Posted by Kimberly Wiley on 11/13/06 7:16pm
Msg #159678

Getting Started!!!

Hello, my name is Kimberly Wiley and I'm seeking much advice. I'm a new nortary wanting to work the northern MS and Memphis, TN area. I would like to know the best way of getting started. I would really appreciate any information I receive!!

Thanks

Reply by MistarellaFL on 11/13/06 7:21pm
Msg #159679

Start here.......

Go to the orange search button, and enter message # 33325.
We have put it all in one place to help you get started.
Good luck and happy reading!

Reply by CaliNotary on 11/13/06 7:23pm
Msg #159680

Every freaking day

I just don't get it. If people have the smarts enough to find this board, why do they never have the smarts enough to actually READ the board once they get here?

Seriously, when is the last time a day went by without this question being asked?

Reply by CaliNotary on 11/13/06 7:30pm
Msg #159682

Just so you know it's not hyperbole

11/13 - Hello, my name is Kimberly Wiley and I'm seeking much advice. I'm a new nortary wanting to work the northern MS and Memphis, TN area. I would like to know the best way of getting started. I would really appreciate any information I receive!!

11/12 - I am a new comer and have not had much experience, but the knowledge is there. I am a certified Loan Officer and Mortgage Processor. I also have completed a state accredited school and completed their Real Estate course. Along side that I have taken various courses in Real Estate Contracts, Refi's and Foreclosures I just don't know how to "break into the business" any suggestions???

11/11 - I have been a notary public for about 5 months now, mostly in accordance with the store I work in, since we offer notary services. Recently, though, I have been interested in becoming a mobile notary signing agent so that I can earn some extra income. The problem is, every signing service, title company, etc. I've gone to so far requires 2 years minimum experience with loan documents before they will hire me. I have some experience with them, as we have a Wells Fargo bank in our shopping center which uses our notary services frequently, but they are generally short form deeds of trust and borrower's affidavits and I'm not so confident I have the knowledge needed to guide borrower's through the larger documents. I'm just looking for some ideas on how I might be able to get myself started in this business, if anyone knows some ways I might get some experience with these signings. Is there anyone that hires with less than 2 years experience? Maybe if I was certified?

Reply by Kimberly Wiley on 11/13/06 7:34pm
Msg #159685

Re: Every freaking day

Well I just read some of your old messages and I know how you feel already. If you don't have any positive advice, just don't respond to me b/c I don't want your business! I thought this board was for questions!

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 11/13/06 7:41pm
Msg #159689

Just because you don't like how it's said

does not take anything away from the truthfullness of what is said. While I don't always agree with the way Cali says things, I've never known him to say anything about notary work or loan signings that wasn't right on the money.

Would you walk into a new place of employment, meet co-workers the first day on the job and make a statement such as you just did? Don't think so, not if you wanted to keep working there and enjoy a working relationship with your co-workers.

Reply by BrendaTx on 11/13/06 7:45pm
Msg #159690

Re: Just because you don't like how it's said

**While I don't always agree with the way Cali says things, I've never known him to say anything about notary work or loan signings that wasn't right on the money.**

Yeah, he did once. Then he corrected himself. Otherwise, he is very accurate. Just a side note, Dorothy...he's going to get into a huff now that you said you don't agree with the way he says things. I wish you wouldn't hurt his feelings like that.








J/k!!!!!

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 11/13/06 7:47pm
Msg #159693

You mean he's a "shoot the messenger" type n/m

Reply by CaliNotary on 11/13/06 8:44pm
Msg #159715

I can't get into a huff

I'm too busy lying on the floor in a fetal position because she gave me hurty feelings.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 11/13/06 7:47pm
Msg #159691

Both CaliNotary and Dorothy are right.

We always have newbies asking the same basic question.

It's not personal. We are just very, very tired of it.

Reply by noteclub/MD on 11/14/06 8:25am
Msg #159808

Re: Both CaliNotary and Dorothy are right.

I suppose those of you that are tired of it- were somehow blessed with all the knowledge required to do this job and never once had to ask a question or seek advice.

