How to write a business letter?

Right here is everything you need to know about writing a business letter.

And, in case you like lists, here is a list of guidelines. You can print it out and tuck it in a pocket in case you forget what you need to do.

The best advice anyone can give to anyone who is about to compose a letter is to write a draft and sit on it for a day or two and then read it again BEFORE you ever send it. ( true words of wisdom ).

And always include a boiler plate disclaimer with all your business email content.
Example below: ( copy and paste in a much smaller font set in italics at the end of email message ).
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential. Do not disseminate, distribute or copy this email. This email is intended solely for viewing by the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received this email in error, please notify the system manager. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this email. Please notify the sender immediately by email if you have received this email by mistake and delete this email from your system. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited.
The user of email account, ( blank@blank.blank), accepts no liability for the content of this email, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided, unless that information is subsequently confirmed in writing. Please send us by fax any message containing deadlines, as incoming emails are not screened for response deadlines. The integrity and security of this message cannot be guaranteed on the Internet.

I’m actually teaching a course on this. Generally, as below. All aligned left, no commas after the opening or closing. However, note that there is no one “fixed” way, and different companies have their own company culture regarding letters and emails.

Dear…

I’m writing in connection with..

(details paragraph)

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely
...

@Brahmaviharas, whose style is that? In the U.S. we definitely follow the salutation and closing with punctuation. This is not a matter of company practices. It’s the form we are taught in the schools.

It’s called “block style” and it’s used internationally. Punctuation isn’t used in the dates or in addresses either. For more info, refer to “Company to Company,”, published by Cambridge University Press.

Of course, as I originally noted, there’s no one “right” way and people are taught all kinds of things in school. I teach at an international school, so we use international conventions. For example, no American 8/6/09 or British 6/8/09, but rather a clear 8 September 2009.

Traditional block style does use punctuation, at least in the U.S. Letters written without it will look ignorant to people who are following traditional business usage. The guidance at the link supplied by @chelseababyy above would produce a polished business letter by American standards.

The OP doesn’t specify where he lives or what his needs are. The best suggestion for him then would probably be this: if you need to know for school, ask your teacher, and if you need to know for work, ask for a copy of your company guidelines.

@everyone I learned a lot from alll of your suggestions. @sparklefag is that the legal terms, word per word? thank you for writing that one.

If you are sending a letter to a business rather than from a business, such as when applying for a job, follow the best practices for the country in question. If you are applying for a job or writing to a business or professional firm in the U.S., follow the guidelines in the first post.