Do you need to know the best way to continue with something professionally?
But you’re worried that “please let me know how to proceed” is rude or unprofessional, aren’t you?
Of course, that’s why we’re here!
We’ll help you understand how to say “please let me know how to proceed” politely.
Is It Professional to Say “Please Let Me Know How to Proceed”?
It is professional to say “please let me know how to proceed.” It’s an open and honest request that suggests you don’t know the best way forward, but you’d like to learn.
You can use it when contacting your boss or a client for more information. It’s polite and shows you’re open to any suggestions that might help.
Also, you can review this email example to learn how to say “please let me know how to proceed” in an email:
Dear Mrs. Anderson,
I’m at a loss for what I’m supposed to do next with this project.
Please let me know how to proceed when you have time to do so.
Thank you,
Darryl Whittaker
Pros
- It’s an honest way to let someone know you don’t know your next best move.
- It’s professional and direct.
Cons
- It can make it seem like you’re not very proactive or able to think independently.
- It’s a bit generic and doesn’t explain why you might be stuck.
So, you can use “please let me know how to proceed” when you need further guidance from someone. But that doesn’t mean it’s the only acceptable phrase to use here.
Keep reading to learn what to say instead of “please let me know how to proceed.” We’ve gathered a list of some of the best alternatives to show you what works.
What to Say Instead of “Please Let Me Know How to Proceed”
- I would appreciate guidance on the next steps
- Please provide instructions on how to continue
- Kindly advise on the appropriate course of action
- Your direction on the next steps would be valuable
- I’m seeking your input on the best way to move forward
- Please let me know the recommended way to proceed
- I’m looking for your guidance on the next phase
- Could you please inform me of the next course of action?
- I’m awaiting your instructions on how to move forward
1. I Would Appreciate Guidance on the Next Steps
So, you start by saying “I would appreciate guidance on the next steps.” This is a professional way to say “please let me know how to proceed.”
Generally, you can use this when keeping things polite and respectful. It shows that you respect the recipient to help you and provide you with a useful answer.
So, you can use it when emailing a business partner. It lets them know that you’re seeking some advice and you’d like to hear what they have to say.
Feel free to review this email sample to learn a bit more about it:
Dear Miss Wilkinson,
I would appreciate guidance on the next steps if you can offer it.
Please let me know what you think is best.
Kind regards,
Darren Scoffield
2. Please Provide Instructions on How to Continue
You can also use “please provide instructions on how to continue.” This is a direct and honest way to show you’re at a loss and you need some more information.
Generally, this works when contacting your boss. It shows that you value your boss’s knowledge and you’d like to find out whether they can help you understand something.
If it’s related to a project they’ve set for you, then this phrase will work well.
After all, it suggests that you respect them and want to remain polite. Your boss should be more than happy to assist after this.
Also, you can review this sample email to learn a bit more:
Dear Mr. Murphy,
Please provide instructions on how to continue.
I would like to get this project right, but I’m worried I’m off course.
All the best,
Josie Clarkson
3. Kindly Advise on the Appropriate Course of Action
Try using “kindly advise on the appropriate course of action” as another way to say “please let me know how to proceed.”
This professional phrase is a great chance to let someone know you’re unsure how to proceed.
It can work well when contacting a client. Perhaps they’ve asked for your help with a project, but they haven’t given you all the details.
Well, this phrase will help you to fill in any gaps. It suggests that you’d like to learn more from someone, so you need a little more guidance before you continue.
Also, you can review this email sample to learn a bit more:
Dear Miss Sherrin,
Kindly advise on the appropriate course of action before I move forward.
I’d like to know what you think is best with this matter.
Yours,
Kaitlin Rogers
4. Your Direction on the Next Steps Would Be Valuable
Also, you can write “your direction on the next steps would be valuable.”
This is a respectful phrase that suggests you deeply value the opinion of the person you’re writing to.
So, you can use it when emailing a supervisor. This shows them that you know they’re going to be able to help and that you’d value anything they can say to you.
It’s professional and sincere. That’s why it’s a good chance to get into the recipient’s good books.
And here’s an email sample to help you further:
Dear Michael,
Your direction on the next steps would be valuable on this.
Please indicate whether I’m going about it in the right way.
Kind regards,
Donavan Shirley
5. I’m Seeking Your Input on the Best Way to Move Forward
You should also use “I’m seeking your input on the best way to move forward.”
It’s a great way to reach out to your employer. It lets them know that you need their guidance and that you’d like to learn more about what you need to do to continue a project.
Generally, the phrase is formal and sincere. It shows you’re after someone’s help and that you’d like more information to figure out what comes next.
You can also check out this sample email to learn a bit more about it:
Dear Ms. Paleo,
I’m seeking your input on the best way to move forward.
Please advise on how to proceed as soon as possible.
Thank you,
Dan Collins
6. Please Let Me Know the Recommended Way to Proceed
Feel free to write “please let me know the recommended way to proceed” in your emails.
It’s professional and sincere. So, it shows you’re open to any and all suggestions that someone might give you.
Try using it when contacting a business partner. It lets them know you’re happy to hear their ideas before you make any final decisions.
Here is a great email example to also help you:
Dear Mr. Smith,
Please let me know the recommended way to proceed from here.
I’m still looking into it, but I’ve hit a bit of a bump.
All the best,
Chloe Duncan
7. I’m Looking for Your Guidance on the Next Phase
We also recommend using “I’m looking for your guidance on the next phase” instead of “please let me know how to proceed.”
It’s great to use formally, as it shows that you’re keen to hear how to progress.
Try using it when writing to a team leader. They might be in charge of a team project, and this is a good chance to find out what they want you to do to continue with it.
Here is a helpful example to show you more about it:
Dear Jessica,
I’m looking for your guidance on the next phase.
Please let me know if you have any ideas that might help us move on.
Kind regards,
Jackson Blocker
8. Could You Please Inform Me of the Next Course of Action?
We recommend also writing “could you please inform me of the next course of action?”
This shows that you’re a little bit lost, so you need some external help to figure something out.
You can write this when reaching out to a client. Perhaps you’ve got stuck with a project you’re completing for them.
The phrase is formal and polite. That’s why it works well when you really need someone’s help.
Here is a great sample email to show you more about it:
Dear Miss Clang,
Could you please inform me of the next course of action?
I cannot go further until I know what you want.
Best wishes,
Shauna Keating
9. I’m Awaiting Your Instructions on How to Move Forward
Finally, it’s worth writing “I’m awaiting your instructions on how to move forward.”
Generally, this is a good chance to be sophisticated and polite. It shows you can’t move on with something until the recipient has replied to you and given you directions.
This works best when contacting a professor. It shows you’re stuck with an assignment, so you need them to help you answer a few things.
Here’s a great example to show you more:
Dear Dr. Danforth,
I’m awaiting your instructions on how to move forward with this assignment.
Please let me know what I must do!
Thank you so much,
Bethany Young