Posted by SheilaSJCA on 2/28/07 12:22pm
Msg #177520

Its working...the CaliforniaNSAnetwork!

I am so glad I joined the CaliforniaNSAnetwork. (It is only available to California notaries) I had been wanting to grow my business with good quality clients, so decided to check it out. Since I joined in November I have gotten several good paying signings, some that are now repeat clients. Joining has also forced me to market myself (and the network) regularly- something I was always telling myself I should do, but wasn't. All the members are great, very professional and caring too.

Reply by hcampersFL on 2/28/07 12:26pm
Msg #177522

I couldn't agreee more. Our Florida NSA Network is

the best thing I have done since becoming a Signing agent. I have gotten so much more than just new clients (which I have many new ones) I have learned from a great group of Professionals. They really are the "Best of the Best"!!!

Beverly Nichols

Reply by Becca_FL on 2/28/07 2:04pm
Msg #177556

Re: I couldn't agreee more. Our Florida NSA Network is

I agree, Bev.

I could be one NSA with a limited coverage area marketing to just 10 contacts per week. Instead I have 16 partners covering the entire State of Florida and we are all marketing the network as a one stop solution to their FL closing needs.

Talk about working smarter.

Reply by BrendaTx on 2/28/07 2:19pm
Msg #177561

Re: I couldn't agreee more. Our Florida NSA Network is

17 Notaries x 10 contacts a week = 170 x 4 = 680 contacts made per month!

Shake that groove thang. Way to go Florida.

Reply by ZeeCA on 2/28/07 1:24pm
Msg #177539

actually IN MHO: I have misgivings about this network as it is NOT open to all calif notaries but only a select few..... some tc and ss might wonder why a notary is not affilated with something labeled California NSA network..........

again jmo

Reply by DellaCa on 2/28/07 1:42pm
Msg #177546

Hello Zee
I do remember speaking with you about the network when you called me wanting info. about joining. Our network is open to anyone that meets the criteria and is in an area not already covered I believe at that time the area you are in was already covered.
Della

Reply by Becca_FL on 2/28/07 1:44pm
Msg #177548

Zee if the networks were open...

to anyone and everyone, there would be NOTHING to set the networks apart from the NNA's list of NSAs.

Marketing 101 - What sets you above and apart from your competition?

Would you feel comfortable giving your best Mtg. Broker the name of some NNA flunky just because they were in the network? I sure as he77 wouldn't. I want to be sure that the NSA that I refer to my good clients do the job properly, take care of my client, the borrowers and the documents will be flawless...the first time.

Reply by ZeeCA on 2/28/07 2:03pm
Msg #177555

that is not the reason.............. n/m

Reply by Charles_Ca on 2/28/07 8:12pm
Msg #177609

Hi Zee, if you look at the history of networks in the far

distant and murky days of notary free-for-all BrendaTx set up a program where several individual banded together to try and provide the best service possible to the Real Estate and Lending community. While Signing Services held all the power they abused notaries much like the lords abused the tenant farmers in the medieval days. Brenda had the only successful answer to the Signing Services and did it with great aplomb. Brenda got her band of notaries together and they networked, they guranteed their work and they provided the best coverage in an area and aboe all they all market the heck out of the title companies and lenders. The Texas Notary Network (i've probably got the name wrong) provided an alternative service to the Signing Services and did it better and more accurately. The money that was saved by not using the Signing Services went to pay the notaries decent wage.

There were a few other networks started in that period, Becca got involved and so did a group of Florida notaries, there were rumblings at the time in California. Brenda was kind enough to provide the notary community with the secret inner workings of her network and more networks were started. I had been hammering the boards about the Signing Services and the need for grassroots activism. As the groups became more successful there were people who misunderstood. The notary networks are a support group for the notaries in the group no one notary gets any more than any other and they all set their own pricing. There are many groups in history that operate the same way the American Bar Association, American Medical Association, American Dental Association and many many others. There is nothing to keep you from starting your own notary network or if a spot is available join one of the existing ones. Notary Networks Rock! They are service and marketing groups and one of their basic principals is that the members cover their teritory and refer all other work to the rest. The Free market at its best.

Reply by BrendaTx on 2/28/07 9:26pm
Msg #177619

Charles...I wrote this earlier...Network Refresher Course

Just had not had time to post it.

Similar thinking.

A network is your basic "leads" group. In leads groups there will be an insurance agent, a RE agent, maybe a lawyer, a mortgage broker, a massage therapist, a florist, a financial planner, a caterer and so forth. Only ONE of these per profession. The leads group goes out and brings leads back to the group monthly or weekly. One lead or more for one of the members.

With our networking model, each area goes out and finds leads for the group.

The purpose of our networks is to avoid the middle man.

A network can offer a list--not a lone business card--but a list, to a title company or lender.

1) Business cards are going in the trash.
2) Nice lists of organized information about many quality notaries will have a better chance of staying.

Just like leads groups can exist in multiples in one city, there does not just have to be one and only one state network. Any notary/notaries willing to put forth the work (and there is a lot of uncompensated work) can and should build a network.

The reason that exclusive territories should be assigned is because the success of the network depends on the willingness of the members to market individually to promote all the notaries on the list. Territories with multiple notaries will fail because of competitive concerns.

A network established which parallels another network's members in areas is only another list of quallity notaries which ultimately enhances the chance of all networking notaries to earn better fees.

How so? Well, because when title companies and lenders realize why this effort has been put in place by multiple hard-working and willing network leaders they realize how there is more than one method of finding a good notary for less money (probably) than they are paying the theoretical signing service owner who may not have any concern for scheduling other than their bottom line.

