We’ve rolled out many new changes since the start of 2010, including the release of Version 10.1, the exclusive DocuSign REALTOR® Edition, and a new phone system. If you subscribe to DocuSign’s electronic signature service, you get access to new features every time we do a new release – this means you can always use the newest features and have access to the latest innovations in electronic signature technology.

Where do we get our feature ideas? We often solicit feedback from you, our users, about new feature ideas. You can follow @DocuSign on Twitter or become a fan on the DocuSign Facebook Page for announcements when we look for user feedback. We’ve even hosted focus groups such as the Mix and Mingle at the Keller Williams Family Reunion, to determine what features and functionality you, our users, deem most important so we can prioritize them on the product roadmap.

DocuSign is committed to providing industry-leading electronic signature solutions to real estate professionals as the exclusive and official ESIGN provider through the NAR Member Benefits® program. Our commitment is such that we just released the exclusive DocuSign REALTOR® Edition along with a real estate-specific electronic signature service because we understand that you have unique business needs, different from those needs of our other customers, and we want to accommodate your business needs.

ESIGN Support

When you purchase DocuSign, adding phone support is always an option. This is not new. When you sign up for DocuSign, we offer phone support as a premium option. Instead of charging everyone for phone support, we’ve chosen to charge only those who use phone support. This enables us to keep our prices down and offer the robust features and plans that we do.

If you want to upgrade your account and add phone support, you can contact support (service@docusign.com) with your preferred contact information (phone, email, etc.) and let them know that you want to add phone support, so they can work with you to help you choose the DocuSign plan with phone support that best fits your business needs.

However, our commitment to customer service means that support is NOT a premium option. We have many FREE support options.

Free ESIGN Support Options

Email (service@docusign.com) has a service level agreement of two hours during support hours. Because I work remotely, I often email support with questions and receive a response almost instantaneously, so it’s possible to get almost real time response. Emailing support means that you can also send them screen shots of what you’re seeing on your screen, so they can see what the issue is and can help you effectively.

Instant Messenger enables you to copy and paste any messages that trigger the question you want to ask support. It also provides you the benefit of real time conversation, similar to what you’d experience on the phone. With the ability of our support personnel to read your messages and gain an understanding of your issue, they can effectively help you.

Forums are great for questions and feedback you have for our engineers, product managers, and professional services folks that aren’t time sensitive. You can see if someone has already had a similar issue or question or ask and someone from the technical side of the house will respond.

DocuSign’s YouTube Channel provides informational how-to videos that walk you through the various standard and premium features of DocuSign. We’re continually adding new videos and if you don’t see one that you want, let us know! We’ll add it to our editorial calendar.

Weekly Free Webinar eSign Trainings that you can sign up for and attend from the comfort of your home or office enable you to learn how to use DocuSign’s eSignature services.

DocuSign’s eSignature Blog provides how-to’s, tips and tricks, product announcements, in-person events, industry news and more. We continually seek to share information about what we’re working on and how you can leverage eSignature to close deals faster, increase your customers’ satisfaction, and save time.

Sender FAQ and Signer FAQ provide the answers to the most common questions from senders and signers, since we know they’ll have different questions. We also offer sender demos,signer demos, sender user guides & documentation, signer documentation and other resources on the DocuSign web site.

Additionally, we do not charge for signers who call support – we understand that signers are using DocuSign because senders have requested that they sign documents using DocuSign. Please do leave comments with your questions, concerns and thoughts as we’d like to work with you to help you understand how customer support works at DocuSign!

Spend more time selling by becoming more efficient, no longer wasting time managing paper contracts.

Never hassle with fax or scanning – even better, your customers will appreciate not having to deal with fax machines or scanners either.

Shorten sales cycles by using DocuSign’s electronic signature process; contracts are delivered immediately – they don’t sit on customers’ desks, they don’t get lost and are returned immediately after being signed.

Close more deals – sales organizations are seeing close rates increase by 30% or more with DocuSign electronic signature.

Sales reps now have real time visibility into the contract signing process – they can see who has viewed the contract, who has signed, and who has yet to sign.

