Self introductory email: The Ridiculously Successful Way to Introduce Yourself Over Email

The Ridiculously Successful Way to Introduce Yourself Over Email

Writing an introductory email to a stranger is easy.

But writing an introductory email to a stranger that gets a response? Not so easy.

The typical professional gets so many messages on a daily basis it’s a feat if they even open yours — let alone reply.

Luckily, at HubSpot, we know a lot about writing effective emails. Here are our best tips for introducing yourself over email.

How to Introduce Yourself in an Email

1. Write a compelling subject line.
2. Tailor your greeting to the industry and situation.
3. Make your first line about them.
4. Explain why you’re reaching out.
5. Provide value for them.
6. Include a call-to-action.
7. Say “thanks” and sign off.
8. Follow up with them.

1. Write a compelling subject line.

Persuade your recipient to open your email with a compelling subject line. Piquing their curiosity is key; unlike a message from someone whose name they recognize, there’s no guarantee they’ll read yours unless it grabs their attention.

Take a look at the subject lines that have convinced HubSpotters to click. And take a look at a few of the best subject lines we’ve seen here:

Networking subject lines:

• “Coffee on me?”
• “Can I buy you lunch?”
• “No such thing as a free lunch (until now?)”
• “Long-time [listener, reader, fan], first-time emailer”

Sales subject lines:

• “Do you have an online course for [book]?”
• “40% growth in 3 months — wow”
• “Have you considered Pinterest ads?”
• “Hello from [company]”

Job search subject lines:

• “Curious what working at [company] is like”
• “Are you looking for a [job title]?”
• “Saw [company’s] hiring a [job title]”

Creating an interesting subject line is the most important aspect of getting a prospect to engage. If it’s something you wouldn’t want to read, chances are, the prospect won’t open it either.

2. Tailor your greeting to the industry and situation.

It might be one word, but the greeting you opt for makes a difference. If you’re emailing someone in a conservative industry, like finance or government, go with the traditional “Dear.” If you’re emailing someone in a more relaxed industry, such as tech, media, travel, or fashion, use “Hi,” “Hello,” or even “Hey.”

Picking a greeting they’re familiar with shows you’ve done your research.

As for the second part of the salutation: Their name. I recommend referring to them by first name. These days, that’s the norm across industries.

Steer clear of “[First name] [Last name]”, which sounds stilted and robotic, and “Mr./Mrs./Ms. [Last name]”, which makes you seem young.

3. Make your first line about them.

The opening line is one of the most important parts of an introduction email. Here’s where you try to establish relevance. If you succeed, you give your recipient a reason to keep reading.

Even though your first instinct is probably saying something about you — such as “My name is X and I’m reaching out because …” — this will quickly cause their eyes to glaze over.

Here are some equally bad first sentences:

• “We’ve never met, but …”
• “You don’t know me, but …”
• “I’m a complete stranger, but …”

Never highlight the fact you’re a stranger — it’s like telling your recipient your email will probably be irrelevant.

Instead, you want to lead with something about them. After all, most people like talking about themselves more than any other topic.

HubSpotters loved these openers:

• “I noticed you manage one of the software teams at HubSpot.”
• “Just saw your post at the HubSpot blog about organizing a content calendar in terms of topic clusters.”
• “Have you ever thought about turning your book into an online course? Or creating an online course based on the same topic as your book?”
• “I’m inspired by the work you’ve done, not to mention your unique career.”
• “I’ve never learned so much from a single piece of content.”

LinkedIn is an excellent resource for researching your prospects. There you can view their accomplishments, any articles they’ve published and often a link to their personal website if they have one. Additionally you can view any connections you have in common and use that as an entry point.

Want more inspiration for your salutation? Check out these email opening lines and greetings that put “Hi, my name is” to shame.

4. Explain why you’re reaching out.

Now that you’ve stimulated their interest and genuinely complimented them, it’s time to connect the dots.

For example, let’s say you’re hoping to set up a networking meeting so you can learn more about their role (and potentially get a job referral).

If your first line is “You’ve done an impressive job at [company] building [X strategy] and revamping [Y program]”, your second line might be, “I’m considering a career in [person’s field] and would love to buy you coffee so I can learn more about it from an expert.”

Or perhaps your goal is booking a sales call. Your first line might be “I see you host several campus events per year,” and your second could be “I work with companies like Facebook and Google to help promote their college recruitment events. ”

The key is making your explanation as relevant to your recipient as possible. You want them to feel special — not like one person on a list of 100 that you’re emailing. Always make sure you’re writing sales emails prospect’s actually want to read using this five-step process.

5. Provide value for them.

Before you ask for anything, you need to provide value. Thanks to the principle of reciprocity, receiving value makes people want to return the favor.

In Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, Dr. Robert B. Cialdini describes a study in which an unknowing test subject received a can of soda from the researcher. The soda cost $0.50.

Later, the same researcher asked the participant to buy $5 worth of raffle tickets. Agreement rates were much higher than for participants who didn’t get any soda.

