1. 1.03 Write internal and external business correspondence to convey and obtain information effectively.

2. Business Letters Identify types of business letters. Two categories:
Business-To-Business and
Business-To-Customer
Business-to-business: The main purpose of a typical business letter is to formalize the details that were arrived at in those discussions, and to provide any additional information that was agreed upon.

3. Business Letters Business-to-customer:
Examples: sales and marketing letters, information letters, order acknowledgement letters, order status letters, collection letters

4. Common Business to Customer Letters
1. cover letter 2. customer relations letter 3. financial letter 4. credit letter 5. introduction letter 6. order-status letter 7. sales letter 8. marketing letter 9. announcement letter 10. apology letter

5. Purposes of Business Letters
to inform, persuade or remind
to try to sell a good or service
to express thanks
to recommend
to apologize
to congratulate
to reject a proposal or offer
to introduce a person or policy
to invite or welcome
to follow up
to formalize decisions

6. Business Letters
Describe the components of an effective business letter.
Depends on the type of letter being written: usually has a salutation, introduction, main topics or message in the body and summary or conclusion.
Includes facts and recommendations
The message is the most important component

7. Informational Messages
Define the term informational messages.
Communication that transfers specific information to a customer, vendor or other party
Identify examples of informational messages used by businesses.
New Product(s)
Sale
Change in business location and/or hours
New ownership
Information should be in order of importance

8. Inquiries Define the term inquiries.
Used to request an appointment or ask about a job opening
Letter of Inquiry (LOI)
The inquiry letter is useful when you need information, advice, names, or directions.
Identify occasions when inquiries are written by businesses.
To vendors; asking about pricing, availability and delivery dates
Potential customers; asking about what the company could do to make them customers
Current customers; what and when do they want a product?
To ask for more information concerning a product, service or other information about a product or service that interests us
Letters of Inquiry should identify the purpose at the beginning