Posted by William Soronen on 11/25/04 3:11am
Msg #12006

Directions...Road Atlas...something please...

So I am busting my tail (or rather my fingers) on the computer and the phone doing my darndest to get my name out there to lenders. Then I realize that I need to get the atention of Escrow agaents and shift course...or do I?
I really really dont want to work for a notary signing agency that pays $65.00 to their peep's.
Problem is I google about 6 hours a day and feel like I am getting nowhere.

Things I have done:

registered on just about every free notary directory. ( more on why just the free ones in a bit)
registered on a few lender and real estate broker directories.
E-mailed every company with activity for 2004 on NNA company directory (with a few phone calls where company showed that as preference)
E-mailed hundreds of lenders and escrow officers that Google and dogpile found for me.
Physically accosted a handful of brokers/escrow officers here in my hometown.

Now; the reason I havent joined any of the "pay" directories yet like: "123" etc, is that I am not bankrolled that way, and with 80% of the companies I googled needing a "min" of around $29.00 for just their basic broom closet exposure membership...I didnt want to take a chance on paying companies that wont help me.

Is there a directory out there somewhere where one can go and say "Hot-darn!...that's it!...thats the holy Grail by Jove!...if I just visit every one of those links and fill out the application then I might get a job a week!"

I have absolutely no problems paying for information like that...I certainly dont want to re-write the book you see...I just want to make sure I get what I pay for. I am pro-active as anyone alive, and dont mind hunting for my own work, just want to make sure I know what all my options are.

On my own merit's I have one lender, one title company, and one SS that use me (not exclusively) in the two weeks that I have been beating my head against my monitor/phone.
If there is a way to make this easier...then for my wifes peace of mind alone...please someone point me in the right direction...and if I'm already there...and just have to keep pluggin along doing what I am doing...then never mind me...I can do that too


Regards

William R. Soronen, San Diego California

Reply by William Soronen on 11/25/04 3:14am
Msg #12007

P.S...sorry for the bad spelling above...it is O' Dark-Hundred here...which translated from ARMY slang means: 01:30 am.

nn


WRS

Reply by Jon on 11/25/04 9:36am
Msg #12010

Sounds like you need to keep on keepin on. San Diego is a very saturated area, so it might take some time to build up a clientel(sp?). The law of averages is 3 for every 100(or so I've been told), just keep plugging away.

Reply by Jennifer on 11/25/04 11:45am
Msg #12019

1,100+ NSAs serving San Diego

Sorry for the bad news, William, but I just did a search on the NNA notary database for you and found over 1,100 notary signing agents serving San Diego. I just don't see how you can make it as an NSA.

There must be hundreds of terrific NSAs in San Diego who have spent years working hard to market themselves to the title companies, etc, to carve out a living for themselves. That is your competition.

The NNA should be strangled for giving their "get rich quick" seminars in areas already highly saturated.

I suggest you visit your local technical or community college and ask for an appointment with an advisor. These people are very tuned into where the jobs are and the training you would need to get them.

You truly have my sympathy.

Reply by William Soronen on 11/25/04 4:44pm
Msg #12035

Re: 1,100+ NSAs serving San Diego

Thats all right then, I have never quit anything in my life, i'll just take my time and get to be known as one of the top ten of those 1,100 + people. For those 1,100 people...we have 3 million residents here and a booming real estate market...not as booming as last year maybe, but the county is still
building like mad. And I will still continue to be available for the 6 county So-Cal area, I am sure I will get my share in time with persistance, diligence, integrity, and hard work.
Also, I never heard of NNA until I started getting insurance stuff in the mail shortly after my commission, they never had any influence on my decision to become an NSA, and I never evne thought of getting rich doing this. I intended to use my Notary Public as part of a new business offering LiveScan and passport photos. The NSA part appealed to me as I had already taken my California real Estate Principles exam.

I will be patient


Regards

WRS

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 11/25/04 8:46pm
Msg #12049

Good attitude William - you'll do fine!

Great attitude William!

I am in San Diego, commissioned 6/1/04 and each month I get more signings (all with Title/Escrow/Lenders except for 1 SS last night) - income is increasing nicely each month. You are right that it takes patience (I have alot of it) and persistance, but it will happen. What is really nice is when you start getting repeat business.

One reply you got was "Sorry for the bad news, William, but I just did a search on the NNA notary database for you and found over 1,100 notary signing agents serving San Diego. I just don't see how you can make it as an NSA" - well I think this is a very negative way of looking at building a business. You have a positive attitude which will take you far. Good Luck to you.

Reply by William Soronen on 11/25/04 11:48pm
Msg #12061

Re: Good attitude William - you'll do fine!

Many Thanks

WRS , San Diego, Ca

Reply by Eliz/CA on 11/28/04 12:02pm
Msg #12129

Re: 1,100+ NSAs serving San Diego

William, always follow up on your emails or sign-ups with a telephone call to the company. Make sure you are on their database. You'll be surprised how many haven't received your emails. After a call, I usually get applications to complete and then a signing request. Regardless of how saturated a place is - if you are reliable, do good work, and consistently market your services, your business will increase each month. Hang in there - and continue your positive attitude.

Reply by Eliz/CA on 11/28/04 12:07pm
Msg #12130

Re: 1,100+ NSAs serving San Diego

Also regarding your calls - don't go over your allowed minutes (ouch!) or upgrade your allowed minutes. I use my cell and upgraded to 2000 allowed minutes per month.

Reply by EP_Virginia on 11/26/04 3:22pm
Msg #12074

Re: 1,100+ NSAs serving San Diego

How do you perform a search to find out how saturated your area is? Thanks.