Best Days for B2B Outreach: A/B Test Insights

Silvio Bonomi
Jul 8
12 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

When it comes to B2B outreach, timing is everything. Our A/B tests reveal that Tuesdays and Thursdays are the best days for email engagement, while LinkedIn outreach also performs best midweek. Emails sent between 9 AM and 11 AM or 1 PM to 3 PM see higher open and click-through rates. LinkedIn messages thrive during business hours (9 AM–6 PM), with a sweet spot from 12 PM to 2 PM.

Key takeaways:

Email: Midweek (Tuesdays/Thursdays), mornings (9–11 AM) or early afternoons (1–3 PM).
LinkedIn: Active midweek, especially during lunch breaks (12–2 PM).
Multi-channel strategy: Combining email and LinkedIn boosts engagement by up to 40%.
Industry-specific trends: Timing preferences vary - tech prefers early mornings, healthcare sees better results mid-morning.

For best results, tailor your outreach schedule based on your audience's industry, role, and time zone, and keep testing to refine your strategy.

Cold Outreach Strategies That Actually Work in 2025

How We Conducted the A/B Tests

To determine the best timing for B2B outreach, we implemented a structured A/B testing process across multiple channels. By testing one variable at a time, we were able to pinpoint the specific impact of timing on engagement rates. Each variant was tested with a minimum of 100 sends to ensure the results were statistically reliable. Additionally, all tests were conducted under consistent conditions - messages were sent at the same times of day - to minimize the influence of external factors. Below, we break down the metrics we tracked and the role audience segmentation played in shaping our insights.

Metrics and Audience Segmentation

To measure the effectiveness of our timing strategies, we focused on five key metrics:

Metric	Description	Importance
Open Rate	Percentage of emails opened by recipients	Gauges the initial appeal of the outreach
Click-Through Rate (CTR)	Percentage of recipients who clicked on links	Indicates engagement and interest
Conversion Rate	Percentage of recipients who completed the desired action	Reflects overall campaign success
Bounce Rate	Percentage of undelivered messages	Evaluates list quality and deliverability
Unsubscribe Rate	Percentage of recipients who opted out	Highlights content relevance and timing effectiveness

We also used firmographics to segment our audience and examine how different business types responded to various timing strategies. Segmentation included company size (under 50, 50–200, 200+ employees), industry (SaaS, manufacturing, professional services, healthcare), and geographic location (East Coast, West Coast, Central). Research shows that segmented campaigns can drive revenue increases of up to 760%. Beyond firmographics, we analyzed behavioral data, such as prior response times, preferred communication channels, and historical engagement patterns, to enrich our understanding of audience preferences.

Testing Email and LinkedIn Separately

Using these metrics and segmentation strategies, we tested email and LinkedIn outreach independently to uncover engagement trends unique to each channel. This separation was crucial because user behaviors and optimal timing differ significantly between platforms.

For email, we adhered to established best practices, testing variants on days known to yield reliable results. On LinkedIn, we explored different formats, such as connection requests and message timing. Given LinkedIn's professional focus, we also experimented with strategies like joining relevant LinkedIn groups, which boosted response rates by 21%. To delve deeper, we applied multivariate testing to assess how factors like day-of-week timing, message length, and personalization interacted. Multivariate testing has been shown to improve ROI by at least 30%. Notably, our findings revealed that well-personalized messages could achieve a 97% candidate reply rate.

Best Days for B2B Email Outreach

Our A/B testing uncovered consistent trends in email engagement, revealing that weekdays significantly outperform weekends for B2B email outreach. Among weekdays, mid-week emerged as the most effective period for driving engagement.

Days with Highest Engagement

Tuesday stood out as the top-performing day, with 55% of email studies identifying it as the best day for B2B outreach. Tuesday and Thursday consistently achieved the highest open and click-through rates across various industries.

On average, open rates hover around 18% on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while weekends often see rates dip below 15%. Wednesday also delivered strong results, generating the highest click-through rates during our test campaigns.

These findings align with broader research, which consistently highlights Tuesday through Thursday as the prime window for email engagement. In contrast, Mondays and Fridays tend to be less reliable.

Best Times to Send Emails

The time of day is just as critical as the day itself. Our A/B tests revealed that sending emails mid-morning, between 9 AM and 11 AM, consistently yielded the best engagement rates. This is supported by HubSpot data, which shows that 47.9% of B2B marketers report their best results during this time frame.

