How to Ask For An Introduction
One of the most effective marketing tools for building brand awareness is something you have easy access to and is free to use - leveraging your network.
Leveraging your network in order to grow your network should be an essential part of your marketing plan and is something you should strategize regularly. As you know, and this article in Entrepreneur states - “your network is your net worth”, and staying connected and keeping top of mind with people can be especially effective for the growth of your business.
Here’s 4 tips on how to ask your network for introductions:
Email a small segment of your list
If you send email blasts to a segment of close knit work friends, you can add a short list of companies and ask if they have any connections within them. This does not mean you should create a spreadsheet with 100 businesses you would like connections to. A simple “PS I’m looking to make some connections here, can you help?” might be all you need!
Make it easy
When asking a colleague if they can make important introductions for you, don’t just send them a spreadsheet of people. Giving them the work of scrolling through your long list, and then crafting a message on your behalf may make it seem like you don’t care and won’t motivate them to make that intro for you.
Be specific
Let them know the specific person you’re looking to meet
Add some context of what you want shared
Give them a short bio of who you are to pass along
This not only makes it easier on them - but you are crafting your own resume to pass along and giving them the exact info you want that person to know.
Most importantly - be grateful
Relationships are give and take. While asking for your introduction, return the favor by asking if you could connect them to someone within your network. Maybe they’re looking to hire and you have a recommendation.
Be on top of the introduction after it’s made! Follow up with whomever you were introduced to and start to build that connection.
Follow up after the introduction is made to show appreciation to the person who helped you make that connection.