A thoughtful, authentic compliment can definitely provide value, so if you’ve already said something nice in your first few lines, you don’t necessarily need to do more. However, it doesn’t hurt to go a little further. Here are some ideas:

• Review their book on Amazon, Goodreads, etc., and share the link
• Recommend an article they might find helpful
• Suggest a useful app or tool
• Offer to introduce them to someone who they’d benefit from knowing
• Use data to demonstrate how your product could benefit them

If you are selling a product or service, it doesn’t hurt to use data to make the case for why the prospect should consider your services. What successful outcome do you provide? More traffic? More conversions? Increased Engagement? Whatever the benefit may be, provide proof by including a case study or other data that backs up your claims.

6. Include a call-to-action.

The final piece of the puzzle? Your call-to-action (CTA). Remove as much friction from your ask as possible; if you want them to meet with you, for example, provide a link to your meetings tool so they can instantly see when you’re both available and book a time. Or if you want them to review a post you’ve written, include the attachment so they can immediately read it.

Take a look at these sample lines:

• “Would you be willing to comment on the LinkedIn post I wrote? It would be great to have your unique perspective (and hopefully get some discussion going).”
• “If you’re thinking about how Greener could apply the concepts in the guide, I have some ideas I’d love to share. Here’s the link to my calendar: [Link].”
• “Are you open to answering a few questions about your experience working at HubSpot? Happy to chat over phone or email, whatever’s more convenient.”

Try to strike a balance between polite and confident. Phrases like, “I know you’re busy, but …”, “I’d normally never ask, however …”, “You probably don’t have time, so …”, “It would mean the world to me …” and “I’ll be forever in your debt if …” make you seem desperate — and suggest your recipient would be massively inconveniencing themselves by saying yes.

Because you’re reaching out to a stranger, your request shouldn’t be that excessive or unreasonable. If it is, that’s a completely separate issue. Don’t hurt your chances of a “yes” by sounding insecure.

7. Say “thanks” and sign off.

No need to write anything more. The best emails are short, sweet, and concise. After all, extra information or unnecessary details lessen the probability your recipient will actually read the email — they’ll be too put off by its length. You also run the risk of distracting them from what actually matters.

With that in mind, say “thanks,” “thank you,” or “thanks so much” (depending on the size of your request), and add your name. Looking for more sign-off ideas? Try one of these powerful email closing lines that’ll intrigue your recipients and prompt responses.

8. Follow up with them.

If you send this incredible introduction email and the unthinkable happens (i.e., they don’t respond) send a follow-up email they won’t be able to ignore. Here are a few things to try:

1. Send them actionable advice.
2. Send a how-to guide and offer to follow up in person.
3. Share weaknesses in their business and solutions you’ve identified.
4. Share relevant industry articles/news.
5. Respond to a social media message, then follow up with more.
6. Reference a blog they wrote and ask a question about it.
7. Invite them to an upcoming event.
8. Bring up a pain point your buyers face and present a solution.

Want more tips on great follow-up? Here’s a guide to sending a follow-up email after no response. And if you’re looking for more email tips, check out these less pushy alternatives to “As Soon As Possible.”

Introduction Email Sample

We’ve covered what you should include in your introduction communication, now let’s see what that looks like in practice. The sample below is an introduction email my colleague received from a business development rep.

Looking for Direction

Hello Kimberly,

I am writing in hopes of a bit of direction.

MarketBloom helps marketing teams at companies similar to HubSpot optimize their performance on digital channels and quickly understand what does and doesn’t resonate with customers.

Using our strategies, customers have increased conversions by as much as 30%.

Feel free to put some time on my calendar here. If there is someone more appropriate at HubSpot I should be speaking with, who could direct me?

All the Best,

Jeff

This note is simple and to the point. It tells the recipient why the rep reached out and the value they can provide right at the beginning. Additionally, they make it easy for the recipient to take the next steps by adding a calendar link.

Introduction Email Template

Now that you have all the building blocks, let’s see each section in action working together as a full introduction email.

How to Introduce Yourself as a Personal Referral

40% Growth in 3 months — wow

Hello [Name],

I’m inspired by the work you’ve done in [Area of expertise], not to mention your unique career path.

I was speaking to our mutual colleague [Name] from [Company/Organization] about your recent article on managing surges in support tickets and he recommended I reach out. I’ve helped companies like yours easily manage accelerated support tickets, which has contributed toward as much as 40% growth in as few as three months — this case study illustrates how.

If you’re interested in learning how to implement some of these strategies in your team, I’d love to share more. Here’s a link to my calendar [Insert link].

Thank you,

[Your Name]

Why This Template Works

The subject line grabs the reader’s attention right away by mentioning a persuasive 40% growth. Then the writer explains that they were speaking to a colleague they have in common and explains the value she can provide with proof illustrated in the case study included.

How to Introduce Yourself to a Group or Business

Maybe you just started a new job or joined a different team, and you need to introduce yourself to a group of people. Use this template to create your email introduction.

