Systems are disclosed that enable a person to electronically refer a product or service that is for sale to a third party, which enables the third party to purchase the product or service from the applicable vendor for the benefit of the referring person. The systems generally include a server; at least one database that houses product-specific data; a product association module; and a payment module. The product association module is configured to receive digital input from an author; correlate the digital input with product identifiers stored within the database; and communicate the product identifiers to a reader. The payment module is configured to receive payment instructions from the reader for a product that is represented by the product identifiers; transfer the payment instructions to a vendor that is selling the applicable product; and communicate to the author and vendor that the product has been paid for by the reader.