How to introduce two people by email (with templates)
To introduce two people by email, check that both of them want the introduction, then send one short email to both. Say who each person is, why you think they should talk, and leave the next step to them. The whole email should fit on a phone screen without scrolling.
The check matters more than the wording. Most awkward introductions go wrong before anyone writes a subject line, because one side never agreed to meet.
Ask both people first
A double opt-in introduction means you ask each person privately before you connect them. It takes an extra message, and it saves you from putting someone in a thread they'd rather not be in.
Ask the person with less time first. If a busy buyer says no, you haven't raised the hopes of the person who asked for the introduction, and nobody has to write a polite brush-off in front of an audience.
Subject: Would you be open to meeting [name]?
Hi [name], [person] runs [role] at [company] and is working on [specific topic]. They asked if I knew anyone who'd dealt with [problem you know this person has handled], and I thought of you.
Would you be open to an introduction? Completely fine to say no, or not right now.
Keep the ask easy to decline. "No pressure" is less useful than a real out, such as "not right now", because it tells them a later answer is acceptable.
You can skip the check when both people have already asked to meet, or when the introduction is part of someone's job, like a new account manager meeting a customer; for that case, use an account handover introduction email. Everything else gets the check, including introductions that seem obviously useful to you.
What goes in the introduction email
Once both sides agree, the email itself is simple. Each line has one job:
| Part | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Subject line | Names both people so neither has to open it to understand it | Intro: Priya (Northwind) and Sam (Acme) |
| Who each person is | One or two sentences each, written for the other person | Sam leads RevOps at Acme and rebuilt their pipeline reporting last year |
| Why they should talk | The specific reason, not "you'd get along" | Priya is about to make the same move and wants to hear what broke |
| What you're not promising | Optional; useful in sales introductions | I haven't used Priya's product myself |
| The handoff | Tells them who moves next | Priya, I'll let you take it from here |
Describe each person to the other, in the terms the other person cares about. A buyer doesn't care about the seller's job title; they care what the seller has seen at companies like theirs.
Introduction email templates
These templates use made-up names and situations. Keep the structure and replace every bracket with something true.
Introducing two peers
Use this when two people would benefit from comparing notes and neither is selling anything.
Subject: Intro: [name A] ([company]) and [name B] ([company])
Hi [name A] and [name B],
As promised, connecting you two.
[Name A], [name B] leads [function] at [company]. Last year they [specific thing they did that's relevant].
[Name B], [name A] is about to [the matching situation] at [company] and wants to hear what you'd do differently.
I'll leave it to you to find a time. [Name A], over to you.
Introducing a seller to a buyer
This one needs the most care. You're spending your credibility, so say exactly what you know and nothing more.
Subject: Intro: [buyer name] and [seller name] ([seller company])
Hi [buyer name] and [seller name],
[Buyer name], [seller name] works with [type of team] on [specific problem]. We worked together at [company], and I trust how they handle customers. I haven't used their product, so I can't vouch for that part.
[Seller name], [buyer name] runs [team] at [company]. They mentioned they're looking at [topic] this quarter and said they'd be open to a conversation.
I'll let you two take it from here.
The line about not having used the product is there on purpose. It keeps you honest, and buyers tend to trust an introducer who doesn't oversell.
A short introduction for a busy thread
When both people already know why they're meeting, three lines are enough.
Subject: Intro: [name A] and [name B]
[Name A], meet [name B], who [one-line description]. [Name B], meet [name A], who [one-line description].
You both said you'd like to talk about [topic]. Over to you.
Introducing someone to an investor or advisor
Investors and advisors get many introductions, so lead with the reason they'd want this one.
Subject: Intro: [founder name] ([company]) for [investor name]
Hi [investor name] and [founder name],
[Investor name], you told me you're looking at [sector or stage]. [Founder name] is building [one-sentence description] and has [one concrete fact, such as customers, revenue or a hire].
[Founder name], [investor name] invests in [focus] and has worked with [relevant example].
[Founder name] has a short deck ready. I'll leave the next step to you both.
Only include facts the founder has agreed to share. If you aren't sure about a number, leave it out and let the founder bring it.
Subject lines for introduction emails
The subject line has one job: tell both people what the email is before they open it. Plain beats clever.
- Intro: Priya (Northwind) and Sam (Acme)
- Priya, meet Sam
- Connecting you two on pipeline reporting
- Introduction: Sam Lee and Priya Shah
- Intro as promised: Priya and Sam
- Quick intro: two people working on the same problem
Avoid subjects that look like marketing, such as "An exciting opportunity" or anything with an emoji. Put names first; the recipient's eye goes to their own name and to a name they don't recognise.
After you send it
The person who asked for the introduction should reply first, usually within a working day, and move you to BCC. If they don't, you can nudge them privately; don't chase the other person.
Expect to hear back only when something goes wrong. If neither person replies within a week, one private message to the person who asked is enough. After that, let it go.
If you introduce people often, keep a note of who you've introduced and how it went. The second time someone asks you for an introduction, you'll want to know whether the last one turned into a conversation.
Mistakes that make an introduction worse than none
Sending without asking is the big one. A few others come up often:
- Forwarding a long thread instead of writing a fresh email, so both people have to dig for the reason they're meeting
- Describing a seller in terms you can't back up, like "the best in the space"
- Introducing one person to three people at once
- Copying both people on your private check-in message by accident
- Adding someone else's calendar link without asking
Where Homie fits
Writing the email is the easy part. The harder part is knowing which colleague actually knows the person you want to meet, and how well. Homie shows your team's warm paths to a target account, scores how strong each relationship is, and drafts a forwardable introduction request you can edit before anyone sends it.
If you're on the other side of the exchange, see how to ask for a warm introduction and how to reply to an introduction email.
FAQ
What is a double opt-in introduction?
It's an introduction where you ask each person privately before connecting them. Both have agreed before the introduction email goes out, so nobody ends up in a conversation they didn't want.
How long should an introduction email be?
Short enough to read on a phone without scrolling: usually three to six sentences. Each person needs one or two sentences of context and one clear reason to talk.
Should I CC both people or send separate emails?
Send one email to both people once they've agreed. Use separate private messages for the earlier check, before either side has said yes.
Who should reply first to an introduction email?
The person who asked for the introduction. They should thank the introducer, move them to BCC and suggest a next step to the other person.
What should the subject line of an introduction email say?
Both names, and optionally their companies, such as "Intro: Priya (Northwind) and Sam (Acme)". It tells both people what the email is before they open it.
