Email that gets a reply

Say what you want in the first line, make it easy to say yes, stop.

Requests, follow-ups, asking someone busy for something.emailclarityrequests

Help me write an email that gets a reply.

Who I'm writing to and our relationship: <name, role, how well we know each other>
What I want them to do: <one concrete action, with a date if there is one>
Why it matters to them, if it does: <their benefit, or "it's a favour">
Context they need: <the minimum>
My draft, if I have one: <paste>

Write 2 versions:
1. Short: under 80 words. First line is the ask. One sentence of context. One line that makes "yes" easy (a specific time, a link, a yes/no question). Sign-off.
2. Slightly longer: under 140 words, when the person needs one more sentence of background.

Rules: no "I hope this email finds you well", no "just", no "sorry to bother", no exclamation marks. The subject line names the ask in under 7 words. If my ask is really two asks, tell me and split it.

Replace every <placeholder> with your own details before you send it.

How to use it

1Say what you actually want from the person. The email will be built around that one ask.
2Send the shortest version. You can always add context if they ask.
3Paste the reply you get and ask for the next message. It keeps the thread tight.

Reviewed 2026-09-20

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