Ask one question, name the thing you are waiting for, and make a reply easy. Wait a few working days first. Write "when do you expect to decide?" rather than "just checking in". If you have chased twice, send a closing note instead.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| When | 3 to 5 working days after you sent it |
| How long | 3 to 5 lines |
| What must be in it | What you are waiting for, one question, a date |
12 emails you can copy
Twelve emails asking for an update, grouped by what you are waiting for. Each names the thing and asks one question. Replace every [BRACKET] with a real fact.
Jump to: After a quote or proposalAfter a meeting or callWaiting for a delivery or an answerA second tryShort and friendly
- A quote: any questions?Subject: Quote [NUMBER], any questions?Hi [NAME], I sent quote [NUMBER] for [WORK] on [DATE]. Is there anything you would like me to explain or change? If it helps, I can talk it through in 10 minutes. [YOUR NAME]
- A quote: is the date still the plan?Subject: Your decision on [PROJECT]Hi [NAME], You mentioned you would decide by [DATE]. Is that still the plan? [ADD IF TRUE: I am holding [DATES] for you and will release them on [DATE].] [YOUR NAME]
- A proposal: ask roughly whenSubject: Proposal for [PROJECT]Hi [NAME], I have not heard back on the proposal from [DATE]. No problem if the timing has changed. Could you tell me roughly when you will decide, so I can plan? [YOUR NAME]
More examples, by situation
After a meeting or call
- What they said they would doSubject: Next step after [DAY]'s callHi [NAME], Thank you for the call on [DAY]. You said you would [WHAT THEY SAID]. Could you tell me where that stands? [YOUR NAME]
- What you sent themSubject: What I sent youHi [NAME], You asked for [WHAT THEY ASKED FOR]. I sent it on [DATE]. Did it arrive, and does it answer what you needed? [YOUR NAME]
Waiting for a delivery or an answer
- A delivery that is lateSubject: [ITEM] for [ORDER/PROJECT]Hi [NAME], We expected [ITEM] on [DATE]. Can you tell me the new date? I need it by [DATE] because [REAL REASON]. [YOUR NAME]
- A yes or a noSubject: Question on [TOPIC]Hi [NAME], I asked about [TOPIC] on [DATE]. A yes or a no is enough. A no helps me too. [YOUR NAME]
- A contract that may be lostSubject: Contract [NUMBER]Hi [NAME], Did the contract I sent on [DATE] reach the right person? If it needs a different name or address, tell me and I will resend it. [YOUR NAME]
A second try
- Still on your list?Subject: Still interested?Hi [NAME], I wrote on [DATE] about [TOPIC] and have not heard back. Is this still on your list, or has it moved? Either answer is fine. [YOUR NAME]
- Shall I close this off?Subject: Shall I close this off?Hi [NAME], I have written twice about [TOPIC]. I will assume it is not a priority and close it on my side. If that changes, write back and I will pick it up. [YOUR NAME]
Short and friendly
- One quick questionSubject: [SAME SUBJECT AS YOUR FIRST EMAIL]Hi [NAME], one quick question: is [PROJECT] still on for [MONTH]?
- Any news?Subject: [SAME SUBJECT AS YOUR FIRST EMAIL]Hi [NAME], any news on [TOPIC]? Even a short 'not yet' helps.
Download these examples
The same text as this page, in one file, with the gaps ready to fill in.
Subject lines
- Subject lineQuote [NUMBER], any questions?
- Subject lineYour decision on [PROJECT]
- Subject lineNext step after [DAY]'s call
- Subject lineStill interested?
- Subject lineShall I close this off?
Why this works
- Wait three to five working days after you sent it. Use the date they gave you if there is one.
- Name what you are waiting for and when you sent it, so they do not have to look.
- Ask one question that can be answered in a line.
- Say what you will do next, such as writing again on a date.
- After two tries, send a closing note and stop.
What to avoid
- "Just checking in" and "circling back" with nothing else.
- Saying you are "bumping this to the top of your inbox".
- A claim that your price or slot ends soon, unless it truly does.
- Saying they opened your email. You do not know that.
- Writing every day. Leave at least three working days.
Official pages. Rules for commercial email differ by country. Not legal advice: check the rules that apply to you.
- United States: FTC: CAN-SPAM Act: A Compliance Guide for Business. It says the law covers all commercial email, with no exception for business-to-business email, and lists what each message needs, read 5 October 2026.
- United Kingdom: ICO: Electronic mail marketing. It says you must not send marketing emails to individuals without specific consent, that you can send marketing emails to companies, and that it is good practice to keep a do-not-email list of companies that object. The ICO says the page is under review. Read 5 October 2026.
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What the tools add
The first is free. Start there.
Cold Email Checker
Paste your draft and the text of the prospect's page. It tests every claim about them against that text, flags claims about you that need proof, and checks the subject line, the single ask and the length. It lists the commercial email basics from the US FTC's CAN-SPAM guide that the draft is missing. You get a verdict, a claims table, quoted issues and a tightened version with unsupported claims removed.
Cold Email from a Website
What you give it: a company's website address and a line on what you sell. If you have a proof point, add it, and you confirm it is true.
What you get: a three-email sequence and two subject lines, each built on something visible on their site, with the page it came from, and a list of what to check before sending.
$9, one price, no subscription. It reads up to three public pages, does not find email addresses, and does not send anything.
How do I politely ask for an update by email?
Name what you sent and when, ask one clear question, and say what you will do next. Skip "just checking in". It tells the reader nothing.
How long should I wait before asking for an update?
Three to five working days is a sensible gap for a quote or proposal, and a week or more if they told you a decision date. This is our advice. Use the date they gave you if there is one.
What if they still do not reply?
Send one more short note, then a closing note. After that, stop. Silence is an answer, for now.
Is it rude to ask for an update?
No. A clear, short question is easier to answer than silence is to read. Be rude only by being vague, or by writing again the next day.
Questions people ask
What do I do with the [BRACKETS]?
Replace each one with a real fact. If you cannot, delete the line. Never leave a bracket in what you send.
Can I send the same email again?
No. Change something: add a fact, ask a smaller question, or offer to close the file.
More
Sources
- FTC: CAN-SPAM Act: A Compliance Guide for Business, read 5 October 2026
- ICO: Electronic mail marketing, read 5 October 2026