GroupOn implemented my suggestion today
Today, GroupOn implemented the Referral-A-Friend compensation type plan for a limited duration.
Original message (February 22, 2011):
"Social Peer Marketing --
For each GroupOn member, allow them to share today's deal with an incentive, users who purchase from their link result in the posting GroupOn member receiving compensation -- a % of the savings to cost ratio, etc. can be in the form of credits or GroupOn dollars.
This will allow GroupOn to tap in to a buyer market in which otherwise haven't heard of GroupOn (rare case these days) or a buyer in which originally would not have purchased.
Instead of allocating marketing funds towards another ppc/google campaign, this allows the GroupOn member to leverage their own social circle through Facebook, Twitter, or their personal blogs -- which can be very effective nowadays"
Message GroupOn sent out today --
"Hi [GroupOn Member Name], It's always been easy to refer friends to Groupon. Now it's more rewarding, too. For a limited time, refer friends and you'll earn $20 Groupon Bucks for each friend who buys their first Groupon.* That's twice the normal reward! Here's how it works: ...
Your personal referral link: http://www.groupon.com/r/uu1500####"
It'd be naive to say this was implemented solely due to my suggestion, but I thought it was neat nevertheless.
However, the simple response with no follow up after "Hi Michael,
Thanks for the suggestion! If you'd be interested in sharing additional suggestions you can share them here: suggestions@groupon.com.
Regards,
Jordan-Leigh support@groupon.com
Please, rate my reply here: http://www.nicereply.com/groupon/6397436/###2849" is discouraging for further suggestion input.
If anyone is working on a group-buying type start up, knows someone who is, etc.. and would like suggestions, I have a couple which I believe would be cutting-edge in which the larger sites do not even have implemented yet.