Posted by Joy Chelminski on 5/16/06 5:12pm
Msg #120274

New Signer - limited experience!!!

Hello, everyone. I am a mobile notary and State licensed title agent, and I am having difficulty securing any signings. I have only one business reference, and perhaps that is the problem. I have been in the business for about 6 months. It seems that experience is the key to signing appointments. It would be GREATLY appreciated if anyone could suggest any companies in which I might be successful obtaining signing appointments. Thank you very much.

Joy

Reply by lulu on 5/16/06 5:20pm
Msg #120275

I'm afraid that question may not get you far on this forum. Click on my name and go to my info. Email me and I will try to help you.

Reply by Brenda_CO on 5/16/06 5:53pm
Msg #120283

lulu -

Your website looks great! Did you do it, or have a web designer do it for you? If so, would you mind sharing the name of the company?
Thanks ever so!

Reply by lulu on 5/16/06 6:06pm
Msg #120286

Re: lulu -

Which website are you talking about?

Reply by Brenda_CO on 5/16/06 7:04pm
Msg #120306

Re: lulu -

your Halitek.com!

Reply by lulu on 5/16/06 7:17pm
Msg #120311

Re: lulu -

I'm thrilled, that is sooo cool! I'm glad you like it. It's kind of a mix. My hubby does web-design. He set everything up for me and then I add more info to it as I find stuff to add.
He's building another site and his web design ad is on there if you want more info you can go take a look. It is at www.mwna.net and click on Member Benefits/Web Design in the menu at left.
He'll be thrilled that you like my site.

Reply by Brenda_CO on 5/16/06 7:19pm
Msg #120312

Re: lulu -

Thanks lulu...I will check it out. I have been speaking with a person from Heritage Web design and thought I should at least check with two or three others before making a decision.

Reply by LawrenceOK on 5/16/06 5:57pm
Msg #120285

Not all of us would tell her were to go Lulu. I was going to suggest that she sign up with as many agency's as she can. One contact just doesn't cut it.

Reply by lulu on 5/16/06 6:08pm
Msg #120287

Lawrence, I don't think she is saying she has signed up with one company. She is saying she only has one business reference. I guess that could be someone she has done work for, not sure.

Reply by LawrenceOK on 5/16/06 6:13pm
Msg #120288

I guess one is better then nada no matter how you read the book.

Reply by AngelinaAZ on 5/16/06 6:22pm
Msg #120290

Sounds to me like she's marketing to TC's and Lenders if she's worried about business references. That's going to go over like a ton of bricks if she has no experience.

Reply by lulu on 5/16/06 6:27pm
Msg #120293

It's all in the marketing.

Reply by LawrenceOK on 5/16/06 6:36pm
Msg #120294

After getting burnt, I have learned from experience and others on the board only to give SS references to SS's and TC references only to TC's

Reply by MistarellaFL on 5/16/06 6:42pm
Msg #120298

Right on, Lawrence.

and they love to burn those with ltd. exp.

Reply by Becca_FL on 5/16/06 7:01pm
Msg #120304

Re: Ditto Lawrence

Some of the best advice Sylvia ever gave us...me included.

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/16/06 6:52pm
Msg #120301

Re: New Signer - limited experience!!! Lulu -

I got a letter back awhile ago from a guy who asked me about doing that. I told him that mainly he needs to know for certain he's "good" and that he knows what to do when things get "hinky" without the benefit of direction from others.

IMHO the great marketing can set up a neophyte for a wonderful opportunity, then if they are not really comfortable it can also be a quick trip to he77 in a handbasket.

Reply by lulu on 5/16/06 7:20pm
Msg #120313

Re: New Signer - limited experience!!! Lulu -

I agree Brenda, you also must be able to follow through well after you market and get the signings. You have to be an 'on your feet' type person with a lot of common sense to use good judgment when given a dilemma. I think that is the type of thing you are referring to, please correct me if I'm off base.

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/16/06 7:48pm
Msg #120319

Re: New Signer - limited experience!!! Lulu -

**It's all in the marketing** statement you made is very accurate. It was the context of it which concerned me.

I do not know if you are off base...my concern in my previous post is that new people are not fed to the sharks by getting there too early and
(1) suffering an ego blow that will make Notaryrotary.com look like Sunday School.
(2) not being welcomed back at that title company / lender because there is a problem which an experienced agent could have handled.

Yet another slippery slope which I cannot seem to get a footing on. For some reason my points are not at all hitting the mark these days.

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/16/06 7:50pm
Msg #120321

Re: New Signer - limited experience!!! Lulu -

**Sounds to me like she's marketing to TC's and Lenders if she's worried about business references. That's going to go over like a ton of bricks if she has no experience. ** (angelina)

This was the post prior to yours.

