Starting a message with “I was referred to you by…” is professional, but it can sound a bit stiff or overused. Whether you’re emailing a potential client, networking on LinkedIn, or making a warm introduction, choosing a more natural phrase can instantly make your message feel friendlier and more confident.
Below are 35+ alternative ways to say “I was referred to you by”, each paired with real, casual conversations between Ramzan (A) and Aiman (B), plus a helpful tip so you know exactly when to use it.
1. I Was Referred to You Through
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was referred to you through Sarah from marketing.
Aiman (B): Oh yes, Sarah mentioned you.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was referred to you through a mutual contact.
Aiman (B): Happy to connect.
💡 Tip: Neutral and professional.
2. I Was Put in Touch With You By
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was put in touch with you by Ahmed.
Aiman (B): Great — Ahmed speaks highly of you.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was put in touch with you by a colleague.
Aiman (B): Nice to meet you.
💡 Tip: Sounds friendly and natural.
3. I Was Recommended to You By
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was recommended to you by Lisa.
Aiman (B): Yes, she told me about you.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was recommended to you by a former client.
Aiman (B): That’s great to hear.
💡 Tip: Builds instant credibility.
4. Your Name Was Shared With Me By
Example 1
Ramzan (A): Your name was shared with me by John.
Aiman (B): John’s great — welcome.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): Your name was shared with me recently.
Aiman (B): Glad you reached out.
💡 Tip: Polite and indirect.
5. I Was Given Your Contact By
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was given your contact by Emma.
Aiman (B): Perfect — Emma’s fantastic.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was given your contact by a mutual friend.
Aiman (B): Happy to help.
💡 Tip: Casual and clear.
6. I Was Advised to Reach Out to You By
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was advised to reach out to you by Mark.
Aiman (B): Mark made a good call.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was advised to reach out by my manager.
Aiman (B): Glad you did.
💡 Tip: Sounds thoughtful and intentional.
7. I Was Pointed in Your Direction By
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was pointed in your direction by Sam.
Aiman (B): Sam knows his stuff.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was pointed your way by a colleague.
Aiman (B): Welcome.
💡 Tip: Friendly and conversational.
8. A Mutual Contact Suggested I Reach Out
Example 1
Ramzan (A): A mutual contact suggested I reach out.
Aiman (B): Glad they did.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): A mutual contact suggested we connect.
Aiman (B): Happy to chat.
💡 Tip: Great for LinkedIn messages.
9. I Was Connected With You By
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was connected with you by David.
Aiman (B): Yes, David mentioned this.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was connected with you through a referral.
Aiman (B): Nice to meet you.
💡 Tip: Clean and professional.
10. I Came Highly Recommended by
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I came highly recommended by Alex.
Aiman (B): That’s good to know.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I came highly recommended by a former partner.
Aiman (B): Welcome aboard.
💡 Tip: Strong confidence booster.
11. Someone Suggested I Contact You
Example 1
Ramzan (A): Someone suggested I contact you.
Aiman (B): I’m glad you did.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): A colleague suggested I contact you.
Aiman (B): Happy to help.
💡 Tip: Casual and flexible.
12. I Was Told You’d Be the Right Person to Contact
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was told you’d be the right person to contact.
Aiman (B): I’ll do my best.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was told you could help.
Aiman (B): Let’s see how I can assist.
💡 Tip: Polite and respectful.
13. I Was Introduced to You By
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was introduced to you by Olivia.
Aiman (B): Yes, she introduced us.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was introduced to you recently.
Aiman (B): Nice to meet you.
💡 Tip: Formal and professional.
14. I Was Directed to You By
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was directed to you by my team lead.
Aiman (B): That makes sense.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was directed to you internally.
Aiman (B): Glad you reached out.
💡 Tip: Common in corporate settings.
15. I Heard About You Through
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I heard about you through a colleague.
Aiman (B): That’s great.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I heard about you through word of mouth.
Aiman (B): Always nice to hear.
💡 Tip: Friendly and informal.
16. A Colleague Mentioned You
Example 1
Ramzan (A): A colleague mentioned you might be able to help.
Aiman (B): Sure, let’s talk.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): A colleague mentioned your work.
Aiman (B): That’s kind of them.
💡 Tip: Easy and conversational.
17. I Was Referred Your Way
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was referred your way by James.
Aiman (B): James is great.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was referred your way recently.
Aiman (B): Happy to connect.
