Posted by Anonymous on 2/2/04 5:32pm
Msg #846
Newbie
Hi. I am new to this. Could anyone offer some advice on how to get started in this career? I have posted my info on the Basic directory of this website. What are edocs?
| Reply by Roger/OH on 2/2/04 6:03pm
Msg #847
To: Newbie
First, when posting, please include your state, since much info is state specific.
If you are just starting out in CA, you will likely have a difficult time
as the state is well-saturated with new signing agents thanks to NNA's misleading seminars. In any event, you should sign up with as many companies as possible from sites such as this, GoMobileNotary, and 50statenotary.com. Edocs are loan papers that are emailed to you, usually for a signing the same day. You must download, print, and copy sometimes 100 pages or more, so a good LASER printer, pc, fax and cell phone are a necessity. You will be running a business and all that goes along with it,
often during evening or weekend hours. If possible, find someone willing to mentor you and take you along on a few signings so you can see what is involved firsthand. Good luck!
| Reply by Stephanie on 2/3/04 2:04pm
Msg #854
Re: To: Newbie
Roger:
I am just curious how NNA's seminars are misleading; also do most websites require a Signing Agents to pay - become a member in order to be listed with them?
| Reply by Stephanie on 2/3/04 2:04pm
Msg #855
Re: To: Newbie
Roger:
I am just curious how NNA's seminars are misleading; also do most websites require a Signing Agents to pay - become a member in order to be listed with them?
| Reply by Roger/OH on 2/3/04 8:39pm
Msg #857
To: Stephanie
Steph,
NNA's ads say you can "Earn BIG MONEY doing loan signings". Make 50, 60,
up to $125 a signing (they used to say "per hour")! If you are a newbie in CA, for example, the state is absolutely saturated with new notaries thinking this is easy work for high pay. They are led into thinking orders will just be raining down upon them, when in fact there is an incredible glut of competition for a finite number of signing orders. Some newbies
may wait for months before ever getting a call from a company, depending upon how hard they've marketed themselves to signing companies. This business is much more than the "just point & sign" malarkey they tell the newbies. So many things can go wrong if you don't know exactly what you're doing. Additionally, the things that are out of your control (late edocs, slow/non-paying companies, companies that pay a reduced rate or nothing if the loan rescinds/doesn't fund/or borrowers refuse to sign) are not mentioned or glossed over. Many of the posts I see on the boards are from shell-shocked newbies wondering "Hey I got my commission, where's all the business?" Some of them get "certified" before they've even done their first signing, and don't have a clue when an odd document appears at the signing table. The better sites do charge a fee, but it's well worth it from the referrals they generate, IMHO. The best I've seen are 123Notary, GoMobileNotary, and the NNA site (just because a lot of companies do refer to it). Good luck!
| Reply by Larita/MI on 2/4/04 7:49am
Msg #860
Re: To: Stephanie
I agree Roger. I am a newbie and I have been doing my homework on the field as well as speaking with alot of old timers and they are telling me the pros and cons. While I live in Michigan and not CA. I still think NNA is very misleading making you think that you're going make all this money and all you have to do is sign on the dotted line. While I am still very interested in the field, I have a more clear understanding of just what this job entails and that it's not "easy street". You have to work! I like 123notary, and gomobilenotary. They to me give honest advice for newbie's so we can understand what to expect. NNA in my opinion is definitely a "for profit" organization. While I feel they are good to be a member of, talking first hand to their reps, they are not very upfront and honest to me about how much money you will make and the struggles you will encounter such as non-payment co., etc. I have specifically asked their csr what can I expect and all they had to say is that I was going to make alot of money and that I didn't need any experience. Just attend their $200 seminar. If it seems to good to be true then it probably is. While I still plan on being a mobile notary, I have more of a clear understanding of what to expect and that I am not going to be rich or make thousands of dollars overnight having people sign quickly on the dotted line.
| Reply by Stephanie on 2/4/04 11:14am
Msg #866
Re: To: Stephanie
Larita/MI:
All of my training has been through the NNA at their annual conferences. Once I became certified, I attended many workshops at the conference geared to the Signing Agents. At no time did anyone ever indicate that this would be an easy way to make "lots" of $$$. Instead, I found specialists (already successful working NSAs) that this profession involved alot of time, mostly driving and an intense effort to being professional, meticulous.
Also, I learned of what Roger covers (how important it is to have a good Laser printer along with allof the other tools of the trade).
**We are given the education, then, I believe it is up to each of us on an individual basis to carve out our own way of handling singings within the laws of our states.
I continue to go to the annual conferences to continue my education.
