Any aspiring professional or business owner knows the importance of networking, and while there’s no shortage of networking events and opportunities, whether virtual or in-person, the part where most individuals tend to fall short is the follow-up, which is almost entirely dependent on email (aside from LinkedIn).
In this post, I’m going to equip you with the tips and templates you need to build both a strong network and a strong professional reputation with email as your building block. Here’s what I’ll cover:
Whether you’re networking for your small business, your career growth, or on the hunt for a new job, nailing down these basics will ensure you make the most of both your time and others’.
Networking is an essential part of building your career or growing your business. While in-person networking at events and conferences is invaluable, following up with connections via email after an event is just as important for establishing and strengthening relationships. However, with so many emails flooding people’s inboxes every day, it can be challenging to get your networking messages opened and read.
This is where crafting compelling subject lines comes in, Your subject line is often the first and only thing recipients see before deciding whether or not to open an email So you need to make it intriguing and personalized enough to stand out from the sea of unread messages
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore best practices and examples for writing subject lines that will get your networking emails opened and responded to.
Why Strong Subject Lines Matter for Networking Emails
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Your email may get lost in the inbox – Most inboxes are crammed with unread emails. A generic subject line makes it easy for your message to get overlooked.
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Many only read the subject line before deciding to open – Approximately 35% of email recipients open an email based solely on the subject line
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It represents you and your message – The subject line offers the first impression of who you are and what you want to discuss.
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Networking requires personalization – Generic subject lines contradict the thoughtful, personalized approach needed for networking.
So in short, a weak subject line can mean missed opportunities and failed connections But a strong, compelling subject line helps ensure your message gets through
How to Write Effective Subject Lines for Networking Emails
Follow these best practices when crafting subject lines for your networking outreach:
Keep it short and scannable
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Stick to about 3-4 words or 40 characters max.
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Subject lines over 50 characters often get cut off on mobile.
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Use clear, concise language that’s easy to grasp at a glance.
Make it personal
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Include the recipient’s name and/or company to show the message is tailored for them.
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Reference your conversation or something unique you learned about them.
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Avoid generic phrases that could be sent to anyone.
Spark interest
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Ask an open-ended question that creates intrigue.
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Make a timely reference related to your previous interaction.
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Offer something of value like an interesting article.
Be clear about your purpose
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State if it’s an introduction, follow up, or meeting request.
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Keep it focused on one specific call-to-action or topic.
Use natural language
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Write conversationally using first and second-person pronouns.
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Avoid over-the-top salesy or promotional language.
Subject Line Examples for Different Networking Emails
Now let’s look at sample subject lines tailored for various networking scenarios:
Follow-up emails after meeting someone
You want to reference your conversation while also conveying this is a friendly follow up.
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Great to meet you last night, Sarah!
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Enjoyed our chat at the conference, Jack
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Thanks for the awesome marketing tips, Clara!
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Hey Mike, this is Janet from the industry event
Reconnecting with previous contacts
Refresh their memory of who you are and spark interest in catching up.
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John, this is Kelly from the Chicago conference
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Hey Nicole, long time no chat!
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Jessica, checking in from our Hays Group days
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Drinks soon to catch up? – Matt
Introducing contacts
Clearly state you are making an introduction to pique interest.
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Connecting you with Sarah Horton
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Wanted to introduce you to Matt Klein
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Putting you in touch with an expert, Alex Boyer
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Hope you can meet my colleague, Clara
Requesting informational interviews
Be clear you are seeking advice to show respect for their time.
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Seeking 15 minutes of career advice
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Quick UX design question for you
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Can I pick your brain about podcasting?
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Request for feedback as a young entrepreneur
Asking to continue a discussion
Reference the topic that you’d like to explore further.
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Following up on our advertising strategies chat
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Continuing the LinkedIn conversation
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Circling back on leveraging Twitter for nonprofits
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More details on scaling a startup team
Sample Networking Email Templates and Subject Lines
Here are a few email template examples along with sample subject lines to give you a better sense of how to pull together all the elements for winning networking messages:
Follow-Up After Meeting at An Event
Subject Line: It was great to meet you Grace!
