Business Letters

When writing a business letter there is a specific structure that should be followed. Whether you are writing this letter to a potential client or to your colleagues, it is important to maintain this structure so that you maintain your professional status.

The first rule is to always use block style paragraphs. This means that you will not indent new paragraphs. This makes the letter look more uniform and is easier to read. Before beginning the letter you should put the name and address of the person you writing to at the top of the page. After the address you should put the date if you wish.
You should start the letter with a proper salutation. You can use "Dear..." or just start with the name. Always refer to their last name with Mr. or Ms. in front unless requires a different title, such as Dr. Start the letter by explaining the reason you are writing. For example "I am writing in reference to the conversation we had yesterday...".

In the body of the text you should explain any requests you have. For example "I would appreciate the chance to meet with you at your earliest convenience." If you require further contact with this person you should acknowledge this. For example "I look forward to our meeting on Thursday."

When concluding the letter you should always thank them. For example "I wanted to thank you for your time and consideration in this matter." The letter should be finished with a salutation such as "Sincerely," or "Regards,".

Enter about four times to give enough room for your signature to type in your full name and any other information you see fit such as your title, email, phone number, or address. Print the letter and sign between your salutation and your typed name.