`DEMAND FOR PAYMENT, STRONG TONE [Date] [NAME, COMPANY AND ADDRESS, ex. Tom Atkinson COMANY Inc.

14 Edith Street, Hackney West, ZIP POST CODE] This letter will serve as formal notice to you that you are in default of your obligation to repay the sum of [AMOUNT OWING, ex. $5,000.00] which was advanced to you on [DATE OF ORIGINAL ADVANCE, ie. January 1, 1996]. This amount has been overdue since [DATE OF MATURITY TO PAYMENT OBLIGATION, ex. April 30, 1998] and you have failed to repay the same despite repeated requests for payment by our us. Unless payment of the above amount is received by us in full within ten (10) days of the date of this letter, we will have no alternative but to exercise whatever rights and remedies we have under the law to enforce such payment, including but not limited to institution of legal proceedings against you to recover the above amount, together with accrued interest and legal expenses. Kindly govern yourself accordingly. Yours truly, [YOUR NAME, ex. Tony Montana

CONFIRMATION OF MEETING WITH CUSTOMER [Date]

[NAME, COMPANY AND ADDRESS, ex. Tom Atkinson COMANY Inc. 14 Edith Street, Hackney West, ZIP POST CODE] Dear [NAME, ex. Tom Atkinson], It was a pleasure to speak with you the other day. I am looking forward to meeting with you on [DATE, ex. June 15] to discuss [SUBJECT, ex. whether outsourcing manufacturing capacity at your firm will be will be profitable]. To confirm, we will be meeting [LOCATION, ex. in your office, 5555 First Street, #123], at [TIME, ex. 3:00 PM]. Please contact me if I am mistaken.

Again, I thank you for your time and effort. I am certain that our meeting will prove productive to our goals. Sincerely,

[YOUR NAME, ex. Tony Montana]

LATE PAYMENT, MODERATE TONE: FINAL NOTICE [Date] [NAME, COMPANY AND ADDRESS, ex. Tom Atkinson COMANY Inc. 14 Edith Street, Hackney West, ZIP POST CODE] Dear [NAME, ex. Tom Atkinson], I am following the previous three letters we sent to you with this final letter, hoping that we will not be forced to forward your account to a collection agency. Your account has been unpaid in the amount of $[AMOUNT] for over four months. Reluctantly, if we do not receive payment within the next five business days, we are left with no alternative but to take actions which may permanently and adversely affect your good credit rating. Indeed, it would be to both our benefits to resolve this matter immediately. Again, we hope to receive your payment within the next five business days. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME, ex. Tony Montana]

REFUSAL OF JOB OFFER [Date] [NAME, COMPANY AND ADDRESS, ex. Tom Atkinson COMANY Inc. 14 Edith Street, Hackney West, ZIP POST CODE]

Dear [NAME, ex. Tom Atkinson], I am delighted by your offer to join [FIRM, ex. COMANY Inc]. Although I find the position and job duties to be challenging and tailored to my abilities, I have reluctantly decided not to accept the offer [STATE REASON, ex. as I would prefer to stay in the Phoenix area]. It was a pleasure to meet with you and I thank you for the time you gave me. I wish yourself and [FIRM, ex. COMANY Inc.] the best in the future. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME, ex. Tony Montana]

Short Request for Leave of Absence [Date] [NAME, COMPANY AND ADDRESS, ex. Tom Atkinson COMANY Inc. 14 Edith Street, Hackney West, ZIP POST CODE] Dear [NAME, ex. Tom Atkinson], This letter is to request a leave of absence from [date] to [date] for the following reason. My physician has recommended that I refrain from working during this period in order that I [reason]. While I was hoping to work two weeks longer than suggested, I feel that I should defer to their judgment. Very truly yours, [YOUR NAME, ex. Tony Montana]

Request for Leave of Absence

[Date] [NAME, COMPANY AND ADDRESS, ex. Tom Atkinson COMANY Inc.

