Introduction email templates (connecting two people)
A good introduction tells each person who the other is and why they should talk, in two sentences each, then gets out of the way. The polite way to do it is double opt-in: ask the busier person first. This template covers the intro itself, and its variants cover the opt-in ask and a check-in a week later. If you're the one being introduced, use the moving-to-BCC reply from the Gmail pack.
;em-intro;em-intro in any app.Variations
The same message for a different channel or tone. Copy the one that fits.
Send this to the busier person before making the introduction.
A week or two later, to find out whether the introduction was useful.
When to use it
- Connecting a friend or colleague with someone who can help them.
- Asking a busy contact whether they're open to an introduction.
- Checking in with the person you introduced, a week or two later.
What to avoid
- Don't introduce people without asking the busier one first.
- Don't write a paragraph about each person. Two sentences and a reason are enough.
- Don't stay in the thread. Once they've connected, ask to be moved to bcc.
The fields in this template
Retext fills these in when the snippet expands. In plain text they become [brackets] to replace by hand.
- First person
{fill:First person} - The person receiving the favour or the busier of the two.
- Second person
{fill:Second person} - The other person.
- Who the second person is
{fill:Who the second person is} - Role and company in a few words, e.g. "head of design at Lumen".
- Why they should talk
{fill:Why they should talk} - The shared interest or need, e.g. "you're both hiring your first data engineer".
- Who the first person is
{fill:Who the first person is} - Their role and why they're relevant.
Tips
- •Fill-ins appear in more than one place here; each time the snippet expands, Retext asks for each name once and uses it in every spot.
- •If someone introduces you, reply with the moving-to-BCC template from the Gmail pack.
- •Keep a version for your most common intro, such as "designer looking for freelance work", with the details already written.
Works in Gmail, Outlook and every other app
Retext types the snippet wherever your cursor is. To use a different version in one app, give it the same trigger and limit it to that app with per-app snippets. They go by app, not website, so every tab in your browser counts as one app.
Questions
How do you introduce two people by email?
Address both, give each a one-line description of the other and the reason they should talk, then step back. Ask the busier person first if you're not sure they'll want it.
What is a double opt-in introduction?
Checking with both people, or at least the busier one, before introducing them. It protects their time and your reputation as a connector.
Related templates
Moving you to BCC
;gm-bccGmail
Thanks for the intro, [Introducer name]. Moving you to BCC to spare your inbox. Hi [New contact name], great to meet you…
Referral request
;sl-referralSales
Hi [First name], Glad [Result] is working well for [Company]. A quick ask: do you know one or two people in [Ideal conta…
Thank you after a meeting
;em-thanksEmail & out of office
Hi [Name], Thank you for making time to meet today. [Specific takeaway] was especially useful, and I'm going to [What yo…
Type ;em-intro, get the whole reply
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