Hi Grace,
I really enjoyed meeting you and chatting at the Mobile Growth Conference happy hour yesterday. Hearing about your experiences in leading marketing at a fast-growing tech startup was so interesting. I already checked out that book you recommended about digital branding.
I’m free most mornings next week if you have availability. Looking forward to staying in touch!
Best,
Alex
Reconnecting with a Former Colleague
Subject Line: Long time no chat, Marcus!
Marcus,
In case you’re interested, I recently started my own freelance writing and content marketing business focused on the tech industry. Check out my website [insert url] to see some of my recent projects. Would love your feedback! I’d also enjoy learning about what content marketing initiatives you’re leading these days.
Hope to reconnect soon!
Best,
Natalie
Introducing Two Contacts
Subject: Connecting you with Rachel Fisher
Hi Matt,
I wanted to introduce you to my colleague Rachel Fisher. Rachel leads social media marketing initiatives at [company name] and has tremendous expertise in leveraging Instagram and TikTok to build brand awareness.
She’s quite knowledgeable regarding social campaign management and analytics for measuring ROI. I thought she’d be a great expert for you to connect with as you’re looking to grow [company’s] presence on social. Rachel is happy to provide advice about developing an effective social media strategy.
I’ll let you take it from here to coordinate a call. Have a great rest of your week!
Best,
Clara
Requesting Career Advice
Subject: Seeking career advice from an HR expert
Dear Ms. Stevens:
I hope you are doing well. We met last month at the University of Michigan spring networking night and had a great conversation about your experiences in corporate HR and talent management. I truly appreciate you offering to share your advice with me as I am an aspiring HR specialist graduating in May.
I sincerely appreciate any guidance you can provide to help me successfully launch my HR career. Looking forward to connecting further.
Regards,
James
Key Takeaways for Subject Lines that Work
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Keep them short, clear and scannable.
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Make them feel personalized and relevant.
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Reference your previous conversation or interaction.
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Be clear about the email’s purpose and any requests.
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Use natural, conversational language.
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Spark interest by being specific and asking questions.
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Set your networking messages apart with thoughtful, tailored subject lines.
The subject line is your first and sometimes only chance to engage your recipient. So take the extra minute to craft compelling subject lines for your networking emails. Follow the tips and examples here to make your messages stand out, drive opens and responses, and build meaningful connections.
Reconnection networking emails and subject lines
As I’ve already mentioned, networking is an ongoing thing. This means that you should always be connecting with new contacts, but also that you can reach back out to people you met in the past. And this is why proper networking communication is so important. You never know what may change, who you may meet, or what you might need in the future.
“Cold” outreach/introductory networking emails and subject lines
The first impression counts! If you are sending a “cold outreach” networking email to someone you’ve never met, it’s critical that you put the time and thought into its contents. Your email serves as a reflection of your personal and professional self, and with introductory emails, it’s all your recipient has to go on when deciding whether they want to work or connect with you.
One thing to note here: While networking emails should be short, your cold outreach introduction emails can be a little longer. Similar to when you’re reaching out to influencers, you want to demonstrate that you’ve done your homework and will be worth their time.
Best Cold Email Subject lines to Skyrocket your Open Rates
How do you write an effective networking email subject line?
Read on to learn how to write an effective networking email subject line, according to HubSpot Reps. 1. “Hey, Sam, let’s talk about Marketing Hub.” Template: “Hey, [insert name here], let’s talk [insert relevant product here].”
Do networking email subject lines work?
Here are 50 examples of networking email subject lines that work, depending on the circumstances: 1. Introducing myself This is one of my favorite subject lines for networking emails because it’s short and straightforward, revealing your intentions immediately. There’s no BS here, and chances are, your recipient will appreciate that.
What makes a good email subject line?
Effective subject lines are those that increase the chances of the message being opened, appear highly relevant and important to the recipient, and strengthen the reader’s experience. They should speak directly to the prospect and inspire action, while being concise and punchy. What is an example of an effective networking email subject line?
What is a good networking subject line?
Template: “Hey, [insert name here], let’s talk [insert relevant product here].” Ashley Weissmann, Growth Specialist and Account Executive at HubSpot, recommends this networking subject line: “I love using this subject line because people WANT to talk about those things, especially if you’re reaching out to a director.
