Posted by BrendaTx on 12/20/06 10:27pm
Msg #167018

They like pictures

I talked to a title company I have been working for since '05 today. With me working during the day they went to NR to find a notary for back towards Houston. She called me today and said, "Hey, I found you on NR and saw your picture. I love it! Now I know what you look like!" And we discussed that pictures put it all together for them.

Just thought that was interesting.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 12/20/06 11:22pm
Msg #167032

Great feedback. n/m

Reply by DPazCA on 12/20/06 11:28pm
Msg #167034

Brenda, do you have any suggestions for me on my profile......

Reply by BrendaTx on 12/21/06 6:17am
Msg #167051

DPazCa, I can't see your profile!

I don't contribute often to threads where people ask others to look at profiles because sometimes it turns into a "piling on" and people (1) find fault or (2) give excellent criticism that I do not come up with.

If things are spelled well and the grammar is good, I like to leave it at that. Each of us has a personality. My focus has always been to be myself and let the chips fall where they may.

If you want to be successful as a signing agent, you are looking at the wrong person. In Texas things have gone flat for working full-time in my area. I took a full-time job in September. The proof is in the pudding...by my own standard of looking at the end results of a person's methods and careers, my own methods cannot speak to true success. I would not pretend to know it all. I know business and when it is time to fold before it's a mess, that's what you do. I still take part-time signings...oh those are nice...and I STILL require at least $150 to do them.

Seek input privately from Florida, Michigan, and California notaries who are doing well. That's a better way to get TRUE successful input.

Reply by Gary_CA on 12/21/06 1:35am
Msg #167042

But what if one is ugly? n/m

Reply by Susan Fischer on 12/21/06 2:03am
Msg #167045

Oh, just go get presentable, you're plenty handsome! n/m

Reply by BrendaTx on 12/21/06 6:21am
Msg #167052

Re: But what if one is ugly? Typical CA, Gary!

No one is "ugly" when they are posing in a professional picture. They either look capable, or they don't!

California and Texas big hair beauty queens worry too much about looks. Just look capable. Put some thought into a picture, put in your false teeth and grin. LOL

Reply by Stamper_WI on 12/21/06 9:13am
Msg #167075

Re: But what if one is ugly? Typical CA, Gary!

There is always the glamour shot...or the High school senior picture.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 12/21/06 9:33pm
Msg #167300

Re: But what if one is ugly? Typical CA, Gary! Harumph

Brenda is soooooo right, but....... It's all about capable.

Do you look professional? Who cares if you're not Brad Pitt (unless you're in Cali's area) but the description of "professional" is universal.

A photo says it. A glamour shot? No way. A backyard photo? No way. Cozy pics with the kidlets? No way.

Take the time to do your hair (big hair or not) and wear something that looks competent.

(Oops...now that I say that I realize my photo is in a sleeveless dress, head and shoulders only. Hm....)

It's all about IMAGE. Does your photo say...."I'm my Kids Mom" or does it say "I'm here to do a professional loan signing"? Does it say....."I can do you" (oops sorry, I digressed) or does it say "I carry a briefcase"?

You're photo is obvious - you can read the message it sends. Choose the right one.

Reply by John_NorCal on 12/21/06 9:42am
Msg #167084

That's a great picture Gary! n/m

Reply by Gary_CA on 12/21/06 4:03pm
Msg #167218

Okay about that pic...

First of all it was a rhetorical question...

But that picture is nice, considering what the photographer had to work with... I was doing tech support for a professional photographers training weekend (I'm not a photo dude, I'm a computer dude) and got to chatting with one of the pros. This pro does people, including Reagan and Gorbachev at their summit. He's good. I asked if he'd do me a mug shot for my business cards. He did (free!) and it took about 3 minutes.

Here's the deal... we just found an almost blank spot on a wall and bam (the color background you see is actually window security bars out of focus)... Other than his technique... what he seemed to think most important was getting me thinking right. How do you feel when business is going good? What's important? What do you enjoy?

Click click click... 3 minutes 10 pictures, two pretty good... and that one...

FWIW

Reply by MistarellaFL on 12/21/06 10:39am
Msg #167100

Glamour shots can de-ug you

Even the fellas......

Reply by pix on 12/21/06 7:55pm
Msg #167268

Re: Glamour shots can de-ug you

Yeah but i just cant get the hang of the thumb under the collar thing, and i just dont have the chest measurements to .. oh welll lol thanks for the laugh Misty !

Reply by Cassandra Andrews on 12/21/06 11:36am
Msg #167127

there was a segment on 20/20 or somthing like that . . .

which showed how potential employers discriminated against applicants based on just their names. . . perhaps pictures are not ALWAYS a good idea????

Reply by Michelle/AL on 12/22/06 12:24am
Msg #167325

Interesting comment, Cassandra

I gave it a lot of thought before I posted a photo of myself on my NotRot profile. I'm an african american living in the deep south (I think Huntsville is considered deep south. I'm a transplant so I really don't know for sure. Anyway...I digress.) I wondered whether or not some companies might think twice about hiring me due to racial preferences. During a very slow period I even asked another Alabama notary who was having a stellar month if she felt I ought to reconsider posting my photo. After five months in the business, I don't think it matters - at least not enough to want to remove my photo. I'm in a suit. My hair is neat and my dentures are in (wink). I think most signing companies would be happy to have me on their team.