Those who work for putting together a network will find there are rewards. One network cannot fill all orders. Hey, if list A cannot fill the order, they can go to list B. If there is not a list B they WILL call a signing service. The signing service will hit them hard to get them back into the client list. They will lowball their fees to undercut the notary network...lower fees again. It will take awhile for the hiring entity to get their fill of the low-quality work.

If those reading this have been excluded from a current network because a territory is filled, start one, develop the membership, have your own list and continue to create more choices for lenders and title companies. Show them they have a choice NOT to use signing services.

This kind of competition is friendly competition between networks and will help to continue to avoid signing services getting a cut of your pie.

All signing services are not bad. They serve a good purpose. But so do networks. Networks have qualified notaries....not just a warm body.

However, why work for $75 if you can work for $150? If you are willing to do the work you can create your own exclusive group, market it and provide one more choice.

The leaders of a network will do a lot of work to get it off the ground. They cannot afford to over-populate one area or the network will fail due to lack of willingness to market.

Before the original groups start throwing tomatoes at me, please consider how much work you had to do to get started networking. Do not fear a stampede of competition...it takes special people who really want to improve their business and build relationships. It takes long term dedication.

It's like pulling teeth, herding cats, and finding needles in haystacks. It takes a leader who is not going to give up, who will be tough and who will say no when you have to in order for the endeavor to work. PEOPLE LIKE THAT ARE NOT A DIME A DOZEN.

Many will come, but few want to put in the thankless work required to get a network off the ground. You are special and you are not going to see many of you who are willing to open up, take chances, do the work and put together what you have created.

More networks will perpetuate the concept of using networks and moving experienced notaries back into earning fees which are not paultry $60-75 do much/earn little signings.

Title companies are very willing! You just need to give them something to work with. Here is the email I was copied on when I recently referred a state's list:

XXXXX,

One of my most awesome notaries in Texas has sent this list of notaries for xxStatexx.
I know how we love referrals and want only the best. Please see Brenda's notes below.

==========

Be motivated to create a list of experienced notaries who offer something special.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 2/28/07 9:56pm
Msg #177623

Brenda, This really should be a separate post for attention! n/m

Reply by DellaCa on 2/28/07 3:03pm
Msg #177572

Re: Zee

actually IN MHO: I have misgivings about this network as it is NOT open to all calif notaries but only a select few..... some tc and ss might wonder why a notary is not affilated with something labeled California NSA network..........

again jmo

Yes we all have an opinion, if you don't mind Zee can you share with me what select few (in your words) are the only one's that can join? Is there something I did not answer for you? We are statewide and doing very well so far.

Reply by Brenda/CA on 2/28/07 3:36pm
Msg #177577

Re: Zee

We are a network of professionals, and not a notary database. So yes membership is based on first, and most importantly the individual meeting the stringent criteria set forth, i.e experience, etc. In the event that you met the criteria, and were still not selected, it is simply as Della stated that your area is currently covered. We do keep all completed profiles on file, and would contact you in the future in the event there was an opening in your area. Thank you for your interest. If you still have further questions or misgivings, please feel free to contact me via my profile.

Reply by Salvador Avalos on 2/28/07 1:39pm
Msg #177545

How do we join? Do they have a web site address

Reply by Brenda/CA on 2/28/07 1:46pm
Msg #177550

Please visit our website at CaliforniaNSANetwork.com and complete the California NSA Network Notary Profile from the link on the Contact Page.

Reply by Brenda/CA on 2/28/07 1:57pm
Msg #177554

Re: Its working...the CaliforniaNSAnetwork! link

http://www.californiansanetwork.com/

Reply by DellaCa on 2/28/07 1:47pm
Msg #177552

Re: Go to

www.californiansanetwork.com on the contact page and follow link for criteria and profile.
Thank you for the interest Salvador

Reply by BrendaTx on 2/28/07 3:25pm
Msg #177573

And, way to go California!

Della, check your PM when you get a sec.

Reply by DellaCa on 2/28/07 4:00pm
Msg #177580

Re: Thank you so much BrendaTx

from all of us networking you have lead the way with your network, our members do appreciate it. We also thank you for that lead!

Reply by BrendaTx on 2/28/07 9:50pm
Msg #177622

Re: Thank you so much BrendaTx

Thanks to you guys for trying to make an alternative to the share-cropper mentality we have had forced upon us.

Even though I have gone back to work full time the network still functions and gets calls constantly. Our list is circulated during teleconferences of a Tx RM broker network. It's very gratifying to be known for quality RM work. YOU can develop that same kind of top notch reputation.

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 2/28/07 10:43pm
Msg #177642

Also, Zee, et al, don't forget

that membership can not be bought! And at least in our network and I know TX as well, you have to be invited to join. It is not an open database that anyone with a few dollars to spare can join. Members are highly scrutinized, must be experienced, (and in ours - full time, this is not to diminish the quality of work that can be done on a part time basis, but when you rely on this to make the mortgage payment, put gas in the car, pay the light bill, groceries, etc. you are more apt to be VERY serious about the quality of work that you do).

Brenda is right it takes a lot of work to start a network and to keep on top of it (and still try and continue your business). This is not a paid position, but a very time consuming one. Thank heavens I've found a number of NSA's that have helped me and contribute more than their share and I am appreciative of it every day! It can not be all done by one person.

Reply by Becca_FL on 3/1/07 12:18am
Msg #177663

Add FL to that list, Dotty

Time..oh, I wish I had more. The time it takes just to keep things in tact...Members, marketing materials, promotions, recruiting, research and the like. My desk is a mess, but I do enjoy it. I love talking to prospects about the network and I particularly enjoy their interest in what we have to offer.

I worked in advertising sales for ten years and have NEVER had a product I felt more confidant in promoting than the FL NSA Network. I am so confidant in the abilities of the members that I am willing to bet my professional life on it.