Posted by Cris_MN on 12/12/05 11:57am
Msg #81942

Getting started in MN

I've been thinking about becoming a signer for some time now. I used to have my notary license, but let it lapse. I am getting it renewed now. I have done closings in the past, as I've been in the mortgage industry for over 10 years. So I'm not really a "newbie", right?

I've read through some of the posts, including #33325 about getting started, so I'd like to start networking. It seems that a lot of signers are businesses in and of themselves, but I was wondering if anyone actually works as an independant contractor for other companies? If so, which companies, and how does one get registered with them?

Thanks!

Reply by Anonymous on 12/12/05 12:43pm
Msg #81948

The "boom" is pretty much a past thing. The industry has gotten pretty over crowded and I think you would better try something else, like working at a title company if you are truely wanting this area as a career. Why the change is career anyway? If it's been good enough for you for 10 years why not stay in it? You're established that way. If you start now I would say your in for 9-12 months of trying to get work. And this time of year is not our busiest so your already at a handicap.

I'm thinking of hanging it up since MN is not that a place you can make the best money since it's rural outside the twincities. Too much driving to justify the $50-75 everyone is now offering. And to have snake agents cutting prices which cut everyones throats or notaries who can't do a job correct for the life of them (Christine H of Big Lake) it doesn't make it better for any notary here.

just an opinion from someone who's done this for many years.

Reply by Cris Kasper on 12/12/05 1:04pm
Msg #81954

The reason for the change is because I've been processing for the last 10 years, and am tired of the 9-5 thing. I have many contacts in the industry, so getting work shouldn't be a huge issue. I just wated to get some advice on where to start, if I should go at as my own business, or sign up with an established company.

Reply by REE_NJ on 12/12/05 1:35pm
Msg #81961

Go at it as your own business and sign up and network with the established companies working independently through them.

Best wishes!

Reply by PAW_Fl on 12/12/05 1:37pm
Msg #81963

Cris,

Don't pay any attention to the 'anon' poster. If you want to do this, have at it. But, it ain't gonna be easy to start.

Best way to get YOUR info out there is to be proactive and send it to them. Call, visit, email are all good ways to market yourself. Also, many agencies and even some title companies have signup pages on their websites. Considering your background, be sure that any prospective client knows about it. It will go a long way in getting noticed.

Reply by TCMN on 12/12/05 2:48pm
Msg #81991

Cris,

I agree with PAW mostly. Market your experience and use the contacts if you have them. You need to first really determine how you want to work though. What I mean is, do you want to work 24/7? Are you going to have certain hours? Are you covering the entire state or a certain area?
There are MANY things to ask yourself and I'd say have a clear answer to every question before starting so you are happy with how things end up.

With that said... the anon poster did have a few thing right;

- this is a slower time than say, July

- there are some notaries out there that will take the lowball fees because they think they will monopolize the state or something (what they don't realize is that not one notary could possibly do ALL the signings)

- there are notaries out there that are bad (very bad) and I have had to redo many things others have messed up.


If you have questions, ask. There is never a stupid question unless you ask the same one over and over again and never learn. But otherwise, there are no stupid questions. I tend to think that if you ask a question it says a lot more about you then if you just guess. (Asking = responsible, willing & humble, Guessing = irresponsible, unaccepting to others input & know-it-all mentality)

Oh...it's tough to find other NSA's that are willing to network or even be helpful but they are out there. Just keep trying and know that the ones that aren't are the ones that really aren't smart enough to know that working together gets you further and what they have for experience or knowledge you probably don't want to hear or know anyway.

good luck

Reply by Cris_MN on 12/12/05 2:53pm
Msg #81993

Thanks for all the advice/tips everyone! Time to get going on this!

Reply by eXpedN_TX on 12/12/05 3:17pm
Msg #81996

Cris, you may also want to go to entrepreneur.com. It's a very handy site for starting up your own business. It helped me tremendously with setting up my website. Good luck! - Melissa