Becoming someone people want to introduce

I write weekly about the strategies, habits, and tactics around cultivating the connections that matter to you.

Last week, I got introduced to someone I've wanted to meet for years. The introduction came from a friend I hadn't spoken to in months. Why did I come to mind?

I've been on both sides of this. Making introductions is one of my favorite ways to add value to my network. But I've also watched people systematically eliminate themselves from consideration. The difference between who gets introduced and who gets forgotten isn't what most people think.

Here's the thing: being introduction-worthy isn't about being impressive. It's about being memorable for the right reasons.

Why introductions matter more than you think

When someone introduces you, they're putting their reputation on the line. They're essentially saying, "I trust you won't make me look bad, and I believe you'll add value to this other person I care about."

That's a big endorsement. And the people who get these endorsements consistently have figured out something important.

They've made it easy and safe to introduce them.

The three traits that make people want to introduce you

After a decade of watching who gets introduced and who doesn't, I've noticed three consistent patterns:

You're clear about what you do. Not in some elevator pitch way. But in a "I can actually explain what you do to someone else without sounding confused" way. If your friend can't describe your work in one sentence, you're not getting introduced.

You show up reliably. This doesn't mean you respond to every message within 30 seconds. It means when someone introduces you to their contact, you don't ghost them. You don't take three weeks to respond. You don't make the introducer regret connecting you. Simple stuff, but you'd be surprised how many people fail this test.

You make other people look good. This is the secret ingredient. When someone introduces you and you end up being genuinely helpful, interesting, or valuable to their contact, they want to do it again. You've just given them social capital. They feel good about the introduction. Guess what happens next time they meet someone you should know?

What kills your chances

I've also seen plenty of people who never get introduced, despite being talented and well-connected. Usually it's one of these mistakes:

Taking without giving. If every conversation is about what you need, people will think twice before putting you in front of their network.

Being forgettable. You need to give people something to remember you by. A unique perspective, a specific expertise, an interesting hobby. Something. The generically professional person gets lost in the shuffle.

Making it weird. If past introductions ended awkwardly, people remember. That real estate agent who turned every coffee chat into a sales pitch? Nobody's introducing them anymore.

Taking action

Want to become someone people naturally think of when opportunities arise?

Start by reaching out to three people who've introduced you to others in the past. Thank them. Tell them what came from that introduction. This reinforces that introducing you was worthwhile and keeps you top of mind.

Next, think about what you're known for. If someone had to describe you in one sentence to a stranger, what would they say? If the answer is fuzzy, clarify it. Not with some forced personal brand exercise, but by focusing your energy on what you actually care about.

Finally, make five introductions yourself this month. Get good at spotting when two people should know each other. Practice the double opt-in method. Learn what makes a great introduction by doing it yourself. The people who are best at receiving introductions are usually the ones who make the most introductions.

The long game

Being introduction-worthy isn't about gaming the system. It's about being someone others trust, remember, and want to help. That takes consistency over time.

The wealth manager who shared travel photos in his newsletter became memorable. The person who always follows through on introductions becomes trusted. The professional who genuinely cares about helping others becomes the first name that comes to mind.

You don't need to be the most successful person in the room to be worth introducing. You just need to be reliable, clear about your value, and genuinely interested in being helpful.

Do that consistently, and introductions will find you.

Until next week, Zvi

P.S. If you can’t be the most impressive in the room, at least be the one who brought tacos.

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