Networking without even thinking

A few years ago, I got an email from my friend Adam. It was nothing to do with work, just the usual post-dinner admin: “Here are my bank details so you can transfer your share.” (a big group of us had been out for a curry, and it really didn’t seem fair to make Adam pay for all 16 of us…)

But tucked quietly into his email signature was a single line:
“Need any introductions? I’ve got a big network – just ask.”

And I did. I’d been on the lookout for a good financial advisor for months, so I replied and asked. Adam introduced me to Phil. I’ve now worked with Phil for over a decade.

Naturally, I then asked Adam, “Why didn’t you introduce me to Phil earlier?”
His response? “Because you never asked.”

That moment stuck with me. Not just because I finally sorted my finances, but because it showed the power of making a referral easy. Adam wasn’t pitching anyone, or trying to be helpful in a loud, performative way. He just left the door open.

That’s the beauty of using your email signature as a passive networking tool. Most of us send dozens of emails a day: across work, volunteering, social admin, and everything in between. That’s dozens of moments where someone might think, “Actually, you might be able to help…”

Adding a line like “Need any introductions?” or “I love making useful connections – feel free to ask” is a quiet nudge. It plants the idea that you’re someone open to helping and connecting, without being salesy or pushy. And once it’s there, you never have to think about it again.

If you’re busy (and let’s be honest, most of us are), this is one of the simplest ways to keep your network working for you – even when you’re not thinking about it.