Social business correspondence

Social business correspondence does not promote immediate business, but it is a chance to build goodwill. such letters may express congratulations, sympathy, or thanks, or may convey an invitation or announcement. These messages may be extended to friends and personal acquaintances, to co-workers and employees, and to business associates. They may even be sent to persons who are unknown to the writer but who represent potential customers.

Formal events, such as a reception, open house, or formal social gathering, require formal invitations. These can be sent either in the form of a printed or engraved card or a letter (on business letterhead or personal stationery). Formal printed invitation cards are always written in the third person. A formal reply is expected. Informal business invitations (for example inviting a person to a dinner o an award presentation) are usually written on business letterhead. An informal invitation should be cordial and sincere; a formal invitation should be less personal.

Both formal and informal invitations must do three things: Invite the reader to the gathering. Offer the reason for the gathering. Give the date, time, and place of the gathering.

(Formal printed invitation card; no reply expected) The Executive Board of The Brinkman Art Museum of Philadelphia cordially invites you to a Special Preview of the Exhibition of works by French printmaker Albert Renault 6:00 to 8:30 P.M. January 9, 2009 Refreshments

(Formal printed invitation; reply expected) THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Of ABYZ CORPORATION invites you to attend a dinner party in honour of JOHN B. WILKINS President and Chief Executive Officer to be held at the ABC Hotel, Atlanta on Friday evening, September 14 at 7:00 p.m. RSVP

RSVP stands for respondez s’il vous plait; it asks the reader to please respond, that is, “Please let us know if you plan to attend”.

THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF VITEX CORPORATION cordially invites you to a welcoming cocktail party to meet Mrs. Paula Taylor, President, International Division on Wednesday, November 2 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Anderson Room of the ABC Hotel, Denver Please reply

The ALDO Corporation is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Firuz Darkhosh as its new executive vice-president and requests the pleasure of your company at a reception in her honour Friday, the twelfth of April at four o’clock The Presidential Suite Room 510

Dear Name: We are pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Firuz Darkhosh to the position of executive vice-president. Ms. Darkhosh has been with Aldo for eight years, first as assistant manager of marketing and then, for the past five years, as manager of marketing. She attended Baruch College and Pace University, where she earned a master’s degree in business administration. I’m sure you will all join me in extending hearty congratulations to Ms. Darktosh and best wishes for her future here at ALDO. Sincerely yours,

(Accepting a formal invitation) Dear Name: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Drake thank the Management Team of the Winchester Corporation for the invitation to attend the dinner dance honouring William R. Chesterfield on September 12, at which they will be happy to attend. Yours sincerely, Signature Name

(Declining a formal invitation) Dear Name: Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hitching sincerely regret that owing to a previous engagement they are unable to accept the kind invitation of the Winchester Corporation for the dinner dance to be held on Saturday, September 12. Sincerely, Signature Name

(An informal invitation in the form of a letter; reply expected) Dear Name: We are pleased to announce that we have moved our offices to a spacious new building at a new location. For that reason, we cordially invite you to see our new facility and to attend an Open House at 175 Fifth Avenue on Thursday, May 10, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. We certainly hope you can join us on that day. Please let us know if you can, so that we can finalize our program. Sincerely, Signature Name