Each includes: meaning → 5 examples → why it works
1. “I was recommended to contact you by…”
Meaning: A polished, straightforward alternative that highlights trust in the referral.
Examples:
• I was recommended to contact you by Mr. Ahsan regarding the open role.
• I was recommended to contact you by Sarah for project guidance.
• I was recommended to contact you by your colleague from marketing.
• I was recommended to contact you by our mutual connection, Daniel.
• I was recommended to contact you by your team lead for further details.
Why it works: Clear, professional, and respectful—ideal for almost any formal context.
2. “I was advised to reach out to you by…”
Meaning: Conveys strong confidence and authority behind the referral.
Examples:
• I was advised to reach out to you by Dr. Khan for clarification.
• I was advised to reach out to you by your assistant.
• I was advised to reach out to you by the HR department.
• I was advised to reach out to you by a former colleague.
• I was advised to reach out to you by the event coordinator.
Why it works: Sounds reliable and professional, especially in corporate settings.
3. “Your name was shared with me by…”
Meaning: Soft and respectful; highlights the connection naturally.
Examples:
• Your name was shared with me by Ahmed from sales.
• Your name was shared with me by a mutual contact.
• Your name was shared with me by one of your former clients.
• Your name was shared with me by the training coordinator.
• Your name was shared with me by a team member who praised your work.
Why it works: Warm tone without sounding overly formal.
4. “I was directed to you by…”
Meaning: Ideal when you’re contacting the right department or expert.
Examples:
• I was directed to you by the support team.
• I was directed to you by your colleague in finance.
• I was directed to you by my manager for the report.
• I was directed to you by the project lead.
• I was directed to you by the admissions office.
Why it works: Clear and purposeful; great for internal communication.
5. “I’m reaching out because I was referred to you by…”
Meaning: Smooth entry line that fits email and message formats.
Examples:
• I’m reaching out because I was referred to you by Mr. Ali.
• I’m reaching out because I was referred to you by a previous client.
• I’m reaching out because I was referred to you by your colleague.
• I’m reaching out because I was referred to you by my supervisor.
• I’m reaching out because I was referred to you by the coordinator.
Why it works: Direct and natural; establishes context immediately.
6. “I was informed that you are the right person to contact.”
Meaning: Highlights relevance and respect for their expertise.
Examples:
• I was informed that you are the right person to contact for onboarding.
• I was informed that you are the right person to contact regarding approvals.
• I was informed that you are the right person to contact about the schedule.
• I was informed that you are the right person to contact for support.
• I was informed that you are the right person to contact for collaboration.
Why it works: Shows appreciation for the recipient’s authority.
7. “I’m reaching out upon the recommendation of…”
Meaning: Very formal and elegant.
Examples:
• I’m reaching out upon the recommendation of Ms. Fatima.
• I’m reaching out upon the recommendation of a former professor.
• I’m reaching out upon the recommendation of your team member.
• I’m reaching out upon the recommendation of a colleague.
• I’m reaching out upon the recommendation of my mentor.
Why it works: Sounds polished and professional.
8. “I was encouraged to contact you by…”
Meaning: Conveys positivity and trust in the referral.
Examples:
• I was encouraged to contact you by a mutual friend.
• I was encouraged to contact you by your previous client.
• I was encouraged to contact you by the department head.
• I was encouraged to contact you by a colleague.
• I was encouraged to contact you by my trainer.
Why it works: Warm and optimistic tone.
9. “I understand you were recommended as the best person to speak with.”
Meaning: Compliments and acknowledges their expertise.
Examples:
• I understand you were recommended as the best person to speak with about this position.
• I understand you were recommended as the best person to speak with for guidance.
• I understand you were recommended as the best person to speak with on this topic.
• I understand you were recommended as the best person to speak with regarding your product.
• I understand you were recommended as the best person to speak with for support.
Why it works: Builds rapport and respect instantly.
10. “I learned about you through…”
Meaning: Ideal for networking situations.
Examples:
• I learned about you through one of your clients.
• I learned about you through our mutual connection, Ali.
• I learned about you through a colleague at my workplace.
• I learned about you through your recent webinar.
• I learned about you through the event organizer.
Why it works: Shows genuine interest and initiative.
11. “I was pointed in your direction by…”
Meaning: Casual-professional phrasing for approachable contexts.
Examples:
• I was pointed in your direction by the HR team.
• I was pointed in your direction by a former coworker.
• I was pointed in your direction by my supervisor.
• I was pointed in your direction by the recruitment team.
• I was pointed in your direction by the coordinator.
Why it works: Light and conversational while staying professional.
12. “I was connected to you through…”
Meaning: Best for networking or professional introductions.
Examples:
• I was connected to you through our shared network.
• I was connected to you through the business forum.
• I was connected to you through your colleague.
• I was connected to you through a friend who speaks highly of you.
• I was connected to you through LinkedIn.
Why it works: Highlights professional networking.
13. “I came across your name through…”
Meaning: Works well when there isn’t a direct introduction.
Examples:
• I came across your name through the research team.
• I came across your name through an internal directory.
• I came across your name through a colleague.
• I came across your name through the event organizers.
• I came across your name through industry recommendations.
Why it works: Professional, neutral, and flexible.
14. “I was introduced to you by…”
Meaning: Simple, formal, and universally appropriate.
Examples:
• I was introduced to you by my manager.
• I was introduced to you by a mutual contact.
• I was introduced to you by the project coordinator.
• I was introduced to you by a team leader.
• I was introduced to you by our department head.
Why it works: Classic and respectful.
15. “I was referred to you as someone who could assist me with…”
Meaning: Adds clarity and purpose.
