How to Request a Meeting via Email

Master meeting request emails with strategic subject lines, clarity, and proven tips for successful responses.

by 

Tom Medema

-

December 23, 2024

Requesting a meeting via email can feel tricky: you want to be polite yet clear, persuasive yet concise. And you want your recipient to actually open and respond to your message. In this post, we’ll walk through the steps of crafting an email that grabs attention, gets the “Yes,” and makes scheduling painless for everyone.

Why Email Is Still the Go-To for Meeting Requests

In a world of instant messaging and social media DMs, emails remain a staple for professional communication. Why?

  • Formality: Email preserves a certain level of formality suitable for business or important personal matters.
  • Documentation: Emails keep a clear record of communication that you can reference later.
  • Flexibility: The recipient can respond at their convenience, which often results in a more thoughtful reply.

Make your
meetings matter

Loved and trusted by 100,000+ users:

  • Automatically Record and Transcribe Meetings
  • Extremely Accurate Notes, Summaries, and Action Items powered by AI
  • Works with Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams
  • Save time and follow-up with quick async videos

Simply connect your work Google or Microsoft Calendar to get started.

Try it free in < 2 min

1. Craft a Clear & Engaging Subject Line

Your subject line can make or break your open rate. Aim to be concise and clear about what the email is about. Here are a few ideas:

  • “Quick Meeting Request: [Your Topic Here]”
  • “Are You Available for a Brief Chat?”
  • “[Your Name] x [Their Name]: Meeting to Discuss [Key Topic]”

You can add a dash of personalization. If you know the recipient well, maybe mention something relevant you last talked about. The key is: let them know this is a meeting request right from the get-go.

2. Start with a Brief Greeting and Introduction

It might be tempting to jump straight into scheduling, but a warm greeting sets the right tone and reminds the recipient who you are—especially if they don’t interact with you often.

**Example Greeting:**

Hi [Name],

I hope your week is going well! I’m [Your Name], [Your Role/Company], and I wanted to reach out about scheduling a meeting to [reason for meeting].

If this is your first time contacting them or if you’re not in regular communication, add a sentence clarifying your role or how you’re connected (e.g., “We met at [Event Name]” or “I’m part of the marketing team that supports your department”).

3. Clearly State the Purpose of the Meeting

No one likes a vague invitation. Tell the recipient exactly why you want to chat. Keep it direct and short—long blocks of text can deter busy people.

**Example Purpose Statement:**

I’d love to discuss how our teams can collaborate on the upcoming product launch. Specifically, I’d like to cover timeline coordination, shared resources, and any potential roadblocks.

By listing key talking points, you set clear expectations and ensure the recipient understands what’s on the agenda.

4. Suggest Specific Dates & Times

Busy professionals appreciate when you reduce the back-and-forth. Offer two or three potential meeting slots so they can pick one—or propose an alternative. If your schedule is more open, mention that you’re flexible.

**Example Scheduling Section:**

Are you available for a 30-minute call next Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday morning (between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM)? If none of these windows work, feel free to suggest another time that’s more convenient for you.

5. Highlight the Benefits (What’s in It for Them?)

If the person you’re emailing is juggling multiple responsibilities, show them why saying “yes” to your meeting is worth it. Try to convey how the meeting could offer solutions, insights, or add value to their role or project.

**Example Value Proposition:**

During the call, I’ll share some data-backed insights on our target audience that can help shape our joint strategy. This could save both teams time and resources in the long run.

6. Close with a Clear Call to Action

Wrap up by telling them exactly what you’d like them to do: confirm a time, send alternative dates, or contact you in another way if needed.

**Example Closing:**

Looking forward to hearing from you. If the suggested times don’t fit, just let me know what works for you, and we can set something up. Thanks, and I appreciate your time!

Best regards,  
[Your Name]  
[Your Title / Company]  
[Your Contact Info]

7. Keep It Polite & Double-Check Before Sending

  • Proofread: Typos can make you seem unprofessional. Give your message a final read.
  • Tone: Stay respectful and friendly. Even if you’re in a hurry, a courteous tone goes a long way.
  • Attachments: If you referenced an agenda, outline, or relevant docs, make sure they’re attached.

Sample Email Templates

Below are two handy templates to help you get started.

