How to Request a Coffee Chat via Email – With 6 Template Examples

Not sure how to invite someone to coffee over email? Here are some tips along with useful coffee chat email templates.

“We should have coffee.”  

“Want to have a coffee?” 

It’s a lot easier when it just seeps into your natural conversation. Meeting for a coffee chat can launch business relationships, allows the exchange of  ideas, and is a great way to network. What started with a mug of coffee has led to sales, partnerships, and even friendships.

But how do you invite someone for a coffee chat via email? 

When reaching out to a peer or ongoing business partner, it’s no big deal. However, connecting with people you’ve never met or that you don’t know very well can be tricky. 

Below, we show you the best way to request a coffee chat via email and give you some helpful templates you can use. In no time, you’ll schedule that meeting – and not only that, you’ll really start making things happen.

Why requesting a coffee chat via email is a good idea

When suggesting a coffee chat, email is the way to go. Here are just a few reasons why you may have a higher chance of making a strong connection with someone this way.

A coffee chat request via email is convenient

People prefer to avoid being put on the spot. Although you can always call someone up, an email allows the person on the other end to respond to you in their own time.  

Imagine you want to meet with a potential client and you ring them up during a very busy day in a hectic week. Suddenly, you’re asking them to add one more obligation to their already full schedule. They may say “no” simply to alleviate the pressure.  

On the other hand, asking for a coffee chat via email is great because they can get back to you when it’s convenient. 

Chances are, they like coffee

By volume, coffee is the third most consumed beverage in the world. In America, it’s the second most consumed beverage, just behind water. Virtually everyone has a daily hot beverage ritual. Since most people will have a coffee anyway, they may as well handle business too. 

A coffee chat feels a bit like visiting

When you ask to schedule a meeting, many images come to mind. It feels mechanical and like one of many tasks you need to check off that week. 

“Oh no, it’s another Google Meet,” they may think. With video calls becoming more prevalent, we’ve even developed the term “Zoom fatigue.” 

Adding a coffee somehow makes it feel social and a bit more like visiting. It can even feel like you’re just taking a little coffee break. Coffee has always been known to keep conversations going.

What’s the best way to ask someone on a coffee chat via email?

Suggesting a coffee via email isn’t difficult, but there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to get a positive response. 

Be mindful of their time

First, people are busy, so you should be direct and to the point – you want to chat and have a coffee. Being mindful shows that you respect their time. You realize they have limited hours in a day, so you hope to accomplish something with the meeting. 

Highlight the benefits

Also, emphasize the benefit of them taking a little time for a beverage and a talk. If they can see the possibility of a great outcome, they’ll accept. At the very least they get to enjoy a hot or iced coffee, and what’s bad about that?

Find the right tone

You also want to set the right professional tone, which you can determine based on how formal the meeting and the individual are. Sometimes, our associates and connections consist of varying elements of friendship and business relationships. 

Clarify the purpose of your coffee chat

Most importantly, make sure the person understands what your intentions are. When you ask for a coffee talk, you don’t want the person to get the wrong idea. For instance, you wouldn’t want the person thinking, “Oh, I think I’m being asked on a date.” Just be sure you’re clear. 

Imagine you just met someone, and they email you, “Wanna grab a coffee sometime?”  Now, imagine that this person clearly explains a mutually beneficial business idea. When you have full clarity on the purpose of your conversation, you’re more likely to accept a meeting.

So, to summarize, when asking someone for a coffee chat, do your best to:

• Show respect for their time and responsibilities
• Emphasize the benefits of coming together
• Be professional and polite
• Ensure the invitee knows this is a friendly conversation but with a professional intent.

What if they don’t like coffee?

Remember — not everyone drinks coffee. Some religious groups, like Mormons or Seventh-Day Adventists, eschew all caffeine. In some places, like India, tea is more popular than coffee. Some people just don’t like the taste!

When I make the coffee invite, I always make sure to say something like, “Let’s talk about this over a coffee or what have you.” Their mind will go to the beverage they typically have. They may be thinking, “Well, I normally have a Perrier around that time anyway,” or whatever.

You can also do a little investigating. Many people are very serious about their coffee, so much so that they leave clues. There may be a photo of them on LinkedIn with a coffee cup in hand, or they may say something to indicate what they typically drink. Of course, if you’re connected, there’s always a quick browse through social media.

