There’s a science to sending emails that get opened and land you those coveted responses. The best times to send cold emails are usually during the weekdays and working hours.
With cold emails having a conversion rate of 1%, it’s a tricky endeavor to get right. In this article, we’ll discuss the best times and days to send cold emails.
Understanding the Factors that Influence Cold Email Open Rates
Cold emailing is a time-sensitive endeavor you have to master to get maximum results.Â
Timing is everything, especially in the fast-paced world of B2B SaaS sales.
Here’s a breakdown of the key factors influencing cold email open rates:
- From Name and Sender Address: Think of it as snail mail. A clear, recognizable sender name builds trust, avoiding generic labels like “Marketing Team.”
- Subject Line Magic: Craft a subject line that’s clear, concise, and piques your recipient’s interest. Think “solving their pain point” or “offering valuable insights.”
- Personalization Power: A generic “Dear Sir or Madam” doesn’t cut it anymore. Use the recipient’s name and tailor the content to their challenges.
- Timing is Everything: Sending your email when your prospect is most likely to check it can significantly increase your open rate. Consider their time zone as well.
- Relevance is King: Your email should offer genuine value to your recipient. Address their pain points and showcase how your product can be the solution.
- Mobile-Friendly Matters: These days, most emails are opened on smartphones. Ensure your email is formatted for mobile devices and easy to read. Keep the content concise and visually appealing.
- Active Subscribers Only: Regularly remove inactive subscribers from your list to maintain a healthy sending reputation and improve email deliverability rates. A clean list ensures your emails reach people interested in what you have to offer.
- Following-up: Effective follow-ups are the backbone of any successful cold email outreach. The first follow-up can boost your reply rate by 49%.
Understanding the Factors that Influence the Right Time for Sending Cold Emails
Don’t let your carefully crafted email vanish into the inbox abyss! The timing of your cold email can significantly impact its success. Here are key factors to consider for optimal timing:
- Respecting Time Zones: This is crucial. Sending an email at 3 AM local time guarantees it’ll be buried. Aim for business hours within the recipient’s location.
- Targeting the Workday Sweet Spot: People typically check emails upon arrival, during breaks, or after lunch.
- Industry Rhythms: Tailor your timing to the workday flow of your target audience. Some industries might be more active at specific times.
- A/B Testing is Key: Experiment with sending times within your chosen window. See what resonates best with your specific audience.
Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. By considering these factors and leveraging A/B testing, you can discover the optimal timing for your cold email campaigns. You can maximize your chances of landing in inboxes when prospects are most receptive.
Best Days of the Week to Send Cold Emails
The best days of the week to send cold emails, according to HubSpot, are Monday to Wednesday. They have an email engagement rate of around 22.93%
Moreover, here’s a table of the average results of email campaigns per day. The data is derived from GetResponse’s 2023 Email Marketing Benchmark.
Day | Open Rate | Click-Through-Rate (CTR) |
Monday | 26.83% | 2.16% |
Tuesday | 27.48% | 2.26% |
Wednesday | 26.98% | 2.16% |
Thursday | 27.14% | 2.20% |
Friday | 27.12% | 2.14% |
Saturday | 24.79% | 1.85% |
Sunday | 25.58% | 2.01% |
Here’s a bonus statistics of the average monthly results of email campaigns:
Best Times of the Day to Send Cold Emails
Various pieces of research indicate the best times to send cold emails. According to Cience research, the best time to send cold emails is between 8 AM and 9 AM. In Omnisend research, the best time to send cold emails is 2 PM, 5 PM, and 8 PM.
Furthermore, here are some general guidelines that you can follow to ensure that you’re sending your initial cold emails at the best time:
- Weekdays are Key: Avoid weekends when people are less focused on work. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are the most effective days.
- Mid-Morning or Early Afternoon: People are checking emails upon arrival (8 AM to 11 AM) or catching up after lunch (12 PM to 2 PM) in the recipient’s time zone.
- Job Role Matters: Executives with packed schedules might be more receptive to early mornings or late afternoons when they have fewer distractions.
- Time Zone Awareness: Always respect the recipient’s time zone. Sending an email at an inconvenient hour guarantees it’ll be overlooked.
Tips for Optimizing Your Email Sending Schedule
Let’s face it, hitting “send” on a cold email can feel like spinning the roulette wheel. Here are some tips for optimizing your email-sending schedule.
- Sales Engagement and CRM Platforms: Cold email software offers features like ideal sending time suggestions based on historical data and industry trends. Use these insights to schedule your emails for maximum impact.
- Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket: Craft a sales cadence that combines emails with other channels like social media messaging or phone calls. Arrange these touchpoints across different days and times to keep your prospect engaged.
- Warm Them Up First: A strong SDR team is crucial. They can qualify leads, nurture relationships, and warm up prospects before your emails hit their inboxes.
By implementing these tips, you can transform your email-sending schedule from a guessing game to a well-oiled machine.