Posted by Anonymous on 8/11/05 5:03pm
Msg #58399

Just starting out

I am trying to get started as a signing agent in Colorado. I have everything in place and just passed the certification course on the national notary association site. Right now I work full time so I am trying to do this in the evenings and on weekends in hopes that I can eventually quite my job as a paralegal.

I have checked out signing agencies but alot seem to want fees to register. Can anyone tell me the best way to start getting assignments?

Thanks

Reply by TaxPro on 8/11/05 5:31pm
Msg #58406

You don't need to pay fees. Yes, you do have to spend money to make money, but there are plenty of SS that will let you sign up with them at no charge. You should pay for a listing on the major online notary directories, though. I get most of my calls from my listings on 123notary.com or notary rotary. There are more directories out there, and it seems that new ones pop up all the time. You have to decide how much you can afford to spend on listings, but sign up with at least those two.

Reply by Iris_WA on 8/11/05 5:33pm
Msg #58408

Well ... first of all, know your Colorado notary laws cold, then do a search (orange button on general forum screen) for message #33325. It will give you a lot of information you need to help you get started.

Read ALL messages on this site from the first to the last -- lots of great information here -- some of which will apply to almost anyone in any state. I don't do wide-scale marketing myself yet, but I have read enough people say to sign up with at least 200 signing services (do a Google search on "notary signing services," etc.). Register here if you have not already done so. It's a GREAT facility ... In the few months I've been reading here, some of my signings have come from signing services who use this as a resource.

If, after reading everything, you have specific questions, log-in with your 2-letter state designation so people will know how to answer -- most/many states have specific regulations in answer to some of your questions. And always double-check the answers you receive in YOUR state.

BE PATIENT-- BE THOROUGH -- HAVE INTEGRITY AND A SENSE OF HUMOR!

Good luck to you.

Reply by ANONYMOUS on 8/11/05 6:43pm
Msg #58416

TRY www.mobiledocs.biz

Reply by Sam in LA on 8/12/05 8:49am
Msg #58502

Didn't the NSA Class Tell you How to Market Yourself?

Holy cow, glad I didn't end up taking the NNA class for certification. The seminar I took plus the book that came with it has a great deal of information on marketing yourself from "soup to nuts": Suggestions for business cards, flyers, how to approach title and escrow companies for work, how to get some hands-on experience before you actually sign a client, what to charge, recommended sites to sign up on to list yourself plus a large list of companies to sign up with. The book and instructor recomm6ends you sign up with at least 150-200 signing companies right away as well. Good luck - get your $ back

Reply by new2notary on 8/12/05 9:37am
Msg #58513

Re: Didn't the NSA Class Tell you How to Market Yourself?

which class did you take?

Reply by Amy_CO on 8/12/05 9:41am
Msg #58515

Re: Didn't the NSA Class Tell you How to Market Yourself?

I ordered the NNA book and took their certification course. I plan on trying to market myself, sometimes it is nice (Sam/LA) to get some feed back from actual people who have done this for awhile.

Reply by Amy_CO on 8/12/05 9:39am
Msg #58514

Re: Didn't the NSA Class Tell you How to Market Yourself?

My suggestions to you is if you don't have anything positive to say to people, don't respond.

Reply by CaliNotary on 8/12/05 11:32am
Msg #58563

Amy

My suggestion to you is that you change your attitude real quick.

If you're only looking for positive stuff on this board then you're bound to miss a lot of valuable information. Not everything in this business is covered in kittens and lollipops, sometimes people need to hear things that they might not necessarily want to hear. If you're going to be one of those people who only want happy smoke blown up your butt then you might as well cut your losses right now and get out of the business. If you really want to learn what you're doing then continue to read this board and be prepared to hear AND LEARN FROM the good with the bad.

Reply by Amy_CO on 8/12/05 4:56pm
Msg #58681

Re: Amy

I totally missed this reply. Thanks for the helpful advice Have a nice day.

Reply by Amy_CO on 8/12/05 5:07pm
Msg #58688

Re: Amy

Excuse me, Dennis....Thank you for the thoughtful and educational response.

Reply by OnTheDot_CO on 8/12/05 9:47am
Msg #58517

What part of Colorado are you in?

Reply by Amy_CO on 8/12/05 9:49am
Msg #58518

Lakewood

Reply by Charm_AL on 8/12/05 10:07am
Msg #58521

My advice...

Make sure you can receive e-docs, get a good laser printer. Get registered as a premiere member here. Make a professional profile with your experience and counties you cover...then go to all the signing services that have at least 3 stars and sign up on line. After you've done that today all weekend...Start with an internet search for signing services and start signing up with them. I did this everyday, when I started, for many many weeks and I still do it at least 3 times a week. You should EXHAUST yourself signing up for the first 3 months in business. Keep a list whether on your computer or on paper of everyone you sign up with.

Put each company's contract and date you signed up with in a folder and keep it in a file cabinet in ABC order with a tab marked 'companies signed up with' when they call you for an assignment, take the file, make a new tab...'companies working with' and then file them ABC order.
Have a folder containing copies of your commission, E&O ins, bond, certification, etc...for everyone will request them to be faxed in along with your printed out and signed vendor agreements.

Also read post 33325, make a copy and tape it to your wall. Good Luck!

Reply by Amy_CO on 8/12/05 10:14am
Msg #58527

thank you very much....very helpful!!!!!

Reply by Charm_AL on 8/12/05 10:22am
Msg #58530

you're welcome and....

I forgot the most important thing!!!

Know your state's notary laws backward and forward
and keep this link for definitions of loan docs...

http://www.americannn.com/resources/resourcefs.html

Reply by SlmTX on 8/12/05 10:50am
Msg #58541

Re: you're welcome and....

This information is very helpful. I'm new also and this site is very helpful

Thanks
Also Good Luck

Reply by Art_MD on 8/12/05 10:54am
Msg #58544

Re: keeping records

Make sure you keep good record. Mileage, fees, # of notarizations, office expenses, etc. Will be needed at tax time. Doesn't have to be a commercial accounting system, but should include the above.

Art

Reply by Charm_AL on 8/12/05 10:56am
Msg #58545

Re: keeping records

Yep, I figured that would be chapter two Art...lol

I wonder if the IRS is going to beleive my mileage

Reply by Art_MD on 8/12/05 11:00am
Msg #58548

Charm.. miles

I agree about IRS. But, I keep a excel log with exact mileage per signing, notarizations, miles to drop off package, fee, etc.

Miles to date 2005...19,454

Art

Reply by Amy_CO on 8/12/05 4:46pm
Msg #58675

Re: Charm.. miles

A lot of the siging agencies are asking a "basic fee" I have been using the NNA break down for certified signing agents which is:

$65.00 for the first set
$35.00 for the second set
$85.00 for e-mailed docs
$35.00 for cencellation (two hours or less)

my friend who told me about this field says she charges $250.00 to go to Pueblo which is about 200 miles round trip. SO..... my question is, when they ask for my basic fee and I say $65.00, is that all I will get for going to Pueblo or do they just want to know what I am asking for the first set of docs?

Reply by Charm_AL on 8/12/05 4:51pm
Msg #58678

Re: Charm.. miles

your base fee is in your county/zip code, all others are by negiation over distance, etc.

Reply by Amy_CO on 8/12/05 4:53pm
Msg #58679

Re: Charm.. miles

Thanks again!