Here’s a handy-dandy tip for those who need to send signed documents across the Internet:
Create a digital signature – it will save you time & money in the long run! And save a few trees at the same time…
Consider scenario #1: You’ve just signed up a new client and have created a fresh new contract. You E-mail them a copy of the contract; they print it off and sign it. They now mail the contract back to you; everything looks tickedy-boo so you sign it as well. Now you have to either scan the completed contract so that you can send a copy to the client, or you have to make a physical copy and mail it back to the client again.
And now scenario #2: You’ve just signed up a new client and have created a fresh new contract. You include your digital signature within the actual document, then E-mail it to your client. They either attach their own digital signature to the contract and E-mail it back to you, or they print it off, sign it, take a copy for themselves, and mail it back to you.
As you can see with scenario #1 there are 3 separate trips the contract has to take in order for all parties to end up with a completed contract signed by everyone. You’ve spent money on postage as well as printed off and/or physically copied some paper. However, using scenario #2 your contract only makes one round trip, potentially never costing you or your client any money for postage and paper!
Digital signatures are quick & simple to create; all you need is a copy of your signature, a scanner, and any picture editing program.