ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE CONTRACTS
Best Way to Send Contracts as an Account Executive
Most account executives are tracking contracts wrong. You don't need an expensive CLM platform or complex workflows. Just upload your PDF, share a link, and see exactly when prospects open it.
Start tracking freeHere's What Most AEs Get Wrong
The conventional wisdom says you need a full contract lifecycle management platform. That you should track every edit, every clause change, every internal approval. But here's the truth: modern CLM tools create unnecessary complexity[1] for most account executives who just need to know one thing — did my prospect actually read this?
ShareDoc gives you exactly what matters: instant notifications when someone opens your contract, how long they spend reading it, and whether they're sharing it internally. No setup, no IT involvement, no per-seat pricing. Just the tracking that actually helps you close deals.
The 30-Second Contract Tracking Method
1. Upload Your Contract PDF
Drag and drop your contract into ShareDoc. No special formatting, no conversion needed. Your existing PDFs work perfectly.
2. Get Your Tracking Link
ShareDoc instantly generates a secure link. Optional: add lead capture to collect viewer information before they access the contract.
3. Send Like Normal
Email the link just like you'd attach a PDF. Your prospect sees a professional viewer — you see real-time analytics.
4. Know Exactly When to Follow Up
Get instant alerts when contracts are opened. See time spent, pages viewed, and whether it's being forwarded internally.
Why Traditional Contract Tracking Falls Short
I spent years as an AE sending contracts into the void. Email read receipts? Unreliable. Following up blindly? Annoying to prospects. Complex CLM systems promised visibility[2] but required IT setup, training, and charged per user — making them impractical for individual AEs or small teams.
The breaking point came when I lost a six-figure deal because I didn't know the contract was stuck with legal for two weeks. My champion had opened it once, then silence. If I'd known it wasn't progressing, I could have helped unstick it.
That's why ShareDoc exists. You get the tracking visibility of enterprise tools without the complexity. See who's looking at your contracts, when they're looking, and what they're focusing on. Then use that intelligence to follow up at exactly the right moment.
What Changes When You Track Every Contract
The first thing you'll notice is how wrong your assumptions were. That deal you thought was dead? They've opened the contract three times this week. The "sure thing" that's been quiet? They haven't even looked at it.
Real-time tracking transforms your follow-up strategy[3]. Instead of generic "just checking in" emails, you can reach out with perfect timing: "I noticed you were reviewing section 3 of our agreement — any questions about the implementation timeline?"
You'll also spot internal champions. When a contract gets forwarded around an organization, you see it happening. That junior stakeholder who viewed it five times? They might be your biggest advocate. The executive who opened it for 30 seconds? You know you need a different approach.
Beyond Basic Tracking: The Lead Capture Advantage
Here's where ShareDoc becomes truly powerful for account executives. When you enable lead capture, viewers must provide their email before accessing your contract. Suddenly, you're not just tracking your champion — you're identifying every stakeholder involved in the decision.
This solves one of the biggest challenges in complex sales: stakeholder mapping. Instead of relying on your champion to tell you who else needs to review the contract (they often forget or deliberately exclude people), you see it happen automatically. Legal reviews it? You know. CFO takes a look? You're notified.
Armed with this information, you can proactively address concerns, provide additional materials to specific stakeholders, and ensure your contract doesn't get stuck in someone's inbox.
The Psychology of the Perfect Follow-Up
Most account executives follow up based on their own anxiety. Day three with no response? Time for a check-in email. But tracking data reveals a different truth: prospects engage with contracts on their own timeline, often when you least expect it.
I've seen contracts opened at 11 PM on a Friday, during holidays, even months after sending. Each view tells a story. Multiple short views might indicate confusion. One long session could mean they're ready to sign. Forwarding activity suggests they're building consensus.
With ShareDoc, you follow up based on actual engagement, not arbitrary timelines. This isn't just more effective — it's more respectful of your prospect's process.
Start Sending Smarter Contracts Today
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