How to Address a Woman in a Business Letter
Business letters can be the first professional contact you have with an individual whom can affect your future. You may be applying for a job, making an inquiry to sell a product, fundraising for an organization or making a recommendation for a person for employment. Proper etiquette is crucial when you are doing business with a professional. It is very important to address a woman correctly in a business letter.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Write the businesswoman's title, if you know it, as you address her in a letter. For example, when writing the salutation, write "Dear Sales Manager Steeves." You must end a salutation in a business letter with the colon.
-
2
Address a business letter to a doctor by writing "Dr. Emily Steeves," or "Dr. Steeves" if you do not know the first name.
-
-
3
Write "Pastor Emily Steeves" when writing a business letter to a female minister. If you have a personal friendship or are a member of her church, it will be permissible if you address her as "Pastor Emily" in the salutation.
-
4
Use proper etiquette when addressing a woman when you have her full name information but no knowledge if she is married or has a title. Write "Ms. Emily Steeves" with the salutation of "Dear Emily Steeves" when opening the letter. This is the standard procedure when titles and marital status are not known.
-
5
Open a business letter for a single or married woman with "Miss" or "Mrs." if you know her and know she prefers to be addressed in one of these ways. When in doubt, use "Ms." when addressing a woman in a business recipient's address and salutation.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Never use a lesser title for a businesswoman if you are unsure of her title. This is one way to appear seriously unprofessional. Do not take an attitude of familiarity with a businesswoman if you do not have a professional relationship with her.
