Networking follow-up emails should be 75-150 words to maximize response rates. Event follow-ups perform best at 75-150 words, informational interview requests at 100-150 words, and reconnecting emails at 100-175 words. The critical factor beyond length is timing: follow up within 24-48 hours of meeting someone, as response rates drop dramatically after 48 hours. Career experts at Indeed and UCSF Career recommend keeping networking emails brief, specific, and action-oriented.

This guide covers optimal networking email length for every situation.

Networking Email Length by Type

Why Length Matters in Networking Emails

Busy Professionals Have Limited Time

The reality of networking email recipients:

• Average professional receives 121+ emails daily
• Decision to open/read happens in seconds
• Long emails often get deferred (then forgotten)
• Mobile reading is increasingly common

Response Rate vs. Email Length

Research shows:

• 75-150 word emails: highest response rates for networking
• Under 50 words: may seem too casual or incomplete
• Over 200 words: significantly lower response rates
• 50-125 words: optimal for cold outreach

Key insight: Your networking email competes with dozens of other messages. Brevity shows respect for the recipient’s time while still demonstrating genuine interest.

The 24-48 Hour Window

Timing is as important as length:

• Follow up within 24-48 hours of meeting someone
• Response rates drop 50%+ after 48 hours
• Within 24 hours: you’re still fresh in their memory
• After a week: your email feels random, not relevant

Why this matters: A perfectly written email sent a week late will perform worse than a good email sent the next morning.

Event Follow-Up Emails (75-150 Words)

The Purpose

Event follow-ups transform brief encounters into professional relationships. Whether you met at a conference, networking event, or industry meetup, the follow-up email cements the connection.

Essential Elements

What to include:

1. Thank you for the conversation
2. Specific reference to what you discussed
3. Clear next step or request

What to skip:

• Your full professional history
• Lengthy company pitches
• Multiple requests
• Generic pleasantries

Structure for 75-150 Words

Framework:

Greeting (5-10 words)
Thank you + event reference (20-30 words)
Specific conversation callback (30-50 words)
Next step/ask (20-30 words)
Close (5-10 words)

Event Follow-Up Template

Example (112 words):

“Hi Sarah,

It was great meeting you at the MarTech Summit yesterday. I really enjoyed our conversation about attribution modeling challenges in B2B—your point about multi-touch attribution being more art than science definitely resonated with my experience.

I’d love to continue the conversation over coffee sometime. I’m also working on a similar challenge with our sales team and think we could share some useful insights.

Would you be open to a 20-minute virtual coffee chat next week? I’m flexible on timing and happy to work around your schedule.

Thanks again for the engaging conversation.

Best, Alex”

Why This Length Works

At 112 words:

• Specific enough to jog memory
• Shows genuine interest
• Has clear call to action
• Respects their time
• Easy to respond to

Informational Interview Request Emails (100-150 Words)

The Purpose

Informational interview emails ask someone for career advice or industry insights. These require slightly more words because you need to establish credibility and explain your specific interest in learning from them.

Essential Elements

What to include:

1. Who you are (brief)
2. Why them specifically
3. Your specific ask
4. Time request (make it easy)

What to skip:

• Your complete resume
• Job-seeking desperation
• Vague requests
• Open-ended time asks

Structure for 100-150 Words

Framework:

Greeting (5-10 words)
Who you are + connection (20-35 words)
Why them specifically (30-40 words)
Specific ask (25-35 words)
Time request (15-25 words)
Close (5-10 words)

Informational Interview Request Template

Example (134 words):

“Hi David,

I’m a product manager at a fintech startup, currently exploring a transition into venture capital. Dr. Chen, our mutual connection at Stanford GSB, suggested I reach out to you given your path from operator to investor.

I’ve followed your work at [VC Firm] and was particularly impressed by your thesis on embedded finance. Your background in product leadership before joining the firm closely mirrors the transition I’m considering.

Would you have 20-30 minutes in the next few weeks for a brief call? I’d love to hear about your experience making the shift from operating to investing, and any advice you might have.

I’m happy to work around your schedule and keep the conversation focused.

Best regards, Michael”

Why This Length Works

At 134 words:

• Establishes credibility quickly
• Explains specific interest in THEM
• Makes the ask clear and bounded
• Shows you’ve done research
• Respects their time with specific duration

Reconnecting Emails (100-175 Words)

The Purpose

Reconnecting emails revive dormant professional relationships. You need slightly more words to acknowledge the time gap and provide an update before making any ask.

