Posted by MaggieMae_CA on 8/8/06 4:30pm
Msg #137645

Open letter to newbies...

In the past two weeks I've had a dozen newbies in my area call or email asking to chat about becoming a loan signing agent. I just finished writing to one of them and thought I would post it here for all newbies to read. It's mean to be thought provoking. Take it for what it's worth... Which may be nothing... Who knows.


"It sounds like you've been receiving a reality check. It's impossible to quit your day job and start any new business without adequate capital to invest in the business along with a minimum of 6 months of $$$$ in savings for living expenses.

From the tone of your email it sounds as if you're about ready to pursue finding a regular job again. All the things you say in your email are true about the competition and being new and trying to get started. It's better not to depend on this as your livelihood under the circumstances you have presented in your email.

It would be much better to have an income coming in on a regular basis and begin a general notary business (or any other type of business) on the side. Once you're comfortable with notary law and procedures, branching out into loan signing would be reasonable. How long will that take? Nobody knows.

One thing that radio commercials and the NNA don't tell you is that loan signing is stressful and not for the faint of heart!

There are people out there who do not have the computer knowledge necessary to do the online work they need to do to get their name out there. They cannot download and print eDocs. They are afraid to travel into neighborhoods here in SD County. They are afraid to go into a stranger's home. They are afraid of making a mistake and fear the legal ramifications from a potential mistake.

Marketing yourself is essential to success. The best venue I have found for advertising myself, as a notary public in SD County is the online magic yellow pages. A premiere ad is approximately $400. The salesperson will tell you that you will make the cost of the ad back in the first 30 days. It's true, I did. HOWEVER, they continually rotate your placement on the list and after the first 30 days my ad appeared, business from the ad slowed DRAMATICALLY.

If you would like to meet on Sunday, we can schedule some time together. In addition to loan signings and notary work, I do coach new notaries. I am under contract with ABC Company (fictious company name, so as not to offend or raise havoc with the Powers that be). I suggest that you visit their web site and look at the programs offered. If you decide that you want to pursue loan signings, it would be well worth your time and money to participate in one of their programs.

Right now, I think you should give some serious thought as to whether or not this is the right time and right business for you to pursue.

To be honest, 12 years ago I took my first CA notary class and exam. I passed the exam and never pursued getting my commission. It just wasn't the right time for me. Three other times I signed up to take the notary exam and was a no show. It wasn't until January of 05 that I had my act together and pursued enrolling in a class, taking the exam and in March of 05 I received my commission, mid April I hit the ground running and couldn't be happier.

After one year in business, I am making full time money working (supposedly) part time. When you really look at the hours of research I do looking for companies to solicit, designing web pages and a web site, answering emails from individuals such as yourself, meeting with new notaries, etc. those "part time" hours aren't part time at all.

If I chose to do so, I could quit my full time job. At this point in time, I choose not to. It's just not me. I need the security net of paid benefits, paid vacation leave and a guaranteed monthly salary. That's me. That's who I am. Will I change my mind? Probably, I'm already looking 2 years down the road at the prospects of an early retirement and a lump sum retirement check from my employer.

If you want to meet me on Sunday, please email me and let me know what time you are available. I'll see what I can do. I am not going to try to sell you anything and I'm not going to try to discourage you. What I will do is answer your questions about this field honestly. You need to decide what you would like to do from there."

Reply by Regal/NC on 8/8/06 4:55pm
Msg #137650

Great Response!!! n/m

Reply by NCLisa on 8/8/06 9:44pm
Msg #137679

Re: Great Response!!!

Very good. I had that same conversation this morning with my 9:30am closing. Mrs. wanted to start a career as a NSA.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/8/06 9:54pm
Msg #137680

Re: Great Response!!! "Three minute rule"

I propose that no seasoned notary give more than three minutes to new folks getting into the business without charging for it. That's my limit. I have literally vomitted 90% of what I know about this business straight into this forum. I have put it into blogs and on my newsletters.

Profiting or greed or looking for more money is not the only reason I say this.

"How do I start this busienss?" Makes me think of a few points...