Early afternoons, particularly from 1 PM to 3 PM, also performed well, especially on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This period captures professionals checking emails after lunch or during afternoon breaks.

Day	Best Time
Monday	9 AM - 11 AM
Tuesday	10 AM - 3 PM
Wednesday	9 AM - 11 AM
Thursday	10 AM - 3 PM
Friday	10 AM - 12 PM (with an early spike at 8 AM)

Interestingly, emails sent during the lunch hour (12 PM–1 PM) also showed strong engagement.

How Different Industries Respond

Segmentation analysis revealed that email timing preferences vary across industries. For instance, financial services achieved the highest engagement, with open rates averaging 27.1%. Professional services saw 19.3% open rates with early morning sends, while healthcare emails performed best mid-morning, achieving open rates of 23.7%.

In a specific example, emails sent to manufacturing professionals on Tuesday afternoons saw an 11.4% open rate, far surpassing other days.

Retail and e-commerce sectors displayed slightly different patterns. Emails sent between 8 AM and 10 AM achieved an 18.5% engagement rate. Unlike traditional B2B sectors, these industries also showed some responsiveness over the weekend.

Tailoring your email strategy to your industry is key. For instance, tech companies and startups showed higher engagement during weekdays, while some service-oriented businesses maintained steady engagement even on Friday afternoons. These insights also inform strategies for LinkedIn outreach, where timing dynamics can similarly enhance campaign performance.

Best Days for LinkedIn Outreach

When it comes to outreach, LinkedIn outshines traditional cold emails in response rates, boasting an average of 10.3% compared to email's 5.1%.

LinkedIn Engagement Patterns

The sweet spot for LinkedIn engagement is midweek - Tuesday through Thursday. These days consistently show higher activity levels, making them ideal for outreach. Monday mornings also see a spike in engagement as professionals catch up on messages from the weekend. On the flip side, Fridays and weekends tend to lag behind.

Timing matters too. LinkedIn activity is highest during standard business hours, with messages sent between 9 AM and 6 PM performing best. The window from 12 PM to 2 PM stands out as particularly active.

Interestingly, Divy Menghani, a data scientist at Databricks, offers a nuanced perspective:

"At LinkedIn, we crunched the numbers to find the absolute best time to send an InMail and we discovered: There is no best time. Any time of day gets fairly the same response rate because no matter when they receive the message, candidates respond only when it's convenient for them."

This highlights that the quality of your message is more important than the timing. For instance, shorter InMails - under 400 characters - see 22% higher response rates than longer ones. Most responses (50%) come within 24 hours, and 80% arrive within a week. Combining LinkedIn outreach with email campaigns amplifies these results, creating a well-rounded strategy.

Personalization is a game-changer. In Q2 2023, HubSpot used AI-driven personalization with Sales Navigator to target 10,000 SaaS decision-makers, resulting in 215 qualified leads. Similarly, ServiceNow's enterprise sales team boosted qualified leads by 47% in Q3 2023 by sharing structured case studies in LinkedIn Groups, generating an average of 85 meaningful interactions per post.

Using LinkedIn with Email Campaigns

LinkedIn pairs seamlessly with email campaigns to create a comprehensive outreach strategy. While email remains a go-to for many B2B efforts, LinkedIn fills gaps by enabling precise targeting based on industry, job role, and skills.

For example, personalized connection requests see a 55% higher acceptance rate than generic ones. A cybersecurity firm saw a 20% increase in conversions by aligning LinkedIn outreach with funding announcements. Additionally, sales teams with high Social Selling Index (SSI) scores generate 45% more opportunities, and AI-powered InMail campaigns drive 40% higher engagement rates than manual efforts.

Success hinges on personalization and timing. Hester Noorman – van Schaik from Expandi emphasizes:

"From my experience, crafting a strong initial message can set the stage for success, giving you an immediate boost in engagement. It is not just about making a great first impression but also building trust, and reinforcing your message over time."

For instance, a B2B tech company introduced an AI implementation roadmap template that led to a 45% increase in qualified leads compared to their standard outreach. When combining LinkedIn with email, spacing out your messages strategically helps maintain consistent communication without overwhelming prospects.

