Posted by Laura Vestanen on 7/20/07 9:51pm
Msg #201077

WA notaries: Newest huge marketing opportunity

Please kindly note - - If you are not gay-friendly, you will not benefit from this article. I will never respond to any anti-gay posts.

Several months ago our WA governor signed a law allowing gays and lesbians to register as Domestic Partners. The registration form became available online only 2 days ago - July 18. The next morning I received my first call requesting notarization of this form.

The appointment was this morning, Friday, July 20. A couple who had been together 7 years was excited to be finally signing the form.

Notarizing their signatures felt like I was taking part of their long-awaited celebration. It was an honor. The couple plans to drive to Olympia the first day registrations are accepted. They hope to be the first couple from our county to register.

SO HOW DID THIS COUPLE FIND ME?

I lived in and near San Francisco for 30 years. I am very gay/lesbian friendly. When I moved to WA, I was shocked at how underground the gay community is here. For that reason, I made a point of listing my notary services on local pro-gay/lesbian websites and directories.

That's how this couple found me!!!

Newspapers in WA predict that the registration office will be flooded with work long after the initial registration date of July 23 - - this Monday.

Do your research and then offer your notary services.
Laura

http://www.amazon.com/Marketing-Your-Non-Loan-Notary-Services/dp/B000IB14YW/ref=sr_1_1/002-7742335-8413618?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184985607&sr=8-1

Reply by Laura Vestanen on 7/20/07 9:56pm
Msg #201078

Michelle - how in the world did you know this????

The info you posted was just made available 2 days ago. I did my first notarization for this service at 9am today.

How the heck did you get a line on this new work???? Crikey!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone should read your posts for business-savvy info!!!

xox

Reply by Michelle/AL on 7/20/07 10:16pm
Msg #201080

I spend at least one hour a day on marketing ideas

and that includes reading up on anything and everything dealing with the notary business. I come across the most interesting information that way. I tell you what. Notaries overseas have a lot more fun than we do here in the states. They get more respect too! I'm not packing my bags yet but I've got my eye on a far away land. (smile). To be more specific, Laura, I receive Google Alerts and I received an article on this subject just this afternoon/evening. Thanks for the compliment.

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 7/20/07 11:30pm
Msg #201083

Re: Michelle - how in the world did you know this????

Great idea. I certainly hadn't thought of advertising in the gay community but I will be tomorrow. Thanks Laura

Reply by Marlene/USNA on 7/24/07 2:02pm
Msg #201489

Re: Bill Tracking

Follow legislation in the pipeline that involves notaries/notarization - whatever keywords you care to use.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/

Reply by Philip Johnson on 7/20/07 10:04pm
Msg #201079

I'm surprised that you didn't read further.

This also applies to those hetrosexual couples who at least one of them is 62 or greater.

Reply by Michelle_KY on 7/21/07 5:50am
Msg #201088

Rainbow Friendly

I peek around on other NSAs websites from time to time. Just this week I was surprised to see a "Rainbow Friendly" logo on someone else's website. (Sorry, I can't remember whose.) I assume that this meant that they were "Gay/Lesbian Friendly". Not a bad idea for you Washington notaries!

Reply by sue_pa on 7/21/07 8:04am
Msg #201091

Laura, I have a question. Perhaps I have to buy the book to find out and if so, I won't be offended if you don't answer.

I've read your posts before and Kelly's posts about your book. I don't understand how and why anyone uses your services. My state allows $5. For me, it would only be worthwhile with the travel cost. Why in the world would 'regular' people pay me to travel? I had a man last week call to notarize some type lost policy affidavit. He assumed the fee was $5. I told him it would be $30 - $25 travel and $5 notarization. He naturally took his document to a notary who didn't travel. I realize businesses and home bound people need someone to travel to them but people who are mobile certainly don't need nor want to pay for my mobility. I just don't get it.

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 7/21/07 8:36am
Msg #201093

Sue, I've never been able to figure that out myself and in MI we can charge $10.00. I get MAYBE 6 calls a year for general notarizations, and like you when they find out I charge to travel decide that maybe it's not that inconvenient to go to the UPS store.

Reply by sue_pa on 7/21/07 8:44am
Msg #201094

I get several calls a week !!! I also get calls all weekend long for people wanting vehicles transferred and I don't do that so that's not my question. And as for the hospital, it can take 1/2 hour to maneuver the parking lot let alone travel to and from plus the time spent with a patient who is probably medicated. I just don't get it.

Reply by Roger_OH on 7/21/07 9:33am
Msg #201102

I do a lot of general notary stuff...

I'm the only mobile notary in the Yellow Pages, and get calls for all kinds of docs; adoptions, immigration, insurance claims, medical, financial, real estate, car titles, affidavits, etc. Most just like the convenience and that I'm available after 5 and on weekends, as some folks work odd hours or the other party to the document is only available at a certain time and place. Get a number of calls where the doc HAD to be done THAT evening. Being in a large metro area helps too. Usually $30-$50 jobs (they really add up); take about 10 minutes, cash on the spot, and I do feel like I'm serving the public like a good notary.