**Attending a conference creates a situation where we can network with other NSAs...this is where many good ideas come from.
**I would make a wager that the imndividuals you're dealing with at
Instead of spending $200 on (a) seminar - $295 is generally the fee for their conferences - giving you the opportunity to attend the workshops/presentations of your choice.
....these workshops/presentations are varied and even a well-seasoned NSA or Notary Public will benefit in many ways.
Signings are more that just signing on the line & if that is what anyone thinks, this might not be a good profession for them to be in.
The National Notary Association has been a great help to many...to think they are only out for profit is crazy.
The individuals that you feel are being honest with you have probably benefited greatly from the NNA.
Or perhaps they are looking to capitalize from you...think about that one.
| Reply by Larita/MI on 2/4/04 1:01pm
Msg #871
Re: To: Stephanie
Stephanie,
I never stated that NNA was a bad company, but I still feel the CSR’s that marketed me were not honest about the business as a whole. Know how I first heard about NNA? A telemarketer, so yes in my opinion they are for profit. A lady from "NNA" called and marketed me the business and told me how much money I will make in such little time. Said that I'd stay busy and make lots of money, etc. She on several occasions called me "repeatedly" in regards to my interest in NNA and NSA and wanted me to become a signing agent very badly. I had several CSR’s from NNA call my house trying to convince me to purchase there membership/seminars. They lowered the prices, negotiated rates, etc. Unless you work for NNA, you wouldn't know how they market others areas now would you? I still will become a member of NNA and NSA but I am going to state the obvious as well. I probably would attend there conferences as well too, but I still think that the initial message they present to newbie’s is deceiving at times. No one is denying that NSA and NNA have a lot to offer. I'm not from CA, I'm from MI so maybe you should think about the fact that the way they market in CA is not the way they market areas were signing agents aren't a dime a dozen. That’s all I say to say about this matter.
| Reply by Stephanie on 2/4/04 1:12pm
Msg #872
Larita/MI
The thought of NNA telemarketing goes against all that is professional & ethical. I had no idea NNA was involved in telemarketing. That is a big turn off!
If you go to the conference in June, I would love to meet you and share some of what I have gained in my experiences 0 we could compare notes.
I never thought of NNA as being for profit, but then I have never had calls from them.
If you are new, I would be more than happy to help you out in any way I can.
Stephanie
| Reply by Larita/MI on 2/5/04 7:36am
Msg #876
Stephanie/CA
I never knew NNA was a "non-for-profit" until I visted there website. However, they provide a valuable service and do a very good job educating notaries, so I have no problem with this organization making a profit, I just didn't find them as helpful when trying to gain insight on the cons of being a signing agent that's all. Maybe there conferences or seminars shed more light.
I was telling my husband last night that I was thinking of attending the next conference in June. If I do decide to go, I will definitely let you know so we can meet. I am willing to receive help from anyone that is willing to help me. Thanks Stephanie!
| Reply by JudyCA on 2/5/04 8:14pm
Msg #883
Re: Larita/MI
Larita, I find it surprising that you would not think the NNA could be for profit. They are an enormous company who's CEO gets millions.
| Reply by Laita/MI on 2/9/04 10:50am
Msg #907
JudyCA
Judy, if you read my previous threads, that's what I said. I always thought they wree for profit.
| Reply by Stephanie on 2/4/04 10:54am
Msg #863
Re: To: Stephanie
Roger:
Thank you for your prompt reply. While I am seasoned and certified - the more information, the better. Any by the way, I am located in California; however, my work standards are above the "norm" and I've proven myself.
It is difficult to get started in CA, but it's important to stay positive, keep putting yourself out there and once you get a signing, be as meticulous as possible, to ensure correctness of all docs.
Have a great day,
Stephanie
| Reply by Anonymous on 2/8/04 11:29am
Msg #899
Re: To: Newbie
Hi Roger. Thank you for replying to my email. I had no idea that it was so difficult to get started. Thank you for the tips on registering with the different comanies. I will definitely get started on that.
Is it a bad idea to get ceritified as a signing agent before I have done any loan doc signings? I have not done any signings yet.
I am from California.
| Reply by JCA on 2/9/04 9:10pm
Msg #911
Re: To: Newbie
I am not sure what anyone else will tell you Newbie but having just out grown (I think) the newbie stage my answer would be yes. I would say at least 99% of the companies I have worked for here in California want you to have the certification. I got very little work before I became certified and registered on the NNA/NSA sight. Notary Rotary has also been an excellent source of jobs for me. Good luck.
| Reply by Jeremy Blansett on 2/3/04 6:46am
Msg #850
What state are you in newbie?
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