Voorbeeld van opmaak zakelijke brief: Een complete gids

Writing a professional business letter is an essential skill for effective communication in the corporate world. Whether you’re applying for a job, making a formal request, or addressing a business partner, understanding the correct business letter format ensures your message is clear and professional.

In this guide, we’ll cover the standard business letter format, provide a business letter example, and share practical insights based on real-world usage to help you avoid common mistakes.

What Most People Get Wrong About Business Letter Format

After reviewing multiple templates and real-world examples, one issue stands out:

Most people don’t struggle with writing—they struggle with structure.

Common mistakes include:

• Mixing email and letter formats
• Placing sections in the wrong order
• Using inconsistent formatting

This is why even well-written letters can still look unprofessional.

Standard Business Letter Format

A business letter follows a structured format to ensure clarity and professionalism. Below is the correct layout:

Sender’s Address

Place your company or personal address at the top-left corner. If using letterhead, you can skip this section.

Date

Write the full date below the sender’s address (e.g., January 30, 2025).

Recipient’s Address

Include the recipient’s name, title, company, and address.

Salutation

Use a professional greeting:

• Dear Mr. Smith,
• Dear Hiring Manager,
• To Whom It May Concern,

Body Paragraphs

• Opening: State your purpose clearly
• Middle: Provide details or context
• Closing: Summarize and include next steps

Closing

• Sincerely,
• Best regards,
• Respectfully,

Signature

Add your signature followed by your typed name and title.

Block Format vs Modified Block Format: Which One Should You Use?

One of the biggest sources of confusion is formatting style.

Block Format (Recommended)

• All text aligned left
• Clean and modern
• Most widely accepted

Modified Block Format

• Some elements aligned right
• More traditional

👉 In most modern business scenarios, block format is the safest choice.

Business Letter vs Email: What’s the Real Difference?

Many people confuse business letters with emails.

Here’s the practical difference:

AspectBusiness LetterEmailFormalityHighMediumStructureFixedFlexibleUse caseOfficial communicationDaily communicationFormattingStrictLoose

👉 Use business letters for formal, legal, or professional communication.

How Formal Should a Business Letter Be in 2026?

Tone is a major challenge.

From real-world usage:

• Too formal → sounds robotic
• Too casual → feels unprofessional

👉 Best approach:

• Clear
• Polite
• Direct

Modern business writing values clarity over complexity.

The Hardest Part: How to Start and End a Business Letter

Many people struggle most with:

Opening

A strong opening should:

• State purpose immediately
• Avoid filler phrases

Example:
“I am writing to request…”

Closing

A strong closing should:

• Summarize key point
• Include next step

Example:
“I look forward to your response.”

Business Letter Format Example

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]

[Date]

[Recipient’s Name]
[Recipient’s Job Title]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I am writing to [state the purpose of the letter]. [Provide key background information.]

[Expand your message with relevant details.]

[Summarize your request and include a call to action.]

Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Name]
[Your Job Title]

A Simple Copy-Paste Business Letter Template (Most Useful Section)

If you just need something quick and effective, use this:

Dear [Name],I am writing to [purpose].[Provide key details.][State your request or next step.]Thank you for your time and consideration.Sincerely, [Your Name]

👉 This works for most business situations.

When Should You Actually Use a Business Letter Today?

Business letters are still widely used in:

• Job applications
• Formal requests
• Legal communication
• Corporate correspondence

However, for daily communication, email is usually preferred.

Common Formatting Mistakes That Make Letters Look Unprofessional

Even small mistakes can reduce credibility:

• Inconsistent spacing
• Missing contact details
• Incorrect alignment
• Overly long paragraphs

👉 Fixing formatting alone can significantly improve professionalism.

Why Templates Matter More Than Rules

One key insight from real usage:

👉 Templates are more useful than theory.

Instead of memorizing rules:

• Use a proven structure
• Customize content

This approach saves time and reduces errors.

Tips for Writing an Effective Business Letter

✔ Be Clear and Concise
✔ Use Professional Language
✔ Maintain Proper Formatting
✔ Proofread Before Sending
✔ Include Contact Information

How AI Tools Can Help You Write Better Business Letters

Writing professional letters can be time-consuming. Tools like VOMO AI help streamline the process by:

• Converting voice notes into structured text
• Generating summaries from discussions
• Drafting business letters quickly

Instead of starting from scratch, you can turn ideas into polished communication instantly.

Simplify Business Communication with AI

Writing and managing professional business letters can be time-consuming. VOMO AI helps streamline communication by:

• Transcribing voice memos into formatted text.

• Generating AI-powered summaries of long discussions.

• Helping you draft business emails and letters quickly and accurately.

Whether you’re handling correspondence, preparing reports, or organizing meeting notes, VOMO AI ensures efficiency and accuracy in all your business communications.

🔹 Try VOMO AI todayand elevate your business writing!

Conclusion

Understanding the correct business letter format is essential for professional communication. While the structure may seem strict at first, using templates and clear formatting makes the process much easier.

By combining a proven format, simple language, and modern tools, you can write business letters that are both professional and effective.

👉 Start with a template, keep it clear, and focus on your message.