The Best Examples of Informal Meeting Request Email Examples (That Actually Get Replies)

Let’s start with the situation most people face every week: you just need a quick chat. No big presentation. No formal agenda. Just, “Can we talk for 20 minutes?”

Here’s a short, casual example of an informal meeting request email for a coworker you already know well:

Subject: Quick 15-min chat this week?

Email:
Hi Jordan,

Got a few minutes this week to sync on the Q3 timeline? I’m trying to lock in a couple of dates and would love your input before I share anything wider.

Would Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon work for a quick 15–20 minute chat? I’m flexible and can move things around.

Thanks!
Avery

This is one of the best examples of informal meeting request email examples for internal use: short, friendly, and clear about the time needed. You’re not over-explaining, but you’re giving just enough context so the other person knows why you’re reaching out.

Here’s another example of an informal meeting request email when you’re messaging someone in another department you don’t know as well:

Subject: Intro + quick chat about the onboarding project

Email:
Hi Sam,

I’m Avery from the Product team. I’ve heard your name come up a lot around the onboarding work you’re doing, and I’d love to learn more about what’s been working (and what hasn’t).

If you’re open to it, could we grab 20 minutes sometime next week? I’m especially interested in how your team is handling the handoff from Sales.

No pressure if your schedule is packed—just thought I’d reach out.

Thanks either way,
Avery

Notice how this example of an informal meeting request email feels relaxed but respectful. Phrases like “no pressure” and “just thought I’d reach out” soften the ask, which is helpful when you’re talking to someone new.

Friendly outreach: examples of informal meeting request email examples to a manager

Managers get a lot of email, and many of those messages are either too stiff or too vague. You want to sound like a real person while still showing you value their time.

Here’s a friendly example of an informal meeting request email to your direct manager about career growth:

Subject: Can we chat about my goals for this year?

Email:
Hi Taylor,

I’ve been thinking about my goals for the rest of the year and how I can keep leveling up on the team. When you have time, I’d love to grab 30 minutes to get your perspective and make sure I’m focused on the right things.

Would sometime next week work? I’m free most afternoons and happy to work around your schedule.

Appreciate it,
Jordan

This is one of those examples of informal meeting request email examples that balances warmth and professionalism. You’re clear about the topic (goals), the time frame (next week), and the flexibility.

Here’s a second example of an informal meeting request email to a manager when you need guidance, but it’s not an emergency:

Subject: Quick gut check on the Q4 plan

Email:
Hi Taylor,

I’m putting the finishing touches on the Q4 plan and would love a quick gut check from you before I share it with the broader group.

If you have 20–30 minutes this week or early next, could we walk through it together? I’m especially interested in your take on the priorities and timeline.

Thanks for the time—really appreciate your feedback.
Jordan

Here, words like “gut check” and “walk through it together” keep the tone conversational, which is exactly what you want in informal meeting request email examples aimed at managers.

Reconnecting: examples include coffee chats and “long time no talk” emails

Informal meetings aren’t just for current coworkers. They’re also great for staying in touch with past colleagues, mentors, or classmates—something career experts consistently recommend as part of building a strong professional network. For broader guidance on networking, the U.S. Department of Labor has a helpful overview of informational interviews and outreach at https://www.dol.gov.

Here’s an example of an informal meeting request email to a former coworker:

Subject: Long time no talk—coffee sometime?

Email:
Hey Chris,

It’s been a while! I saw your post about the new product launch—congrats, that looks huge.

I’d love to catch up and hear how things are going at your new company. If you’re up for it, could we grab coffee or a quick video chat sometime in the next couple of weeks?

No agenda on my side—just curious what you’re working on these days and would love to trade notes.

Hope you’re doing well,
Avery

This is one of the best examples of informal meeting request email examples for networking: no heavy ask, just a light, human invitation.

Here’s another example of an informal meeting request email when you’re reaching out to a former manager you respect:

Subject: Quick catch-up + career update

Email:
Hi Maria,

I hope you’ve been doing well! I’ve been thinking a lot about the advice you gave me on product strategy back at Acme, and I’d love to share a quick update on where I’ve landed since then.

If you’re open to it, could we do a 20–30 minute coffee or video chat sometime this month? I’d really value your perspective on a couple of next-step decisions I’m weighing.

Totally understand if your schedule is packed—just thought I’d ask.

Thanks so much,
Jordan

The key in these examples of informal meeting request email examples is to acknowledge the other person’s time, be honest about why you’re reaching out, and keep the tone warm.

Cross-company: examples of informal meeting request email examples to someone you don’t know

In 2024–2025, it’s very common to reach out to people you’ve never met on LinkedIn or via email, especially for informational interviews or quick “how did you do that?” chats. The etiquette is a little different here: you want to be clear, concise, and respectful of boundaries.

Here’s an example of an informal meeting request email to someone you found on LinkedIn:

Subject: Quick 20-min chat about your move into UX?

Email:
Hi Alex,

I came across your profile on LinkedIn and was really interested in how you moved from customer support into UX research. I’m exploring a similar path and would love to learn from your experience.

If you’re open to it, could we do a quick 15–20 minute video chat sometime in the next couple of weeks? I’d love to hear what helped you make the transition and any advice you’d be willing to share.

Totally understand if now’s not a good time—either way, thanks for all the insight you’ve shared publicly. It’s been really helpful.

Best,
Avery

This is a great example of an informal meeting request email because it:

• Explains how you found them.
• States clearly what you want to talk about.
• Sets a specific time window (15–20 minutes).
• Gives them an easy out.

For more guidance on informational interviews and outreach, many university career centers share advice publicly. For instance, Harvard’s Office of Career Services offers tips on reaching out and following up at https://ocs.fas.harvard.edu.

