Networking can accelerate your career. This guide shows you the basics on how to write effective networking emails to get started!
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Networking emails are a social lubricant that keeps the business world working. An email for networking can create a new connection or maintain an old one that can transform your career.
Writing a networking email can be challenging as you must strike the right tone, making a personal connection but staying professional. In this guide, we break down the process, enabling anyone to learn the core skills, including:
Don't worry; we provide plenty of samples and a template for each type of networking email that you can use to create connections that accelerate your career.
At the end of the guide, we show how you can take your email networking to the next level using Flowrite. Ready to start creating better connections? Then let's begin!
"Making new connections and strengthening your professional network are vital to getting to where you want to go," says Holly Raider, MD, at the Kellogg School of Management.
Networking is critical for everyone. From C-suite execs to those just starting a career, it's not what you know but who you know that matters.
Virtual meetings are now the norm, and social media such as LinkedIn have transformed how we network and establish connections, so even the best in-person networkers can benefit from refreshing their skills. Email, however, is not going anywhere. Thus we think it's a critical skill to know how to send a networking email to someone you don't know.
Networking can make anyone nervous, says career-advice expert Kara Dennison in Forbes, but it's essential. She recommends setting some targets, such as sending one networking email a day, for example.
Networking isn't just about reaching out to new people; you'll also need to maintain contact with colleagues, friends, and connections that can help your career. Thankfully, the skills you need are the same.
In the attention economy, you'll need your networking email to stand out – and that starts with the subject line.
The average person has over 1,600 unopened emails – and if your networking email subject line doesn't grab your recipient's attention, yours could easily be added to the pile.
You can use several networking email subject line strategies to create compelling intros. The subject of a networking email can include taking a personal approach, establishing a professional connection, a reminder, and a question approach.
Let's look at these four in more detail, so you can write the best subject line for networking email.
These simple subject lines for networking emails use your name to create a connection. Here are a few examples:
The personal approach also works if you're being recommended by someone else or reaching out to a mutual connection.
Networking emails are often used as follow-ups after meeting at an event. You can request a LinkedIn connection, but a personal approach is much better than becoming a virtual friend or follower.
Here are some professional connection requests:
Sometimes you'll want to re-establish or reheat a connection. A networking reminder email can be a professional prompt to get you communicating again.
Here are some examples of how to title a networking email to someone you already know.
Questions are a great way to capture a reader's attention, creating interest that can translate into action. Here are some networking emails that will generate interest.
So, what is a good subject line for a networking email? Anything that encourages the person to open it. You can try different approaches to see what's most effective if you're sending out several networking emails. Find a subject line strategy that works for you.
After you have written an attention-grabbing subject line that gets your recipient to open an email, you need to hook them to continue to read your message.
It's important to make a good first impression in your email. A strong introduction is thus warranted.
These examples are for professional use, and we've stayed away from personal approaches. Here are some opening email phrases to use next time:
Another approach involves describing why you are contacting them before the introduction. For example:
To dig deeper, here's a handy guide if you want to check 10 more examples of how to introduce yourself in an email.
Networking emails must be professional and respectful and create value for both participants. We've previously described how to create professional emails, so we don't need to go back to basics. Instead, we'll show you some principles to craft a powerful message.
Every networking email should be:
Networking emails shouldn't:
Don't worry if you're struggling; we supply several networking email examples below that you can shape for your specific circumstances.
Networking emails are about creating connections, so you'll want to ensure you provide all the information a recipient needs.
Here are some principles for creating professional networking emails:
We illustrate the concepts in the networking email samples below.
Before heading there, why not refresh your memory on how to send official emails. This contains everything you need to find the perfect email ending.
As we've explained above, there are several different situations where you'll want to send a networking email. In this next section, we explore typical email use cases and provide standard subject lines as well as template emails that you can use for:
These templates provide some basic rules and fundamentals to craft your own. Every professional email should be personalized, including details that can be used to create a connection.
The easiest networking emails to write are those to someone you have recently met. It's essential to get the email's tone correct and send it promptly.
Your best chance of success involves sending a networking follow up email as soon as you can after the meeting.
Here are some sample networking email subject lines that you can use to create a connection:
It was great to connect with you at (insert details).