**It's all in the marketing ** seemed like a peculiar answer to that. JMHO.

Reply by Missy_Lulu on 5/16/06 8:29pm
Msg #120332

Re: New Signer - limited experience!!! Lulu -

My response was to Angelina. Angelina said 'that's going to go over like a ton of bricks if she has no experience'. I was stating that with the proper marketing she could get her foot in the door. If she knows enough to be able to talk the talk she might get in the door with marketing but then, of course, she better be able to walk the walk.

Maybe there were too many before her that couldn't walk the walk and that is why Angelina says that will go over like a ton of bricks.

Does that clarify what I meant? Don't come back with any responses this evening that will make me think too hard. Going back to figure out what I responded to was hard enough. I think I left my brain behind somewhere earlier today. So tired. Not computing very well tonite.
I guess that's where my post of Missy_Lulu fka lulu came from. Don't you get corny when you get tired? But now I'm just plain tired.

Reply by AngelinaAZ on 5/16/06 8:49pm
Msg #120339

Re: New Signer - limited experience!!! Lulu -

I said that it would go over like a ton of bricks because the ones that went before her in the TC probably paid their dues before they marketed to TC's and won't screw things up. We all know that a class and a few loans won't give you the knowledge you need to navigate this business without making a fool of yourself. I was just trying to keep her from screwing up and possible ruining a good client. Botching jobs for TC's is a great way to make a fool of yourself and give yourself a bad name. I do a lot of TC 'in house' and I know they talk.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 5/16/06 9:57pm
Msg #120359

Re: New Signer - limited experience!!! Lulu -

I agree and I also think it depends on what neck of the woods you are in. There are so many SAs in my area that the title companies are almost posting sentries at the doors to block all the SAs that want to do business with them (especially after the NNA SA class of the month...) and they can smell lack of experience a mile off. I think it's wise in the long run to cut your teeth with signing services and *really* learn the ropes. Then if/when you start doing business with tc's you have a prayer, at least, of keeping them as customers.

What people don't seem to get is that when everything goes perfectly, conducting a loan signing can be a pretty easy process. But when things are not as they should be or when dealing with a difficult borrower, as is so often the case, knowing what to do is where experience comes into play, especially when no one is reachable! That just comes with time and lots of exposure, but TCs expect you to know how to handle those situations. It's what makes an SA worth the higher fee...

Reply by AngelinaAZ on 5/16/06 8:25pm
Msg #120329

Lulu...

You know... I tried to ignore this response thinking I was just being grouchy but it's been bugging me since I read it. I feel that you are really WAAAYYY off base with this post.

There have been plenty of decent and respectful newbies that receive good help here from many people *sweeties and grouchies* ALL the time.

There have been plenty of disrespectful newbies with an entitlement chip on their shoulder who got a 'right back atcha'.

You are doing a great disservice to the newbies if you are going to diss this forum and ask them to Email you every time you feel like somebody needs babying.

I can't speak for everyone here but I didn't think that Joy was rude in her question and it looked to me like she was trying to put effort in on her own... I, for one, even had a few things to add but I guess I won't since you must have advice that encompasses EVERYTHING!

My first reaction to your post was ... that unless you are Harry's wife or a board moderator... maybe you should build an 'Ask Lulu' site. That way people can just skip this useless board and go straight to the expert. (SCSM)

Now maybe that is too harsh... maybe you just like to be the one with all the answers... or you are drumming up mentoring business... or maybe you are just a really nice person who is worried about everyone and everything... but you might want to consider the fact that even a little criticism to the newbies can teach them a very valuable lesson. You grabbing them up and tucking them under your wing and sheltering them from the reality of this business isn't doing them any favors in the long run!

Talk to them, mentor them, teach them... but please don't shelter them off this board if you are really trying to help them!

I like you Lulu and I think you have a lot to offer... but so do the rest of us, sweet and grouchy alike. Take it for what it's worth....

Reply by Missy_Lulu on 5/16/06 8:51pm
Msg #120340

Re: Lulu...

I appreciate your honesty but I am not sweeping anyone away from this board. By pulling them aside I am able to give them a little one on one heads up that this board does not appreciate people coming on with, as you put it, an entitlement attitude. I have my opinions of good resources which may not be others and may be conflicting to post on this board. Most of these people I only send one email response to. Instead of there being a mass pounce I try to curb that. I tell them of resources to possibly find helpful information, to include #33325, my website and some others that were helpful to me and still are in my business. I hope this clears some things up for anyone of that same opinion.

I see many others who have chosen to post offering help through personally emailing them.

Joys post included the following:
It would be GREATLY appreciated if anyone could suggest any companies in which I might be successful obtaining signing appointments. Thank you very much.

