Technology is good, especially the opportunity it gives people to connect with each other in various parts of the world any time of the day. However, there are also pitfalls if you don't know how to use it, especially using proper online etiquette, one of which is email introductions.
Email introductions can be quite tricky since you're introducing two people who haven't seen each other face-to-face. The usual introduction that happens i`s you create an email and send them to both people who you want to meet via email. More often than not, the other person might have no idea about the introduction and the other person shoots up a follow-up email to the other person. That might surprise the other person how someone he doesn't know already has his email address.
This is one of the mistakes people commit in this usual email introduction process. Aside from the awkwardness that it might create, there's also the element of time with regards to the person's schedule. Unless you are sure of the person's schedule, there is a danger that the email you sent might get buried in his usual deluge of emails. If that happens, he might take a while to reply or might not reply at all.
Another scenario that might happen with this usual kind of introduction is the unexpected responsibility the other recipient will have. Since the introduction has been made, he will be pressured into thinking what kind of favor he can give to the other person. If, in turn, he declined the offer, it will be awkward on your part to break the news to the other party that the other recipient has declined the offer.
The best way to avoid these awkward scenarios is to practice 'permission introduction' instead of a surprise introduction. In permission introduction, you ask both parties first in private messages if they want to be introduced. This eliminate whatever awkwardness that might happen. Another thing that might help is to ask the requestor what his reason is for the request. Also assess what benefits both parties will get from the introduction. Lastly, ask them what actions will they request your contact to take.
