# Warm introduction

> A warm introduction is when someone who knows two people connects them, vouching for each and explaining why they should talk. It contrasts with cold outreach, where a stranger gets in touch with no shared contact. Warm introductions are how most business networks, alumni groups and founder communities create value, because the connector's trust carries over into the new conversation.

Source: https://milvao.com/glossary/warm-introduction · Updated 2026-11-05

## Key takeaways

- A shared, trusted contact makes the other person far more likely to reply.
- The connector should check with both people before introducing them.
- A specific reason to talk matters more than a long list of compliments.

## Warm introduction vs cold outreach

|  | Warm introduction | Cold outreach |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Who starts it | A mutual contact | The person who wants something |
| Trust at the start | Borrowed from the connector | None yet |
| Context | The connector explains why they should talk | The sender has to explain everything |

## What makes a warm introduction work

- Both people agreed to it first, so neither feels ambushed.
- One clear reason they should talk, tied to a real need.
- A named next step, usually taken by the person who asked.
- The connector steps back once the two are talking.

## Where warm introductions happen

Communities are full of potential warm introductions, but many get lost. In a busy WhatsApp group, a member posts a request, several people reply in public, and the organiser who knows the right person may never see it. Organisers who make introductions by hand also become a bottleneck as the group grows.

## How Milvao makes a warm introduction

Milvao keeps the introduction inside the community's trust: members ask privately on the community's WhatsApp number, Milvao asks a member who offers that service, and both get each other's name and number only after both agree. Members are introduced as fellow members of the same community, not as strangers. To write one yourself, use the [warm introduction message templates](https://milvao.com/templates/introduction-message-template).

## Frequently asked questions

### How do you ask for a warm introduction?

Ask someone who knows the person, say exactly why you want to meet them, and give a two-line description they can forward. Ask them to check with the other person first.

### Is a referral the same as a warm introduction?

They overlap. A referral usually carries a recommendation and often a piece of work. A warm introduction connects two people and lets them decide what happens next.

### Should a warm introduction happen in a group chat?

It is usually better in a new chat or by email. A group introduction exposes the request and contact details to everyone in the group.

## Related pages

- [Warm introduction message templates](https://milvao.com/templates/introduction-message-template)
- [Double opt-in introduction](https://milvao.com/glossary/double-opt-in-introduction)
- [Referral network](https://milvao.com/glossary/referral-network)
- [How Milvao works](https://milvao.com/how-it-works)