I love finding nifty tools, those little gadgets, programs, and the like that make life easier. In fact, when I redid my aveconsulting.com site recently, I added a section in the Visitor’s Toolbox where I list some of my faves. I’ll definitely add this newest one to the list.

If you use subcontractors — or you frequently (or infrequently, because it’s free) send documents that you need signed — you need to check out EchoSign.

Beyond Simple to Use

• EchoSign notifies the recipient via email that there’s a document for them to sign
• The recipient goes to the secure page, fills out the form, signs it digitally, and clicks a complete button
• EchoSign then sends a PDF of the signed document to the signer and the original requester

I just experienced the process from the signer end (W9, Contractor Agreement, Direct Deposit Form), and it was absolutely the most painless on-boarding process that I ever experienced. No printing. No faxing. No scanning. In about 10 minutes I was done (and that was only because I needed to read the agreement). I will hands down use it when I have docs for people to sign, as I’ll get them faster and keep my contractors happy.

Easy on the Bottom Line

As for the cost, if you send five docs or less per month, the service is free. After that, there are tiers based on usage. There are other nifty tools, too, like Zoho Writer, which “enables you to collaborate with partners, employees, and customers on documents and then send them out for instant digital signatures.” You can also use it to store forms and templates that you use again and again. There’s currently no charge for Zoho Writer, and it may be used with any type of EchoSign account.

If you’ve used EchoSign yourself, I’d love to hear about your experience. If you try it after reading this review, I’d like to know how you like it.

NOTE: I have no association with EchoSign whatsoever and in no way benefit from this recommendation — other than to make other consultants happy, which will hopefully reflect positively on Women in Consulting (WIC).

By: Avery Horzewski