Hello enterprise sales team

Hi all,

I’m the new [Position/Role] for the [Team Name] I wanted to take a moment to say an official hello.

The work you’ve done and the numbers you’ve hit have been key factors in our successful year. And I’m thrilled to work with you more closely over the coming months.

In the future weeks, I’ll be reaching out to everyone so I can meet you all and say hello. Should you have any questions or concerns during this time, don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly — my door’s always open.

Looking forward to working with you all.

Thank you,

[Your Name]

Why This Template Works

In the email above, the sender starts things off on the right foot by acknowledging all of the accomplishments and hard work the team has put in. Additionally, she adds that she is excited to work with them and makes it easy for her team to reach out. It’s a simple introduction that sets the tone for the team.

By Way of Introduction

“By way of introduction” is a common phrase just as commonly misused. When introducing a new topic, person, or idea, you would say, “By way of introduction …” and include examples or anecdotes to give your new subject context. For example, “Our next guest will be Aja Frost, by way of introduction, I’d like to share a few of Aja’s accomplishments with you.”

“By way of introduction” is a phrase that can be used when introducing a new person. And below we’ll take a look at the best way to introduce others via email.

How to Introduce Someone via Email

If you have a contact who would benefit from connecting with a friend or colleague of yours, use this template to introduce them via email. Include reasoning for the introduction and make sure the connection will be valuable for both individuals.

Introduction — Kelly Davis and Rob Cortez

Hi [Name],

Please meet [Name], a [Position/Role] for our top-performing, mid-market [Team/Organization]. They previously managed sales operations at a tech startup, [Company name], and have insight into new sales ops technology. They’re interested in our sales operations and would love to learn more.

[Name] is a [Position/Role] on the sales [Team name] and she’s reviewing the tools and software the team’s using for the next year.

I’ve copied [Name] on this email so you can connect about sales operations and technology — and I’ll let you two take it from here.

Best,

[Name]

Why This Template Works

This template works because it succinctly explains the reasoning for the introduction, giving a bit of background on what each person specializes in. It then makes it easy for the two to connect on their own by copying the contact on the email.

How to Introduce Yourself to a Recruiter/Hiring Manager

Sure, you might spend hours polishing your resume and cover letter for a job — but do you give the submission email any love before hitting send?

When recruiters are sorting through applications, you want to do everything you can to stand out. The first step is sending a thoughtful introduction email. Don’t write a novel, but do write a friendly and professional “Hello” note.

In the example below, I state the reason for my email, share no more than one sentence explaining why I’d be a good fit for the role, and offer to provide more information upon request.

It’s concise and gives my application a little extra shine.

[Your Name] — Candidate for [role]

Hello [Name],

I’m pleased to share my resume and cover letter for the position of [Position/Role] at [Company name]. I’m confident my background as a [Role/Industry] for [Previous company] has equipped me to succeed in this position, and I’m excited to submit my application.

If I can provide you with any further materials to illustrate my fit for this role, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

I appreciate your time.

Regards,
[Your Name]

Why This Template Works

This template shows that the candidate is not only interested in the role, but excited about it. They offer a bit of background about why they would be a good fit, and keeps the relationship open by offering to provide additional materials.

How to Introduce Yourself to an Executive

Getting a response from a CEO or executive is tough. But your introduction can make all the difference. Remember a few things when crafting your email.

First, make your ask gentle and advice-driven. Executives are great with people and usually love helping others. Open your email with a request for information or advice, instead of a request to sell.

Another great tip: compose your email to them on your phone. Executives are busy and often check emails while they’re on the go. Compose your email on the phone, to make sure you’re providing them with a good reader experience.

And don’t forget to put your email signature to work.

Have time for a rebrand geek?

Hello [Name],

I noticed you recently unveiled a shiny, new rebrand for [Company]. It looks fantastic, congratulations!

My name is [Your name], and I’m interested in learning more about what drives executive teams to determine when it’s time to rebrand. Would you have time for a 15-minute phone call to walk me through your decision to rebrand?

Regards,

[Your name]
[Company name]
[Company tagline]
[Website link]

Why This Template Works

This short note gets to the point about why the executive is being contacted (for their rebrand expertise) and also discloses the time commitment. Asking for such a short time frame of 10 to 15 minutes makes it more likely that the executive will say yes to the call.

How to Introduce Yourself to a Gatekeeper

Never underestimate the gatekeeper. Set yourself apart by offering to help them before you help yourself. In the example below, the writer provides value to the gatekeeper and explains that they want to “earn” the introduction to the recipient’s boss.

Can I make your week easier?

Hi [Name],

I know you likely get a lot of email from salespeople trying to get through to your boss. I’m no different — except that I want to earn the right to be passed along to [Name].

My name is [Name], and I help companies like yours decrease hiring time by up to 25%. So, that marketing coordinator your team is currently hiring? I can get a top candidate in that role faster.

Have I earned a few minutes with [Name]? If so, feel free to book time on my calendar, here: [Insert calendar link]

If not, I’ve got more up my sleeve.

