When “warm intros” are tepid at best.

Last week, I wrote about how not every investor conversation is worth having. This week, I want to talk about something that often happens before the meeting even takes place: the introduction.

If you've spent any time around fundraising advice, you've probably heard some version of: "Get warm introductions." It's one of the most common pieces of advice founders receive. It's also one of the least explained.

See, most "warm intros" aren't actually warm. You might think a warm intro means someone connected you. But that's not what creates warmth. Warmth comes from context, credibility, and relevance. Without those things, an introduction is often just a forwarded email.

Keep reading

Past issues are for newsletter subscribers. Already subscribed? Enter your email to unlock every issue from the past year. Not yet? Subscribing takes one click, and it's always free.