Formal-Informal Letter

Writing Business Letter Essentials

Here are a few practical tips on writing business letters to help you when writing your correspondence:

Consider your Reader

Who is the reader?

In a business letter, the reader is usually represented by employees, customers, suppliers or the public. When you are writing a business letter, imagine that you are in the readers' position. Are they happy, frustrated or merely inconvenienced? What essential information does that person need to know through this communication? What are their expectations when they open the letter? Have you addressed all of these issues? By doing this, you will show the reader that you can relate to them and the situation. This will build a relationship between the two of you.

Be Responsive

If you are responding to or with a letter, address the inquiry or problem. Most of the time, companies rely too much on a handful of form letters to answer all situations. This shows that you do not understand their needs. When you have considered you reader as above, you will be able to respond to them.

Be Personal

Letters are written by people to people. Don't address it "to whom it may concern" if it is possible. Whatever you do, do not use a photocopied form letter. Please see how to use a form letter for the proper use of form letter if you have to use it. You cannot build a relationship with canned impersonal letters. But also don't be too informal. Avoid using colloquial language or slang such as "you know" or "I mean" or "wanna".

If you start your letter with “Dear Sir/dear Madam”, you will finish it with “Yours faithfully”

If you start your letter with “Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Smith”, you will finish it with “Yours sincerely”.

Be concise and to the point

When writing a business letter, explain your position in as few words as possible. Spell out what you can and what they need to do. Use clear and easy to understand language so that any misunderstanding can be minimized. Think before you write. Ask yourself why you are writing? What is it that you want to achieve? Use this 5 step process:

1. List out the topics you want to cover. Do not worry about the order.

2. In each topic, list keywords, examples, arguments and facts.

3. Review each topic in your outline for relevance to your aim and audience.

4. Cut out anything that's not relevant.

5. Sort the information into the best order for your readers.

Be friendly, build the relationship

Don't use cold, formal language. Some people have the perception that when writing business letters, they must use big words. To them this is a sign of literacy. Some 'big words' have no substitute, but do use the word correctly. You want the reader to feel like they are reading a letter from someone who cares.

Emphasize the positive

1. Talk about what you can do not what you can't. For example, if a product is out of stock, don't tell the customer you are unable to fill the order. Instead, tell them the product is very popular and you have sold out. Then tell them when you can get the order to them.

2. Stay away from negative words..

Be Prompt

If you cannot respond fully in less than a week, tell them so and say when they can expect a response from you.

Check Spelling, Grammar & Facts

Always make sure you are 100% correct in spelling, grammar and facts. Use the spelling and grammar checker from your word processor. If you are not very good or need more help, get someone to edit the letter.

Use the correct format.