hey @Milfa M 

Fixed Send Time

Pros:

1. Simplicity: Easy to schedule and manage. You choose a specific time and date for the email to be sent.
2. Consistent Delivery: Ensures all recipients receive the email simultaneously, useful for time-sensitive promotions or announcements.
3. Predictability: Helps in coordinating email campaigns with other marketing efforts or events.

Cons:

1. Time Zone Challenges: Recipients in different time zones may receive the email at inconvenient times.
2. Server Load: Sending a large number of emails at once can put a strain on servers, potentially affecting deliverability rates.
3. Engagement Variability: May not align with the optimal time when recipients are most likely to open and engage with the email.

Gradual Send Over Several Hours

Pros:

1. Server Load Management: Reduces the load on email servers by spreading out the send times, potentially improving deliverability.
2. Time Zone Coverage: Helps in addressing time zone differences by sending emails gradually, ensuring a more convenient delivery time for recipients in various regions.
3. Consistent Engagement: May improve overall engagement rates as emails are received at times when recipients are more likely to check their inbox.

Cons:

1. Complexity: Requires more planning and setup compared to a fixed send time.
2. Partial Results: Performance metrics may be more spread out, making it harder to immediately gauge the success of a campaign.
3. Delay in Delivery: Some recipients may receive the email several hours after the initial send time, which could be problematic for time-sensitive content.

Smart Send Time

Pros:

1. Personalization: Emails are sent based on when each recipient is most likely to engage, improving open and click-through rates.
2. Optimized Engagement: Leverages machine learning to determine the best send times, leading to higher engagement and better campaign performance.
3. Efficiency: Automates the process of finding the best send time for each recipient, reducing the need for manual analysis and scheduling.

Cons:

1. Dependence on Data: Requires historical engagement data for each recipient, which may not be available for new subscribers.
2. Complexity and Control: Less control over the exact send times, which may not align with specific marketing strategies or events.
3. Implementation: Initial setup and learning curve can be more complex compared to fixed send times.

To answer your second question

I usually prefer checking that box but here are some thoughts.

Checking the Box (Determine recipients at send time)

• Real-time Audience Update: Ensures that the most up-to-date list of recipients is used at the time of sending. If your list is dynamic and frequently updated with new contacts or segmentation changes, this option ensures the most current data is used.
• Segmentation Accuracy: If your audience criteria might change before the send time, this option ensures that only those who meet the criteria at the moment of sending receive the email. This can be important for time-sensitive or segmented campaigns.

Unchecking the Box (Determine recipients now)

• Predictability: You know exactly who will receive the email when you schedule it, providing certainty in recipient count and segmentation.
• Efficiency: The system doesn't need to recalculate the recipient list at send time, which can lead to a more efficient send process, particularly for large lists.

I hope this helps

Cheers

Arpit

Thank you Arpit.

Hi Milfa!

We use a fixed send time for product launches and key moments, also for send time tests! 

But for the most part, I prefer to send in recipients local time, and this always get’s the most engagement. This also depends on where your database is regionally, are the majority of your contacts in a specific region etc?

Thanks,

Alex 

Thank you Alex. My contacts are scattered and not necessarilry based on a specific region.