Writing an introductory electronic mail to a stranger is like shooting fish in a barrel.

Simply writing an introductory e-mail to a stranger that gets a response? Not so easy.

The typical professional gets so many messages on a daily ground information technology'due south a feat if they even open yours — let alone reply.

Luckily, at HubSpot, we know a lot about writing effective emails. Here are our best tips for introducing yourself over email.

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How to Introduce Yourself in an E-mail

  1. Write a compelling discipline line.
  2. Tailor your greeting to the industry and situation.
  3. Make your commencement line about them.
  4. Explain why you're reaching out.
  5. Provide value for them.
  6. Include a call-to-action.
  7. Say "thanks" and sign off.
  8. Follow upward with them.

one. Write a compelling subject area line.

Persuade your recipient to open up your email with a compelling subject line. Piquing their curiosity is central; unlike a bulletin from someone whose name they recognize, there's no guarantee they'll read yours unless it grabs their attention.

Take a look at the subject field lines that accept convinced HubSpotters to click. And take a wait at a few of the best subject lines nosotros've seen here:

Networking subject lines:

  • "Beers on me?"
  • "Can I buy yous lunch?"
  • "No such affair equally a free lunch (until now?)"
  • "Long-time [listener, reader, fan], first-time emailer"

Sales subject lines:

  • "Exercise yous have an online course for [volume]?"
  • "40% growth in 3 months -- wow"
  • "Have you considered Twitter ads?"
  • "Hello from [company]"

Job search subject lines:

  • "Curious what working at [company] is similar"
  • "Are y'all looking for a [job title]?"
  • "Saw [company'due south] hiring a [job title]"

2. Tailor your greeting to the industry and state of affairs.

It might be one discussion, but the greeting y'all opt for makes a departure. If you're emailing someone in a conservative industry, like finance or government, go with the traditional "Dear." If yous're emailing someone in a more relaxed manufacture, such as tech, media, travel, or mode, use "Hi," "Hello," or even "Hey."

Picking a greeting they're familiar with shows y'all've washed your research.

As for the second part of the salutation: Their name. I recommend referring to them by first name. These days, that's the norm across industries.

Steer clear of "[Starting time name] [final proper name]", which sounds stilted and robotic, and "Mr./Mrs./Ms. [last proper name]", which makes you seem young.

3. Make your outset line nigh them.

The opening line is one of the most important parts of an introduction e-mail. Here'south where you try to establish relevance. If yous succeed, you give your recipient a reason to keep reading.

Even though your first instinct is probably saying something virtually you -- such as "My proper name is X and I'm reaching out because …" -- this will quickly crusade their eyes to glaze over.

Here are some equally bad showtime sentences:

  • "We've never met, simply …"
  • "You don't know me, but …"
  • "I'chiliad a complete stranger, but …"

Never highlight the fact you're a stranger -- it's like telling your recipient your email volition probably exist irrelevant.

Instead, y'all want to atomic number 82 with something almost them. After all, most people like talking about themselves more any other topic.

HubSpotters loved these openers:

  • "I noticed you manage 1 of the software teams at HubSpot."
  • "Just saw your post at the HubSpot weblog almost organizing posting calendar in terms of topic clusters."
  • "Have you ever thought about turning your book into an online grade? Or creating an online course based on the same topic as your volume?"
  • "I'thousand inspired by the work you've done, not to mention your unique career."
  • "I've never learned so much from a single piece of content."

Want more inspiration for your salutation? Check out these electronic mail opening lines and greetings that put "Hullo, my name is" to shame.

introductory email compelling first line

4. Explain why you're reaching out.

Now that you've stimulated their interest and genuinely complimented them, it's time to connect the dots.

For example, permit's say you're hoping to prepare a networking meeting so you lot can learn more well-nigh their role (and potentially go a chore referral).

If your showtime line is "Yous've washed an impressive job at [company] building [X strategy] and revamping [Y plan]", your 2d line might be, "I'1000 considering a career in [person's field] and would beloved to purchase you java and so I tin can learn more about it from an expert."

Or perhaps your goal is booking a sales telephone call. Your beginning line might exist "I meet you host several campus events per year," and your 2nd could be "I work with companies like Facebook and Google to assistance promote their college recruitment events."

The cardinal is making your explanation every bit relevant to your recipient equally possible. You desire them to feel special -- not like i person on a list of 100 that yous're emailing. And ever brand sure you're writing sales emails prospect's actually desire to read using this five-step process.

introductory email first line about recipient

v. Provide value for them.

Earlier you inquire for anything, you need to provide value. Thanks to the principle of reciprocity, receiving value makes people want to return the favor.

In Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, Dr. Robert B. Cialdini describes a study in which an unknowing test subject received a tin can of soda from the researcher. The soda cost $0.50.

Later, the same researcher asked the participant to buy $five worth of raffle tickets. Understanding rates were much higher than for participants who didn't get any soda.

A thoughtful, authentic compliment tin can definitely provide value, so if you've already said something nice in your kickoff few lines, you don't necessarily need to practice more than. However, it doesn't hurt to go a petty further. Hither are some ideas:

  • Review their volume on Amazon, Goodreads, etc., and share the link
  • Recommend an commodity they might notice helpful
  • Suggest a useful app or tool
  • Offer to introduce them to someone who they'd do good from knowing

6. Include a call-to-action.

The final piece of the puzzle? Your telephone call-to-action (CTA). Remove equally much friction from your ask every bit possible; if you desire them to meet with yous, for instance, provide a link to your meetings tool and so they tin instantly see when you lot're both available and volume a time. Or if you want them to review a mail service you've written, include the zipper so they can immediately read it.

