Here we give you 5 tips and provide 4 example emails to help you write better help request emails.
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Asking for help in an email can feel pretty heavy – but trust us, it’s not that hard.
When writing an email asking for help, you must clearly explain what you want, why, and when.
This article describes when to ask for help in an email, the essential parts of every help request email, and provides 4 email samples and a template.
Follow our advice, and you’ll get all the help you need!
You may need help moving a shelf, writing a CV, choosing a car, or anything else. There are no rules about what you can ask for help and how.
Some people suggest you always do it in person, but this isn’t possible in many cases. You may not be in the same company or country, or you may be separated by time zones or even speak different languages.
Emails are quick to write, easy to send, and free – but there are additional benefits, including:
The benefits are obvious, so let’s show you how to write effective emails asking for help.
Writing emails requesting help is expected; it’s the basis for a learning module from the British Council. They’ve done this because we’ll all need to ask for a helping hand at some point in our personal and professional lives.
While we salute the British Council for their promotion of how to write messages asking for help, we’re not too impressed with their email help template (sorry, British Council). Their emails are fairly long and beat around the bush when a simple, straightforward, and basic email is much more effective.
Don’t worry; we illustrate our approach in the 4 email help samples below. But before we get to that, here are 5 basic principles for writing the best help emails:
The email format used to ask for help should be familiar if you’ve ever written an email before.
To make it as simple as possible, we’ve split it into three sections: the subject line, the body copy, and the ending. Let’s take a look at each section in greater detail:
So, what makes a good email subject line asking for help? Using the word help in the subject line is a good start! Like anything in life and business, it’s best to be as clear and upfront as possible, like this:
There’s no way that the meaning of this message will get lost. However, it can appear a little desperate so you can add some extra information, like this:
These subject lines are suitable for friends and family and formal requests for colleagues and coworkers. Of course, if you’re emailing a friend or family member, you can be much less formal and funny.
So, we’re getting into the details of any help message. We’re fans of being upfront, so just ask for what you want.
Is this effective? Absolutely. If you’ve not met the person before, haven’t spoken in a while, or want to add some extra sweetness to the message, here’s how:
Whichever route you take, you’ll need to add more details, including what you’re asking the person to do and why.
Next, provide details about the request.
It can be a good idea to provide people with an easy get-out. Sometimes they may be unable to help you for genuine reasons, or they may choose not to help you. Either way, it’s a good idea to offer an out.
Ending an email asking for help follows a familiar format. You’ll want to include your contact details and, in most cases, provide a deadline for a response.
Finish with a polite ending (thank you, kind regards, cheers, etc.), your name and signature and you’re done.
By now, it should be clear that writing help emails isn’t too hard. Here we bring it to life with some samples.
These provide an excellent introduction to the basics, but as always, you must edit and adapt these.
As previously mentioned, in many cases, you’ll want to ask several people for help, so always check all names, dates, and contact details!'
Asking for help politely in an email is as simple as this sample. We start with a positive greeting and get straight into the details.
This sample asking for help follows all our basic rules and advice above.
Hi (Recipient's name),
We’ve not spoken for a while, and I know you are busy, but I wondered if you could help me.
I need your help with (provide information)
I appreciate any help that you can offer me. If you can help me, let me know on (insert contact details. If there’s a deadline, add that here as well)
I look forward to hearing from you,
(Your name)
In this example, we offer help to someone who needs it. This could be helping at an event (as above), offering to read a job application, or dealing with domestic issues.
The structure is obviously slightly different, but the core of the messages – an intro, body copy, and end remains the same. See how it works in this email offer to help.
Hi (Recipient's name),
How are things with you? I’ve seen that you’ve had a challenging time (whatever it is), and I wanted to offer to help.
Please let me know if I can do anything to make your life a bit easier. Specifically, I could help with (include details).
There is no problem if you’ve got this all covered; I just wanted you to know that I am here to help if you need it. You can always get me on (insert details).
If someone has asked for help, how do you respond? Here’s one option, that says you’re happy to help!
A happy-to-help email could literally say just that, but we add more details about dates and levels of support. You’ll see what we mean in this happy-to-help sample.
Hi (Recipient's name),
Thanks for your last email asking for help. Of course, I can!
I read the request, and I’m available to help on (insert dates and times). I hope this works for you.
It would be great if we could chat this through, so can we arrange a call or meeting on (insert date)?
It will be great to catch up, and I look forward to working with you.
(Your name)
It’s common to ask a colleague for help, but it’s not always easy. You may be making a sensitive request or dealing with someone stressed, so we’ve kept this as simple as possible.
You’ll also see that we’ve provided opportunities for the person to say no if they simply don’t have the time.
Hi (Recipient's name),
I value everything you do here, and I would like your help with (reviewing a CV, project etc.)
I need some additional help with (add details).
I’m pretty pressured now, so I’m searching for a solution. Could you let me know (by date) whether you can help me? If you can, we can meet and chat about the details.
Thanks in advance,
(Your name)
The samples provide context for common email help requests, but what happens if your circumstances are different? You can use this help email template. We’ve produced a basic help email message that you can cut, paste, and adapt to your specific circumstances. Have fun with this ask for help email!
Hi (Recipient's name),
I hope you don’t mind me getting in touch, but I’d like to ask for your help with (project, process, event, review CV, etc.)
I wanted your help because (add a compliment or two for the person).
Here are some details about the support that I need… (add details)
Please let me know if you can help me (by date). I’m currently putting plans in place, and it would be great to know if I can count on you.
I know you’re busy at the moment, and there are no hard feelings if you cannot help me at this time. Just let me know either way.
Flowrite is an AI writing assistant that turns your instructions into ready-to-send emails and messages, like this:
Our Chrome extension covers the email format, capitalization, grammar, spelling, punctuation.
In other words, you can focus on the message, and Flowrite will take care of the delivery. We dare to claim that it's the easiest way to request something in an email.
Our email template collection features dozens of templates to help you. To grasp how easy is is to write an email asking for something by using Flowrite, check out an example of how to use our all-purpose general template below:
It’s hard to ask for help, but never be afraid to do so. The structure, samples, and templates here should provide a guide but go with your feelings.
Be clear, say what you need, and feel free to demonstrate vulnerability. People will respond positively to a genuine request and in most cases, will offer to help.
We hope we’ve helped you get the help you need.
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