Reply by sue_pa on 7/21/07 10:46am
Msg #201114

Re: I do a lot of general notary stuff...

those are the calls I also get. How are you available? I never wake up in the a.m. and have the same schedule at the end of the day. If I told someone today I'd be there at 6:00 Monday evening and I got a closing order Monday at noon for 6:00, I sure wouldn't turn down $150-$175 for a single document notarization. I also am in a decent sized area but people certainly won't pay me when I tell them the cost - they just go somewhere and pay $5. How do they take 10 minutes? Initial phone call, travel to, id your signer, have them get the paperwork out, notarize & return home. And if they're like borrowers, it sometimes takes them 10 minutes just to get themselves situated. They're not sitting on the kitchen chair with pen in hand waiting for us to arrive. Not 10 minutes to me. I did a state loss claim form for my next door neighbor - that took 1/2 hour until he was finished gossping !!!

Reply by Roger_OH on 7/21/07 12:03pm
Msg #201116

Re: I do a lot of general notary stuff...

More often than not, I schedule most of these while I'm already out on other signings, so the geography works out pretty well; once I get there, it's usually only a doc or two, so 10 minutes is average. There are those (immigration, adoption) that have more docs and take more time, but more docs, more $$.

For the occasional Sunday afternoon call, even if the round trip takes up to an hour, that's $30-$40 (or more) for a quickie trip, versus lying around watching the Maury show (gives me an excuse to avoid yard work as well).

The nice thing is that, unlike borrowers, these callers have to conform to when I'M available.

If anyone balks at my fees, I remind them THEY called ME, and they're paying for the convenience of having me come out to THEM, often after business hours. If they then prefer to use their bank, that's fine. Many times they need service quickly for some pressing need, such as a doc for getting their car out of impounding, a jail/legal document, homebound/hospital situation, - the list is endless.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/21/07 9:04am
Msg #201097

Florida we can charge $10 per notarization, when I was mobile I would quote a travel fee, most people did not want to pay a travel fee - heck some thought the notarization itself should be free!!! But I do get a lot of general notary work a week. But they come to me. The local pack and shipping place sends them to me, they have a lot of customers who think they have a notary there as most of those places do, and as they don't they send them to me. This week I found out that the reference desk at the local library is also sending customers to me. Most times there is only one document that needs the signature notarizing, but often they need several. Every one that comes to me has offered to pass my business cards around.

Reply by sue_pa on 7/21/07 10:37am
Msg #201112

Ah, there's the difference there. For MANY reasons I won't allow anyone to come to my home. Years ago I did and someone brought a child with them that I had to chase because he took off up my steps - and I don't have a 'child friendly' home. I don't have the proper endorsement on my homeowner's policy nor do I want anyone coming to me. Plus, to schedule something just doesn't work with the way my schedule changes daily. My daughter's friend needed something notarized and she called me yesterday afternoon. I told her to stop by anytime this a.m. I then had to call her back to say I had a 10:00 appt. She decided to come over at noon before she went to work. I then had to call her back and tell her I had a noon appt. - that she had to come between 10:45 and 11:30 - I was running late and she called at 11 and asked where I was - told I was on my way.

Reply by sue_pa on 7/21/07 10:40am
Msg #201113

also

my daughter's friend had a form that I couldn't/wouldn't notarize. I practiced law by telling her what she wanted just wouldn't work. I gave her the phone number of a lawyer to call. She wanted to change first, middle and last name of her son by just writing the change on his birth certificate. If it had been a stranger I don't know what I would have done - knowing you can't change a name just because you feel like it without a court order.

Reply by SharonMN on 7/21/07 2:06pm
Msg #201136

UPL/weird notarization requests

You don't have to practice law to tell a client that what they are doing may not have the desire result.

I tell them, "I can notarize for you, but all I am doing is certifying that I checked your ID and that you signed the document in front of me. Notarization doesn't make the contents of the document official, true. or appropriate for the purpose intended. If you bring me a statement that says, "My favorite flavor of ice cream is chocolate" I can notarize your signature on it, but that won't help you if you try to use the document to protect your invention, transfer the title to your house, or whatever. Please seek advice from a lawyer or other expert to make sure your document is worded appropriately to do what you want it to do."

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/21/07 1:11pm
Msg #201129

I have a separate entrance to the office, so no-one comes into my living quarters. They always call first to make sure I am here and so I know when someone is coming. I carry the necessary liability insurance. I have never had anyone come with children.
I have refused to notarize at times if they haven't had proper ID (and I have already told them on the phone that they will need current ID, so I don't know why they showed up with expired ID I couldn't use!), also if it is something I can't notarize. I usually ask them on the phone what they need notarizing, so sometimes I have been able to save them a trip.

As I am unable to do mobile work at this time, there is never a scheduling conflict. I am usually here unless I have a doctors appointment.

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 7/21/07 3:05pm
Msg #201149

I realize that between your doctor's visits and running your signing service that you are probably available, however, to me it sounds too much like a JOB! And no benefits (vacation, sick pay, holidays, etc). I like having the freedom of being able to meet my girl friend for lunch at the last minute. I surely wouldn't want to say, "well, I'd love to meet you for lunch, but I've got this chance to make $10 from this stranger who says she'll be here in an hour or so."

