Nowadays, networking doesn’t have to be strictly physical.
By email alone, you can introduce yourself, follow up after an interesting meeting, or do everything else networking-related.
The only thing standing between you and your networking efforts is that networking email’s subject line.
After all, you know darn well that’s one of two things anyone looks at when they receive an email (the other being the sender’s name).
Well, the good news is that you can easily learn how to write email subject lines that will make your emails irresistible (to click).
And that’s exactly what this article is here to teach you.
Let’s dive right in!
65+ Networking Email Subject Lines (With Examples)
In case you are wondering, the email subject line is important, yes. Why? It does the following:
- Convinces the reader that the email is not spam.
- Conveys information about the email’s content.
- Informs the receiver what to expect.
- Informs the receiver who the sender is.
So, in short, a good networking email subject line convinces the receiver that the email is relevant to their interests, and that they should open it.
Having trouble crafting an effective networking email subject line?
Just use one of ours!
Below, we’ll cover 65+ effective subject lines split into the following categories:
- Introductory networking email subject lines
- Follow-up networking email subject lines
- Other networking email subject lines
#1. Introductory Networking Email Subject Lines
If you’re writing a networking email to someone for the first time, chances are you want to introduce yourself, lay the ground for future communication, and potentially help the receiver get to know you.
And considering you’re probably networking to build lasting (and meaningful) relationships, it is without a doubt important to hit the mark with the introductory email.
It is in this context, the introductory email’s subject line can define whether the receiver will open your email or infinitely let it rest with hundreds of other unread emails.
You probably don’t want the latter to happen (and neither do we), so we’ve compiled a list of introductory networking email subject lines examples to inspire and get you started:
- Hey [name], it’s [your name] and I’d like to introduce myself.
- Hello [name], I’m [your name]!
- I’d love to connect with you [name]!
- Fellow [industry] professional new to the city, looking to connect.
- Nice to meet you [name]! I would love to chat on [topic]!
- Fellow [your professional title] who would love to connect.
- Fellow [your interest here], who would love to connect.
- Hello and congratulations on the recent [achievement] from [your name]!
- Fellow [name of school] graduate that would like to connect.
- Hello [name]. Can you share your insights on [topic]?
As you can see, these subject lines vary from simple introductions to requesting the receiver to share their insights or expertise on a relevant field, topic, or industry.
These networking email subject lines work well because they state the goal of the email before the receiver even opens it by:
- Mentioning a common interest/subject to get the receiver’s attention.
- Recognizing/complimenting the receiver for their accomplishments.
- Acknowledging the receiver’s knowledge and expertise.
- Asking for advice or technical know-how on a topic the receiver knows well (thus attracting their interest).
- Showing you are like-minded individuals who probably have a lot in common and could be of benefit to each other.
#2. Follow-up Networking Email Subject Lines
You just attended a networking event and met someone you’re interested in (professionally).
So far so good…
But now you have to send a follow-up email to “seal the deal” with the new connection and make sure that they remember who you are.
To accomplish this, simply use one of the following follow-up networking email subject lines:
- Hello, this is [your name], from [event].
- Hey! It was nice meeting you at [event].
- Thanks for chatting with me at [event].
- A quick follow-up after [event].
- I enjoyed your talk on [topic] at [event].
- What did you think about [topic] at [event]?
- Hello, we met at [event]. How have you been?
- I hope you had a great time at [event].
- Hey, I’m [your name] from [event]. Want to catch up?
- Are you available for a meeting/informal interview?
- Will you be attending [the event]?
- Do you have time to talk more about [topic]?
- Let’s grab coffee soon, [name]!
- Are you free on [day] to talk about [topic]?
- I would love to share thoughts about [topic].
- It’s been a while since we’ve spoken [name].
- Loved our chat. Just following up from [event].
- Hey [name], this is [your name].
- I enjoyed our meeting at [name]! I’d love to reconnect.
- Hey there, [name]!
In this case, too, the kinds of subject lines you can use vary based on the type of interaction you are following up.
For example, if you spent time discussing a topic of mutual interest with the email’s receiver, chances are they already remember you. In that case, you can easily use one of the subject lines asking them to reconnect and talk about mutual topics or areas of expertise.
If, on the other hand, you are addressing someone who knows you but with whom you didn’t spend too much time and is likely to have forgotten your name, it doesn’t hurt to remind them of your name and where you met before cutting to the chase.
#3. Other Networking Email Subject Lines
Of course, networking email subject lines also vary based on the context.
You could be reaching out to an industry expert to ask for advice, to a fellow professional in your field to collaborate on a project, or to angel investors who can help fund your latest start-up.
In any case, you want your subject line to highlight the exact reason why you’re reaching out as best as possible. So, you’ll need to go for something other than just introducing yourself.
Below, we’ll cover 5 examples of networking email subject lines for different scenarios, including:
Networking email subject lines referencing a mutual connection
If you and the recipient have a mutual connection, make sure to mention them in the subject line to increase the chances your email gets opened.
