How to Get Clients to Sign Contracts (Without the Back-and-Forth)

You send the contract. They read it. Then nothing. Days pass. You follow up. More nothing. Sound familiar? Here is how to fix it.

Why clients don't sign contracts

Most unsigned contracts are not about the content. The client is busy, distracted, or the process feels like friction. If you are sending a PDF that requires printing, signing, scanning, and emailing back — you have already lost. Remove every obstacle between "I want to work with you" and "signed."

1. Send it immediately after the call

The best time to send a contract is within an hour of your discovery call, while the client is still excited. Every hour you wait, their enthusiasm cools. Send it the moment you hang up.

2. Use e-signatures — never PDF

The print-sign-scan-email workflow is a conversion killer. With e-signatures, the client clicks a link, reads the agreement, types their name, and signs in under two minutes on their phone. No printing, no scanning, no back-and-forth.

3. Keep the contract short and readable

A 12-page contract written in legal jargon will not get signed quickly. Clients will say "I need my lawyer to look at this" and it disappears. A clear, plain-English contract covering scope, payment, revisions, and termination gets signed the same day.

4. Make signing contingent on starting work

Be explicit: work does not begin until the contract is signed and the deposit is paid. When clients know there is a clear reason to sign now, they sign now.

5. Follow up once, firmly

Hi [Name],

Just checking in on the agreement I sent yesterday. 
I have [start date] reserved for your project — I just 
need the signed contract to confirm your slot.

Here is the link again: [agreement link]

[Your name]

6. Combine contract with deposit invoice

Send them together — client signs, pays the deposit, deal done in one flow. Becflow does this automatically: one link, client signs and pays, you get notified.