Aside from making the signing process easy for sales, easy for customers and improving sales results, DocuSign allows companies to save up to 90% of costs associated with paper processes by eliminating paper, the need to use a fax, and the need to use costly courier services.

Sending Your Document

Sending a contract for signature is as simple as uploading your sales contract.

Add your signer or signers, if multiple people need to sign your contract.

You can also carbon copy additional people who need to receive the completed document but are not signers.

Next, add a subject and message to the email notification that will be sent to your signers.

Drag DocuSign tabs from the right side of your screen to assign signature, initial and data entry tasks for each of your recipients.

Then click “Send”

Here’s what your signers will see… Signing your Document

First they will agree to adopt an electronic signature

Then they will click on the signing tabs you have added on the contract and click “Complete Signing”.

The signing process is fast, convenient and easy.

By using DocuSign’s tab signing contracts, this will ensure they come back error free.

API Integration

With our out-of-the-box integration with partners like Salesforce.com, Ariba, and many others, DocuSign fits seamlessly into your existing sales process. You can also choose to create a custom API integration to integrate with just about any other application.

We offer regular DocuSign API webinars (developer workshops) and have a robust eSign Dev Center to provide support for your integration efforts.

With millions of signature events complete and thousands of companies like Ariba, Comcast, Expedia, LinkedIn, Yamaha, EFA Processing, Great Lakes, Prudential, and Monsanto relying on DocuSign daily, DocuSign is a proven leader in electronic signature and eSign services. DocuSign provides the most secure, reliable and robust eSignature services available.

Please click the link and contact DocuSign today to find out how electronic signature can accelerate your sales process!

Our First Nest Realty uses DocuSign to accelerate the signing process for real estate documents. DocuSign has expedited the average turnaround of real estate documents from days to minutes. Houston-based Our First Nest Realty also leverages DocuSign as a green technology differentiator and as part of the company’s commitment to environmentally-friendly business processes.

Paul Silverman, Owner, Our First Nest Realty

Our First Nest Realty owner Paul Silverman first discovered DocuSign when working with a buyer for a hot property with multiple bidders. The need for an alternative to ink signatures became paramount when the buyer had to sign papers while out of state. Silverman registered for a free trial of the DocuSign eSignature service and within minutes was able to electronically send the documents for e-signature. His client received a DocuSign email notification, quickly adopted a signature and signed the documents online. Silverman presented the offer and it was accepted immediately. Later, Silverman’s client used DocuSign’s service from her Apple iPhone to electronically sign additional paperwork.

DocuSign came to the rescue. It helped streamline the process, provided my client an added service and reduced my company’s carbon footprint in just one service. Being able to sign from a mobile phone was a huge advantage. Clients always tell me how easy it is to DocuSign—it’s convenient, safe and legal. This is clearly the best tool I have ever used. – Paul Silverman, owner, Our First Nest Realty, and strong advocate of green technology

DocuSign has reduced or eliminated the need for Our First Nest Realty to print, fax or waste paper, ink and energy. He is pleased that he is helping clients with a hassle-free transaction and also upholding his pledge to the environment. Silverman holds a number of green designations and certificates including the National Association of REALTORS® Green designation and is a National Association of Homebuilders Certified Green Professional (CPG).

The DocuSign Advantage

After reviewing other e-signature solutions providers, Our First Nest Realty has continued using DocuSign based on the following key criteria:

