If you have not talked in a while
Mutual's first name, been a minute. Hope you're doing great. Noticed you're connected to Prospect's full name at Prospect's company. Do you know them well?
MUTUAL INTROS
Get a warm intro through a mutual.
Watch the lesson, work the four steps, and use the exact message for what happens next.
Browse the template libraryTHE LESSON
Start with the full lesson.
Use the chapters when you need to revisit one part of the motion.
THE PLAYBOOK
Four moves. One credible handoff.
Start with relationship quality. Then make the next step easy for everyone involved.
1 Identify a mutual connectionStart on LinkedIn. You are looking for someone who can credibly vouch for you, not simply the shortest path.
- Go to the prospect's LinkedIn profile.
- Check whether you share a mutual connection.
- For an important target, check roughly three possible routes before choosing one.
- Pick the person with the strongest real relationship to the prospect.
2 Message the mutual contactKeep it short. Ask about the relationship before asking for the introduction.
If you are on casual terms
Hey Mutual's name, I noticed you're connected with Prospect's full name. Do you know them well?
The shortest version
Mutual's name, do you know Prospect's full name well?
3 Handle the responseFour things can happen. Reply in a way that protects the relationship and keeps the work moving.
Yes, and you have their email
Can I email you something to forward to them? Is email address the right email?
Yes, but you do not have their email
Can I give you a simple email to forward to them?
No
All good. Thanks anyway. Anything I can help you with?
No response
Any chance you can help me with this one? If it is feasible, I would love an intro to Prospect's full name.
4 Send the forwardable emailWrite the note your mutual can forward without editing. Their job should be to hit send.
Forwardable email
Hi Mutual's name,
Thank you for introducing me to Prospect's name and for supporting Your company.
I think we can how you can help them. Details are in the blurb below.
Prospect's first name can reach me directly at Your email.
Blurb:
A short, clear description of your company and why the conversation matters to this prospect
36 MESSAGES
Find the message for your next move.
Choose what happened most recently. Start with the best-fit message, then compare every valid option.
I Initial referral request The opening ask. Sent to your mutual connection, usually on LinkedIn or email. 4
Option 1 A small favor
Use whenYou know the mutual well enough to ask a direct favor and offer to write the forwarding note.
SubjectPossible intro?
Hey Mutual's first name, I was on LinkedIn and noticed you're connected to Prospect's full name. Can I snag a small favor from you, would you be comfortable making an introduction? Happy to ghostwrite the note as well; just let me know.
Thanks!
Option 2 Doing a little digging
Use whenYou are reconnecting with a mutual and want a straightforward request with minimal setup.
Hi Mutual's first name,
Can I please get your help? Doing a little digging, I noticed you're my LinkedIn connection to Prospect's full name. Would you be comfortable making an introduction? Happy to ghostwrite the message for you.
Thanks!
Option 3 Do you feel close enough
Use whenYou are on casual terms and need to confirm that the LinkedIn connection is actually close.
Hey Mutual's first name,
What's going on? I saw you're connected to Prospect's full name @ Lead company name on LinkedIn. Do you feel close enough to make an intro? If you need me to create a blurb or new email, just say the word.
Thanks!
Option 4 Couldn't hurt to ask
Use whenYou do not know the quality of the LinkedIn connection and want to give the mutual an easy out.
I know LinkedIn connections are hit or miss; I figured it couldn't hurt to ask. I see you're connected to Prospect's full name. Are they a meaningful or strong connection of yours? Would you feel comfortable making an intro?
Thanks!
II Mutual doesn't respond Follow up a set number of business days after the initial note. Monday initial, the following Monday follow-up. 3
Option 1 Just checking in
Use whenA business week has passed since your first request and you want to send a gentle follow-up.
Hi Mutual's first name,
Checking in to see if you had a chance to review my request in the initial email. Is it possible to get an intro to Prospect's full name?
Option 2 Did you read my email
Use whenYou can be direct with the mutual and want to restate the relationship-quality question.
Did you get a chance to read my initial email? Do you feel close enough to Prospect's full name to make the intro?
Thank you!
Option 3 Any chance you can help
Use whenYou want one final, concise follow-up before leaving the request alone.
Any chance you can help me with this one? If it's feasible, I would love an intro to Prospect's full name.
Thanks!
III Mutual does not agree to the intro They know the prospect but won't make the introduction. 1
Option 1 It's been too long since they spoke Draft
Use whenThe mutual says it has been too long since they spoke with the prospect.
Totally understand, Mutual's first name. If it's been that long, an intro probably does more harm than good. Let's leave it.
If someone else comes to mind who knows Prospect's first name better, send them my way. Appreciate the quick reply!
IV Mutual agreed to the intro Make forwarding effortless. Give them the note and permission to reshape it. 4
Option 1 Fresh email request
Use whenThe mutual agreed and you need a fresh email they can forward with your company context.
SubjectProspect's full name intro to Your company
Hi Mutual's first name,
Will you please introduce me to Prospect's full name? I noticed you're my mutual on LinkedIn.