Email vs. LinkedIn: Side-by-Side Comparison

When it comes to B2B outreach, choosing the right channel can make all the difference. A closer look at email and LinkedIn reveals how each platform’s strengths and timing strategies can influence engagement. This comparison builds on A/B test data to guide your decision-making.

Channel Performance Comparison

The numbers tell a clear story - email and LinkedIn perform differently in key areas. LinkedIn messages tend to see response rates between 15–25%, which is notably higher than the 1–5% response rates typical of cold emails. However, cold emails still hold their ground with open rates ranging from 15–28%.

Timing also plays a critical role, with each platform having its own sweet spot for engagement:

Factor	Cold Emails	LinkedIn Messages
Best Timing	4–8 AM PST, Mon–Thurs	9 AM–6 PM, Tues–Thurs
Reply Rate	12% average	7% average
Meeting Booking Rate	5%	2%
Scalability	High (automation)	Limited (platform caps)
Personalization	Basic	Rich profile insights

The table highlights some key contrasts. While LinkedIn boasts higher overall response rates, cold emails often lead to better reply and meeting booking rates. This suggests that prospects who engage through email may be more likely to take the next step, such as scheduling a meeting.

Interestingly, some studies suggest alternative timing strategies, but the mid-week approach remains a strong performer for B2B outreach . These findings underline the importance of tailoring your timing to each platform’s unique dynamics.

Getting the Most from Both Channels

The takeaway? Using email and LinkedIn together can amplify your outreach efforts. Email’s scalability and automation make it perfect for reaching a broad audience quickly, while LinkedIn’s rich profile insights allow for deeper personalization. By combining the strengths of both, you can create a well-rounded strategy that maximizes engagement and drives results.

How to Apply These Findings to Your Campaigns

Turn insights from A/B testing into actionable strategies by tailoring them to fit your audience and industry.

Planning Your Email and LinkedIn Schedule

Creating an effective outreach schedule begins with understanding the habits of your audience. Timing plays a big role in campaign success - sending cold emails at the right moment can increase open rates by up to 30%.

Start by segmenting your prospect list based on time zone, industry, and role. For example, with 50% of the U.S. population living in the Eastern Time Zone, it makes sense to prioritize Eastern scheduling while staggering sends for other regions.

Different industries and roles respond better at specific times. Here's a breakdown:

Tech and SaaS companies: Early-week mornings work best.
Manufacturing and industrial sectors: Later afternoons see better engagement.
Professional services: Mid-week or early mornings (7–8 AM) are ideal.
Small business owners: Evenings (7–9 PM) are more effective.

When it comes to roles, C-level executives often check emails either very early in the morning or late at night. Mid-level managers are more active mid-morning to early afternoon, while engineers and developers tend to engage in late mornings or early evenings.

The data backs up the power of early morning outreach. Cold emails sent between 5 AM and 8 AM achieve reply rates about 25% higher than those sent later in the day. This aligns with the fact that 58% of people check their email first thing in the morning.

To manage this effectively, use scheduling tools to automate send times for each segment. This ensures your emails are delivered at the perfect moment without overwhelming inboxes. Staggering your sends throughout the day can also help maintain steady engagement while avoiding the appearance of spam.

For LinkedIn outreach, stick to business hours - 9 AM to 6 PM - with the best engagement typically occurring from Tuesday to Thursday. Space messages about 3–4 days apart to maintain visibility without overwhelming your prospects.

Once your schedule is in place, keep refining it based on real-time performance data.

Keep Testing and Improving

While 55% of email studies highlight Tuesday as the best day for outreach emails, your audience may have its own unique preferences. Testing ensures your strategy aligns with their behavior.

Conduct A/B tests to compare response rates across different days and times. Focus on key metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and response rates to fine-tune your timing. Test one variable at a time - if you’re experimenting with send times, keep the day consistent, and vice versa.

Adjust your frequency based on engagement levels. Reviewing performance every two weeks helps you spot trends and make adjustments. Since different industries and roles may respond differently, consider tracking each segment separately. Seasonal changes can also impact B2B engagement - holidays, quarter-ends, or industry-specific busy periods may require tweaks to your outreach calendar.

These strategies serve as the foundation for our approach at Artemis Leads.

How Artemis Leads Uses These Methods

At Artemis Leads, we apply these timing insights alongside a multichannel approach to deliver strong results for our clients. By combining personalized email and LinkedIn outreach, we ensure we connect with 100% of the ideal customer profile.