Regards,
[Your Name]

Why This Template Works

Rather than simply asking to speak to the recipient’s boss, the writer opts instead to first provide value. How? By offering to decrease their hiring time and offering a top candidate for their open marketing role. It puts the ball in the recipient’s court. If he likes the candidate and find value in the offer, they can make the introduction. If not, they can move along without commitment.

How to Distinguish Between a Professional and Casual Introduction

The email you send to a former colleague making an introduction on a contact’s behalf is going to have a different tone than an email sent to a LinkedIn connection you’re hoping to convert into a customer.

When sending an introductory email to a professional contact (such as a LinkedIn connection), you want to ensure you state how you are connected, and why you’re contacting them. As you are first approaching a new contact, keep your email concise so they can quickly decide if and how to respond. You’ll want to provide just enough information to prompt next steps.

For example, if you want to reach out to someone you are familiar with from LinkedIn, here’s a seamless introduction.

Love your LinkedIn content

Hi [Name],

My name is [Name], and I’m a sales enablement specialist at [Company]. I have loved following the insightful pieces you share on LinkedIn. Since we connected last summer, I have implemented several of the strategies you’ve shared through your content and have seen excellent results.

Our company has recently conducted ground-breaking sales enablement research that could be an excellent addition to your content. Do you have time to hop on a brief call next week to discuss?

Regards,

[Your Name]

Why This Template Works

The sender quickly explains how they met the recipient and also acknowledges that they have been following their work via LinkedIn. They also explain how they’ve gotten value from strategies shared. The knowledge of the recipient’s expertise helps to make the pitch to collaborate on content seamless.

When sending a casual email to a previous contact you are getting back in touch with, or for an informational meeting, your message can have a more relaxed tone. Here’s an example:

Connecting brilliant minds

Hi [Name],

I hope your new position with [Company] is treating you well! You are surely missed on our team.

I would like to introduce you to [Name], the new account manager who backfilled your role. [They/He/She] are interested in pursuing the sales enablement specialist certification program you completed last year.

I’ve copied [Name] on this email so you can connect and discuss the program. You two can take it from here.

Regards,

[Your Name]

Why This Template Works

Since the sender and recipient already know each other, this introduction takes a more casual tone. It’s concise and explains why the two should meet — so that new contact can get insight into the certification course recipient took. Just like an earlier example, the sender copies the appropriate contact so that they can connect.

Send Introductions Prospects Can’t Ignore

Introduction emails don’t have to be awkward or unreliable. Follow this formula, and your introduction emails will go over like a charm.

How To Introduce Yourself In An Email (With Examples) – Zippia

• How to Introduce Yourself in an Email
• How to Write an Email Introduction
• Example Introduction Email
• How to Introduce Two Other People to Each Other
• Tips for Introducing Yourself in an Email
• Final Thoughts
• Sign Up For More Advice and Jobs

Show More

Communicating via email is the most common way to reach someone professionally nowadays. People receive dozens, or even hundreds, of emails each day, making it hard to grab someone’s attention when you’re emailing someone you don’t already know.

When you meet someone face to face, your greeting is straightforward. A smile, handshake, and exchanging names are common ways to introduce yourself to a new face. But when you’re meeting someone for the first time over email, it’s a little trickier.

Regardless of the reason for your email, you’ll likely be competing against plenty of other emails for attention, especially as a first-time correspondent. Writing an introductory email might sound simple enough, but it can be awkward and even nerve-wracking to ensure you say the right thing and capture attention in the right way.

Key Takeaways:

• Use a short, descriptive subject line.

• Use a standard greeting like “Dear” or “Hello,” followed by the recipient’s name.

• Introduce yourself with your full name, job title (if relevant), and any other details that the recipient should know about you.

• Early in the email, provide your reason for writing.

1. Subject line. The first thing your contact is going to see in their email inbox is the subject line. It’s common for people to quickly scan their inbox and delete on a whim. This means you should pay extra attention to what you put into your subject line. Craft a subject line that persuades your recipient to want to click into your email and read it.

   A quick tip to remember when creating a subject line is to keep it short. Think about how the subject line is cut off, especially on mobile phones, so try to keep it under 30 characters if possible. Be specific, and don’t use generic lines that might be mistaken as spam. Consider mentioning a mutual acquaintance, what you might have in common, or offer a specific suggestion.

   Examples:

   • Introduction To Angela Crowley

   • Reaching Out Regarding Project Zen

   • Antony Larson Suggested I Reach Out

   • Hello from a fellow blogger!

   • Loved your article in Pharmaceutical Executive

   • Curious about what working at Pfizer is like

   • Are you looking for a Marketing Manager?

   • Long time fan, first-time emailer

2. Use the proper opening. Depending on who you are contacting and the circumstances of your email, your opening might differ. Always begin the email with a greeting that’s specifically tailored to your recipient. In a more formal format, you might use “Dear Mr. or Mrs.” with their last name.

   However, if you’re in a more casual work environment or industry, a more casual greeting, like “Hello” or “Hi” with their first name, works just fine.