14 Edith Street, Hackney West, ZIP POST CODE] Dear [NAME, ex. Tom Atkinson], As you may have heard, [briefly describe situation requiring this request]. It is with this in mind that I am requesting a thirty (30) day leave of absence. I will be back at my desk, with my full attention, as always, on [date]. If you need any additional information, please contact me at extension [#]. Very truly yours, [YOUR NAME, ex. Tony Montana]

y y y y y y y

Email is much less formal than a written letter. Emails are usually short and concise. If you are writing to someone you don't know, a simple "Hello" is adequate. Using a salutation such as "Dear Mr Smith," is too formal. When writing to someone you know well, feel free to write as if you are speaking to the person. Use abbreviated verb forms (He's, We're, He'd, etc.) Include a telephone number to the signature of the email. This will give the recipient the chance to telephone if necessary. It is not necessary to include your email address as the recipient can just reply to the email. When replying eliminate all the information that is not necessary. Only leave the sections of text that are related to your reply. This will save your reader time when reading your email.

--------------CLIENT Dear Ms. Dubois, We are very interested in stocking several products from your range. Would it be possible for you to send us samples of the following items:SFA 1058 NFB 8734 BF 0925

Kind regards, John Wilson. (product manager) --------------SUPPLIER Dear Mr Wilson, We would be very happy to send you samples of SFA 1058, NFB 8734 and BF 0925. However, our company policy is that you would have to pay for these and the courrier fee. We hope this is not inconvenient for you. Best regards, Brigitte Dubois. (export manager)

.N.Y. Company Ltd 69 Any Street, Anyville, Anystate Tel: 0123456789 Date To Whom It May Concern: Reference for Mr James Blond James Blond joined the A.N.Y. Company in July 1998. Since then he has proved to be a most reliable and effective member of the sales team. James is professional and efficient in his approach to work and very well-liked by his colleagues and executive clients. He is well-presented and able to work both independently and as part of a team. His contribution to all areas of company activity in which he has been involved have been much appreciated. I believe that James will make a valuable addition to any organization that he may join. We deeply regret his decision to move on and I recommend him without hesitation. I would gladly answer any request for further information.

Sincerely,

Penny Farthing
Penny Farthing Managing Director

REJECTION OF PROPOSAL [Date] [NAME, COMPANY AND ADDRESS, ex. Tom Atkinson COMANY Inc. 14 Edith Street, Hackney West, ZIP POST CODE] Dear [NAME, ex. Tom Atkinson], I was pleased to receive and examine your proposal of [DATE, ex. June 10]. Thank you for your interest in [NATURE OF PROPOSAL, ex. rendering cleaning services at our construction sites]. I regret, however, that we are unable to accept your proposal. [STATE REASON(S), ex. Although I find the services outlined in your proposal to be of high quality, we are currently under two-year contract with Jerry's Disposal for similar services.] {IF THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF DOING BUSINESS IN THE FUTURE, MENTION SO, ex. After the contract expires, however, we will be pleased to discuss the possibility of doing business in the future.} Thanks again for your proposal. I do appreciate your time and effort and wish you the best in the future. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME, ex. Tony Montana]

EXCUSE FROM JURY DUTY, #1 [Date] [NAME AND ADDRESS, ex. Tom Atkinson 14 Edith Street, Hackney West, ZIP POST CODE] Dear [NAME, ex. Tom Atkinson], I am in receipt of your letter of [DATE, ex. June 10, 1998]. Although I am honored by the privilege, I respectfully request that I be excused from jury duty. [STATE REASON(S), ex. I am currently employed by ABC International Incorporated of Tempe. As a small firm, my employer will be unable to pay me during my absence for jury duty. Simply stated, my financial position will be severely affected as a result. I will be able to forward a statement from my employer if you so require.] I trust that you understand my position and excuse me, thus, from jury duty. You may contact me at XXXXXXX if there are any concerns. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME, ex. Tony Montana]

The following are some tips to help you when you are writing business letters through email. y A heading is not necessary in an email (your return address, their address, and the date). y Use a descriptive subject line. y Avoid using an inappropriate or silly email address; register a professional sounding address if you don't have one. y Use simple formatting, keep everything flush with the left margin; avoid special formatting and tabs. y Keep your letter formal, just because it's an email instead of a hard copy is no excuse for informality (don't forget to use spell check and proper grammar). y Try to keep your letter less than 80 characters wide, some email readers will create line breaks on anything longer and ruin the formatting.

y If possible, avoid attachments unless the recipient has requested or is expecting an attachment. If it is a text document, simply cut and paste the text below your letter and strip out any special formatting. y If the person's name is unknown, address the person's title e.g. Dear Director of Human Resources.