Looking Forward to Hearing From You: 6 Alternatives to this Common Sign-Off

Looking Forward to Hearing From You: 6 Alternatives to this Common Sign-Off Image

So you’re sending an email or message that you need a response to—the sooner the better—but you’re trying for something a little more subtle than “PLEASE ANSWER ME, LIKE, NOW!!”

One very common sign-off that aims to give a nudge in the right direction is “I’m looking forward to hearing from you.” But this isn’t your only option that can help boos your chances of a timely response.

Below, we’ll discuss when “looking forward to hearing from you” is an appropriate closing, as well as 6 alternatives you might try for different levels of urgency.

Is it correct to say I look forward to hearing from you?

“I’m looking forward to hearing from you” is both a common and pretty safe sign-off to use in both personal and work-related communication.

However, whether you choose this sign-off or a similar alternative depends a lot on your intentions and the context of your email or letter as a whole.

Here are a few pros and cons to consider when it comes to using “I’m looking forward to hearing from you” to close your message.

Pros

  • It’s friendly and places you in familiar terms with the recipient.
  • It lets the other person know that you’re hoping to receive a response, without being too demanding.

Cons

  • This sign-off is pretty common, which means it might lose some of its effect or get overlooked by its reader.
  • Depending on the context, it might come across as a little passive aggressive or presumptuous, as is sometimes the case with “thank you in advance.”

Which is correct: looking forward or look forward?

Technically, both “I am/I’m looking forward to hearing from you” and “I look forward to hearing from you” are grammatically correct.

However, since contractions are often seen as signs of informal writing, some might feel that “I am looking” or simply “I look” are more formal than “I’m looking”.

Alternative Email Sign-Offs

Looking for a smart alternative to “looking forward to hearing from you”? There are plenty of other ways to get your message across (and responded to!). Keep in mind that some are more assertive than others.

What is another word for looking forward to?

The alternatives presented below could all be substituted for “looking forward to hearing from you” without losing meaning. Some are more appropriate for certain situations than others.

1. A Call to Action

Why not get straight to the point? If you need a follow-up, update, or answer to your question, just say so! (Always with a nice “please,” of course.)

For example, you might close with, “Please let me know if Thursday works for you,” or, “Please send me your final guest count for the reception.”

If you’re direct about what you expect from the other person, there ins’t really a need for “I’m looking forward to hearing from you.”

2. I appreciate your quick response.

“I appreciate your quick response” is a slightly more assertive version of “I’m looking forward to hearing from you.”

Be aware that this sign-off’s tone can change based on the context of your overall message. If your email or letter has carried a friendly, lighthearted tone up until now, it’s likely that this closing will also be perceived that way.

But if you’ve written a straightforward business letter, it will likely come across as a bit more stern.

3. Please keep me updated.

“Please keep me updated” is a good closer for when you need a response only when the status of something changes.

This phrase alerts the other person that they don’t need to worry about sending back an immediate response until they have an update to report.

4. I’m eager to review your feedback.

This sign-off lets the recipient know that you need their input (likely for a project of some sort), but the matter isn’t necessarily an emergency.

It also signals to them that you value their opinions, which might just be the little pinch of flattery that pushes them to respond more quickly.

5. I await your immediate response.

Save this one for when you’re really not playing around. You need a response fast, and you want to make sure there’s no confusion about that.

If you truly need an immediate response about a serious matter, don’t be afraid to say so!

6. Let’s keep in touch!

“Let’s keep in touch” is a very informal sign-off, so it should be reserved for your more casual communications or for people you’re already familiar with.

It signals, like #3, that you want to keep a conversation going, particularly if any updates arise. It’s friendly and doesn’t place much pressure on the recipient.

The Best Email Sign-offs

If you want to close your message on a strong note and also boost your chances of getting a prompt reply, choose the best email sign-offs for every situation.

Then, be sure to also check out our guide on how to start an email, since first impressions can be everything—even the ones you don’t make in person!

Which sign-offs do you use when you need a timely response? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

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