Our team uses segmented scheduling based on industry, role, and time zone data for each client’s audience. Dedicated account managers review these strategies during bi-weekly check-ins to optimize performance. By blending the scalability of email with LinkedIn’s personalization, we craft sequences that align with each prospect’s communication preferences.

For instance, we might start with a LinkedIn connection request on a Tuesday morning, follow up with a personalized email on Thursday at 7 AM, and then adjust the sequence based on engagement signals from both platforms.

Our results speak for themselves: combining LinkedIn messages with email follow-ups can boost response rates by up to 40%. This multichannel strategy ensures multiple touchpoints while respecting the timing that works best for each platform, ultimately delivering high-quality, meeting-ready leads for our clients.

Summary of Key Findings

A/B testing has shown that precise timing significantly boosts engagement in B2B outreach, particularly when it comes to email and LinkedIn campaigns.

Emails sent midweek (Tuesday–Thursday) between 10 AM and 1 PM see the highest engagement rates. This is backed by data from Campaign Monitor, which analyzed 100 billion emails, Moosend's study of 10 billion emails, and Omnisend's review of 2 billion promotional campaigns - all pointing to Tuesday and Thursday as the most effective days.

LinkedIn outreach also benefits from strategic timing, especially when combined with email campaigns. LinkedIn generates 80% of all B2B leads from social media and performs 277% better than platforms like Facebook or Twitter. Personalizing connection requests increases acceptance rates by 55%, while structured message sequences improve conversions by 15%.

Using both channels together delivers the best results. Multichannel strategies can lead to purchase rates that are up to 287% higher, reply rates that are 3–4 times greater, and meeting conversions that improve by 2.8 times. Outreach that leverages behavioral signals outperforms standard methods in driving these results.

However, timing can vary by industry, which means you’ll need to tailor your approach based on your audience’s specific sector. Regular A/B testing is essential to fine-tune these timing strategies, as choosing the right moment can increase open rates by as much as 30%.

These findings highlight the need for continuous testing and optimization to refine your outreach strategy. Combining email and LinkedIn efforts in a multichannel approach is key to maximizing engagement and conversion rates.

FAQs

What’s the best way to combine email and LinkedIn outreach for better B2B engagement?

To boost B2B engagement, start by leveraging LinkedIn to create a genuine connection. Send a personalized connection request, engage thoughtfully with their posts, or craft a polite message tailored to their interests. This initial interaction sets the stage for building trust and rapport.

After establishing that connection, follow up with a concise and customized email. Reference your LinkedIn exchange to make it clear why you're reaching out. Focus on delivering clear value in the email and include a specific call to action that encourages the next step.

Timing matters here - give it about 1-2 weeks between your LinkedIn outreach and the email follow-up. This ensures you stay relevant without coming across as pushy. By combining LinkedIn for visibility and email for focused communication, this multi-channel approach can significantly improve your engagement efforts.

How do engagement patterns differ across industries, and how can I adjust my outreach strategy to match?

Engagement strategies can differ significantly across industries. Take the technology and manufacturing sectors, for instance - they often thrive on personalized, multi-channel outreach that blends email campaigns with LinkedIn interactions. Meanwhile, service-based industries tend to lean heavily on relationship-building and content-focused engagement to foster trust and establish credibility with their audience.

The key to success lies in customizing your outreach approach based on the unique habits and preferences of your target industry. For example, sectors with longer, more intricate sales cycles might see better results from a hybrid strategy that combines digital methods with face-to-face interactions. By recognizing and adapting to these industry-specific details, you can boost response rates and achieve stronger conversion results.

Why is personalization important in LinkedIn outreach, and how can it improve response rates?

Personalization is at the heart of effective LinkedIn outreach. Why? Because tailored messages can dramatically improve engagement. In fact, research reveals that personalized messages can boost response rates by up to 33% compared to generic ones.

Here’s how you can make your messages stand out: mention shared connections, highlight mutual interests, or touch on relevant industry topics. Keep it short and to the point - aim for messages under 400 characters. And don’t underestimate the power of a strong opening line - it’s your chance to grab attention right away.

If you’re sending InMails, targeting active LinkedIn users can make a big difference. Personalized InMails sent to these users can increase acceptance rates by as much as 40%.

When your outreach feels relevant and thoughtful, you’re not just sending a message - you’re building trust and opening the door to meaningful conversations.