What should I title my cold network email?

When it comes to sending emails, we all have our own personal rules of thumb on how to best introduce ourselves or reach out to someone new. The "how" can be as simple as the words used, but often times these small details can really affect whether an email opens or not.

In fact, according to research by LinkedIn Learning, there's about a 50 percent chance that if you're using the wrong word in your introduction email, it could end up being deleted without ever seeing the light of day. This means that even with great content, it could still miss its mark because of something so seemingly insignificant as the way you've titled it.

While some people may feel like they don't need to change anything at all, others will want to know exactly which phrases work well for their specific situation. Here are eight different subject lines that will get your networking email opened and help you make meaningful connections and close more deals.

Keep reading below to learn more about each one...

What should I title my cold email network?

If this is your first time contacting a colleague, then the most important thing you'll want to think about is the purpose behind your message. What are you trying to accomplish? Do you just want them to see it, read it, and move onto the next person? Or would you prefer for them to actually respond back to you?

While there isn't any right or wrong answer here (it depends entirely on your relationship), sometimes it helps to consider who else might receive your message before deciding on the perfect opening salvo. If you know for certain that another member of your team will be receiving this particular email, then you'll want to keep things short and sweet while also ensuring that it makes sense from both perspectives.

For example, if you're reaching out to a client to set up a call, then your intro email could include information about why it'd benefit them to speak with you rather than simply stating your availability. On the other hand, if you're looking to schedule a quick catch-up meetup between two friends over lunch, then you should opt for a friendlier approach instead.

The key here is always to try to anticipate what type of response you're hoping for and tailor your wording accordingly. For instance, if you're emailing a potential customer to ask for feedback after working together on a project, then you may want to start off with something along the lines of "I wanted to follow up on our last conversation..." instead of "Hey! It was nice chatting with [name]. How's everything going?"

Even though the latter sounds much less formal, it may come across as too abrupt and pushy depending on the recipient. In contrast, starting off with the former shows respect for the relationship and allows the conversation to flow naturally once it starts.

How do I name my network email?

Once you've figured out the ideal length for your message and decided on the appropriate tone, now you can begin thinking about how you want to name your email itself. Should you use your full name? A shortened version of your name? Your company name? Some combination of those three elements?

Ultimately, it comes down to what feels comfortable for you and your audience. However, remember that you can easily edit your email to remove any branding or identifying information when you send it later on. That way, if anyone wants to reference an earlier exchange, they won't accidentally share incorrect info.

As far as choosing between your first or last names goes, many professionals find themselves leaning towards using their initials instead, especially since the majority of social media profiles already display this information anyway. For example, if you go by John Smith, then you can choose to say hello via JSMITH@email.com instead of JSmith@gmail.com.

Although it doesn't provide quite the same personalization as including your whole name, it does allow you to quickly identify yourself based on your email address alone. As long as you avoid sharing this contact information online without permission, no one will ever be able to guess who sent you that invitation.

What is a good subject line for a networking email?

Now that you understand the importance of tailoring your message to fit the context, let's take a look at what kind of language works well within those parameters. While every industry has different standards, we've compiled a list of common examples for several scenarios below. You can check them against your own job description to determine whether they sound natural enough for you.

First impressions matter, so if you want your email to stand out among hundreds of messages, you'll need to write something catchy and engaging. When considering what to write, you'll generally want to focus on topics that relate directly to whatever you're asking for -- i.e., if you're requesting feedback on a recent presentation, then mention it specifically.

Otherwise, stick to generic statements such as "Let me know if you have any questions," "Could I pick your brain?" and "Would love to hear your thoughts." These types of openers tend to be more effective overall since they're more likely to elicit a positive reaction.

However, if you're writing to someone whose expertise is completely unrelated to yours, then it's probably better to leave those kinds of requests aside until you build rapport. Instead, opt for something general like "Thought you'd enjoy hearing about X", where X is whatever topic you and the recipient have mutual interest in.

Regardless of what you decide to write, make sure that it fits comfortably into the body of the email and follows the same rhythm as the rest of your communication throughout the year. Think about where you'd typically start, middle, and finish any given piece of correspondence, and aim to mirror this structure wherever possible.

Lastly, you'll definitely want to test various variations of your subject line to ensure that it gets noticed by the recipients. Try swapping around terms like "letting you know," "wondering if," "looking forward to," etc., and see what happens. Sometimes a few tweaks can drastically improve how fast your email gets opened and ultimately lead to higher conversion rates.