   Avoid generic phrases, like “to whom it may concern.” Instead, consider using phrases like, “I’m so inspired by your work, not to mention the bestselling book you released last year.” Or, “Just saw your post on LinkedIn about the best marketing questions to ask in an interview.”

3. Introduce yourself. When you’re emailing someone you don’t know, it’s important to place your introduction at the beginning of your email rather than waiting until the end. This will give them a clear understanding of who you are, where you come from, and establish credibility for yourself.

   Be clear and concise about who you are and include details that you think are relevant to your recipient.

   Examples:

   • My name is Lara and I’m Senior Director, Product Marketing at Apple, Inc.

   • My name is Lara and I’m the coordinator of our Apple TV Event in November.

   • My name is Lara and I’m a fellow Penn State University alumni working in the marketing department at Apple, Inc.

4. Focus on them. After you’ve introduced yourself, use the first paragraph to focus on the person you are emailing. This will ensure you immediately capture their attention, and they’ll be more likely to read on.

   Try mentioning something specific about what you admire about them, their work, or their team. You could consider opening with mutual interests or a mutual connection as well, if possible. People are often more receptive if you mention you’ve been referred by someone they know.

5. Make the ask. In a concise manner, explain why you are emailing the recipient. Be clear about your request but be sure you’re not coming off as too demanding. This should be a brief call to action.

   The more they can see what’s in it for them, the more likely you’ll be successful in getting what you want. If the ask is too big, too needy, or too confusing, you may not even get a response at all.

   Examples:

6. Close appropriately. In your close, make sure you thank the person you’re emailing. Show understanding that they may have a lot on their plate, and you appreciate them taking the time to read and hopefully respond to your email. Use a closing line such as, “Sincerely,” and be sure to include your contact information in your signature.

   Examples:

   • Thanks in advance!

   • Thank you for your time,

   • I appreciate your time,

   • Thanks so much for your consideration. I hope to hear from you soon!

1. Start with an intro. As mentioned above, use the first paragraph to say a little bit about who you are, what you’re requesting, and the final paragraph to close and thank your recipient.

   Example:

   Hi Lenny, My name is Lisa and I’m a blog enthusiast. I’ve been following your blog series on LinkedIn since the beginning of this year, and I wanted to reach out regarding your post on key Marketing interview questions to ask. You have greatly benefited my career from both an interviewer and an interviewee’s perspective. I would love to include you on my podcast series, Marketing Pros in Action, which has over 6,200 listeners monthly. Please let me know if you would be interested in this opportunity! Thank you so much for your time, Lisa.

2. Use an appropriate greeting. There are a variety of ways to greet someone via email. Ensure you have the right take on their expectations and use the proper greeting.

   Examples:

   • Hi there, Richard,

   • Dear Mr. Marshall,

   • Greetings, Richard!

3. Use a legible font. Introduction emails are not the place for trying out new or funky fonts. Use a simple font like Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman and a font size that’s not too big or small. Typically font sizes 10, 11, or 12 all work for this purpose.

4. Close professionally. Equally as important as your greeting, choose a short, professional closing that sends the email off on a good note.

   Examples:

   • Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

   • Thanks so much for taking the time to read this email.

   • Thank you so much for your consideration, and I hope to hear from you in the near future!

5. Include a signature. Your signature should include the contact methods you’re comfortable sharing, including your full name, email address, and phone number. If you choose, you can also include your social media linked like a LinkedIn URL.

Subject line: Are you looking for a Marketing Manager?

Dear Mr. Smith,

My name is Lara and I’m a fellow Penn State University alumni working in the marketing department at Apple, Inc. and I am looking for a change. I’ve been following your blog series on LinkedIn since the beginning of this year, and I wanted to let you know how insightful it has been.

I’ve just come across the Marketing Manager position on LinkedIn. I have twelve years of experience in the technology field and I think I could be a great fit for your company. I’ve attached my resume and portfolio for your consideration.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this email.
Lara Marshall

How to Introduce Two Other People to Each Other

Sometimes you might be the one making an introduction to someone else for a friend or colleague. It works much better when someone receives an email from someone they already know to introduce a new contact. It increases the chances of the email being opened and responded to. You might consider this as the person looking to make a connection, or you might be the one doing the connecting.

In this circumstance, you can use the same advice as stated above, just in a more casual manner since you know the person. Ensure you understand what the person who wants to make the connection is trying to accomplish and consider crafting a plan with them to follow up after you’ve sent the initial email.

Similar to introduction emails from an unknown person, the subject line holds the same importance here. You still want to capture the recipient’s attention, regardless of whether you know them well or not.

Examples:

Introduction: Karen Martin to Brad Erhlich

Introducing Lily Hannings to Brad Erhlich

Connection: Karen Martin to Lilly Hannings

Brad Ehrlich and Lily Hannings Introduction

To summarize what we’ve gone over so far and distill it into some quick takeaway tips:

• Write a snappy and descriptive subject line. You’ll never get a chance to introduce yourself if your pre-introduction (the subject line) doesn’t sell the recipient on opening your email.