Take a look at these sample lines:

  • "Would yous be willing to comment on the LinkedIn postal service I wrote? It would be not bad to have your unique perspective (and hopefully get some give-and-take going)."
  • "If you're thinking about how Greener could apply the concepts in the guide, I have some ideas I'd dearest to share. Here'due south the link to my agenda: [Link]."
  • "Are yous open up to answering a few questions virtually your experience working at HubSpot? Happy to chat over phone or email, whatever'south more user-friendly."

Try to strike a balance betwixt polite and confident. Phrases like, "I know you're busy, but …", "I'd ordinarily never enquire, nevertheless …", "You probably don't have time, then …", "It would mean the globe to me …" and "I'll be forever in your debt if …" make you seem drastic -- and suggest your recipient would exist massively inconveniencing themselves by maxim yes.

Because you're reaching out to a stranger, your request shouldn't exist that excessive or unreasonable. If it is, that's a completely separate issue. Don't hurt your chances of a "yes" by sounding insecure.

effective introductory email inspiration to write your own

7. Say "thank you" and sign off.

No need to write annihilation more. The best emails are short, sugariness, and concise. Afterwards all, actress data or unnecessary details lessen the probability your recipient will actually read the electronic mail -- they'll be too put off past its length. You as well run the risk of distracting them from what actually matters.

With that in listen, say "thanks," "thank you," or "thank you and then much" (depending on the size of your request), and add together your name. Looking for more than sign off ideas? Endeavour one of these powerful electronic mail closing lines that'll intrigue your recipients and prompt responses.

8. Follow upward with them.

If you send this incredible introduction email and the unthinkable happens (i.east., they don't respond) transport a follow-up email they won't exist able to ignore. Here are a few things to try:

  1. Send them actionable advice.
  2. Transport a how-to guide and offer to follow upwards in person.
  3. Share weaknesses in their business and solutions you've identified.
  4. Share relevant industry manufactures/news.
  5. Answer to a social media bulletin, then follow up with more.
  6. Reference a blog they wrote and ask a question about it.
  7. Invite them to an upcoming consequence.
  8. Bring up a pain point your buyers face and present a solution.

Desire more tips on keen follow upward? Hither's a guide to sending a follow-upward email subsequently no response.

how to write an introductory email

Introduction Email Template

Now that yous have all the building blocks, let's come across each department in activeness working together as a full introduction email.

How to Introduce Yourself as a Personal Referral

How to Innovate Yourself to a Grouping or Business

Maybe you only started a new job or joined a different squad, and y'all need to introduce yourself to a group of people. Employ this template to create your email introduction.

Past Manner of Introduction

"Past way of introduction" is a mutual phrase only as commonly misused. When introducing a new topic, person, or idea, you would say, "By style of introduction ..." and include examples or anecdotes to requite your new subject context. For example, "Our adjacent guest volition exist Aja Frost, by way of introduction, I'd like to share a few of Aja's accomplishments with you."

"Past way of introduction" is a phrase that tin can be used when introducing a new person. And below we'll take a look at the best style to introduce others via e-mail.

How to Innovate Someone via Email

If you have a contact who would benefit from connecting with a friend or colleague of yours, utilize this template to introduce them via e-mail. Include reasoning for the introduction and make sure the connection will be valuable for both individuals.

How to Introduce Yourself to a Recruiter/Hiring Managing director

Sure, you might spend hours polishing your resume and cover alphabetic character for a job -- only do you give the submission email any love before hit send?

When recruiters are sorting through applications, you desire to do everything you can to stand out. The outset step is sending a thoughtful introduction email. Don't write a novel, but do write a friendly and professional "Hello" note.

In the example below, I country the reason for my email, share no more than than ane judgement explaining why I'd be a good fit for the role, and offer to provide more than information upon request.

Information technology's curtailed and gives my application a little extra shine.

How to Introduce Yourself to an Executive

Getting a response from a CEO or executive is tough. Merely your introduction can brand all the departure. Remember a few things when crafting your email.

First, make your ask gentle and advice-driven. Executives are great with people and usually dear helping others. Open up your email with a request for information or advice, instead of a request to sell.

Another great tip: etch your e-mail to them on your phone. Executives are busy and often check emails while they're on the become. Etch your e-mail on the telephone, to make certain y'all're providing them with a proficient reader experience.

And don't forget to put your electronic mail signature to work.

How to Innovate Yourself to a Gatekeeper

Never underestimate the gatekeeper. Set yourself apart by offering to help them before you aid yourself. In the example below, Liz provides value to the gatekeeper and explains that she wants to "earn" the introduction to Tom's dominate.

How to Distinguish Betwixt a Professional person and Coincidental Introduction

The electronic mail you send to a former colleague making an introduction on a contact's behalf is going to accept a dissimilar tone than an email sent to a LinkedIn connection you're hoping to convert into a customer.

When sending an introductory electronic mail to a professional contact (such as a LinkedIn connection), y'all want to ensure y'all country how you are continued, and why you're contacting them. Every bit you are start approaching a new contact, continue your e-mail concise then they tin can quickly decide if and how to reply. You'll want to provide just enough information to prompt side by side steps.

For example, if you want to reach out to someone you are familiar with from LinkedIn, hither'southward a seamless introduction.

Originally published Feb 9, 2022 8:00:00 AM, updated February 09 2022