Business Letter

[Les Biehn]

I'm writing a Business Letter and need a bit of guidance. Basically I have done this;

My work address
tel
e-mail
date
​

Their company address

Dear Sir/Madam

Content

signed

Les Biehn
Murders and Executions

Now I'm not sure thats right, especially as it is a letter being sent out to a lot of other companies and I don't know specifically who to send it to. Any help gratefully received.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

To Whom it may Concern is a good start

 

[Les Biehn]

To Whom it may Concern is a good start

You see this was my biggest problem, didn't know with to go with

To the Managing Director
Dear Sir/Madam
To Whom it may Concern.

 

[vegster]

Dear Bank Manager ?

 

[Les Biehn]

Dear Bank Manager ?

This would be a small mistake as it is going out to estate agents. Not sure they would appreciate it.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Dear Colleague

can sometimes work quite well - if you want to give the impression that the recipients are your equals.

 

[Cadiz Seagull]

depends what the letter is about but I would avoid Dear Sir or Madam etc like the plague. And to whom it may concern I would only use if I was writing a reference for someone. If I received a letter addressed to whom it may concern I would bin it.

If its about a job or you are trying to sell them something ALWAYS send it to a person, not Dear Sir or Madam. 9 times out of 10 you can find the name of the person you want on the internet, if not call the office and ask.

If its a complaint dear Sir or Madam may be OK but still much better to use a name.

If you send it to a named person you are far more likely to get a response. And if its the same letter going to lots of different people its easy to do a mail merge in Word

 

[Les Biehn]

depends what the letter is about but I would avoid Dear Sir or Madam etc like the plague. And to whom it may concern I would only use if I was writing a reference for someone. If I received a letter addressed to whom it may concern I would bin it.

If its about a job or you are trying to sell them something ALWAYS send it to a person, not Dear Sir or Madam. 9 times out of 10 you can find the name of the person you want on the internet, if not call the office and ask.

If its a complaint dear Sir or Madam may be OK but still much better to use a name.

If you send it to a named person you are far more likely to get a response. And if its the same letter going to lots of different people its easy to do a mail merge in Word

Cheers mate, that's really helpful. What is a mail merge?

 

[Cadiz Seagull]

Just seen your lates post Les, so ignore what I said!

If it's going to Estate Agents, assuming you are asking them to buy or sell a property then I would just use Dear Sirs and end it with Yours Faithfully.

If you are looking for a job or trying to sell them something my original comments still apply. Dead easy to find the name of the Senior Partner on t'interweb

 

[bristolseagull]

You see this was my biggest problem, didn't know with to go with

To the Managing Director
Dear Sir/Madam
To Whom it may Concern.

you should find the name of the peson you're sending it to



sir/madam is shit

 

[Brovion]

Don't forget that if it's 'Dear <name of person>' you finish 'Yours sincerely' before you sign your name, but if it's to an unknown addressee like 'Dear Sir' you finish it 'Yours faithfully'.

Don't ask me why, my mum told me. That's all I know.

 

[John Dorian]

This would be a small mistake as it is going out to estate agents. Not sure they would appreciate it.

Will I be recieving one Les ?

 

[gullshark]

Darling fascist Bully boy,
give me some more money, you bastard. May the seed of your loin be fruitful in the belly of your woman.

Neil

 

[Nibble]

Dear Estate Agents,

You are all a bunch of c unts.


Leslie Biehn.


Is all you need.

 

[Lankyseagull]

As has been said before, avoid "Dear Sir or Madam"

If you cannot find out the name of the person you need to write to, is there a position? If so you can use, for exampe "For the attention the Senior Technical Manager" and start the letter "Dear Sirs" even if the recipient may be female.

 

[Lush]

How many are you sending and how badly do you want a reply?

 

[Gully]

I always thought that it was Yours faithfully on the first letter and then Yours sincerely on any further correspondence.

 

[mattb]

put "Dear Sirs"

 

[mattb]

I always thought that it was Yours faithfully on the first letter and then Yours sincerely on any further correspondence.

No. Yours faithfully if you haven't the name of a contact. Yours sincerely if you do.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

If sending via email, use 'Dear Sir or Modem'