The Warm Intro Request
In Silicon Valley, the "cold email" is often ignored, but the warm introduction is gold. A warm intro is when someone you know introduces you to someone they know. To get one, you need to make it as easy as possible for the person connecting you.
The "Forwardable Email" Technique
The biggest mistake people make is asking: "Hey, can you introduce me to Alex at Stripe?" This forces your friend to write an email explaining who you are. Instead, send them a forwardable email.
The Structure of a Forwardable Email
- The Subject Line: Make it clear and forwardable (e.g., "Intro: [Your Name] <> [Target Name]").
- The Context: Remind the connector why you're asking.
- The Blurb: A self-contained section they can forward.
Example Request
Hi Sarah,
Great seeing you at the YC demo day! I noticed you're connected to Alex Chen at Stripe. I'm currently building a new checkout flow for the trades industry and would love to get his perspective on their new API.
I've included a blurb below that you can forward to him to see if he's open to a quick chat. No worries if he's too busy!
--- Hi Alex,
I'm [Your Name], founder of [Your Startup]. We're building a vertical SaaS for plumbers, and we're currently integrating Stripe's new Connect API. I've followed your work on the Stripe engineering blog and would love to ask 2 questions about how you handle multi-party payouts. Would you be open to a 15-minute Zoom call next week?
The Double Opt-In
In professional circles, a "blind intro" (introducing two people without asking first) is considered rude. Always assume the connector will use a double opt-in:
- They ask the target: "Hey, do you want to meet [Your Name]?"
- If the target says yes, the intro happens.
By providing the forwardable blurb, you give the connector exactly what they need for step 1.
Key Phrases for Intro Requests
- "Would you be open to making an intro to...?" (Polite ask)
- "I've included a forwardable blurb below to save you time." (The "gift")
- "No pressure if you're not comfortable or if they're too busy." (The "out")
- "I'd love to get their perspective on..." (The specific reason)
Summary
The secret to getting warm intros is reducing friction. If you do the work of writing the email, your connectors are much more likely to say yes. Always be specific, be brief, and always provide a way for them to say no gracefully.