How do you title a networking email? 

Finally, you'll want to figure out how to properly title your emails so that everyone knows precisely whom you're addressing. After all, if you're trying to reach out to multiple contacts at once, then having the correct names listed in the text box is crucial. Not only will it prevent confusion, but it'll also save you valuable seconds that you can spend on crafting your actual message instead.

To illustrate, imagine that you had five different networking opportunities lined up ahead of you today. Each one required a separate email, and you were running late for all of them. Now, you're frantically typing away in Gmail, desperately searching for the right labels. Meanwhile, your inbox fills up with dozens upon dozens of unread mails.

By applying proper labeling, however, you wouldn't have to waste precious minutes hunting through old threads to find the ones you needed. By adding the relevant tags to each individual email, you'll instantly know exactly who to expect when you click Reply / Forward, thus saving you countless hours of frustration.

Remember, the more consistent you are with the naming conventions, the easier it will become to manage your inbox. Once you master the art of tagging correctly, you'll never again run into problems like this. With practice, you'll soon find that you can label almost anything with ease.

Do you use any tips for creating compelling and personalized introductions? Let us know in the comments below!

This story originally appeared on the blog of Jobvite, a career site dedicated to helping job seekers land fulfilling jobs faster.

When it comes to sending emails to people outside of your usual circle, there's no one-size fits all rule on how to write them or what they should be titled. But we're here as some handy tips on writing effective emails so you'll stand out from the crowd while also giving yourself a chance at being seen by potential customers and collaborators.

You can use these templates to start building relationships with new contacts -- whether it's someone who is just starting their career or is looking for work opportunities like you. To keep things interesting, try adding something personal into each template (like "I'm sorry" if you accidentally hit Send on a bad day) to show that you care about connecting with other humans. It helps build trust between two parties before getting down to discussing actual work.

We've got tons of resources to help you learn how to send better emails, including our guide on creating killer LinkedIn profiles, our article on using LinkedIn to find jobs after graduation, and our list of best email marketing tools that'll help you manage your inbox.

If you want even more advice on how to connect via email, check out these articles on how to catch up with old friends, when it makes sense to reach out to strangers online, and how to create a great first impression through your resume. If you have questions not covered below, feel free to ask us anything! We love hearing from readers.

What should I title this email?

This question has been asked many times over, but the answer varies depending on who you're talking to. For example, if you're replying to a colleague, you might want to stick to formal communication styles. However, if you're corresponding with a stranger whom you met once at a party, you don't need to worry too much about formality -- simply introduce yourself casually and then move onto the meatier parts of the conversation.

For instance, if you were introduced to someone at a social gathering because you both had a mutual friend, you could say something along the lines of, "Hey, John Doe, nice seeing you again!" This way, you're establishing rapport without coming off as overly familiar. You'd likely hear back within 24 hours since everyone wants to know who you are and why you reached out to them.

On the flip side, if you're trying to contact someone who works at another company, you may want to follow the same format outlined above. In this case, you should avoid mentioning names until you've already made eye contact and established familiarity. Instead, say something like, "Hi, Mr. Jones," followed by some pleasantries ("It's good to see you again"), which will hopefully prompt him to respond.

In general, remember that most people won't mind you calling them by their full name unless it's done repeatedly and annoyingly throughout the course of a discussion. Also note that you shouldn't ever call anyone by their last name alone.

What should I title the subject of my email?

The subject line is arguably the most important part of any email. It determines whether or not someone opens the message and gives you a small window into what kind of person they are based solely on the words you choose. The following eight subjects are surefire ways to grab attention and land you a spot in the recipient's inbox.

How To Write An Email Subject Line That Gets Opened

1. [Company Name] + What They Do + How Can I Help?

2. Introduce Yourself + Ask A Question Or Make A Request

3. Hi There - Let Me Talk About X / Y First

4. Follow Up From Last Time We Spoke

5. Got Questions On [Topic]? Here Are Some Answers

6. Just Needed Someone Like You At [Location]. Let's Get Connected

7. Looking Forward To Meeting With You Soon

8. Please Read My Resume And Consider Hiring/Joining Team

What should I title an introduction email?

An introductory email doesn't necessarily mean you're asking for assistance. Depending on the situation, you may want to set expectations upfront before jumping straight into the nitty gritty details. For example, if you're planning to meet up with a coworker to discuss ideas, instead of saying, "Can I talk to you about XYZ?" you would probably open with something such as, "Hope you're doing well." Then proceed to tell her where she stands regarding whatever topic came up during the phone call.