Examples:
• I was referred to you as someone who could assist me with onboarding.
• I was referred to you as someone who could assist me with the forms.
• I was referred to you as someone who could assist me with scheduling.
• I was referred to you as someone who could assist me with training.
• I was referred to you as someone who could assist me with next steps.
Why it works: Makes your intention clear from the start.
16. “I’m reaching out based on a recommendation from…”
Meaning: Clean, modern, and professional.
Examples:
• I’m reaching out based on a recommendation from Mr. Imran.
• I’m reaching out based on a recommendation from the hiring team.
• I’m reaching out based on a recommendation from a past client.
• I’m reaching out based on a recommendation from my mentor.
• I’m reaching out based on a recommendation from your colleague.
Why it works: Works in both formal and semi-formal contexts.
17. “I was told you might be the right person to speak with.”
Meaning: Slightly soft, ideal when unsure of the exact contact.
Examples:
• I was told you might be the right person to speak with about the project.
• I was told you might be the right person to speak with regarding the application.
• I was told you might be the right person to speak with for assistance.
• I was told you might be the right person to speak with about documentation.
• I was told you might be the right person to speak with on this topic.
Why it works: Respectful and non-imposing.
18. “I’m contacting you following a referral from…”
Meaning: Highly professional phrasing perfect for corporate emails.
Examples:
• I’m contacting you following a referral from Dr. Hassan.
• I’m contacting you following a referral from the HR department.
• I’m contacting you following a referral from my advisor.
• I’m contacting you following a referral from a former partner.
• I’m contacting you following a referral from your colleague.
Why it works: Clean, structured, and ideal for formal use.
19. “I received your contact information from…”
Meaning: Direct and factual; avoids unnecessary detail.
Examples:
• I received your contact information from the admissions office.
• I received your contact information from the team coordinator.
• I received your contact information from a mutual friend.
• I received your contact information from the training department.
• I received your contact information from your colleague in IT.
Why it works: Professional and suitable for business communication.
20. “I’m writing at the suggestion of…”
Meaning: Polite, formal, and well-suited for written communication.
Examples:
• I’m writing at the suggestion of Ms. Sana.
• I’m writing at the suggestion of a senior colleague.
• I’m writing at the suggestion of your team member.
• I’m writing at the suggestion of one of my instructors.
• I’m writing at the suggestion of your supervisor.
Why it works: Classic phrasing with high professionalism.
21. “I was guided to contact you by…”
Meaning: Suggests helpful redirection in a positive way.
Examples:
• I was guided to contact you by the administrative team.
• I was guided to contact you by a former coworker.
• I was guided to contact you by your assistant.
• I was guided to contact you by a mutual connection.
• I was guided to contact you by the event host.
Why it works: Neutral and appropriate for both formal and semi-formal messages.
22. “A mutual connection suggested I reach out to you.”
Meaning: Great for networking and relationship-building.
Examples:
• A mutual connection suggested I reach out to you regarding the project.
• A mutual connection suggested I reach out to you for guidance.
• A mutual connection suggested I reach out to you about opportunities.
• A mutual connection suggested I reach out to you for clarity.
• A mutual connection suggested I reach out to you for support.
Why it works: Strengthens trust through shared relationships.
Consideration: How to Choose the Right Phrase
Choosing the right line depends on several factors:
Key Factors to Consider
- Tone: Formal, semi-formal, or casual?
- Audience: Senior leader, peer, client, or coworker?
- Purpose: Inquiry, introduction, request, networking, or support?
- Urgency: Immediate needs require more direct phrasing.
- Formality of the platform: Email demands more polish; chat apps allow softer phrasing.
- Clarity of the referral: Strong referrals can be stated confidently; indirect ones should be soft.
Mini Examples
- Formal: “I’m contacting you following a referral from Mr. Ahmed.”
- Semi-formal: “I was pointed in your direction by a colleague.”
- Casual: “Alex mentioned you’re the right person to talk to.”
Quick One-Line Templates
Copy and paste instantly:
- I was recommended to contact you by a mutual connection.
- I’m reaching out based on a referral from your colleague.
- Your name was shared with me by someone who spoke highly of you.
- I was informed you’re the right person to discuss this with.
- I’m writing at the suggestion of a former colleague.
- I was encouraged to get in touch after speaking with your team.
- I’m reaching out because your name came up in a recent conversation.
- I was directed to you for further assistance.
- I received your contact details from the coordinating team.
- I’m contacting you following a professional referral.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using overly casual language in formal business introductions.
- Mentioning confidential referral details unnecessarily.
- Sounding demanding instead of respectful.
- Repeating the same phrase in every outreach message.
- Adding emojis or exclamation marks in serious corporate communication.
FAQ
1. Is it okay to mention referrals in professional emails?
Yes—referrals build trust and strengthen credibility.
2. What’s the most formal way to say “I was referred to you by”?
“I’m contacting you following a referral from…” is one of the most polished options.
3. What should I say if I don’t know the referral very well?
Use softer lines like “Your name was shared with me by…”
4. What if the referral is indirect?
Try: “I came across your name through…”
5. Is it acceptable to name-drop a referral?
Yes, if the person is comfortable and aware of it.
6. Can I use these alternatives in job applications?
Absolutely—many of them help you make a stronger introduction.
7. Which phrase works best for networking events?
“A mutual connection suggested I reach out to you.”
Conclusion
A powerful introduction sets the tone for your entire conversation—and using the right alternative to “I was referred to you by” can significantly elevate your professionalism. Whether you’re networking, inquiring, collaborating, or pursuing opportunities, these polished phrases help you communicate confidently and respectfully.
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