If someone doesn't reply to an email and I have to send a repeat email, should I pretend as if I didn't email them before?

When sending a follow-up email, it is generally not advisable to pretend as if you didn't email the person before. Here are some guidelines to consider:

Reference the Previous Email

It's important to acknowledge the previous email to maintain transparency and professionalism. You can start your follow-up email by referencing the earlier message. For example:

• "I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to follow up regarding my last inquiry on [topic]25.

Provide Context

Briefly remind the recipient of the context and purpose of your initial email. This helps them recall the previous communication and understand why you are following up45.

Avoid Redundancy

While you should reference the previous email, avoid copying the entire content of the original email. Instead, summarize the key points or add new information that might be relevant25.

Example

Here is an example of a polite follow-up email that references the previous communication:

Subject: Follow-up on request for [Item/Information]

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I hope this email finds you well. I'm following up on my previous email on [Date]. I requested [Item/Information] from you and was wondering if there is any update on this request.

Please let me know if you need any further information from me. I appreciate your time and consideration.

Thank you.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

This approach ensures that you are reminding the recipient of your previous email without appearing to ignore the fact that you have already contacted them235.