No matter your industry or career stage, networking can be an extremely valuable tactic. It can help you land a new role, develop your professional connections, and expand your knowledge about a specific topic.
So, whether you’re reaching out cold to a complete stranger or connecting with a friend of a friend, here are 10 networking email templates to get you over that awkward first step and make a killer impression.
5 Top Tips for Networking Emails
- Get to the Point – Don’t beat around the bush. Tell the person what you’re after. Do you want an appointment, an introduction, or just pleasant conversation?
- Tell Them Why – Why are you reaching out to this person specifically? Was there something that caught your eye in their profile? Are you both alumni of the same school? Provide a good reason for your outreach.
- Be Real – 2023 and beyond is the age of authenticity. Nobody wants to deal with a fake corporate drone. So be yourself and make a genuine connection with the other person.
- Use Social Proof – Social proof is powerful. People often look to the behavior and action of others to determine how to respond. Whenever possible, add social proof into your outreach.
- Ask for Action – End your email with a call to action, or with a question. Either way, you provoke a direct response.
1. Introducing Yourself to a Stranger
Reaching out cold to strangers can be awkward, but there are ways you can break the ice early on. Whether it’s a contact from a company you love or an influencer you want to collaborate with, find a way to make a connection. In short, give them a reason to get back to you.
Hi [name],
I’m [name], and I work at [company name] as a [role]. I’ve become familiar with you and your work ever since [how you came across them], and I think there might be a way in which we can help each other out on [task/problem that you can help address].
Would you be open to [connecting on social media/meeting up in person] to keep in touch and discuss how we might work together in the future? In the meantime, here’s a link to my [website/online portfolio].
I look forward to hearing from you!
Best wishes,
[name]
Try Right Inbox email templates – Install for FREE
2. Following Up After a First Meeting
When you meet with someone with whom you’d like to network further, it’s important to follow up within the next 24 hours while you’re fresh in their mind. Begin by thanking them for their time, and expand on how you may be able to collaborate in the future.
Hi [name],
Thanks for meeting with me today to discuss [meeting topic]. It was great to learn more about your [company/industry/website].
I remember you mentioning that you were looking for [writers/creatives/contributors], and I’d love to help you out. I’ve been [writing/creating content] for various online agencies and clients for [x years]. You can check out my work portfolio here [link to portfolio].
I have some ideas about [articles/content] for your website and would love to find out what you think. Perhaps we can talk about it further this week — let me know what works for you.
Best wishes,
[name]
3. Reaching Out Via a Mutual Friend
The benefit of having a contact in common is that you already have a recommendation from another human which, in business terms, counts for a lot. Focus on the reason your mutual contact brought you two together.
Hi [name],
My name is [name], and I was given your contact details by [mutual contact’s name].
[Mutual contact’s name] told me you were also interested in [shared passion/interest/experience] and suggested I get in touch, so I thought I’d reach out and introduce myself.
I’d love to find a time to find out more about your experience in [specific topic].
In the meantime, if you’d like to connect with me on [LinkedIn/other social media], here’s my profile.
I look forward to connecting!
Best wishes,
[Your name]
4. Following Up After Meeting at a Conference
When following up with someone you met at a conference or event, you already have one thing in common. Use this to your advantage when you introduce yourself to make a connection with the contact.
Hi [name],
My name is [name], and I’m a [role] at [company name].
We spoke briefly at [event], and I remember you mentioning [topic]. I’d love to discuss this further, so if you’re open to meeting up or talking on the phone, let’s make that happen!
I’m available to meet most Wednesdays and Fridays, or for a phone call on weekday mornings from 9-11am.
Again, it was a great pleasure to meet you and I look forward to being able to speak further.
Best wishes,
[name]
Additional Reading: Email Templates Hub
5. Asking to Schedule a Meeting
Once you’ve received a reply from your contact, emails to schedule a meeting are best when they’re brief and practical. When you send out a scheduling email, offer up some options for both time and location, but make it clear that you can be flexible.
Hi [name],
Thanks for getting in touch!
I’d love to meet up next week. I can come to your office, or we can meet at a cafe nearby if you prefer.
I’m available on [date and time option 1], or on [date and time option 2]. Would any of these times suit you? If not, feel free to let me know when would be best for you.
Look forward to meeting you soon!
Best,
[name]
6. Thanking Someone for a Meeting
If your networking efforts land you a meeting with a contact, thanking them is a must. Not only is it a general best practice, but it will convey your gratitude and leave them with a good impression.
Hi [name],
Thank you so much for taking time out of your schedule today to meet with me and discuss [topic].
I loved what you said about [specific topic from conversation] and finding out about how you made the journey from graduate to [job title].
Our discussion has really inspired me and confirmed my ambition to be a part of the [niche] industry.
Thank you again. I’ll let you know how it works out!
Best wishes,
[name]
7. Responding to a Job Opening
A classic type of networking email is responding to a job posting. With this, you don’t need to sell yourself all at once. However, make sure you open the conversation to create a possibility of getting hired.
Hey [name],I saw your posting about [job]. I believe I am highly qualified for this position because [reason]. In fact, here is my [resume / CV] for your convenience.
If you would like to discuss further, please let me know!
Regards,
[name]
8. Inviting Someone to Your Community
There are good apples and then there are bad apples. When it comes to people who you think would be a great fit for your community, don’t hesitate to let them know. They could bring more friends, notoriety, or value to your members.
Hi [name],My name is [name] and I’m the [role] with [community]. I’ve seen your content lately, and it’s clear that you have a lot of talent in [space]. I would love to offer you a place in our thriving [industry] community!
Let me know if you’d like to join, and I’ll respond with the details.
All the best,
[name]
9. Reaching Out About Partnership
Don’t always assume that people who do what you do are competitors. Sometimes, there is a chance to combine your powers and create promotions that serve both of your interests. Here’s how to accomplish that via email.
Dear [name],We both help [market] solve the problem of [issue they have]. So I was thinking, maybe we could work together to bring even more value to them?
I know that we approach [solution] a bit differently. That’s why I think some cross pollination is perfect in this scenario.
If you’re intrigued, reach out and let’s chat!
Sincerely,
[name]
10. Keeping it Casual
Networking doesn’t always have to have a “goal.” At the highest level, networking is about establishing relationships that could be mutually beneficial. Therefore, sometimes it’s best to keep things high level and casual.
Hey there [name],My name is [name]. I just wanted to reach out and introduce myself. I don’t have anything to sell you, haha!
Just thought it would be great to make a new friend in [industry]. Anyway, what got you into this crazy field in the first place?
Looking forward to getting to know each other better.
Thanks,
[name]
It’s worth spending time on getting your networking email subject lines in check. Writing emails and connecting with business contacts is key to networking success, but it can be time consuming. To help out with some of the laborious elements of networking, Right Inbox lets you automate some of your communications.
With Right Inbox’s email sequence feature, you can schedule your follow-up emails ahead of time and save them for later. While the email templates in Gmail feature allows you to save common message templates and insert them into your emails at the click of a button without having to leave the compose window in Gmail.
If you haven’t already downloaded Right Inbox’s Chrome extension, now’s the time to do it!
Track emails, email reminders & templates in Gmail for free
Upgrade Gmail with the features it’s missing
Add to Gmail
David Campbell
David Campbell is the editor of the Right Inbox blog. He is passionate about email productivity and getting more done in less time.
