What is a good subject line for a networking email?

Networking can be one of the most effective ways to grow your career or build relationships with people who could potentially hire you down the road. But if you're new to networking, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the possibilities. It might seem like there are hundreds of events going on every week, but actually finding something worthwhile takes time and effort.

If you've already been at this awhile, chances are you know how important an effective email subject line is when sending out a message -- whether it's an introductory email or a follow-up after talking face-to-face. So what makes for a great subject line? And how should these work best as part of your own personal outreach strategy? Let's take a look!

How do you write an email subject for a network?

When writing an email about connecting with someone within your industry (or any other field), think through what kind of content would appeal to them. What information would they want to see from you? How does their background differ from yours? If you have common interests, why not share those too? It may sound cheesy, but remember, people respond well to things they relate to emotionally. For example, if you're trying to sell yourself to a potential client, don't just list off your accomplishments or experience. Instead, find some way to show them that you understand where they're coming from -- perhaps through anecdotes about similar situations.

Here are eight basic types of emails you'll need to send out during your first year in the game:

An intro email to introduce yourself

A follow up email to check in with a colleague

A referral request email asking for introductions

A connection request email inviting someone to join a group

A thank you note after attending an event

An informational piece about a topic

A job opportunity announcement/posting

A follow up email to ask about a project

How do I write a letter to a networking contact?

Letters serve two purposes: They let you reach out to someone outside of your industry to keep the relationship open and active, and they allow you to express gratitude for previous interactions. When writing letters, try to avoid using words like "please" and "thank you." This only puts pressure on others to reciprocate. You'd rather let your actions speak for themselves than put anyone else under additional stress. Here are three tips that will help you craft a successful letter:

Be specific. Don't generalize about your company, product, services, etc., even though everyone likes to hear stories. In fact, it's better to give specific details because no one wants to read about how much you love working at your company. The same goes for topics related to hobbies or passions. People appreciate hearing specifics instead of vague statements that don't necessarily apply to them personally.

Don't use overly formal language. While many companies still prefer memos written on official stationary, we recommend switching over to handwritten notes whenever possible. That said, if you absolutely must include a signature block, stick to simple signatures such as John Smith or Jane Doe.

Give context. As mentioned before, make sure to provide enough detail so that readers won't wonder what exactly you were referring to. Even if you're sharing a story about a past trip abroad, explain which country you went to and mention its location relative to major cities around the world. This helps convey the importance of the event without sounding boastful.

How do you write a cold email for a network?

Cold emails come into play once you've established rapport with someone. After building trust and making initial contacts, you can now approach them directly with an offer. These messages require extra attention to detail since you're pitching yourself at an individual level. However, this is also the type of email you want to send regularly throughout your career.

Remember that while it's always okay to be bold and direct, you shouldn't become obnoxious. Think carefully about how your pitch aligns with the person you're targeting and tailor the email accordingly. Keep the tone light and friendly, and focus on providing value above anything else. Your goal isn't to win over the recipient, but rather to create a mutually beneficial exchange.

The following five steps will help you craft a strong cold email:

Make a clear call-to-action. Ask for a response right away and promise to reply promptly. Make it obvious that you expect a prompt response otherwise you won't bother replying.

State your objective clearly. Explain why you thought it was appropriate to contact this particular person. Include relevant facts about the situation, including dates and times. Be honest and upfront.

Provide concrete benefits. Share detailed statistics that demonstrate how you're able to add value to the target audience. Showcase numbers or data points that illustrate your expertise. Always emphasize results over processes.

Ask questions. Ask questions to clarify points, confirm expectations, and gain insight into the recipient's perspective. Try to stay positive and constructive. Avoid being negative or accusatory.

Thank the reader. Thank them sincerely for taking the time to review your message. Give credit where credit is due. Remember that the purpose here isn't to impress them, but rather to foster a long-term partnership.

How do you start an email to a network?

This last step is crucial. Once you've sent out several emails, you'll begin to notice patterns in terms of what works and what doesn't. Some subjects resonate with recipients, while others fall flat. There's nothing wrong with changing up your messaging style based on feedback received, but you should never stop learning and adapting. Once you figure out what works for you, you'll soon realize how valuable having a consistent voice is.

While there's no hard-and-fast rule, we highly suggest keeping the following guidelines in mind when starting your next round of correspondence:

Use short sentences. Short sentences help maintain clarity and prevent unnecessary wordiness. Also, shorter sentences tend to be easier to scan, which means less chance of missing key information.

Avoid jargon. Using technical lingo that few non-experts understand can lead to confusion and lost opportunities. Stick to plain English.

Keep your opening sentence concise. A single paragraph provides plenty of room for error, whereas a short opener keeps everything focused. Plus, a longer opening tends to encourage people to scroll further ahead. On top of that, longer openings risk losing your reader's interest.

End with a question. Ending with a question gives you another hook for the reader to continue reading. It also shows you care about what he has to say and encourages him to participate in future conversations.

