Introduction

Most PR emails get the best results in the morning. This study shows the clear peak times when journalists actually read and reply.

What's the problem it solves?

PR teams send emails at random times and hope for the best. This report shows when journalists are most active so your emails have a real chance of getting opened and answered.

Quick Summary

This study looked at 4.5 million PR emails to see when journalists open and reply the most. The clearest finding is simple. Journalists check their inbox early. The strongest time for opens and replies is around 8 AM in their local time. If your email is waiting for them when they sit down at their desk, your chances go way up.

Monday is the best day of the week. Journalists are fresh, planning their week, and more likely to act on new pitches. Weekends are a dead zone. Freelancers also work early, but they show a bit more activity during the rest of the week too.

UK journalists tend to open emails earlier than US journalists. UK peaks are between 7 and 9 AM, while US peaks are between 9 and 11 AM. Even with these differences, the rule stays the same. Early morning works.

The study also shows that timing is not everything. Each journalist is different. Their job title, beat, bio, timezone, and publishing pattern all change what works. Personal research matters more than broad rules.

Key Takeaways

• The best time to send PR emails is 8 to 9 AM local time.
• Monday is the strongest day for opens and replies.
• Weekends barely get any engagement.
• Freelancers peak around 8 AM but stay active through the week.
• UK journalists open earlier than US journalists.
• Big publishers mostly follow the 8 AM rule.
• Timing helps, but personal research matters more.
• Check bios, job titles, locations, past posts, and social profiles before pitching.
• Breaking news pitching ignores all timing rules. Speed wins.

What to do

• Send your PR emails at 8 AM in the journalist's local timezone.
• Pitch on Monday when possible.
• Avoid weekends unless it is breaking news.
• Look up the journalist's bio to confirm timezone and work style.
• Check how often they publish and what days they seem most active.
• Use LinkedIn or social media to confirm where they live and what they cover.
• Split your outreach lists by timezone before sending.
• Build long term relationships so timing matters less.
• For breaking news, send right away without waiting for a peak time.

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