Thanks In Advance. Or Not?

“Thanks in Advance” is another self-contradictory phrase. Though it is frequently and widely used, and mostly applied to finalize email-requests, surveys report it to be rude, self-serving, small-minded, careless, and even passive-aggressive.

Well, and it is clear and valid if to give it a second glance.

Writing “Thanks in advance”, “Thank you for your consideration” or “Thank you in advance for your help” you:

1. First of all, assume that your reader will indisputably carry out your request, which is somewhat self-centred, isn’t it? Let alone, negligent. You’ve decided for them.
2. Secondly, by the power vested at you (by whom?), you cancel the reader’s right to say “no”! Well, they can say no, but after you implied you expected a yes — it is awkward and embarrassing!

So, now you can see why “thanks in advance” is perceived as disrespectful and careless? Though, it’s all up to the context but “thank you in advance” usually equals “I expect you to do this”, no way around it.

So not to sound blunt and look easy-mannered, let’s consider more secure options for our emails, especially if you are aware and care about ROR (ReturnOnRelationship).

Safer alternatives.

1. CTA (Call To Action).

As for me, the best way to finish any email is CTA. Statistically, right, mindful CTA doubles response rate!

“Do you think you’d have time to …?”

Such CTA is perceived as an option, implies choice, not an expectation that something will definitely be accomplished. This is what makes it effective and polite.

2. Thanks for considering this/my request.

Such sign off can work perfectly for almost all emails as doesn’t include any imposed expectations about obligations on task completion. It also accentuates that just consideration=taking into account/thoughts about will do and be appreciated. In a nutshell, it doesn’t presume that the recipient will do anything more than give some thought to what you asked them to do. Though it’s better to enhance this alternative with some CTA anyway, as consideration is not and action;). The recipient may consider your request . . . without ever getting back to you.

3. In any case, thank you.

One more way to communicate “Whether you agree or not, I value your consideration”.

4. In the meantime, thanks (for your time).

5. I’d really appreciate your help with X/this situation.

6. I’d be grateful if you could finish/do X.

7. I hope this is possible.

8. I hope you will be able to provide the information/help/support.

9. Please, let me know if this isn’t feasible for you (by [date]).

10. Thanks

And at the end of the day, you can simply use “thank you”.

But does “thanks in advance” pass for a universal evil?

Well, I believe there are two cases, when “thanks in advance” can be used and tolerated.

1️. After-agreement follow-up. When you verbally or by phone or email already agreed and arranged with somebody about doing/sending/feedbacking/etc.

For example, after the meeting you may write:

Hi [Name],

thanks for the productive meeting.

As agreed, I am sending you the salary range for the upcoming project and waiting for the final price proposal draft from you.

Thanks in advance for your part.

Or such an email may take the form of a reminder:

Hi [Name],

thanks for the productive meeting. As agreed, I look forward to receiving the final price proposal draft from you.

Thanks in advance.

2️. In the case of a standard approved aligned procedure.

For instance, you’ve settled that on the last day of every month you would send a report on bonuses to the financial department:

Dear [Name],

here is information on October bonuses:

…

Thanks in advance.

That’s it. There is no point to use “thanks in advance” after every email-request because it’s the right thing to do/that’s what it takes/everyone uses it/you are supposed to.

But if still after reading all this you remain the proponent of “thanks in advance”, who rebuffs all arguments and wouldn’t hear a word of it being disrespectful and careless, then let’s consider an example, an excellent illustration of how wretched and trashy can look “thanks in advance” in seemingly workday email, and just add to the trouble.

So, a case study based on real events.

Last week a PM, let’s call him Pasha, emails a recruiter such text (quoting here):

Hi [Name],

Can you send me CVs of the guys, I interviewed yesterday?

Thanks in advance.

(To fully grasp the context: a PM gets resumes of the candidates upfront at the interview approval stage).

So for our hypothetical Pasha, it is not enough that he officially confirms that he is an idler with a complete mess and chaos in Inbox (easier to ask somebody and delegate, then to dig for the right email in Recent). Using “thanks in advance,’’ he just showcases Ego the size of an open-space, because he doesn’t even assume that his request may be rejected (#wearecollegues, #ineedthis #itisnotdifficulttodo). He’s already thanked upfront, in advance, as if it’s already been done.

In this context, the recruiter is unlikely to get thrilled to find and send the requested CVs.

And you could see why.

So what shell you do with such Pashas?

You can hardly manage it elegantly, but it is worth reacting somehow, anyway.

✔️ As an option, the email may be ignored, just for sport to see what is more natural for Pasha to ping again or inspect his Inbox for those CVs?

✔️Or to email something like this.

Hi Pasha,

I sent you the CVs on 22 Oct. Please, check your Inbox to avoid double work for both of us in the future.

Thanks.

Can think of a better option? Send it, please, to me and I will publish it.

What would you do in this case?

Thanks in advance for reading this!😈

Read this article in Ukrainian — https://uppr.com.ua/articles/thanks-in-advance.html