How to Ask for Something in an Email (With Examples)

Writing an email is an effective and professional way to request something you need.

In this guide, we’ll offer steps to help you craft a convincing request email, along with examples to use for reference.

What Is a Request Email?

A request email is a formal message where you ask somebody (usually a colleague, a manager, or a person in a position of authority) to do something for you.

Reasons you may want to send a request email include:

• You want to ask for advice
• You want to request a document or information
• You want the recipient to fill out a form or complete a task
• You want to ask for additional resources
• You want to ask for a deadline extension, a holiday, or an extended break

Knowing how to write a formal request email is an important skill for any professional setting, whether it’s educational centers, community clubs, or workplaces.

How to Write an Effective Request Email

Here are four tips to help you write an effective request email with examples that demonstrate how to use each tip.

1. Be Direct and Concise

Time is money, so being direct and concise is the best choice when writing a request email. Without being too abrupt or pushy, state your ask at the top of your email, ideally within the first sentence or two.

Your goal is to get the reader’s attention and tell them what you’re requesting immediately. If you beat around the bush, an impatient or busy reader may never get to your request.

Here’s an email example to show you how to be direct without being abrupt:

2. Establish Your Credibility

When making a professional request, establish your credibility early on in the message.

Ask yourself why your request is important and why your recipient should care before typing the email. For example, you can tell them what makes you different, what your accomplishments are, and why they should pay attention to you.

Of course, there’s a fine line between establishing credibility and bragging—make sure not to overstep.

Here is an example:

3. Convey the Urgency of Your Request

Your request will likely be time-limited, so convey when and why you need a quick response.

If your request is urgent, say so. Provide the recipient with a clear deadline and express the importance of their cooperation before the deadline expires.

Take a look at this example:

4. Include a Clear CTA

Conclude your email with a clear call-to-action (CTA). The CTA is the step you want your recipient to take after reading your email and will vary depending on your request.

To emphasize your CTA, include it in the last sentence of the body of your email. Follow it up with a professional, friendly sign-off, such as:

1. Sincerely
2. All the best
3. Regards
4. Warmly
5. Thank you

It’s also a good idea to include your contact information at the end of your email. This includes your full name, job title, department, phone number, or alternate email address.

Here is an example:

What to Do if Your Request Email Doesn’t Work?

1. Your Email Receives No Reply

In case you receive no response, send a follow-up email. Maintain a friendly and professional tone, briefly recap your previous message, provide additional context, and express your eagerness to hear back.

But writing follow-up emails can often be a drag. That’s where Right Inbox’s automated follow-ups come in. Together with the Templates feature, you can insert your most successful follow-ups with a single click and schedule them at a frequency of your choice. In case your recipient responds, Right Inbox will automatically cancel your follow-ups.

If you’ve tried to get in contact several times and still received no response, it’s safe to assume that the person is not interested and stop emailing.

2. Your Request Is Turned Down

If your request is rejected, you can do one of two things.

You can write a reply email thanking the recipient for their time and then look for an alternative person/company who may be able to assist you.

Second, you could reply by politely expressing your disappointment, requesting their feedback, expressing your ongoing interest, and seeing whether your response can now be catered to.

In either case, remember to be professional and respectful, and always thank the recipient for their time and consideration.