Introducing Two People by Email: The Right Way

Someone asks you to connect them with a contact, and ten seconds of typing can either build two relationships or burn one. The professional introduction runs on a protocol, double opt-in first, one screen second, and it ends the moment the handshake happens. This guide walks the protocol, crafts the one-liners, and scripts the graceful no.

Why Permission Comes First

Never introduce without checking both sides first, because a surprise introduction spends one person's credibility and the other's time without either consenting. The surprise intro forces the requested contact to respond to a stranger under your name, and forces the requester to perform for someone who never agreed to meet. Both resentments attach to the connector. The check is quick; the goodwill it protects is not recoverable once spent.

The Double Opt-In Protocol

The protocol runs three steps: ask the requested side what they need and why, ask the introducing side separately whether they are open, and only then send the joint introduction.

1. Screen the request: what exactly do you need from Wei Ming, and why him?
2. Ask privately: Wei Ming, Aileen is exploring X and thought of you; open to an intro?
3. Connect on yes: only when both have said yes, in their own words.

Each check happens in a separate private thread.

The One-Screen Introduction

The introduction runs one screen: subject Intro: Name and Name, one line on why each person matters to the other, and a step-back line handing them the conversation.

Worked example: Subject: Intro: Aileen Tan and Wei Ming. Hi both, connecting you as promised. Aileen is building a regional logistics platform and needs exactly Wei Ming's shipping-side experience. Wei Ming, Aileen's questions are the ones you answered so well at last month's panel. I will step back; the two of you can take it from here. The connector's job ends at the handshake; stay out of the thread.

Writing the One-Liners

Each one-liner carries a role, a credential and a relevance hook, Wei Ming runs regional partnerships at XYZ and is exploring exactly the platform Aileen builds, because relevance is what makes the introduction valuable. The role states what they do, the credential states why they are good at it, and the hook states why this meeting makes sense now. Describe people as they describe themselves; check LinkedIn wording.

When the Answer Is No

A decline gets a gracious thanks and no follow-up, and the requester hears that the contact is not available right now, because handling refusals quietly is what keeps you trusted by both sides. Never relay a refusal verbatim; paraphrase it kindly. Wei Ming is heads-down this quarter, but let me keep you in mind for later protects both the contact's privacy and the requester's dignity, and keeps you welcome as a connector next season.

Networking Writing as a Skill

Introductions, follow-ups and requests form the networking-writing family, and small-group practice with feedback builds all three registers at once. The craft underneath is the same: precise one-liners, explicit permission, and exits that leave doors open. iWorld Learning's Business English small-group classes mark exactly these networking documents. Keep your best introduction as a reusable frame; requests arrive more often than you expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I just forward someone's email to make an introduction?

Only with the sender's explicit permission; a forwardable summary protects private context and reads as care rather than shortcut.

Should I introduce two senior people the same way?

Yes, with extra courtesy: shorter ask, clearer value for both sides, and their assistants possibly handling the mechanics.

What if the two people never reply after my introduction?

One nudge after a week is the maximum; after that, your job is done, and their silence is information for your next introduction decision.