4 Templates To Proper Emails For Expanding Your Network (With People You Don't Know Well!)
by David Blog
Jan 7, 2025
at 12:55 PM
Whether you are looking for a new job, finding opportunities to learn more about a specific industry or role, or simply want to expand your web of professional contacts, you know that networking is incredibly useful.
But, let’s face it—it can also be awkward. It takes quite a bit of courage to reach out to someone you don’t know well in the interest of forging a relationship.
Fortunately, I will provide you with a few email templates to make it less awkward, for whatever purpose it is you are doing.
Use these templates to your advantage, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a networking master!
When You Are Contacting A Stranger You Admire
Maybe it is someone who works in your dream company, or an experienced professional who has a great reputation in your field.
Either way, you are eager to establish a connection with this person that you respect, even if you never actually met them.
Hello [Name],
I hope you’re having a great week!
My name is [Your name], and I work as [Position] at [Company]. I became familiar with your work when [how you discovered this person] and wanted to reach out to tell you how much I admire your [skill or specific experience].
If you’re open to it, I’d love to [grab coffee/connect on LinkedIn/other opportunity to get to know each other] to [keep in touch/learn more about your experience].
Really looking forward to keeping in touch, [Name]!
My name is David, and I work as a staff writer at Ricebowl. I became familiar with your work when I saw your piece about market analysis for Business Insider and wanted to reach out to tell you how much I admire your relatable and straightforward writing style.
If you’re open to it, I’d love to grab coffee to find out more about your experience and connect (and commiserate!) with a fellow writer.
When You Are Following Up With Someone You Met Briefly
You made some polite small talk and then exchanged business cards with this person at a networking event.
Now—rather than letting that contact information collect dust in your desk drawer—you want to take the next step to forge a relationship.
Hello [Name],
I hope you’re having a great [day of the week].
It was so nice to meet you at [place where you met] and chat about [topic you talked about]. After our conversation, I found this article about [relevant topic]. I thought you’d find it interesting and enlightening, so I figured I’d pass it along.
Again, I really enjoyed meeting you and I’m looking forward to keeping in touch. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to get together and bounce around some more ideas about [topic]. I’d love that!
It was so nice to meet you at the recent marketing strategy meeting and chat about content marketing trends. After our conversation, I found this article about the most effective B2B headlines. I thought you’d find it interesting and enlightening, so I figured I’d pass it along.
Again, I really enjoyed meeting you and I’m looking forward to keeping in touch. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to get together and bounce around some more ideas about click-worthy article titles. I’d love that!
You don’t just want to connect with this stranger—you want to learn from them.
You’re eager to setup an informational interview(or even a more informal coffee date or email chat) where you can come prepared with a list of questions you want answers to.
My name is [Your name], and I’m a [job title] with [Company]. I really admire your [work/experience] with [outlet]. I’m interested in finding out more about [area] myself and was hoping you’d be willing to provide some insights from your experience.
If you’re open to it, I’d love to buy you a cup of coffee sometime soon so I can ask you some questions and learn more about you and your [journey/career path].
I understand your schedule may be busy, so I’m also happy to pass along some questions via email if that’s easier for you.
My name is David and I’m a content writer specializing in career and self-development content. As a fellow writer, I really admire your advice articles for Says.com. I’m interested in finding out more about writing about entrepreneurship topics myself and was hoping you’d be willing to provide some insights from your experience.
If you’re open to it, I’d love to buy you a cup of coffee sometime soon so I can ask you some questions and learn more about you and your writing journey.
I understand your schedule may be busy, so I’m also happy to pass along some questions via email if that’s easier for you.
My name is [Your name], and I [how you know mutual contact] [mutual contact’s name], who passed along your contact information to me.
[Mutual contact’s name] mentioned that we share a [passion for/interest in/experience with] [shared interest] and said you’d be a great person to get to know! So, I thought I’d reach out, introduce myself, and let you know that I’d love to find out more about you and your experience with [specific area].
My name is David, and I’m good friends with Ricky, who passed along your contact information to me.
Ricky mentioned that we share a passion for playing music and said you’d be a great person to get to know! So, I thought I’d reach out, introduce myself, and let you know that I’d love to find out more about you and your experience with Merdekarya.
There’s no doubt about it—reaching out to someone you’ve never met or barely know can inspire plenty of anxiety. But, it’s a necessary step if you want to expand your professional connections and maintain a positive reputation.
Luckily, these email templates can help you establish new connections with a little less unease and discomfort. Add a few personal details to the templates, use them to your advantage, and prepare to grow your important network!