Similarly, you wouldn't immediately jump into selling a product or service in an intro email. Instead, you would typically begin with something casual, like, "Nice weather today." Afterward, you can continue on to mention a recent news story or event you heard about, or maybe share something you learned recently.

What do you title an email when reaching out?

There are plenty of situations where reaching out to people isn't actually necessary. When the goal is merely to establish rapport, you can skip right past the opening salvo and go directly for the good stuff.

For example, if you're going to a wedding reception and chatting with people, you wouldn't expect to start your conversation with, "Hello, I'm Jane Smith, CEO of ABC Corporation..." Rather, you'd say something simple like, "Wow, I didn't realize you worked for XYZ Company! Did you enjoy the ceremony?" Then move on to talking about the food, music, etc., rather than diving into the nuts and bolts of your job duties.

Another scenario involves setting up a quick coffee date with a co-worker or someone who knows nothing about your company. In this case, you can approach it like you would a regular lunch date. Start with "Hi, let me cut to the chase -- did I catch you at a good time?" Once you've secured a place to sit, you can launch into a brief rundown of what you do and what interests you personally.

Finally, if you're hoping to snag a referral, you can take it slow by showing interest in whatever the person mentioned prior to introducing yourself. Say something like, "That sounds cool -- thanks for sharing." Then move forward with your pitch.

Subject line length matters less with longer introductions, especially if you're targeting a specific individual. As long as you maintain consistency across messages, it shouldn't matter much.

What should I put in subject line when reaching out?

As previously stated, you don't always have to include a subject line in every single piece of correspondence you send. Sometimes, you can simply leave it blank and assume the content itself carries enough information to entice recipients to read further. Other times, though, you may want to add a few extra words to ensure they understand exactly what you're offering.

For example, if you're responding to a request to join a project team, you might consider saying something like, "Thanks for inviting me to participate. Would you please fill out this application and return it ASAP?" This way, you give them a clear idea of what they're supposed to do next.

Likewise, if you're contacting someone for the first time, you can still offer additional context by stating something like, "Please complete my profile and I'll review it later tonight" or "Would you be willing to schedule 30 minutes to discuss the opportunity?" These phrases suggest that the person needs to act quickly, which means he or she will likely appreciate knowing what to do next.

And finally, if you're trying to make a connection with someone whose industry you admire and respect, you might want to include something like, "Let's stay connected" or "Keep me updated on progress." This shows that you genuinely value working together and are interested in keeping tabs on his or her future endeavors.

Hopefully, this little primer has helped you craft some catchy subject lines for your own emails. While the exact phrasing may vary slightly depending on the circumstances, you now know how to write compelling ones that resonate with the reader and encourage action.

Now that you're armed with helpful wordsmithing knowledge, you're ready to impress with the rest of your writing skills. Check out our guides on crafting resumes that get noticed and landing interview invitations. Plus, read up on everything else you need to know about getting hired and staying employed. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Twitter and Facebook for daily updates.

Originally written by Nathan Bransford on March 20th 2020. Updated by Sam Bowers on May 25th 2021.

Cold-calling is the bane of any salesperson's existence. It’s time consuming, it can be incredibly awkward if not done correctly, and there’s always some kind of risk involved—even with permission! The good news is that when you use a strong introduction email as part of your outreach strategy, you don't need to fear asking someone on LinkedIn or elsewhere for a referral because they'll see how much effort you've put into getting them interested.

But before you start sending those emails, you want to know exactly what to say so you're sure to set yourself apart from everyone else who wants to reach out to this person. Here are eight different subject lines that will get your networking email opened and help you make meaningful connections and close more deals.

How do you send a cold email to a network?

I'm going to assume you have already created a list and built rapport with people within your target industry. This is where most people go wrong by trying to "cold" approach their contacts instead of being genuine and building relationships first. If you try to just add another contact to your network without having a relationship, chances are very low they'll respond. So build your network slowly over time and only ask others to refer you after they realize you're worth knowing.

That said, here are a few ways to introduce yourself to your network and create an opening to ask for referrals:

Send follow ups (or introductions) via LinkedIn Messages

If possible, connect with someone using one of these methods and then schedule a phone or video conference call. You might find that they share common interests or work together at some point and would appreciate a quick update about each other.

