The Do’s and Don’ts of Formatting a Personalized Letter
A personalized letter is written to a specific person or group instead of a general letter. Personalized letters are often sent to build a relationship with the recipient, whether for business or personal reasons. When writing a personalized letter, there are certain things you should do to make a good impression, as well as some things you should avoid. Letter from Santa is an excellent example of personalized letters.
Do And Don’ts Of Formatting A Personalized Letter
When writing a personalized letter, there are certain things you should do to make a good impression. These include:
Do:
- Use a standard business letter format: The recipient’s name and address should be at the top of the letter, followed by your name and address. The date should come next, and then the salutation (Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. [Last Name]).
- Address the recipient by name: Start the letter with a friendly opening, such as “I hope you are doing well.” Then, throughout the letter, address the recipient by name to create a more personal touch.
- Keep it short and sweet: A personalized letter should be no longer than one page. Anything longer might seem like you’re trying too hard.
- Write out the full date: Use an appropriate closing: “Sincerely,” “Warmest Regards,” or “Best Wishes” are all good options.
- Spell out all words correctly: This includes the recipient’s name, your name, and other proper nouns.
- Use proper grammar and punctuation: This goes without saying, but be sure to proofread your letter before sending it off. Even a tiny mistake can leave a wrong impression.
- Use polite language: Choose your words carefully and avoid slang or profanity.
Don’t:
- Don’t go into too much detail: A personalized letter should give just enough information to pique the recipient’s interest. Save the rest for
- Use Comic Sans font: This is a very informal font that should be avoided in any business correspondence.
- Send mass emails: Even if you are emailing the same letter to multiple people, each email should be addressed to a specific person. “Dear Friend” or “To Whom it May Concern” are not appropriate salutations.
- Get too personal: A personalized letter is different from a love letter. Avoid getting too intimate or sharing too much information about yourself.
- Forget to sign your name: Always sign your name at the end of the letter, preferably in blue or black ink.
- Write the date in numerical form: Always spell out the entire date, including the month, day, and year.
- Use abbreviations: Avoid using abbreviations in formal letters. Instead, spell out all words in total.
Conclusion:
You should do specific things while writing a customized letter to make a positive impression. These include using a standard business letter format, addressing the recipient by name, keeping the letter short and sweet, and using proper grammar and punctuation. There are also some things you should avoid doing, such as using Comic Sans font, sending mass emails, getting too personal, forgetting to sign your name, writing the date in numerical form, or using abbreviations. Following these guidelines can make a good impression with your personalized letter.