Writing a letter of introduction can intimidate you, but it doesn’t have to be! This comprehensive guide to writing letters of introduction will walk you through the process.
This will include what information you need to include and how to properly format your letter so that it looks polished and professional.
We also included some letter of introduction samples and templates. Read through!
Table of Contents
- Make it brief.
- Make your greeting distinctive.
- Focus on a single topic.
- Adopt the proper mindset
- 1. Start with a formal salutation.
- 2. Specify the letter’s primary goal.
- 3. Give pertinent background information on the letter’s topic.
- 4. Justify the topic’s importance to the recipient.
- 5. Include a call to action
- 6. Proofread
- Letter of Introduction Samples
- A Letter of Introduction Templates
What is an Introduction letter?
A letter of Introduction is a professional communication that introduces two people intending to develop a working relationship. It is typically sent as an email.
To start a mutually beneficial relationship, a letter of Introduction gives the recipient pertinent professional background information on behalf of the writer or a writer’s acquaintance.
Starting a conversation between an acquaintance and a professional connection is one of the most specific purposes for writing a letter of Introduction.
A person can also compose an introduction letter on their behalf to look into job openings, get career advice, contact new clients, or introduce existing coworkers.
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What an Introduction Letter is not
An introduction letter is not your resume, cover letter, or a narrative of your life up to that point, including your goals and dreams. It is also not a recommendation letter.
As part of the reference process, a hiring manager or recruiter may request a letter of recommendation from you as you look for a new job.
An applicant’s professional contact writes a reference letter highlighting their favorable experiences with the applicant. Unlike a letter of introduction, a job applicant can not write a letter of recommendation.
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Why Do People Write Introduction Letters?
Numerous circumstances call for the use of an introduction letter. When a new employee begins work, their manager may send an introduction letter to let everyone know about it and ask them to be accommodating.
When beginning a new position, you might send a letter of Introduction to introduce yourself and what you can do.
People also write a letter of Introduction to potential clients to establish a new client or source of revenue.
In other situations, some people might send an introduction letter to make new contacts and, ideally, land a new job. That said, you can send a letter of Introduction via LinkedIn or email.
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What are the Types of letters of Introduction?
An Introduction letter is of different types:
An Introduction Letter for Two People: You write this type of letter when you want to introduce a friend or colleague. Often, it is used as an introduction to connecting two people.
An introduction letter to yourself: You write this type of letter when you want to introduce yourself.
Having understood what letters of introduction entail and their different types, let’s look at how to write them. Before we proceed, check out the following guidelines for writing a good introduction letter.
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Guidelines for Writing an Introduction Letter
Follow these helpful introduction letter-writing suggestions whether you’re a freelancer looking for new employment opportunities or helping a friend by connecting them with one of your colleagues.
Make it brief.
Assume that the person who receives your letter is busy and will only read the information that is essential to your request.
Ensure you haven’t over-explained or been repetitive in your introduction email by reading it before sending it.
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Make your greeting distinctive.
If you address the reader of your letter by their name instead of their job title, they are more likely to reply.
For instance, when contacting a potential employer to learn more about job openings, use the person’s name rather than the phrase “hiring manager.”
Focus on a single topic.
Even though you might have several questions for the person receiving the letter, focus on your main one to avoid overwhelming them.
For instance, don’t ask a business contact if they’d be willing to meet with one of your friends for an informational interview.
You’re also asking about their interest in discussing a potential business partnership over lunch.
Don’t Fail to Also Read: How to Accept a Job Offer: Best Tips and Sample Letters
Adopt the proper mindset
When composing a letter of recommendation, use a formal tone. You risk upsetting them if your language or style is too informal.
However, casual language is preferred when introducing a new acquaintance to a close friend.
Now, let’s look at how you can write a good letter of Introduction about yourself or someone.
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How to Write an Introduction Letter
Introduction letters can be sent via email or hard copy, but most choose the latter.
Whatever approach you decide on, make sure to follow these guidelines for a successful letter of Introduction:
1. Start with a formal salutation.
When writing a letter of Introduction, start with a salutation and then a sentence that introduces the person you are presenting, whether you or someone else.
If the person has any relevant credentials or connections to the recipient, be sure to mention them. For instance, you can say “Dear” or “Hello.”
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2. Specify the letter’s primary goal.
After your salutation, make one or two sentences describing why you are writing. It is expedient you give the recipient enough background information to help them understand why you are contacting them.
Your goals will vary depending on the circumstance, but make the letter’s purpose abundantly clear.
