Social Media Referral Program for Roofing Gigs Turned Into a Total Clown Show

So I tried this referral program on Instagram for my roofing biz, where I'd give $200 off the next shingle job for anyone who tags a buddy in a story about their new roof. Been in the Carolinas my whole career, and thought it'd be gold with all the hurricane prep folks posting. First week, got three leads, but two were the same guy spamming fake accounts to game the discount. Then this one referral led to a tear-off on a 20-year-old asphalt roof, and the homeowner ghosts me after I show up with the Malco snips ready. Had to block a dozen randos DMing me with scam links. Watched a Home RenoVision video on smart marketing, figured I'd adapt it for referrals, but man, social media is a wild west. Anyone got tips to make this actually work without the BS?

Set up a simple landing page for referrals with unique codes tied to the referrer's email, cuts out the fake accounts quick.

Social media referrals are a scam anyway, big tech and fake profiles are killing small roofers like us. Time to stick to yard signs and word of mouth before they bury us all.

Dude, been there with the ghosting after a referral. Sucks, especially when you haul ass to the site with tools ready. Hang in there, happens to the best.

SharkBite style referrals? Nah, gatekeep it hard with contracts that void the discount if they flake. Fight me if you think open invites work.

Frustrated as hell with Instagram algorithms burying my roofing posts anyway. Wasted two hours boosting a referral ad last month for zero real leads.