Referral programs for painting gigs falling flat? Anyone else struggling?

Man, I've been pushing my referral program for the last year, offering a free room touch-up for anyone who sends me a solid lead that books. But it's crickets out here, maybe one or two jobs from it. I see all these painters on r/paintingbusiness talking up their systems, but mine feels like a waste of flyers and emails. Switched to using Benjamin Moore's referral cards last month, thought that'd jazz it up with the brand name, but still nada. TBH, I'm starting to think folks just don't trust painters enough to refer us without some bigger incentive. Anyone got tips on tweaking this for residential repaint jobs? Saw a post in Painting Contractors group where a guy swore by adding a gift card, but not sure if that's worth the cost.

referral programs are BS, people only refer when they get cash, not some lame touch-up.

Don't waste time on flyers. Go digital with email blasts to past clients.

Watch out for fake referrals from buddies just gaming the system. Had a guy refer his own house that way, ate my freebie.

Try partnering with realtors, they send painting leads all the time if you give them a 10% cut. Worked for my trim jobs.

I run a simple one: $50 visa for referrer and $50 off for the new client. Doubled my cabinets work.

Same boat, referrals dried up after I stopped the freebies. Feels like everyone's out for themselves now.

Benjamin Moore has a pro referral network, sign up and use their portal for leads.

Screw these cheap clients who won't refer unless it's free. Insurance companies and their BS claims are killing us painters too.

And don't get me started on the big box stores undercutting with their DIY kits.

Pissed me off last week, a referral turned into a price war with some hack using Walmart paint.

Corporate overlords jacking up material costs while we chase crumbs. This industry's rigged.

Man, I feel you on the referral drought. It's brutal when jobs slow and you're scraping for any lead.