August 29, 2006

Cool Business Writing Tool

Business Letter Templates has released a really cool new letter builder feature on our website. The new business letter builder helps people who are unfamilar with writing business letters in the proper block format quickly create a letter. The letter builder is free, but it is also integrated with our business letter database if you want to get a subscription ($29.95 for 3,000 letters is quite a deal).

Anyway, if you haven't been over to Business-Letter-Templates.com in a while to check out what we've been up to, head over to the site. I can imagine that this tool would be great for teaching the proper business letter format to students.

Here is where you can find the tool: Business Letter Builder.

I almost forgot the best part (besides it being a free service). You can download the letter into any word processor right off the website. It even has cool features for adding enclosures and a carbon copy to the letter.

Let me know what you think about the resource and, if you like it, pass it on to your friends!

Posted by Jon at 2:57 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

January 16, 2006

Formats for Business Letters

Joel, one of the visitors to the Business Letter Blog, requested that I give some examples of the different formats used for business letters. It's a pretty general question, but I'll see what I can do to help you out!

In the United States, there are two formats for business letters that are generally accepted: block format and indented format.

The block format is the most common. When writing a business letter with this format you don't indent your paragraphs. The entire letter is aligned on the left side of the page. This article is an example of a block format. An example of a block format letter can be found at this website.

The second acceptable business letter format is the indented format. In this case, each paragraph includes an indent and the letter is not aligned on the left edge of the paper. When writing with an indented format, the sender's address is aligned on the right side of the page. The recipient's address and the greeting are aligned on the left. Each paragraph is indented and follow a line break. Finally, the signature is indented and aligned with the sender's address towards the right side of the page. Visit this site for an example of the indented format.

While these are the most common business letter formats, there are variations on these. Find out more at the About.com website and visit Business Letter Templates for more examples and resources.

Keep the questions coming!!! Just create a comment on any post, but no spam please. We read every comment before it is live on the site, so spammers, don't waste you time.

Posted by Jon at 3:44 PM | Comments (5)

September 9, 2005

Business Letter Resource

Visit http://www.business-letter-templates.com if you'd like more help writing business letters.

Posted by Jon at 3:05 PM | Comments (1)

September 2, 2005

How to Write a Formal Business Letter

A formal business letter includes three sections - the header, the body, and the signature. Here are some tips for writing an effective professional business letter.

Get started by using a professional letterhead. If the company you work for doesn't already have printed letterhead, get an image file of your company's logo and create a letterhead in your word processor. Using a company letterhead gives your letter authority that it wouldn't have otherwise. In the header of your letter you will also want to include the date and inside address for the recipient. Use a courtesy title for the person who will be receiving your business letter.

When writing the body of your letter, be brief. Businesspeople love efficiency and hate wasting time. Don't write phrases with five words that you could say in one word (i.e. "at a later date" vs. "later"). You may think it makes the letter sound more professional, but the longer your letter gets, the better change that your message will become muddled. In your last paragraph you should include the action that you want the reader to take. Communicate your request clearly to get results!

Complete your letter by signing it and include your title. If you are enclosing anything with the letter, make sure to mention it in the body of your letter and under your name (use ENC:). If you are writing the letter for someone, include your initials and their initials (jam/ds).

Posted by Jon at 8:23 AM | Comments (2)

August 26, 2005

Book Review - Guide to Managerial Communication by Mary Munter

If you want an easy-to-read book on business communication, visit Amazon.com and pick up Mary Munter's 'Guide to Managerial Communication.'

The book is perfect for students and professionals. It's chapters are short, the information is easy to find, the tips are relavant, and the book is great!

The book is written to be easily skimmed. When you find something you want to read, the information is there. The book is used in plenty of top MBA programs and received 4.5 out of 5 stars from customers on Amazon.com.

If you like to read wordy books with important details hidden in the junk, this book isn't for you. If you are looking for a book that cuts through the garbage and gives you the meat - this one is perfect!

Posted by Jon at 1:31 PM | Comments (0)