Essential Elements

What to include:

1. Time acknowledgment (don’t pretend it wasn’t long)
2. Brief update on what you’re doing
3. Why you’re reaching out now
4. Specific ask or next step

What to skip:

• Guilt about the time gap
• Lengthy life updates
• Apologies for not staying in touch
• Multiple asks

Structure for 100-175 Words

Framework:

Greeting (5-10 words)
Time acknowledgment (15-25 words)
Brief update on you (30-45 words)
Why reaching out now (25-40 words)
Specific ask (25-35 words)
Close (5-10 words)

Reconnecting Email Template

Example (148 words):

“Hi Jennifer,

I hope you’re doing well—I realized it’s been over a year since we connected at the SaaS conference in Austin. Time flies.

A quick update on my end: I left Acme Corp last spring and have been leading product at a Series B startup focused on developer tools. It’s been an exciting shift, and I’ve been thinking a lot about our conversation around product-led growth.

I saw your recent announcement about [Company] expanding into the enterprise segment. Congratulations—that’s a significant milestone.

I’d love to reconnect and hear how things are going on your side. Any interest in grabbing a virtual coffee in the next few weeks?

No pressure if your schedule is packed—just wanted to reach out and stay connected.

Best, Rachel”

Why This Length Works

At 148 words:

• Acknowledges time gap naturally
• Provides relevant update without oversharing
• Shows you follow their work
• Low-pressure ask
• Feels genuine, not transactional

Warm Introduction Emails (75-125 Words)

The Purpose

Warm introduction emails leverage a mutual connection to request a meeting or connection. Because you have a shared contact, you need fewer words to establish credibility.

Essential Elements

What to include:

1. Mutual connection mention (immediately)
2. Brief context on why they suggested connecting
3. Your relevance to them
4. Simple ask

Warm Introduction Template

Example (98 words):

“Hi Tom,

Sarah Chen suggested I reach out to you. We were discussing challenges in scaling customer success teams, and she mentioned you’ve built an impressive CS organization at [Company].

I’m currently leading customer success at a Series A startup and grappling with many of the same growth challenges. I’d love to learn from your experience, particularly around hiring your first CS managers and building out the team structure.

Would you have time for a brief call in the next couple weeks? Happy to keep it to 20 minutes.

Best, Lisa”

Thank You Emails After Networking Meetings (50-100 Words)

The Purpose

Post-meeting thank you emails solidify the relationship and can include next steps discussed during your conversation.

Keep It Short

At 50-100 words, include:

• Genuine thanks
• One specific takeaway
• Any promised follow-up
• Open door for future contact

Post-Meeting Thank You Template

Example (78 words):

“Hi Mark,

Thank you so much for taking the time to chat today. Your advice about building executive relationships before the annual planning cycle was incredibly helpful—I’m going to start scheduling those conversations this month.

I’ll send over the article we discussed about product-led growth metrics. Please let me know if there’s ever anything I can help with on your end.

Really appreciate your generosity with your time.

Best, Amy”

Coffee Chat Request Emails (75-125 Words)

The Purpose

Coffee chat requests are informal networking asks. They need to be specific enough to warrant a yes but casual enough not to feel like a big commitment.

Coffee Chat Template

Example (104 words):

“Hi Daniel,

I came across your LinkedIn post about building data teams at early-stage startups—it really resonated with the challenges I’m facing at my company right now.

I’m currently the first data hire at a seed-stage B2B startup and trying to figure out how to prioritize between building infrastructure, supporting product decisions, and enabling self-serve analytics. Your experience growing data orgs from zero seems directly relevant.

Would you be open to a 20-minute coffee chat sometime in the next few weeks? I’d love to pick your brain on prioritization frameworks.

Thanks for considering, Nina”

Timing Your Networking Emails

The 24-48 Hour Rule

After meeting someone:

• Day 1 (within 24 hours): Best response rates
• Day 2 (24-48 hours): Still strong, memory fresh
• Day 3-7: Response rates decline significantly
• After 1 week: May feel random or forgotten

Best Days and Times

Research suggests:

• Tuesday-Thursday: highest email open rates
• 9-11 AM: strong performance
• 1-3 PM: post-lunch check
• Avoid: Monday mornings, Friday afternoons

After Extended Time Gaps

For reconnecting emails:

• 3-6 months: brief acknowledgment
• 6-12 months: slightly more context needed
• 1+ years: more explanation of why now

Common Networking Email Mistakes

Mistake 1: Too Long

Problem: Overwhelming the recipient with information.