3. Give pertinent background information on the letter’s topic.
Introduce yourself or your acquaintance in a few sentences, including your job title, a succinct description of your professional background as it relates to the recipient, and any compliments or accolades that might impress them. Always use your acquaintance’s full name when introducing them.
4. Justify the topic’s importance to the recipient.
Please explain why this person is attractive to the recipient, whether you are introducing them to you or someone else. The aim is to forge a connection out of practically nothing; to do that, you must be compelling.
Show how further discussion between the two parties might be helpful. Next, describe how a meeting would benefit both parties and explain your reasoning.
5. Include a call to action
The conclusion outlines any necessary next steps and should include the contact details of the person you’re introducing.
Include any additional information, such as the need for a follow-up meeting or whether the person you’re introducing will get in touch.
Here, you can mention any supporting materials you’ve attached, like a resume or portfolio.
Sign your name, express gratitude to the recipient for their time, and include your contact information if you haven’t already.
6. Proofread
Proofread after signing to check your letter for errors. Grammar and spelling mistakes mar the first impression of a letter. Before sending your email, check it for accuracy and clarity at least twice.
Remember:
CC the person you’re introducing
Make sure to include them in the CC line when emailing a professional contact to introduce them to a friend.
This allows your friend to continue the conversation on the same email thread while making it simple for the recipient to see the person’s contact information.
To let the recipient know where to find your acquaintance’s email address, explicitly state that you’ve added them as a CC. If the recipient prefers to communicate by phone, you might include their number.
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Letter of Introduction Samples
Here are some examples of introduction letters:
Letter of Introduction Example: Introducing Two People
Prudent Slide
123 Main Street
Anytown, CA 12345
555-212-1234
April 11, 2023
Bob Smith
Talent Evaluation
Acme Recruiting
123 Business Rd.
Business City, NY 54321
Dear Bob,
I’m writing to introduce you to Joesph Mark, with whom I have the pleasure of being acquainted through Maxwell Enterprise Limited. As you know, I am the Technical Director for the group, and I have worked with Joesph on several local theater projects. He is a terrific stage manager with over ten years of experience.
Joseph is interested in relocating to the San Francisco area shortly and would appreciate any recommendations you could offer her for conducting a job search for a theater position and any help you can provide with the logistics of relocating to California.
I’ve attached her resume for your review, and you can contact her at [email protected] or 555-555-5555. Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide.
Sincerely,
Signature (hard copy letter)
Prudent Slide
Example 2
Letter of Introduction Example Introducing Yourself
Dear Mr. Randall,
My name is Katherine Sussman, and I am currently a recruitment associate for XYZ Recruiting. I have been working as a recruiter for the past three years.
I am interested in moving from recruitment work in a large corporation to internal recruitment for a nonprofit. Previously, I worked in development for ABC Nonprofit and would love to bring my current skills to a similar nonprofit.
I know you do this kind of work for Sunshine Nonprofit, and I would appreciate hearing about your experience in this field. I would love to arrange a time to meet with you for an informational interview.
Please, I have attached my resume for your review. If you have time for a brief conversation, please let me know.
You can contact me via email ([email protected]) or phone (555-555-5555). I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you so much.
Best,
Katherine Sussman
Example 3
A Letter of Introduction Templates
Here are some letter of introduction templates you can download:
Letter of Introduction Template for Someone Else
Letter of Introduction Template for Yourself
FAQs
A letter of Introduction is a professional communication that introduces two people intending to develop a working relationship.
If you want to work for a company but don’t see any jobs posted that you qualify for, you typically write a letter of Introduction.
If you want to introduce two people, you know on a professional level, you can also write an introduction letter.
A cover letter is usually no longer than one page. Your letter of Introduction shouldn’t be as long as a cover letter; instead, a few paragraphs should do. A cover letter typically takes up an entire page.
You can create your introduction letter, yes. When you do this, include a call to action like asking to speak further, your reason for writing, and a summary of your credentials. Always end by expressing gratitude to the recipient for their time.
Conclusion
Using a letter of introduction, you can level the playing field in the “who knows who” game.
A certain percentage of people you’d like to meet will probably reply if you can set aside time each week to send them a letter of Introduction; make sure you don’t just copy and paste the same letter to everyone.
Profit from the influence of introductory notes to land a new position or enter a new field.
Reference
- Thebalancemoney.com – Letter of introduction examples and writing tips.
- Zippia.com – Letter of introduction
- Resume.io – Letter of introduction