Posted by Kim J. Williams on 1/1/06 9:01pm
Msg #85531

getting started as a new notary

I am a new notary and I would like to start applying to signing companies. I am very intimidated because all of the applications want to know how many signings I have done. I have no knowledge regarding loan docs...this is all new to me. I feel like this is a catch 22 because these companies only want notaries with experience but how will I ever learn unless I am given an opportunity?? This is scary!! If anyone can offer any suggestions or knows of more training that is available I would appreciate a reply. Thanks

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 1/1/06 9:15pm
Msg #85532

Kim
It really is a Catch-22 situation.
There are just so many experienced signing agents out there that it is often hard for the newbies to get work.

All I can tell you is to persevere. Make sure you are listed on this site and others, so companies can find you.

It would help if you let us know where you are located.

Reply by Anonymous on 1/1/06 9:19pm
Msg #85533

Hi Sylvia,
Thanks for your reply. I am located in Northern California, very near San Jose and about 50 miles from San Francisco.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 1/1/06 9:32pm
Msg #85534

In that case keep an eye out for the get togethers in the Northern California area. I know that there are some and are usually advertised on the message boards.

California is swamped with signing agents I do know.

Reply by BrendaTx on 1/1/06 10:18pm
Msg #85542

Kim,

You are in California so you have some stiff competition, of course. Read regular posters who know their signing agent business in CA such as CaliNotary, CalNotary, Jon, TitleGal, DellaCa, SarahBethCa, JohnNorCal, Joan Bergstrom, and other California notaries' posts to get an idea of the industry's current state. You'll get views from both sides and from posters who are in this business for a range of years.

Read the thread that begins with Msg #33325 if you have not already. Your success will depend on your ownh determination and persistence.

A great book for beginning notaries to learn how to get business - is going to be the one about NON-Signing Agent work you can purchase from

http://www.professionalnotary.com (by Laura Vestanen).
It's around $10.00 and an excellent resource for learning about different kinds of notary work you can get aside from loans.

Red Hot Loan Signings
http://www.amrsigners.com/Default.aspx?tabid=642

Kathy Poston's Signing Agent Training Manual
http://www.signingagent.info

Wildly Successful Loan Signings - J Bergstrom (I found this to be very California friendly)
http://www.wildsignings.com

Reply by BrendaTx on 1/1/06 10:21pm
Msg #85544

Re: getting started - BIG correction

Kathy Poston's Signing Agent Training Manual
http://www.signingregistry.info


Sorry!!!

Reply by DonR_NYC on 1/1/06 10:55pm
Msg #85548

Correction to the - BIG correction

The Signing Registry

www.signingregistry.com

signingregistry.info goes to the log in page of the SR Message Board.

Reply by BrendaTx on 1/2/06 12:33am
Msg #85564

Re: Correction to the - BIG correction

I am sorry Don...some time back Paul told me to use the *.info link.

Can someone help me out here?

Reply by PAW_Fl on 1/2/06 7:33am
Msg #85578

Re: Correction to the - BIG correction

See my correction to the BIG BIG correction post.

Reply by PAW_Fl on 1/2/06 7:27am
Msg #85577

Re: Correction to the - BIG BIG correction

http://www.SigningRegistry.info will allow you do to many things:

(1) Go to the Signing Registry main web site
(2) Go to the Signing Registry members-only message board
(3) Join the Signing Registry
(4) Order the Signing Registry Training Manual

The "info" site is exactly what the name implies. It is the Signing Registry's Information Portal Page that allows you to choose where you want to go.

Reply by Brenda Stone on 1/2/06 10:00am
Msg #85588

Re: BIG BIG correction - redirect to the original poster...

Sorry about the hi-jack of your thread. We are pretty bad about that.

Reading *this* board is a very good start. (I started at the beginning and read each post and learned what I did not know and where my questions were going to be.)

Reply by BrendaTx on 1/2/06 10:05am
Msg #85589

Re: BIG BIG correction - redirect to the original poster...

*Sorry about the hi-jack of your thread. We are pretty bad about that.**

I hit enter before I finished...

I am one of the worst hi-jackers here...just know that we all mean well and hope to clarify and be accurate on providing information.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 1/2/06 12:25am
Msg #85559

Re: getting started as a new notary - Kim

Okay kiddo - here's what you do:

1. Read all you can online here - sign up as a premier member. If you haven't done so already, do it then read everything from beginning to end - especially thread 33325.

2. Hopefully you haven't fallen for the NotaryClasses.com scam. If not, read on.

3. Hopefully you have some background in title or lending. That will help. If not, there's still hope.

4. After all those obstacles, if you're still here you're a survivor. "Fake it until you make it". Advertise and accept jobs from signing services. Build up to a stronger position in the industry with all your new "on the job training". It's very good training!

Trust yourself - if you're made for this business you'll take to it. The only way to know is to jump in.

Best of luck to you.

Reply by Donna_CA on 1/2/06 1:35pm
Msg #85639

Kim,

I felt the same way 2 years ago. I became interested when I refinanced my own home and watched what the signing agent did. I needed the freedom to work my own hours since I already had a full time job. Whether you are doing this full or part time, if you follow the advice given it will serve you well.

It took me 4 months to get my first assignment from a SS that didn't ask how much experience I had. I used the time leading up to my first call to read as much as I could and felt prepared when that call finally came. This site is an excellent resource and I highly recommend that you become a premier member as stated in a previous post. Most of my jobs come from companies who find me here. Good luck.

Reply by sragland on 1/2/06 9:06pm
Msg #85687

Kim,

I am pretty new myself. I know what you mean but don't give up and be honest on your apps and with the companies when you work with them. Put 0-10 signings and be proud of it. With each signing you do you will gain confidence. I started in October, signed up with about 6 companies because I did not know how many to sign up with and did not want to overwhelm myself. I had 3 signings. So, in November, I signed up with 6 more companies. I still had 3 signings, 2 of them with 2 different companies than the previous month. In December I signed up with about 8 more companies and had 4 signings. Two new companies. Tonight I am signing up with some more companies. My goal is an average of 3 closings a week (I work full time). Make a goal and work towards it. I have read on this board to sign up with 200 - 400 companies. Seems like a lot but you have to consider the percentage of companies per calls you get for closings.

I also have to consider in my case that in a 50 mile radious from my house there are 13 notaries including myself doing this same job listed on this site alone.

Lots of factors. Keep signing up to companies, don't sell yourself short on price (I learned the hard way at first before I found this forum). You have already gotten some good advice on this thread.

Good luck,
Sherri in Arkansas

Reply by BrendaTx on 1/2/06 9:13pm
Msg #85689

Great advice, Sherri. I was also honest about the amount of signings I had behind me.