Reply by Charm_AL on 11/14/06 8:58am
Msg #159810

I'm so sick and tired of this....

This whole thread of defending laziness and naivety, imo, is ridiculous. The black and white of it is this. If you are not mature enough to become a knowledgeable notary public and research this field as a possible career, you shouldn't have found this board.
Being that you were bright enough to find this board, that's were it stopped.
I have seen a LOT of newbies come on and ask where do I get started? Some or most have no idea that they are a 'notary public' and what they need to be equipped with as far as knowledge of their own state laws.
Those are the ones who feel entitled to hand outs just because that's the way they live their lives. They are used to asking for and living off others. I look at most of the defenders responses as children who are spoiled brats. "Gimme, gimme, gimme, just because I live and YOU owe me!" If you don't I'm gonna either whine or snitch on you because you're being mean to me. It's obvious there were some work ethics and responsibility for yourself missed in upbringing. Still, it's not my fault and I don't NEED to do anything for you. I wasn't put on earth as another one of your many sponges.
Like many have said, this forum is educational if you READ it. Start from post 1. It is not where you come to get live responses believing the posters are here to train you. This is your business. We here all run one. It's work, not kindergarten "teacher, teacher, Bobby won't share his crayons with me!"
I would never buy a Walgreen's and then go ask what to do to make it successful. That is plain stupidity. I would know what I'm doing beforehand. Research, it's a basic fundamental requirement to educate YOURSELF taught in elementary school.
When you haven't found the answer using your own effort, that means research --ask a question. When you get a response, deal with it and move on, you only look a fool to crybaby here trying to be self righteous and invite even more upon yourself. Then you burn your own bridge and wonder why.
If we wanted to be SA consultants we'd be out charging for it, big time.

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 11/14/06 9:07am
Msg #159812

You are so wrong

about being blessed with all the knowledge required to do this job. When we started it was before the days of the Notary Boards. NASA had had a board but shut it down due to some ranting postings (this is via the grape vine because I came on the scene after it was shut down), then we had a fairly long void. Then another board was started by a person who is not very well liked and certainly not respected, but the information on that board was more precious than rubies until the owner shut it down. Then a couple of more boards evolved to where we are today. So if you think it's hard starting out now where you have to search ONE board, try starting out WITHOUT it and having to really do research (this was also pre-google days). I compiled message 33325 to try and answer most of the basic questions because we were being bombarded with "how do I get started" questions. Be on this board for a couple of months and you too will get tired of the same questions being asked by people who think (or have been told) that this is the place to come for "on the job training and mentoring" and view it as a sense of entittlement. More and more people are coming to the table to eat and the pie is shrinking all the time. It is so EASY to find answers to almost any question you might have, you just have to do a little digging. If some of these posters would read the banner that Harry has posted when you sign in to post, they wouldn't post their "how to get started" question. If they'd even gone back and read one or two days postings before asking their questions they would find out that it is a permanent question and a reasonably intelligent person would deduce from the answers that this is probably not a question that they'd want to ask, but instead do some more reading. I don't know of any other business where you would expect your competition to share your trade secrets via the interent with the whole word -- imagine a fast food forum and having Dunkin Donuts ask Krespy Creme for their donut receipe. That in actuality is what some of the newbies are asking for. This board is very sharing and very caring (I could cite several examples but I'll let you read them yourself because it will give you a greater insite into your fellow notaries). We want this profession to grow and prosper, but we're not willing to give the store away to our competition.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 11/15/06 1:46am
Msg #160153

Re: You are so wrong

Dorothy, I'm glad you posted this. I, too, started out without the benefit of message boards. If I had a question, I had to figure it out on my own or ask my client(s). I had been doing loans for a year before I found the first notary message board. In the long run, I think it has made me a much better signing agent. That's why those of us who have had that experience recommend to you newbies to do the same thing - because it's in your own best interest, whether you believe it or not!!

I think it's really sad that so many people assume that every successful person has gotten to where they are because someone else gave them a hand up. What ever happened to self-accountability and responsibility? The saddest part is that those who are looking for the easy answers (in more than just the literal sense) will likely be looking for some other easy way to make a buck next year - and blaming someone else for their lack of success.