Yes Joy's post was very gracious, IMO, but
I have seen this question asking for company leads and/or names so many times and seen the responses they got. I guess I just don't like a lot of conflict so I try to curb it. In doing so I feel actually helps notrot cuz then that person doesn't get so upset with the responses they get that they choose to not come on here.

Reply by AngelinaAZ on 5/16/06 9:31pm
Msg #120349

Re: Lulu...

Joy did ask that, but she prefaced it with the fact that she had been looking and trying. She also had a theory of 'why' she wasn't getting responses, which to me, said that she was doing some evaluation of her efforts. Now that doesn't mean she's going to get a list of my best clients... but I certainly would have told her to go to the SS tab and sign up with as many companies as possible. I would also have told her to pay for memberships here and a few other places to be listed. I would tell her to develop a nice profile and not say she doesn't have a bunch of experience.

I understand the urge to want to curb the battles. I just think that if someone gets on here with an attitude... they don't deserve your one on one 'let me help you' approach. I think it dignifies their unprofessional attitude and leads them to believe that all they need to do is ask and they will get a sweet little sugar coated handout.

Now that being said... I don't think Joy was that aforementioned person and I do think that you have good intentions. I hope that your new way of handling them works... because this site has a lot to offer and if they would take time, pay their dues to themselves and the industry, search and study... I'm sure they could all be great contributors. I learn something every day.

Reply by Joy Chelminski on 5/17/06 11:22am
Msg #120458

My thanks to all of your replies

I really do appreciate your reply AngelinaAZ and Lulu and everyones responses for that matter. I agreee that the bottom line is marketing, which is the summation of what I got out of everyone's e-mail. I am not contacting TCs or lenders, I am only contacting the loan signing companies that I researched on Notary.net, about 100 listed there. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to respond.
Joy

Reply by MichiganAl on 5/16/06 7:13pm
Msg #120308

How many companies have you contacted?

I contacted 400 - 500 when I first started, and followed up with the ones I was especially interested in. This yeilded me, oh, about two regular clients. Marketing is a numbers game. You keep knocking on doors, going through a hundred nos until you finally get one yes. Sorry, no one's going to just give you company names. No matter how nicely you ask, many of us feel that this kind of question is, at the very least, inappropriate. Could you imagine a new doctor walking into another doctor's office and asking for their patient list? There's an entire list of SS on this site under the signing central tab, contact every one of them.

And read thread 33325, we mention it every day.

Reply by eboughey on 5/16/06 7:33pm
Msg #120314

Re: How many companies have you contacted?

I've found that you don't get a lot of "no" from companies if you market your services properly. If you come in with confidence, an inexpensive portfolio that looks like it cost a fortune, and a smile you will certainly be remembered and noticed!

Reply by Becca_FL on 5/16/06 8:27pm
Msg #120331

eboughey

I just hope you can back up that inexpenesive portfolio.

Like Dr. Phil said, you may be a loud barking chiahawa (sp) behind the fence, but when there is a break in the fence, are you prepared to back up your bark and show what you've got?

I think, with some of todays revolutions and loud barking newbies, we are all wondering who can back up the bark.

JMO

Reply by eboughey on 5/16/06 9:04pm
Msg #120342

Re: eboughey

Wow. That came out of left field.

I guess my experience comes from 15 years in the marketing business (which is my staple) along with a background in targeted marketing, direct advertising and commercial business. I worked in the direct mail industry for almost 17 years from purchasing to buying targeted lists to graphic design to sales. I definitely know my business and I'm extremely good at it.

I walked into 24 title companies in the past 2 weeks with a marketing portfolio ($3.57 each) and to date I have had 6 title companies who have called on my availability and to schedule signings.

So I don't know. You decide if I can back up my bark.

Reply by Missy_Lulu on 5/16/06 9:07pm
Msg #120344

Re: eboughey

You go girl!

Reply by MistarellaFL on 5/16/06 9:26pm
Msg #120347

gender of eboughey?

Enquiring minds wanna know. (And Missy Lulu just called you girl

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 5/16/06 9:31pm
Msg #120348

Re: gender of eboughey?

Female

Reply by eboughey on 5/16/06 9:35pm
Msg #120350

Re: gender of eboughey?

yep. female.

I see lots of people in FL. Anyone in Orlando/Daytona Beach area? I want to go to one of those notary get togethers with fellow professionals. What a great thing that would be.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 5/16/06 9:38pm
Msg #120352

I am in SW FL, Englewood

Sarasota and Charlotte county (a dual-countied city)
If you're in the Orlando area, do you ever work with American out of Oviedo?

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/16/06 9:47pm
Msg #120356

Re: gender of eboughey? My money was on male...shucks

I lost.

