Posted by Rita R. on 8/2/04 11:25pm
Msg #5397

I Need to Get Started

I'm a newbie and I need to get my feet wet and start doing Notary business work; however, I'm now sure how and whom I should contact to get started. If someone can give me some ideas as to how a new Notary gets started, I would be ever so grateful. Thanks for any info.
Rita

Reply by LorraineK/FL on 8/3/04 12:29am
Msg #5406

Rita you might want to include your state abbrev. at the end of your name so those on the board will know where you are from...you may get more specific answers to your questions or the resources that would be more appropriate for notaries in your state. If you are in Florida an excellent resource is the Governor's Notary Manual. I understand that the Signing Registry has an excellent manual, as a matter of fact...if you're looking for organizational memberships, that may be one to consider. If you are looking for real time experience you may want to see if there is a signing agent in your area that would allow you to tag along and mentor you. Some people are touchy about competition...so, its hard to say how receptive other notaries in your area are going to be.

I'm a newbie too, I've just got 12 signings under my belt (I'm P/T), but I have been a notary for nearly 5 years...and I can tell you doing loan signings was a lot different from the other things that I had done...notary wise. Study, market, and read the boards...they are an continual source of information and strategies. Good luck!

Reply by Steve/Fl on 8/3/04 9:11pm
Msg #5434

Lorraine, very good advice!!! I too am a newbie. But, I have spent literally thousands of hours in study. I have become a certified Signing agent, after I became a Fl Notary. I am looking for a mentor & someone I can ride with. I have 2 people I know in this business making very good money. But I can't seem to get to "tag" along with them for whatever the reason. Could be the competition thing. Although I haven't tried very hard at all to ride with them. I am very independent & probably will never need to ride with someone. I did network with a fellow siging agent who offered to allow me to ride along but, she is located a good 2 hours 1 way from my home in north pinellas county fl. Although she was very professional, & very helpful & I do wish she were closer. I am looking for someone to allow me to tag along. If anyone is open to the idea. Please contact me. I have no doubt that I could share a wealth of knowledge with the person who takes me up on my offer! I have done a tremendous amount of research on signing companies, ways to market ourselves, etc. I am willing to share, I am not afraid of competition. I feel if you are of good caliber at what you do you will stay busy. Also, there are other opportunities for side businesses for signing agents!

Reply by Rita...Calif on 8/3/04 11:49pm
Msg #5453

Re: Certified Signing Agent

Can someone tell me the procedure to becoming a Certified Signing Agent? I would like to enhance my notary commission. Thank you for any information as to whom I should contact here in California.

Reply by Roger/OH on 8/4/04 9:11am
Msg #5467

Re: Certified Signing Agent

Rita, you can become certified thru either NNA or The Signing Registry. However, certification means nothing without the experience to go with it. Strongly advise getting at least 15-20
signings under your belt so you'll be exposed to the many and varied complexities of signing before you worry about certification. Always remember that you're a notary first and a signing agent second.

Reply by Rita...Calif. on 8/3/04 11:46pm
Msg #5451

Thanks, Lorraine, for the info. Certainly you are right in that I should have put my State after my name, but that gives you an idea how new I am at this whole scene. I have yet to do a signing. I'm just trying to gather information at this time. Do you also have another job or is notary your mainstay at this time? I work during the day and I'm trying to build a couple of businesses so that I can get out of a structured work environment and have a business that affords more flexible time. Thank again for your input.

Reply by Bob/Ventura/CA on 8/3/04 10:53am
Msg #5414

Congratulations Rita on taking the first step towards improving your life. First advise you received from LorraineK of Florida, is excellant advise. Lots of new and experienced notaries help each other daily to get you through the shock start of the biz. Spend a minumum of 10 to 15 minutes, browsing the page getting real life experience. We all help each other as professionals in order to raise the standards of our industry. Don't be afraid to ask even the most, ( what you think) would be the dumbest questions. We all started back on day one. Just remember. The quickest way to financial suiscide, is to accept $40 - $50 signings. Some people do and they think they are putting one one the rest of us. They real result is you wont make money, rather you will be paying the signing companys, to work for them.
My suggestion to you is to further your education at home, with another source that is very well planned out very direct and organized. It is called " How to Become a Wildly Successful Loan Signing Agent " It is written by Joan Bergstrom and Cheryl Elliott. Both long term experienced LSA with over 10,000 sucessful loan signings. With this purchase, you also are given 100 loan signing companys to sign up with who will give you business. This book will show you every step of how to set up your business, what to purchase, who to contact, how to market, hundreds of signing tips, procedures, terminology, the list is long. Really a must read, if your serious about the business. You may reach them at [e-mail address]

Best of luck to you Rita. I hope this helps you through the fog.