Reply by Kimberly Wiley on 11/13/06 7:49pm
Msg #159695

Re: Just because you don't like how it's said

There is a right and wrong way to say anything. I should have read the old messages before I posted, but like I said there is a proper way of saying anything. This is a message board and not a new place of employment. I do meet people for the first time at work and ask them questions. Whether they respond or how they respond is up to them. I appreciate the response from the other person about the 33325 message. I read it and it was very helpful. Thanks Dorothy!

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 11/13/06 8:01pm
Msg #159701

Not to argue too fine a point

But in actuallity (if you want to make this your profession and not your hobby) we ARE your co-workers. Read a few threads and you will see how we lend our support and knowledge to each other. This is so important when you are in business for yourself because you have no one to bounce ideas off and this board is a good sounding board, a good case in point is the thread right under this about signatures.

PS: If Cali's response bothers you, you might want to reconsider this profession because sometimes the borrowers can be unmerciful! Know this is not something you want to hear but it is the truth. One of the main requirements for this profession is a VERY thick skin because you will need it almost every day with either the borrowers, SS, TC or lenders.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 11/13/06 8:07pm
Msg #159704

Re: Every freaking day

And this is the typical response we get "every freaking day". (I'll save Cali the effort...) As he said, read the board guidelines.

I don't know where you got your information, but you thought wrong. This forum is for general discussion, not a training ground for new notaries. It says: "It was created to allow professional notaries public to share experiences, advice and opinions with other members of the profession." So we have certain expectations of people who come here looking for information, the first one being that you do your homework first and stop whining. (Consider that Lesson 1 in the school of hard knocks. ) Mistarella was kind enough to direct you to the magic message with all the answers. I sure wish I had something like that when I started!! Take her advice and read the ENTIRE THING.

I realize I'm being a little rough here, myself, (which I usually try to avoid) but this is a business that takes a thick skin to survive. There's also a lot more to it than it looks from the outside. If you want to come here to benefit from the hard-earned experience of others, don't expect them to sugar coat it and don't expect it to be spoon fed to you... (at least any more than has already been done with the famous message referenced above).

Also, as far as you not looking to take any of Cali's business, that may be true, but I guarantee you there is at least someone - if not several someones - who have been members here and supporting this forum for a long time who ARE in your area.

An aside: I think it is important for all of us to be aware that everytime we post some helpful information, even if it is for someone across the country (and even if we do it **off the board**), it is the equivalent of helping someone in our own backyard. In fact, I think the off-line stuff is even more insidious. You might be giving someone an advantage in an area far from you, but down the street from someone else on this board who has greatly helped you over the years. Think about it... As (I think it was) Cali once said - if we post it on the board here, at least it makes for a level playing field.

Kimberly, I realize you probably came here with the best of intentions and didn't expect to ruffle any feathers, but this kind of thing has been going on for years and it does get tiresome. If you do searches on your own, read as much as you can, but then have specific questions that you can't find answers to after a genuine effort - and you let us know that you've given it your best, you will find an unbelievable amount of help available to you. But if you (or yesterday's or tomorrow's newbie) come here with an attitude of entitlement, expect to get airbrushed!!

Good luck! hth

Reply by Kimberly Wiley on 11/13/06 7:54pm
Msg #159698

Re: Every freaking day

How he says something will not make a difference in my day b/c I'm learning as I go. I have been researching and I will continue to research. I'm not asking for anything that will get me ahead of the game. I just needed a starting place and message number 33325 got me that! You can continue to say who's right or who's wrong but to me it doesn't matter! I'm willing to do what it takes at whatever pace!

Reply by bestcal on 11/13/06 8:38pm
Msg #159710

Re: Every freaking day-Kimberley

You will do allright.Now just make sure you get the premier membership with notrot and the other popular companies(which I cannot mention on this site) and once you feel comfortable with signings,market yourself to title companies and lenders and you are on you way!Do not forget to always provide superb service every sinle time you do a signing.I found that some companies do check with the clients and the feedback from those clients does make a difference in your success. Hope everyone else had a great day too!I had a very interesting one!