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/16/06 9:40pm
Msg #120353

Re: eboughey - > to eboughey - Backing up the bark ...

Backing up the bark comes after you get the assignment.

As an example...there was a shocked response from seasoned signing agents to the book written by VRing. Shall we bring VR back up folks?

Okay...VR wrote a book which I personally think will give anyone a **good overview** of the signing agent field.

An honored member here reported he inquired of VR as to what, pray tell, was the number of signings completed?

And, as it was told to this young grasshopper, when push came to shove, VR had only done a dozen or so signings before she started her book and marketing her website - a resource for notaries.

So...being a marketing savant and getting the job is not what being a signing agent is to the ones here who are really well indoctrinated into the field...and that's not me because I got my head ripped off and my neck was pooped in a few times over saying it.

However, I admire your efforts and success so much that I think you should package that product when you have perfected it. MANY could benefit from it.


An aside:

About VR's book..will it tell you all the answers? Nope....Did I read it? Yep...Do I recommend it to others? Yes...IF they are the type to take what she provides and do some serious research on their own. If you will take for fact everything you read, you are barking up the wrong tree, Cujo...pun intended.

...and to my WEST COAST caller, I was one the phone with a dear old friend when you called...Call me in the am...I must get my beauty rest. I have something I really want to ask you.

Reply by AngelinaAZ on 5/16/06 9:47pm
Msg #120355

The fishing dilemma...

***However, I admire your efforts and success so much that I think you should package that product when you have perfected it. MANY could benefit from it.***

"Catch a man a fish and you can sell it to him, teach a man to fish and you miss out on a great business opportunity". I want to say that this was said by Karl Marx but my mind is repelling that thought... any ideas anybody?

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/16/06 9:50pm
Msg #120358

Re: The fishing dilemma...Welllllll...said Mark Twain...

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man. Mark Twain

Great quote of yours, A....I'd like to know who said that also....sounds more like PT Barnum or WC Fields. LOL.

Anyone?

Reply by AngelinaAZ on 5/16/06 9:57pm
Msg #120360

Do you toss him a doggie treat first just to make sure?

Whoever said that about the dog... lied. I've been bitten sooo many times by being too helpful! I think that you are totally on the right track with all of your 'extra-curricular' training stuff and I'm thrilled that you are being paid for your knowledge.

And to eboughey, I hate the production part of marketing. So if you ever do decide to sell that little portfolio, I'd be your first taker.

Reply by AngelinaAZ on 5/16/06 10:22pm
Msg #120370

DUH!!!!!!!

OK that took me a while... that's the difference between a dog and a man. Now I get it! So no... he didn't lie. Smartypants!

Question of the week... Is it the only difference?

Reply by Signing_Doc on 5/17/06 1:15am
Msg #120380

Re: The fishing dilemma...Welllllll...(from a Ferengi)

This is from the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition. Rule 207 states "Give someone a fish, you feed him for one day. Teach him how to fish, and you lose a steady customer" Star Trek DS 9

Reply by Becca_FL on 5/16/06 9:41pm
Msg #120354

Re: eboughey, been there, done that too

TV, Radio and print were my game for ten years before going back to school for my Paralegal Degree. Advertising is a tough business and after being in radio for five years, I lost the insperation. I published a local magazine and produced a Real Estate show for the local network, if you can call it that. Then, came along BIG REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER wanting in on my little real estate show, but not wanting to spend the $$$ to buy it.

Fact is...thanks to intelectual property, they could not touch my real eatate show on the chanel for years. Now, that time has run out, they're buying a similar program from down south.


All I'm saying is, I don't care what your marketing background is, just know what you are doing when it comes to peoples lives and their homes. Marketing is KEY, but you need to know what the heck you are doing.

We have like backgrounds, we should talk.

Best wishes

Reply by eboughey on 5/16/06 9:48pm
Msg #120357

Re: eboughey, been there, done that too

Yes, we should talk. I've finally added the link to my profile. I've only been doing tv and radio for the past couple of years so I didn't want to touch much on that. And advertising is really volatile. You definitely have to be on top of your game every single day or you'll get kicked to the side like nobody's business.

I think I may have to put a little disclaimer at the bottom of all my posts so my comments are never construed as advice, just as opinion, eh?

Reply by Missy_Lulu on 5/16/06 10:05pm
Msg #120362

Re: eboughey, been there, done that too

eh? Are you sure your not Canadian, now? LOL

Reply by eboughey on 5/16/06 10:06pm
Msg #120363

Re: New Signer - JOY NEVER REPLIED!

hehehe....


Where is Joy? I haven't seen one post back from her? And here we've all gone on for hours!