• Address your email appropriately. Always aim to address your email to a specific person rather than using a generic greeting. People have no qualms ignoring a stranger who doesn’t even know their name.

• Mention references early. If you have a connection to the recipient via a mutual acquaintance, state it loud, clear, and early on in your email. People feel better connecting with others who have already been vouched for in some way.

• Give a clear call to action. You’re introducing yourself for a reason — make sure that reason is 100% obvious and is brought up quickly in the email. Don’t be too demanding, but do be precise about what you want. The easier your “ask” is to accommodate, the more likely the recipient will actually do it.

• Be brief. People have to go through plenty of emails every day. It’s imperative you get to the point, or you’ll likely lose the reader’s interest and fail to get the response you want.

• Proofread. Don’t send your email without proofreading or spellchecking what you’ve written. This is an important step, so don’t overlook it. Typos and grammar mistakes can tarnish your credibility.

• Send a test message. If you so choose, send yourself a test email with what you’ve written. This way, you can read it the way it was intended and make any last-minute tweaks.

Final Thoughts

Making a good first impression is crucial in professional relationships. Make sure that your email introductions set the right tone by declaratively stating who you are and what your background is in the context of the email. Then, get straight to the point of your email in a way that clearly leads the recipient to take some action.

Whether you’re introducing yourself to a potential client or reaching out to a hopeful mentor about landing an informational interview, these tips will ensure that your email introduction is sharp and well-received.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating / 5. Vote count:

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

how to write the text of self-presentation

Editor’s note: wanted to write snobbishly. Like this: “realities of life…” Or like this: “the moment comes when…” Or: “modern requirements for specialists…” But let’s not. It is also clear that each of us at least once writes a text about himself, makes some kind of self-presentation. And it’s very difficult. It was so difficult that I had to run to repost article by Anna Ivanova . Suitable for everyone. And even pen sharks and keyboard woodpeckers do not like to write texts about themselves. So let’s learn together.

Is it easy for you to write a text about yourself?

I ask this question at every webinar about self-presentation of an expert. And so far I have never met a person to whom I would say: “Yes! I love talking about myself! It’s so easy and enjoyable!”

Talking (let alone writing) about yourself is usually difficult, and this is not surprising. Surprisingly different: once it was easy. Once upon a time, each of us presented ourselves easily and with pleasure. When? Yes, as a child, of course!

Kevin Bahler talks about it eloquently in his TEDx talk.

Full video of Kevin Baler’s performance (in English).

Growing up, Kevin says, we had no problem introducing ourselves to strangers. You could run to the playground and shout from a distance: “Hi, I’m Kevin! I am five years old, I love transformers. Shall we play?” And that’s it, you already have friends, sometimes for life.

Less enthusiastic when we were younger, but we still got along pretty well: “Hi, I’m Kevin, I’m a Radiohead fan. What are you listening to?” This was quite enough to start dating. (And if you put on a T-shirt with a portrait of your favorite band, you could do without words at all.)

As children, we easily chose words to introduce ourselves and interest others

But then something went wrong …

As if with age we have lost the starting point, the side from which we can push off to easily and joyfully dive into a conversation about ourselves.

“Hi, I’m Kevin…” What next? Married? Two children? Do I work in an office? Three months without sleep? So-so options…

Kevin Baler, alas, does not offer a viable solution in his speech. But this is the case when a correctly asked question already contains half the answer:

Why was it easy for us in childhood to find words for ourselves?

Let’s look at the examples again: a child identifies himself through his favorite toy, a teenager through a musical subculture. Both the first and the second are what unconditionally combines different children and different adolescents, then is the total that the author and the audience have. So here is the solution! It was always before my eyes!

The starting point for talking about ourselves

The starting point for talking about ourselves must be sought in what unites us with other people. It doesn’t highlight, it doesn’t distinguish, it doesn’t emphasize uniqueness, it doesn’t help to “rebuild”, as marketing gurus often advise, but it unites with the audience.

The starting point for talking about ourselves should be sought in what unites us with other people, and does not distinguish us from them!

We need to look for what unites us with other people, and does not distinguish us from them

Okay, what unites people in business? Fortunately, there is only one answer: the benefits that we bring to each other.

“People are only as interesting to each other as they are useful to each other,” says Maxim Ilyakhov. There is nothing to add to this. Don’t know where to start talking about yourself? Start with the value you bring to your audience.

Nobody is interested in us. Apart from our parents, spouses, and closest friends, no one cares about our existence. People are interested in each other as much as they are useful to each other.

– Maxim Ilyakhov , editor

Speak benefits to your audience

In business, people are united by the benefits they bring to each other. Don’t know where to start writing about yourself? Start with value for the audience.

Start with benefits…

Agree, this is advice from a series that is easier to give than to do. Therefore, I will share the rule that I consider the main thing in working on self-presentation, and indeed on any presentation. Here it is:

Speak benefits to your audience

What’s the point? Any subject, product, approach, project or subject can be told in three ways: in the language of properties, in the language of advantages and in the language of benefits.

