How to Write a ‘Nice to Meet You’ Email That Leaves a Great First Impression
A well-written “nice to meet you” email can build rapport, open doors, and set the tone for a positive business relationship. Here’s how to write one that keeps the conversation going — with templates you can customize to make your email feel personal and genuine.
You’ve already broken the ice with that first meeting, but now you can learn more about the other person and also communicate some things yourself. There’s nothing like email to achieve this. The value of a follow-up is that you can deepen your connection with people and also set the wheels in motion for whatever you plan next.
Why a “nice to meet you” email matters
If you want to reach someone, it’s best to show up in their inboxes because 93 percent of people check their email daily.
Sending these “nice meeting you” messages shows your professionalism and thoughtfulness. People don’t like to feel like they’re only pawns in whatever game you’re playing. That’s why sending that email will not only help you remember their name, but with a short and sweet email, you can also refresh their memory about who you are. It’s also an opportunity to steer the relationship in a positive direction.
A well-thought-out email can really stick with someone. It tends to be less about what you remember about yourself, but more about what you noticed about them. It’s a reminder about how important it is to pay attention to the people around you and what’s going on.
People will remember an “it was nice meeting you email” if you’re sincere. You can use that message to mention something that will allow them to remember you, and if there is a way to communicate how you can be of service to the recipient.
It’s especially helpful if you can trigger a response that either gets the recipient to act now or recall you or your company the next time they need your product. Don’t take the people you meet for granted. Show them that you value them by sending a “nice to meet you email” that leaves a great first impression.
When to send your “nice to meet you” email
Timing makes a world of difference in how your “nice to meet you” email is received. The sweet spot is within 24 to 48 hours of meeting someone. If you’re traveling, it’s good to get in the habit of sending a short note to everyone you meet when you’re on the train or plane. That way, the interaction remains fresh in both of your minds, and it shows you care enough to follow up promptly.
These emails are suitable for a wide variety of situations: after a recent networking event or a coffee meeting. You could send them after any job interview or an introduction from mutual contacts. You can even send a follow-up message after spontaneous conversations that leave a good impression, so grab their card if they have one.
The best time to send it? As soon as you can
No matter how brief the conversation, a follow-up email can reinforce the connection and provide an opportunity to mention something you may have left out.
It is also essential to go with the right tone for the situation. Sometimes a quick, friendly note is all you need: “Great meeting you, Ryan — let’s keep in touch!”
At other times, you may want to write a more in-depth message, especially if there’s a potential collaboration, an opportunity, or a meaningful takeaway from your conversation. The key is to match the length and tone of your message with the context of how and why you met.
Once you’ve decided on the tone, don’t procrastinate. Make that email connection.
What to include in your “nice to meet you” email
A well-crafted follow-up email doesn’t need to (and shouldn’t) be long — but if it’s anything, it should be thoughtful and easily understood.
Here’s what to include to make a positive impression with your email.
Start with a warm greeting and a reminder of who you are
Don’t assume the person remembers you right away, especially if they met several people at once. Something simple like, “It was great meeting you at the panel on digital marketing yesterday — I’m the content strategist who asked you about newsletter engagement,” can jog their memory and set the tone.
If the two of you talked about something extracurricular, mention it! Here’s an example: “It was nice to meet at least one Chicago Cubs fan in New York!”
Mention where or how you met
Give just enough context to anchor your message, whether it was a mutual friend’s introduction, a conference, or a spontaneous encounter at a coffee shop. Referencing the moment creates familiarity and helps them put a face to your name.
Include a genuine compliment or point of connection
This is your chance to show sincerity. Maybe you admired something they said, or you enjoyed their outlook on a particular topic. Keep it honest and be specific. It’s a great way to establish trust and foster a strong rapport. For example: “You are so right about all of that litter in the street. It’s true — it’s never been that bad!”
Clearly state the purpose of your message
Are you reaching out simply to say hello and stay connected? Hoping to collaborate? Wanting to continue a conversation you started? Whatever it is, say it simply and directly. You could state it plainly with something like this: “Just wanted to say hello and thank you for your kind words about the presentation.”
Optionally, add a light call to action
This could be as casual as “Let’s stay in touch,” or as direct as “Would you be open to a quick call next week to chat a bit more?” You don’t need to add a call to action if it doesn’t make sense for the interaction you’re seeking.
Your CTA can even be very understated, like “I just sent you a connection request on LinkedIn.” You’re not asking them to log in and accept your request right away, but just to be on the lookout for it.
Wrap it up with a professional, polite closing
Something like “All the best,” “Warm regards,” or “Let’s stay in touch,” followed by your name, keeps the tone friendly and respectful. It’s also a good strategy to include your contact info and LinkedIn link in your signature.
Tips to make it memorable
A “nice to meet ya” email doesn’t have to be long or fancy, and in most cases shouldn’t be, but it should feel genuine. Here are a few simple tips to ensure your message stands out (in a good way).
