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How to ask for an introduction - Vaughn Tan
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Good introductions require work. “A good introduction requires consent in advance from the introducee (the person to whom the asker is being introduced) and for the introducer to be able to communicate a lot of information about the asker.” Without asking the introducee in advance, the introduction becomes an ambush. So as the introducer, I always reach out first to the introducee to explain who the asker is, why they want to be introduced, and (ideally) why the introducee might benefit from or enjoy meeting the asker. I always ask the introducee if they’re willing to be introduced. If I’ve done a good job, the answer is usually yes.
Making an introduction shouldn’t be just connecting the asker to the introducee via email. A good introduction requires consent in advance from the introducee (the person to whom the asker is being introduced) and for the introducer to be able to communicate a lot of information about the asker. “So as the introducer, I always reach out first to the introducee to explain who the asker is, why they want to be introduced, and (ideally) why the introducee might benefit from or enjoy meeting the asker.” As the introducer, I need to communicate 4 things to do a good job:
Making an introduction shouldn’t be just connecting the asker to the introducee via email. A good introduction requires consent in advance from the introducee (the person to whom the asker is being introduced) and for the introducer to be able to communicate a lot of information about the asker. “I always ask the introducee if they’re willing to be introduced.” As the introducer, I need to communicate 4 things to do a good job:
Who the asker is. “A good reason for the asker to want this particular introduction.” A reason why the introducee might benefit from or enjoy being introduced to the asker.
A good reason for the asker to want this particular introduction. “A reason why the introducee might benefit from or enjoy being introduced to the asker.” As Alex Iskold has pointed out, compiling this information takes time. To do it properly takes more than 10–15 minutes, especially if it involves emailing the asker to explain why they want the introduction. The 4 introductions I didn’t manage to make? Those fell through because the asker didn’t give me enough information — or didn’t give me the information fast enough — for me to do a good introduction.
3. Send the introducer a Forwardable Introduction Request (FIR) “If the introducer says yes, I send them a FIR, which is a short email that is specifically written so that it can be forwarded without any modification on their part.” Subject: Know anyone you can introduce me to who [has relevant expertise]?
What happens next? “When I receive an FIR like this, as an introducer, I can forward it on by simply adding a brief line at the top to explain how I know the asker.” The people I forward it to can reply if they’re interested or ignore it. If they do reply, I just add the asker’s email, and then my job is done. From there, it’s on the asker to follow up and make the most of the opportunity.
Thanks in advance! [Your Name, website, LinkedIn profile, or whatever is useful for the introducee to do a quick validation] “I’ve found this more useful because it allows the introducer to forward it more widely without needing to edit anything.” What happens next?
Who the asker is. “A good reason for the asker to want this particular introduction.” A reason why the introducee might benefit from or enjoy being introduced to the asker.
Many thanks in advance, “This serves two purposes for the introducer: It lets them decline easily if they can’t help (or they don’t want to), and it tells them that they won’t have to do any heavy lifting to help me out by making some introductions.” 3. Send the introducer a Forwardable Introduction Request (FIR)
Making an introduction shouldn’t be just connecting the asker to the introducee via email. A good introduction requires consent in advance from the introducee (the person to whom the asker is being introduced) and for the introducer to be able to communicate a lot of information about the asker. “So as the introducer, I always reach out first to the introducee to explain who the asker is, why they want to be introduced, and (ideally) why the introducee might benefit from or enjoy meeting the asker.” As the introducer, I need to communicate 4 things to do a good job:
Making an introduction shouldn’t be just connecting the asker to the introducee via email. A good introduction requires consent in advance from the introducee (the person to whom the asker is being introduced) and for the introducer to be able to communicate a lot of information about the asker. “I always ask the introducee if they’re willing to be introduced.” As the introducer, I need to communicate 4 things to do a good job:
Good introductions require work. “A good introduction requires consent in advance from the introducee (the person to whom the asker is being introduced) and for the introducer to be able to communicate a lot of information about the asker.” Without asking the introducee in advance, the introduction becomes an ambush. So as the introducer, I always reach out first to the introducee to explain who the asker is, why they want to be introduced, and (ideally) why the introducee might benefit from or enjoy meeting the asker. I always ask the introducee if they’re willing to be introduced. If I’ve done a good job, the answer is usually yes.
Good introductions require work. “Making an introduction shouldn’t be just connecting the asker to the introducee via email.” Without asking the introducee in advance, the introduction becomes an ambush. So as the introducer, I always reach out first to the introducee to explain who the asker is, why they want to be introduced, and (ideally) why the introducee might benefit from or enjoy meeting the asker. I always ask the introducee if they’re willing to be introduced. If I’ve done a good job, the answer is usually yes.