(Enter details if you want to)
I'd welcome the chance to connect with you and continue our discussions. If you'd like to stay connected with me, please email me, or you can find me on LinkedIn here: (Insert link)
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sending a networking email to someone you don't know is called cold-emailing or cold email networking – and it's one of the most challenging tasks. Thankfully, we can show you how you can create a formal but friendly approach suitable for all situations.
These cold email networking subject lines can be used to ensure your message will be opened, not ignored:
We've never met before, but my name is (insert name). I'm contacting you as I'd love to connect with you. (Insert details about you and why you want to connect, such as common interests).
(Enter other details if you want to)
You can email me or call me any time, or find me on LinkedIn here: (Insert link)
I look forward to hearing from you.
(Your name) (Insert you phone number)
Events, conferences, and meetings are great places to find new connections for your network. It's critical that you communicate clearly and quickly in a post-networking event email with any new connection, and with our template, you can be sure of getting a rapid response.
You'll want to get a networking email in as quickly as possible, and critical to that is having a captivating subject line. If possible, try to make it personable and include something you discussed or agreed to discuss further.
Here are a few examples of how to email someone you met at a networking event:
It was great to meet you at (event name). I enjoyed learning more about your organization and the work that you do. I'd love the chance to connect with you and continue our conversations.
You can email me here and connect on LinkedIn. It would be great to stay in touch.
Sending an email after networking is a great way to seal the deal and establish a connection. Here's how to send a thank you email after networking.
In these examples of subject lines for thank you emails after networking, we use a question to ensure the message is opened.
Thanks for taking the time to speak with me at the recent (evet name). I value your opinion and insight into the topic, and I'd love to learn more about your views.
(Enter details if you want to)
You can email me or you can find me on LinkedIn if you would like to stay connected: (Insert LinkdIn link)
Sometimes you'll spot someone in your network advertising a job and put yourself forward. Sending a networking email for a job can create a connection that puts you at the front of the queue. Follow our formal but friendly approach and put yourself in the best position.
It's a tricky thing when contacting a networked connection about a job. You'll want to appear enthusiastic but must strike the right tone so you don't look desperate. Here are some email subject lines for job networking.
My name is (name), and I'm contacting you to explore whether there are any opportunities within your organization?
(Enter brief details about your expertise, experiences and what value you could offer)
Even if there aren't currently any suitable roles, it would be great for us to connect. I would welcome the chance to chat with you and learn more about your company if possible.
Feel free to call me any time. You can find me on LinkedIn here: (Insert link)
I look forward to hearing from you.
(Your name) (Your phone number)
Networking introduction emails are an important way to extend your influence, offering a helping hand to others. In this networking introduction email, we provide some supportive words that can be adapted for any audience.
Here are some sample networking introduction email subject lines:
I hope you don't mind, but I'm contacting you to introduce (person's name). I believe they would be a valuable person for you to connect with because (insert details).
I've copied (person's name) into this email and encourage you to speak about (insert, for example, a common interest or a potential business opportunity) to one another.
Connections you've made at school, college or university, previous workplaces or other organizations, can play a powerful role in your career. Your common background can be a great asset when networking, even if you never met before.
It's often easier to connect with people you have a history with, and you can be less formal than messaging for business purposes.
These subject lines for alumni networking emails can be refreshed and refocused for everyone you want to contact.
Were you studying at (institution name) in (year)? So was I! I just thought I'd get in contact to connect with you. It would be great to learn more about what you're doing and where you've been. You can contact me here or connect on LinkedIn.
(Enter details if you want to)
Look forward to catching up soon.
Writing a networking email is not hard if you follow our best practices. The samples included in this blog post provide you with a framework which should always be personalized to reflect the recipient and occasion. This can be done easily with the help of Flowrite.
Here's how you can write a networking email introduction with a click of a button, using Flowrite:
Flowrite is a writing assistant that turns your instructions into ready-to-send emails and messages using artificial intelligence. If you're struggling with email networking, Flowrite can help you get started and offer some inspiration.
The next time you need to write a networking email just keep our samples in mind or pick up Flowrite smart introduction email template to start networking over email.
Learning how to write effective networking emails can accelerate your career. You'll be able to reach out to someone, confident of a positive response and reply.
Coming up with an effective networking email subject line is one of the most important factors for cold networking emails. Thus we spent extra time honing that aspect of it.
The advice, guidance, and templates provide the basis for building your successful messages. If you need extra help, Flowrite can help you generate clear and compelling networking emails in seconds.
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