You’re invited to read the best invitation email guide online. RSVP if you’re interested in learning more.
In this guide on how to write invitation emails, we break down the writing process into simple steps.
Then, we provide 8 invitation email examples for information and inspiration. By the end, you’ll understand the building blocks to write the best invitation emails.
Email marketers, event organizers, and interviewers all know that invitation emails are hard to write.
Get it right, and you’ll have a room full of happy faces. Get it wrong, and you could find yourself all alone.
We’ve written a lot about formal writing at Flowrite, but invitation emails are a chance to get creative and write compelling messages that demand a reply. It’s the best way to secure a slot in the calendar.
So, ready to get started?
Invitation emails are, as you’d expect, used to encourage someone to do something. It could be an invite to an interview, an event, a meeting, a webinar, or a sales presentation.
In each case, the purpose of the message is to inspire action – generating attendees for your event, candidates for your interview, or meat in your meeting.
These aren’t sales emails (we’ve written about those before) but messages to someone you know (or who will know you). As such, you don’t have to go too hard on the sales and push the promo, but be clear about what you’re inviting the person to and why.
The bottom line is to ensure every message has value to the person receiving it.
Before we illustrate this with examples, let’s email the ideal invitation email format.
Invite emails are easy to write (if you follow this format). First, a strong, simple subject line spells out what you want.
That’s followed by a body copy that offers value and contains all the details people need (such as date, time, and location). Finally, you finish with more information on how people can sign-up and a positive sign-off.
Let’s show you how that works…
Your subject line should get straight to the point. You’ll want to grab the reader’s attention and explain to them what the message is about (and why they should care). In the case of interviews or meetings with colleagues, the process is pretty straightforward:
Simple, clear, and straight to the point! That works for this type of invitation, where people will know who you are and what you’re asking. It gets a little more complicated when writing emails to people you don’t know (what marketers call cold emails).
Crafting cold emails is a big challenge, with millions of words written about how to optimize them. But it boils down to finding words that grab someone’s attention and gets them to click.
Here are a couple of examples:
These examples (and millions more you can find online) attempt to hook you in with a tasty proposition.
All email invitation body copy works similarly, with the same structure. It goes a little something like this:
Following this format will ensure you have all the essential details in your invitation email. You don’t need to be boring; you can get creative if you want – but always include everything from the list above.
You can see how we do this below in the 8 invitation email samples.
You’re inviting someone to something, right? So you’ll want them to confirm their attendance. So spell it out in a clear CTA. Something like this can work well:
If you’re inviting someone for an interview, this will be enough. However, for an event, you may want to add an incentive or put a time limit on it.
You’ll also need to include contact details or links to an online form where people can sign-up for the event. Don’t forget to add your name, job title, and company information.
OK, we’ve come to the part where we stop telling and start showing!
Here are 8 invitation email examples that cover some of the situations you might need to write one. We’ve got a simple invitation example, an interview email, and an invitation to an online video call, among others.
If you want to use these examples, you can cut and paste them, but always change them to suit your circumstances.
Let’s start with a simple invitation sample. This covers the basics and is a standard and (if we’re honest) quite dry approach.
Of course, if you want, you can liven this up – but even if you use it as-is, it will get the job done.
Hi (Recipient's name),
My name is (your name), and I’m contacting you from (company name). I would like to invite you to a (meeting, discussion, chat, forum, etc.)
At the meeting, we will be discussing (insert details).
If you would like to attend/join, can you reply to this message?
Kind regards,
(Your name)
In this reply to the interview invitation sample, we provide a ready-made template to agree to the interview time and date. Good luck!
Hi (Recipient's name),
Thank you for inviting me to interview for the post of (job name).
I can confirm that I will be attending. I have downloaded the presentation details and will share them with you before the interview, as requested.
Please feel free to ask if you require anything from me before the interview.
I look forward to meeting with you shortly.
Many thanks,
(Your name)
When writing an event invitation email, you’ll need to be more creative and create a compelling case for someone to attend. You should explain what your event is about and its relevance.
You should provide details of why the person should attend and, as outlined earlier, offer an incentive or introduce some peril.
Hi (Recipient's name),
Are you ready to see the future of AI-powered automated writing?
You’re invited to attend the launch of (brand name). During this epic event, you’ll learn about the incredible features of the new app and learn about the advanced engineering that’s making it possible.
The event is taking place (insert details).
Sign-up today to be one of the first to try out this transformative technology. As well as leading speakers from the company you'll get exclusive access to a beta test version before anyone else.
