How Do You Schedule an Email to Be Sent at a Specific Time in the Future?

Timing is Everything! Explore how to schedule emails ahead, ensuring your messages reach audiences precisely when they're most engaged.

Schedule an Email to Be Sent at a Specific Time in the Future
Photo by Sonja Langford / Unsplash

You've crafted the perfect email; now it's time to unveil its magic to the world. But wait, timing is everything. 

The final step in your email campaign journey is scheduling. 

The best time to send an email

Dive into our blog post, the ultimate guide to learn how to schedule emails for maximum impact. 

Enjoy stress-free execution, target audience engagement, and take control of your email flow. It's the secret sauce to mastering the art of email marketing.

Let’s dive in to see how to send scheduled emails.

What are scheduled emails?

Scheduled emails are emails crafted in advance and set to be sent later, also known as "send later emails" or "time-delayed emails." These emails might hit inboxes a few minutes after the scheduled time, ensuring timely delivery. 

Image showing how scheduling emails work

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Remember that the timezone you set for scheduling determines the sending time. You can even link them to events, automatically generating emails when specific triggers like location, event type, services, or event size occur. It's a savvy way to streamline your communication strategy.

Also See: How to Schedule a Meeting for Invitees in Different Time Zones

Why should you schedule your email campaign prior?

Well, it's not just about convenience, though that's a big plus. With scheduled emails, managing multiple campaigns becomes a breeze, saving you from the manual effort of sending each one individually.

Scheduling your email campaigns comes with some compelling advantages:

Better Engagement

Timing is everything. By scheduling emails to go out at optimal times, you increase the chances of being noticed, staying relevant, and enhancing engagement with your subscribers.

Reduce Mistakes

Planning a schedule for your email campaigns acts as a safeguard against human errors. Avoiding manual mistakes ensures a smoother and error-free execution of your email marketing strategy efforts.

More Convenient

Scheduled emails offer unmatched convenience since they are especially beneficial for managing numerous campaigns convenience. There is no need for manual sending; just set it and let the system do the work, making your workload more manageable.

How to schedule an email for the future in Gmail?

Computer

Access Gmail on your computer

Open Gmail on your computer.

Compose your email

Click "Compose" at the top left, and draft your email as usual.

How Do You Schedule an Email

Access additional sending options

Locate the "More send options" by clicking the down arrow next to "Send" at the bottom left.

How Do You Schedule an Email

Schedule your email

Choose "Schedule send" from the options. Select your preferred date and time for the email to be sent.

How Do You Schedule an Email

Note the limit

Keep in mind that you can schedule up to 100 emails, providing flexibility in managing your communication efficiently.

Android

Access Gmail on your Android device

Open the Gmail app on your phone or tablet.

Compose your email

Tap on "Compose" at the bottom right and draft your email.

How Do You Schedule an Email

Access additional options

In the top right corner, tap "More" for additional features.

How Do You Schedule an Email

Schedule your email

Select "Schedule send" from the options. Choose the specific time and date you want your email to be sent.

How Do You Schedule an Email
How Do You Schedule an Email

iPhone

Here’s how to send a scheduled email on iPhone:

Access Gmail on your iOS device

Open the Gmail app on your iPhone or iPad.

How Do You Schedule an Email

Compose your email

Tap on "Compose" at the bottom right and craft your email.

How Do You Schedule an Email

Access additional options

In the top right corner, tap "More" for extra features.

How Do You Schedule an Email

Schedule your email

Choose "Schedule send" from the options. Pick the specific time and date for your email to be sent.

How Do You Schedule an Email

Also see: Email Management Virtual Assistant: An In-depth Guide For 2023

How to schedule an email for the future in Outlook?

Here’s how to send scheduled email in Outlook:

Image showing how scheduling email works in Outlook

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Login to Outlook

Sign in to your Outlook account.

Compose your email

Create the email you want to schedule.

Access scheduling options

Click on the "Schedule Email" button, represented by a Calendar icon below the compose box.

Set date and time:

Choose the desired date and time for your email to be sent.

Select send timing

Click "Send later" and opt for a preset time or customize it with the "Customized Time" option.

Finalize and send

Click "Send," and your email will be scheduled. It will be in the Drafts folder until the scheduled time.

Note: Mobile versions like iOS and Android apps don't support email scheduling in Outlook.

How do you schedule an email for the future in Yahoo?

Image showing how scheduling works in Yahoo

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Yahoo Mail lacks a built-in scheduling feature. So you must use third-party services like Later.io or apps like Boomerang Yahoo for scheduling.

