A letter of intent, also known as a LOI, is a formal document expressing an individual’s or organization’s intention to undertake a specific action. This term is often used in education, business, and law for various situations such as applying for a program, entering business negotiations, or indicating an intention to take legal action.
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How to make a letter of intent
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Start with your contact information, the date, and the recipient’s contact information.
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Address the recipient appropriately in a formal tone.
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State the purpose of the letter in the opening paragraph. This can include your desire to apply for a position or to initiate a business transaction.
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Use the following paragraphs to provide more details about your qualifications, intentions, or proposals.
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Conclude by thanking the recipient for their consideration and provide information for how they can contact you.
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Finish up with a formal closing, your name, and your signature.
How to use a letter of intent template
A letter of intent template can serve as a guide and make the writing process simpler. Here’s how:
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Select a template suitable for your purpose (e.g., applying to a program, proposing a business transaction).
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Fill out the areas of the template with your specific information and intentions.
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Customize any boilerplate language in the template to better fit your personal voice and the specifics of the situation.
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Proofread the document thoroughly for any errors, and have someone else check it too, if possible.
Letter of intent FAQ
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What’s the main purpose of a letter of intent? The primary purpose of a letter of intent is to formally express an individual’s or organization’s intent to undertake a certain action.
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Is a letter of intent legally binding? No, a letter of intent is not usually legally binding. A letter of intent typically outlines the terms of a deal or confirms mutual interest but does not bind either party legally. However, certain clauses in the letter could be legally binding, such as non-disclosure agreements.
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What information should you include in a letter of intent? A letter of intent should include clear statements of intent, specific details relevant to the intent (like qualifications, proposals, or interests), and personal contact information.
Author
Matthew Zane is the lead editor of Zippia's How To Get A Job Guides. He is a teacher, writer, and world-traveler that wants to help people at every stage of the career life cycle. He completed his masters in American Literature from Trinity College Dublin and BA in English from the University of Connecticut.
