In professional communication, first impressions matter — and how you introduce a referral can shape the entire direction of a business relationship. Whether you’re emailing a potential client, reaching out to a recruiter, or connecting with a senior executive, the phrase “I was referred to you by” is often used to establish credibility and build trust. However, repeating this same phrase in every message can make your outreach sound formulaic or overly direct.
This guide provides formal, semi-formal, and casual synonyms, complete with usage notes, examples, email templates, industry-specific versions, a comparison table, and essential writer tips. Whether you’re crafting a corporate introduction or a friendly networking message, you’ll find the perfect alternative here.
🏛️ Formal Alternatives (With Detailed Explanations)
Below are polished, professional substitutes ideal for corporate, academic, and business communication.
1. “I was recommended to connect with you by…”
Meaning: Someone endorsed you and suggested communication.
Explanation: Indicates strong credibility and trust.
Example: “I was recommended to connect with you by Dr. Patel regarding the research grant.”
Best Use: Corporate introductions, academia, high-level referrals.
Worst Use: Informal chats.
Tone: Professional, respectful.
2. “I was directed to reach out to you by…”
Meaning: Someone intentionally pointed you toward this contact.
Example: “I was directed to reach out to you by our project lead, Mr. Alvarez.”
Best Use: Organizational or hierarchical settings.
Worst Use: Social conversations.
Tone: Formal and assertive.
3. “I was advised to contact you by…”
Meaning: A recommendation from someone senior or authoritative.
Example: “I was advised to contact you by our HR director regarding onboarding.”
Tone: Formal and deferential.
4. “I’m reaching out based on a referral from…”
Meaning: Indicates a direct, trusted referral.
Best Use: Business, client introductions.
5. “I’m contacting you upon the suggestion of…”
Meaning: Soft yet formal expression of a recommendation.
Example: “I’m contacting you upon the suggestion of Ms. Clarke.”
6. “I was introduced to you through…”
Meaning: Implies an indirect but meaningful introduction.
7. “You were highly recommended by…”
Meaning: Strong endorsement.
Worst Use: Situations where the referral isn’t actually strong.
8. “I received your contact information from…”
Meaning: Straightforward confirmation of how communication began.
9. “I’m following up per the recommendation of…”
Meaning: Formal follow-through on a referral.
10. “I was pointed in your direction by…”
Meaning: Mild, polite way to express guidance toward someone.
🤝 Semi-Formal & Neutral Alternatives
1. “My colleague suggested I get in touch with you.”
Meaning: Someone from your workplace recommended this connection.
Example: “My colleague suggested I get in touch with you for more information about the new system update.”
2. “Your name came up during a conversation with…”
Meaning: The person was mentioned naturally in a discussion.
Example: “Your name came up during a conversation with Jacob, and he thought we should connect.”
3. “I heard about your work from…”
Meaning: You learned about their expertise or reputation through someone.
Example: “I heard about your work from Professor Davis and wanted to reach out.”
4. “I was encouraged to reach out to you by…”
Meaning: Someone motivated you or suggested contacting them.
Example: “I was encouraged to reach out to you by our training coordinator.”
5. “I learned about you through…”
Meaning: You discovered them through a colleague, team, or shared network.
Example: “I learned about you through the product team and thought I should connect.”
6. “I understand you’ve worked with…”
Meaning: Acknowledges a shared professional connection.
Example: “I understand you’ve worked with Sarah on several projects, and she recommended I contact you.”
7. “You were mentioned to me by…”
Meaning: Someone directly referred to them in conversation.
Example: “You were mentioned to me by Alex when we were discussing the new initiative.”
8. “A teammate recommended I contact you.”
Meaning: Someone on your team suggested reaching out.
Example: “A teammate recommended I contact you regarding the updated project timeline.”
9. “We were connected through…”
Meaning: You share a link via an event, group, or mutual contact.
Example: “We were connected through the leadership workshop last month.”
10. “I’m reaching out because someone spoke highly of you.”
Meaning: You’re contacting them due to positive feedback from others.
Example: “I’m reaching out because someone spoke highly of you and your work in risk management.”
💬 Informal or Casual Alternatives
Suitable for light networking, coworkers, and friendly introductions.