As important as sharing a beverage is, when someone says, “Let’s have a coffee,” the interaction is critical. It means, “Let’s chat.” 

You can even ask. “By the way,  do you drink coffee?” If the answer is yes, you can reply with: “Well, what do you say we have a coffee and discuss this a bit more.”

Three examples of casual coffee chat email templates

Do you feel like you already have a better understanding of how to invite someone for coffee over email? Next, let’s take a look at some actual examples so you can get some inspiration before you begin.

Is the person you’re hoping to meet for a coffee more of an informal type? Try one of these templates below. Of course, feel free to tweak.

Example 1

Subject line: Let’s grab coffee

Hey <Name>,

I was just thinking now that we’ve had a few emails about this, we may be able to speed things up. What do you say we grab a coffee sometime this week? 

I’m free Tuesday or Thursday and wide open next week. Just let me know. It would be great to meet up.

Sincerely,
<Your name>

Example 2

Subject line: Meeting this week – coffee included

Hello again!

I just poured myself a cup of coffee, and I thought I’d treasure the chance to buy you a cup. It’s always good to meet up, but I also thought we could come together to get this whole idea ironed out. 

I like your thoughts and think we could really get something going. What do you say? Just let me know when is a good time on your end.

Cheers,
<Your name>

Example 3

Subject line: Coffee & a chat?

Hiya <Name>,

I enjoyed our LinkedIn conversation. I think your company and mine could really help each other out, and I have a feeling you might be thinking the same. 

What do you say about a coffee chat to explore our options? I’m free Tuesday through Thursday.

Thanks,
<Your name>

Three examples of professional coffee chat email templates

If the object of your email coffee chat intentions is more on the formal side, one of these emails may do the trick. Adjust and send your email.

Example 1

Subject line: Coffee meeting this week

Hi <Name>,

My name is <your name>. My specialty is <your area of expertise.> We’re connected on LinkedIn and it occurred to me that we may be able to help one another.

I know time is of the essence, and would like to propose a 15 to 20 minute coffee chat over Zoom, Skype or even the telephone. Whatever you prefer is fine. 

Would sometime at the beginning of next week work for you? I’d cherish the opportunity to meet.

Thanks,

<Your name>

Example 2

Subject line: Discussing options over a coffee

Hello <Name>,

I very much appreciate your interest in our idea, and I’m thinking we could probably get things taken care of even faster if we had a meeting.

Are you a coffee drinker? 

I know we both work in the same vicinity and noticed through your emails that you’re an early riser. What do you think about meeting at <name of cafe with location>? It’s a great, quiet place, and I stop there a few times a week. Of course, I’m always curious to try a new spot if you know of any good ones.

Feel free to reply, or you can always text or call. I’m optimistic about this and look forward to things progressing!

Regards,

<Your name>

Example 3

Subject line: Invitation to coffee chat

Good morning <Name>. 

I appreciate your filling out our contact form. You’ve provided me with a lot of information, and I think we can help you here at <your company>.

Perhaps a chance to chat over a coffee would give us a good idea of whether we can work together on this. There is some real potential. 

I’d be open to talking, whether in person or virtually. What do you say to a coffee chat? You can even go here <provide link> to see my availability. I’m pretty flexible most of the time.

Please don’t hesitate to let me know if I can be of service in any way or even if you just have a question. I look forward to meeting for coffee!

Sincerely,

<Your name>

Make asking for a coffee chat a regular practice

The great thing about asking for coffee chats via email is that most people are going to have coffee or tea anyway. Integrating this outreach regularly in your business relationships can accelerate your results. So get used to suggesting the king of beverages – with these coffee chat email templates above, you’re in good shape to get started.

If you don’t know your target’s email address, you can use an email finder to look it up. However, remember you should never send an email to someone unless you verify their email address first. 

Regardless of your industry, if you network as a part of what you do, getting lots of email bounces is a surefire way to ruin your chances of forging real connections. So make use of a good email verifier. 

Bonus tip: You can also save time using an email finder with a built-in email checker. If you don’t validate your contacts, you’re making a misstep. 

A former boss of mine used to say that you have to reframe the idea that your goal is the outcome you seek. Although you always have to keep that in mind, the number one thing you’re trying to get is more meetings. 

Instead of concerning yourself with the prize, try to “get things going.” Before you know it, the wheels are in motion on several projects and goals.

Want to move things forward? The answer, my friends, is coffee.