Always end with a closing salutation. We've seen countless examples of ineffective closing salutations, especially in relation to LinkedIn. The worst ones typically contain meaningless phrases like "Best," "Sincerely," and "Regards." Just skip them altogether. Instead, opt for something along the lines of "Warmly," "Looking forward to speaking with you soon," or "See you later!"

With these seven strategies, you'll be ready to confidently send out your very first networking emails. Good luck!

When it comes to writing an email, there's no shortage of advice on what not to say or how to word things so they sound sincere. But what about when you want people to open up their inboxes to read yours? If this sounds like something you're struggling with, here are eight great tips from our experts to help you perfect your approach to sending emails that will be noticed by everyone who receives them.

First off, if you've ever been stuck on what to write in the subject line for a networking email (or any other type of email), we have some helpful suggestions below. And if you don't know where to start, check out these general rules for crafting an amazing email body before heading into specifics.

What do I put in the subject line of a networking email?

For many years, the best way to reach out to someone was through LinkedIn. The service has evolved over time, but the basic premise remains unchanged -- it allows you to stay connected with old friends and acquaintances while also making new ones. So, the first thing you should consider when creating a subject line is whether the recipient might already be using LinkedIn, and if so, which version he or she uses. For example, Gmail users can choose between Google+ and Inbox as their default mail client. While MailChimp users can use either Chrome or Firefox as their browser of choice.

If you aren't sure if your target audience is currently using a particular platform, it never hurts to ask! Simply send an introductory email asking specifically what software platforms they prefer. This could lead to valuable insights such as "I'm not yet familiar with [insert platform name]," or "I usually use [insert platform name]. Would you mind sharing?" Then, you'll have information about what works well for specific recipients and what doesn't work at all. With this info, you can craft a compelling subject line that will hopefully pique interest enough to spark a reply.

Another option is to simply include both options in your email. You may think that only one person would respond positively to this kind of outreach, but the reality is that every single person reading your message wants to hear from you. It just makes sense to offer two choices instead of forcing yourself to come up with something original.

While we were brainstorming ideas for this article, we came across another strategy we'd love to share -- including a link to an existing resource.

How do you address a network email?

The next step after determining which messaging app or platform your contact prefers is to determine how to properly format your initial communication. There are plenty of ways to go about this, but the easiest method is probably to follow whatever conventions are set forth by the platform itself. For instance, LinkedIn messages are typically limited to 160 characters, and Facebook conversations tend to run anywhere from 140-160 characters.

This means that even though you won't necessarily need to adhere to strict character limits, you still should take care to keep your emails short and sweet. As much as possible, try to avoid lengthy introductions since anyone receiving your email knows who you are within seconds of opening your correspondence. Instead, focus on telling them why you reached out in the first place, then move onto the meatier part of your conversation. Keep it concise and direct. Again, remember that each individual person has his or her own preferences regarding length, style, and tone.

In addition to ensuring that your email fits the platform's parameters, it's important to customize your message depending on whom you're contacting. There isn't really anything wrong with addressing a colleague via email versus calling him or her on the phone, but you should tailor your message accordingly based on how accessible the person is to you. An introvert friend might appreciate a simple hello rather than a full explanation of your company's latest project. On the flip side, an extroverted coworker might enjoy hearing details about your day.

A few key points to note are that personalization is always appreciated, especially if you've had previous interactions with the intended recipient, and it's OK to skip formalities such as "Dear" or "Hi". Most importantly, be mindful of your tone throughout your entire message. A warm welcome is always better received than a cold rejection.

Finally, consider adding a call-to-action to your email. Some companies encourage employees to add a CTA right above the signature block in order to increase response rates. Others suggest the reverse -- adding a CTA below the signature block to ensure that people actually see it. Whatever you decide to do, make sure that it's easy to find.

What do you write in the subject line for a job email?

There's a lot of confusion surrounding the best practices for applying for jobs online. Should you attach a resume? Or provide links to your social media profiles? What about attaching a cover letter? All of those methods have pros and cons, and choosing the appropriate one depends largely upon the position being applied for and the requirements listed on the website. When it comes to networking emails, however, there's often less ambiguity because you're trying to make a connection. That said, we recommend keeping your attachments minimal and focusing on what matters most: the content of your message.

As mentioned earlier, the biggest mistake you can make is coming across as overly salesy. To counteract this problem, stick to straightforward language and refrain from using buzz words or phrases. Remember, too, that the purpose of your email is to introduce yourself and convey your availability for future opportunities.

An additional point worth mentioning is that if you're going to send multiple applications, it's generally accepted practice to create separate emails for each application. Sending several copies of the same email could raise questions as to whether you're trying to apply for multiple positions simultaneously.

Which email subject lines is most effective?

Now that you understand common mistakes made when composing networking emails, you should feel comfortable moving forward with confidence. However, once again, you shouldn't forget to tailor your message according to the preferences of the recipient. One final tip: whenever you send out a message, always double check to ensure accuracy. Nothing beats getting caught spelling a word incorrectly. Don't let this happen to you!

