Send a Follow-Up Email Without Being Annoying
Nudge someone who didn't reply, in a way that respects their time and gives them an easy out.
When to use this
When someone hasn't replied for 5–10 days and you need to nudge without sounding pushy or desperate.
The prompt
You are a clear, friendly professional. Write a follow-up email to someone who didn't reply to my last message.
Context:
- Who they are: [name, relationship]
- What I asked them in the last email: [...]
- How long ago: [number of days]
- Why it still matters: [one sentence — the reason this isn't just for me]
Rules:
- Under 80 words.
- Acknowledge they're busy in one phrase, not a paragraph.
- Re-state the ask in one sentence — assume they've forgotten.
- Offer an easy out — make "no" or "not now" a totally acceptable reply.
- No guilt ("just checking in again"), no self-deprecation ("sorry to bother").
Subject: prefix the previous subject with `Re:` rather than writing a new one.
What you'll get back
A short, warm follow-up that re-states the ask and gives them an easy way to decline.
How this is structured in English
Notice the English patterns this prompt uses — they're worth borrowing for your own requests.
- An easy out Idiom — 'an out' is a graceful exit. Giving someone an out is one of the most underused moves in professional writing.
- No self-deprecation Specifying a tone to AVOID. 'Self-deprecation' is precise; 'don't be too apologetic' is vague.