Provided by Alyssa Gelbard, Point Road Group
What you do when making and receiving introductions is critical to networking effectively. While a lot of introduction etiquette may sound basic and obvious, all too often, people miss the mark and skip a few key things that help build or enhance a good relationship.
When introducing people, it’s important to show you’re making a valuable introduction to them both. Similarly, when you’re the one being introduced, it’s important to be responsive and timely. Your actions before, during and after introductions shape the impression you make on others and can influence business and career opportunities.
Here are some reminders to make a positive impact when initiating or receiving an introduction.
When You Introduce Others
- Think carefully about what you say or write. The information you share will help each person get a high-level picture of the other, spark interest and provide fodder for conversation. Include current, relevant information about each person and, when possible, provide links to helpful resources (e.g., LinkedIn profiles and company websites). Explain how you know them and, if appropriate, include something personal too (use discretion and avoid oversharing, however).
- If you haven’t been in touch or are loosely connected to a person, reconnect with them first, if possible, to set the stage for the upcoming introduction.
- Avoid overselling your connection or purport to have a closer relationship or stronger sway with someone than you do; this can reflect poorly on you later.
- In some situations, it may be necessary or appropriate to first ask the parties before for introducing them, like when connecting people about a job opportunity. In other situations, asking first is still a good courtesy. Plus, it alerts the person to keep an eye out for upcoming communication.
When You’re Introduced To Others
- Respond promptly! Not only does failing to reply in a timely manner reflect poorly on your personal brand, it can also make the person who initiated the connection look bad. Worse yet, slow responses can lead to opportunity loss and dissuade others from making introductions on your behalf in the future. If you’re too swamped to respond fully and connect right now, still respond briefly to acknowledge the message and suggest a timeframe for next steps (e.g., another email or a call). Be sure to follow through with those next steps too.
- Thank the connector. When someone makes an introduction on your behalf, they’ve taken the time to think about how you might benefit from knowing a specific person. In doing so, they also put their own reputation on the line. This investment of time and thought always deserves prompt and gracious acknowledgement, which easily can be accomplished by including them in your initial response to the email introduction.
- Keep the introducer informed. This is an area where many drop the ball. Following a successful connection, remember to circle back and update the person who made the introduction about how things went. This is especially important if your new contact has been a great resource for a job or business opportunity or led you to additional connections.
How you make and respond to introductions influences how others see you and can impact future opportunities and relationships. Following a few fundamental aspects of communication, common courtesy and a strong personal brand will ensure your introductions are successful.
More introduction tips
https://pointroadgroup.com/introduce-yourself-virtually-make-strong-impressions
https://www.themuse.com/advice/making-a-professional-introduction-an-email-template
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-do-introductions