Personalize it — and avoid sounding like a template
There’s something about a copy-paste message that people pick up on. Take a moment to include something specific from your interaction: something they said, what you talked about, or a common interest. A personal touch always makes a difference.
Keep it short, sweet, and easy to read
People are almost always busy, so please respect their time. A few thoughtful sentences are often better than a long message. If you have a brief message, there’s a chance every word will be read. A long email means that perhaps none of it will be read. Shoot for clarity and brevity; if you need to add more, be sure to break up longer thoughts into shorter paragraphs as needed. If possible, aim for no more than three or four sentences.
Avoid overly formal or stiff language
You want to sound like a real person, not a robot. In a world of artificial intelligence, it would be preferable for your email to be imperfect and human rather than perfect and resembling an AI-generated message. Unless the situation truly warrants it, skip the formal “Dear Madame Johnson” and opt for something warmer and more casual.
Use a clear subject line
Your subject line should let the recipient know exactly what the email is about. Something like “Great meeting you at the industry mixer” or “Nice to meet you — answers to your questions” exactly tells what the email is about.
Proofread before sending
Typos and errors can detract from the professionalism of your message. But you certainly don’t want to send something that could be misconstrued. There’s almost nothing worse than shuddering when you realize you sent something embarrassing. A quick read-through can help you catch anything that’s off — and gives you a chance to leave a more polished impression.
Sample “nice to meet you” email templates
Here are a few “nice to meet you” email examples you can customize depending on the context. Feel free to tweak the tone and details to make them your own.
Networking event follow-up
Subject: Great meeting you at [Event Name]
Hi [First Name],
It was a pleasure meeting you at [event name] yesterday. I really enjoyed our conversation about [something specific you talked about], and I appreciated your insights on [mention topic briefly].
It would be my pleasure to stay in touch and reconnect sometime soon. Wishing you all the best with [something relevant they mentioned].
Warmly,
[Your Name]
[Your contact info or LinkedIn link, if applicable]
By default, a job interview follow-up should be at least somewhat formal
Job interview follow-up
Subject: Thank you for the interview. Great speaking with you today
Hi [First Name],
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. It was great to learn more about the role and your team at [Company Name]. I really appreciated the chance to talk about [something specific you discussed], and I’m even more excited about the possibility of contributing to your team’s development.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything else from me. I look forward to what’s next!
All the best,
[Your Name]
Client or business contact
Subject: Nice connecting with you
Hi [First Name],
It was great meeting you during [meeting/event name]—thanks for taking the time to connect. I really appreciated hearing all about the great work you’re doing at [Company Name], and I think there’s some tremendous potential for us to work together.
Please let me know if you’re open to a follow-up call to explore some ideas further. Looking forward to staying in touch.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Social or casual setting
Subject: Nice meeting you yesterday
Hey [First Name],
Just wanted to say it was really nice meeting you at [location/situation]. I enjoyed chatting with you about [topic], and it was cool to learn we both [mention shared interest].
Let’s definitely stay in touch—feel free to reach out anytime for any reason!
Take care,
[Your Name]
Common mistakes to avoid
Even if you have the best intentions, a “nice to meet you” email can fall flat if it misses the mark. Here are some common missteps to be aware of.
Waiting too long to send
If you wait several days — or worse, weeks — to follow up, the moment has likely passed. The connection won’t feel as fresh, and the other person might not remember the interaction as clearly. So aim to send your message within 24 to 48 hours if possible. You definitely don’t want to be any later than three days.
Making it all about you
It may be tempting to jump into your background or goals, but avoid a one-sided email. A great “nice to meet you” email shows interest in the other person more than in your own interests. Reference something they said or did, and keep the tone balanced and conversational. Find a way that you’re the one being of service to the other person.
Being vague or forgettable
A generic “nice meeting you” with no context is easy to overlook. So be specific. mention where you met, something you talked about, or a common interest. It helps the person remember you and makes the message feel more thoughtful. Authentically communicate what you share.
Using generic templates without personalization
Have you ever gotten a message that you were sure came from a template? Templates can be helpful as a starting point or to spark an idea. However, if your message reads like it was copied and pasted, it will make a negative impact.
Instead, add a line or two that feels real and specific to your interaction and change anything that seems out of place. A little bit of effort goes a long way.
One thing that will cause you to cringe with embarrassment is sending an email with a clearly detectable template remnant. I once got an email from someone who accidentally included “[name of person].” I chuckled about it and wasn’t offended, but it made it clear that the person had used a template.
Final thoughts: Leave them feeling glad they met you
At the end of the day, the goal shouldn’t be to write the “perfect” email. It’s to build a connection. Simple, sincere messages can go a long way in making someone feel seen, understood, and appreciated. Thoughtful communication inevitably stands out. So take a moment, be genuine, and send a “nice to meet you” email that leaves them thinking, “I’m really glad we met.”
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