Posted by Jennifer_AZ on 5/25/06 7:40pm
Msg #122316

Notary Mentor survey

Hello fellow notaries:

I am curious to know how many individuals on here mentor new notaries in there area?

Do some individuals choose not to mentor due to competition in the future?

I also would like to hear people’s reasons for choosing not to mentor, etc.

New notaries: Please share with me if you would obtain services from an experienced notary to help you gain experience as a notary signing agent and why?

If you do mentor notaries what state and city are you located and what have been your experiences..good and bad.

I look forward to hearing from you all. You may either post a reply to my message or you may also email me directly at [e-mail address]

Thank you for your time.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 5/25/06 7:50pm
Msg #122318

I have (tried to) mentor 2 people in my area.
It was my experience that they really had no
interest in notary loan signing as a CAREER.
One I thought would make it.
She actually went out, bought the laser printer,
fax, cell phone et al, however, she seemed to
want to have me do her legwork for her, and
I am too busy for that.
What it boiled down to with me, was that neither
had the right frame of mind for doing it.
Alot like SOME of the newbies we hear from here.
Gimme, gimme...takey takey.
Then again, I was asked by someone from CA
who asked if I wouldn't mind giving her a phone
consultation. She asked pertinent questions, and
it was obvious she was taking it seriously.
Those are the kind of people who have a chance in the industry.

Reply by Merry_CA on 5/25/06 8:07pm
Msg #122322

The key, even with mentoring, is that your knowledge and time are valuable... you must charge for them. Serious future NSA's must understand that along with all the necessary tools to become a professional and operate a successful business, they will need to pay for their education. I have mentored a couple of folks here in northern CA, for a fee, and I know that Brenda_TX also mentors for a fee. There probably are others on this sight who do also.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 5/25/06 8:06pm
Msg #122320

I am one of the Signing Registry's mentors. I have mentored notaries in my own area - in so much as they are free to call me with any questions they have as is anyone on here - my contact info is in my profile.

Reply by Jason on 5/25/06 9:33pm
Msg #122332

I'm not going to train my competition, esp now that volume is down. That would be stupid.

When I started, I got tips from 2 notaries in other states. I did some work they badly needed done. Then they gave me tips and swore me to secrecy.

Reply by CaliNotary on 5/25/06 11:31pm
Msg #122378

I'm with you Jason

I honestly don't understand why people WOULD choose to mentor. To me it's just bad business sense and warm fuzzies don't pay my rent. We're always telling people on this board not to work so cheaply that they're giving away their time and working for free. Yet somehow it's ok to do just that as long as it's called mentoring? Why is that time any less valuable than the time we spend on signings?

If people want to donate their time I'm sure there are plenty of more worthy causes than training notaries. Go walk dogs at an animal rescue or something. They'll probably be more grateful and they won't be trying to take work away from your peers.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 5/25/06 9:54pm
Msg #122340

I mentor via email and phone

and could care less if they are in my area of service or not. I do draw the line at 'ride-alongs' for several reasons...but mostly my time, which at this point, is without price.

Reply by MichiganAl on 5/26/06 12:18am
Msg #122393

I've mentored twice (both out of state). One has had assistance from several different people. She's been great. Works hard, studies hard, asks smart questions. She's been doing very well. The other, a complete waste of time. Gimme gimme attitude early on, wasn't willing to try to find answers, research, read, learn. Just wanted a 24 hour hotline. Lesson learned, I won't do it again unless I decide to set up a structured training/mentoring program and charge a fee that is worth the time and effort.

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/26/06 12:27am
Msg #122396

I have picked a few to mentor when they *had it* and it was very rewarding. I only do it now for a fee and I would not do it in my area.

Reasons:

(1) I know the profit landscape here and it would be a disservice to myself and the notary.

(2) I might not be as forthcoming as I should be...if I see myself heading for a moral dilemma, I avoid it.

Reply by NCLisa on 5/26/06 7:17am
Msg #122424

I'm not a good teacher at all. I am a very quick learner, and when people don't catch on quickly I have no patience, so I will never mentor.

I did get an email a few weeks ago about mentoring someone that was 2.5 hours away. I declined and told them with the market so slow, this was not the time to quit your day job as that was what they planned on doing. It saddens me to see so many wanting to get into this business but not educating themselves with the market. Most of us realize that this is not a good time to jump in and expect this to be your primary source of income. In some of the more saturated markets, I would think it hard to even break even.

Reply by Dave_CA on 5/26/06 8:49am
Msg #122446

NOT in my area. n/m

Reply by Jennifer_AZ on 5/26/06 9:56pm
Msg #122605

Thank you!! Re: Notary Mentor survey

Thank you all for your input; it is greatly appreciated. Keep your heads up in the current market. Just be sure to be on the look out for other means to make your business work and do not loose site of your goal!!

Good luck!!

Jennifer