Regardless of the industry you enter, communication is a crucial skill for any professional.
Knowing how to start a professional letter is one of the basic skills you must master. As with all forms of writing, starting your piece is one of the most challenging aspects of writing.
How you start your letter is one of the most crucial aspects of letter writing. This is because it determines the impression you leave on your reader. It also determines whether they invest their time in your letter and how they perceive your message.
What is a Professional Letter?
A professional letter is also called a business letter. It is a formal piece of writing that contains business-related messages. Business letters carry greater importance, which means recipients take them more seriously than personal letters.
It also follows that business letters are held to higher writing standards. They must be formal, structured, and well-written.
The Importance of Business Letters

Business letters are important because they create a communication line representing a business or company. They are a way to communicate with a companyâs clients, customers, and stakeholders. They also provide a means for businesses to communicate with other businesses.
There are three main types of business letters:
- Inquiry letters
- Order letters
- Complaint letters
All business letters share one thing in common. â They all start the same way.
How to Start a Professional Letter
If you want to start a business letter properly, itâs imperative that you first understand its structure. We must cover three necessary components when starting a professional letter to gain a complete understanding.
- Letter Heading
- The Recipientâs Address
- The Salutation
The next section will explain each componentâs purpose, tone, and format.
Letter Heading
A letter heading contains the return address [or senderâs address] with the date on the last line. Itâs an important part of your business letter because it shows the recipient the letterâs source. It also helps the recipient determine if the letter comes from a valid source.
A letter heading doesnât have a tone. You need only ensure that the information you add is accurate. These pieces of information are vital to tracking your correspondence.
For example:
Mr. John Shepard
7 Washington St
Marquette, MI 49855
Tel:
Fax:
Email:
November 20, 2007
The Recipientâs Address
The recipientâs address is the address youâre sending your letter. Again, there isnât a tone necessary for this section. Make sure you include your recipientâs complete address and double-check for correctness.
The Salutation
A salutation is a formal greeting. This section must always be formal and often begins with âDear [Recipientâs Name].â Salutations are simple, but theyâre also easy to get wrong. The best way to determine your recipientâs title is to check the company website or LinkedIn profile.
A salutation is a respectful acknowledgment. While getting it wrong is far from a reason to disregard your letter, doing so can leave a poor impression of you. This poor impression may even extend to your business, given that business letters represent brands.
In Summary
Learning how to start a professional letter is a key writing skill in any industry. Business letters are crucial because they provide a way for businesses to contact prospects. These letters are formal and structured, meaning thereâs only one right way to start them.
Feel free to use this easy guide as a reference while you establish good writing habits. Remember that the accuracy of information is the key to starting business letters. Good luck!
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