• Ease of Use—DocuSign makes it easy for Silverman to send documents for client e-signature, and just as simple for clients to sign electronically. This intuitive service closely replicates the traditional signing experience, creating a positive client experience. DocuSign’s Designed for Mobile functionality provides Silverman’s clientele with anywhere, anytime electronic signing capabilities from an Apple iPhone, RIM BlackBerry, Google Android, Windows Mobile or any other Internet-enabled mobile device.
• Compliance—With DocuSign, Our First Nest Realty is assured of security as documents are an encrypted PDF. Signers are authenticated and contracts can only be returned only if fully completed, ensuring 100 percent compliance.
• Real-Time Visibility—DocuSign reveals the signing status of every agreement in real-time: when it was opened, when it was signed, the time the transaction has taken, and which contracts remain to be signed. Our First Nest Realty knows immediately when a real estate document is completed so deals can be transacted faster in a highly competitive market.
• Workflow Management—DocuSign automates Our First Nest Realty’s workflow processes. DocuSigned documents are returned only when complete, thereby reducing turnaround time from days to minutes.
• Cost-Effective—DocuSign reduces administrative costs associated with the traditional signing process, eliminating the need to print, fax or drive to meet clients for in-person signings
• Going Green—Environmentally-friendly, DocuSign aligns with Silverman’s green initiatives and further differentiates Our First Nest Realty from competitors using older, resource-wasting business processes.

For more information about the business benefits DocuSign provides Our First Nest Realty, read the detailed eSignature case study.

REThink Real Estate implemented DocuSign’s eSignature solutions to accelerate its real estate document signing process. This leading San Francisco Bay Area-based real estate firm employs DocuSign’s electronic signature services as the primary vehicle to complete real estate transactions.  DocuSign expedites the average turnaround time of real estate documents from days to minutes. DocuSign helped REThink Real Estate successfully expand and leverage DocuSign’s green technology as a market differentiator and competitive advantage.

Tara-Nicholle Nelson, MA, Esq. REALTOR®, Owner, REThink Real Estate

Owner of REThink Real Estate, Tara-Nicholle Nelson, MA, Esq. is a successful real estate broker, attorney, author and accredited buyer’s representative. Nelson recently represented a buyer in a competitive real estate transaction where the seller’s agent wanted to collect as many offers as possible to present to her client. To stall Nelson and her buyers, the seller’s agent sent a 150-page disclosure agreement that typically takes hours to fax to clients and hours for clients to sign and fax back. Instead, Nelson scanned the disclosure agreement and sent it via DocuSign to her clients. Her clients received an email notification, adopted an e-signature and returned the completed disclosure within the hour. The selling agent was obligated to present the offer to her client and it was accepted.

DocuSign has changed my life. I can’t imagine doing business without it. My clients love the convenience. Sometimes a buyer can make more than 20 offers before one is accepted. That means signing hundreds of pages at least 20 times! With DocuSign, it’s click, click, click and you’re done. – Tara-Nicholle Nelson

Nelson credits DocuSign with giving her more freedom—from paper, faxing and wasting time. By leveraging the Internet, Nelson notes that she and her clients can write, sign and submit an offer without being in the same state. With DocuSign, clients are rarely aware that Nelson is out of town for a speaking engagement or training. DocuSign also provides a much more polished and professional offer to agents, making Nelson’s offers appear more persuasive than the handwritten, scanned and faxed documents typically presented to sellers.

The DocuSign Advantage

After reviewing other e-signature solutions providers, Nelson chose DocuSign based on the following key criteria:

• Ease of Use—DocuSign makes it easy for Nelson to send documents for client e-signature, and just as simple for the client to sign electronically. This intuitive service closely replicates the traditional signing experience, creating a positive client experience. Plus, DocuSign’s Designed for Mobile functionality provides Nelson’s clientele with anywhere, anytime electronic signing capabilities from an Apple iPhone, RIM BlackBerry, Google Android, Windows Mobile or any other mobile device.
• Compliance—With DocuSign, RETHink Real Estate is assured of security as documents are an encrypted PDF. Signers are authenticated and contracts can only be returned only if fully completed, ensuring 100 percent compliance. Aged, confidential documents are archived and purged automatically, thereby safeguarding personal client information.
• Real-Time Visibility—DocuSign reveals the signing status of every agreement in real-time: when it was opened, when it was signed, the time the transaction has taken, and which contracts remain to be signed. REThink Real Estate knows immediately when a real estate document is completed so deals can be transacted faster in a highly competitive market.
• Workflow Management—DocuSign automates Nelson’s workflow processes. DocuSigned documents are returned only when complete, thereby reducing the turnaround time from days to minutes.
• Cost-Effective— DocuSign reduces administrative costs associated with the traditional signing process, eliminating the need to print, fax or drive to meet clients for in-person signings.
• Going Green— Environmentally friendly DocuSign aligns with Nelson’s green initiatives and further differentiates REThink Real Estate from competitors using older, resource-wasting business processes.

