10 Effective Alternatives to "Looking Forward to Hearing From You" in Emails

Tired of constantly using the generic and unproductive phrase, "Looking forward to hearing from you," in your emails? It's time to switch things up and utilize more effective alternatives that inspire action and urgency. In this article, we'll share ten alternatives that will help increase your response rate and expedite deals.

Why "I Look Forward to Hearing From You" May Not Be the Best Option

While "I look forward to hearing from you" may seem like a friendly and familiar email sign-off, it may not always be appropriate. In certain contexts, it could come across as passive-aggressive or easily be ignored or forgotten without clear directives. And most importantly, it forces you to wait for a response before proceeding.

Setting Deadlines is Key

Instead of leaving it open-ended, give your prospects a deadline to meet. This eliminates guesswork and prevents them from delaying a response. By stating your expectations upfront and providing them with a specific goal to meet, you create a sense of urgency.

If the deadline is flexible, you can add, "Does this timeline meet your expectations?" This allows your prospect to push back if they need more time. But there should always be a deadline, even if it needs to be adjusted. For instance, if your prospect requests more time, you can say, "Not a problem. Let's move the deadline to next Wednesday." This allows for some flexibility while still adhering to a firm goal date.

Ask for Help

When your prospect has gone silent or is not meeting a specific requirement, it may be time to take a different approach. Instead of continuously asking them to meet the same requirement, try sending a casual, non-work-related email. For example, "I saw Oklahoma had some tornadoes last weekend. Were any close to you?" This removes the pressure to reply and increases the likelihood of a response because it's a personal question. Once you've re-engaged them, you can then pose the business questions you need answers to.

Similarly, if you need a quick response, consider asking for help. Frame the request as a favor rather than a demand by saying, "It would really help me out - and help us stick to our timeline - if you could give me an answer by the end of the day on Thursday."

Deadlines Reflect On You

Whether you meet or miss a deadline, it ultimately reflects on you. Therefore, it's crucial to take ownership and follow through, even if you rely on someone else to meet the deadline. Most people (including your prospects) are more than willing to step up when needed.

Examples of Effective Email Alternatives

Brad:

Hi Brad, I hope you saw my email last week. It would really help me out - and help us stick to our timeline - if you could give me an answer by the end of the day on Thursday. Thank you, Camila

Jada:

Hi Jada, I haven't heard from you in a while, and I wanted to circle back about the timeline draft. Since this is time-sensitive, it would be helpful to get your feedback sooner rather than later. However, I understand you have a lot on your plate. If you're busy, is there someone else I can reach out to? Best, Lucas

Khalil:

Hi Khalil, Checking in about the presentation slides. If I don't hear from you by next Monday, I'll assume it's safe to move forward with the next step. Thanks, Josh

Dale:

Hi Dale, Attached please find the document you requested. I appreciate your quick response on this matter because our legal team is waiting to draw up the contract details. Thanks, Kathi

Elizabeth:

Hi Elizabeth, Thank you for the great conversation yesterday - I'm excited to see what we can accomplish! If you need anything, I'm always a phone call (or email) away. And, please keep me in the loop as we move to the next steps. Best, Ben

Alex:

Hi Alex, I haven't heard back from you regarding our final budgetary agreement. Usually, when this happens, it means we haven't reached a mutually agreeable price and the deal cannot move forward. Am I correct in assuming this is the case here? Best, Emily

Jane:

Hi Jane, Thanks for your email and apologies for the confusion. Since you're not the right person for this request, would you mind pointing me in the right direction?

By using these alternatives in your emails, you can avoid the generic "Looking forward to hearing from you" phrase and effectively motivate your prospects to take action. Choose the approach that best fits your situation and watch your response rate improve. Don't wait for a response - take control of your emails and move deals along quickly and efficiently.

Building Genuine Connections Through Follow-Up: Improve Your Sales Process

As you start the sales process, establishing connections is crucial. One small phrase can make a big difference: "Looking forward to hearing from you." This shows prospects that you prioritize their questions and encourages open communication. By using this approach, you can move away from a transactional dynamic and instead foster a supportive relationship.

To improve your follow-up and receive better responses from potential clients who may be slow to reply, consider these fresh alternatives to "Looking forward to hearing from you."

• Excited to hear your thoughts: This conveys your appreciation for their ideas and eagerness to hear their input.
• Looking forward to further discussion: This expresses your enthusiasm to explore solutions together and delve deeper into the topic.
• Looking forward to connecting with you: This highlights the importance of building a connection and showcases your willingness to form a mutually beneficial relationship.

These alternative phrases not only reflect your enthusiasm and interest, but also offer a more personalized and authentic approach. By acknowledging your prospects' thoughts and ideas, you can establish a stronger connection and build trust. Ultimately, this can lead to a more successful and lasting business partnership.