Start by choosing a professional font to use for your business letter. Be clear about what you hope to accomplish with the letter. In other cases, you may be writing to them to request some specific action, like a payment. In some cases, you may simply want to thank them or inform them about a new business development. Ask: "What do I want my recipient to do?" Determine your objectiveīefore you even start writing, think about what you hope to accomplish. We'll walk you through each component step-by-step, so you can create your own professional business letters to use in the future.
Unless you have your high school English teacher on speed-dial, you might appreciate a quick refresher on how to write a business letter. Make sure that you allow them to dry before placing the letter into an envelope. When business letters are sent through the mail, they should be signed in blue or black ink.
Simply type "enclosures" before the closing and list what document(s) your recipient should look for. If there are any enclosures (such as a resume), you can identify them in this section, as well. The sender's name and contact information can be included here, as well. Closingīusiness letters often conclude with a "Sincerely yours" or a "Respectfully," and include space for a signature. The closing summarizes this main point and includes any action steps the recipient should take next. The main body will include additional details that support your main point. The opening paragraph should introduce you as the sender and identify the letter’s purpose. The body of your business letter will include its main content. GreetingĪ professional greeting is usually one that starts with "Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms./Dr." and then includes the recipient's last name. The inside address should be positioned so that it can be viewed from the outside of an envelope when it is folded. This data will be separated by the date that the letter was written. The opening section of your letter should contain the sender's address and the inside address (i.e., the recipient's address). As you're writing a letter, you'll want to ensure that you include each of these components. Most business letters contain no fewer than five distinct parts. This can be particularly useful if you're unsure who to address your communication to.Ī business letter can also be a more formal way to remind your clients when their payments are overdue. In some cases, business letters can be the most efficient way to communicate with another company. You want to communicate with another company Important announcements about your company's financials, for example, might be best discussed in a business letter to your shareholders.
You want to share important newsĮven if you already distribute a company newsletter, some pieces of information might be better communicated in a formal letter. Ultimately, it could be the very thing that leads to repeat business. Your recipient may appreciate the time you put into writing a thank-you letter. Writing a business letter can also be a way to express gratitude for a business relationship. However, it could be helpful to send a letter to someone you're looking to impress. You might not send a letter to someone you have an informal relationship with. You want to look professionalīusiness letters are helpful when you want to communicate formally or professionally. The letter-writing process might seem as advanced as a quill and parchment, but there are several circumstances in which it makes sense to send a letter from one company to another. With this in mind, today, we'll take a quick look at the proper format of a business letter and provide a detailed guide with tips to craft effective business letters. If you're like the average person, digital correspondence might have left your letter-writing skills a bit rusty. While most people are now used to the immediacy of a text message or email, there are times that you might need to create and send an official business letter.