Request a Favor • Example Letters, Guides and Samples

Guides

Avoid the temptation to apologize for your request. Let the person feel complimented that you would ask the favor and indicate why you came to him or her for help. Explain clearly and persuasively why you need the favor. Finally, make the request reasonable, expressing willingness to reciprocate the kindness.

How to write this request letter:

  1. Clearly explain your reason for requesting the favor, possibly indicating why the person is qualified to help you.
  2. If the favor is sensitive or extensive, give a persuasive and convincing explanation for the request.
  3. Express appreciation and willingness to reciprocate.

Example Letter #1

Copied

I wonder if you would mind helping me study for my GMAT? I need to score well to enter a graduate program at Doe University, but am having difficulty completing the math problems that require more than simple algebra.

Because you recently graduated with a degree in mathematics, you are naturally the most qualified person for me to turn to. I promise not to monopolize your time--just enough to help me remember some of the calculus that I have forgotten over the years.

I will really appreciate any help you can offer me and will be happy to return the favor when the opportunity arises.

Example Letter #2

Copied

I am coordinator of local arrangements for the Daughters of Springfield biennial banquet this spring. As I considered initial preparations, I remembered the silver anniversary picnic that I helped organize last summer and the special decagonal tables that you used.

Our banquet will host twenty invited guests, and those special tables would be perfectly suited to our needs. Would you be good enough to let us use two of those tables at the Community Center, Thursday, May 8, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.? We can transport the tables, so that need not be a concern. I will call in a few days to see whether this is a possibility. Thank you.

Example Letter #3

Copied

Could you do me a favor at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 11? I am taking a vacation with the family and need someone to teach my management class. I know it might take some preparation time, but the class members requested you, and I know you are the most qualified person for the job. Please let me know if you can help. I look forward to hearing from you and hope I can return the favor sometime.

Example Letter #4

Copied

I attended the Rotary Club meeting last night where you performed your play on the Underground Railroad. I teach history at Springfield High School, and I believe your one-woman show would help bring the Civil War era alive for my students. Would you be willing to present your program at a special assembly on November 12 at 9:00 a.m.? Please call me at 555-5555 if you are available. I look forward to hearing from you and hope I will someday be in a position to return the favor.

Write Your Letter Step-by-Step

1 Clearly explain your reason for requesting the favor, possibly indicating why the person is qualified to help you.

Sample Sentences for Step 1
  • Could you do me a favor? I am considering the purchase of a new car from the Doe Brothers, and I understand you have recently made such a purchase.
  • We are turning to you for help in getting our son admitted to your preschool.
  • It would be a tremendous favor if you would lend me your maps for my seminar next week.
  • I would sincerely appreciate your influence in encouraging the committee to reconsider its decision.
  • I am in a rather difficult situation at the moment because the paper has misquoted me, and will not correct it. It would be a great favor if you could set the record straight.
  • Since I am leaving for France in the morning, I am wondering if you would inform the subcontractors that our meeting has been cancelled.
  • I hope you will be able to give me some guidance regarding which schools I should apply to for my MA degree.
  • I am turning to you to ask a favor because you are the most qualified person to give advice about scholarship opportunities in the humanities.
  • At the suggestion of Mr. Doe, I am turning to you to ask a special favor.
  • May I ask the favor of borrowing your copy of the text until the bookstore receives my order?
  • May I use your name as a person who would be willing to give me a letter of reference?
  • I would like to ask a special favor. You seem to be the best person to help.
  • I would really appreciate your help in getting the tables set up at our company picnic.
  • May I ask a favor? Could you give me the name of someone who might be able to help us with our public relations?
  • The growth of our business has brought us to a point where we are prepared to extend our client base. Therefore, we are writing to our preferred customers to ask them for the names and phone numbers of persons they feel would like to know of our service.
Sample Phrases for Step 1
  • am turning to you because
  • am wondering if you would
  • am approaching you because
  • am considering the purchase of
  • are turning to you for assistance
  • ask a special favor
  • at the suggestion of
  • could you do me a favor
  • hope you will be able to
  • if you would be willing to
  • if you would be so kind as to
  • in a rather difficult situation
  • is somewhat of an imposition
  • may I ask the favor of your
  • might be able to help
  • need some information on
  • understand that you have recently
  • would very much appreciate
  • would you mind
  • would count it a great favor if
  • would you be willing to
  • would sincerely appreciate your
  • would be a tremendous favor if
  • would like to ask a favor of you

2 If the favor is sensitive or extensive, give a persuasive and convincing explanation for the request.

Sample Sentences for Step 2
  • Could you tell me which finance company gave you your low interest rate? I seem to be getting contradictory information. I can save a lot of money if I can get the same rate.
  • I will be making a decision about which school to attend and it would be helpful to know what your experience was like last year.
  • All of my lecture materials are still in transit, and I must begin the seminar series next week. It would be very difficult to discuss the European situation without maps.
  • I am confident that the decision would have been different if the committee would have had access to these letters.
  • The school board election takes place next week, and unless the misunderstanding is cleared up, I see little hope of being elected.
  • It would be an embarrassment if they were to travel all the way from Detroit only to find out that the meeting had been cancelled.
  • As you can see, I only have this week to study the text before the final examination.
  • We have only two hours between the time we leave work and the time the party begins, so I will need a lot of help.
  • The deadline for submission is June 1. I hope the shortness of the time is not a serious problem.
Sample Phrases for Step 2
  • a word from you would
  • am reluctant to impose
  • can see no other way to
  • can easily be cleared up
  • far-reaching consequences
  • feel confident that
  • have been so looking forward to
  • having the benefit of your
  • help me out of a
  • if you would not object to
  • in a difficult situation
  • is just unfortunate that
  • is very important to me
  • laboring under a misapprehension
  • may seem very minor
  • such an important decision
  • sure it is just a misunderstanding
  • the deadline is
  • unless the misunderstanding is cleared up
  • will save me a great deal of
  • would find it very helpful if

3 Express appreciation and willingness to reciprocate.

Sample Sentences for Step 3
  • I look forward to hearing from you and will be happy to return the favor.
  • If I can return the favor or give you any assistance, you know you can give me a call.
  • I really appreciate any help you can give.
  • If you can help me through this pinch, I will be very grateful.
  • I will appreciate any other information along these lines that you feel would be helpful.
  • I will be very grateful if you can send me a FAX at 555-5555, or simply give me a call at 555-5555.
  • I will gladly return the favor.
  • Don't hesitate to ask for a return favor. I will be pleased to help in any way I can.
  • I will really appreciate any help you can give and hope that someday I will be in a position to return the favor.
Sample Phrases for Step 3
  • accept my heartfelt thanks
  • am looking forward to
  • appreciate any help you can give
  • appreciate your kindness
  • be of use to you in the future
  • being able to return the favor
  • don't hesitate to ask
  • greatly appreciate your intervention
  • how grateful I am
  • how much I appreciate
  • if I can do anything for you
  • if I can return the favor
  • long and mutually beneficial relationship
  • look forward to
  • thank you so much
  • thank you in anticipation
  • want you to know
  • will someday be in a position to
  • will make a real difference
  • will be very grateful
  • will be happy to return the favor
  • will appreciate any other