One of the most valuable things you can do for your network costs you almost nothing: introduce two people who should know each other. Done well, an introduction creates value for both sides and quietly marks you as a generous, well-connected person. Done badly, it wastes everyone's time.
Here is how to do it well.
Ask before you connect
Never copy two people into an email and hope for the best. Always check with both sides first. A quick "I would love to introduce you to someone, can I make the intro?" respects everyone's time and avoids the awkwardness of an unwanted connection.
This double opt-in step is the single biggest difference between a thoughtful connector and an annoying one.
Make the value obvious
When you do connect them, do the work of explaining why. Both people should immediately understand what they have in common and why this is worth their time:
- One line on who each person is.
- One line on why they should know each other.
- A clear, low-pressure suggestion for a next step.
Vague intros ("you two should chat!") put the burden on them to figure out the point. Spell it out instead.
Make each person look good
A great introduction is also a small act of advocacy. Mention what is genuinely impressive about each person. You are not just connecting them, you are vouching for them, and a warm, specific endorsement opens the door far wider than a name and an email address.
Then step back
Once the introduction is made, get out of the way. Offer to stay in the loop if it would help, but let the two of them take it from there.
Keep track of who you have connected
Being a great connector is a long game. The more you remember about the people in your network, who they are, what they need, who they are hoping to meet, the more naturally you spot the connections worth making.
That is hard to hold in your head across hundreds of people. Good Contact keeps the notes and context attached to each person, so the right introduction comes to mind exactly when it can help.