Best Practices for Requesting Warm Intros From Your Investors

Your investors hold extensive networks that can be invaluable for warm introductions to potential customers, advisors, and candidates. Making this process seamless for your investor is key. Here's a straightforward guide to assist you.

1. Identify Your Targets on LinkedIn:

  • Ensure you are connected to your investor

  • Click on their "connections" list 

  • Use the "All Filters" tab to refine your search. Free text in the Keywords section "Title" and "Company" can be most helpful. (Pro-tip: LinkedIn Sales Navigator offers a free trial and has much more robust search filters available.)

2. Create a Target List:

  • Compile a concise list of no more than 20 targets connected to your investor. 

  • Include the target's name, title, company, and LinkedIn profile

  • Send to your investor and ask them to identify which folks they feel comfortable reaching out to

(example)

3. Prepare the Forwardable Emails

  • Once your investor identifies which targets they can reach out to, craft individual forwardable emails

  • Ensure the emails are easy for your investor to forward with a personal note

(example)

Pro-Tips for a Great Forwardable

  • Include a link to the target's LinkedIn profile so your investor can quickly orient

  • Add specific language to show you've done your research on this person (the above example notes the target's past work experience)

  • Keep it short and to the point

  • Make a clear ask (ex. "Would you be open to a call to discuss?")

  • Add additional supporting info about your company below your signature line