Writing letters is a skill everyone wants to master over time. The importance of written communication in professional and personal spaces often necessitates the development of letter-writing. Letter writing allows you to express yourself in various ways. In particular, each informal letter retains a personal touch because it is written with your own hands. 

An informal letter is a personal letter written to let your friends or family members know about what is going on in your life or to convey your regards. You usually write an informal letter to a family member, a friend, or a close acquaintance.

The language used in this letter type is usually casual and personal. The informal letter format allows you to be expressive and conversational, making it perfect for sharing personal updates.

The best part about these letters is that they are not written according to any set of rules or regulations. There is no requirement for a pattern or format. These letters are written to enhance communication between family members, friends, and relatives, to name a few. In this guide, we will learn more about an informal letter format, its associated samples, templates, and other relevant details.

How to Write an Informal Letter? 

The best part of informal email or letter writing is that you do not have to worry about anything while writing these. When the letter format is informal, then you do not need to look into which email structure to use or what professional words should be used. Compared to formal letters, where it is essential to keep the message short and explain the issue/request concisely without going into too much detail or other matters, informal letters are just the opposite. 

In an informal letter, you are free to touch on any topic and write freely. However, it is always best to follow professional etiquette, even while writing informal letters. Hence, here are some things that you can keep in mind: 

1. Keep the audience in mind. If you are writing to a business audience for informal reasons, like asking how the person has been all this time or asking for a meet-up, then it is essential to follow a business tone. However, if you are writing to a friend or a relative, your tone can be casual. 
2. The tone of the informal letter changes according to the goal of the email. For instance, the tone of letters to friends and relatives is casual. However, if you are inviting them to an occasion, then the tone will change to professional and welcoming. So, the motive behind your email can help you phrase it accordingly and choose the right style. 
3. Ensure the subject line encapsulates the main motto of sending the email so it encourages the recipient to open it and look into it. It is best to keep the subject straight to the point. For instance, if you are writing an invitation letter, then keep the subject line as “You are cordially invited to,” or if you are writing a casual letter, then the subject line should be “It’s been a long time since we have last met. How are you”. 
4. While writing the message body, ensure that you write a formal greeting, such as “I hope you are doing well,” before getting into the nitty-gritty of the informal email. This friendly greeting sets out a positive tone for the conversation. If the letter format is informal, you can be creative and come up with better greetings that feel more personalized.  
5. Opt for short sentences and small paragraphs so it is easy for the recipient to comprehend. 
6. Mention a call to action before writing the closing remark so the recipient will understand what to do after reading the email. 

6 Best Informal Letter Templates and Samples

To draft an informal letter, you can use customizable templates from Neo, which help you get started quickly and write a professional email. Neo also offers you an AI Smart Write feature to help you draft informal letters with ease.

Let us now look at some examples of popular informal letter templates and their samples to help you better understand the writing style.

Template 1: Letter to a Distant Relative

Subject: (A single line summarizing the letter as per the discussion topic in the email)

Dearest [Recipient’s Name],

I was so glad to hear from [mention source, if applicable, like “your parents”] that you are [mention recent event or activity]. I hope [express good wishes related to the event, like “you had a safe and enjoyable trip”]. I have been waiting to hear all about it from you!

Since it was [mention any unique aspect, like “a new experience”], I imagine every moment was just as exciting as you hoped. I have heard from [mention any friends or family who know the place] that [share what you've heard about the location]. However, I was a bit concerned when I heard [mention any known challenges]. I hope you and everyone with you were safe and that everything else went smoothly.

I also saw some of your pictures on [mention social media platforms], and I can’t wait to meet you in person to hear all about the details. Your experiences always inspire me!

I am eagerly waiting for your reply!

Your loving [relationship, like “cousin” or “friend”],

[Your Name]

Sample Letter 

Template 2: Invitation for an Upcoming Event

Subject: You are cordially invited to [name of upcoming event]

Dearest [Recipient’s Name],

Hope you are doing well and that everyone at home is safe and healthy. It’s been such a long time since we last met, so I was thinking it’s about time for us to catch up. I am planning a get-together for next month, and I would love for us to talk about it in more detail.

I thought we could meet on [suggested day, e.g., “a specific evening”] and spend the weekend at a resort in [location, e.g., “the United States”]. The weather there would be perfect, and I think it would be a great way for all of us to relax and unwind. We could also explore some of the well-known tourist spots if everyone’s interested. If you are ready for this, I will make sure to reach out to the others to make arrangements.

