How to use a pre-templated email link to drive viral referrals

Executive overview

Most people won't refer a product because it requires effort. Reduce friction to near-zero and they will. The Samuel L. Jackson hack — named for its "don't be lazy" ethos — embeds a pre-written, pre-addressed email into a single clickable link. One click opens a ready-to-send referral in the recipient's own email client.

Removing all friction from sharing turns passive readers into active referrers.

How the mailto link works

• Add a short call-to-action text in your email (e.g. "Quick email")
• Hyperlink it using mailto:?subject=...&body=... syntax
• URL-encode the subject and body text so special characters don't break the link
• Use bit.ly for the body link to track how many people share

Building the link step by step

1. Write your call-to-action anchor text in your email editor
2. Highlight the text and click Insert Link
3. Enter: mailto:?subject=<encoded subject>&body=<encoded body>
4. URL-encode subject and body strings using any online encoder
5. Paste encoded values into the respective URL parameters
6. Use a tracked short link (bit.ly) inside the body to measure shares
7. Test by sending to yourself — clicking the link should open a pre-filled email

Why it works

• Email is where people already are — no app switch required
• Pre-filled template removes the "what do I write?" barrier
• Works in any email platform: AWeber, SendGrid, Gmail, etc.
• Trackable via bit.ly so you can measure viral spread