Getting your message right is the first step. A great cold email or DM should feel like it belongs in your prospect's head, not just their inbox.

As the Instantly Co-Founder put it: "Cold email should feel like a continuation of a conversation the prospect is already having in their head. That's how you skip the delete button."

But even the perfect message can fall flat if it lands at the wrong time. Timing is the difference between getting a reply and getting ignored.

In this guide, we'll break down exactly when to send cold DMs and cold emails for max results. You'll learn the best days and the right times that can lead to more opens, more replies, and more chances to close.

What is the Best Day of the Week to Send Cold Emails and Cold DM?

Some days are just made for outreach, you just need to find out what those days are. 

Research shows that choosing the right day to send cold emails and DMs can boost open rates up to 30%. That right there is the difference between starting real conversations and getting ghosted by your entire list.

So, which days actually deliver?

Tuesday is the best choice. After clearing Monday's chaos, most people finally settle into their week and start checking their inbox with a bit more focus.

Wednesday is a close second. By midweek, your prospects are more likely to consider new ideas without feeling overwhelmed.

Thursday also works well. People are thinking about how they'll wrap up their week, and they're often more willing to chat or line up a call before the weekend.

What is the Best Time of Day to Send Cold Emails and Cold DMs?

Once you've nailed the right day, the next thing to figure out is timing. Here's how email and DM timing stack up throughout the day.

Morning
Mornings are one of the best times to send cold messages. People are fresh, focused, and usually start their day by checking emails and notifications. Cold emails tend to do well between 10 AM and 12 PM, when inboxes have been cleared and attention is still high.

For cold DMs, the earlier part of the morning (8 AM to 10 AM) can work even better. This is when many people scroll LinkedIn or check their messages before diving into meetings and tasks. Catch them early, and you increase your chances of getting noticed.

Afternoon
Afternoons can be hit or miss. Some people use this time to catch up on emails after lunch. Others hit a productivity dip and ignore anything that doesn't feel urgent. Cold emails sent during this window can still perform, especially if your audience is known to check messages around this time.

Cold DMs, on the other hand, are less effective in the afternoon. People are focused on getting through the rest of their workday and are less likely to engage with outreach on social platforms.

Evening
Evening outreach is risky for both cold emails and DMs. Most professionals are wrapping up, logging off, or switching into personal mode. Cold emails sent between 5 PM and 7 PM might reach people doing one last inbox check, but response rates tend to drop.

When to Avoid Sending Cold Emails and Cold DMs

Mondays and Fridays
Mondays are often filled with catch-up tasks and overflowing inboxes. Cold emails sent on a Monday are more likely to get buried or overlooked.

Fridays aren't ideal either. Many professionals are winding down and focusing on wrapping up the week, not starting new conversations. Messages sent late on a Friday often go unanswered and may be forgotten by Monday.

Holidays and Weekends
During holidays, people are often away from their desks or less focused on work-related messages. Your outreach may sit unopened for days or get lost in a backlog once they return.

Weekends usually see lower open and reply rates, especially for B2B audiences. However, in some B2C sectors, weekends might perform better, as people have more personal time. It's important to know your audience and test accordingly.

Still, one common downside of weekend sends is that your email might get buried by Monday morning, reducing its visibility.

Evenings and Late Nights
Late-night or evening sends tend to underperform. Most professionals are offline or winding down, which means your message is less likely to be opened or prioritized.

For both emails and DMs, aiming for working hours increases your chances of getting noticed and generating a response.

A Few More Factors That Influence Cold Email and Cold DM Timing

Timing matters, but it's not the only factor you should focus on. Even if you follow general best practices, results can vary based on who you're targeting, where they are, and how they work. 

Here are a few key factors that can shape the best time to send your cold emails and DMs.

Time Zones

If you're reaching out to prospects in different parts of the world, time zones are important to keep in mind. An email or DM sent at 9 AM in Los Angeles might reach someone in Berlin late in the afternoon. Miss that window, and your message could be buried by morning.

So, be sure to schedule messages based on the recipient's local time. That way, your outreach shows up when they're most likely to see it.

Industry

Different industries follow different rhythms. The right timing for one sector might not work for another. 

For instance, in the B2B space, traditional working hours (9 AM to 5 PM) tend to perform best, especially in the early morning or late afternoon. But for SaaS companies, mornings early in the week are often the most effective. Buyers in this space are usually looking for ways to improve their systems and workflows, so reaching them while they're setting priorities can increase your chances of getting noticed.

Audience Behavior

Not all audiences behave the same. Understanding your target's daily habits can help you send messages when they're most likely to engage.

• Executives and CEOs often check their inboxes early in the morning before meetings start.
• Mid-level managers might respond more in the late morning or early afternoon, once they've cleared their morning priorities.
• Creative professionals may keep non-traditional hours and be more active later in the day.
• Younger audiences might be more likely to check emails in the evening or at night.

Mobile vs. Desktop Usage

Mobile users tend to check emails throughout the day, while desktop users are more likely to respond during standard business hours.

Consider when and how your audience is likely to check their messages. If your prospects are often on the move, they may be more responsive outside of traditional working hours.

Final Thoughts

While timing matters, it's only one part of a smart cold outreach strategy. To truly maximize your results, you need to go beyond the clock.

Start by tracking your performance. Open rates, click-throughs, and replies all give valuable insight into what's working. If people aren't opening your emails or engaging with your message, it's a sign to adjust your approach.

You can also link your campaigns to tools like Google Analytics to see how many people visit your site from your emails. This helps you understand the full impact of your outreach.

And don't just test once. Try A/B testing to experiment with different subject lines, messages, and calls to action. These small changes can lead to big improvements over time.

Finally, consider using an automation tool to schedule your cold outreach messages based on your prospect's local time. This makes it easier to reach people when they're most likely to engage.