Disclaimer:

This article is the result of our team's efforts to analyze publicly available data, supplemented by insights gained from our past experiences. As a startup, we strive to contribute meaningful analysis to the public discourse, though we acknowledge that our interpretations may not be infallible. We recognize that there may be differing viewpoints and our findings might not align with all perspectives. Your feedback and constructive criticism are welcome as we navigate these complex topics together.

Introduction

Cold email—unsolicited emails sent to a potential customer or client with whom you've had no prior contact—often elicits mixed reactions. The prevailing question isn't whether these strategies work for giants like Coca Cola or JC Penny (because, let's face it, they probably do). The crux of the matter is whether cold emailing can be effective for brands that are essentially anonymous to their recipients.

In the teething phase of startups, marketing and sales can feel akin to the early days of a gold rush. You're inundated with tales of instant success and viral phenomena, such as the Dollar Shave Club's breakout video. It's easy to feel left out, as if these strategies work for everyone but you.

However, a dive into the statistics suggests that seeking a magic solution—a silver bullet, if you will—is futile. Our own startup's journey confirms the harsh reality: standing out significantly from average benchmarks is a Herculean task.

Essential Highlights

Percentage of Companies Using Cold Email Outbound

• A substantial 87% of businesses regard cold email marketing as essential for their success.

• 59% of B2B marketers rank email marketing as their primary source of revenue, noting an impressive ROI of 41:1 for leading brands.

• On a slightly different note, email newsletters are a key tactic for 81% of B2B marketers in their marketing approaches.

• This aligns with our internal data findings.

Average Deliverability Rate:

• The typical delivery rate for cold emails hovers at about 85.7%.

• This aligns with our internal data findings.

Average Open Rate:

• Open rates for cold emails typically range between 22.02% and 28%.

• Notably, our data shows a different trend; with a well-crafted subject line, open rates can readily reach 70%.

Average Link Click-Through Rate (CTR)

• The average email CTR is between 2.13% and 3%.

• This aligns with our internal data findings.

Average Time Window for Emails

• Certain time periods have been recognized as more successful for eliciting responses, specifically from 9:00 AM to 12 PM, and then from 12:01 PM to 3 PM.

• This aligns with our internal data findings.

Average Reply Rate:

• For B2B cold emails, the average response rate is around 7%, with certain times, such as April to June, experiencing a peak response rate of 7.4%.

• Contrary to this, our data indicates that the average response rate for single-send emails is under 1%, except when they are part of a carefully structured sequence.

Average Conversion Rate:

• Finding reliable and meaningful data for average conversion rates of cold email campaigns proved to be challenging.

• Email campaigns consisting of 4 to 7 sequences typically achieve a response rate three times higher than campaigns with only 1 to 3 sequences. Additionally, a 3-day gap before sending a follow-up can boost reply rates by 31%, whereas a delay exceeding 5 days can result in a 24% decrease in responses.