I’ve made over 10,000 introductions in my tech career via email between founders and tech operators. Here’s how to Craft the best forwardable email that will get read and get the response you want

How to make it easy on someone you want an intro from.

So you want to get introduced to someone through a mutual friend. Maybe you’re interested in learning more about that person’s career trajectory. Maybe you’re interested in picking their brain about the company she/he works at. Maybe you’re interested in something totally else. Whatever it may be, your goal is to make it easy for all parties to facilitate an intro. And there’s no better way to make it easy than to send an email to the person you’re looking to get the introduction from that she/he can forward over to the other person to see if that person is willing to speak.

Example: Tim (@Company X) is looking to get introduced to Marie (@Company Y) through Ryan (@Company Z). Tim should send an email to Ryan that Ryan can then forward to Marie. Tim should not rely on Ryan to craft an email from scratch to Marie, taking up his time. If Tim wants the intro and help, Tim should put in the work and lower the work Ryan has to put in to help Tim.

When writing an email to be forwarded, it should have the following elements:

1. Use “Hi Name,” as your opening line. Example: “Hi Ryan,”

2. Add a brief line about the last interaction you and Ryan had. Example: “Thanks for speaking to me earlier this morning about _______________. I really enjoyed our conversation.”

3. Make THE ASK clear and specific. And bold it. Example: “Like I mentioned, I’d love to speak to Marie at Company Y for 15 minutes about _____________________. If you’d be willing to make an introduction, I would greatly appreciate it.” Note: An initial intro conversation should always be short: 15 minutes. People are busy. Asking someone to dedicate 30–60 minutes to someone they don’t know is a big ask in today’s world. Ask for 15 minutes. Also… be very specific about the ask. Marie should be able to think about if she can add value to Tim’s life, rather than blindly accepting the ask. If she doesn’t think she can help, she should not agree to the conversation, and she should save her time. If she thinks she can add value, she can then decide if she has the time in her life to give Tim.

4. Add your Linkedin URL (and resume in pdf format if it relates to you wanting to talk about a job opportunity… and design portfolio if you’re a product designer). You should always provide your Linkedin in an email that is going to be forwarded so that the receiving party can click it and see who you are and what you’re about. If you were thinking about meeting with someone, wouldn’t you want to know WHO you’d potentially be meeting?!?!?!? Yes. So, include it. Example: “I’ve included my Linkedin here in case Marie is interested.”

5. Thank the intro-er and end the email on a happy note. Example: “Thanks again for your help, Ryan. Have a great rest of your day. — Tim.”

In total, here it is:

Hi Ryan,

Thanks for speaking to me earlier this morning about my team and org structure. With our renewed focus on employee engagement and experience, your input was very valuable. I really enjoyed our conversation.

As I mentioned, I’d love to speak to Marie at Wayfair for 15 minutes about how she approaches promotions and merit increases for employees. I am going through my annual leveling calibration exercise with our exec team and I’d love to share with her my notes and ask for feedback. If you’d be willing to make an introduction, I would greatly appreciate it. I’ve included my Linkedin here in case Marie is interested.

Thanks again for your help, Ryan. Have a great rest of your day.

Tim

————————————————-

Following the steps above it allows Ryan to forward the email to Marie and ask Marie: “Hi Marie, do you have a few minutes to speak to Tim? I know it’s a crazy time with COVID, but I wanted to forward on to see if you’d be available for 15 minutes for him. Please let me know. Thank you.”

If Marie agrees, Ryan can + you to the email so that it limits the amount of time he has to spend typing out an entirely new email.

Important: Be ok with the fact that many people will say no. Time is precious, and asking for someone’s time is a big ask. Just like in dating, there will be people who don’t want to speak to you, and you have to be ok with that. Don’t judge them… the world is a busy place, people have families, and are dealing with a lot.

But doing the above will give you your best chance of success.

Happy intros!