Stop Chasing Signatures: Complete Guide to Faster Contract Signing
Tired of Waiting Days for Signatures?
The average paper contract takes 5-7 days to get signed. With the right e-signature setup, you can get most contracts signed within hours - and many within minutes. Here is exactly how to stop chasing clients and start closing faster.
Why Clients Take So Long to Sign (And How to Fix It)
6 Proven Strategies to Get Contracts Signed Faster
Enable Mobile Signing
40% faster signingClients can sign on their phones immediately when they receive your email. No desktop required.
With Formfy: Formfy is mobile-optimized - clients tap, sign with finger, done in 60 seconds.
Automatic Reminders
3x completion rateGentle nudges keep your contract top-of-mind without you manually following up.
With Formfy: Set reminder intervals (1, 3, 5 days). Formfy handles the rest.
Require Deposit at Signing
90%+ same-day signingClients who must pay to book are motivated to complete immediately.
With Formfy: Combine signature + Stripe/PayPal payment in one flow.
Set Expiration Dates
2x urgency responseContracts that expire create healthy urgency without being pushy.
With Formfy: Set document expiration dates. Clients see countdown.
Simplify Your Contract
25% faster completionShorter contracts get signed faster. Remove unnecessary legalese.
With Formfy: Clean templates focused on essential terms.
Send at Optimal Times
15% higher open ratesTuesday-Thursday, 10am-2pm typically performs best for business documents.
With Formfy: Schedule sends for optimal delivery times.
The Perfect Reminder Sequence
Automate this sequence and never manually chase signatures again:
Pro Tip: Formfy automates the first 4 steps. You only need to personally reach out if the sequence completes without a signature (rare).
Before vs After: The Difference
Before (Manual Process)
- ✗Send contract via email attachment
- ✗Wait 2-3 days, send follow-up email
- ✗Client prints, signs, scans, emails back
- ✗Chase again for missing signatures
- ✗Send separate invoice for payment
- ✗Chase for payment
Total time: 1-3 weeks
Your time spent: 30-60 minutes per contract
After (Formfy Process)
- ✓Send contract link via email/SMS
- ✓Client opens on phone, signs in 60 seconds
- ✓Client pays deposit in same flow
- ✓Done! Contract signed and paid
- ✓(Auto-reminders if needed)
Total time: Minutes to hours
Your time spent: 2 minutes per contract
Quick Wins Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do clients take so long to sign contracts?
Common reasons: (1) Document buried in email inbox, (2) Need to print/scan (friction), (3) Waiting for the right time, (4) Decision paralysis, (5) Forgot about it, (6) Technical issues accessing document. E-signature tools with reminders and mobile signing solve most of these.
How do I get clients to sign contracts faster?
Proven strategies: (1) Use e-signatures (80% faster than paper), (2) Enable mobile signing, (3) Set up automatic reminders, (4) Create urgency with deadlines, (5) Require deposit at signing, (6) Simplify to essential terms only, (7) Send at optimal times.
What is the average time to get a contract signed?
Paper contracts: 5-7 days average. Email/PDF: 3-5 days. E-signature with reminders: Under 24 hours (median). With payment required: Often same-day. The right tools and tactics can reduce signing time by 80%+.
Should I follow up on unsigned contracts?
Yes, but automate it. Manual follow-ups are time-consuming and awkward. E-signature platforms like Formfy send automatic reminders at intervals you set. This maintains professionalism while ensuring completion.
How many reminders should I send for unsigned contracts?
Best practice: 3-4 reminders over 7-10 days. Example: Day 1 (send), Day 3 (reminder), Day 5 (reminder), Day 7 (final notice). After that, a personal outreach may be needed. Formfy automates this entire sequence.
Does requiring payment speed up contract signing?
Significantly. Contracts with payment requirements (deposits, retainers) see 90%+ same-day completion rates. Clients who must pay are motivated to complete immediately rather than procrastinating.
Ready to Stop Chasing Signatures?
Get contracts signed in minutes, not weeks.
Start 15-Day Free TrialNo credit card required - Cancel anytime