Mutual connection

Subject lines

• A mutual contact suggested I write(used in the template)
• A suggestion from a mutual contact
• Introduced by a mutual contact

Follow-ups reply in the same thread, so they’re sent as “Re:” the first subject.

The sequence: 2 emails

1. Email 1 · day 1

   A mutual contact suggested I write

   Hi {{first_name}}, A mutual contact, who I worked with on their app redesign last year, suggested I get in touch. They mentioned {{company}} is rebuilding its onboarding and thought my work there might be relevant. I'm a product designer who focuses on first-run experiences. If you're still scoping it, I'd be glad to share what I learned on that project. Would a short call next week be useful? {{sender_first_name}}

2. Email 2 · day 6 (5 days after the previous one, if there’s no reply)

   Re: A mutual contact suggested I write

   Hi {{first_name}}, Just following up once. If onboarding isn't the priority at the moment, no problem at all, and thanks for reading. {{sender_first_name}}

{{first_name}} and similar are filled from each lead; after a “|” is the text used when the field is empty. Written for a freelance product designer writing to a startup founder a past client suggested.

When to use it

Only when a real mutual contact actually suggested you reach out and agreed to be named. Never imply a connection that doesn't exist.

Why it works

• A named, trusted person lends you their credibility for one email.
• Saying why they thought of you makes it concrete, not a vague 'we should connect'.
• Readers can check the connection, which is exactly why it must be true.

How to adapt it

• This template can't use a variable for the contact's name, so write each email by hand or add a custom field (for example referrer) and use {{referrer}} in place of 'a mutual contact'.
• Replace the design context with what the contact said you could help with.