Ask for an introduction
Email to a contact asking for an introduction to a specific person.
Hi {{firstName}},
A specific ask: would you be willing to intro me to {{specificPerson}} at {{company}}? I'd value 20 minutes with them about {{specificTopic}}.
If yes, here's a forwardable template:
> Hey {{specificPerson}}, this is {{yourName}} — they're {{yourContext}} and want to talk about {{specificTopic}}. Worth a 20-min call?
If you'd rather not (totally fine — I know intros are work and capital), no problem.
— {{yourName}}Why this works
Intro-request emails fail when they're vague or hard to forward. The pre-written template is the load-bearing element.
**Subject is specific.** 'Intro to {{specificPerson}}?' tells the recipient exactly what's being asked.
**Pre-written forwardable template.** Including the email the recipient would send if they agree reduces the work from 'compose an intro' to 'forward a paragraph.' Take rate roughly doubles with the template.
**'Intros are work and capital' acknowledgment.** Naming that intros cost the giver something is unusually self-aware and earns goodwill. Most intro-request emails treat intros as free; treating them as a favor positions you as someone worth helping.
**Easy out.** 'If you'd rather not — totally fine' gives the giver permission to say no without guilt. Counterintuitively, this lifts say-yes rates because giver feels in control of the decision.
**Sender-name signature.** Personal name; first-name basis if the relationship supports it.
Take-rate for specific intro requests with template included: 35–55% from warm contacts. Take-rate without the template: 15–25%.