5 Tips for Writing Successful Letters

“Dear Sir,

Please find attached hereto our schedule of fees as per your request?”

Not very inspiring is it? You can bet you’re not the only one who switches off after a couple of lines like this in a letter. Make sure your letters get read — and acted on! Try these steps when writing your next business letter:

1. Think Outside the Box

Throw away that stuffy, old way of writing letters. Write as if you’re talking to that person face-to-face.

2. Grab your reader early

Catch their attention early and get them reading further. Invest a little time into getting your opening just right. It will set the tone for the rest of the letter.

3. Get to the Point

Once you’ve got them, establish your purpose with subtle linking phrases like “Let me explain?”, “You see,?”, “Consider this?” and so on.

4. Write from your reader’s point of view

Tune in to the wavelengths of WII-FM — What’s In It For Me? Present your facts in a way that will be of interest and benefit to your reader.

5. Closing your letters — get the action you want

Make sure you leave your reader knowing precisely what action to take, or what you’ll be doing to follow up the letter. Remember to keep the closing in tone with the rest of your letter.