Introduce yourself during a social event

This works particularly well when you attend events like conferences or meetups hosted by companies you admire. When introducing yourself, mention something personal about why you are attending such an event and then offer to exchange contact information. In return, give them a short summary of why you think they'd enjoy working with you based off of your shared interest. For example, if both of you love travel, you could tell them how much fun you had traveling around Europe last year and how great it was connecting with new friends through Couchsurfing.com, which led you to meet several people who became lifelong friends.

Ask for advice while visiting a company

While you may not feel comfortable approaching strangers, sometimes you really need to talk with someone who has experience in the field you're exploring. Ask them questions about their job responsibilities, what makes them tick, etc., and listen carefully for answers. Then take notes and come back later with specific action items that you hope they'll help you implement. Or simply keep listening until you hear something interesting enough that you decide to pursue further.

Create a blog post detailing how you used their product/service

Once you've established a relationship with someone, you now have access to their expertise and perspective on whatever topic you want to explore. Take advantage of that and craft a simple blog post explaining how you found value in their products. Talk about the pain points you faced and how their solution helped you overcome them. Be honest but also show appreciation for how valuable they were to you. And if you have relevant case studies showing success stories, include them too!

Tell me about yourself

The best way to make a friend is to befriend someone first. After all, if you haven't spent quality time with someone yet, how can you expect them to trust you enough to let you inside their world? Make small talk with someone during a conversation and then ask them directly about themselves. How long they've been doing X profession, what brought them to Y career path, etc. Listen intently and repeat back everything they said. That's called active listening, which helps people open up and feel valued. By sharing your own story, you demonstrate that you care deeply about theirs and are willing to invest in a friendship even though you didn't initiate the interaction.

Include a link to your website

After you've connected with someone, you can extend an invitation to visit their website. Asking for referrals is easier than convincing someone to buy something since you don't have to pressure them into buying anything right away. But once they agree to check out your site, you can easily build a relationship with them and gain their trust by giving them free content regularly.

How do you write an email to a network?

To avoid sounding spammy, here are five guidelines to writing effective emails.

1. Keep it brief

Don't waste space with unnecessary details or lengthy paragraphs. Your goal isn't necessarily to convince anyone to hire you. Instead, it's to establish a friendly relationship with someone whose opinion you respect. Focus on telling a compelling story rather than listing bullet points. Include a clear call to action and end on a positive note.

2. Write in third person

When you speak to someone face-to-face, you naturally engage in a dialogue. However, when you write to someone, you must force yourself to sound conversational. To achieve that effect, break down your sentences into two parts: the noun phrase describing what happened ("We met") followed by the verb phrase ("talked"). Then finish every sentence with "so," such as, "So we talked."

3. Use direct language

Avoid passive voice whenever possible. Passive verbs convey passivity and lack authority. For instance, instead of saying, "My client asked me to make suggestions...", state things in terms of actions: "I suggested...," or "I recommended...."

4. Avoid jargon

Jargon is often associated with technical fields and therefore seems cool and intimidating to many non-technical folks. They worry that if they don't understand something, they won't be able to relate. On the contrary, if you choose words carefully, you can still communicate effectively despite lacking knowledge in certain areas. Choose words that resonate with meaning and feelings, rather than technical terms.

5. Proofread

Even though English grammar is complex, it doesn't mean you can ignore proofreading. Double-check your spelling and punctuation errors. Read your message aloud to ensure that no word sounds weird to you. Don't forget to look at your links and images---if they don't load properly, your reader will lose confidence in your brand and credibility. A little bit goes a long way toward creating a memorable impression.

How do I cold call my network?

You don't need special skills to cold call a stranger. Just remember that you shouldn't pressure them into hiring you if they aren't ready. Instead, focus on establishing a pleasant atmosphere and letting potential clients know that you genuinely care about helping them succeed. You can also prepare a script ahead of time so you don't have to memorize it.

For tips on turning cold calls into warm conversations, you can read our article on how to turn a cold call into a win-win situation.

Can you send cold emails to businesses?

Yes. Though it's harder to get responses from corporate accounts. Still, you can apply the same principles outlined above to writing introductory emails to business leaders. Remember to tailor your messages depending on whether you're contacting individuals or entire teams. Also consider the tone you wish to project. Are you looking to impress someone with your credentials? Do you seek to build mutual respect and trust between you? Whatever your intent, you never know what type of response you'll receive until you test your idea.

And finally, if you ever experience rejection, take heart. There are hundreds of thousands of professionals across dozens of industries and millions of potential customers. Even if you fail at your attempts, there are plenty of opportunities waiting for you somewhere else.