For more information about the business benefits DocuSign provides ReThink Real Estate, read the detailed eSignature case study on the DocuSign Web site!

This REALTOR^® branded version of DocuSign is a direct result of the collaboration between NAR and DocuSign. It is a representation of the power of what good partnerships can bring to the real estate industry and more importantly, reinforces why all real estate professionals benefit from NAR’s REALTOR Benefits^® Program. We are looking forward to the future and watching how the increased adoption of DocuSign’s e-signature services will revolutionize the industry. – Bob Goldberg, senior vice president of marketing and business development, commercial services and business specialties for NAR.

DocuSign REALTOR^®Edition builds upon DocuSign’s award-winning eSignature service offerings and includes the following features:

Branded Signature—NAR members have the option to adopt an exclusive REALTOR^® branded e-signature to further promote NAR membership status with the distinguished and trusted REALTOR^® logo.

Online Dashboard—An intuitive, secure REALTOR^® branded console is available to members anytime, anywhere, enabling busy professionals to check the status of every document in real-time. Senders know when documents are opened, when they are signed, the time of the transaction has taken and which documents remain to be signed.

Branded Templates—REALTOR^® branded email communications reinforce and leverage NAR’s stringent code of ethics with signers and/or customers.

Integration with Real Estate Tools—DocuSign REALTOR^® Edition seamlessly works with a broad variety of real estate software tools, including e-forms and online file management systems.

Mobile Signing—DocuSign Designed for Mobile functionality offers anywhere, anytime electronic signing of documents from an Apple iPhone, RIM BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Google Android and other mobile devices.

Workflow Optimization—DocuSign makes it easy for REALTORS^® to control the recipient signing order, and set automated recipient signing reminders and envelope expirations to accelerate the signing process. Plus, time-saving workflows and templates to streamline the signing process.

Real estate professionals everywhere are discovering the power of DocuSign to accelerate business and increase customer satisfaction in a fiercely competitive market. We anticipate the momentum of new DocuSign subscribers to increase even faster now with NAR’s recommendation and support of the release of our new NAR-endorsed DocuSign REALTOR^® Edition. This new, powerful DocuSign offering is specifically tailored for REALTORS^® and a definite game-changer for 2010. – Dave Thorpe, business development director at DocuSign.

More than 20,000 real estate professionals have used DocuSign to accelerate their business, with thousands more subscribing each month. DocuSign real estate subscribers achieve higher sales, increase client satisfaction and maintain a competitive edge. Rather than driving across town to get a signature or inconveniencing clients to find a fax machine, real estate professionals use DocuSign to execute agreements with buyers and sellers electronically, eliminating the old process of printing, faxing and waiting for the return fax. As more than 95 percent of home buyers have Internet access, but fewer than 10 percent have fax service in their homes, DocuSign saves agents time and money while providing client convenience. Clients can electronically sign real estate forms using any Web browser, and documents are legally binding, backed by a court-admissible audit trail.

Pricing and Availability

DocuSign REALTOR^® Edition is available to NAR members as a special Member Benefit^®. Members receive best-in-class pricing with a 20 percent savings over standard DocuSign rates on both editions—DocuSign REALTOR^® Basic and DocuSign REALTOR^® Standard. DocuSign REALTOR^® Basic is a limited edition while DocuSign REALTOR^® Standard is an expanded version offering full functionality and a robust feature set. Subscribers must present a valid National Realtors Database System (NRDS) member identification to qualify.

Pricing and additional product information can be found on the DocuSign Web site for NAR members or to learn more on NAR’S REALTOR Benefits^® Program, visit DocuSign’s NAR Member Benefits^® partner page.

