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Your Guide to the Best Time to Send Email for Maximum Engagement

Your Guide to the Best Time to Send Email for Maximum Engagement

Aanchal Parmar

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November 18, 2024

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6 mins

Table of Contents

Timing is everything—especially when it comes to email marketing.

Think about it: you’ve spent hours creating the perfect email, only to send it and wonder, Will anyone even open it?

The truth is, sending emails at the wrong time could mean your message gets lost in a sea of unread notifications. And let’s face it, wasted effort on emails that don’t get seen or clicked can be incredibly frustrating—not to mention bad for business.

But don’t worry, we’ve got your back. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly when to hit “send” to maximize engagement. Backed by data and actionable tips, we’ll make sure your emails land at just the right time to grab attention and drive results.

Let’s get started!

What is Email Timing?

Let’s talk about email timing—it’s not just about hitting “send” whenever your email is ready. It’s about being strategic, scheduling your emails to land in inboxes when your audience is most likely to open, read, and act on them.

Here’s the deal: not everyone checks their emails at the same time. A busy professional might scroll through their inbox during a morning coffee, while a stay-at-home parent could be catching up in the afternoon. That’s why considering factors like the day of the week, time of day, and even time zones is key to nailing your timing.

When you get the timing right, you’re not just boosting open rates—you’re setting the stage for more clicks, better engagement, and higher conversions. It’s all about meeting your audience where they are and showing up when they’re ready to listen.

Best Day to Send Emails: Global Insights

When it comes to email marketing, timing truly makes a difference, and not all days are created equal. Some days are prime for engagement, while others can leave your emails unopened and forgotten. Let’s break it down.

What Is The Best Day To Send Email?

Studies by GetResponse and Campaign Monitor agree that Tuesday and Thursday are the golden days for email campaigns.

Why these days? By Tuesday, your audience has settled into their workweek routine, making them more likely to open and engage with emails. Meanwhile, Thursday offers a productive yet forward-looking vibe as people prepare to wrap up their week.

In fact, studies highlight that Tuesday boasts the highest click-through rates at 16.8%, with Thursday close behind at 16.35%. These mid-week days consistently outperform others across industries, making them your best bets for grabbing attention and driving engagement.

best day to send email getresponse

Source: GetResponse

What Is The Worst Day To Send Email?

On the flip side, weekends—specifically Saturday and Sunday—are typically the least effective days for email engagement. Most people focus on relaxing, spending time with family, or catching up on personal tasks, leaving work-related emails untouched. Research backs this up, with click-through rates dropping to around 9% on Saturdays.

That said, there are exceptions. For industries like retail or e-commerce, weekends can actually be a hit.

Best Time to Send Emails: Global Insights

Global data from GetResponse’s study suggests that the best time to send emails is either 4 am (if you’re focused on open rates) or 6 am (if you’re aiming for better click-through rates). While 4 am might seem like an outlier due to low email volume (only 1.2%), 6 am stands out as a more practical option, with 3.95% of messages sent at that time.

But does this mean you should send emails super early? Not necessarily.

If your target audience tends to check their inbox first thing in the morning, sending emails at 6 am could help you land at the top of their inbox, ensuring your message doesn’t get buried. But, if your audience isn’t active at that hour, it’s better to target a time that fits their habits.

As a general rule, sending emails between 8 am and 5 pm is a safe bet. During this window, both open and click-through rates tend to be stable, and over 64% of marketing emails are sent.

best time to send email getresponse

Source: GetResponse

Best Times to Send Emails By Day of the Week

When it comes to choosing the best time to send emails on a specific day, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. While some studies, like Mailerlite’s, suggest 10 a.m. is the optimal time to send every day, it’s clear that different days might require different strategies.