Formal Meeting Request Email

**Subject:** Meeting Request: Discuss [Project/Topic]

Hi [Name],

I hope you’re doing well. I’m reaching out to schedule a 30-minute meeting to discuss [specific reason]. I believe our conversation could help us [achieve goal/resolve an issue], and I’d value your perspective.

Would you be available [two or three date/time options]? If these slots don’t suit your schedule, please feel free to suggest an alternative.

Looking forward to your response.

Kind regards,  
[Your Name]  
[Title / Company]  
[Phone / Email]

Informal Check-In Email

**Subject:** Quick Chat This Week?

Hey [Name],

How’s everything going? I’d love to catch up and go over [brief reason: e.g., “those user feedback results”] if you have some time.

I’m free [list a couple of days/time slots], but I can also work around your schedule if needed. Let me know what works best, and I’ll send a calendar invite.

Thanks a bunch!

Best,  
[Your Name]

Leveraging AI Tools to Streamline Your Process

Knowing how to request a meeting via email is critical, but what happens after the meeting is booked? You’ll want an organized record of what was discussed—especially if you’re juggling multiple projects, clients, or collaborations. This is where Bubbles, an AI-powered meeting assistant, comes to your rescue.

Why Use Bubbles?

Bubbles transforms your meeting workflow by:

  1. Automating Meeting Join & Record: Connect your calendar so Bubbles can automatically join online meetings (like Zoom or Google Meet) and record them for you, ensuring you never miss a detail.
  2. Detailed Summaries & Action Items: Once the meeting is over, Bubbles provides instant transcripts, highlights key takeaways, and suggests action items based on the conversation—delivered straight to your inbox or the Bubbles app.
  3. Effortless Storage & Access: All meeting records are stored securely in your Bubbles workspace, making it easy for you and your team to find and revisit important discussions at any time.

By using Bubbles, not only do you simplify scheduling, but you also streamline the entire meeting process. From requesting a meeting to following up, everything becomes more efficient, allowing you to focus on what really matters: building great relationships and moving projects forward.

⚡️ Supercharge your meeting productivity
Learn how in under 2 mins:

Get started now
— it's 100% free

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How far in advance should I send a meeting request email?

It depends on the urgency of the meeting, but generally, giving a week’s notice allows your recipient to check their schedule and respond without feeling rushed. If it’s urgent, you can give a shorter window, but make sure to acknowledge and appreciate their time.

Q2. Should I include a meeting agenda in my request?

If you have a clear agenda or key points, include a brief outline in the email. This shows you respect their time and are organized. It also helps them prepare, which often leads to a more productive meeting.

Q3. How many follow-up emails are acceptable if I don’t get a response?

A polite follow-up after a few days is standard. If there’s still no reply, you can send another follow-up a week later. Past that point, you may want to give them more space or try a different contact method—no one wants to be spammed.

Q4. Is it better to propose times or ask for their availability?

A mix of both can work well. Proposing specific dates/times reduces back-and-forth, but also invite them to share alternative slots if none of your suggestions work.

Final Thoughts

Requesting a meeting via email may feel like a small step, but it sets the stage for how effectively your collaboration or conversation will go. By offering clarity, value, and convenience, you can increase your odds of getting a “yes” and foster goodwill from the start.

Give one of the sample templates a try in your next request, and experiment with the tips in this post. Once you’ve got that meeting scheduled, remember to make the most of it—taking notes, assigning tasks, and following up. And if you want to simplify the entire process, let Bubbles handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on what truly matters: the conversation and the relationship.

Happy emailing and good luck nailing that meeting request!

⚡️ Supercharge your meeting productivity
Learn how in under 2 mins:

Get started now
— it's 100% free

Collaborate better with your team

Get your point across using screen, video, and audio messages. Bubbles is free, and offers unlimited recordings with a click of a button.

Get started free

More from Bubbles

Collaborate better with your team

Get your point across using screen, video, and audio messages. Bubbles is free, and offers unlimited recordings with a click of a button.

Get started free

Hey, before you continue...

watch this short demo on how to stop wasting time at work

With Bubbles you can turn conversations into actions:

  • Use AI to record and summarize meetings with action items
  • Eliminate live meetings with quick videos and screen recordings
Unlock 14 Days Free
Continue in 60 seconds...