If you’re a freelancer, you know the drill: every minute you spend chasing contracts, wrangling client details, or sending follow-up emails is a minute you’re not billing. And let’s be real: nobody got into freelancing because they love admin work.
Here’s the good news: with a quick 10-minute setup, you can build a workflow that runs almost on autopilot. The result? Hours saved every single week.
Step 1: Sign Contracts in 2 Minutes Flat
Old-school signing (printing, scanning, emailing back and forth) is a productivity trap. E-signature tools solve this instantly:
- Upload your contract
- Add signature fields
- Send it off
Most contracts are signed in minutes, not days. Plus, they’re legally binding and secure, so you can skip the paperwork drama and focus on the work itself.
Step 2: Automate Onboarding (3 Minutes)
After the contract is out the door, onboarding shouldn’t mean digging through old emails. Create reusable templates for proposals, welcome packets, and intake forms so you can:
- Collect key details (scope, deadlines, assets) right away
- Send a ready-to-go “welcome” email once documents are signed
- Let your e-signing tool track the status for you (no more “Just checking in…” emails)
Step 3: Put Follow-Ups on Autopilot (3 Minutes)
Waiting on a signature? Instead of chasing, let reminders do the work. Many e-signing platforms will automatically nudge clients if they haven’t signed. Pair that with a scheduling tool for meetings, and you’ll save yourself a ton of inbox ping-pong.
Step 4: Close the Loop (2 Minutes)
Once the signature is in, wrap things up quickly:
- Send a thank-you email with next steps
- Add the client to your project tracker (Trello, Asana, Notion—whatever you like)
- Move on knowing the paperwork side is buttoned up
How Much Time Does This Really Save?
Freelancers spend roughly 30% of their time on non-billable tasks like contracts, reminders, and scheduling. That’s almost a full day every week.
With a simple workflow like this, you’ll claw back:
- 10 minutes per contract (no printing or scanning)
- 15 minutes per client (automated reminders)
- 30 minutes per project (streamlined onboarding)
Multiply that across just a handful of clients, and you’re saving 3–4 hours every single week.
The Takeaway
Freelancing is supposed to give you more freedom, not bury you in busywork. A 10-minute workflow with e-signing and a few simple automations can help you look more professional, save hours every week, and keep your focus on what really matters: your work.
There are plenty of tools out there to help—some big, some small, some even free. HubSign is one of them, designed to give freelancers unlimited e-signatures without the paywall. But whatever tool you choose, the point is simple: your workflow doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective.
Save the admin stress. Keep the freedom. Work smarter.