Robert Lewis Mobile Notary
[e-mail address]

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/3/04 6:18pm
Msg #5426

How To Become a Wildly Successful Loan Signing Agent

Bob
You are right. I have read this book and the information in it is priceless! I can really recommend it. It is geared toward the CA notary as far as the notarial info goes, but it is still worth signing agents in other states purchasing it. Lots of invaluable information.

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 8/3/04 9:24pm
Msg #5435

Re: How To Become a Wildly Successful Loan Signing Agent

Thanks Sylvia

Dan, Cheryl, and I thank you for the nice words concerning the book. If anyone is interested in purchasing the book, click on www.notaryclasses.com and it can be sent either by mail or downloaded to your computer to print.

Reply by Steve/Fl on 8/3/04 9:28pm
Msg #5437

Re: How To Become a Wildly Successful Loan Signing Agent

Sylvia,
When you download the book, this may be a stupid question but, here we go...is it free! Also, what counties in Fl do you cover? Steve/Fl

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/3/04 10:33pm
Msg #5442

Re: How To Become a Wildly Successful Loan Signing Agent

No, the book is not free. But it is worth the price.

I cover Brevard, Indian River, Osceola and St Lucie counties personally. I also own a signing service covering all of Florida.

Where are you located??

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/3/04 10:35pm
Msg #5443

Steve

Ignore my previous question. I see you are in Pinellas county.

Pops (Paul/FL) and I are probably going to be arranging a get together for Florida signing agents in a couple of months or so, we will post as soon as we have the details worked out

Reply by Steve/Fl on 8/4/04 8:37am
Msg #5460

Re: Steve

Thanx! I will see about the book. You know how it is...lots of money going out but, not a lot coming in! I would be interested in knowing about you Fl Notary Gathering keep me informed. I would also like to know about the possibility of work through your signing svce if there is availability. Let me know what it takes & what is the name of your company? Thanx Steve/Fl PS Know anyone on this side of the state you can introduce me to for some mentoring?

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/5/04 7:01am
Msg #5537

Re: Steve

Steve, my signing service is Florida Mobile Notary Services. Go to my link, and click on my e-mail address and send me your information and I will add you to my database.

Reply by Sonya, MD on 8/14/04 11:33am
Msg #6066

Re: How To Become a Wildly Successful Loan Signing Agent

Would you recommend this book over the manual published by the Signing Registry?

Thanks,


Sonya

Reply by PAW Notary Services on 8/14/04 12:02pm
Msg #6069

Re: How To Become a Wildly Successful Loan Signing Agent

Sonya queried, "Would you recommend this book over the manual published by the Signing Registry?"

Though I have not read the book in question, I do understand that it doesn't go into as much depth as the Registry's manual and is more geared toward CA notaries, in that the authors are in CA and do teach the CA notary course. From what I've been told, and again, without reading it myself, those who have read it say that it is good. The SA manual from the Signing Registry is excellent. If possible, I would suggest that you may want to get both, as apparently one compliments the other, but there will be overlap, of course.

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 8/3/04 9:26pm
Msg #5436

Thanks Bob for the nice comments on the book

Reply by Bob/Ventura/CA on 8/4/04 1:28am
Msg #5457

Re: I Need to Get Started ( JOAN )

You are also very welcome Joan. You have to give credit where credit is due... I love my copy and re-read it often. I also plan to take the certified loan signing class early Sept. I feel this will really ad to the learning curve. Which means I need to be thanking you........

Thank you again, Bob.

Reply by Rita....Calif on 8/3/04 11:58pm
Msg #5454

Thank you so much, Bob. You have given me more help than I thought possible. I will certainly get the book you recommended and follow the guidelines. I'm a fledgling and need all the help I can get; but, I am goal oriented and I just need to find my way through the maize. There is no sense dwelving into this without the idea of success and making it profitable. This web-site is wonderful for newbies like myself, because if nothing else, it helps to avoid the pitfalls from reading other notaries' experiences and recommendations.
Again, Bob, I'm so grateful for your help and recommendations. Thank you.

Reply by Bob/Ventura/CA on 8/4/04 1:22am
Msg #5456

You are welcome Rita. Rember, the book is downloadable and a tax write off as well. The information is invaluable and will pay for itself many times over. Don't be afraid to step up. Remember, if you want to dance,you have to pay the band............

Best of reading, Bob.

Reply by Donna Annese on 8/4/04 11:48pm
Msg #5533

Re: I Need to Get Started thanks

i just wanted to thank all of you in this discussion for the advise you gave to Rita. I am new trying to get started and was reviewing all the discussions going on. So Lorraine, I think I'm to a good start now I just need to purchase the book. Donna-NJ