The opening line of an email often decides whether the rest gets read carefully or skimmed. “By way of introduction” has long been a go-to phrase for starting formal emails, but it can also come across as stiff or old-fashioned in today’s business writing. Whether you’re reaching out to a new client, joining a team, or connecting two colleagues, the way you introduce yourself sets the tone for everything that follows.
This guide walks through 36+ professional alternatives to “by way of introduction,” along with the meaning, tone, and best use case for each one.
What Does “By Way of Introduction” Mean?
“By way of introduction” is a formal phrase used to signal that the sender is about to introduce themselves or another person. It essentially means “as a means of introducing” or “as a preliminary remark,” and it’s commonly placed at the start of an email or letter.
The phrase serves a simple purpose:
- It tells the reader why the message exists
- It sets a respectful, professional tone from the first line
- It works whether you’re introducing yourself or making a connection between two other people
Because it’s grammatically correct and widely recognized, it remains a safe choice in traditional business writing even though modern email etiquette often favors more direct, natural-sounding openings.
When Should You Use Introduction Alternatives in Emails?
Reaching for an alternative phrase makes sense in several common situations:
- Writing a cold outreach email to a new client or contact
- Introducing yourself after starting a new role or joining a new team
- Connecting two colleagues or business contacts through email
- Following up after being introduced by a mutual connection
- Writing on LinkedIn or in semi-formal professional messages
- Wanting to sound more current and less like a template
Choosing the right phrase also depends on your audience. A message to a senior executive calls for a more formal opening, while an email to a familiar colleague can use a lighter, more conversational introduction.
Is “By Way of Introduction” Still Professional?
Yes, it’s still grammatically correct and acceptable in formal business writing. However, many professionals now consider it slightly outdated or overly stiff, especially in industries that favor direct, conversational communication.Using it occasionally is fine, but relying on it in every introductory email can make your writing feel repetitive or impersonal. Mixing in modern alternatives while keeping the same level of professionalism helps your emails sound confident and current without losing credibility.
36+ Better Ways to Say “By Way of Introduction” Professionally
Below are 36+ alternatives, each with its meaning, tone, a usage example, and a short explanation of when it works best.
1. I would like to introduce myself
- Meaning: Direct self-introduction.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I would like to introduce myself as the new project manager.”
- Explanation: Clear and widely accepted.
2. Allow me to introduce myself
- Meaning: Polite, traditional self-introduction.
- Tone: Formal.
- Example: “Allow me to introduce myself — my name is Sarah Lopez.”
- Explanation: Respectful and suitable for first contact with senior contacts.
3. I’m writing to introduce myself
- Meaning: Purpose-driven introduction.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’m writing to introduce myself and discuss our upcoming partnership.”
- Explanation: Works well for cold emails and new business contacts.
4. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself
- Meaning: Polite, conversational opening.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself before our meeting.”
- Explanation: Softer tone, good for internal team emails.
5. I’d like to briefly introduce myself
- Meaning: Concise self-introduction.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’d like to briefly introduce myself before we begin the call.”
- Explanation: Useful when time or space is limited.
6. Please allow me to introduce…
- Meaning: Formal, respectful phrasing.
- Tone: Formal.
- Example: “Please allow me to introduce our new account manager.”
- Explanation: Excellent for introducing someone to a senior audience.
7. I’m pleased to introduce
- Meaning: Positive, formal introduction.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’m pleased to introduce our newest team member.”
- Explanation: Adds warmth while staying professional.
8. I’m reaching out to introduce myself
- Meaning: Neutral outreach phrasing.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’m reaching out to introduce myself ahead of our project kickoff.”
- Explanation: Polished and versatile for outreach emails.
9. I’d like to introduce you to…
- Meaning: Third-party introduction.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’d like to introduce you to our lead developer, Alex.”
- Explanation: Ideal when connecting two people via email.
10. I’m happy to introduce
- Meaning: Friendly, professional tone.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’m happy to introduce our regional sales lead.”
- Explanation: Slightly warmer than “pleased to introduce.”
11. This email is to introduce…
- Meaning: Straightforward, functional opening.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “This email is to introduce our updated onboarding process.”
- Explanation: Clear and to the point for business updates.
12. I wanted to formally introduce myself
- Meaning: Structured, official introduction.
- Tone: Formal.
- Example: “I wanted to formally introduce myself as your new point of contact.”
- Explanation: Suitable for official or first-time correspondence.
13. I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce…
- Meaning: Thoughtful, purposeful introduction.
- Tone: Formal.
- Example: “I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce our compliance team.”
- Explanation: Works well in longer, detailed emails.
14. I’m writing to connect and introduce myself
- Meaning: Networking-focused opening.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’m writing to connect and introduce myself as a fellow industry professional.”
- Explanation: Good for LinkedIn-style outreach.
15. I’m pleased to make this introduction
- Meaning: Formal connection between two people.
- Tone: Formal.
- Example: “I’m pleased to make this introduction between you and our design lead.”
- Explanation: Suitable for third-party introductions.
16. I’d like to introduce our team
- Meaning: Group introduction.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’d like to introduce our team and outline next steps.”
- Explanation: Ideal for project kickoffs.
17. I’m reaching out by way of a brief introduction
- Meaning: Modernized traditional phrasing.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’m reaching out by way of a brief introduction ahead of our call.”
- Explanation: A refined update to the original phrase.
18. I’m contacting you to introduce myself
- Meaning: Clear, direct outreach.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’m contacting you to introduce myself and discuss a potential collaboration.”
