We’ve all been there—scrolling through emails during a break or while sipping coffee first thing in the morning. It’s in these small moments of downtime that certain emails grab our attention, especially when they come at the perfect time. Sending sales emails is all about understanding your audience’s schedule and habits. When done right, it can transform a simple email into a lead-generating catalyst.
The bottom line is that your email marketing efforts are less effective when you don’t optimize your send times. If you can’t get ahold of someone, your timing is most likely off, and changing it can give your marketing campaign the boost it needs to start thriving.
So, how do you determine the ideal time to send sales emails that will engage your prospects and boost open rates? Let’s dive in.
The Best Days to Send Sales Emails
Choosing the right day to send a sales email can significantly improve email marketing lead generation efforts. Research across various industries shows that certain days are more effective at capturing attention, while others tend to see lower open and response rates.
Mid-Week Success: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Multiple studies point to Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday as the most effective days to send sales emails. These days hit the sweet spot of the workweek—recipients are more settled into their schedules and are less likely to feel overwhelmed by a flood of tasks that often hit on Mondays. Emails sent on these mid-week days have the highest open and click-through rates, regardless of the type of email campaign.
- Tuesday is particularly strong because it’s often when people are focused on work after Monday’s usual catch-up.
- Wednesday sees similar success, offering a balance between productivity and fewer distractions.
- Thursday can be highly effective, as many professionals are looking to clear out their inboxes before the weekend, leading to higher engagement.
Worst Times to Send Sales Emails
Timing is everything when it comes to sending effective sales emails, and knowing when not to send them is just as important as choosing the best times. There are specific days and moments that tend to lead to poor engagement, often because of the recipient’s mindset or workload.
Avoid Mondays and Fridays
Monday might seem like a good time to catch people early in their week, but it’s actually one of the worst days to send sales emails. Most people are busy catching up from the weekend, dealing with internal meetings, and prioritizing their most urgent tasks. This leaves little room for focusing on new outreach or sales pitches. Similarly, Fridays are less effective because professionals are often winding down their workweek, preparing for the weekend, or simply wrapping up loose ends. Emails sent late on Fridays are especially likely to get overlooked.
Weekends and Off-Hours
While some recipients might check their emails over the weekend, Saturday and Sunday are generally low engagement periods for sales emails. Most people are away from their inboxes, and emails sent during this time are often ignored or forgotten by Monday morning. Additionally, sending emails during off-hours—such as late at night or very early in the morning—can also result in lower open rates, as they may get buried under a wave of incoming messages when recipients start their day.
The Ideal Time of Day for Sales Emails
In addition to picking the right day, personalizing your emails to send at the right time of day can significantly impact open and engagement rates. By tapping into your audience’s daily routines, you can increase the likelihood that your email gets opened, read, and acted upon. Let’s break down the best times to send sales emails to maximize engagement.
Early Mornings (8-9 a.m.)
Studies consistently show that early mornings are one of the best times to send sales emails, especially between 8 and 9 a.m. This is when most professionals first check their inbox as they begin their workday. Emails sent during this window have a higher chance of being opened and read because recipients are fresh, focused, and less likely to be overwhelmed by the day’s tasks.
Late Mornings (10-11 a.m.)
As the workday picks up, late morning (10-11 a.m.) is another effective window for sending sales emails. This is often when people are settling into their day, checking emails between meetings or tasks. During this time, recipients are more likely to engage with emails before diving into deep-focus work or heading to lunch. Late-morning emails may also enjoy higher click-through rates, as people tend to have a bit more flexibility to take action.
Early Afternoons (1-3 p.m.)
After the midday break, early afternoon (1-3 p.m.) is another good time to send sales emails, particularly follow-up messages. Many professionals take some time to catch up on emails post-lunch, and this window allows your message to hit inboxes when people are rechecking their emails before diving into afternoon tasks. Sales emails sent during this time can work well because recipients are back in productivity mode but may still have some flexibility to respond.
Worst Time of Day to Send Sales Emails
Just as there are the best times to email prospects, there are also times during the day when sending sales emails can hurt your chances of engagement. Knowing when not to send emails is just as important as identifying the best times.
Late Afternoons (After 3 p.m.)
Once the day starts winding down, late afternoon (after 3 p.m.) becomes one of the worst times to send sales emails. Many professionals are wrapping up tasks, preparing for meetings, or getting ready to leave for the day. Emails sent during this time often get pushed aside or overlooked entirely. By the time your recipient checks their inbox again, your message may be buried under other emails, reducing the likelihood of it being opened.
Evenings and Off-Hours
Emails sent after work hours—especially in the evening—tend to be ignored. Most people are focused on personal activities or relaxation, making them less inclined to respond to work-related messages. Sending emails during off-hours also increases the chance that they’ll be forgotten or buried by the next day, particularly if other emails flood the inbox in the morning.
