Posted By : Mads Jakobsen 27.11.2025
Stop Losing Deals to 'I’ll Sign It Later'
Welcome to another G.O.A.T. Hack!
We love making you the Greatest of All Time in closing deals, managing contracts, and staying in flow. Let’s tackle a deceptively small phrase that quietly derails business momentum: "I’ll sign it later."
The 4 Words That Kill Deals
You’ve done everything right. The discovery call clicked. The proposal wowed. The pricing made sense. You even sent the contract with a friendly message and a custom cover page.
"Looks great. I’ll sign it later."
And just like that, your deal enters the purgatory of "almost closed."
Why "Later" Rarely Means "Soon"
In theory, a small delay shouldn’t be a big deal. But in practice, "later" often turns into next week, then next quarter, or worse—never.
- Context switch: Once your prospect is out of “signing mode,” getting them back in is tough.
- Mental friction: Even a simple task feels heavier when delayed. Opening attachments, checking terms, clicking through steps—suddenly it’s "too much."
- Loss of urgency: That energy and buy-in you built during the call? It fades fast.
- Decision fatigue: The longer they wait, the more doubts creep in or other priorities take over.
Deals don’t die from rejection. They die from inertia.
The Psychology of Signing Delays
This isn’t just a logistics problem. It’s a behavioral one. Behavioral science shows we’re more likely to act when:
- The process is immediate and simple
- There’s visible progress (think: progress bars or checklist completion)
- We get light nudges (not spammy ones)
When that experience isn’t designed well, even committed buyers stall.
How to Keep Deals From Stalling
Here are ways to fight those 4 killer words—without being pushy:
✅ 1. Reduce Steps to Sign
Use tools that eliminate unnecessary clicks. GoatSign, for example, lets you create branded, pre-filled templates that auto-assign roles so there’s no confusion or delay.
✅ 2. Set a Clear Next Step
Don’t end a call with "I’ll send the doc." Instead: "I’ll send the contract now, let’s take 2 minutes to wrap it up while I have you."
✅ 3. Use Gentle Reminders
Automated reminders should feel like a helpful nudge, not a guilt trip. GoatSign’s reminder logic adapts to signer behavior, reducing ghosting without nagging.
✅ 4. Highlight Urgency Without Pressure
Remind them of key milestones: onboarding dates, discounts, or spots filling up. Not pressure—just clarity.
✅ 5. Make It Mobile-Friendly
Some prospects check emails on the go. If your signing experience doesn’t look clean on mobile, you’re asking them to wait until they’re back at their desk (spoiler: they won’t be).
Actionable Takeaways
- Delays are friction in disguise—not lack of interest.
- Streamlining the signature experience increases completion rates.
- Small nudges (like pre-filled fields or smart reminders) go a long way.
🐐 G.O.A.T. Hack:
Close the loop live. Don’t just send the doc—stay on the call and walk through it. Most deals die in the gap between "send" and "sign."
Ready to Nudge That Deal Across the Line?
GoatSign helps you cut delays, reduce friction, and turn those almost-closed contracts into done deals. Try a smarter way to sign—your future self (and pipeline) will thank you.
