Timing can make or break your email marketing campaigns. You might have the perfect subject line, compelling content, and flawless design, but if your email lands in inboxes at the wrong time, it may end up ignored—or worse, deleted.
This blog post is your guide to mastering email send times. We’ll explore the importance of timing, share data-driven insights on optimal times to send emails, and show you how to leverage tools like Bervo, HubSpot, Mailchimp, Klaviyo, and Sendinblue for smarter timing strategies. You’ll also learn from real-world case studies and actionable tips to refine your timing strategy and maximize open rates, engagement, and conversions.
Why Email Timing Matters in Digital Marketing
The psychology of email timing is fascinating. Different times of the day and week impact how users interact with their inbox. You’ve already experienced this yourself—think of how you engage with emails during a busy Monday morning versus a quiet Thursday afternoon.
According to research, emails sent at peak times can achieve 25% higher engagement rates compared to poorly timed emails. Here’s what happens when timing goes wrong:
- Emails sent during irrelevant times (e.g., overnight or at busy work hours) risk being ignored or buried under newer messages.
- Poor timing affects metrics like open rates and click-through rates, which impacts your ROI and reduces your campaign’s effectiveness.
When you get timing right, you’re meeting your audience when they’re most engaged and ready to take action—essentially, turning email marketing into a revenue-generating machine.
Best Send Times Overview
Industry Research Insights
Extensive research shows Tuesdays and Thursdays are generally the best days to send emails, with the morning hours (8–10 AM) leading in open rates. For example:
- HubSpot’s report suggests these times align with when professionals review their inbox before starting tasks for the day.
- Mailchimp’s data shows 10 AM consistently performs well for most audiences.
That said, averages don’t apply to every audience. Differences in industry, demographics, and behavior patterns make personalized timing critical.
Behavioral Variations Across Audiences
- B2B clients often engage more with emails early in the workday, typically between 8–10 AM.
- B2C audiences, especially those in retail, engage more during lunch hours or later in the evening when they’re finished with work.
- Time zones play a huge role, especially for global audiences. For example, scheduling emails based on recipient time zones ensures your B2B email doesn’t arrive at 3 AM.
Effective send times boil down to understanding your audience. Testing and data analysis is key.
How Email Service Providers Optimize Email Delivery
Here’s a closer look at the leading email marketing platforms and how they help you fine-tune send times.
Bervo
Bervo leverages AI to automate smart delivery.
- Features: Bervo’s “Send Time Optimization” tool analyzes recipients’ behaviors and engagement history to find the best time.
- Strength: It offers real-time monitoring of engagement metrics, complete with an intuitive dashboard.
- Perfect for: Businesses seeking simplicity in automation.
How it works: Navigate to your dashboard, access the “Campaigns” section, and use the AI-powered feature to select your best send times. Enter audience-specific data like time zones, and you’re good to go.
HubSpot
HubSpot excels at combining engagement data with CRM analytics for email personalization.
- Features: Predictive tools analyze user behavior and provide tailored send times.
- Strength: Seamlessly integrates email data with customer relationship management.
- Perfect for: Companies focused on building deeper customer relationships.
How it works: Head to the “Marketing” section, select your email campaign, and use the “Best Time to Send” feature in the scheduling menu for automated recommendations.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp is a favorite for A/B testing email strategies.
- Features: A/B testing lets marketers compare different send times while pre-scheduling campaigns.
- Strength: Suggested send times rely on historical data trends.
- Perfect for: Beginners who need straightforward recommendations.
How it works: Select “Campaigns,” pick “When Should This Campaign Be Sent?” and use the “Optimize” option to set an AI-recommended time.
Klaviyo
Klaviyo caters specifically to eCommerce by factoring in purchase and browsing behavior.
- Features: Dynamic tools deliver personalized send times based on individual shopping habits.
- Strength: Tailors engagement for product promotions and transactional emails.
- Perfect for: eCommerce brands tailoring campaigns to drive sales.
How it works: Under “Flows & Campaigns,” select your campaign, go to “When to Send,” and use the machine learning tool for tailored timing.
Sendinblue
Sendinblue is an AI-driven platform for small and medium businesses.
- Features: AI sends emails when recipients are most likely to open them.
- Strength: Affordable and intuitive solution for startups.
- Perfect for: Companies with limited resources but high email needs.
How it works: Enable “Send at the Best Time” under “Recipients,” and AI will automatically calculate the optimal send time based on engagement trends.
