Networking Email Templates — What Gets Replies

Short, specific, work-sample-backed notes that convert; subject lines, bodies, and follow-ups.

Networking emails that get replies

Cold notes work when they are short, specific, and anchored by proof of work. The goal is not to tell your whole story; it is to make a single, credible ask that feels easy to say yes to. Below are templates, subject lines that actually get opened, a follow-up cadence, and a quick table you can skim before hitting send.

Principles

Reference something they did: a deal, coverage, or a public note
Show you did the work: attach or link a one-pager or brief
Ask for 10–15 minutes with a narrow topic; avoid open-ended asks
Always include one sentence that proves progress since last week

Templates (copy + adapt)

Subject: Tulane junior researching healthcare services — quick question on payer mix

Body: I'm studying healthcare services and built a short note on ambulatory surgery centers (attached). Could I get 15 minutes on how your team evaluates utilization risk?

Pair with the behavioral structure in Behavioral + Networking for IB and bring a work sample following the approach in Applications that Stick.

Subject: Alabama sophomore focused on industrials — WC peg question

Body: I rebuilt a working-capital peg for an aerospace supplier and summarized the sensitivity to backlog quality (1-pager attached). Would you have 10 minutes to sanity-check my approach?

Practice the underlying math using IB Technical Drill-Downs so you can speak from specifics on the call.

Follow-up cadence

Day 0: original note with a concrete work sample
Day 5: one sentence showing progress + a new question
Day 12: another small improvement + appreciation; then pause for a month

Open-worthy subject lines

Subject	Angle	Why it works	Example line
Short note on {coverage}	Specificity	Signals prep and relevance	"Built a 1-pager on payer mix for ASCs"
Question on {deal} drivers	Tie to their work	Shows you read their work	"Read your 2023 behavioral health roll-up; one question on utilization"
Alabama sophomore — WC peg sanity check	Local + technical	Feels narrow and answerable	"30-min rebuild of WC; one assumption I'm unsure about"
Feedback on 1-page sector brief	Proof of work	Easy to skim; invites feedback	"Two drivers, two risks, numbers in-line"
Follow-up with progress on {topic}	Progress	Respects their time	"Incorporated your suggestion; updated comps set attached"

Downloads

Grab a printable pack with subject lines, copy blocks, and a 1-pager template: Download the email pack.

Want follow-up scripts and a mini-CRM to track replies? Get the templates here.