Fix: Cut to 75-150 words. Remove background information that doesn’t directly relate to your ask.

Mistake 2: Too Vague

Problem: “I’d love to pick your brain sometime.”

Fix: Be specific: “I’d love to hear about your experience transitioning from consulting to product management.”

Mistake 3: No Clear Ask

Problem: Leaving the recipient unsure how to respond.

Fix: Include a clear, bounded request: “Would you have 20 minutes for a call next week?”

Mistake 4: All About You

Problem: Three paragraphs about your background before any mention of them.

Fix: Lead with why you’re interested in THEM specifically.

Mistake 5: Waiting Too Long

Problem: Sending the follow-up a week after meeting.

Fix: Send within 24-48 hours while you’re still fresh in their memory.

Mistake 6: Generic Copy-Paste

Problem: Same email sent to multiple people with only name changes.

Fix: Include at least one specific detail that shows you remember THIS conversation.

Subject Lines for Networking Emails

Event Follow-Up Subject Lines

Effective examples:

• “Great meeting you at [Event Name]”
• “Following up from yesterday’s conference”
• “Enjoyed our chat about [specific topic]”

Length: 30-50 characters optimal

Informational Interview Subject Lines

Effective examples:

• “[Mutual Connection] suggested I reach out”
• “Quick question about your career path”
• “Aspiring [their role]—would love your advice”

Reconnecting Subject Lines

Effective examples:

• “Long time—hope you’re doing well”
• “Reconnecting after [Event/Context]”
• “Catching up + congratulations on [achievement]”

Formatting Tips

Make It Easy to Read

Best practices:

• Short paragraphs (2-3 sentences max)
• White space between sections
• Clear call to action
• Mobile-friendly (no complex formatting)

Include Your Context

Email signature should have:

• Full name
• Current role/company
• LinkedIn profile (optional)
• Phone (optional)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a networking follow-up email be?

75-150 words for most networking follow-ups. Event follow-ups should be 75-150 words, informational interview requests 100-150 words, and reconnecting emails 100-175 words. Shorter emails (under 50 words) may seem incomplete, while longer emails (over 200 words) see significantly lower response rates.

How quickly should I send a networking follow-up email?

Within 24-48 hours of meeting someone. Response rates drop dramatically after 48 hours because you’re no longer fresh in the recipient’s memory. The best practice is to send your follow-up the morning after meeting someone.

What should I include in a networking email?

Include a specific reference to your conversation or connection, a brief context about who you are, and a clear, bounded ask. The ask should specify what you want (advice call, coffee chat, introduction) and how long it will take (20-30 minutes).

How do I write a networking email to someone I haven’t talked to in a while?

Acknowledge the time gap naturally without apologizing excessively. Provide a brief update on what you’re doing, mention why you’re reaching out now, and make a low-pressure ask. Keep it to 100-175 words.

Should I mention our mutual connection in a networking email?

Yes, always mention mutual connections prominently—ideally in your first sentence. Mutual connections significantly increase response rates because they provide instant credibility and context.

What’s the best subject line for a networking email?

Keep subject lines to 30-50 characters. Reference the event where you met (“Great meeting you at [Event]”), mention mutual connections ("[Name] suggested I reach out"), or be direct about your purpose (“Quick question about your career path”).

Key Takeaways

• Event follow-up emails: 75-150 words (thank you, specific reference, next step)
• Informational interview requests: 100-150 words (who you are, why them, specific ask)
• Reconnecting emails: 100-175 words (time acknowledgment, update, low-pressure ask)
• Follow up within 24-48 hours—response rates drop dramatically after that
• Include one specific detail that shows you remember THIS person or conversation
• Make your ask clear and bounded (e.g., “20-minute call” not “pick your brain sometime”)
• Lead with why you’re interested in THEM, not your own background

Conclusion

Networking email length directly impacts whether your message gets read and responded to. The optimal length is 75-150 words for most networking situations—long enough to provide context and make a specific ask, short enough to respect busy schedules. Just as important as length is timing: follow up within 24-48 hours while you’re still fresh in the recipient’s memory. Focus each email on one clear purpose, include a specific reference to your connection, and make your ask bounded and easy to say yes to. Try our free letter counter → to verify your networking emails stay within the optimal word count before sending.