How to ask for an introduction - Vaughn Tan

Quoted on this wiki

Every place a page here uses this source, in the order the words come in it.

1. 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.

   In Introduction request scripts

2. 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)

   In Introduction request scripts

3. 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:

   In Permission-based introductions

4. 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:

   In Permission-based introductions

5. 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.

   In Selecting introduction sources

6. 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.

   In Specific introduction requests

7. This was my prompt, if you will, to write up how I ask for introductions. This is what I want people to do if they want me to do an introduction. “Good introductions require work.” 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.

   In Specific introduction requests

8. 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.

   In Specific introduction requests

9. 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]?

   In Forwardable introduction copy

10. 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.

    In Forwardable introduction copy

11. 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?

    In Forwardable introduction copy

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