Making introductions in person is way easier than by email. How do you make it work then?
Have you ever had someone introduce you to someone else and fail to do you justice?
Well trust me it happens a lot especially over email or when the person doing the introduction forgets to add a bit of “context” or “background”. So what do you do?
You teach them (or kindly tell them) how to make a killer introduction of course (which happens to be the reason for this whole post).
1. Your Subject Line Should Be Clear as Diamonds (And Just as Beautiful)
Well unsure about the “beautiful” part however your subject line should make it clear which people you’re introducing and maybe what this is about “roughly”.
i.e. Subject: Introductions About Photography Between Janice G and Dave Q
2. Your Introduction Should Get to the Point
Your introduction should state what and why you’re making this introduction. Time is on the line so make it powerful and quick.
i.e. Janice, Dave,
How’s it going? Just putting the two of you in touch because Dave would definitely benefit from your seven years of pro photo experience Janice.
3. Give a Bio of the Person You’re Introducing and the Person You’re Introducing Them To
Here’s where most of you get it wrong (and do the person you’re trying to introduce a major blow). State what each person does, why they do it (if you know that much), where, when and how you met them. Then you provide the contact information you think needs to be shared (and ask for forgiveness later).
It helps with the ice breaking if you’re doing this over email. Or when the two plus people decide to start phoning each other.
i.e.
Janice like I said is a pro photographer with over seven years experience doing wedding and freelance photography. I met her back in Detroit when I was working at GM at my aunt’s Christmas party back in 2000. Janice is like the mother I never had. Her phone is xxx.xxxx and her email is Get Email.
Dave Q is a new wedding photographer looking to understand the industry. He was formerly a journalism student at U Wisconsin and has done amazing photo news pieces for the Milwaukee Times. I met him at a recent Linchpin networking event and thought you could give him some advice. His contact is xxx.xxxx and email is Get Email.
4. Remind One of Them to Take Action
In the concluding part of the introduction letter you should stress to the person who you’re introducing to your contact (i.e. Dave Q in this case) that they should follow up by phone and arrange an in person meeting. It’s more human, builds a relationship and is way better than having them hash it out over email.
Unless you like trading letters like old times.
i.e. Janice I know you’re a kind soul who’s always been willing to lend a hand. Dave you should take the initiative to phone up Janice for a chat and arrange a meeting if you’re in town. Look forward to seeing great photos happen!
5. Your “P.S.” Postscript Should Offer to Preside Over the Meeting
The best kind of referral is the one where you seriously stick out your neck to make it happen. And that usually means presiding over the first meeting of the two people anyway. May fail to happen – offer it if it makes sense.
i.e. PS. Janice, Dave let me know if I can preside over a first meeting between you two just to help. It’d be great to to see you both.
Giving a killer introduction this way makes life easier for everyone involved and makes sure you’re really doing good for the person you’re trying to help. This is one post I’ve been dying to write for some time because some well meaning people could benefit from this.
If you have any extra ideas or suggestions on how to write the killer introduction leave a comment below (and it’ll give you a free link back if you check CommentLuv).
PS. I use Text-expander for Mac to save a template that I can create with a few keystrokes and change for the situation. If you’re looking for Window options check out AlternativeTO.
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