Posted by Cathleen Atwood on 9/18/07 8:24pm
Msg #211856

Just getting started in Rhode Island

I'm retired military. I've been a notary for years and now I've decided to do it full time as a mobile notary. I'm soliciting your comments and suggestions on how to get my business off the ground successfully. What are the 'must have' tools of the trade, what should I make sure I do (don't do), and - if you were to start all over again - what would you do differently? Thank you so much for your input! Kat

Reply by BrendaTx on 9/18/07 8:30pm
Msg #211857

Kat, you seem like a very nice person.

First, read all the posts made today, read the ones made yesterday and over the weekend. Then read message #33325.

Use the orange search button to search out key terms.

Reply by BrendaTx on 9/18/07 8:36pm
Msg #211859

One other thing...

Back when I first joined this site there were probably around 6000 posts.

There was no search button. And, the only way the conversations were presented were in linear view.

I started at message #1 and read forward...that was the only way to find out what the forum was like and where the information was. My guess is about the time you hit post #10000 you will have gleaned a good basic working knowledge of the business. Then, if you don't want to continue reading every post until this one, fast forward to around post #170,000 and start reading there forward...you'll see that times are extremely tight right now. Forget all the numbers you read in the earlier days because the money and numbers just aren't there right now.

Three or so years ago when new people arrived there was no search button or msg#33325 so the best advice was to start reading from the start of this forum. That still works pretty good.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 9/18/07 9:39pm
Msg #211870

Raising a glass to you, Brenda. (Skipping the Off Topic (OT)

posts speeds up the read...) only as a P.S..

Reply by Barb/MO on 9/19/07 4:09am
Msg #211904

Adding on to the great advice that BrendaTx has provided

My advice is the same as Brenda's, but I prefer reviewing the past messages via the Archive found here: http://www.notaryrotary.com/archive/forum/Notary_Forum_Archive.html where the posts are organized in orderly fashion within their strings/strands/threads by year, month and day. Post #1, logically, is found under 2002, in the month of December and Post #10000 falls on 10/18/04. So, applying her advise, you would review the posts from 2002 through 10/18/04. You may wish to skip those marked "OT," as they generally do not relate to the conduct of the SA business.

Post # 170000 occurs on 1/9/07. Per Brenda's advise, you'd read the posts from that point forward to get brought up to date on the SA business as it exists today.

A general rule of thumb is that anywhere you believe my advice contradicts Brenda's or any of the other seasoned veteran's on this forum, go with hers/theirs. They've been at it a lot longer than have I.

I also have been reading through 2006, where there is information and tips that are relevant to what we do today.

Good luck!

Reply by ME/NJ on 9/18/07 9:19pm
Msg #211866

Do not count on this a major source of income for a few years. It would be wise to do this PT till conditions change. Market yourself and hope you get some calls.

Best of luck, it will be tough this is not the best time in this industry to start off unless you have other sources of income or a huge money roll.

Reply by MichiganAl on 9/19/07 12:55am
Msg #211893

In the military, they say "shoot first and ask questions later."
In the mobile notary world, we say "read first and ask questions later."

Reply by Todd/OH on 9/19/07 9:39am
Msg #211916

I would research the notaries in your county and surrounding counties to see who your competition is. Some notaries have their commission just to have it - it makes their present job easier. Perhaps you can gt lucky enough to find a mentor.

Reply by JohnnyB on 9/19/07 10:34am
Msg #211930

There is a very limited market for mobile notary services in the state. For closings, there is a ton of competition right now in a very small state. Good luck!