How I get a board member to make one intro
Hi Reader, Here's the ask that never works: "If anyone knows someone who might be interested in supporting us, please let me know." Everyone nods along. Everyone means it. Nobody moves! The ask went to the whole room, so it belonged to no one. Here's how I'd do it instead. 1. I do the research before I ask. I look at one board member's employer, their alma mater, the other boards they sit on. Then I show up with two or three names I already believe they know. The ask stops being "think of someone," which is homework, and becomes "do you know Sarah?" 2. I ask one person, one on one, for one name. Not in the meeting! Board members say yes to things over coffee that they will absolutely stay quiet about in a group. Fifteen minutes is plenty. 3. I write the email for them. This is the part most people skip, and it's the main thing. Send three sentences they can forward without editing a word. The reality is that intros don't die from reluctance. They die because your board member never got around to drafting the email. 4. I take it from there, and I close the loop. Once the intro lands, they're done. No follow-up assigned to them, no chasing. Then I tell them what happened, even when the answer was no. That last part is what makes them willing to do it a second time. The key here is that one intro from one board member beats a room full of vague enthusiasm every time. If you want a professionally designed Board Packet to set expectations from the jump, check out the Board Meeting Packet in my shop. As a subscriber you get 25% off with code SUBSCRIBER at checkout. Pick your most connected board member and start there. And if you try it, reply and tell me how it went. I'd love to hear what your board actually said! Cheers,
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