When done correctly, cold emails can do a lot for your business. And yet when done poorly, it can have the exact opposite effect. The truth is that cold emailing is an art, and to make them efficient for your business there are some key steps to follow.
In our latest blog, we talked about crafting efficient sales emails in general.
Today, however, we’re going to highlight one aspect of cold emails — timing.
When is it appropriate to send a cold email?
When could sending a cold email actually be harmful to your prospective relationship?
Read on to find out!
Timing Is Key For Sending Cold Sales Emails
Yes, great cold emails can establish lasting connections with prospects.
But you have to take into consideration that your prospects are likely getting a flood of sales emails every week. Apart from having to stand out from the rest, you want to make sure you get your foot in the door rather than getting the door slammed in your face.
There are three identifiable situations in which sending a cold email is appropriate:
1. You Can’t Get Your Target on the Phone
You’re going after a company’s decision-maker, meaning their schedule is likely pretty tight. If you know you won’t be able to get them on the phone or you’re afraid of playing phone tag for a few weeks, you can take this opportunity to send a cold email.
2. Your Prospect Hasn’t Responded to Other Methods
There are certain social media touches that can be appropriate, like mentioning a prospect on Twitter, leaving a voicemail, getting a referral, or even sending a LinkedIn message.
However, it can be tricky to determine how active people are across various platforms. And if you’ve tried to connect unsuccessfully, then take the leap to a cold email.
3. When You Use an Account-Based Strategy
The mother of all personalized marketing strategies definitely warrants the use of a cold email. If you know a lot about your prospect and feel confident in your targeted message, go for it!
Some Final Tips for Sending Cold Sales Emails
If you’ve identified the appropriate situation to send a cold email, then implement these extra steps to ensure you get a response.
The worst thing that could happen with sending a cold email is that your prospect receives it when they are sleeping, eating, or busy at work. Catch them at the wrong time, and you may get lost in the day’s work and never hear back.
Planning cold emails around who you are emailing and where they are can help increase your chances of success.
Here’s a handful of tried and true tips for great cold sales email practices:
- Send at the end of the week (Thursday and Friday).
- E-mail after lunch in the early afternoon. Around 3-4p.m. is a good time and sending a few minutes after the hour is another good practice!
- Send towards the end of the month.
Why do these tips work?
Because decision-makers and buyers will be busy at the beginning of the week planning out their week and prioritizing workload. Hence they’ll likely have more free time at the end of the day for an unexpected request. And finally, spreading your communication over a month is a good way to avoid overwhelming busy prospects.
If you want to learn more tips and tricks for growing sales, check out our blog! If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our services, get in touch with us here!