How to Write a Networking Email That Gets Results [Template]

The way we network is changing rapidly. As many professionals embrace a hybrid remote work environment and the future of in-person events remains in flux, the ability to network remotely is an essential skill.

However, that does not mean you should take the liberty to invite yourself into someone's inbox or DM's and demand advice. In fact, that's a quick way to被忽略.

Email is still thetop communication channel对于许多专业人士以及在混合工作环境中，发送有效的介绍电子邮件是职业发展的关键技能。

了解如何通过实现下面的提示来编写网络电子邮件，从而获得结果。

Relationship-Building Email: What Not to Do

Need an introduction

嗨,约翰,

My name is Jane Smith, and I run Acme Organic Pet Food, a new company that produces and distributes right here in Cleveland. I see on LinkedIn you’re connected to several “big players” in the local pet product business community — in particular, Jim White over at Acme Pet SuperStore

Would you be willing to introduce me to Jim over email? I’d really appreciate it

提前致谢，

Jane

问题1：简假设约翰和吉姆很友好。

What if John and Jim don’t know each other very well? And now Jane has asked for a favor that’s either awkward for John to complete or not possible.

Problem 2: Jane gives John a homework assignment.

John’s first encounter with Jane is an unpleasant one — he now has to find time to help a stranger and expend his own relationship capital in the process. What a hassle.

So what's the solution to Jane’s misguided email approach?

“Important” people like John and other business execs will often stop in their tracks and respond to an email if the subject line contains a powerful three-word phrase, "我需要你的建议。"

The “ask for advice” strategy is non-threatening and a breath of fresh air. You don’t want people to do work on your behalf; you prefer to absorb their wisdom. We spend our lives amassing knowledge but rarely have an open invitation to share it with someone else. What a luxury to be asked!

When you sit quietly, listen to the person's advice, and come back with smart follow-up questions, you also build a relationship. Each new conversation strengthens your network, which in turn helps your business.

The Ultimate Networking Email Template

Here’s the outline of the email Jane should have written to John:

[需要您的建议]

[Greeting of choice],

[提供您遇到的上下文或您想要的上下文。]

[要求与人见面以倾听和学习。]

[选择的关闭]

Here's what the电子邮件模板looks like in practice:

需要您建议的当地宠物食品分销商

Success 1: Jane asks for advice

Note how Jane asks for advice to build trust with John and, over time, make him part of her network. As she grows her pet food business, she will need mentors and allies. Most people want to help each other. Jane knows that and is using it to create a genuine connection with John.

建议也比要求建立联系更容易接近。使您的初始请求简单，甚至是讨人喜欢的，以供收件人做出回应。

成功2：简建立信任

而且，在咖啡聊天后，约翰可能会同意将她与吉姆·怀特（Jim White）联系起来，吉姆·怀特（Jim White）是她想见面的Acme Pet Superstore的所有者。但这是因为她建立了信任水平，并以正确的方式建立了关系。

对于我们大多数人来说，与我们从未见过的人进行联系将很困难。首先，通过建立信任，简增加了成功的机会，并给人以更好的第一印象。

网络电子邮件主题行

这里有更多这种类型的主题行of email that you can use or adapt for your unique situation:

General networking subject lines

• “需要您建议的[相互熟人]的朋友”
• “需要您建议的[您的行业]专业人士”
• “你能帮忙吗？”
• "I'm a little lost"
• "[Mutual acquaintance] recommended we speak"

College alumni subject lines

• "Fellow [your college] grad who needs your advice"
• “ [吉祥物名称]需要建议”
• "Time for a fellow [college name] grad?"
• “你看到上周末的[学校名称]游戏了吗？”
• "Fellow [alumni name] out in the wilderness."

行业领导者主题

• "Big fan of your work who needs your advice"
• "Inspired fan needs your advice"
• "Advice for a hustler like you?"
• "5 minutes of your time could make my career."
• "Buy you a coffee?"