Paragraph on what you do and why it matters to them
Will you let me know if they're open to an introduction?
Option 2 Blurb for a former colleague
Use whenThe mutual is a friend or former colleague and you want to supply a flexible forwarding blurb.
Thanks, Mutual's first name! Very appreciative that you're willing to help me out here. Below is the blurb; feel free to shape it any way you see fit.
I'm reaching out on behalf of my friend and former colleague Blurb
Option 3 Context and blurb needed
Use whenThe mutual agreed but needs both context and ready-to-forward copy.
Hi Mutual's first name,
Thanks for getting back to me. I left a blurb below, which gives you a.) context and b.) a message to copy-paste or modify as you see fit. Are you comfortable passing this along to Prospect's first name? Much appreciated!
I'm reaching out on behalf of my friend and former colleague. They're interested in having a convo to learn about Lead company's growth marketing blueprint. Blurb
Option 4 Lead on what's new
Use whenA recent company development is the strongest reason for the introduction.
SubjectPossible intro to Prospect's full name?
Hi Mutual's first name,
Will you please introduce me to Prospect's full name? I noticed you're my mutual on LinkedIn.
A few sentences explaining something that is new about the company
V Mutual agreed, then goes dark Common. People say 'happy to help' and never circle back, either because they forgot or never planned to. 4
Option 1 Closing the loop
Use whenThe mutual agreed, enough time has passed, and you want to close the loop without pressure.
Just want to close the loop here and then leave you be. Is it safe to assume that you did not hear back? Thanks for helping me out.
Option 2 What are my chances
Use whenThe mutual agreed and you want a direct status check on the introduction.
Were you able to connect with Prospect's first name? What are my chances of an intro coming to fruition?
Option 3 Follow your lead
Use whenYou know the mutual well enough to ask whether to keep trying or let it go.
Hey! Should we let this one go or keep at it? I'll follow your lead. Thanks!
Option 4 Able to connect me
Use whenYou want the shortest possible nudge after the mutual agreed to help.
Hi! Any chance you're able to connect me with Prospect's first name?
VI Mutual agreed, prospect declined Double opt-in intros are optimal, but expect drop-off between the mutual agreeing and the prospect accepting. 3
Option 1 Grateful you attempted
Use whenThe mutual tried, the prospect declined, and you want to respond with warm gratitude.
Hey Mutual's first name,
No worries! I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out regardless. Let me know if I can ever help you out. Take care!
Option 2 Making an attempt
Use whenThe mutual made a real effort and you want to acknowledge the time they spent.
Hey Mutual's first name,
Bummer, thanks for the effort. Appreciate you taking time out of your schedule and making an attempt. Let me know if I can help you out in any way down the line.
Option 3 Giving it a try
Use whenYou only need a brief thank-you after the mutual reports that the prospect declined.
Hi Mutual's first name, appreciate the update and giving it a try.
VII Responded, try the next connection A common answer is 'I don't feel comfortable making the intro'. It comes up when they've lost touch since college, or the two parted ways badly. 4
Option 1 Loose connection Draft
Use whenThe mutual says their connection is too loose to support a credible introduction.
Good to know, Mutual's first name. No sense spending a loose connection on this one, so let's skip it.
Appreciate you being straight with me. Anything on your end I can help with?
Option 2 Not comfortable
Use whenThe mutual is not comfortable making the introduction and no more context is needed.
Thanks for hitting me back and shedding some light on Prospect's first name. Enough said, let's just skip the intro. Really appreciate the help regardless!
Option 3a Not worth pursuing, negative details surfaced Draft
Use whenThe mutual surfaced negative information that makes the prospect not worth pursuing.
I had no idea, Mutual's first name. Thanks for the candor, that's exactly the kind of thing I'd never find on LinkedIn.
Let's drop this one. I owe you one.
Option 3b Not worth pursuing, negative details surfaced Draft
Use whenThe mutual saved you from chasing a poor-fit prospect and you want to close with gratitude.
Really appreciate you flagging that, Mutual's first name. You probably just saved me a few weeks of chasing the wrong lead.
Taking Prospect's first name off the list. Let me know if I can return the favor sometime.
VIII Lead contact made, intro in progress The handoff. Move the mutual to bcc and take it from there. 3
Option 1 Dedicate some time
Use whenThe email introduction is live and a teammate will lead the next conversation.
Thanks, Mutual's first name. Moving you to bcc to spare your inbox.
Hey Lead's first name,
Pleased to meet you via email. The team would love to schedule a call and hear everything that's going on at Lead company. CC'd first name (cc'd) manages the business, day to day operations and portfolio expansion. They'll lead the charge from our end, and I'll try my absolute best to participate.
Hi Lead's first name,
Pleased to meet you! Would love to hear what you're up to, share what we've been up to, and explore whether there's a mutual fit.
How's date option 1 or date option 2 at time work for you? EA full name will help with the scheduling. Look forward!
Option 2 Connecting live Draft
Use whenThe introduction is live and you want to move directly to a short call.
Thanks, Mutual's first name. Moving you to bcc so we stop filling your inbox.