Internal syncs: casual examples of informal meeting request email examples for remote teams

Remote and hybrid work have changed how we meet. Quick video calls and short Slack-style emails are now normal. Informal meeting request email examples for remote teams tend to be shorter, with a focus on time zones and tools.

Here’s an example of an informal meeting request email for a remote teammate in another time zone:

Subject: Quick sync on sprint priorities (15 mins)

Email:
Hi Priya,

Hope your week’s going smoothly. Before we lock in the next sprint, I’d love to do a quick pass together on priorities to make sure we’re on the same page.

Would you happen to have 15 minutes on Thursday or Friday between 9–11am your time? I can set up a Zoom and send over a short list so we can move quickly.

Thanks so much,
Jordan

Here, mentioning “your time” shows you’re aware of time zones—something remote workers appreciate. Keeping it to 15 minutes also lowers the barrier to saying yes.

Another example of an informal meeting request email for a remote situation—when you need to clarify something complicated:

Subject: Can we talk this through live?

Email:
Hi Avery,

I’ve been going back and forth on the analytics setup in the doc, and I think I’m tying myself in knots over email.

Would you be up for a quick 20-minute call sometime tomorrow or Thursday so we can talk it through live? I’m free most of the afternoon and can send a couple of time options if that’s easier.

Thanks for helping me think this through,
Sam

This is one of those informal meeting request email examples that acknowledges the limits of long written threads and gently nudges toward a faster, friendlier solution: a short call.

Polite but relaxed: examples include asking busy leaders for time

Reaching out to senior leaders or executives can feel intimidating, but informal doesn’t have to mean sloppy. You can be relaxed and still show respect. In fact, many leaders prefer clear, informal messages over long, formal ones.

Here’s an example of an informal meeting request email to a senior leader at your company:

Subject: 20-min chat on how our teams can partner

Email:
Hi Dana,

I’m Jordan on the Customer Success team. I’ve been noticing more overlap between what our team is hearing from customers and the work your group is doing on the new roadmap.

If you’re open to it, I’d love to grab 20 minutes sometime in the next couple of weeks to compare notes and see where we might be able to support your priorities.

I know your schedule is packed, so I’m happy to work around whatever time is easiest for you.

Thanks for considering it,
Jordan

This example of an informal meeting request email keeps things respectful without sounding stiff. You lead with who you are, why you’re reaching out, and how you’ll make it easy for them.

Here’s another example when you’re inviting an external executive to a quick chat after a conference:

Subject: Enjoyed your talk—quick follow-up chat?

Email:
Hi Dr. Lee,

I really enjoyed your session on digital health at the conference yesterday—especially your point about measuring long-term engagement.

If you’re open to it, I’d love to schedule a short 15–20 minute call to ask a few follow-up questions and share what we’re seeing with our own patient engagement data.

Totally understand if your schedule is hectic after the event, but if there’s a window in the next few weeks, I’d really appreciate the chance to connect.

Thanks again for the insightful talk,
Avery

This fits nicely among the best examples of informal meeting request email examples because it’s specific, appreciative, and realistic about their time.

How to adapt these examples of informal meeting request email examples

You don’t need to memorize every line from these templates. Instead, think of them as patterns you can adapt. Most effective informal meeting request email examples share a few traits:

They keep the subject line simple and honest.
They open with a human greeting and one line of context.
They explain what you want to talk about in one or two sentences.
They suggest a rough time frame, but stay flexible.
They close with appreciation and a light touch.

Here’s a simple fill-in-the-blank structure you can customize:

• Subject: Quick [time length] chat about [topic]?
• First line: A short greeting + how you know them or what you’re referencing.
• Middle: One or two sentences about why you’d like to meet.
• Time ask: A specific time range (“15–20 minutes,” “sometime next week,” etc.).
• Close: A thank you and a friendly sign-off.

When you’re reaching out across cultures or to people in very formal industries (finance, law, government), you can still use these informal meeting request email examples—just adjust a few phrases. Swap “Hey” for “Hi” or “Hello,” and avoid slang. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management has general recommendations on professional communication norms in federal workplaces at https://www.opm.gov.

FAQ: informal meeting request email examples

What are some good examples of informal meeting request email subject lines?
Good subject lines are short and specific. For example: “Quick 15-min chat this week?”, “Coffee sometime next week?”, “Can we talk through the Q4 plan?”, or “Quick follow-up on your talk yesterday.” These are all strong examples of informal meeting request email examples at the subject-line level because they set clear expectations.

Can I use the same example of an informal meeting request email for different people?
You can absolutely reuse the same structure, but always tweak the details. Change the greeting, mention something specific to that person, and adjust the time ask. People can tell when they’re getting a copy-paste message, and small personal touches make a big difference.

Are informal meeting request email examples appropriate in formal industries?
Yes, as long as you keep them respectful. In more formal settings, you might use slightly more traditional phrasing (“I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you”) while still keeping the email short and clear. Think of it as “lightly formal” rather than stiff.

How long should an informal meeting request email be?
Most effective examples of informal meeting request email examples are under 150 words. That’s usually enough to say who you are, why you’re reaching out, what you’d like to discuss, and when you’re hoping to meet—without overwhelming the reader.

Do I always need an agenda for an informal meeting?
You don’t need a detailed agenda, but you should give a sense of the topic. One or two lines is enough: “I’d love to get your take on the Q4 plan,” or “I’m curious how you made the move into UX.” Even the most informal meeting request email examples work better when the other person knows roughly what to expect.

Informal doesn’t mean sloppy; it just means human. With these real examples and patterns in your back pocket, you’ll be able to write meeting requests that feel natural, respectful, and much more likely to get a yes.