September 3, 2025
Warm introductions can be a huge unlock for early entrepreneurs, and I totally understand why you want them. But here's what most founders don't realize: there's a specific etiquette to how this works, and getting it wrong can damage the very relationships you're trying to leverage.
I've spent 15 years nurturing my network, and I've seen countless entrepreneurs make the same mistakes when requesting introductions. Some nail it and build lasting relationships. Others violate the unspoken rules and wonder why their network stops responding.
Here are the three critical rules you need to understand before you ask for another warm introduction.
It's my job to protect my network. These relationships are precious to me, and I've spent 15 years nurturing them. Before I make an introduction via email or LinkedIn DM, I always make sure that person is open to introductions first.
When someone requests an introduction through me, I provide information about the person making the request so the potential connection can make an informed decision. They can say yes or no. Just because I think this person might be worth meeting doesn't mean they have to agree.
The process is simple but crucial. First, I reach out to the person you want to meet with context about you and why I think it might be valuable. They decide if they're interested. Only if they say yes do I make the actual introduction. This protects everyone involved and ensures higher-quality connections.
If I make that introduction and the person says they'd love to meet you, it's your job to get on that introduction like white on rice. Don't ghost. This is probably the biggest mistake I see entrepreneurs make.
Someone just spent their social capital to connect you with a valuable person in their network. The least you can do is follow through professionally and promptly.
When you ghost after an introduction, you're not just burning a bridge with that one person. You're damaging your relationship with the person who made the introduction, and word gets around. Your reputation in that network is now questionable.
I am a first filter, which means if you request an introduction and I don't think it's a good fit, I'm allowed to say no. This isn't personal. It's about protecting relationships and ensuring quality connections for everyone.
But here's what's interesting: if I say no and you want to take that information and cold DM them directly, that's actually totally okay. You can say, "Hey, I met Nomiki and she mentioned you. I'd love to connect about X." That's perfectly acceptable.
It works because I'm not making the warm introduction, and that person is still allowed to say yes or no. Most often, they'll ask me about you anyway, and I'll provide background information. They're still free to decide whether they want to meet you or if they don't have time.
It's totally okay if they say no. The key is that everyone gets to make their own choice without pressure.
At the end of the day, your job is to build relationships. It's the long game. If I've spent years nurturing these relationships, then you also need to learn how to play that game so that you eventually have these same quality relationships.
This is about developing a give-first mentality. You're playing the long game, providing value for as long as you possibly can, so that when the ask comes, it makes sense in the context of the relationship.
Don't expect your current network to automatically build warm introductions for you. You can't expect anything - you need to put the work in. Focus on providing value, being genuinely helpful, and building real relationships over time.
The next time you want to ask for a warm introduction, remember these rules. Respect the process, follow through on connections, and understand that building a valuable network takes time and genuine relationship building.
Start by asking yourself: what value can I provide to my network before I ask for something in return? How can I be the kind of person others want to introduce to their valuable connections?
Master this etiquette, and you'll find that warm introductions become a powerful tool for growing your business while strengthening the relationships that matter most.
.svg)