-they really do need to stop these insane quests for free, one stop answers on how to find Notary Mecca. It's not available.

-they are wasting their time and yours because they will not do anything with it.

-this business is too tough for people who ask that question.

-if they are serious, they will understand paying for a coach, mentor, consultant, or whatever you choose to call yourself.

-if they are serious, they will not expect a free handout of your time and expertise. Everyone has to pay their dues.

Victoria Ring once said in one of her publications that when you ask a question like that it is like asking "How do I raise my child, Victoria?"

No matter what you think of her, that's a darned close analogy.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/8/06 10:02pm
Msg #137681

Re: Great Response!!! "Three minute rule"

About the vomit I mentioned above...the point is that this information is all over the internet for anyone who does their research. Not just my stuff, lots of stuff.

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 8/8/06 5:03pm
Msg #137651

Re: Open letter to newbies... agree - marketing...

You did well presenting the reality of the business. Not all people are alike (thank goodness!). Some will "run with it", are motivated, are computer savvy, continue learning, research, and study, and market themselves. Others are insecure, unmotivated, have little computer knowledge, and need hand-holding. Fortunately for us (you and me) we "ran with it" and market ourselves well - I love it! LOL - by the way, when your business dropped "drastically" is probably when mine "picked up"

Reply by MaggieMae_CA on 8/8/06 5:09pm
Msg #137652

Watch out Barb...

I'm taking an IT class so I can figure out how to circumvent the online yellow page database... gonna move you down a peg or two when my business starts slipping

I'll have you calling me in no time screaming 'uncle'!

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 8/8/06 5:47pm
Msg #137657

Re: Watch out Barb... (BIG smile)... n/m

Reply by John_NorCal on 8/8/06 6:43pm
Msg #137663

Great Letter..Should give a person a pause to think n/m

Reply by Wendy Pablico on 8/8/06 7:33pm
Msg #137665

Re: Open letter to newbies...(((WOW))) I really enjoyed your

Post, I am doing lots of marketing, reading and still researching since Feb/06 I am a signing agent and doing everything I can to make sure I do the signings correctly I feel ready...after working commission sales, for 6 years I'm use to closing sales and I know I will be a good Agent because I'm a people person I'll be able to deal with the stress.

The money is very important, but not as much as making sure I do all it takes to do it right the first and repeat the process. I agree with the seasoned SA's regarding fees I don't mind passing on cheap fees. You gotta teach people how to treate you offering $40-50.00 isn't worth my time less known gas.

Thank you for posting a very refershing post for us newbies. I can't see your profile I would one day like to meet for a signing refresher. I'm in South Bay are you in the Los Angeles or Orange County area? When you have time I would like to get more information on your fees via email.

You could be a SA supplement pill for us....Thank you so much ;-)

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 8/8/06 7:52pm
Msg #137667

Re: Open letter to newbies...(((WOW))) Wendy....big hint

as to where Maggie Mae is , please read her post again SD County(means San Diego County)
another helpful hint....read between the lines and pick up on key points. I'm being sincere not a smart a??.

Reply by Wendy Pablico on 8/8/06 9:26pm
Msg #137675

Re: Open letter to newbies...Thanks..I

didn't think you were...thank you LkA I saw your handle but missed the SD I gotta be more careful :-)

Reply by Michelle/AL on 8/8/06 10:30pm
Msg #137688

As a Newbie myself....

...I appreciate you sharing this with all of us. Your email reminds me of one Brenda/TX wrote earlier this week to newbies in her territory. I got a lot from her post as well. Both your and Brenda's comments sounded honest, constructive and informative. Thank you!

Reply by Kyle Ledgard on 8/9/06 12:36am
Msg #137721

Very well written, Maggie!

Reply by SanDiegoCA on 8/9/06 9:53am
Msg #137752

My letter back to them is very similar, but recently I've added :

"When we meet for lunch on Sunday, please remember to bring a crisp $100 bill for my fee and be ready to pick up the tab ........"

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/9/06 9:57am
Msg #137755

Re: Open letter to newbies...Alan...that's a good point. n/m