You’ve just finished crafting an amazing invitation email, but you’re unsure of the best time to send it to your guests. You’re in the right place. 😎 We all know that timing is crucial when it comes to sending an invitation email. Why? Because you want to maximize your open rate and, more importantly, the engagement that follows. Did you know that, according to a study by Sendinblue, 23% of your subscribers open your email within the first hour of receiving it?
The challenge is that finding the perfect time isn’t easy. Thankfully, we’re not the only ones asking this question—several studies have been conducted to understand the logic behind email opens. That’s why we’ve compiled the most relevant information in this article to help you send your invitation emails at the ideal time!
Two Key Metrics to Analyze
As with any marketing strategy, sending an email requires post-campaign analysis to understand what worked and what didn’t. For invitation emails, there are two primary metrics to focus on:
Open Rate
The open rate is the percentage of emails opened compared to the total number sent. A good open rate is typically above 20%. To improve this metric, focus on crafting a compelling subject line and sending your email at the right time.
Click-Through Rate (CTR)
The click-through rate is the percentage of emails that received a click (usually on the CTA) compared to the total number sent. A CTR above 3% is considered good for a standard email campaign. To boost this, experiment with the email’s structure using the 80/20 rule: focus on more relevance and less promotion.
When determining the best time to send an email, these two metrics are the ones to watch closely.
The Best Time to Send an Invitation Email
What Day Should You Send Your Email?
Many studies conducted by email marketing providers such as Sendinblue, Mailchimp, and HubSpot reveal a surprising correlation regarding the best days to send an email:
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Tuesday: This is the optimal day to send an invitation email. It’s the second day of the week, and most recipients have had time to clear their inboxes from Monday.
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Thursday: If you plan to send two emails in the same week or a follow-up email the following week, Thursday is the second-best day to send your email.
The Recommended Time to Send Your Invitation Email
Knowing the right day to send your email is a great start. Based on the findings, you’ve decided to schedule your upcoming email campaign for next Tuesday. But there’s still one question: there are 24 hours in a day, so what’s the best time to send your invitation email?
Thankfully, the studies mentioned earlier have done the work for us. While results vary by industry, some general trends have emerged:
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Late morning (around 11 AM): This time slot, just before lunch, tends to yield the highest open rates.
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Early afternoon (around 2 PM): Right after lunch is another effective time, as recipients appear more likely to check their emails on a full stomach!
Looking at Mailchimp’s analyses, it’s clear that the midday window is the most successful for email campaigns. 🎯
Maximizing Results with Your Subscribers
Drawing conclusions from data analysis is the best way to achieve effective results. However, the challenge lies in the fact that every client is unique. You might achieve excellent results with a campaign targeting the pharmaceutical industry but experience less favorable outcomes if you use the same strategy for a client in the tourism sector.
How to Adapt? Test and Learn
The solution? Testing. You need to understand your subscribers, decode their behavior, and comprehend their digital consumption habits. Take the time to schedule different campaigns at various times and analyze the results to identify the most effective approach.
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If possible, implement A/B testing. Divide your audience into two groups:
- Send your email to one group in the morning.
- Send the same email to the other group in the afternoon.
Then, analyze the results to determine which group achieved a higher open and click-through rate. Use that time slot for future campaigns.
Additionally, focus on your email subject line. The goal is to make it as impactful as possible to intrigue your audience and encourage them to click. For tips on crafting a winning subject line, check out our article! 🔥
Clean Your Contact List
It’s a common misconception that a larger contact list guarantees better results. In fact, a shorter list of active subscribers is far more effective. Don’t hesitate to clean up your contact list before planning your campaign.
Also, ensure your list complies with GDPR regulations. You must have obtained explicit consent from your subscribers before sending them emails.
Monitor the Deliverability of Your Invitation Emails
It’s crucial to manage the deliverability of your invitation emails to ensure your message reaches its intended recipients. Start by analyzing your online reputation:
- How many people have unsubscribed from your email campaigns?
- How many have requested to be removed from your database?
These indicators can harm your reputation and negatively impact your email deliverability.
Avoid Spam Triggers
Refrain from overwhelming your recipients with excessive emails, and carefully review your email content. Avoid using spam-triggering keywords like “promotion” or “free.”
Planning an email campaign may seem simple, but it’s actually quite a delicate task. In conclusion, always keep your audience in mind when scheduling your email. If you don’t have time for extensive testing, remember that Tuesday and Thursday are the best days to send emails. To maximize your open rate, we recommend targeting the late morning to early afternoon time slot.
With all this information at your disposal, reaching your audience should be much easier!