How to: Make Email Introductions

You get asked a favour from a contact to make an introduction to one of your contacts. The most common way of doing this is by sending an email addressed to both parties, including contact information and the context for the introduction and then the person requesting the introduction quickly follows up with a direct ask of your contact.

However, the problem with such introductions is that you haven’t asked the recipient for their permission to pass on their contact details and you may not have taken into account their work load or other commitments. Additionally there is no real opportunity for them to opt-out should the connection not be one that the receiving party wishes to accept.

Instead, seek permission from both parties through private emails first.

• The Request

When a request for an introduction comes in, confirm that you will reach out to your contact, but ask for a bit more information to fill in the gaps. e.g. context, the request that they may make of your contact and /or the benefit to your contact.

• Contacting your Contact

When you do reach out to contact for permission, in addition to the information provided in the request also give a bit of a personal context e.g. how you know them and if you are going to stay involved in the relationship you are setting up.

Once you have permission on both sides – the introduction can be made.