  • Tap "Compose."
  • Enter recipients in the "To" field.
  • Add a subject and write your message.
  • Tap the Menu icon or "Schedule for later."
  • Choose Date and Time.
  • Select the desired date and time.
  • Tap "Schedule message."

How to schedule an email for the future in Apple Mail?

Here’s how to schedule an email to send in Apple Mail:

How Do You Schedule an Email

Open the Mail app

Launch the Mail app on your device.

Compose your email

Draft your email as usual, filling in the necessary details.

Click the small arrow

Locate the small arrow next to the Send button.

Choose a suggested time or set a custom date and time

Click the arrow and select a suggested time, or "Send Later" to set your email's custom date and time.

Best Practices for Scheduled Email Campaigns

Send Emails Consistently

Start with bi-monthly emails, increasing frequency based on content updates, promotions, or offers. Consider sending two to three times a week for dynamic content.

Send Emails at the Right Time

Choose peak open rate days like Thursdays and Tuesdays, especially from 8–9 AM. Note that content quality, subject lines, and personalization impact campaign success.

Use Email Templates

Craft a template aligned with your website's branding. Easily swap content while maintaining a consistent visual identity for every email sent.

Automate Your Campaigns

Implement automation for new subscriber sequences. Design a series of messages that automatically engage subscribers over time, saving resources and enhancing campaign effectiveness.

Personalize Your Campaigns

Boost open rates by incorporating personalized subject lines. Marketers witness a 760% revenue increase with personalized, segmented campaigns, showcasing the power of tailored content.

Segment Your Email List

Divide your list based on demographics, interests, or behavior. This enables targeted campaigns, increasing the likelihood of meaningful engagement and conversions.

Define Your Goals

Clearly outline campaign goals to provide direction and facilitate measurable success. Whether aiming for increased engagement or specific conversions, having defined objectives guides your strategy.

Include a Clear Call-to-Action

Design emails with a prominent call-to-action to enhance conversion chances. A compelling and visible prompt directs subscribers to the desired next steps.

Maintain Your Subscriber List

Regularly remove addresses from your list based on preferences. This proactive approach prevents messages from being reported as spam and ensures a more engaged audience.

Virtual Assistance: For The Best Email Campaigns 

how an administrative virtual assistant can help you

A virtual assistant (VA) is a professional who offers remote administrative, technical, or creative support. VAs can operate independently or within a team, catering to individuals, businesses, or organizations. Their versatile tasks encompass:

  • Administrative duties: managing calendars, scheduling appointments, handling emails and calls, data entry, and bookkeeping.
  • Technical responsibilities: maintaining websites, managing social media, and conducting research.
  • Creative assignments: encompassing writing, editing, and graphic design.

Here are some specific tasks they do regarding how to send a future text:

Gain entry to the email marketing platform

The virtual assistant initiates the process by securely logging into the designated email marketing platform, ensuring a streamlined and protected access point for efficient campaign management.

Generate or compose the content for the email campaign

Engaging in content creation, the virtual assistant is pivotal in drafting compelling email campaigns. This involves crafting persuasive copy, incorporating visually appealing design elements, and aligning the content with the overarching marketing strategy.

Plan and set a date and time for the campaign to be sent at a later point

Using the scheduling capabilities of the platform, the virtual assistant strategically plans the delivery of the email campaign for a future date and time. This tactical approach aims to optimize audience engagement.

Select the preferred date and time for the campaign delivery

Going into audience behavior analytics, the virtual assistant selects a date and time that aligns with the target audience's preferences. This could involve considering time zones, peak activity periods, and historical open rates.

Verify and store the configured scheduling parameters

Before finalizing the scheduling, the virtual assistant meticulously confirms and saves the chosen settings. This is crucial to prevent errors and ensure the campaign aligns seamlessly with the marketing strategy.

Review and confirm the designated time for campaign dispatch

A meticulous double-check of the scheduled time is conducted to eliminate potential discrepancies. Attention to detail at this stage minimizes the risk of misalignment in the delivery schedule.

Track and analyze performance metrics after sending the campaign

Post-sending, the virtual assistant actively monitors delivery analytics. This involves tracking metrics such as click-through, open rates, and engagement levels to derive insights into the campaign's success and areas for improvement.

Modify scheduling details to enhance audience interaction

Armed with insights from analytics, the assistant iteratively refines future scheduling strategies. Adjustments are made to improve engagement levels and ensure the campaign's resonance with the target audience.

Establish automatic sequences for subsequent campaigns

Using the power of automation, the virtual assistant configures follow-up campaigns. This strategic approach nurtures leads and sustains engagement by delivering relevant content based on user interactions.