Hey Lead's first name,
Great to be connected. Rather than trade emails, would you be open to 20 minutes live? I'd love to hear what you're building at Lead company and share what we've been working on.
I'm open date option 1 or date option 2. If neither works, here's my calendar: Scheduling link.
Option 3 Intro made on LinkedIn
Use whenThe introduction happened on LinkedIn and you need to move the conversation to email.
LinkedIn messaging:
Tnx, Mutual's first name! Hey Lead's first name, would love to connect. What's your email address?
Email, after getting the lead's address:
Hey Lead's first name,
It's a pleasure meeting you! The team would love to schedule a call and hear everything that's going on at Lead company. CC'd first name (cc'd) manages the business, day to day operations and portfolio expansion. They'll lead the charge from our end, and I'll try my absolute best to participate.
LinkedIn message from CC'd first name:
Thanks Mutual's first name and great to meet you, Lead's first name. Would love to make a connection. How's date option 1 or date option 2 for a call?
IX Miscellaneous scenarios The edge cases that come up often enough to have a script ready. 8
Scenario 1 Agreed to the intro without a blessing
Use whenThe mutual shared the prospect's email without creating a three-way introduction.
Hey Prospect's first name,
I got your email from Mutual's full name; they said you'd be game to chat. I'd love to tell you what I'm working on over here and learn about your growth goals and plans for Lead company in year.
What's a good time and date for a convo next week? Looking forward to it!
Scenario 2 Mutual asks about the family
Use whenThe mutual asks a personal catch-up question before acting on the introduction.
Thanks, Mutual's first name! The family is doing well. All healthy, so no complaints. How's everything going on your end?
I've created the blurb (see below), but feel free to shape it any way you see fit. I appreciate the assistance!
Blurb
Scenario 3 Mutual isn't sure how they're connected, but is willing
Use whenThe mutual is unsure how they know the prospect but is still willing to try.
Thanks for getting back to me, Mutual's first name. Let's give it a try, and if nothing else, I'm indebted to you. Below is a blurb, but consider it a starting point, feel free to edit as you see fit.
Blurb
Scenario 4a Happy to help, but didn't ask for a blurb
Use whenThe mutual agreed but did not ask you for a forwarding blurb.
Sounds good, Mutual's first name! Appreciate you taking the time to make the introduction. Would it be helpful if I write a blurb for you to share?
Blurb
Scenario 4b Happy to help, but didn't ask for a blurb
Use whenThe mutual agreed and you want to proactively include a forwarding blurb.
Sounds good, Mutual's first name! In case you need a blurb, see below. Feel free to edit as you see fit, or ignore it if it's not needed.
Scenario 5a Mutual agrees, but we do not use
Use whenThe mutual is willing, but you decide the introduction is not worth using.
Hey Mutual's first name,
Thanks for getting back to me. I appreciate your honesty and willingness to help, but let's hold off on this one. I respect your time and energy and don't want you to have to extend it for this intro.
Scenario 5b Mutual agrees, but we do not use
Use whenNew context suggests skipping the introduction and checking in with the mutual instead.
Hey Mutual's first name,
Thanks for getting back to me, I appreciate the context on Prospect's first name. It sounds like we should skip the intro. Everything going ok, all things considered?
Scenario 5c Mutual agrees, but only through an indirect
Use whenThe mutual only has an indirect path and the route is too weak to use.
Hey Mutual's first name,
Appreciate you hitting me back and letting me know about Prospect's first name. Let's just hold off on this one, but I appreciate your willingness to get creative. Thanks!
X Handling objections Raised after the intro lands, by either side. 2
Scenario 1 Prospect has been introduced but wants more information Draft
Use whenThe prospect received the introduction but wants more information before taking a call.
Happy to give you the full picture, Prospect's first name.
One or two sentences on what you do and the specific reason you reached out to them
The short version: I think we can how you can help them. If that's off base, say so and I'll leave you be. If it's close, is 20 minutes on date option 1 or date option 2 doable?
Scenario 2 Mutual has the blurb but seeks more details Draft
Use whenThe mutual has your blurb but wants the full story before putting their name on it.
Of course, Mutual's first name. Fair to want the whole story before you put your name on it.
Two or three sentences: what you do, why this prospect specifically, and what you're asking them for
Happy to jump on the phone for five minutes if that's easier than reading. And if you'd rather pass on this one after hearing it, genuinely no hard feelings.
PUT IT INTO ACTION
Book the repetitions.
Ask at least five connections for mutual intros.
Today
If you only do one thing, ask 10 connections.
This week
Reach out to at least 20 additional contacts.
The goal
Aim for about 10 meetings in the next two weeks.
Deeper practice
For deeper practice, send 10 first-degree messages and run three relationship-quality checks for each of 10 second-degree targets.
KEEP WORKING
Take the lesson with you.
Mutual intro playbook
The four-step motion and the exact language for each branch.
Outreach template library
All 36 messages in a print-friendly format.
Lesson slides
Open the founder lesson at the beginning of the deck.