Posted by Brian Bluestein on 11/17/07 3:10pm
Msg #221826

I hope to be up and running very soon

Could any one tell me what the best why to go? meaning getting work from differant companys?

Reply by cassiewi on 11/17/07 3:31pm
Msg #221832

Hi Brian and welcome to the forum

As far as getting work from companies, well, there are long time notaries here who are wondering the same thing. Actually not wondering, they just know that this market is down, really down, right now. There is an orange search button for this site and you can use that to research some ideas. Also search for message 33325, tons of info there. You're in a very saturated area, but I wish you luck.

Reply by Blueink_CA on 11/17/07 7:53pm
Msg #221859

Hi Brian, welcome to this forum. I've been a full-time signing agent for three years. Recently, due to a substantial decrease in business, I applied and was hired by a major nationwide retailer. In my orientation there were 6 people. Along with me, there was a loan officer and the wife of an escrow officer. (The EO had been laid off so his wife took a second job).

Believe me, if there was a good income in being a signing agent at this time, I would still be there and not looking for steady work.

Good luck to you but don't invest too much into this at this time.

Reply by BrendaTx on 11/17/07 8:05pm
Msg #221861

Good to see you, Blueink...

I am hopeful that the lady who called me from Dallas the other day asking questions about getting started is reading this board.

I directed her to it. She was hopeful to get into the business and decided to call me to ask questions. I felt really bad raining on her parade so I told her not to take my word for it but to read this board before she began to count on this business for an income.

My daughter in law was in the LO fall out from Wachovia. Her office closed in August. She is substitute teaching right now and working on her teaching credentials at the same time. She's already got her degree but now she's going to get what she needs via online classes to start teaching high school history. She can start next fall. My DIL was good at the LO game...too bad that Texas laws make it so hard to lend to that she was working California.

For new folks...if you don't understand the LO (loan officer) connection to the notary biz, well...if there aren't any loans, the notary has no biz.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 11/17/07 9:13pm
Msg #221865

To add to what the others have said, I also recommend you change your profile. Honesty is important, but you need to find a way to honestly sell yourself or you don't have a prayer. The only companies that would hire you with what you posted are those who have no intention of paying you... (At least you might get some experience that way, though. )

I recommend taking the advice the others gave you to heart. I'm in S. OC, by the way and our entire county is flooded with notaries. I've been doing this full time for about five years and my business is WAAAAY down, like everyone else's. I hope you don't have too much invested in this!

Reply by CaliNotary on 11/17/07 9:32pm
Msg #221868

What she said

I just looked at the profile and YIKES!

Reply by Susan Fischer on 11/17/07 10:59pm
Msg #221871

Adding to Janet's reply, spelling and punctuation are also

very important in your presentation. For instance, the days of the week are capitalized. Because NSAs represent their clients to the public, someone who is careless in their writing, especially on their profile, will be passed over quickly for others who present themselves as professional and articulate.

Your profile is the only way strangers have to 'get to know you' before giving you a call. Reading your profile, I wouldn't call because the impression it gives is negative on a very basic level. If your writing skills are lacking, I would suggest getting help from someone who, at the very least, knows the fundamentals of English composition.

All the best to you in competing with the many highly skilled, infinitely qualified NSAs in your area during this very difficult economic downturn.

Reply by kathy/ca on 11/18/07 10:58am
Msg #221888

Amen to all of the above! It has become SO competitive now..

To get work, you must hone your skills and know your stuff. I have been signing loans for 4 years and get work most every day, but I have established myself with many good TC's, lenders and a few of the best SS over the years and if I dont hear from them, they hear from me. Good luck. like Janet/ca, I am in So. O/C and there are tons of us trying to make a living at this wonderful profession.