Comparison Table
| Platform | Strength | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| Bervo | AI-powered, simple automation | Beginners and small businesses |
| HubSpot | CRM integration and powerful insights | B2B organizations |
| Mailchimp | A/B testing and data-driven tools | Marketers new to optimization |
| Klaviyo | eCommerce-specific optimization | Online retailers |
| Sendinblue | Affordable AI-driven algorithms | Small and medium businesses |
Case Studies of Optimized Email Campaigns
Case Study 1: HubSpot for B2B SaaS
A SaaS company increased open rates by 30% using HubSpot’s behavioral data analysis. By timing emails to reach recipients during morning work hours, their campaign achieved unmatched engagement.
Case Study 2: Klaviyo for eCommerce
A retail store timed its flash sales with Klaviyo’s send-time recommendations. This strategy boosted sale conversions by 40% during promotional events.
Case Study 3: Sendinblue for Startups
A startup’s newsletter engagement grew by 40% after adopting Sendinblue’s AI algorithms to schedule messages during subscriber off-hours.
Practical Tips for Digital Marketers
- Analyze Audience Behavior: Use tools like Google Analytics or email reports to track when subscribers open emails.
- Segment Your List: Divide audiences by behavior, demographics, and industry. Tailor send times for each group.
- A/B Test Send Times: Compare morning vs. evening deliveries to see what resonates most. Tools like Mailchimp can automate this.
- Leverage Technology: Use features like Bervo’s automated send-time optimizations or Mailchimp’s AI recommendations.
- Monitor & Adjust: Constantly review campaign results to refine timing and adapt to changing behavior.
Addressing Common Questions
What if I have a global audience?
Use tools that adjust send times based on the recipient’s local time zone. Platforms like Sendinblue make this easy.
How often should I test my send times?
A/B testing should be run periodically (every quarter) or whenever you notice shifts in engagement metrics.
Useful Resources for Optimizing Email Timing
- Mailchimp’s Guide to Send-Time Optimization
- How to Run A/B Tests in Email Marketing
- Using AI to Improve Email Campaign Performance
- Sendinblue’s Time Zone Optimization Feature
- Best Practices for Email Marketing Engagement
- The Ultimate Guide to Email Marketing
- Google’s Email Deliverability Best Practices
- Litmus Insights on Email Rendering Across Devices
- Marketo’s Email Marketing Benchmarks Report
- Tips for Writing High-Performing Emails
- A Beginner’s Guide to Email Marketing Metrics
- How to Write Effective Email Subject Lines
- Best Practices for Email Campaign Design
- The Psychology of Email Marketing
- Integrating Email Marketing with CRM Systems
Final Thoughts
Email timing is no small details—it’s the heartbeat of your marketing strategy. With the right insights and the help of AI-powered tools like Bervo, HubSpot, and Mailchimp, you can ensure your emails land at just the right time, improving your open rates, engagement, and ROI.
Take the next step today—start optimizing your email campaigns with one of these incredible tools, and watch your results soar.
FAQs
1. What is the best time to send marketing emails?
The best time to send marketing emails varies depending on your audience and industry. However, studies often suggest mid-morning on Tuesdays or Thursdays as a general starting point. Use analytics tools to monitor performance and tailor the timing to your specific audience.
2. How can I improve my email open rates?
To improve open rates, focus on crafting compelling subject lines, personalizing your emails, and sending them at optimal times. Segmenting your email list based on user behavior and preferences can also make a significant difference.
3. What tools can help schedule and optimize email timing?
Powerful tools like Bervo, HubSpot, Mailchimp, and others offer features for email scheduling and advanced analytics. These platforms can help you determine the best times to engage your audience based on their behavior.
4. How often should I send marketing emails?
The frequency of your emails depends on your audience and your business type. Weekly newsletters or bi-weekly campaigns are common practices, but always ensure the content feels valuable and not overwhelming. Monitor metrics to find a balance that works for your subscribers.
5. Why is it important to integrate email marketing with CRM systems?
Integrating email marketing with CRM systems allows you to better manage customer data, improve segmentation, and automate personalized email campaigns. This integration can streamline processes and enhance overall efficiency.
6. How can AI tools benefit email marketing strategies?
AI tools can analyze subscriber behavior, recommend optimal send times, and personalize content at scale. They help marketers make data-driven decisions and save time while improving campaign performance.
