When is the best time and day to make sales calls?

Key takeaways
  • Timing your sales calls correctly boosts success rates by increasing the chances of reaching prospects when they’re available and receptive.
  • Midweek (Wednesdays and Thursdays) and golden hours (10–11 AM or 4–5 PM) are the most effective times to connect.
  • Acting within the first hour of lead generation significantly improves engagement and response rates.
  • Persistence in follow-ups, even up to six attempts, ensures higher chances of conversion and meaningful conversations.
  • Avoid ineffective times like early mornings, lunchtimes, and Fridays to maximize productivity and results.

Timing can be the secret weapon in your sales strategy.

Whether you’re making warm sales calls or cold calls, reaching prospects at the best time to make sales calls can significantly boost your success rate.

Let’s uncover the best times to cold call, backed by research, and explore how you can apply these insights to your cold-calling efforts.

Key findings from the Salesmate study

Salesmate conducted a study involving 80 companies across industries such as construction, IT, real estate, and digital agencies.

With 12,480 call attempts made over 60 days by 245 sales reps, the study identified patterns that can help you maximize your efforts.

  • Successful conversations: 1,427 calls led to meaningful conversations.
  • Industries analyzed: Diverse sectors like real estate and technology.
  • Geographical focus: All calls were made within the USA.

These findings give you actionable insights into the best time to call and when prospects are more likely to pick up the phone and engage.

Important findings of the Salesmate study

  • Best day to make a sales call: Wednesday
  • Best time to make a sales call: 4-5 pm
  • Best hour to make a sales call: Within the first hour of the lead generation
  • Advisable sales call attempts: 6 
The Best Day & Time To Make a Sales Call

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Best day to make sales calls

Wednesday is the best day to make sales calls, with 136 successful first-attempt conversations. Thursday follows closely, with 113 successful connections.

Conversely, Friday proves to be the worst day, with only 63 successful calls.

The difference between the best day to make sales calls (Wednesday) and the worst day (Friday) is a striking 53.67%.

For cold calls, the mid-week momentum also works best. Decision-makers tend to be more focused midweek and are open to exploring solutions before the weekend rush.

Best time of day to make sales calls

The best time of day to make sales calls is the 4 PM to 5 PM window, followed by 10 AM to 11 AM as the second-best slot. On the flip side, 5 PM to 6 PM tends to be the least effective hour.

For cold calls, targeting prospects in these high-performing time slots can dramatically increase your chances of success. Decision-makers are often wrapping up their day in the late afternoon, making them more available to take calls.

Why timing matters in cold calling

Cold calling often feels like rolling the dice, but timing can tip the odds in your favor. Calling during the best time to cold call increases the chances of reaching someone when they’re mentally available to engage.

Pro tip: Skip early mornings and late evenings—people are either too busy or mentally checked out. Instead, aim for mid-morning and mid-afternoon to be the best time for cold calling.

Response time: Act fast for success

The first hour after a lead is generated is your golden window.

According to Salesmate’s study, this hour yields the highest number of successful conversations. Waiting longer? Response rates drop by 11x after the eighth hour.

For example, think about when you request product information online. If a sales rep calls you immediately, you’re likely still thinking about it and ready to engage. A delayed call? You’ve probably moved on.

Consistency is key: How many calls are enough?

Many sales reps quit too soon. Persistence pays off, as shown in these results:

  • First attempt: 489 successful conversations.
  • Second attempt: 281 more conversations.
  • Third attempt: 328 additional connections.

Interestingly, success rates remained strong up to the sixth attempt. The lesson? Follow up consistently to maximize your chances.

The role of cold calling hours

Knowing the best time to make cold calls is just as crucial as compliance.

Calling too early or too late can irritate prospects or even violate regulations.

Mid-morning and late-afternoon slots—similar to sales calls—are the best times to cold call.

Quick tip: Always check time zones and local laws before reaching out to prospects, especially if you’re calling across regions.

Revolutionize Your Sales and Cold Calling

With Salesmate, every call becomes an opportunity. Dial directly from your CRM, automate follow-ups, and leverage analytics to ensure your calls hit the mark.

Revolutionize Your Sales and Cold Calling

How Salesmate makes sales and cold calling a breeze

Salesmate equips you with everything you need to make your calls count:

  • Built-in calling: Dial prospects directly from your CRM with ease. Plus, enjoy handy features like call tracking and recording to keep tabs on every conversation.
  • Automation: Automate your follow-up sequences so no lead slips through the cracks.
  • Analytics: Want to know the best time to make sales calls? Salesmate’s analytics give you the lowdown on when your calls are most likely to hit the mark.

With Salesmate, you’re not just dialing numbers—you’re making data-backed calls that bring results.

Conclusion

Timing is everything in sales.

By understanding the best days to cold call, the best time of day to cold call, and persistence strategies, you can significantly enhance your success rates.

Whether you’re making sales calls or cold calls, combining timing insights with tools like Salesmate can take your efforts to the next level.

Remember: Every successful sales call starts with the right timing—don’t leave it to chance.

Frequently asked questions

1. What are the best days of the week to make sales calls?

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are typically the best days for sales calls. Prospects are often more focused and receptive during these midweek days, as Mondays are for catching up and Fridays are for winding down.  

However, testing your specific audience's preferences is always a good idea. 

2. How does the time of day impact the success rate of sales calls?

Timing can make or break your sales calls. Most people are easier to reach mid-morning (around 10–11 AM) or mid-afternoon (2–4 PM).  

These windows are when they’ve likely cleared their immediate to-dos and are more open to a conversation. Catch them during these “sweet spots,” and you’re more likely to get their attention. 

3. Are there specific hours that work better for sales calls?

Definitely! 10 to 11 AM and 2 to 4 PM are golden hours for making sales calls. Early mornings? People are just settling in. Late afternoons? They’re wrapping up for the day.  

By calling at the right time, you’re giving yourself the best shot at getting through to someone who’s ready to chat. 

4. Do different industries have unique optimal times for sales calls?

Absolutely! For example: 

B2B sales often perform better during regular business hours, especially midweek. 

Retail or hospitality industries might require calls outside typical 9-to-5 hours when managers are less busy. 

Understanding your industry’s work patterns is key to choosing the best call times. 

5. What are the worst times to make sales calls?

Mondays early in the morning and Fridays late in the afternoon are generally the worst times for sales calls.  

Mondays often have people focused on catching up from the weekend, while Fridays are spent wrapping up tasks before the weekend. Lunchtime (12–1 PM) can also be tricky, as many prospects are away or busy. 


Krish Doshi

Krish Doshi is an SEO Specialist and content enthusiast at Salesmate, focused on optimizing content and driving digital growth. When he’s not working, he enjoys exploring new technologies and trends in digital marketing.

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