Reply by NotaryGirl71 on 11/13/06 8:44pm
Msg #159716

Re: Every freaking day-Kimberley

Kimberly,

Many people on this site are just plain rude and negative...not all but a lot (in my opinion) and you know who you are.

Do not let them get you down. Take the positive advice and throw out the negative advice and you will do just fine

I wish you many happy future signings

PS - Every time I post ANYTHING on this site I get slammed by the same people and I just laugh it off...they mean nothing to me.

PPS - Also remember "opinion" is NOT fact...fact IS fact!

Reply by CaliNotary on 11/13/06 8:47pm
Msg #159717

Re: Every freaking day-Kimberley

"Many people on this site are just plain rude and negative...not all but a lot (in my opinion) and you know who you are"

Dr. Laura and Judge Judy made careers out of being "rude and negative". Stop being such a pessimist. Try looking at it as "common sense" instead.

Reply by NotaryGirl71 on 11/13/06 8:49pm
Msg #159718

Re: Every freaking day-Kimberley

Why don't you look in the mirror!

Reply by CaliNotary on 11/13/06 9:02pm
Msg #159721

Re: Every freaking day-Kimberley

OK, I just did.

Girl, I look fab-u-lous!

Reply by Jenny_CA on 11/13/06 9:04pm
Msg #159722

BTW, some of the same rude people frequently mentioned

have contributed to the famous thread #33325..

Reply by KBLedgard_CA on 11/14/06 12:28am
Msg #159786

Re: BTW, some of the same rude people frequently mentioned

Good Call, Jenny!

Reply by BrendaTx on 11/13/06 10:00pm
Msg #159745

Re: Every freaking day-interesting days...

bestcal had one today...mine was Friday.

An acquaintance called me because she is going to be out of town soon and has a handful of cats which need attention while she is gone. Now, I keep my neighbor's rather large and loving dog, Bailey, from time to time because (1) my neighbor is my friend and (2) our dogs get on well. Bailey blends right in...but I do not have cats or a means to care for them in my home.

But, this acquaintance asked me if I'd come to her house to help her with her cats...her husband will put the food out and feed them but he will not clean the litter boxes. So...basically, you've got a person I do not know very well asking me to go to her house while her husband is there and clean out cat poo.

My reply was to apologize and tell her I just did not think that would work out for me...perhaps she should check the newspapers for a petsitting service.

She told me that if she had time to read the newspaper she would not be calling me.

I found that to be very interesting--you just cannot make this stuff up.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 11/14/06 12:37am
Msg #159787

No, no, NO!

Do NOT think about marketing yourself to title companies until you've got more than 100 flawless signings under your belt! Title companies are unforgiving; your first goof would be your last for that company, and maybe several others. Just as we talk, so do they.

Market to signing services. Walk before you try to run.

Reply by Arant19 on 11/13/06 10:31pm
Msg #159758

Re: Every freaking day

Hi Kimberly! I agree with NotaryGirl71. It's ashame that newbies can't rely on so-call professionals to provide meaningful information. All the so-called professionals who bashed you were never newbies. They came into this business knowing everything, WOW. Now that they have experience they want to bash newbies. SO WHAT, if newbies have questions. If no one wants to assist with questions stop being DISRESPECTFUL. Who cares that CaliNotary contributed to 33325 BIG DEAL. Also, comparing oneself to Judge Judy is absolutely ridiculous. She makes big time money, more than anyone of us or all of us combined. She's earned the right to be rude & obnoxious to litigants. Hang in there Kimberly. Things will get a whole lot better. You will see for yourself. There are people who don't care about answering questions. The only dumb question is the one you don't ask, that's my motto.

Reply by CaliNotary on 11/13/06 10:46pm
Msg #159763

Re: Every freaking day

"She makes big time money, more than anyone of us or all of us combined. She's earned the right to be rude & obnoxious to litigants"

Are you serious? The amount of money a person makes is what determines what is acceptable behavior towards other people? Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha!