The Crawfords used the Gogo Inflight High Speed WiFi Internet service to stay connected throughout the flight, and using DocuSign’s secure e-Signature service, the Crawfords were able to eSign the purchase agreement and return the documents to Patricia Navone, who works for Morgan Lane, part of McLaughlin Ventures.

The ability to sign and return their offer via DocuSign reduced the Crawfords’ stress, made the process seamless, and allowed them to enjoy their vacation – they didn’t have to spend vacation time dealing with physical documents. By the time they landed in San Francisco, Patricia had already presented their offer to the listing agent, and that they would be opening escrow.

The San Francisco Chronicle shared how DocuSign’s eSignature services enabled the Crawfords to finalize their offer and close on the property. With technologies like electronic signature and transaction document managers, real estate professionals can streamline the dealmaking process.

For example, DocuSign and TransactionPoint have partnered to enable the customers of both services to select an envelope from their member console and upload one or more envelope documents to target TransactionPoint transactions without having to leave DocuSign.

For more information, read the San Francisco Chronicle article and take a look at DocuSign’s real estate eSignature solutions.

Next week, we’ll be in Austin, Texas, home of the Texas Longhorns, and Texas BBQ! DocuSign will be on hand in booth #630 to discuss eSignature with those attending the Prudential Real Estate Sales Convention from Sunday, March 7th to Tuesday March 9th!

We can’t wait to connect with many of our current DocuSign customers and meeting with others who want to learn how they can use electronic signature to:

Save Time: On average, DocuSign users save more than six hours a week – that’s time they can spend building their business, working with more clients, or spending time with their families.

Add convenience: DocuSign Electronic Signature Service eliminates the hassle of fax, overnight mail, or personal delivery of documents. Not only do real estate professionals find DocuSign easy to use, so do their customers!

Increase Customer Satisfaction: Real estate professionals who use DocuSign provide an extra level of service to their clients. These days, everyone’s so busy! DocuSign’s “Designed for Mobile” functionality means that they can e-sign from the convenience of their Apple iPhones, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, or Google Android phones and no longer have to wait to get in front of a computer before they can eSign documents.

DocuSign saves time, adds additional convenience and increases your customers’ satisfaction because it’s literally as easy as opening an email, clicking a link, reading disclosures and adding the necessary clicks of a mouse.

We’ll have information about the newest release of DocuSign Version 10.1, so be sure to stop by Booth #630 to learn about electronic signature and how it can help you stop chasing paper and get your life back!

Want to hear about a new, special product we’ve created as a proud partner and the exclusive and official provider of ESIGN services in the NAR Member Benefits® Program? Stop by booth #630 to learn more!

We look forward to seeing you at the Prudential Real Estate Sales Convention and answering any questions you have about DocuSign and electronic signature!

Lauren Bernstein, VP of Operations, ActiveRain

It’s the perfect partnership—ActiveRain gives real estate professionals the tools to use the Internet to extend reach and capture business opportunities. DocuSign’s e-signature service uses the Internet to accelerate business and close deals faster. Adding DocuSign as a sponsor offers our real estate community another tool to increase success in a highly competitive environment. – Lauren Bernstein, vice president of operations at ActiveRain

To kick-off the partnership, DocuSign will be a sponsor of ActiveRain’s Denver RainCamp to be held at the Inverness Hotel and Conference Center in Englewood on Tuesday, March 9. The fifth in the U.S. tour, the Denver RainCamp is a full day conference offering valuable content, presentations and innovations that help real estate professionals with social networking, blogging and business planning. RainCamp was developed for real estate professionals seeking successful methods and tools to maximize and grow their online business in today’s modern day real estate market. DocuSign is the exclusive eSignature service sponsor of the event. More information can be found at the RainCamp Web site.

