Networking is arguably one of the most critical pillars of success in the corporate world. When you stumble upon a new contact, you will need to introduce yourself and pave the way for future collaborations. You can do this through an introduction letter, which is basically your foot in the door.
A Self-Introduction Letter/Email is a message sent to a new business contact providing them with information about who you are, what you do, and the type of relationship you would like to build with them. It can come in handy when looking for a job, sourcing for a client, or marketing a new product.
In this post, we present you with everything you need to know to make a successful self-introduction.
Steps for Drafting a Self-Introduction Letter
The content of a self-introduction letter will typically vary from one letter to the next, depending on your reason for writing. If you are looking for employment, you will introduce yourself differently than someone writing to a prospective client.
That said, most self-introduction letters follow the same message structure. You can customize the following steps to meet your needs:
- Craft a Subject Line. Because the reader doesnt know you, they will probably be sceptical about reading your letter. Your only saving grace will be your subject line, which is why it is crucial in an introduction letter. If your subject line is boring or, worse, it sounds spammy, the reader will likely dismiss your message.
- Establish a Connection. Once you have the readers attention, you want to convince them that they should listen to what you have to say. You can do this by establishing a connection through mentioning the mutual contact from who you got the readers mailing address.
- Compliment the Reader. The next step is to compliment the reader, which can seem counterproductive since the purpose of this letter is to talk about yourself. However, mentioning some details about the reader will convince them that you have done your research and they can trust you.
- Deliver Your Message. At this point in your letter, the reader is eager to hear what you have to say. This is where you get to sell your pitch and expound on who you are and what you do. You can also mention the role you would like the reader to play in your plan.
- Insert a Call to Action. This is a short line encouraging the reader to respond to your letter. It should be strong and persuasive but should also sound natural.
- Close. You can close your letter by inserting your name, contact information, and official signature.
Writing Tips for a Self-Introduction Letter
Your Self-Introduction Letter is your one shot at making a good impression on the reader. Consider the following tips when drafting it:
- Draft a catchy and creative subject line that will capture the readers attention
- Know your reader and tailor your message to their personality
- Mention how you got the readers contact information
- Focus on the readers pain point and use it to sell your pitch
- Write like a real person, not a company.
- Maintain a friendly, confident, and professional tone
- Get straight to the point lest you lose the readers attention.
- Always use a formal greeting.
- Proofread your letter before sending it
Key Takeaways
As the name suggests, a Self-Introduction Letter/Email is typically sent to someone you have never met. You need to capture their attention, engage their interest, and convince them they should have you as a contact. This means that besides being truthful, your message should be clever and captivating.
