Webinar Reminder Email Benchmarks
Webinar reminder emails are sent before a scheduled webinar or live event to drive attendance. They are distinct from webinar promotion emails, which drive registration. Reminder emails ensure registered attendees actually show up.
| Metric | Average | Above Average | Excellent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Rate | 35-50% | 52%+ | 60%+ |
| Click-Through Rate | 15-30% | 32%+ | 40%+ |
| Attendance Rate (from Email) | 25-40% | 42%+ | 50%+ |
| Unsubscribe Rate | 0.1-0.4% | Below 0.1% | Below 0.05% |
Why These Benchmarks Matter
The reminder sequence is the most important factor in webinar attendance. Without a reminder sequence, attendance rates typically fall below 20%. A well-executed 3-email reminder sequence can push attendance above 50%.
Reminder Timing Benchmarks
| Reminder Timing | Attendance Boost |
|---|---|
| 24 hours before | +15-25% |
| 1 hour before | +10-20% |
| At start time | +5-10% |
| Combined (all three) | +30-50% |
Webinar Reminder Benchmarks by Industry
| Industry | Open Rate | Click Rate | Attendance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| B2B SaaS | 40-55% | 20-35% | 35-50% |
| Professional Services | 38-50% | 18-30% | 30-45% |
| Marketing / Media | 35-48% | 15-28% | 25-40% |
| Education | 35-50% | 18-30% | 30-45% |
Best Practices for Webinar Reminder Emails
- Send at least 3 reminders: A 24-hour, 1-hour, and at-start-time reminder sequence is the standard. Each reminder should add different information or urgency.
- Include the calendar link: Every reminder should include a click-to-add link for the attendees calendar. The easier it is to save the event, the more likely they are to attend.
- Add a replay promise: "Will not be able to make it? Register anyway and we will send you the recording." This removes the pressure of live attendance and maintains goodwill.
- Use the subject line for immediacy: "Starting in 1 hour" outperforms "Webinar reminder" for the hour-before email. Immediate relevance drives opens.
- Include speaker details: A brief bio and photo of the presenter in the reminder email humanises the event and increases commitment to attend.
Related Benchmarks
Account Deletion Email Benchmarks
Account deletion email benchmarks for open rates, click-through rates, and recovery rates. Account deletion emails confirm account closure and offer a final opportunity to recover the account.
Account Verification & Confirmation Email Benchmarks
Email marketing benchmarks for account verification and confirmation emails. Open rates 40-65%, CTR 20-40%, verification completion rates, re-verification, MFA notification, and security alert data.
Activity Digest Email Benchmarks
Activity digest email benchmarks for open rates, click-through rates, and engagement rates. Digest emails summarise recent activity, news, or content in a regular roundup format.
Automotive & Car Dealership Email Marketing Benchmarks
Email marketing benchmarks for automotive dealerships and car retailers. Open rates 15-20%, CTR 2-4%, service reminders, sales events, new model launches, and test drive follow-up campaigns.
B2B Email Marketing Benchmarks
B2B email marketing benchmarks for open rates, click-through rates, lead generation, and conversion metrics. Compare your professional services or B2B company's email performance against verified industry averages.
Back-in-Stock Notification Email Benchmarks
Email marketing benchmarks for back-in-stock notification campaigns. Open rates 30-50%, CTR 15-35%, waiting list conversion, restock alerts, exclusive early access, and sell-through rate data.
Frequently Asked Questions
3 emails is optimal: 24 hours before, 1 hour before, and at the start time. 2 emails (24-hour and 1-hour) is acceptable for smaller events. 4+ emails risks annoying registrants.
The 1-hour-before reminder typically has the highest open and click rates because of its immediate relevance. It should be short, direct, and include a prominent "join now" link.
Include a replay offer in the 24-hour reminder but not in the 1-hour or at-start reminders. The later reminders should focus on live attendance. Mentioning the replay can reduce live attendance.
For automated webinars or evergreen content, reminders function differently. A single "your content is ready" email with a replay link replaces the multi-reminder sequence. Engagement rates are lower than live events.
Track attendance rate (percentage of registrants who attended), open rate per reminder, click-through rate per reminder, and the number of attendees per reminder trigger. The hour-before email should drive the highest attendance.