Click this link to confirm your attendance. Places are limited, and when they're gone, they’re gone. We’d hate for you to miss out…
Welcome on the journey to better writing.
(Your name)
If you’re employed anywhere, you’ll probably spend most of your life in and out of meetings (and probably get hundreds of meeting requests a year).
This meeting email invite is more than a simple placeholder; it provides information on the meeting and why someone would want to attend. Your recipients will thank you for this level of detail.
Hi (Recipient's name),
It’s time we all met up again, so I’m arranging a team meeting for (insert date and time).
During the meeting, there are a few things I want to discuss, including (insert details).
You’ll also have a chance to bring anything you want to the meeting. Feel free to send me any agenda items, or bring them up at the end of the session.
If you can’t attend for any reason, please email me to let me know. As always, arrive a few minutes early so we can start on time!
This Zoom meeting invite is similar to the meeting request above but includes login information and tips to get the best out of a Zoom meeting.
How many Zoom meetings have you been to that don’t start on time because someone’s camera isn’t working or the sound isn’t on? Exactly. Tell people about the behaviors you want to see (and be sure to embody them!).
Hi (Recipient's name),
I’m inviting you to aZoom meeting on (insert date and time).
The login details for the meeting are as follows:
Before the meeting, can you ensure that your microphone is working, your camera is on, and that you’ve tested Zoom out? We want to make a prompt start and keep things moving, and this can help avoid annoying delays.
Webinars are an effective way to showcase your products or services, share insights, and build an audience.
Like the event template above, you must provide reasons for someone to give up their time and attend – which we do here.
You’ll need to try and find what will motivate your audience to engage with you.
Hi (Recipient's name),
Do you want to know more about (insert details)? Would you benefit from expert insight into (subject)? If the answer is yes, then this webinar is for you.
You’re invited to the (webinar title) webinar! During the session, you can hear from (insert details and make it sound exciting!).
The webinar is taking place at (time and date). You can sign-up here to get your exclusive access code.
Share this message if you know someone who would benefit from attending the webinar. Head to our socials to share, retweet, and repost!
I look forward to smelting you and explaining more about what we’re doing, and why.
Speak soon,
(Your name)
Guest speakers are a great addition to your event, but how do you hook one in?
By using our guest email invite template! Anyone brave enough to stand up in front of a crowd will have an ego, so providing a few compliments alongside the context of your event is a good thing.
Set out what you want them to do and when you want an answer.
Hi (Recipient's name),
I’m currently developing the program for the (event name), and I would like to invite you to speak if you are available.
The (event name) is the best place to learn about (explain why the event is awesome!)
The event is scheduled to take place on (insert details). Specifically, I was interested in booking you for the (insert details) slot. Are you available, and would you be interested?
You can contact me at (email address) or on (phone number) to discuss this. All of us at (event name) would be delighted to add you to our list of speakers for what promises to be an incredible event.
I am in the process of finalizing the event program and will need an answer by (insert date). I look forward to receiving your reply.
Kind regards,
(Your name)
OK, so we can’t guarantee this initiation template will work, but it follows all our rules and recommendations, so it’s about as close as you can. So fill in the gaps, and focus on providing the details, and you’ll get the results you want from every message.
Hi (Recipient's name),
My name is (your name), and I am contacting you to invite you to (a meeting/interview/event).
During the event, we’ll be discussing (insert details).
Why should you attend? (List some details and reasons why someone should come along!).
It’s easy to sign-up today. You can respond to this email, call me, or click this link.
If you need anything else, just let me know. I look forward to hearing from you.
(Your name)
If you're still struggling to find the right words for interview invitation emails, then sign up for Flowrite – it transforms sequences of words into clear, consistent, and compelling emails, like this:
Here's another example of how Flowrite could write your event invitation email fos you:
We started by saying that writing invitation emails isn’t easy, but if you follow our advice, it is.
The crucial thing is to follow the format and ensure that you include everything – including dates, times, and essential details. Focus on cracking the structure, use the tips outlined above, and never try to be funny!
Master that, and your invitation emails will ensure you’ve got people queuing around the block for a bit of the action.
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How to politely decline an invitationWondering how to politely decline an invitation? Our how to politely decline an invitation examples and templates will help you learn dozens of polite ways to decline an invitation.
How to write an interview invitation emailLearn how to invite a candidate to a job interview with an interview invitation email that leaves the applicant informed, inspired, and excited.
