Lesson 20: Personal Business Letter
While formal business correspondences are key to getting work done, your own personal communications within a professional environment are also very important in your career. Personal connexions and relationships can help you make friends, advance the priorities of your company, and even help you get a job or move to a more desirable position. Personal communications are key to good networking—the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business.
In this lesson, you will learn how to identify the parts of a personal business letter.
Parts of a Personal Business Letter
One key piece of personal correspondence is the personal business letter. A personal business letter is similar to a block style business letter except it is addressed to a person whom you already know. Personal business letters can be faxed or attached to emails, but are most commonly delivered in the mail inside sealed envelopes. Since the letter is authored and typed by you, reference initials are not used.
Example of a Personal Business Letter
Parts of a Personal Business Letter |
||
|---|---|---|
| Parts | Description | |
|
Return Address
|
The address of the person sending the letter (sender). Includes the street address, city, state, and zip code. | |
|
Date
|
The date the letter is written. | |
|
Inside Address
|
Includes the following information of the person receiving the letter: courtesy title (Mr., Mrs., or Ms.), first and last name and his/her job title (if applicable), company name (if applicable), street address, city, state, and zip code. | |
|
Salutation
|
Includes the greeting (opening) of the letter, followed by the receiver's courtesy title and last name. | |
|
Body
|
Includes the details of the letter. The first paragraph should introduce and state the reason for the letter. The following paragraphs should provide details for why the letter is being written and any background information that supports the message. | |
|
Complimentary Closing
|
Typically includes a closing phrase and is used to show respect and appreciation for the person reading the letter. | |
|
Signature Area
|
The space for the sender's signature. | |
|
Sender's Name
|
Includes the sender's first and last name, followed by his/her job title (if applicable). | |
|
Attachment/Enclosure Notation
|
Indicates another document is attached or enclosed with the letter. | |
How Personal Business Letters Are Used
A personal business letter allows you to communicate your message to a recipient using a professional format and writing style, and can help advance the relationships that you create through networking. Even though you may know the recipient of your letter, it is still important to write formally and concisely.
Personal business letters are used for a variety of reasons, including acknowledging someone's efforts, showing appreciation, and many more. Some other examples include:
- Thank you letter
- Complaint letter
- Letter of inquiry to a company
- Letter to a bank or credit card company
- Letter to a school official