Business letter closings are part of a standard format but are subject to several variations. Sometimes called the “complimentary close”, business letter closings vary by geography, type of letter and sometimes relationship of the writer to the recipient. In learning how to write a business letter, pay attention to all three in choosing your close. Your choice can change the tone of your business letter, creating a more or less formal or friendly message. Depending on your standing with the recipient, as well as the part of the world you are both in, this can make a difference in how your message is received.
Geography
In the U.K., business letters almost always adhere to long standing tradition and close with Yours faithfully, while in North America and Australia, Yours sincerely is the norm. You’ll also see Yours truly on some letters.
Type of Letter
Formal business letter closings generally use the complete phrase, such as Yours truly, and sometimes it will be amplified to Yours very truly. Letters to professionals of high standing, such as judges or senior government officials, may close with Respectfully. In diplomatic circles, business letter closings can be quite elaborate and unusual, e.g. Your obedient servant!
Relationship
When writer and recipient know each other well, more casual closings are acceptable in North America and Australia, and sometimes even in the U.K. Popular choices include Best Regards, Regards, Cordially.
In all variations of business letter closings, the first letter of the first word is capitalized, but the second is not, e.g. Yours sincerely, not Yours Sincerely.
By: Helen Wilkie
Business Letter Closings – Are You Sincere, Faithful or True?
10 Credos for Doing Business
Opportunities for doing business can increase if your values match the values which your customer holds. So what are the best ways for doing business through relationships? Here is the list of the ten best ways that I have come across through my own and others personal experience:
Always listen to the other person Give away information that will help the other person in writing Dress professionally Have a business card that is not homemade Provide many ways to contact you including your web address and email Have a nice looking website with good content Always answer your emails and queries promptly Create touch points that are meaningful Build the relationship before trying to sell Be focuses on your expertise and do not try to be everything
Your message must be clear and concise yet it must create an excitement about what you have to say and what services you provide. The next topic will give you a list of the best ways to create that excitement.
The first point is always the most difficult for people as we all have a tendency to want to talk about our own business and what is happening within our own world. I always remember the sales folks I want to avoid because they cannot stop talking about how great their product is. I could not care less about the product, what I want is what can that product do for me and how can it help to solve my problems.
By: Bette Daoust, Ph.D.
1950′s Printed Cardboard Boxes – Giving Classical Appeal to Your Business
Do you have a restaurant that sells classical American cuisines or at least a restaurant that is themed like the 1950′s? If you do, then why not give your customers an appealing aspect when they order take outs, such as putting the food in a 1950′s printed cardboard boxes. With a touch of history printed on the cardboard boxes, you will be able to make your restaurant known.
The 1950s is an era filled with great things. In fact, people remember it as the United State’s golden era where the cars were unique and great looking, and it is also an era filled with great cars, great personalities, and great historical events that are etched into people’s mind forever.
If you want to remind them about what happened, or at least give them a little bit of history about America’s golden era, you can try printing things that are 1950s in your take out card board box.
By doing this, you will see that it will be very appealing to people and it will also provide you with a great way to promote your business. Besides, if your customers are walking around carrying their take out from your restaurant, then you will be able to advertise it.
As you can see, this does not only serve a way for people to conveniently carry their food in, but it is also a great way to advertise your restaurant. Because you will be printing your cardboard take out boxes with a unique theme, you will be able to attract the people looking at it. This will leave them curious and will try and find your restaurant.
As you can see, this is a great way to advertise your establishment and the best part of all this is that it is very cheap.
There are cardboard manufacturing companies that will be able to make your cardboards at a discounted price if you order in bulk. Also, there are printing companies that can do the design for you. There are a lot of talented people out there who will be able to provide you with the 1950s that will be printed on your cardboard boxes. In fact, in order to add a little more variety, you might want to try printing different theme on different boxes.
These are the things that you have to remember when you are running a restaurant or a restaurant with a theme. With it, you will not only educate people about what happened in the 1950s and the famous personalities back in those years, but you will also have a great tool that you can use to advertise your restaurant.
As you can see, cardboard boxes that you use for putting in take outs can definitely provide you a great way to advertise your establishment and reminisce the past.
So, if you think that you need a way to tell people a little something about your restaurant, you might want to switch from a regular looking cardboard box to a 1950′s printed cardboard box. With it, you will be able to attract more customers and you will also get a lot of attention for your establishment. So, the next time you plan on advertising your establishment but you don’t have enough money for a TV or radio commercial, try something a little more cost effective but very effective advertising method through the use of your food take out cardboard box.
By: Rajesh Karavadia