How to Write a Forwardable Email

It’s come to my attention that many don’t actually know how to write a proper forwardable email. I had to screw it up a few times before someone I trusted told me there’s an unwritten way forwardable emails are “supposed” to work.

In tech circles, this feels like common etiquette. Outside of that bubble? No one teaches you how to do this.

So here’s the version I wish someone had shown me earlier.

When someone offers to make an intro to a potential customer, an investor, or someone you really admire, there are always 3 people involved: • The requester - you • The connector - the mutual offering to intro • The desired connection - the person you ultimately want to reach

The goal is simple: make the connector’s job as close to “one click forward” as possible:

1/ Write it in first person, addressed to the connector. Don’t pretend to speak in their voice (a mistake I often committed). Write: “Hi, I’m Mika — I’d love to get connected with [X] to talk about [Y].”

2/ Acknowledge the opt-in process Say: “Thanks for offering to connect me with [X],” not “Thanks for connecting me.” It signals respect as neither party owes you anything.

3/ Keep it brief. 3–5 sentences max.

4/ Make your subject line unmistakably clear ex. “Intro request re: [XYZ] to [desired connection]”

5/ Don’t make it templated or tweakable. It might be tempting to say: "feel free to tweak this template" thinking they want something customizable. No! Your connector should NOT have to rewrite or adjust anything.

6/ Represent yourself clearly The connector doesn’t always know the best version of your story. Give them a blurb that actually reflects exactly what you want to say (& again, make it one-click forwardable)

7/ Add credibility To up the chances that they respond. Example: “I previously built __,” or “I work in __ similar to what [contact] does.”

8/ Add relevant context Answer: Why THIS person SPECIFICALLY? People are more likely to say yes when they genuinely see how they can help.

Below is a rewritten example of a great forwardable blurb (fictionalized for privacy) that someone sent through me as the connector.

Good luck!

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EXAMPLE: Hi! I’m Lena. I’m wrapping up my MPH at Columbia and have spent the last few years working across digital health. I went from scaling a remote-care program at WellNest to leading research on equitable care at HealthMap. Before that, I helped expand a Source Labs (YCW22).

I’m exploring product roles at Bloom Health and would love to connect with Jasmine to learn how she’s shaped patient engagement strategy, especially given her own path coming from SEA into women’s health in the U.S.

Thanks for offering to connect us! I really appreciate it.

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