What Is the Best Time to Cold Call In 2025?

Yes, timing plays an important role in the effectiveness of cold calls, as the customer will respond only when they get a call at a convenient time. A higher pick-up rate ultimately increases the chance for sales conversations and opportunities.

Around 80 to 90% of cold calls go unanswered because people tend to ignore calls from unknown numbers and often send them directly to voicemail. This usually happens when calls come at inappropriate times, like during a busy workday or when the prospect is otherwise occupied. That’s why it is important to consider the right time to make a cold call to increase the chances of your call being answered.

The best time of a day to cold call is in the late morning, between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM, and the late afternoon, between 3:00 and 5:00 PM.
 

Midweek days, especially Tuesday to Thursday, are typically the best for cold calling, as per many reliable reports.

Likewise, a 3-year analysis by InsideSales, based on 100K+ calls, also concluded that Thursday was the top day for cold calling. Similarly, InsightSquared research found that Tuesday had the highest connect rate at 10%.

The worst times to make cold calls are early morning (before 9 AM), lunchtime (12 to 1 PM), and after work hours (after 5 PM).

In the early morning, mainly before 9 AM, your contact may still be asleep or on the way to work. Even if they’re at work, the early hours are often reserved for catching up on emails or managing their day’s tasks. This especially occurs on Mondays when people are settling into their workweek. So, it is hard to grab their attention during these times.

Another poor time for cold calling is lunchtime. People are on break and away from their workspace during this time, making them less likely to pick up the phone.

Similarly, calling too late can also reduce the chances of successful cold calls. By the end of the day, many people are shifting their focus from work to personal life. During this time, they are more likely to spend time with their family or close their personal activities and do not prefer to pick up a call from unknown numbers.

To make cold calling more effective, research the potential leads before calling, use a clear and friendly tone during the conversation, and provide a summarized message after the call.

• Research the Potential Lead: Before dialing, research your prospect, including their needs, issues, and business. For example, if you’re calling a local bakery, understand their current operations and seasonal trends. This will help you to address their pain points directly.
• Start with a Clear Introduction: Start with a friendly, warm greeting and clearly explain who you are and why you’re calling. A strong and value-focused opening can help you quickly grab their attention and encourage them to stay until the end of the conversation.
• Adjust Your Tone: Adjust your tone based on your potential customer response. If they seem excited, reflect that energy. If they sound serious, be more focused and professional. Talking in a relatable tone not only makes them more comfortable but provides a positive environment to make a sale.
• Personalize the Conversation: Start your conversations by referencing something specific about the prospect’s issues. For example, if you’re calling a healthcare provider, mention how your solution has helped other similar clinics.
• Be Persistent: After a call, send a summarized message that outlines the whole discussion and a relevant case study that might be helpful for them. This shows you’re interested in helping them further.
• Use Advanced Telephony System: To maximize productivity, use a business phone system with telephony features like live AI Sentiment Analysis. It helps you to identify the positive or negative experience of the customer during a call. Following this report, you can adjust your sales strategy accordingly.

Timing plays a critical role in successful cold calling. Aim for late morning and late afternoon when potential clients are most likely to answer a call. Also, before making a call, prepare yourself by understanding the prospect's needs and background to increase the chances for conversion.

Utilize Calilio's virtual phone system to elevate your cold calling strategy. Its features, like VoIP call recording, allow for post-call analysis and personalized follow-ups, while call whispering enables real-time coaching during calls.

Yes, cold calling is still effective in 2025 for outbound sales and marketing strategy. However, today, cold calling demands a more personalized approach to success.

The best time to cold call a business is in the late morning or late evening on mid-week days. In these times, business decision-makers are most likely to be available to receive your calls.

To increase your cold calling rates, focus on calling at optimal times, research your leads, and be persistent with follow-ups.