Confirm that the email contact list is current and accurate

The virtual assistant proactively manages the email schedule contact list and ensures it remains current. Regular updates prevent bounced emails and guarantee that campaigns reach the intended recipients.

Assess the email content for functionality before setting a schedule

Before scheduling, the virtual assistant conducts thorough testing of the email content. This testing phase ensures the content displays correctly across various devices and resonates effectively with the target audience.

Enhance subject lines to improve the likelihood of email opens

Utilizing A/B testing methodologies, the virtual assistant refines subject lines to enhance open rates. Recognizing the pivotal role of subject lines, optimization efforts are data-driven to capture audience attention effectively.

Plan campaigns to coincide with periods of heightened audience activity

Aligning with audience behavior patterns, campaigns are strategically scheduled during peak engagement times. This alignment maximizes the impact of the campaign and enhances overall user interaction.

Employ A/B testing to refine and enhance email effectiveness

A/B testing is actively employed to refine various elements of the email. This includes testing variations in content, layout, or calls to action. The insights gained inform data-driven decisions for continual optimization.

Periodically assess and refresh the content of planned campaigns

Periodic reviews are conducted to assess the relevance of scheduled campaigns. In collaboration with the marketing team, the virtual assistant makes necessary updates to content, design, or scheduling for sustained success.

Establish campaigns that repeat at specified intervals if required

Recognizing the need for consistent communication, the virtual assistant establishes recurring campaigns. This strategic move streamlines the scheduling process for regular content distribution, maintaining a continuous presence in the audience's inbox.

Stay vigilant for potential problems throughout the campaign dispatch

Vigilantly monitoring campaigns during the delivery phase, the virtual assistant promptly addresses any issues that may arise. This proactive approach ensures a seamless and trouble-free delivery process, minimizing disruptions.

Plan campaigns to accommodate diverse time zones if needed

Acknowledging the audience's global nature, the virtual assistant considers different time zones when scheduling campaigns. This inclusivity ensures that the campaign reaches diverse regions at optimal times, maximizing its effectiveness.

Offer recommendations and valuable insights for refining scheduling approaches

Drawing from a wealth of analytics and accumulated experience, the assistant serves as a valuable resource in providing insights on refining scheduling strategies. These insights contribute to the long-term success of email campaigns, fostering a strategic and informed approach to future endeavors.

wishup virtual assistant benefits

Wishup: Incredible Email Campaigns and Better Outreach

Wishup is an exceptional service provider offering unparalleled virtual assistant services, including top-tier bookkeeping assistance. Here are some of the benefits:

Collaborate with the top 1% of skilled professionals

Collaborate with the most elite talents in the industry, ensuring unparalleled expertise and proficiency in your virtual assistant.

Effortlessly integrate your virtual assistant within a day

Experience a swift and smooth 24 hour onboarding process, allowing you to integrate your virtual assistant seamlessly within just one day.

Remove the necessity for a training budget

Save resources by eliminating the necessity for a training budget, as our virtual assistants come ready and well-equipped in 200+ skillsets to meet your requirements.

Take advantage of Wishup's outstanding replacement policy without any queries

Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with our outstanding replacement policy, providing swift and hassle-free solutions to meet your specific needs.

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Assess your virtual assistant risk-free for seven days in a trial period

Take advantage of a risk-free trial period lasting seven days, allowing you to assess the capabilities and suitability of your virtual assistant without any obligations.

Conclusion 

Email scheduling frees you from the concern of sending emails at specific times, allowing you to concentrate on crafting impactful content. Wishup offers virtual assistant support for your small business, addressing day-to-day operations remotely. 

Our virtual assistants specialize in various skills, including administrative tasks, data entry, content marketing, lead generation, and more—partner with Wishup to enhance your business efficiency and productivity.

For further assistance, contact us through a free consultation or email us at [email protected].

FAQs: How To Send Scheduled Email

Is there a way to send a scheduled email in Outlook?

You can easily schedule an email in Outlook:

  • Compose your email.
  • Click the down arrow next to the Send button.
  • Select "Schedule send."
  • Choose a default option or pick "Send later."
  • Specify the desired date and time.
  • Click Send.
  • How do I send an email on a scheduled date?

In Gmail, scheduling an email is a breeze:

  • Compose your email.
  • Click the arrow right next to the Send button.
  • Select "Schedule send."
  • Choose the date and time for the email to be sent.

How do I send a recurring email in Gmail?

While Gmail lacks a built-in feature for recurring emails, you can achieve it using the scheduling feature. Alternatively, with the Right Inbox extension:

  • Get the right inbox extension from the Chrome store.
  • Write your email.
  • Click the Recurring button at the bottom right.
  • Choose the frequency and timing.
  • Click Schedule.