If you have already sent an email, maybe at an inopportune time, it will be important to follow up and nurture the lead. If you don’t know how to craft these emails, Abstrakt Marketing Group has the perfect template to get you started.
Other Considerations for Finding the Perfect Window of Opportunity
While research shows there are general best practices for sending sales emails, the perfect timing often depends on your industry and audience. Different industries operate on unique schedules, and what works for one may not be effective for another. Here are some factors to consider when fine-tuning your email send times:
Industry-Specific Schedules
Different industries have varying workflows, and understanding these schedules can help you target your emails more effectively:
- Tech and Startups: Professionals in the tech industry, especially at startups, often work flexible hours or have international teams that operate across multiple time zones. Early morning or late evening emails may work well in this space because these professionals often check their emails outside traditional business hours.
- Healthcare: Healthcare providers tend to have more structured shifts, with a focus on patient care during the day. Emails sent during traditional working hours might go unnoticed, so targeting break times, such as late mornings or early afternoons, could lead to higher engagement.
- Retail and E-commerce: In retail, especially for e-commerce businesses, weekends can be particularly effective, as many buyers are actively shopping online during this time. Sending emails during high-traffic sales periods, such as late mornings on weekends or during seasonal promotions, may generate better results.
- Finance and Professional Services: Professionals in industries like finance or law tend to check their emails consistently during traditional business hours. Early morning or mid-afternoon windows work best when they are more likely to be processing client emails and reviewing communications. Avoid late Friday emails as professionals are preparing to wrap up their week.
- Construction and Trade: In the construction and trade industries, workers often start early and are out on job sites during the day. Reaching decision-makers in these fields typically means sending emails either early in the morning (6-7 a.m.), before they head out to job sites, or late afternoon (after 3 p.m.), once they’ve wrapped up for the day. These industries often run on tight schedules, so hitting these windows can significantly improve the chances of engaging with your message.
Time Zone Considerations
If your business caters to a national or global audience, factoring in time zones is crucial. Sending an email at 9 a.m. Eastern Time may be perfect for someone in New York but misses the mark for a recipient in California or Europe. Many email platforms allow you to schedule emails based on time zones, ensuring that your message reaches inboxes at the optimal time for every recipient.
Struggling to achieve your revenue goals with email marketing alone? Abstrakt’s B2B appointment-setting services are the perfect supplement. We connect you with key decision-makers and ensure you’re booking qualified meetings that drive revenue. Let our team help you streamline your outreach and accelerate your sales process.
Sales Email Marketing Best Practices to Keep in Mind
Crafting an effective sales email goes beyond just timing. Here are five best practices to ensure your sales emails hit the mark and drive engagement:
- Personalize Your Emails: Tailor each email to the recipient, addressing them by name and referencing details specific to their business or role. Personalized emails increase the likelihood of a positive response and show that you’ve done your research.
- Keep It Short and Focused: Busy professionals don’t have time to read long emails. Get straight to the point by clearly stating your value proposition and including a strong call-to-action (CTA). Make it easy for the recipient to understand why they should engage with you.
- Use Compelling Subject Lines: Your subject line is the first thing your recipient sees, so it needs to grab attention. Aim for concise, intriguing subject lines that pique curiosity and encourage recipients to open the email.
- Include a Clear Call-to-Action: Every email should have one clear goal—whether it’s scheduling a call, signing up for a demo, or visiting your website. Make sure your CTA is prominent and easy to follow.
- Test and Optimize Your Timing: Experiment with different send times using A/B testing and use data for your marketing. Track open rates and engagement to see when your audience is most responsive, and adjust your timing accordingly for future campaigns.
By implementing these best practices, you’ll ensure that your sales emails are not only timed right but also optimized for engagement and conversions.
Key Takeaways
Timing plays a critical role in the success of your sales email campaigns. To maximize engagement, it’s important to understand when your audience is most likely to interact with their inbox. Research shows that early mornings and late mornings are generally the best times to send emails, but industry-specific patterns and time zones can influence the perfect window of opportunity for your business.
- The best days to send sales emails are typically Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, when recipients are most engaged.
- Avoid sending emails late on Fridays, over the weekend, or after working hours, as these are considered the worst times for engagement.
- Tailor your email strategy based on your industry, whether it’s healthcare, retail, finance, or construction. Different schedules affect the best time to send emails.
- Remember to follow best practices, such as personalizing your messages, keeping them short, and using A/B testing to optimize your campaigns for better results.
At Abstrakt Marketing Group, we specialize in creating data-driven email strategies that generate leads, engage prospects, and boost sales. Our team of experts understands the nuances of email timing, personalization, and campaign optimization, helping you maximize every opportunity to connect with your audience. Ready to take your email marketing to the next level? Contact us today, and let’s start driving measurable results for your business.
