Expanding your skillset, entering into a new field, getting a great job, growing your business—these are all great things. But they all will involve, at some point or another, introducing yourself to new people. After all, you can’t grow if you don’t step out past your current circles.
Enter the introduction email. The building block of every great career, network, and business. So how do you write an introduction email that gets a response? That makes a good first impression?
In this post, I’m going to share some easy tips to write a great introduction email and then provide examples and templates for six different scenarios.
Table of contents
How to write an introduction email
There are lots of different scenarios where you’ll need to introduce yourself or others, but there are a few key fundamentals when it comes to writing an introduction email that apply across the board.
Keep it brief
Unless you’re pouring out your soul to a dear friend, NO emails should be long. Not marketing emails. Not sales emails. Not introduction emails. Period! Think of your introduction email as the ad and the subsequent meeting or phone call as the product. It needs to have enough detail to capture interest while being brief enough to inspire a response.
Source
Be clear with your purpose
This is an email best practice for any scenario. No matter what the introduction is, you are reaching out because they have something that you want. And that’s okay. Be clear that you are reaching out because you are in X position/scenario looking for Y, and that they have Y. Giving this context directly will help keep the email short and make it easy for the recipient to digest—and respond to—quickly.
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Make a specific ask
“I’d love to pick your brain” is not specific enough. Neither is “Would you be open to a conversation?” Be specific with the time frame, mode of communication, and even the purpose, and frame it as a yes or no. For example, “I have some questions about [topic] and would love to hear your insights. Would you be available for a phone or Zoom call next week?”
Include a detail about them
At the heart of every introduction email is a request for that person’s time. Time to read the email, time to meet with you, and so on. You can (and should) ask about ways to return the favor for them once you’ve met, but you can pay it forward a bit just by taking the time to learn about them beforehand and including it in your email.
This is NOT flattery. Simply saying “I noticed X” implies on its own that you were impressed without making it sound like “I am flattering you so that you’ll meet with me.”
Introduction email templates and examples
Here are some introduction examples and templates for a range of purposes that incorporate the email copywriting tips I’ve shared.
Introduction email #1: Career networking outreach
Template
Subject line: [Relevant connection/topic of interest]
Hi [name],
My name is Kristen McCormick and I [found you on X/was referred to you by X]. [Statement about yourself that gives context about why you are reaching out]. [Say something specific about their specific value/achievements]. Would you have time for a phone or Zoom conversation with me this week? I’d love to ask some questions about your experience [for X purpose] and learn also if there are any ways in which I can be of help to you.
If so, feel free to drop some day and times that work for you and I can send you a calendar invite.
Thanks!
[name]
Example
Subject line: Dartmouth alumni / content marketing
Hi Garett,
My name is Kristen and found you while searching on LinkedIn for fellow Dartmouth alums who are in the marketing field. I am currently in marketing operations but looking to move more into a content focus, and I noticed that you have a range of content experience, from ads and email to SEO and even design work. Would you have time for a phone or Zoom conversation with me this week? I’d love to ask some questions about your experience that might help guide my path, and learn also if there are any ways in which I can be of help to you.
If so, feel free to drop some day and times that work for you and I can send you a calendar invite.
Thanks!
Kristen
Note that we have plenty of networking email templates and subject lines here.
Introduction email example #2: Business networking outreach
Template
Subject line: Reaching out via [person who referred you]
Hi [name],
My name is [Name] and I was given your name by [Name] of [relevant origin]. I am [state what you are trying to accomplish] and am looking to talk with others who have successfully done so—and I can see that you have! [State specific detail you appreciated about them.]
Would you have any time this week for a phone or Zoom call? I’d love to learn about your path in general and get your insights on some questions I have.
If you’re available, let me know what days or times work for you and I’ll send you a calendar invite. Thank you!
Sincerely,
[name]
Example
Subject line: Reaching out via Valorie Jackson
Hi Leslie,
My name is Susan Moor and I was given your name by Valorie Jackson of NASM. I am in the process of starting my own senior move management business (Clear Paths for Seniors) and am looking to talk with others who have successfully done so—and I can see that you have! I also found that the “My philosophy” page on your website resonated with me. Would you have any time this week for a phone or Zoom call? I’d love to learn about your path in general and get your insights on some questions I have.