"There are people who don't care about answering questions"

You must be one of them since you said a whole lot in your post, yet none of it was actually answering her question either.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 11/13/06 11:36pm
Msg #159776

"Every freaking day" to Arant Fool (no #19, as she F/U'd)

Here's what you said...and where you put your fat and wide size 7 quite evenly and well-fitting into your rather large (eg. BIG) mouth: (hint: breathsavers).

***It's ashame that newbies can't rely on so-call professionals to provide meaningful information.***

Sit down, young grasshopper (that is a narcissit and even beyond Sigmund Freuid):

Translation: I am young. Mommy and Daddy feed me. I go to Communty College. They taught me in college that you deserve success; further? It should be mainlined into me via a nice IV (with sedation, of course). I want that BCBG Purse, big time. Need $2,125. Please forward, NOW!

***All the so-called professionals who bashed you were never newbies" (Sin #1......Arant Fool) and They came into this business knowing everything (Sin #2 ArantFool...and a damning one)***

ArantFool? A pure word of advice. Change your name. You have screwed the Pooch on this forum. Read your own suicide: ***WOW. Now that they have experience they want to bash newbies. SO WHAT, if newbies have questions. If no one wants to assist with questions stop being DISRESPECTFUL. Who cares that CaliNotary contributed to 33325 BIG DEAL. Also, comparing oneself to Judge Judy is absolutely ridiculous. She makes big time money, more than anyone of us or all of us combined. She's earned the right to be rude & obnoxious to litigants. Hang in there Kimberly. Things will get a whole lot better. You will see for yourself. There are people who don't care about answering questions.***

Yes. Go look up "Entreprenurialsim" in Websters. They do still teach Websters in the 8th grade, do they not? Phew. You had me worried. The definition includes human politeness.

Normally I wouldn't have put is as such...since ya'al are so disturbed and wringing your hands over language...but in your case? all the while bashing regulars that YOU should be leaning from and KISSING THEIR BEHINDS FOR MORE INFORMATION? you suck. The boys in the frat hall can give you some tips, darlin. Have several drinks and go ask them for life experience.

You said: ***The only dumb question is the one you don't ask, that's my motto.***

Enjoy that motto now, hotshot........ because if you quote it as (a phony) professional business meeting...with the REAL pros? You simply wont be invited back and you will wish you listened to advice here.

Poor Silly Rabbit, Arant. Tricks are for Kids.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 11/13/06 11:38pm
Msg #159777

and you should have asked Cali for dinner.

you might have learned something.

Reply by CaliNotary on 11/14/06 1:02am
Msg #159789

Yeah, but I'd be the one being punished! n/m

Reply by Michelle/AL on 11/13/06 9:07pm
Msg #159723

I'm going to take the plunge...

...and post this message (against my better judgment). It isn't in defense of anyone. It's just how I feel tonight and how I've felt since coming to NotRot. (Taking a deep breath) It wasn't all that easy for me to figure out how to use Notary Rotary when I first found it. I clicked on the tabs. I sent emails to Harry. I even bugged a few of you. I had questions that I couldn't get answered. It took me over a month to figure out Signing Central and all the great time-saving features it offers (invoicing, tracking, mapping…). And that orange search button…well…there are time-saving short cuts to using that feature too. While I'm no Einstein, I'm also not the "dullest tool in the shed". I think a blue tab labeled "New Members" would be a great help and would reduce the frequency of "Getting Started" posts on the board. I suggested this to NotRot’s “help desk” when I was a newbie. Or, if the FAQ/Help page could include something for new members interested in getting started – say…give them the message #33325 for starters. CaliNotary, you’re right. Everyday the board gets at least one person asking for advice on getting started in the business. Sometimes it’s more than just one person. I just don’t think it will stop or improve unless more direction/instructions are offered to the newbies as soon as they create their login name and password. (I betcha $10 we get a new post about “getting started” in the next 12 hours.)

