Glossary
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Email Cadence | The strategic timing and frequency of sending emails to subscribers. |
Segmentation | Dividing your audience into groups based on behavior, preferences, or demographics. |
Open Rate | The percentage of recipients who open an email out of total delivered. |
CTR (Click-Through Rate) | The ratio of users who click on a link within the email. |
Automation Flow | A pre-built sequence of emails triggered by subscriber actions or timelines. |
A/B Testing | A method of comparing two variations of emails to see which performs better. |
Table of contents
Introduction
Email marketing is a powerful tool, but it requires precision. Without the right strategy around timing and frequency, even the best content can end up ignored or worse—in spam folders. So, how do you find that perfect cadence?
The key lies in respecting your audience, setting expectations early, and using data to guide your approach.
Why Email Timing and Frequency Matter

Your sending schedule impacts every core metric: open rates, click-through rates, conversions, and unsubscribes.
Send too many, and people check out. Send too few, and they forget who you are.
But here’s the twist: there’s no universal “perfect frequency.”
Why?
- Each audience behaves differently.
- Each product has a unique buying cycle.
- Email saturation is real.
The solution? Let your data lead the way.
Suggested Table: Impact of Frequency on Metrics (Daily, Weekly, Bi-Weekly)
1. Set Expectations From the Start
Don’t surprise your subscribers. Tell them exactly how often they’ll hear from you.
- Include frequency expectations on your opt-in forms.
- Add a short note in the first welcome email: “Expect to hear from us once a week with curated tips and exclusive offers.”
Letting subscribers know what’s coming helps reduce spam complaints and builds trust.
Pro Tip: Let people choose their own cadence when signing up.
2. Let Subscribers Control Their Experience
Empower your audience to tailor their email journey.
- Use a Preference Center linked in every email.
- Let them choose content type: News, Promotions, Product Drops.
- Offer email frequency options: Weekly, Monthly, Product-Only.
Benefits:
- Decrease in unsubscribes.
- Better deliverability.
- Higher engagement from people getting what they want.
Suggested Visual: Screenshot or mockup of a well-designed Preference Center.
3. Survey Your Audience
Ask your subscribers what they want. Use:
- Embedded polls.
- One-question surveys.
- On-site popups targeting existing subscribers.
Sample Questions:
- How often would you like to hear from us?
- What kind of content do you enjoy most?
Pro Tip: Follow up with personalized content based on responses.
4. When to Send Emails (Based on Research + Behavior)
While there’s no one-size-fits-all, data points to a few reliable windows:
Day | Best Time Range (Local Time) |
---|---|
Tuesday | 9 AM – 11 AM |
Wednesday | 10 AM – 1 PM |
Thursday | 8 AM – 12 PM |
Friday | 11 AM – 2 PM |
Avoid:
- Mondays: Inbox chaos.
- Weekends: Distracted audiences.
But… your data may disagree. Always test for your own audience.
Suggested Chart: Click Rate by Day of Week (Bar Graph)
5. Be Consistent (Not Overbearing)
Consistency is key. Your subscribers should know what to expect.
Best Practices:
- Stick to your cadence.
- Avoid floods of back-to-back campaigns.
- Reintroduce yourself if you’ve gone quiet.
Rule of Thumb: If you promised weekly, send weekly. Not 3x this week and nothing next.
6. Use Automation to Scale Your Schedule
Key Automations to Implement:
- Welcome Series (0-7 days post-signup)
- Abandoned Cart (1-24 hours after abandonment)
- Post-Purchase (3-7 days after delivery)
- Winback Series (30-60 days of inactivity)
Let flows do the heavy lifting. Your cadence becomes consistent and personalized.
Suggested Flowchart: Welcome Automation with Email Timing and Content Focus
7. Analyze and Optimize Over Time
What gets measured gets improved.
Metrics to Watch:
Metric | What It Tells You |
---|---|
Open Rate | Subject line & send time effectiveness |
Click Rate | Engagement with content |
Unsubscribe Rate | Cadence or content fatigue |
Revenue per Email | Bottom-line performance |
Test Variables:
- Days of week
- Time of day
- Frequency (weekly vs bi-weekly)
- Content type (promo vs educational)
Pro Tip: A/B test frequency across audience segments.
8. Segment Your Audience
Not everyone should get every email.
Segment by:
- Engagement Level (e.g., active vs inactive subscribers)
- Time Zone (for local delivery times)
- Behavior (recent purchase, browse abandonment)
Dynamic Frequency Strategy:
- Active users = 2x/week
- Inactive users = 1x/month
- High-LTV users = personalized series
Suggested Table: Segment Type vs Recommended Frequency
Final Thoughts: Listen > Assume
Forget “best practices” until you’ve tested them.
Yes, research gives you a launchpad. But data gives you the truth.
If you:
- Set expectations early,
- Respect your audience’s preferences,
- Leverage automations,
- Analyze performance consistently,
…you’ll land in inboxes and in customer hearts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How often should I send marketing emails?
Start with once per week. Use engagement data to determine whether to scale up or down.
2. What’s the best day of the week to send emails?
Tuesday to Thursday mornings typically perform best, but always test with your own list.
3. Can I let subscribers pick how often they hear from me?
Yes! Use a preference center to empower subscribers and reduce churn.
4. What’s the risk of emailing too much?
Higher unsubscribe and spam complaint rates, which hurt your sender reputation.
5. Should I use different cadences for different segments?
Absolutely. Tailoring frequency by behavior improves engagement.
6. How do I test email frequency?
Use A/B testing: send different frequencies to sample segments and compare metrics like CTR and unsubscribes.
Need help implementing this?
Let us take the hassle of managing your email marketing channel off your hands. Book a strategy call with our team today and see how we can scale your revenue, customer retention, and lifetime value with tailored strategies. Click here to get started.
Curious about how your Klaviyo is performing?
We’ll audit your account for free. Discover hidden opportunities to boost your revenue, and find out what you’re doing right and what could be done better. Click here to claim your free Klaviyo audit.
Want to see how we’ve helped brands just like yours scale?
Check out our case studies and see the impact for yourself. Click here to explore.
Read Our Other Blogs

How to Craft Email Newsletters That Build Real Brand Loyalty



Top 3 Best eCommerce Content Management Systems of 2025



Email Marketing vs. Social Media: Which One Should Your Brand Focus On?




Not Sure Where to Start?
Let's find the biggest retention opportunities in your business. Get a free Klaviyo audit or retention consultation.

