Business Letter Closings

A business letter is a letter written in formal language, usually used when writing from one business organization to another, or for correspondence between the business and their customers, clients or external parties. The overall style of the business letter depends on the relationship of the parties concerned.

Why do we need good business letter closings?

Business Letter Closings

Business letter closings are there for any of the reason listed below:
- either to make a reference to a future event, or
- to repeat an apology, or
- to offer help

There are 2 major parts of business letter closings:
1. The closing line
2. Complimentary closing

1. The closing line

As mentioned above the reasons for business letter closings, listed below are 10 good closing lines example:

* If you require any further information, feel free to contact me.
* I look forward to your reply.
* I look forward to hearing from you.
* I look forward to seeing you.
* Please advise as necessary.
* We look forward to a successful working relationship in the future.
* Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
* Once again, I apologise for any inconvenience.
* We hope that we may continue to rely on your valued custom.
* I would appreciate your immediate attention to this matter.

2. Complimentary Closing

Complimentary closing in business letter closings could vary by:
1. geography,
2. type of letter, and
3. relationship of the writer to the recipient.

The complimentary closing should convey the level of formality and degree of personal feeling that the writer has for the reader. The complimentary closing appears two lines below the last line of text (the closing line). Its alignment varies with the format of the letter:

i) In block letters, the complimentary closing appears flush with the left margin.
OR
ii) In modified and semi-block letters, the complimentary appears right of center or may be flush with the right margin.

Complimentary closings for business letters include: Sincerely,Sincerely yours,Thank you.

Complimentary closings for very formal letters (those addressed to dignitaries and high officials) include: Yours sincerely, Respectfully yours, Respectfully.

In some situations, a business letter may also include the following optional information:

Enclosures (Encl.: or Enc.:)
Carbon Copy Recipients (cc:)
Reference Initials (of the typist, if different from original author of letter)

It is important to have a proper business letter format in business communication (be it snail mail or email). You can check out our free business proposal letter sample or sample letter of cancellation of business contract for a better idea about formal business letter format and how business letter closings apply into it.

Business Letter Closings

Let’s check out some useful tips in business letter closings in this part of the article.

1) When to use ‘Yours faithfully’ and when to use ‘Yours sincerely’ in business letter closings?

We use ‘Yours faithfully’ when the recipient’s name is unknown to the writer, and use ‘Yours sincerely’ when the writer knows the recipient’s name:

Dear Sir … Yours faithfully
Dear Madam … Yours faithfully
Dear Sir or Madam … Yours faithfully

Dear Alibaba … Yours sincerely
Dear Alimama … Yours sincerely
Dear Miss Megan Fox … Yours sincerely
Dear Ms Megan Fox … Yours sincerely

When addressing a good friend or colleague in business letter closings, we use ‘Best wishes’ or ‘Best Regards’:

Dear Jacky Chan … Best wishes
Dear Bruce Lee … Best regards

2) Although it is short and simple component, and it won’t take you long to write business letter closings, it is important to slow down enough to do them correctly. A bad closing can undo all the hard work you invested in a great business letter.

3) Some un-formal ideas for business letter closings (Remember the relationship with the reader, use wisely):

4) If you feel bored with words, check out the video below:

Writing a Business Letter Closing - Writing expert Tina Casalino video series on how to write a business letter - Writing a Business Letter Closings…

Business Resources - Business informations you ever wanted.