The best time to send a press release is between 8 AM and 10 AM on a Tuesday or Thursday. Sending during this window gives your story the highest chance of getting opened, read, and covered by media outlets.

Timing can make or break a press release. You could write the most compelling story in the world, but if it lands in a journalist’s inbox at the wrong moment, it gets buried. For startups working with tight budgets, getting this right isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

What Days of the Week Get the Most Press Coverage?

Not all weekdays perform equally. Based on industry distribution data:

•  Tuesday and Thursday deliver the highest open rates, averaging 26–27%. Journalists are settled into their week and actively searching for stories.

•  Wednesday performs well too, sitting around 24%, making it a reliable backup.

•  Monday is cluttered. Inboxes are flooded from the weekend, so your release competes with hundreds of other pitches.

•  Friday through Sunday should be avoided unless it’s breaking news. Open rates drop below 18%.

What Time of Day Should You Send a Press Release?

•  8:00 AM to 10:00 AM (recipient’s local time) is the sweet spot. Journalists check their email first thing, and your release sits near the top.

•  10:00 AM to 12:00 PM still works. Many editors review pitches before lunch.

•  After 3:00 PM? Skip it. Newsrooms are wrapping up, and your release competes with fresh morning pitches the next day.

Does the Best Timing Change by Industry?

Yes. While Tuesday and Thursday mornings are the general rule, certain industries have quirks:

•  Tech and SaaS startups see strong results on Tuesday mornings as the tech news cycle heats up.

•  Consumer and lifestyle brands may find Thursday works better, especially ahead of weekend shopping.

•  Financial and B2B companies should align with market hours. Early Wednesday often performs well.

Building a press release strategy from scratch? Consider partnering with a press release distribution service that understands your industry’s media cycle.

How Can Startups Maximize Press Release Impact?

•  Write a subject line that earns the click. Lead with the news, not your company name.

•  Personalize your outreach. A targeted pitch to 20 relevant reporters outperforms a mass blast to 2,000.

•  Amplify across channels. Combine press releases with guest posting on high-authority sites for wider reach.

•  Track and iterate. After three to four sends, you’ll identify your own best-performing slots.

If you’re just getting started, our guide on why every startup needs a press release strategy breaks down the full approach step by step.

The Bottom Line

Send your press release between 8 AM and 10 AM on a Tuesday or Thursday. Avoid weekends, evenings, and Monday mornings. Pair your timing with a sharp subject line, a genuinely newsworthy angle, and targeted journalist outreach.

Timing is one piece of the puzzle, but it’s the piece most startups overlook. Get it right, and you’re already ahead of 80% of the pitches landing in a journalist’s inbox.

Need help building a press strategy that actually gets results? Visit Viral-Impact and let’s get your startup into the headlines.