In this economic environment, employing technology is the most cost-effective method to grow a business. We are looking forward to extending our reach through ActiveRain and partnering to help real estate professionals learn how to effectively leverage technology like DocuSign’s electronic signature service to close deals faster, safer and more efficiently. – Dave Thorpe, business development director at DocuSign

More than 20,000 real estate professionals have used DocuSign to accelerate their business, with thousands more subscribing each month. Rather than driving across town to get a signature or forcing clients to find a fax machine, real estate professionals use DocuSign to execute agreements with buyers and sellers electronically, eliminating the antiquated process of printing, faxing and waiting for the return fax. As more than 95 percent of home buyers have Internet access, but fewer than 10 percent have fax service at their home, DocuSign saves agents time and money while providing client convenience. Real estate forms are signed in minutes, not days, from a PC, Mac or even a mobile phone. DocuSign real estate professional subscribers achieve higher sales, increase client satisfaction and maintain a competitive edge.

Safe and secure, the DocuSign e-signature process is also easy to use and legally compliant.

We’re back for another exciting e-Signature developer workshop – thank you to everyone who attended the first two ESIGN Developer Workshops!

Mike Borozdin, Manager of Professional Services, will take you through a free electronic signature developer workshop so you can learn how to use templates in conjunction with API web service calls.

We will walk through a Java sample that shows how templates can be used via the API.

In one hour, you’ll learn how to leverage templates to automate the sending of documents through the DocuSign electronic signature system.

If you’re evaluating the DocuSign API to integrate electronic signature with your existing processes or technologies or you’ve heard about the DocuSign API but aren’t sure how to get started, you won’t want to miss this FREE eSignature workshop!

So when can you learn how to automate the sending of documents through DocuSign esignature?

Wednesday, March 17, 2010 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM PDT

Please register for this free eSignature developer workshop, get your free DocuSign Developer account and download the DocuSign SDK prior to the workshop.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

The following steps enable you to review, sign deliver, store and manage a document on paper using the DocuSign service:

• Open the email invitation from the DocuSign Service
• Accept the Consumer Disclosure Statement, if asked
• Review the document
• Sign the document
• Fax or upload the document to the DocuSign Electronic Signature Service

DocuSign gives you the option to sign a document on paper instead of electronically and asks you to review and accept the Consumer Disclosure agreement. To sign on paper:

• Click the “I would prefer to sign on paper” link
• Click the “I Agree” box in the Consumer Disclosure section
• Click the “Continue” button

The Sign on Paper window appears, allowing you to review, print and sign the document on paper. You can still eSign, if you change your mind and decide not to sign on paper!

• Click the “View/Print All Pages” button to launch a PDF of the document you are about to sign on paper
• Print, review, fill out and sign the document
• Optionally, click the “Sign Online” button if you change your mind and want to sign the document electronically
• After you have printed, reviewed, and signed the document, click the “Next” button

The “Submit Documents” window appears, allowing you to upload your scanned document you signed on paper to the DocuSign Electronic Signature Service, fax your signed document to the DocuSign eSignature Service, and eSign the document by selecting the “Sign Online” button.

To Upload Your Scanned Document

1. From the Submit Documents window, select the “File Upload” radio button
2. Click the “Browse” buttonto navigate and to select a document
3. Click the “Submit” button

The DocuSign Electronic Signature Service Completed window appears, where you have the option to download your document as a PDF or view other download options. Click the “Done” button when finished.

To Fax Your Signed Document

1. From the Submit Documents window, select the “Fax” radio button
2. Click the “Print Cover Page…” button to open a PDF of the fax cover page. A PDF of the fax cover page appears.
3. Print the fax cover page
4. Optionally, you can still eSign the document online by clicking the “Sign Online” button before you fax the document
5. Follow the instructions on the fax cover page and fax your document to the number on the cover page
6. From the Submit Documents window, click the “Fax Submitted” button after you have faxed the document

The DocuSign Electronic Signature Service Completed window appears. Whether you upload or fax the signed documents, the completed DocuSign envelope consists of a set of documents that are eSigned and a set of documents for each signer who signed on paper. Contract documents executed in this manner are called “counterparts.”

For more information on how to use DocuSign Electronic Signature Services, take a look at our other helpful “How-To’s”, sign up for a weekly training, or see other how-to ESIGN videos on DocuSign’s YouTube Channel!