- Explanation: Purpose-driven and easy to follow.
19. I’d like to start by introducing myself
- Meaning: Structured opening line.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’d like to start by introducing myself before covering the agenda.”
- Explanation: Creates a natural flow into the rest of the email.
20. I wanted to introduce you to…
- Meaning: Casual third-party introduction.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I wanted to introduce you to our new marketing coordinator.”
- Explanation: Friendly yet professional for internal introductions.
21. I’m pleased to connect and introduce myself
- Meaning: Warm networking introduction.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’m pleased to connect and introduce myself as your dedicated contact.”
- Explanation: Balances warmth with professionalism.
22. This message serves as an introduction
- Meaning: Formal, functional phrasing.
- Tone: Formal.
- Example: “This message serves as an introduction to our updated service terms.”
- Explanation: Useful for official or policy-related emails.
23. I’m glad to make this introduction
- Meaning: Positive, formal connection.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’m glad to make this introduction between our two teams.”
- Explanation: Reflects enthusiasm while staying polished.
24. I’m writing to formally introduce…
- Meaning: Official, structured introduction.
- Tone: Formal.
- Example: “I’m writing to formally introduce our new compliance officer.”
- Explanation: Appropriate for high-stakes or executive communication.
25. I’d like to introduce myself and my role
- Meaning: Self-introduction with added context.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’d like to introduce myself and my role within the operations team.”
- Explanation: Adds clarity and authority right away.
26. I’m reaching out to make an introduction
- Meaning: Neutral, versatile outreach.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’m reaching out to make an introduction ahead of our meeting.”
- Explanation: Polished phrasing suited to most business contexts.
27. I’m pleased to introduce myself as…
- Meaning: Confident self-introduction.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’m pleased to introduce myself as your new account representative.”
- Explanation: Clear and confident for first contact.
28. I wanted to connect and introduce…
- Meaning: Relationship-focused opening.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I wanted to connect and introduce our new partnership program.”
- Explanation: Works well for relationship-building emails.
29. I’d like to briefly introduce our organization
- Meaning: Company-level introduction.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’d like to briefly introduce our organization and what we do.”
- Explanation: Ideal for business development and sales outreach.
30. Please allow me to make an introduction
- Meaning: Formal, respectful connection.
- Tone: Formal.
- Example: “Please allow me to make an introduction between you and our legal advisor.”
- Explanation: Suitable for formal third-party introductions.
31. I’m writing to provide an introduction
- Meaning: Functional, informative opening.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’m writing to provide an introduction to our upcoming service changes.”
- Explanation: Clear for update-style emails.
32. I’d like to introduce you to our point of contact
- Meaning: Specific, practical introduction.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’d like to introduce you to our point of contact for this project.”
- Explanation: Useful when handing off communication to someone else.
33. I’m pleased to share this introduction
- Meaning: Positive, formal phrasing.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’m pleased to share this introduction ahead of our collaboration.”
- Explanation: Adds a personable touch to formal emails.
34. I’d like to open by introducing myself
- Meaning: Structured self-introduction.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’d like to open by introducing myself before diving into the details.”
- Explanation: Sets a clear structure for longer emails.
35. I’m reaching out with a brief introduction
- Meaning: Concise outreach phrasing.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’m reaching out with a brief introduction and a quick question.”
- Explanation: Efficient and easy to read.
36. I’d like to begin by introducing…
- Meaning: Formal opening structure.
- Tone: Professional.
- Example: “I’d like to begin by introducing our new regional director.”
- Explanation: Works well for announcements and formal updates.
37. I’m writing to make a formal introduction
- Meaning: Official, purpose-driven phrasing.
- Tone: Formal.
- Example: “I’m writing to make a formal introduction on behalf of our department.”
- Explanation: A strong choice for high-stakes or executive-level emails.
Quick Comparison Table
| Phrase Style | Best Use Case | Tone |
| I would like to introduce myself | General self-introduction | Professional |
| Allow me to introduce myself | First contact with executives | Formal |
| I’m reaching out to introduce myself | Cold outreach emails | Professional |
| I’d like to introduce you to… | Connecting two people | Professional |
| This message serves as an introduction | Official or policy emails | Formal |
| I’d like to introduce our team | Project kickoffs | Professional |
Conclusion
“By way of introduction” isn’t wrong, but it’s no longer the only or always the best way to open a professional email. The alternatives above give you options for nearly every scenario, whether you’re introducing yourself to a new client,
connecting two colleagues, or announcing a new team member. Choosing the right phrase for your audience and purpose makes your emails feel more natural, current, and credible from the very first line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “by way of introduction” grammatically correct?
Yes, it’s grammatically correct and still widely used in formal business writing.
What’s a more modern way to say “by way of introduction”?
Phrases like “I’m reaching out to introduce myself” or “I’d like to introduce myself” sound more current and natural.
Can I use these alternatives in cold emails?
Yes, many of these phrases, especially “I’m writing to introduce myself,” work well for cold outreach.
Which phrase is best for introducing someone else?
“I’d like to introduce you to…” or “Please allow me to introduce…” both work well for third-party introductions.
Should I always use a formal introduction phrase?
Not always. Casual or familiar recipients may prefer a simpler, more conversational opening.
Is it okay to skip an introductory phrase entirely?
Yes, in short or informal replies, you can often move straight into your message without a formal introduction.
Maria is the author behind PulseMeg, passionate about creating simple, helpful, and easy-to-understand content. She shares meanings, guides, and useful insights to help readers learn every day.
