In short:“I look forward to hearing from you” is a polite closing that asks for a reply without putting pressure on the recipient. When they respond, thank them with “Thank you for your reply” and add the next step. Below, you’ll find ready-to-use wording for both situations, from formal to casual.
Email plays a central role in business communication today. A polite, professional closing can make a difference. When you say “I look forward to hearing from you,” you show that you’re interested in a reply and ready to continue the conversation. But how can you use this phrase effectively without repeating yourself in every email?
In this article, we show you how to use “I look forward to hearing from you” in your emails and when it makes sense to do so. You’ll also find wording that reinforces your professionalism and encourages a prompt reply.
The meaning of “I look forward to your feedback”
“I look forward to hearing from you” is a common, polite way to close an email when you’re waiting for a response. It works well when you need a reply or confirmation from the recipient. It shows both that you expect an answer and that you’re keen to continue the conversation.
Alternatives to “I look forward to your feedback”
Depending on the context, you can use other phrases that convey the same message. Here are a few suggestions:
- “I look forward to your reply.”
- “I am interested to hear your feedback.”
- “I look forward to hearing from you.”
- “I look forward to your feedback and thank you in advance.”
- “I hope to hear from you soon.”
- “I would appreciate a brief response.”
- “Please let me know what you think about this.”
- “Please let me know whether this works for you.”
- “I am available at any time for follow-up questions.”
- “I would appreciate your assessment.”
- “A brief confirmation is all I need.”
- “Please let me know by Friday.”
- “I will follow up again at the end of the week if I have not heard from you.”
- “Thank you in advance for your time.”
You can adapt these phrases to the tone and urgency of your message to make your emails more varied and professional.
How to use “I look forward to your feedback” in different scenarios
In many professional situations, you need to signal that you’re expecting a reply without sounding pushy. Here are some examples of how to use “I look forward to hearing from you” in different situations:
Recruitment:
- “Thank you for your application. I look forward to hearing from you and am available to answer any further questions.”
- “We have received your application and are reviewing it. I look forward to your feedback and hope we can work together soon.”
Business partners and colleagues:
- “We have reviewed your suggestions. I look forward to hearing from you to discuss the next steps.”
- “I have compiled the necessary information and look forward to hearing from you to discuss it further.”
Customer communication:
- “We have processed your request and taken the necessary steps. I look forward to hearing from you once everything is to your satisfaction.”
- “I have sent you the proposal and look forward to hearing from you if you have any questions.”
“Thank you for your response” – wording for your reply
Once you receive a reply, it’s your turn to say thank you. On its own, “Thank you for your reply” can sound like the end of the conversation. It’s better to add some context or a follow-up question. You can copy the paragraphs below directly into your email and replace the text in brackets.
Formal
- “Thank you for your response. I have taken note of your comments and will send you the revised version by [date].”
- “Thank you very much for your response. It helps me greatly to prepare [topic] in a targeted way.”
- “Thank you for your prompt response. I suggest that we implement [next step] as discussed.”
- “Thank you for your detailed response. Your note on [point] was particularly valuable to us.”
- “Thank you for your open response — even if the decision was different this time. I would be happy to get back in touch with you at a later date.”
Casual but professional
- “Thanks for your feedback! I’ll incorporate the points and send you the new version by [date].”
- “Thanks for the quick response — then let’s do it that way.”
- “Thanks for your assessment. That was exactly the information I was still missing.”
- “Thanks for the honest response. I’ll take that on board.”
With a follow-up question
- “Thank you for your response. So I can proceed correctly: should I prioritise [option A] or [option B]?”
- “Thank you for your response. Would [day of the week] at [time] work for a brief meeting to clarify the open points?”
- “Thank you for your response. Who else from your team should I involve so that we can finalise [topic]?”
- “Thank you for your response. By when do you need my answer on [point] to keep your timeline on track?”
Two rules make these paragraphs effective: Be specific about what you’re thanking the person for. And ask no more than one question per email; otherwise, some questions may go unanswered.
When to avoid “I look forward to hearing from you”
Although “I look forward to hearing from you” is a polite, professional way to ask for a reply, other wording may work better in some situations. If you need an urgent response, for example, a more direct phrase such as “I would appreciate a prompt reply” may be more appropriate.
Replies in recruiting and job applications
This closing is especially common in two situations: when recruiters contact candidates and when applicants wait for a response. In both cases, the follow-up rule in the questions below applies, though LinkedIn messages should be shorter. Recruiters can set up this sequence with CompLeadly: a target audience from a recruiter search, a connection request, an opening message after acceptance, and a follow-up that only goes out if there’s no reply after the number of days you set. Applicants contacting hiring managers directly can follow the same process using the standard people search. In the free version, you start each step separately as a basic feature with a daily limit (e.g. one follow-up per day). Read more in the recruiting use case and Job searching on LinkedIn: ten mistakes.
Frequently asked questions about “I look forward to your response” and “Thank you for your response”
How do you reply to “I look forward to your response”?
Lead with the information you were asked to provide. “Thank you for your message” is polite, but it isn’t an answer. If you can’t answer yet, give a date by which you’ll respond.
Is “Thank you for your response” too formal?
This phrase is well suited to formal business correspondence. If you’re on more familiar terms with the recipient, “Thanks for getting back to me” or “Thanks for your feedback” sounds more natural. What matters is that the tone matches your previous correspondence.
How do I thank someone for a rejection?
Thank them for their reply, not for their decision: “Thank you for your reply and for explaining your decision clearly.” Don’t try to justify yourself. A short sentence that leaves the door open is enough.
How often can I follow up if there is no response?
Two follow-up emails are common: one after about a week and another after two to three weeks. Refer back to your original email and repeat your specific question rather than just writing “I wanted to follow up.”
Do you write “response” the same way on LinkedIn?
In LinkedIn messages, shorter, more personal sentences get a higher reply rate than email-style closings. Read how to phrase them in LinkedIn InMail: Increase replies.
Conclusion
“I look forward to hearing from you” is a simple but effective way to politely signal that you expect a reply in business communication. The alternatives and examples above can help you make your emails more professional and personal. Choose wording that fits the context and urgency of your message to communicate more effectively.
Using phrases such as “I look forward to hearing from you” appropriately increases your chances of receiving a prompt reply and helps keep communication efficient and professional.
Further reading: For advice on writing your first LinkedIn message, see Connect with or without a message. For wording that encourages people to take action, see Advertising copy: examples and copywriting techniques.
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