April 10, 2025

The Best Days and Times to Send Marketing Emails for Automotive BDC Success

Email marketing remains one of the most effective ways for automotive BDCs (Business Development Centers) to connect with customers, drive service and sales appointments, and maintain strong relationships. However, sending emails at the right time and crafting them with best practices in mind can significantly impact open rates, engagement, and conversions.

Best Days to Send Marketing Emails

Not all days are created equal when it comes to email marketing. Based on industry research and tested strategies, here are the best days to send your BDC emails:

Tuesday – Historically the best-performing day for email open rates and engagement. Customers are settled into their week and more receptive to offers.

Thursday – A strong second choice, especially for follow-up emails.

Wednesday – Works well if you’re sending two emails per week, as it balances out the schedule.

Days to Avoid:

Monday – Inboxes are often flooded from the weekend, leading to lower engagement.

Friday – Customers are winding down for the weekend and less likely to respond.

Weekends – Typically the worst for email engagement, as customers are focused on personal time and activities.

Best Times to Send Marketing Emails

The timing of your email can make a big difference in whether it gets opened or buried under a pile of unread messages. Here are the best times to send:

8:00–10:00 AM – People check emails first thing in the morning, making this an excellent time for engagement.

1:00–3:00 PM – The post-lunch email check-in period works well, especially for B2B and service appointment reminders.

5:00–7:00 PM – Ideal for B2C audiences who check personal emails after work.

For B2B dealership emails, morning (8–10 AM) is best, while B2C (sales and service promotions) often see better engagement in the early evening (6–9 PM).

Best Practices for Email Content

Even the perfect timing won’t help if your email content isn’t engaging. Follow these best practices to maximize effectiveness:

1. Write a Strong, Clear Subject Line

Keep it short (5–7 words or under 50 characters).

Personalize when possible (e.g., “[FirstName], Exclusive Service Offer Just for You!”).
Create urgency or curiosity (e.g., “Limited-Time Offer on Your Next Oil Change!”).

2. Keep the Email Concise and Customer-Focused

Get to the point quickly. Use clear, compelling language.
Focus on customer benefits rather than dealership features.
Use bullet points or short paragraphs to improve readability.

3. Personalize the Content

Use merge codes to insert customer names, vehicle details, or previous service history.
Example: “Hi [FirstName], your [VehicleYear] [VehicleMake] is due for service. Schedule your visit today!”

4. Include a Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)

Examples:
“Schedule Your Appointment Now”
“Claim Your Exclusive Offer”
“Browse Our Latest Inventory”
Make the CTA stand out with a bold button.

5. Optimize for Mobile Users

Over 60% of emails are opened on mobile devices.
Use a responsive design that looks good on both desktop and mobile.
Keep subject lines and CTAs easy to click on small screens.

6. Test and Analyze Performance

A/B test different send times and subject lines.
Track open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates.
Adjust based on what works best for your dealership’s audience.

Final Thoughts

Timing your emails correctly and optimizing content can significantly improve engagement and conversions. For automotive BDC teams, understanding customer behavior, personalizing content, and using best practices will lead to better results in both sales and service campaigns.

Looking for more insights on boosting BDC performance? Stay tuned for our latest strategies and proven techniques to drive dealership success!