by Anishametra Saravanan  

Imagine you need to reach out to a new connection for a collaboration request. But amidst over 200 emails in their inbox, how do you ensure your introductory email stands out?  

If you find yourself grappling with this challenge, get ready to breathe a sigh of relief as we share a brief step-by-step guide on exactly how to introduce yourself in an email and make a great first impression! 

Keep your subject line short (preferably under 30 characters) for readability on mobile devices. Avoid using all caps or generic lines like ‘Hi,’ as these may be mistaken for spam. 

To create a specific and intriguing subject line, you can: 

• Mention a mutual acquaintance “John Smith suggested I contact you” 
• Mention what you have in common “Greetings from a fellow YTL Sustainability colleague” 
• Mention your company “Hello from YTL Corporation” 
• Suggest meeting up “Feeling+ coffee is on me!” 
• Show you admire their work “Loved your journal article on urban development” 
• Be clear with your request “Referred by Jane Smith for your help on data collection” 

It’s important to establish a connection with an individual, which is why using their name is always recommended. 

In formal situations, such as when emailing someone with a more senior status or who is older in age, using “Dear” is appropriate. 

For more casual situations, starting with “Hello” or “Hi” is suitable, especially when contacting a friend of a friend or someone in a less formal industry. 

It’s time to introduce yourself! Be clear and concise about who you are and remember to include details relevant to the recipient. Here’s an example: 

“My name is Tina and I’m a Senior Content Strategist at YTL Land.” 

Show your motivation for reaching out. Mentioning a mutual connection is a huge plus as people are much more receptive if you’ve been referred by someone they know and admire. For example: 

“I recently had lunch with John Smith, who shared some of your marketing ideas. I was blown away! I think your approach would work well for a project we’ve been working on.”

“I’ve been very impressed by the sustainability efforts your department is spearheading and I’d love to be a part of furthering your mission.”

Let them know your intention for reaching out and include a clear call to action. It helps when the request benefits both parties as it increases the chances of receiving a response. For instance: 

“I’d love to buy you lunch and hear more about your ideas as I believe there’s potential for collaboration. Would Tuesday or Thursday work for you?”

“I would appreciate your feedback on this documentation. Please let me know your availability for next week.” 

Conclude the email by expressing gratitude and signing off with your name, designation, and company. Studies have shown that emails ending in gratitude receive the highest response rates. Here are some options:  

“Thanks in advance!” 

“Thank you so much for your time.” 

Keep your paragraphs short and your message brief to avoid overwhelming your recipient. And, most importantly, remember to be polite!  

Source:

Grammarly