What’s the best day of the week to email customers so they will actually open your email? Let’s figure out what works best for you.
So, what’s the answer? Well, it depends on your clients.
I know that’s not the answer you want to hear but there are three parts to this post to help you figure out what to do next.
Here are 10 articles with research from various case studies and roundups. The data varies but we can connect the dots to determine the best days and times.
1. CampaignMonitor's research on the best time to send email campaigns.
2. Constant Contact’s tips and advice.
3. Customer.io's research on best day to send emails.
4. Experian's email marketing benchmark.
5. GetResponse's research on the best day to send email.
6. GetResponse's research on the best days to send email newsletters.
7. HubSpot's best time to send a business email report.
8. MailChimp's insights for send time optimization.
9. SendInBlue's industry-specific research.
10. WordStream's research on the very best time to send email newsletters.
Let’s look at this decision in three parts: What, When and How?
#1 – WHAT IS THE BEST DAY TO SEND EMAIL?
According to these studies, prioritize your send days in this order:
Tuesday: This is the #1 best day to send emails according to the majority of the data.
Thursday: If you send two emails a week, choose Thursday for your second day.
Wednesday: While no single study showed that Wednesday was the most popular, it came in second place several times.
NOTE: Some of the studies mentioned high clickthrough rates on the weekend. Just remember that those days are when fewer emails are sent in general. Since those days might have lower opens, it’s likely easier to get a high clickthrough rate.
#2 – WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO SEND EMAIL?
While many of the studies found varying results, here is how you can prioritize your send times based on the data:
10 a.m.: Several studies showed that the best time to send emails is at 10 a.m. Another notable time is 11 a.m. It seems that late-morning send times were the most popular in general.
8 p.m. - Midnight: I bet you didn't expect that one. It looks like emails generally receive more opens and clicks later in the evening with people checking their email before going to bed.
2 p.m.: You might be successful by sending your emails later in the day as people are checking out of work mode or looking for distractions.
6 a.m.: I guess this makes sense since 50% of you begin your day by emailing in bed. Before you even stand up, you're opening emails. Have your customers start their day by thinking of you!
#3 – HOW CAN I FIGURE OUT WHAT WORKS BEST FOR MY AUDIENCE?
It’s not hard to figure it out. It’s just going to take a little testing and patience.
Know Your Audience: If you are a business marketing to hairdressers, Tuesdays are not a great day to send an email. Hairdressers are usually working on Tuesdays to Saturdays. Sunday or Monday may be a better day to open your email.
Create several emails to send to your customers. Select some dates and times and create a spreadsheet on when you send them out. You can do all 12 if you are up for it!
Tuesday at 10 a.m.
Tuesday at 2 p.m.
Tuesday at 6 a.m.
Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Wednesday at 6 a.m.
Wednesday at 10 a.m.
Wednesday at 2 p.m.
Wednesday at 8 p.m.
Thursday at 10 a.m.
Thursday at 2 p.m.
Thursday at 6 a.m.
Thursday at 8 p.m.
Then check your Google Analytics or the analytics on your email provider and log the data. The data doesn’t lie.
Now keep in mind that subject lines can also be a factor in open rates. So you may want to keep your test email’s subject and content similar – for example, emails on new products in your store or emails about each instructor in the dance studio.
Good luck. See you next Tuesday at 10 a.m.!