I can also stop by next weekend so we can discuss more of the details together. I look forward to hearing from you and hopefully seeing you soon!

Love,

[Your Name]

Sample Letter

Template 3: An Apology Letter

Subject: (A single line summarizing the letter)

Dearest [Recipient’s Name],

Thank you so much for organizing [mention the event, e.g., “a get-together for our group”]. It was incredibly thoughtful of you, and I truly appreciate your efforts. However, I regret to inform you that I won’t be able to join due to [explain the reason for absence]. 

If there’s any possibility of rescheduling the event, perhaps [suggest alternate times, e.g., “before the month-end” or mention a specific date], I would love to participate and not miss the chance to see everyone.

I really hope we can work something out so I can be there with all of you!

With love,

[Your Name]

Sample Letter

Template 4: Congratulating a Friend Over Success

Subject: Congratulations! 

Dearest [Recipient’s Name],

I was overjoyed to hear that you [mention the reason]! I felt so happy for you and only wished I could be there in person to congratulate you!

Your excellent results are a testament to your hard work, determination, and perseverance. You’ve always been so passionate and dedicated, and it’s wonderful to see it all pay off. Although I know you were nervous about the results, I never doubted that you would achieve success.

I am sorry I couldn’t make it to your celebration party, but I am looking forward to seeing you soon to celebrate in person. My family also sends their warmest congratulations and best wishes for your bright future.

With lots of love and best wishes,

[Your Name]

Sample Letter

Template 5: Letter to a Friend Describing a New Experience

Subject: (A single line summarizing the letter)

Dearest [Recipient’s Name],

How have you been? I hope my letter finds you in the best of spirits. It’s been [mention duration, e.g., “so many months”] since [mention a particular event, e.g., “I transferred to [location name]”], and I wanted to share my experience with you.

I am very happy and satisfied with [mention specific details, e.g., “my new school”]. The [describe features], and there are [mention facilities]. There are also several amazing sports facilities, like [list notable activities].

Because of the [mentioned facilities], my life here is becoming quite interesting. I still miss you and look forward to catching up when we can.

Please send my regards to your family. I hope to meet you soon during the holidays!

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]

Sample Letter

Template 6: Letter to a Friend Wishing Speedy Recovery

Subject: (A single line summarizing the letter)

Dear [Friend's Name],

I was so sorry to hear about your [illness/injury]. I can only imagine how tough it must be for you right now. Please know that I am thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery.

I know you are a very strong individual, which gives me confidence that you will be back on your feet at the earliest. Remember to take all the time you need to rest and heal. If there is anything I can do to help, please don’t hesitate to let me know.

I look forward to seeing you back to your usual self soon. Until then, take good care of yourself and make sure to get plenty of rest.

Warmest wishes,

[Your Name]

Sample Letter

Bottom Line

The best part about writing an informal letter is that you can literally write about anything you feel or think you want to convey. Informal letters can also be written to inform your dear ones, friends, or family members about a movie you watched, about your success in a particular competition, regarding the trip that you would be going on, and so on.

It can also be about enquiring about someone's well-being, inviting people to go along with you on a vacation or trip, congratulating people on their new job, conveying your gratitude or regards, etc. Subsequently, you can be as personal as you want when writing an informal letter to your recipients. 

An informal letter is easier to write than a formal letter. However, there are certain considerations to keep in mind when drafting your content. That is why it is recommended to go through an informal letter format to know how to add your introduction, body of content, and other relevant details. You can also take a look at some informal letter examples to ensure you do not make any mistakes when sending your letters. 

Remember, a well-written informal letter reflects your personality and strengthens your bond with the recipient. So, take your time to make it thoughtful, warm, and engaging.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the rules to follow when writing a letter format informal?

Your informal letter format should begin with a proper address and date. For a better start, add some form of greeting or salutation. Then, proceed with the introduction and the body of the letter. Conclude with your name or bid a farewell as needed.

2. What are the benefits of writing letter format informal?

Informal letters can be a personal way of communicating with friends, family, or other close acquaintances. They offer a unique opportunity to express yourself freely while maintaining personal connections through written communication.

3. Is a signature mandatory in the informal letter format?

No, you do not need to add a signature in an informal letter. It does not require a formal signature at the end. However, if needed, the sender's name may be included at the end of the letter.

4. Is there any limit to writing a letter format informal?

There is no limit to informal letters because you may be writing them to your friends, relatives, or anyone you know. It means these people have time to read the lengthy letters you write to them. This is unlike formal letters where you may have to maintain short paragraphs or conclude it fast with the primary information present in it.