- A friend of mine told me to reach out to you.
- I heard about you from ___ and thought I’d say hi.
- ___ said you’re the person to talk to!
- ___ pointed me your way.
- I got your name from ___.
🏢 Industry-Specific Variations
Business
- “I was referred to your team by…”
- “Your client recommended I connect with you…”
Corporate
- “Leadership recommended I contact you regarding…”
Academic
- “My advisor directed me to reach out to you…”
Customer Service
- “Your colleague referred me to you for assistance with…”
Legal
- “I was referred to your office by…”
Professional Email Communication
- “I’m reaching out based on the recommendation of…”
📧 Email Examples Using Different Synonyms
Email 1 — Formal
Subject: Referral from Dr. Jennings
Hi Ms. Carter,
I was recommended to connect with you by Dr. Jennings regarding the research partnership proposal.
Looking forward to discussing further.
Email 2 — Corporate
Subject: Introduction via Michael Rivera
Hi James,
I’m reaching out based on a referral from Michael Rivera, who suggested you could assist with the compliance review.
Thank you,
Rachel
Email 3 — Professional
Subject: Following Up on a Referral
Hi Daniel,
I was advised to contact you by our HR director regarding the open role.
Warm regards,
Sonia
Email 4 — Neutral
Subject: Suggestion from Sarah Lin
Hi Mark,
My colleague Sarah suggested I get in touch with you about the upcoming event.
Thanks,
Emma
Email 5 — Friendly Professional
Subject: Quick Introduction
Hi Lily,
Your name came up during a conversation with Benjamin, who thought we should connect.
Best,
Tom
Email 6 — Executive Level
Subject: Referral from Board Member
Dear Mr. Hughes,
I’m following up per the recommendation of our board member, Ms. Alvarez.
Sincerely,
Charles
🗣️ Short Dialogue Examples
- A: “You should talk to Jana about that.”
B: “Great — I’ll reach out and let her know you referred me.” - A: “Can you help with this?”
B: “Sure, who sent you my way?”
A: “Carlos mentioned you’d be the right person.” - A: “How did you find me?”
B: “Your name came up in a meeting with the design team.” - A: “Nice to meet you. What brings you here?”
B: “I was introduced to you through Karen from HR.” - A: “Why are you contacting our department?”
B: “Leadership recommended I coordinate with your team.”
📊 Comparison Table
| Phrase | Tone | Best Use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| I was recommended to connect with you by… | Formal | Corporate, academic | “I was recommended to connect with you by Dr. Hill.” |
| My colleague suggested I get in touch… | Neutral | Internal teams | “My colleague suggested I get in touch about the report.” |
| You were highly recommended by… | Formal | High-level referrals | “You were highly recommended by our CFO.” |
| ___ pointed me your way | Informal | Friendly networking | “Amy pointed me your way.” |
| I received your contact info from… | Formal | Business intros | “I received your contact info from Ms. Reed.” |
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Sounding overly direct or forceful
- Not naming the person who referred you
- Using informal phrasing in a formal setting
- Misspelling the referrer’s name
- Over-explaining how you got the referral
- Using the same phrase repeatedly in every email
- Being vague about why you’re contacting them
🚫 When NOT to Use Referral Phrases
- When the referral asked for anonymity
- When contacting someone in a legal matter
- When the information is confidential
- When the referral is weak or uncertain
- When cold outreach is more appropriate
- When the context does not require credibility
❓ FAQs
1. What is the most professional way to say “I was referred to you by”?
“I was recommended to connect with you by…” is the most polished option.
2. Can I use a referral in a cold email?
Yes, mentioning a referral increases response rates significantly.
3. Should I always mention the person who referred me?
Yes — unless they asked not to be named.
4. Is it okay to use informal alternatives?
Only when speaking with peers, coworkers, or friends.
5. Can I use these phrases in job applications?
Absolutely — referrals strengthen your application and credibility.
DISCOVER MORE ARTICLES
Formal Ways to Say “Thanks for the Heads Up” (50+ Professional Alternatives + Examples)
45+ Better Ways to Say “I Look Forward to Speaking With You” (Formal, Friendly & Email-Safe)
33+ Polite Ways to Ask for Email Receipt Confirmation (With Email Templates)