Guess we all have to decide how much of us we're willing to give up.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/21/07 4:08pm
Msg #201152

Dorothy
Unfortunately I am not giving anything up. But if I was in a position where I was able to go out for lunch with a friend, then I would tell the customer that I wasn't available and tell them when I would be available or send them to Kinko's. And the customers are usually calling from the pack and shipping place so they usually come right over from there, it is only 5 minutes away from me.

Reply by Laura Vestanen on 7/21/07 7:13pm
Msg #201171

Sue - Good post about not notarizing in your home

More reasons why I don't notarize at my home:

*I don't want my neighbors to be exposed to a lot of strangers coming and going.
*My home is not zoned for business. I would be breaking the law.
*Not safe for a single gal.

The conference room I use is 2 blocks from my home.

Reply by Laura Vestanen on 7/21/07 5:27pm
Msg #201159

Sue - -

Hi, Sue

You are absolutely right that doing non-loan aka general notary services usually only works if you are in a state with a high seal/oath fee or a state that allows you to charge a decent travel fee.

That's why I state on my website that the book will not be helpful to notaries with a low maximum travel fee like AZ or CT.

WA's fees were also $5 until last fall. Now they are up there with California. Almost all my clients drive to me now. There is an office 2 blocks away from my home. I do free notarizations for them and they let me use their conference room for free.

That fun Domestic Partnership form I did yesterday was a jurat. It took less than 10 minutes and paid $40 cash on the spot. (I took longer than 10 minutes because I was having so much fun.) Most of my appointments average $40-$150. Very few take more than an hour. The long ones are usually the adoption work at the doctors' offices. I usually have to wait for the doctor.

I base my travel fees on what it would cost if I took a taxi to and from the signing location.

Read Roger's post in this thread. He does a lot of the same work I do.

I agree with you about vehicle title transfers. I won't take them, either. I used to. It was rare that all needed parties appeared let alone appeared on time. I like boat title transfer work.

There are 500+ notaries in my small town. I am the go-to gal because I know what the heck I am doing (rare in a state with badly written regs and no test). I'm not a rocket scientist. My 20 years of working in law offices taught me to read badly organized legal jargon. I had a potential client who needed an unusual type of notarization done. I only do about 3 of these a year. She didn't want to drive 1/2 to me so she went to a notary near her. I will be shocked if I don't hear from her in a few weeks saying the notarization was not done properly, the out-of-state title company rejected it, and that she is suddenly happy to drive to my office.

More important, I did thorough market research to find the underserved niche work in my area. One of them is foreign baby adoption work. Many of my clients say I am the first notary they used whose notarizations were not rejected by the foreign government agency. Sometimes I am the 3rd or 4th notary they tried. When I was in California, I did hosptial patient work. Free notarizations for AIDS patients got me in the door for other paid work.

I also spent a lot of time researching and learning how to do SEO.

Since CTs notary fees are not high, I would focus my research on notary work that requires travel, like reports signed by doctors. Doctors are not going to travel to a notary just so the patient has to pay less.

I hope this post helps,
Laura

Reply by Pamela on 7/22/07 2:17pm
Msg #201202

I'm a mobile notary (and for some reason, just took it for granted that almost everyone else
is too). In the Southern California locations that I service, many people use my services due
to several reasons. Convenience being a major one. Customers do not want to (or cannot
for whatever reasons) leave their homes or jobs.

People like to be "catered to". They have very busy schedules and do not have the time, or
do not want to make the time, to travel to a notary's office, when the notary can come to
them.

At other times, it's through a lack of planning. Weekends and "after hours" are my specialty.
Often time, customers wait until the VERY last minute to have a document notarize.

And, although there are many notaries in Los Angeles and Orange counties, some people do
not know how to find them. They do a notary search, my business is usually listed at the top,
and they stop there and contact me.

I also enjoy doing public notarizations (and actually prefer this to loan signings, which I also
do).

Reply by Pamela on 7/22/07 2:20pm
Msg #201203

Correction: Re: WA notaries

Previous post was a reply to Sue_pa.

Forgot to put name in subject line.

Reply by Julie/MI on 7/21/07 9:22pm
Msg #201174

Some states must have more things to notarize than others

I cannot think of anything "routine" in Michigan, except for real estate transactions that need to be notarized. Maybe that's why some notaries in other states make decent money with this and others don't. Vehicle titles are not notarized.

I know we received a raise from $2 to $10 in Michigan, and I did the yellow pages ad and the only calls that came in had middle eastern accents that wanted copies of their drivers licenses "notarized" and the called lived 45 miles away from me. No thanks.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/22/07 10:17am
Msg #201188

Re: Some states must have more things to notarize than others

Some of mine have been release forms for kids going to summer camp, I have had a spate of young girls with their parents needing permission to get parts of their body pierced, or tattooed. Sometimes they have been documents a lawyer has drawn up and they need the signatures notarized. There is a wide variety of business here.

My favourite one to date though, is the couple that showed up at the door wanting to get married right there and then. I was still in my bath robe!!!