Based on coschedule’s research, here’s a suggested schedule to help you get the timing just right:

  • Thursday at 10 a.m. – This is often considered a sweet spot for high engagement.
  • Tuesday at 9 a.m. – A great time to catch your audience early in the workday.
  • Wednesday at 8 a.m. – Another solid time for an early boost.
  • Monday at 1 p.m. – After the morning rush, people tend to engage more around lunchtime.
  • Friday at 3 p.m. – A good time to reach people as they start wrapping up their week.
  • Thursday at 9 a.m. – Catching people just as they settle in.
  • Tuesday at 10 a.m. – A reliable option after the workday has started.
  • Wednesday at 1 p.m. – A great time post-lunch when people are back at their desks.
  • Monday at 3 p.m. – A solid time for those who are starting to get into their work groove.

💡 Looking to improve your social media strategy? Check out these tips to optimize your social media timings for maximum engagement and impact!

Tips on Achieving Optimal Email Timing

1. Stay in the Know with Trends

Keep your finger on the pulse of email marketing trends. Consumer behavior is always shifting, so you’ll want to stay updated on industry reports. If something new is boosting open rates, test it with your audience and adjust accordingly.

2. Use Tech to Your Advantage

Leverage AI and automated tools that help you deliver emails at the optimal time. Platforms like Mailchimp or HubSpot have features that analyze subscriber behavior to find when they’re most likely to open emails. Let the tech do the heavy lifting.

💡 Check out our Free AI Marketing Email Generator to create high-converting email campaigns in no time!

3. Tailor Timing to Your Audience

Think about your audience’s daily routines. Are they checking emails during their morning commute or after work? Segment your email list and use that insight to send messages when they’re most likely to open them.

4. Analyze Engagement Data

Regularly dig into your email analytics. Find out when your audience engages the most, and use that data to schedule future emails. Look at open rates, click-through rates, and even device preferences (mobile vs desktop).

5. Test, Test, Test

Never assume your email timing is perfect. A/B tests different send times to see what works. Maybe your audience opens emails better on Monday mornings than on Thursday afternoons. The data will help you refine your strategy.

💡 Try our Free AI Email Subject Line Generator to create attention-grabbing subject lines that increase open rates and engagement!

6. Be Smart About Day and Time

While Tuesday and Thursday are great days for email sends, don’t sleep on other days. Try testing on Monday or Wednesday, and see how your audience reacts. Timing is all about finding what clicks with your specific group.

7. Avoid Common Pitfalls

Don’t treat timing as an afterthought. Plan it alongside your content and design. Sending emails when your audience is swamped with messages is a no-go, so aim for times when their inbox is more open.

8. Segment for Personalization

Personalized emails don’t just mean using their first name. Use timing to your advantage by sending messages based on where they are in the customer journey. New subscribers? Send emails at optimal welcome times. Loyal customers? Send them targeted offers at the perfect time.

9. Be Mindful of Global Audiences

If you're dealing with international subscribers, consider time zone differences. You don’t want your email to land in someone’s inbox while they’re sleeping. Segment by location and send emails at times that fit their local routine.

10. Stay Flexible and Keep Adapting

Your optimal timing will evolve as your audience changes. Regularly analyze your open rates and adjust as needed. By staying flexible, you ensure that your emails continue to reach people when they’re most likely to engage.

Leverage Best Times To Send Email For Your Success

Now that you know the importance of timing in email marketing, it’s time to put that knowledge to work!

By sending emails at the optimal times, you can maximize your chances of reaching your audience and driving better results. Experiment with the best send times, track your results, and refine your strategy for even more success.

And if you need help creating and managing content, sign up for quso.ai. With our powerful tools, you can easily improve your content strategy and watch your engagement skyrocket. Let’s make your content take off!

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Frequently asked questions

What are the best times of day to send an email?

The best times to send emails are at 4 a.m. for high open rates and 6 a.m. for better click-through rates, as per global data. For general engagement, the window between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. works well.

Is 2 PM a good time to send an email?

Yes, 2 p.m. can be a good time to send emails, especially for reaching audiences after lunch when they're back at their desks. However, performance depends on your audience’s habits, so testing is key.

What time of day do most people read emails?

Most people read emails early in the morning, around 6 a.m., as they check their inbox first thing in the day. Engagement also remains strong during standard work hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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