💡 Tip: Short and natural.
18. I Was Encouraged to Reach Out to You
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was encouraged to reach out to you by my mentor.
Aiman (B): That’s nice to hear.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was encouraged to reach out.
Aiman (B): Glad you did.
💡 Tip: Warm and positive.
19. I Was Given Your Name By
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was given your name by a friend.
Aiman (B): Happy to meet you.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was given your name recently.
Aiman (B): Thanks for reaching out.
💡 Tip: Simple and direct.
20. Someone Referred Me to You
Example 1
Ramzan (A): Someone referred me to you for this project.
Aiman (B): Glad they did.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was referred to you recently.
Aiman (B): Nice to connect.
💡 Tip: Straightforward and clear.
21. I Was Sent Your Way By
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was sent your way by my manager.
Aiman (B): That explains it.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was sent your way by a mutual contact.
Aiman (B): Welcome.
💡 Tip: Casual but professional.
22. A Mutual Friend Suggested I Reach Out
Example 1
Ramzan (A): A mutual friend suggested I reach out.
Aiman (B): That’s great.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): A mutual friend suggested we connect.
Aiman (B): Happy to chat.
💡 Tip: Friendly and social.
23. I Was Recommended to Contact You
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was recommended to contact you by HR.
Aiman (B): Happy to help.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was recommended to contact you directly.
Aiman (B): That works.
💡 Tip: Professional and clear.
24. I Was Passed Along Your Details By
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was passed along your details by Chris.
Aiman (B): Chris filled me in.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was passed along your details recently.
Aiman (B): Nice to connect.
💡 Tip: Slightly informal but polished.
25. I Was Pointed Toward You
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was pointed toward you for guidance.
Aiman (B): Happy to help.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was pointed toward you by my team.
Aiman (B): Makes sense.
💡 Tip: Friendly and natural.
26. I Was Suggested to Get in Touch With You
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was suggested to get in touch with you.
Aiman (B): Glad you did.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was suggested to get in touch by a colleague.
Aiman (B): Welcome.
💡 Tip: Neutral and polite.
27. I Learned About You Through
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I learned about you through a referral.
Aiman (B): That’s great.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I learned about you through my network.
Aiman (B): Happy to connect.
💡 Tip: Modern networking language.
28. A Contact of Mine Recommended You
Example 1
Ramzan (A): A contact of mine recommended you.
Aiman (B): That’s good to hear.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): A contact of mine spoke highly of you.
Aiman (B): Appreciate that.
💡 Tip: Builds trust instantly.
29. I Was Advised to Contact You Directly
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was advised to contact you directly.
Aiman (B): That works.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was advised to contact you by my manager.
Aiman (B): Glad you did.
💡 Tip: Confident and clear.
30. Someone in My Network Suggested You
Example 1
Ramzan (A): Someone in my network suggested you.
Aiman (B): Nice to hear.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): Someone in my network recommended you.
Aiman (B): Happy to connect.
💡 Tip: Great for LinkedIn.
31. I Was Referred by a Mutual Contact
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was referred by a mutual contact.
Aiman (B): That’s always nice.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was referred by someone we both know.
Aiman (B): Small world.
💡 Tip: Friendly and natural.
32. I Was Introduced Through a Referral
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was introduced through a referral.
Aiman (B): Happy to meet you.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was introduced through a mutual connection.
Aiman (B): Nice to connect.
💡 Tip: Professional and smooth.
33. A Recommendation Led Me to You
Example 1
Ramzan (A): A recommendation led me to you.
Aiman (B): Glad it did.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): A recommendation brought me your way.
Aiman (B): Welcome.
💡 Tip: Sounds confident and intentional.
34. I Was Referred Based on a Recommendation
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was referred based on a recommendation.
Aiman (B): That’s great.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was referred based on feedback from others.
Aiman (B): Happy to connect.
💡 Tip: Adds credibility.
35. I Was Guided to Reach Out to You
Example 1
Ramzan (A): I was guided to reach out to you by my mentor.
Aiman (B): I’m glad they did.
Example 2
Ramzan (A): I was guided to reach out recently.
Aiman (B): Nice to hear from you.
💡 Tip: Warm and respectful.
Final Thoughts
Using alternatives to “I was referred to you by” helps your introductions sound more natural, confident, and human. Whether you’re networking, applying for opportunities, or reaching out professionally, the right phrasing can make a strong first impression before the conversation even begins.