The easiest way to illustrate this rule is with the refrigerator (that’s why I call it “The Refrigerator Rule” ).

When we speak the language of benefits, we change the modulus of the utterance from “I” to “you”. Not “what I have”, but “what will you get from interacting with me”. Feel the difference? We’ve come close to being useful.

If you write a text in which you present yourself as an expert (specialist, master, professional), properties, advantages and benefits turn into “I have » , «can » and «help » .

How does the text about yourself usually look like?

“I have two higher educations…”
“I have experience both in consulting and on the client side…
I have an MBA…
I have five, ten, fifteen years of work experience . ..
I have knowledge in the field …
I have skills in the field …
I have recommendations…
I have a hobby…
I have a desire…

Familiar phrases? All this is an enumeration of properties. This is not a self-presentation, this is an inventory.

Listing the properties, we invite the reader to guess what they give him. One guesses, the other does not, the third guesses wrong (and you get a customer with inadequate expectations). But the vast majority will not make any effort at all – they will read or listen and shrug: “Cool, of course, but what do I care? This is where the interest in us will end before it even starts.

Property enumeration – is not a self-presentation. It’s an inventory!

Good self-presentation immediately captures the benefits for the reader, and uses properties as an evidence base (reasons to believe).

How to turn properties into benefits?

1. Conduct an inventory: write out all your “I have”.

2. To see (or not to see) what they give me – what I can because of what I have or can do.

3. Look at the resulting “I can” through the eyes of the audience – how does all this help the reader.

This exercise looks simple, but it is fraught with surprises. Not every feature is an advantage, and not all advantages are benefits. Most likely, the list will be reduced at each step, and this is not bad. An ideal self-presentation fits into a couple of capacious phrases that can be said simultaneously with a handshake or posted in the INTRO section on Facebook.

Practical task

Improve your self-presentation right now

Take an inventory of your properties, see the advantages in them, where possible, formulate the benefits.

In the list of benefits, highlight the “core” – the benefit that you bring to the audience as a professional.

Write one sentence that reflects the main benefit of your activity.

Did it work?

Congratulations! This phrase, most likely, can form the basis of your self-presentation or even become its finished microversion. It is a little more difficult to prepare a full-fledged text about yourself, adapted to different audiences and communication channels.

Stalled?

Do not despair. Few people successfully cope with this task on the first try.

Insights from experts

Dismiss the “translator” in the client’s head

Saule Utegalieva
Expert in building auto sales funnels

During the consulting period, I came up with the term “translator in the client’s head”. Now I’ll tell you what he does.

Most of the time, when talking about our product or service, we focus only on the “why” question: why a potential customer should buy our product. We list the advantages of a course or training, boast of its wonderful content and the results that it gives. However, when answering the question “why,” we do not speak the same language with the client, but communicate through a “translator” in the client’s head, who formulates in his own way why a person needs our product.

At this point, we hand over to the “translator” all the reins and responsibility for our sales, profits, development. We are completely dependent on whether the “translator” has time for us; How good is he in general? is not busy now.

Let’s imagine that we need to sell a course for young girls on the eve of the beach season “How to get in shape before the summer.” We start praising:

• “You will lose 3kg of excess weight.”
• “Choose an optimal balanced diet for yourself.”
• “Cultivate proper eating behavior.”

In other words, we answer the question “why”.

But the wording “All your vacation you will be able to post gorgeous beach photos of yourself slim and happy on Instagram, receive attention and compliments” is already the answer to the question “why”.

Why do our customers need what we offer them, what changes for the better will happen in their lives after they purchase your product – this is a direct dialogue with the audience.

How to present yourself to an employer?

Olga Silverman
Career Development Expert

Self-presentation is as much a job seeker’s resource as professional experience, polished shoes, or the right suit. But if you have to deal with appearance involuntarily – “they meet by clothes”, then the words usually flow on their own, jumping out of the head according to the situation, in disorderly memories. But the higher the position and the more prestigious the company, the more attention is paid to the skill of self-presentation. Hundreds if not thousands of candidates apply for such vacancies. How to stand out among everyone and get a coveted job offer? This is where good self-presentation comes into play.

How to prepare for a meeting with an employer? Take any job that interests you. Write down the three key skills for the chosen position and answer the question: “How can I prove that I have them?” Write down the answer. You don’t need to memorize, but fix it as luminous points in your head. At the interview, they will help you correctly place the accents in the story about yourself.

Just remember : out of two candidates with similar experience, the one who presents himself more convincingly will be chosen. So why not be the one chosen?

The knowledge that you will gain in the Internet Marketing Specialist course will allow you to easily and independently develop a comprehensive strategy for the development of a web resource. Learn how to create a convenient site structure, find potential customers in social networks. You can launch an advertising campaign and evaluate its performance.

Learn more about the course

Editorial opinion may not reflect the views of the author. If you have something to add – we will be glad to hear your comments. If you want to write an article with your point of view, read the posting rules on the WebPromoExperts blog.

