As with anything, it always depends on the context. If I'm introducing someone to an investor I barely know, I'll make sure they opt in. If I'm introducing them to an investor I see every day and know they trust me, I'll just go for it w/o the opt-in. This article and Fred Wilson's are great examples of how to maximize etiquette.
Either way, it will be awkward, and checking in with someone to see if they can be introduced just adds another e-mail to the chain.
Maybe I'm just overly choosy with who I introduce, but I have never had someone not respond, or say "No, I don't want to be introduced to that person." It just always seems to add an unnecessary step.
Comments
Here's another take on the subject: double opt-in introduction by Fred Wilson: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2009/11/the-double-optin-introductio...
As with anything, it always depends on the context. If I'm introducing someone to an investor I barely know, I'll make sure they opt in. If I'm introducing them to an investor I see every day and know they trust me, I'll just go for it w/o the opt-in. This article and Fred Wilson's are great examples of how to maximize etiquette.
so if one person opts in, and the other does not, do you just tell the first: "sorry he wasn't interested in meeting you"?
This has always been my issue with these e-mails.
Either way, it will be awkward, and checking in with someone to see if they can be introduced just adds another e-mail to the chain.
Maybe I'm just overly choosy with who I introduce, but I have never had someone not respond, or say "No, I don't want to be introduced to that person." It just always seems to add an unnecessary step.
I guess it just shifts the dilemma to the person setting up the interview - which is what makes it more polite.
thats what I do! I explicitly ask both parties before I make an intro.