场间主题线

• “需要您建议的新员工”
• "I'm new here ... and a little lost"
• "Question from the new hire"
• "[Name] recommended I connect with you"
• "Nice to meet you"

How to Write a Networking Email to a Stranger

If you're writing a networking email to a stranger, try to work at least a few of the following five points into your message:

1.告诉他们有关您欣赏的工作的信息。

无论您是喜欢最近写的一篇文章，还是钦佩他们在一个热门键的LinkedIn帖子上留下的评论，指出您喜欢他们的工作的东西都会使您走得更远。只需确保它是真实的，经过精心研究和专业的即可。

如果您以通用的领先优势，您的善意将一无所获。”我上周在大西洋上看到了您的文章。" Instead, get specific about what you liked. A better approach would be, "我阅读你的大西洋篇关于轨的崛起emade dog food last week. I especially liked your point about how homemade meals can sometimes be lacking in the vitamins and minerals pets need in their food."

2.召集您的相似之处。

这样的经典例子是，”Hey, I see you went to X College. So did I! Don't you miss sunny afternoons on Library Lawn?" But you're not limited to college talk. If they have similar professional interests, tweet about a hobby you share, or are members of similar LinkedIn groups, use that as a jumping-off point in your email.

3.告诉他们如何提供帮助。

如果您正在向陌生人写网络电子邮件，那么他们没有真正的理由来帮助您。考虑一下您如何能够为他们提供帮助。您可以为他们的网站写博客文章吗？您可以将他们与他们联系起来吗？使其成为互惠互利的交流。

4.向他们寻求帮助或建议。

As we've done in the examples above, ask your recipient for help. A recentHarvard Business Review articlesays, "The key to a successful request for help is to shift the focus to these benefits. You want people to feel that they would be helping because they want to, not because they must, and that they're in control of the decision.

The article continues to explain that means avoiding language like, "May I ask you a favor,“这往往会使人们感到被困在帮助中。它还建议避免使用诸如类似的短语道歉”I feel terrible for asking this.“相反，工作语言像，”Can we work together to figure this out?“这是科学证明的，可以促进信息交换。

5. Always start with an easy ask.

Never ask for the connection, favor, or meeting first. This can come across as too pushy or forward. Test the waters with a request for advice, information, or other knowledge sharing. This builds trust and relationships, and it increases your chances of success when you do ask them to introduce you to that connection you've been eyeing.

Here's an easy template you can use putting these tips into practice:

Your valued expertise

他的年龄，

My name is Quincy Davis, and I manage partnerships at Mix Furniture Co. I read your feature in the LA Times last week and appreciated your valuable insight on future design trends.

我正在建立我们的合作伙伴列表，并希bob综合博彩下载望与受众群体分享您的专业知识的付费机会。

您是否有时间在接下来的几周内跳到电话，并谈论您即将进行的计划和未来的合作？

谢谢你，我期待着您的来信，

Quincy

How to Write a Networking Email to Someone You Know

If you're writing a networking email to someone you already know, the hardest part is done. Instead, shift your tone and content to making sure they feel appreciated and collaborated instead of used and discarded. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1.询问他们...

...并意味着它。不要只是用通用启动电子邮件，”How have you been?" Dig deep and ask about their kids by name or how that obscure hobby they're interested in is going. These kinds of questions are also more enticing for your reader to answer. "How are you doing?" is easy to ignore and lazy.

而且，如果您刚刚在会议或网络活动中见面，那么提醒他们是谁，并询问他们的其他会议或活动的情况总是很好。

2.提供个人更新。

Make your email even more personable by offering a sentence on how you're doing. Something like, "I'm doing well. Just got back into the office after a family trip to Disneyland, so I'm getting caught up and enjoying not having to stand in line for 45 minutes to use the copy machine!" This is personal, conversational, and a little funny. It's the perfect way to put your reader at ease as if they're talking to a friend — even if you've only met once or twice.

3.恭敬地提出您的问。

一旦您有礼貌地打开消息，请指出重点。由于您已经与这个人有关系，因此少糖衣的理由是少量的。一个简单的， ”我今天接触的原因是..." will do the trick.

这些元素在电子邮件中的样子：

入住入口后

Hi Sam,

My name is Nova, and we met briefly at INBOUND last week. I was really impressed with your session, and I hope you enjoyed the rest of the event.

In my role at XYZ Studios, I'm looking to bring in experts who can lead upcoming sessions for our employee development group. I immediately thought of your presentation at INBOUND and wanted to gauge your interest in participating in this paid opportunity.

Do you have time to hop on a call this week and discuss more details?

Thank you,

Nova

Good luck with your next outreach email and remember: The best way to build a relationship is to listen, learn, and ask questions.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in December 2015 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.