When are the Best (and Worst) Times to Send an Email?

While other digital channels compete for attention, email marketing still remains the go-to strategy in any marketing campaign. It never fails to deliver a goal, whether it’s lead generation, active interactions, warm business relationships, or even new professional connections. Simply put, it is the most basic communication line in the corporate world.

With a staggering 4.48 billion users worldwide, email remains a potent marketing channel. Its reach is immense and continues to grow, with projections of 4.59 billion users in 2025 and 4.73 billion in 2026.

However, the fight for inbox attention is now tougher. Prospects now have more things to attend to compared to 5 years ago, and that lessens the odds of emails being read at an optimum time. So while the strategy still works, getting noticed requires strategy.

Does the time an email sent matter?

4.48 billion people rely on email daily, and this massive user base proves its value for businesses of all sizes. It’s no surprise that many email marketers invest in content that delivers the right message. However, even the most carefully crafted can fall flat if sent at the wrong time.

Recent studies reveal that 40% of users have unread emails in their inboxes. This volume stresses the importance of timely delivery. In fact, nearly 22% of email campaigns are opened within the first hour, after which open rates significantly decline.

Choosing the best time to send B2B emails can improve your chances of getting noticed and receiving a positive response. The ideal timing depends on your audience and a few key factors to consider:

Time Zones: Consider your recipients’ time zones when sending emails. Aligning with their peak activity hours raises the chances of your email being opened and read.

Days of the Week: Mid-week days like Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday often yield higher open and response rates as professionals are more settled. Mondays can be hectic while Fridays may see lower engagement. Timing your outreach based on these patterns can make it more effective.

Email Frequency: Balancing email frequency is key to avoiding recipient fatigue or neglect: Too many emails can lead to unsubscribes, while too few may get lost. A well-planned cadence, including initial outreach and follow-up reminders, maintains interest without being intrusive. Test different frequencies and monitor engagement to find the right rhythm.

Target Audience Demographics: Understanding your recipients’ habits and routines helps you time emails effectively. Different demographics engage at different times—professionals may check emails during business hours, while younger audiences might prefer evenings or weekends. Researching these preferences can enhance engagement and response rates.

So, what’s the best time to send B2B emails?

Best Days

• Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays: These days generally yield the highest engagement rates. Professionals are more likely to check their emails during the middle of the week when they are settled into their work routines.
• Mondays: Often viewed as a catch-up day, many recipients may be overwhelmed with emails from the weekend, making them less likely to engage with new messages.
• Fridays: As the week winds down, many professionals are focused on wrapping up tasks and preparing for the weekend, leading to lower engagement.

Peak Hours

• Morning (9-11 AM): Sending emails during this time aligns with the start of the workday when recipients are more likely to check their inboxes.
• Mid-morning (around 10 AM): This time is often considered a sweet spot for B2B emails, as many professionals are fully engaged in their day and actively reviewing their emails.
• Afternoon (Post-lunch, around 1 PM): This timeframe can capture recipients as they return from lunch and check in on their tasks.

Additional Tips

• Regularly experiment with different send times and days to discover what resonates best with your specific audience. A/B testing can provide valuable data to refine your approach.
• Avoid holidays and major events. Sending emails during holidays or significant industry events can skew your results and reduce engagement, as many recipients may be out of the office or preoccupied.

Thinking about purchasing an email list for your prospecting strategy? Check out our latest blog to learn what to consider before buying a B2B contact list.

Wrapping up 

Timing is crucial for B2B email success and it entails understanding your audience and testing different send times to boost engagement. Equally important to this factor is maintaining accurate email lists; as outdated contacts can harm your sender’s reputation. Callbox Singapore offers helpful email list verification services to help maximize your campaign’s efficiency.

At Callbox, we believe that optimal timing combined with clean data leads to better results. We offer a holistic approach that combines timing, data accuracy, compelling content, and ongoing analysis to ensure that your emails reach the right person at the right time. Request Pricing.