Posted by Pierces Notary Services on 2/20/07 7:41am
Msg #176399

local chamber of commerce or business association

Does anyone belong to their local chamber of commerce or business association? If so, does it help you generate more business? My local business association does business card ads in the local paper. I have my number in the yellow pages and generally don't get many calls. I'm thinking of going back to a residential listing this year and just use my cell phone for my business line. I get most calls for motor vehicle work which I do not do at this time.

Reply by sue_pa on 2/20/07 7:57am
Msg #176401

Hi Mary - don't want to say I told you so but I did. They ALL want title work on the off hours. One guy called Saturday night at almost 9:00 a.m. with a message that he needed tags transferred. Of course I didn't answer. Next irate message was at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday DEMANDNIG I return the call immediately as he must have this done. My favorite is when I actually answer the phone and I say I'm not permitted to do or know how to do title work and they keep asking questions anyway. I usually just hang up on them after about the second or third time of saying that I don't do PennDOT work. T-giving morning starting at perhaps 6:00 or 6:30 and every 20 minutes thereafter I had messages from some lady getting more upset with each message again DEMANDING that I call her back as we HAD to get to the jail for some type custody papework.

Individuals almost all have 'an issue' or they think your travel is free; otherwise, they'd stop at any corner at a tag & title office or every car lot that has a notary sign and get their work done for $5.00. You can pick up a little work from businesses but to me the ad isn't worth the hassle of the 'individuals'.

Reply by sue_pa on 2/20/07 7:58am
Msg #176402

forgot

Until this year I belonged to my local CC (I belonged so I could get their health insurance plan) and I received some business work but not nearly enough to negate the dues.

Reply by Pierces Notary Services on 2/20/07 8:03am
Msg #176403

Re: forgot

Thanks Sue - that's kind of what I thought....I'm going to just keep doing what I'm doing now...the girl that did my taxes last year said I should have a business line set up for tax purposes which I did but it hasn't generated me any business - or enough to warrant paying for it.

Reply by LawrenceOK on 2/20/07 8:11am
Msg #176404

It is my opinion that not many folks bother to pick a phone book anymore. Most people will search the Internet to find a local business. I used to belong to my local Chamber of Commerce, but their membership fees got ridiculous.

Reply by Laura Vestanen on 2/20/07 11:34am
Msg #176434

Careful research on demographics and local niche needs are essential for determining whether or not joinging a Chamber or business association is worth your time and money.

The Chamber is my WA county is awful. But the one I belonged to in California got me lots of work. (Not the Chamber in my town, the one 2 towns away.)

Depending entirely on what is needed in your service area you may wish to join
*A real estate investors' group
*A local builders' association
*A trade association for the providers of services to the elderly

Study of my area gave me surprising results. There are over 500 notaries in my small town. But I discovered a huge need for notaries that handle three types of documents. So I studies the people and businesses who use these document types. That info told me exactly what associations to join and how to advertise to them.

Never skimp on research!

You PA notaries have my sympathy on hating vehicle title transfer work. I refuse to do them too. The appointments are always an "emergency" and the signers never appear at the appointment on time. I do boat transfer work though - that's fun.