A business introduction letter - business letter of introduction

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Business Introduction Letter That Brings New Clients Fast

A business introduction letter (or a business letter of introduction) for your freelance business, when done properly, may drastically increase the number of referrals you get.

You may even be surprised at how fast it can drive new clients to you.

No, I’m not talking about those cold, formatted sales letters that basically reads like you’ve just plugged a name into the blanks. I’m talking about using warm and friendly language that informs and motivates your contacts and makes them your business advocates.

The truth is, most people in your personal circle will be happy to help you, especially if you are a trusted friend or family member.

By composing a strong and concise business introduction letter, you will have another advantage over the ‘regular crowd’. It sets a tone with your prospective clients, who will approach your resume differently, because it has added content.

It takes a bit of planning and effort, but you’ll be glad when you see the jobs coming in! A business introduction letter is a very effective tool to attract clients. The best part, the cost is minimal.

To make your business introduction letter work for you, here are a few tips:

1- Start with those close to you

You don’t need a sizable business network to send your letter to. You want to start with your family, personal friends, former coworkers, former employers, past clients, even those through different business or volunteer endeavours. These people know you personally, they like you and trust you and certainly want to help you.

Don’t assume people already know what you are doing. Use simply language to let them know about what you’ve been up to. Ask them to think of you when they see or hear of someone who might need your services or come across a something related to your freelance business.

2- Add personal touches

Address your recipient by their first name. Start by asking how they are doing – be earnest. It’s important to make this business introduction letter a two-way communication channel. Give them a reason to respond by asking questions relating to their situation or saying you would love to catch up over a cup of coffee or lunch.

To some people, email works fine, but to others, a real letter with some handwritten notes on top and bottom adds a human touch. These personalized touches bring your contacts closer to you.

3- Make it an ongoing exercise with regular updates

The purpose of a business introduction letter is to get connected with your network, spread the word out there about your own business interests. When you are a freelancer, getting connected with everyone you know is just the first step – staying connected is where you see results.

Once your business is up and running, don’t forget to send out update letters, say 6 months or a year down the road. Let your contacts know how you are doing and ask them again for referrals and other information that might be beneficial to your business.

4- Make your writing pleasant

Do not make this into a pushy sales letter. If you do, you can expect poor results and worse yet, you may push away people who could be your best business advocates. Make it conversational and personally relevant. Be honest and friendly – mention your business and how you’d welcome their assistance and tips in the hunt for new clients, but don’t dwell on it. Try to avoid using jargon or complicated phrases.

If you send a business introduction letter by regular mail, you can even attach some news clipping or an article you saw that might interest the person you are writing to. Don’t forget to handwrite something such as, “I thought you might like this.” This says you care about them.

It could also apply to emails, as well, but unfortunately due to spam and viruses, many people are leery about opening unsolicited attachments and links. Remember – givers get!

5- Combine it with in-person meetings and phone contact

Don’t be afraid to follow up with a phone call or to ask your contact to meet and talk over lunch or coffee. You can do that a week or so after you've sent your business introduction letter.

After all, face-to-face meetings are the best way to build friendships and ties. Just remember, the key to success in any business isn’t just talking, but listening, too.

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