How to Write a Business Letter

When people ask me how to write a business letter, I tell them to consider three aspects:


1. The format

2. The content

3. The correctness of their writing.

This article looks at the format.

There are eight parts you must include when you write a business letter:

The return address: This is your address, or the address of the person writing the letter. If you are writing on behalf of a company, this information will be part of the letterhead at the top of the printed sheet. If you are writing on your own behalf, your address should be typed at the top of the page, either in the middle or in the right hand corner. In either case, each part of the address (street, city, province or state, postal or zip code, country) should have its own line.


The date: The date on which you write a business letter is an important part of the history of the topic, so always put it on your letter. It usually goes at the left margin, several lines below the last line of the return address.

The inside address: This is the name and address of the person to whom you are writing. It begins two lines below the date, and includes first and last name, company name, street address, city, province or state, postal or zip code. If the person is in a different country from you, include the country in the last line. Although you will see examples where there is no title (such as Mr., Mrs., Ms or Dr.), it is still considered polite to include this.

The salutation: Two lines below the last line of the inside address, begin your letter with the salutation, or Dear... line. Unless you know the recipient very well, write Dear Mr. Ross or Dear Ms Roberts. In North America, punctuation after the salutation is generally a colon, while U.K. writers tend prefer the comma. Both are correct.

The Body: This is the content, or the message of the letter. I will go into this in detail in another article, but for now just remember it should be clear, concise and correct.

The complimentary close: This comes two lines below the last line of the letter, and might be yours sincerely, sincerely, yours truly, yours faithfully or even regards. Much depends on where you live, your company's usual style, how well your know the person or just your own preference.

The signature: Leave four to six blank lines after the complimentary close for the handwritten signature.

The name and title of the writer: Beneath the handwritten signature is the typed name of the writer. Sometimes the person's title is included in a separate line, but this is optional.

When you write a business letter, using the proper format will add to its readability, and also your credibility.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

I find business closings too PERSONAL - sincerely, very truly yours, etc. . . all rub me the wrong way. I am a professional and I write a fair number of letter s each week. What is the most formal closing I can use with collegues who are adversaries and/or associates?

Anonymous said...

Great beat ! I wish to apprentice whilst you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a weblog
site? The account aided me a applicable deal. I were
a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright
clear concept

Also visit my weblog :: Email Console

Anonymous said...

Fantastic website. Lots of helpful info here. I'm sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks to your effort!

Also visit my blog tips on how to lose weight fast

Anonymous said...

Webb designs comanies being a part of somebody,
when their permitted development true intention actually is to empty one's wallet or drain one's credit cards.
These suggestions, though, that you get your package in the mail you also get a final price as
we get closer tto that launch date. Also if I click onn that and you may choose to make free business cards doesn't mean that they'll
actually contact you back. Over permitted development deliverDo
a great job on the Confiscation Committee was to work in your lunch break.


Also visit my weblog :: gospodarka niskoemisyjna - -

Keith F. Mount said...

It is accepted by a few people in the IT world that composing professionally just applies to secretaries and visit website to get more info about topic to manage all type of work.

Unknown said...

This content is helpful but also share how to write an effective formal business letter.
July 2019 Calendar Printable

yanmaneee said...

nike air max 95
jordan shoes
yeezy boost 350
golden goose sneakers
golden goose sneakers
coach outlet sale
balenciaga shoes
golden goose
hermes belts for men
curry 5 shoes

Sophie Grace said...

I found this blog. Much appreciation to you for offering to us everything considered, find some new data from your post. To see How to Change Route IP Address? please go to site 192.168.l.l

ทดลองสล็อต pg said...

ทดลองสล็อต pg เล่นฟรีทุกค่าย PG SLOT รองรับเล่นผ่านมือถือทุกระบบ ไม่ว่าจะเป็น IOS และก็ Android ผู้ใช้สามารถเล่นได้ในทุกเกมแบบไม่ต้องสมัครก่อนใครที่เว็บ PG-SLOT.GAME

สล็อต xo said...

สล็อต xo เว็บไซต์ตรง ไม่ผ่านเอเย่น สมัครสล็อต  ใช้เวลาไม่ถึง 5 นาที พร้อมรับยูสเซอร์จากการสมัคร สล็อต ได้ทันที ท่านจะได้พบกับเกมที่น่าเล่นเพลิดเพลินทั้งได้เงินและความสนุก