Once you've finished crafting your message, you'll likely receive feedback from others in your industry. Take advantage of that opportunity and test out various versions of your email until you land on one that seems optimal. Once you figure out the ideal wording, you can begin repeating it regularly. After all, consistency is key!

Your email inbox is full of emails from people looking for jobs or opportunities. You may have been asked by someone who wants to meet up at a networking event, but doesn't know how to introduce themselves properly so they don't end up being seen as weirdos.

There's also the time-sensitive emails like "We're having a staff meeting next week" -- you need to add yourself to the list so you can be ready when it happens. And finally there are all those emails asking if anyone else has any openings to fill. These last two emails can be tricky because everyone knows what kind of message you want to send (or not) depending on whether it's something personal or work related. But even though it might seem daunting, we'll show you exactly how to craft an excellent email that gets read.

If you were going to email a friend about something non-work related, what would you say? If you had to explain why you wanted them to join, what would you put down? What would you include in the body of the email? In short, what is a good subject line for a networking email? Here are some ideas to consider.

What makes an effective email subject line?

It should grab attention right away. So many emails miss this point entirely, sending their recipients straight into spam territory without giving them much chance to even open the email. Your best bet is to come up with a headline that piques curiosity. It could be anything from "Hey! Wanted to check in!" to "I'm thinking of joining XYZ company." A simple way to test an email subject line before writing one out is to see which ones you receive most often via Gmail filters. This will give you some insight into what works.

The email subject line must be relevant. Just saying "Hi," isn't enough. Think about the content of the email. Is it about a specific topic matter? Or is it simply sharing news about yourself? The answer to both questions determines whether your email fits the bill.

You should always ask yourself these three things first: Why am I contacting this person? How does my contact fit into the overall picture? How can I use this connection to achieve our mutual goals? For example, if you've received an invitation to attend a career fair, think about what you hope to gain from attending and then tailor the email accordingly.

Sometimes you just want to reach out to someone personally instead of through an impersonal email chain, such as inviting someone to lunch. When that's the case, try to find common ground between you and the recipient. Maybe you share similar values around health and wellness, or maybe you have a shared hobby that you enjoy together outside of work. Whatever the reason behind the invite, you can turn it into a conversation where you bond over a new interest and perhaps create a lasting friendship.

Keep the language light. Avoid using words that sound overly formal, unless you really mean to convey that level of formality. People aren't interested in hearing about your accomplishments or achievements, just as they wouldn't care about reading about the latest gossip in your office. Keep it casual, friendly, and conversational.

What is the correct strategy for the email subject line?

When crafting your email subject line, keep these points in mind:

Don't send too many messages at once. Don't overload people with multiple emails. Instead, send only one email per day with a clear call to action. That means no vague statements like "let me know if you have any openings..."

Think about the purpose of each individual email. While it's fine to occasionally send several emails, you shouldn't bombard someone with dozens of requests. Each email should serve its own purpose. Some emails might be purely informational while others will contain a request for information. Try to separate your emails according to these criteria.

Include a call to action. Make sure every single email contains a clear call to action somewhere. Whether it's requesting feedback from your audience or offering advice, you should state clearly what you'd like them to do next. Even if you're trying to establish rapport and build trust, never assume people already know what you expect of them. Give them a nudge.

Be aware of your target audience. Every piece of communication requires that you take your intended audience into account. Knowing who receives your emails helps you create better subject lines. You can learn this information by signing up for third party services that track your contacts' interests and preferences. Then look for commonalities among the people you regularly correspond with.

How do you write a professional network email?

So now that you understand what makes a strong email subject line, let's talk about the actual content of your email. First, you need to decide whether you wish to send a general introductory email or a targeted email to a particular group. We recommend starting off broad and gradually refining your approach based on response rates.

For example, if you want to start networking with sales managers, you probably won't want to send a generic email to all employees offering to sit down for coffee. But if you wanted to reach out to a small team within a larger organization, you might consider drafting an email introducing yourself and your background, followed by a personalized offer about sitting down for coffee soon.

Next, you'll need to choose the proper tone for your message. Again, this depends partly on whom you're targeting. If you're addressing your boss, you'll likely follow a more formal tone than if you're talking to a colleague, especially one you haven't worked directly with yet. However, regardless of who you're approaching, you'll need to set expectations early on. Are you planning on making friends or building long term relationships? Do you plan to pursue business partnerships or potential employment? Be honest upfront.

Finally, you'll want to stick to the same format as other types of correspondence. Write in complete sentences rather than bullet points. Use active voice and avoid passive verbs. Include links and images whenever possible. Remember, this email is designed to encourage interaction, so you'll want to provide plenty of reasons for readers to respond. Also, remember that you're creating a relationship here. Treat it seriously and don't forget to thank your reader for taking the time to read your note.

How do I email a network for a job?

Now that you know how to write a great email, you can apply the same principles to applying for a position. Before you hit Send, however, you'll also want to practice speaking confidently during phone interviews, preparing for your initial face to face interview, and practicing your responses to tough questions. Follow these tips to nail your next job search.