If you’re available, let me know what days or times work for you and I’ll send you a calendar invite. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Susan
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Introduction email example #3: Introducing two people
Note that with this type of introduction, you can be more on the “flattery” side, as you’re trying to convey to each person quickly why it’s worth their time to connect with the other.
Template
Subject line: [Name] <–> [Name]
Hi [name],
I’d like to introduce you to [Name], [include relevant details/highlights about this person]. [He/she] is looking for opportunities right now and I immediately thought of [company]!
[Opportunity seeker’s name], [name] is the [role] at [company]. [Call out relevant details/highlights about this person], and [he/she] is the best person to talk to to see if you might be a fit.
I’ll let you two take it from here!
Best,
[name]
Example
Subject line: Justin <–>Olivia
Hi Justin,
I’d like to introduce you to Olivia Channing, a content marketer with five years of experience in SEO, SEM, social, email, and more in the B2B space. She is looking for opportunities right now and I immediately thought of Sparkwise!
Olivia, Justin is the Director of Marketing at Sparkwise. He is the mastermind behind all of their great content, and the best person to talk to to see if you might be a fit.
I’ll let you two take it from here!
Best,
Kristen
Introduction email example #4: Sales email after content download
Template
Subject line: [Goal] made easy
Hi [name],
I noticed you recently downloaded our [guide name]. The people who find this guide helpful are typically those who are trying to [achieve goal].
If this resonates with you, [business name] may be a great fit for you. [One sentence about how your business solves that problem and why it’s better than the rest].
Are you free this week to talk about your [area of specialty] goals?
Best,
[name]
Example
Subject line: Ad budget optimization made easy
Hi Brianna,
I noticed you recently downloaded our PPC Pro Tips Guide. The people who find this guide helpful are typically those who are trying to reduce wasted spend, stretch their budget further, or both.
If this resonates with you, AdPro may be a great fit for you. It’s a platform we built specifically for small ad agencies like yours that automates budget optimization using a wider range of data than what’s available in Google Ads alone.
Are you free this week to talk about your PPC goals?
Best,
Kristen
Introduction email example #5: Sales prospecting
Template
Subject line: A better way to [achieve goal]
Hi [name],
I noticed on your website that you’re using [tool] for [purpose]. While [tool] is great for [persona] looking to [achieve this small goal], it is not suited for [reader’s persona] [that does this larger function/with this larger goal].
[Your product/business] is built for [the larger function], [acheiving this bigger benefit/goal]. Do you have time this week for a [X-minute demo/call]?
Let me know,
[name]
Example
Subject line: A better way to text
Hi Naomi,
I noticed on your website that you’re using Chatter for business texting. While Chatter is great for small businesses looking to get feedback and reviews, it is not suited for larger businesses that text with customers throughout their journey.
Bizchat is built for multi-channel communication with customers at every stage of the journey, improving funnel retention and ultimately increasing the bottom line. Do you have time this week for a 20-minute demo?
Let me know,
Kristen
Introduction email example #6: Business to business outreach
Template
Subject line: [Offer] for [Business name]
Hi [name],
My name is [name] and I’m reaching out to introduce myself and explore opportunities to help strengthen the [company name] brand.
I run my own [industry] agency called [agency name], which specializes in [state your relevant and unique specialty]. I’ve helped several businesses in the [industry] space to [achieve this benefit] and would love to see how I could help you too.
Let’s schedule a call at your convenience to discuss this further. Are you available this week?
Best regards,
[name]
Example
Subject line: Video ads for BizMaven
Hi Angela,
My name is Cody and I’m reaching out to introduce myself and explore opportunities to help strengthen the BizMaven brand.
I run my own video ad agency called CodyReel, which specializes in social video ads with emotional impact. I’ve helped several businesses in the B2B marketing space to elevate their brand and improve ROI, and would love to see how I could help you too.
Let’s schedule a call at your convenience to discuss this further. Are you available this week?
Best regards,
Cody
Professional introduction emails made easy
If you’re looking to grow in life—whether that’s your skill set, your perspectives, your personal brand, or a business, you’re going to need to tap into resources outside of your network. And you need to take a professional yet personal approach. Master the art of the introduction email using these tips and examples, and you will find yourself building a network, that you can draw from and contribute to, that facilitates your goals!
To write an introduction email, remember:
- Keep it brief
- Be clear with your purpose
- Make a specific ask
- Include a detail about them
Looking for more email writing tips and templates? We’ve got you covered:
