In this digital age, email is the go-to form of communication for many encounters, from business to social interactions. Unfortunately, when sending an email, there can be moments when it is left unanswered.
As frustrating as this can be, responding in a polite and professional manner can help ensure that you get the response you are looking for.
This article will give an overview of how to politely follow-up on an unanswered email, including employing strategies and example responses.
Getting Results: How to Politely Follow Up on an Unanswered Email
Having patience is an important skill when it comes to sending follow up emails. Depending on the individual, the urgency of the request or the circumstances of their life, the sender of the initial email might not be able to respond for some time. Start by giving them a few days waiting period, and adapt it depending on the type of message you initially sent.
Stay Professional: Simple Strategies for Following Up on Unanswered Emails
When following up on an unanswered email, it is imperative to stay professional. The sender should not personalize the follow-up too much, as this can be off-putting for those who might feel overwhelmed by the sender’s persistent contact. Instead, using brief, polite language in the follow up is prudent. The sender should be aware of the circumstances that might have prevented the recipient from responding in the first place.
The sender should also ensure that the content of the follow up is as brief as possible. Structuring it into bullet points or including links to any documents can make it easier to process. This can be a successful method of making sure the recipient is not overwhelmed by the message, as well as showing that the sender takes their response seriously.
Example Responses to Follow Up on an Unanswered Email
Below are examples of polite yet effective responses one can use when following up on an unanswered email.
• “I hope you’re doing well. I just wanted to follow-up on the email I sent last [date]. I’d really appreciate if you could help me out with this.”
• “I understand you might be busy, and I don’t want to be a bother. I just wanted to check in about the email I sent last week.”
• “I hope this message finds you in good health. I’m just following-up on the email I sent [date] regarding [topic]. Would you kindly provide an update?”
• “I hope this message finds you. I just wanted to check in on the email I sent you last week.”
Example Conversations Following Up on an Unanswered Email
Below are examples of coherent conversations one can have when following up on an unanswered email.
Sender: “Hello [name], I hope this message finds you well. I just wanted to follow-up on the email I sent you last week regarding [topic]. Would you kindly provide an update?”
Recipient: “Hello [name], Thank you for your email. Yes, I apologize for the delay. I have been very busy with [reason] and haven’t had a chance to respond until now. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do to help.”
Sender: “Thank you for getting back to me. I appreciate it. If you have the time, I would love to discuss [topic] further. Shall we schedule a call for [date and time]?”
Conclusion
When following-up on an unanswered email, it is important to remain professional at all times and bear in mind that the recipient might have valid reasons as to why they haven’t replied yet.
Following-up with a polite message, as well as including links to any documents and making the response as brief as possible, are all essential considerations.
Meanwhile, coherent conversations should be had if required. Ultimately, using these strategies will help to ensure that the response one desires is achieved.