- [Mutual connection] recommended I introduce myself.
- Hello, do you know [mutual connection]?
- We met at [event] with [mutual connection]!
- Hi, [mutual connection] thought I’d write to chat about [mutual interest].
- Hello, [mutual connection] thought we’d enjoy discussing [topic].
Networking email subject lines referencing the receiver’s work
Are you familiar with the receiver’s work? You’ll most likely mention that in the subject line. Here’s how you can do that:
- Hello, I have a question about [topic]!
- I enjoyed your recent article on [topic].
- I love your work on [topic].
- I read your work in [publication].
- Your recent article reminded me of [topic].
- [Name], your ideas on [topic] are fascinating!
- I agree with your ideas on this [topic].
- Interested in learning more about your recent article on [publication]!
- I fully admire the article you shared about [topic]!
- Interested in learning more about your work on [topic].
Networking email subject lines showing interest in the receiver’s area of expertise
Here’s another hypothetical situation: you want to ask an industry expert for their expertise.
In such a case, it’s a good tactic to show interest in the receiver’s area of expertise. For example:
- Hello, can you tell me more about [topic]?
- What do you think about [topic]?
- Can your experience with [topic] help me with [topic]?
- I’d love to exchange ideas regarding [topic/idea]!
- Can you share your insights about [topic]?
- Hey [name], a quick question about [topic]?
- Hey [name]. You know a lot about [topic]. Can I ask a few questions?
- Can I share my ideas about [topic] with you?
- I’d love to get your opinion on [topic/idea/thought].
- Looking for advice from an industry expert.
Networking email subject lines discussing collaboration on a project
Now, if you’re looking to discuss or collaborate with the receiver on a project, or anything similar, consider using email subject lines to schedule a future meeting/discussion. For example:
- Hello [name], can we catch up before [event]?
- Hi [name], are you available for an interview?
- Hello, will you be attending [event]?
- Do you have time to talk about [topic/project]?
- Let’s grab coffee soon, [name]!
- Are you available on [day] to discuss [topic/project]?
- I would love to share thoughts about [topic/project].
- It’s been a while since we’ve spoken [name].
- I’d love to help with [project/]!
- I’m working on [project]t, and I’d love to collaborate!
Networking email subject lines asking for advice
Last but not least, you might be needing guidance on a topic, so you will be using your email subject line to ask the receiver for advice. Here’s how you can do that:
- What advice do you have about [topic]?
- [Name] can you help me with [topic]?
- Hello [name], can I ask for your opinion on [topic]?
- Hi [name], your guidance on [topic] is valuable.
- Hey there [name], I am eager to learn more about [topic]!
3 Tips to Write an Attention-Grabbing Email Subject Line
In some situations, you can’t just plug-and-play an email subject line template - you need to create one for the specific situation you are in.
In this section, we’ll cover the best tips for coming up with networking subject lines, starting with:
#1. Add Value
Adding value means including something in your subject line that will make your email worth the receiver’s time. And that could be anything.
Did you graduate from the same university? Do you work in the same industry or know the same person? There’s your value.
Even if you’re just introducing yourself, make sure the subject line doesn’t have any misspelled words or spam-like language (e.g. multiple exclamation marks, all capital letters, etc.).
#2. Be Brief But Interesting
Keeping your email subject line brief plays a big part in whether the receiver will open your email.
See, Gmail and other email providers have a character limit for your visible subject line—if it’s over a certain number of characters, part of it will be hidden. And most importantly, shorter email subject lines between 4-15 characters have an open rate of 15.2%.
This means that subject lines that don’t go on like the Himalayan mountain range have a higher chance to get opened. We’re not saying that if your subject line exceeds 15 characters it won’t be opened, but keeping it well within 40 characters is a good rule to follow.
Now, keeping it both brief and interesting may get a bit tricky (much like fitting a thought into a 280-character tweet).
Make sure to avoid generic and simple subject lines that do nothing to catch the reader’s attention. You have a limited amount of space, so you better use it to “hook” him into reading the rest of the email.
#3. Be Specific and Personal
Personalizing your subject line helps the receiver know the email is coming from someone they know, met before, or might be interested in meeting.
So, in the subject line, include things like:
- The recipient’s name.
- Their job title.
- Events where you might have met.
- Mutual interests the two of you have.
- Topics the recipient is interested in, etc.
Do you need tips on how to network in real life? Our article on networking tips has all you need to know to ace your next networking event.
Key Takeaways
And that’s a wrap!
In this article, we covered the most common types of networking email subject lines and gave you a decent list of examples you can borrow next time you do some networking.
Here is what you should remember:
- The email subject line is important because it can help the receiver know the email is not spam, and it conveys information about the email’s content, among other things.
- Some of the most common networking subject lines are introductory and follow-up ones, as well as subject lines referencing a mutual contact or the recipient’s work, asking an industry expert for their expertise, or asking the recipient to collaborate on a project.
- To write an attention-grabbing subject line you should add value to it, keep it brief but interesting, and customize it.
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