The ref link allow you to register ppl in BitShares and earn 80% of hteir fee. You only pay 20% of the normal fee, the rest is giving back to you. The link send ppl to OpenLedger so they can create an account.
Read this news, it may help you. Ask there in the comment where you can read the full explanation on ref link and Life Tiem Member account, I can't find it.

https://steemit.com/openledger/@bloggersclub/openledger-referral-policy-changes-allows-new-benefits-for-lifetime-members#@glitterfart/re-bloggersclub-openledger-referral-policy-changes-allows-new-benefits-for-lifetime-members-20171203t190308662z

Cheers ^^