments.

Go to Flows > Create Flow > Create from Scratch
Trigger: "Referral Made" event from GrowSurf
Add an SMS action (not email)
Message: "Hey {{first_name}}! Your friend just signed up through your referral link. That's {{referral_count}} total referrals! Keep sharing: {{referral_link}}"
Keep SMS under 160 characters for single-segment delivery

Step 4: Create Multi-Channel Flows (Email + SMS)

Combine email and SMS in the same flow for maximum impact at key moments.

Trigger: "Referral Converted" event
Step 1 (Immediate): SMS — "You earned a reward! {{first_name}}'s referral just converted."
Step 2 (1 hour later): Email — Detailed reward email with redemption instructions
Use conditional splits to only send SMS to contacts with SMS consent
Add a channel preference check: if SMS is not consented, send email instead

Step 5: Send the Referral Link via SMS for Mobile Sharing

Create a flow that sends participants their referral link via SMS for easy mobile sharing.

Trigger: "Referral Program Joined" event
Wait 10 minutes (let the welcome email arrive first)
SMS: "Your referral link is ready! Share it with friends and earn rewards: {{referral_link}}"
The link is instantly shareable from the text message — tap to copy or forward

Step 6: Monitor SMS Performance and Optimize

Track SMS-specific metrics and optimize your referral SMS strategy.

Monitor: delivery rate, click-through rate, opt-out rate, and conversion rate
Keep opt-out rates below 2% per send — if higher, reduce frequency
Test different message lengths (short vs. longer with context)
Track which SMS messages drive the most referral sharing activity

Code Snippets

// Send phone number and SMS consent to Klaviyo
async function updateKlaviyoProfile(participantData, smsConsent) {
  const profileData = {
    data: {
      type: 'profile',
      attributes: {
        email: participantData.email,
        phone_number: participantData.phone,
        first_name: participantData.firstName,
        last_name: participantData.lastName,
        properties: {
          referral_code: participantData.referralCode,
          referral_link: participantData.shareUrl
        }
      }
    }
  };

  // Create/update profile
  await axios.post('https://a.klaviyo.com/api/profiles/', profileData, {
    headers: {
      'Authorization': `Klaviyo-API-Key ${KLAVIYO_API_KEY}`,
      'Content-Type': 'application/json',
      'revision': '2024-02-15'
    }
  });

  // Subscribe to SMS list if consent given
  if (smsConsent && participantData.phone) {
    await axios.post('https://a.klaviyo.com/api/lists/SMS_LIST_ID/relationships/profiles/', {
      data: [{
        type: 'profile',
        id: profileId
      }]
    }, {
      headers: {
        'Authorization': `Klaviyo-API-Key ${KLAVIYO_API_KEY}`,
        'revision': '2024-02-15'
      }
    });
  }
}

// SMS message templates (keep under 160 chars):
const smsTemplates = {
  referralMade: "{{first_name}}, your friend just signed up! That's {{referral_count}} referrals. Keep sharing: {{referral_link}}",
  rewardEarned: "You earned a reward! Your referral converted. Check your rewards: {{reward_url}}",
  shareReminder: "Don't forget to share your referral link and earn rewards: {{referral_link}}"
};

Tips

Keep SMS Messages Short and Actionable

SMS messages over 160 characters are split into multiple segments, which costs more and can arrive out of order. Keep referral SMS under 160 characters with a clear action: click the link, share with friends, or claim the reward. Save detailed information for email.

Time SMS Messages for Maximum Impact

Send referral notification SMS during business hours (9 AM - 8 PM in the recipient's timezone). Klaviyo supports smart sending based on timezone. Never send SMS late at night — it's annoying and increases opt-out rates.

Use SMS for Urgency, Email for Details

The ideal multi-channel flow sends an SMS for immediate awareness ("You earned a reward!") followed by an email with full details and redemption instructions. This combines SMS's high open rate with email's ability to convey detailed information.

FAQ

Do I need separate consent for referral SMS vs. marketing SMS?

No. If a subscriber has consented to SMS marketing in Klaviyo, you can send referral program SMS as part of that consent. However, referral notifications should be clearly related to the program they joined. Always include opt-out instructions and honor STOP requests immediately.

What's the ideal SMS frequency for referral programs?

Limit referral SMS to event-triggered messages only (2-4 per month maximum). Never send daily referral reminders via SMS. Use email for regular nurturing and reserve SMS for high-impact moments: first referral notification, reward earned, and monthly sharing reminder.

Can I include the referral link in SMS messages?

Yes, but use a URL shortener to save characters. Klaviyo automatically shortens URLs in SMS. The referral link in SMS is especially powerful because recipients can instantly share it from their phone via text, WhatsApp, or social media — the device is already in their hand.

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How to Send Referral SMS Campaigns with Klaviyo + GrowSurf

Integration Steps

Step 1: Enable SMS in Klaviyo and Configure Compliance

Step 2: Collect SMS Consent During Referral Sign-Up

Step 3: Build SMS Notification Flows for Referral Events

Step 4: Create Multi-Channel Flows (Email + SMS)

Step 5: Send the Referral Link via SMS for Mobile Sharing

Step 6: Monitor SMS Performance and Optimize

Code Snippets

Tips

Keep SMS Messages Short and Actionable

Time SMS Messages for Maximum Impact

Use SMS for Urgency, Email for Details

FAQ

Do I need separate consent for referral SMS vs. marketing SMS?

What's the ideal SMS frequency for referral programs?

Can I include the referral link in SMS messages?

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scaled for unicorns

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