Reply by John_NorCal on 11/13/06 9:28pm
Msg #159727

Re: Every freaking day

"Seriously, when is the last time a day went by without this question being asked?"

The day hell froze over.

Reply by Cap_in_Calif on 11/14/06 8:18am
Msg #159807

Re: Every freaking day

I understand your frustration, but please don't forget those of us who are new, who are patiently paging through the great information here, taking notes, learning lots. We're the ones you *don't* hear from with foolish requests.
Oh, and thanks so much to all of you (and especially Harry) for providing a place with this much information!

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 11/14/06 9:20am
Msg #159816

Glad you posted

This is the kind of "can do" attitude that is needed to become a success in this profession!Continue on that path and you will earn your Phd in loan signing vs those who are "cramming" for the test because they don't want to do any real work. (And we all know who will retain the knowledge). Welcome aboard!

Reply by cassiewi on 11/14/06 9:58am
Msg #159827

Re: Every freaking day

Amen Cap, at least I don't think I've asked any foolish questions. It amazes me that some people just jump in and ask for everything, then get upset when they get the responses they do. I did exactly what you're doing. Read the board first, then started posting and I've learned so much. The vets here are helpful, if you take the time to research and come with the proper attitude. If you take offense at the get go, there's no way anyone's going to help you. I'm glad you posted!

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 11/14/06 2:00am
Msg #159793

email me tomorrow I will help you get started.

[e-mail address]

Reply by ck_KY on 11/14/06 10:03am
Msg #159828

Re: Joan Bergstrom.. Kudos for being..

the bigger person on this thread. Not many seasoned notaries would take the time to help someone. I think it's great. We all got started in this business once upon a time. Maybe we should all think back to the many fellow notaries, friends and business partners that WE ourselves asked questions about this biz. GREAT JOB!!!

Reply by Charm_AL on 11/14/06 10:24am
Msg #159832

Re: Joan Bergstrom.. Kudos for being..

***Not many seasoned notaries would take the time to help someone. I think it's great. We all got started in this business once upon a time***

and not many of us get paid for helping either.

You still aren't realizing what the point is. The seasoned notaries are the very ones that put together post 33325 for newbies, and seasoned notaries do nothing but share when they feel like they are not being taken advantage of by a lazy gimme gimme self righteous person some some entitlement issues and what this forum is for.
Again, it's not a volunteer site made to train people that just decide, screw looking for it myself, instant gratification... it isn't.

Reply by MelissaCT on 11/14/06 12:34pm
Msg #159856

(Generic post) Yes, we were all new once, BUT

there is a HUGE difference in someone learning how to do the job before actually doing it (that's why there's Med School, Law School, etc.) Many of the "vets" learned the ropes on their own (sometimes the hard way) and are here to assist those who really put forth the effort to research first and ask questions later.

On the flip side, are those who come here asking the same redundant questions first & can't be bothered to do any work of their own to research. Then, they'll boo-hoo all the way home. THAT'S what many don't have any respect for. If you don't respect yourself or your peers enough to do your due diligence before "jumping in", how can you possibly expect anyone else to have any respect for you??? You're a disaster waiting for a place to happen.

Those who don't want to take the initiative to research, do yourself a favor & don't enter this business. You don't have what it takes...

Reply by Joe Ewing on 11/14/06 12:10pm
Msg #159854

Kimberly I would be happy to help you get started. My E-Mail is in my profile.

Reply by Dennis D Broadbooks on 11/14/06 1:22pm
Msg #159863

How DARE You Be Civil...

...in your reply to Kimberly, Joe! You just don't get it, do you? It's your civic (or at least NotRot Gang) duty to crucify her for the audacity to ask a single question...NOT assist her! You'll never be a member in good standing on this board with that kind of attitude. And here I thought you were a veteran who knew the ropes...

Reply by MelissaCT on 11/14/06 8:02pm
Msg #160035

Oops! Should be “Of the small businesses that fail, 90%

“Of the small businesses that fail, 90% do so because of lack of skills and knowledge on the part of the owner,” Dun & Bradstreet

I may add that it's also because they don't do their homework & expect others to hand them the answers.