Interested in the world of networking? It can be a great way to build new professional connections, grow your professional network, and explore new industries. Networking may open the door to career growth, business growth, and other opportunities.
Research supports the benefits of networking. According to one study, there’s a clear correlation between networking and career growth. People who attend conferences and keep in touch with professional contacts report more salary growth and career satisfaction.
In our digital world, one of the best tools for networking is email. Networking emails enable people to build professional connections without being intrusive or spammy. They’re also great for getting over those first-impression jitters and putting your best foot forward.
Let’s get into the specifics of email networking. Read on to learn all about email networking and how to write networking emails that get responses.
What is a networking email?
A networking email is a great tool for building professional relationships with a new connection. You may send a networking email to a friend of a friend who is in your industry, a potential future coworker at a prospective job, or someone you met at a recent conference. A networking email should tell your recipient who you are and what your goal is in reaching out.
Networking emails are great ways to:
- Inquire about potential job opportunities
- Conduct an informational interview to learn more about a career or industry
- Form professional partnerships
- Ask about mentorship
- Build your network marketing business
A successful networking email may be the first step towards a major professional change, such as a new job, career, or even a new life path.
Ready to write your first networking email? Let’s start with the basics. Every networking email should follow the same general structure: subject line, greeting, message, and call-to-action. Let’s review each:
- Subject line: Your networking email subject line is its first impression. It should be engaging and compelling, making your recipient want to open the email.
- Greeting: Gone are the days of “To whom it may concern.” Your greeting should be friendly and speak directly to your recipient.
- Message: Your message is the meat of your email. Tell your recipient about yourself, what you’re looking for, and why you’re interested in them. Keep it clear, concise, and to the point without coming across as demanding.
- Call-to-action: Finish your networking email with a call-to-action. We’re not talking about “Click here” or “Sign up.” Be specific about the next step you have in mind, like setting up a call or meeting for coffee.
Networking email examples
Use these networking email samples to guide you as you journey into the world of networking emails.
Reaching out to someone you share a mutual connection with
Did a friend recently suggest you reach out to their friend in a similar field? Maybe a colleague wants to connect you with an old coworker. Your networking email may look something like this:
Hi Kelly,
I’m Sam, a good friend of John Smith. He recently shared your information with me in hopes that we could connect.
I recently spoke with John about my interest in pursuing a career in freelance copywriting, and he suggested I contact you. I would love to learn more about your experience in the industry and how you’ve built such an impressive roster of clients.
I’d love to buy you a coffee and pick your brain about freelance copywriting if you’re open to it. Please let me know what days work best for you!
Looking forward to it,
Sam Jones
Cold contacting a potential future colleague at a job you’re interested in
Conducting an informational interview with a current employee is a great way to get a feel for a company you’ve applied to work for. You can get an insider’s perspective on the job roles, company culture, leadership, and more. Before emailing, do a bit of research on your contact to make the message more personal to them. Employ social networks like LinkedIn or professional networks to do so. Follow this networking email sample to get the conversation going:
Hi James,
My name is Sam and I’m a recent applicant to the Marketing Manager position at Mailchimp. I found your information on LinkedIn and wanted to take a second to reach out.
If you’re open to it, I’d love to learn more about your experience working at Mailchimp. I noticed you’ve been there for close to a decade so I’m sure you have the insider insight I’m looking for! Do you have time to hop on the phone for a quick chat or answer a few questions via email?
I look forward to hearing from you,
Sam Jones
Following up with someone you met at a conference or networking event
Networking emails are a great tool for building a relationship with a connection you met briefly at a conference or a party. Be sure to remind your new connection how you met them. Use the event name. If you can reference a topic you discussed, even better! Foster the new professional connection by writing an email like this:
Hi again, Tracy!
It was so nice to meet you at the Connecting Colleagues Conference in Tampa last week. I really enjoyed our conversation about AI and how to use it effectively. You really inspired me!
I’d love to learn more about how your team utilizes AI in your marketing strategy and share a few of my own tips. Do you have time to set up a call this week? I’m totally open Thursday and Friday.
Best regards,
Sam Jones
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Networking emails might bring to mind heavy-handed sales pitches or impersonal email blasts. Good networking emails are just the opposite. Follow these best practices to write networking emails that get results:
- Get to the point: No one likes to get hit with a wall of text from a stranger. Keep your email concise and get to the point quickly.
- Personalize: Writing a personalized email tells your recipient you’re genuinely interested in them rather than mass-emailing a host of contacts. Be sure to include their name and their company’s name and convey why you’re specifically interested in talking to them. If you share an interest or experience, mention it. It’s a great way to establish an immediate connection.
- Explain why you’re reaching out: Don’t beat around the bush. Be upfront about what you’re looking to get out of this connection.
- Offer value: The strongest networking relationships are mutually beneficial networking relationships. If you have anything to offer your recipient, let them know.
- Be professional, but friendly: A networking email should always be professional but not demanding. Showing your personality via email is a great way to build a connection.
Networking email subject lines that get noticed
A networking email is only as good as its subject line. A strong subject line may make the difference between a new connection or ending up in the junk folder. Follow these best practices to write effective and compelling networking email subject lines that get your recipient’s attention:
- Personalize: These days, everyone has an eye out for spam emails. If you’ve met your recipient in the past or share a mutual connection, mention the shared connection or event name. If not, use any available information like their name, job title, or a shared interest to convey that you’re a real person
- Be specific: What type of relationship are you looking for? If you can, include it in the subject line.
- Keep it short: Subject lines cut off rather quickly, especially on mobile devices. For the best outcome, keep your subject line 60 characters or shorter.
- Don’t be spammy: Capital letters, emojis, exclamation points, and other over-eager subject lines may come across as spam. We recommend skipping them altogether.
Have you sent networking emails that went unanswered? You may be making one of these common network email mistakes:
- Being generic or overly formal: No one wants to connect with a robot. Write in a friendly and open tone.
- Writing an unclear email: If you want your recipient to take action after reading your email, be clear about it. A convoluted email will rarely get answers.
- Not proofreading: A large number of grammatical errors may indicate that your email is spam. Please read it over carefully before sending it.
- Failing to follow up: Still waiting on an answer? If it’s been more than 3-5 days, it’s a good idea to send a follow-up email to give a polite nudge.
Mastering the art of networking emails
Writing an effective networking email isn’t rocket science. With a compelling subject line, personal introduction, and clear call to action, you’ll be well on your way to writing effective networking emails in no time.
Looking for other ways to up your email game? Explore what Mailchimp has to offer. Discover ways to increase engagement, streamline email marketing, and more.
Key Takeaways
- Networking emails are a key tool for building professional relationships, furthering your career path, and more.
- Successful networking emails follow the same structure: a compelling subject line, a personal greeting, a concise message, and a direct call to action.
- To write a good networking email subject line, be personal, specific, and concise. Don’t use spammy tactics like too many exclamation points, over-the-top claims, or excessive capital letters.
- Don’t be afraid to follow up. If a networking email goes unanswered for multiple days, a follow-up email is the perfect way to give a polite nudge.