4 examples of cover letters that will work — Work.ua

How to use these examples is up to you. But we warn you right away: copy-paste is a bad idea. It’s better to just be inspired by these texts, structure, wording, and write your cover letter yourself.

Work.ua has already discussed the rules for compiling cover letters, gave you advice on how not to spoil the first impression of such a message in English. This time we went even further – we compiled 3 examples of cover letters for finding a job on the difficulty of “Above average” and added 1 example-secret weapon. We consider these messages, if not ideal, then close to perfection. We hope you find them useful.

Getting out of maternity leave

They say it is almost impossible to get a good job after maternity leave with two or three children. But what if you don’t lose heart and try to take a different look at the situation, find pluses in this situation, and not minuses for your career? Here is an example of a cover letter from a woman who has children and a desire to get a decent job.

“Good afternoon! My name is Olga and I have three children. This is in short. And if in detail, besides family and children, I still have 8 years of experience in advertising and marketing, which you can learn from my resume. In order not to lose my skills, on my parental leave, I regularly attended various trainings and seminars in my specialty. I have been freelancing for the last two years, among my clients there are such companies: “A”, “B”, “C”. In addition, I always try to keep abreast of the latest news in the world of advertising, read books by famous marketers, follow their blogs online, and take my own notes.

Raising children taught me how to multitask. I can quickly switch from one task to another, get the whole department working even with the most capricious employees, and persuade difficult clients. Given the specialization of your company, I can offer a plan to increase sales and brand awareness, I know how to increase the loyalty of real and potential customers. I guarantee full return to the tasks set, I know how to organize my life so that the personal remains personal, and the professional remains professional.

Thank you for your attention. Have a nice day!”

From such a letter it is clear that the candidate is ready to work and knows what he is talking about – all other factors for the employer fade into the background, without interfering with focusing on the main thing.

When there is no experience, but there is a desire

Everyone wants young and ambitious employees, but at the same time with 10 years of experience. Common situation? However, do not despair. You can find a good job without experience, but only if you have enough desire and desire to learn new things. A cover letter from a recent college graduate might look something like this:0013

Hello! My name is Aleksey. 2 months ago I graduated from the university with a degree in Enterprise Economics. I have no work experience yet, but there are other advantages.

I am very organized and disciplined. At the university he graduated from the military department, was the head of the group. I organized outings and trips for a whole stream of students (which is about 90 people), I was always in charge of finance and budget. In practice, between the 4th and 5th year, he worked at the Bank as an assistant economist. Received recommendations from superiors.

I have a healthy approach to finding a job, so I agree to the position of an assistant or an intern, the main thing is that there is an opportunity for development. Ready to fully devote himself to work, follow the rules and culture of the company, in return giving energy and loyalty.

Thank you for your attention.”

For candidates over 40

It is widely believed that after 40 years of age it is extremely difficult to find a job. Especially if before that you held a position in the same company for 20 years. Yes, indeed, although unfairly: the chances are reduced, but not to zero. Perhaps our sample cover letter will help you get the job you want.

“Good afternoon! My name is Eugene, I am 43 years old, but do not rush to close my letter. Your vacancy indicates that you need an experienced and determined worker who is not afraid of responsibility. And I am like that. There are 23 years of professional experience as an accountant and chief accountant. There is experience in managing teams of 5-7 people and supervising the financial reporting of departments up to 50 employees. In my work, I use modern methods of accounting and managing subordinates, listen to the opinions of employees, find a balance between the needs of management and staff. I had to leave my previous job because the company was liquidated.

They say you can’t find a job after 40. And I believe that the one who does not seek, and who has nothing to offer the market, finds nothing. I have recommendations, experience, confidence and opportunities. I want, I can and I know how to solve the tasks described in the vacancy. On my own behalf, I guarantee full return and interest in the success of the company.

Thank you for your attention. Always in touch!

Let’s go all-in

The most important rule for writing a cover letter is adequacy. A little bit of officialdom, a little bit of humor is allowed, you can add a bit of “from yourself”, but you must follow the style of business communication. And if not? Ready to go beyond? If you are so determined, keep in mind, when trying to be original, it is very important to maintain that very adequacy, and not put everything on shock.

We give an example from the Work. ua secret archive. Here is a cover letter sent to the vacancy of a content manager at Reactor, which was considered and the candidacy was approved.

“Good afternoon! My name is Alexandra and I am a copywriter. I masterfully fertilize the dry seed of the encyclopedic style with epithets, cultivating the extraordinary verbal “Gardens of Babylon”. I know how to turn boring content into healing news, create analytical reviews on a given topic, I guarantee unobtrusive humor in articles, full return, and fulfillment of the plan on time. I am for freedom of speech and pleasant communication with the team. I am moderately sociable, I know how to separate friendship from service, I endure fair criticism, but I demand a respectful attitude towards myself. I am ready to plunge headlong into what others call a routine, but I perceive it as a challenge.

Attached are examples of my work. For the past six months, she has been busy with the topic of travel, running a travel blog, and making announcements for a major thematic event.