Posted by Bethany Van on 4/4/08 1:20pm
Msg #242192

How get started with notary business

I have been a notary for almost 2 years and was working with a family law business doing divorces, custody and adoptions. I am a notary and a signing agent. How do I get the business coming in.

Reply by Philip Johnson on 4/4/08 1:39pm
Msg #242199

You're probably a nice person, so do you think

that Ford calls GM or Toyota and says " Boys, we need a little help getting those trucks moving, any ideas"? I would suggest that you keep your day job and work at this a little bit at a time until you feel that things have turned your way and then go full time.

Reply by FLdocrunner on 4/4/08 1:59pm
Msg #242206

Re: You're probably a nice person, so do you think

Welcome Bethany

First I have to tell you that there is not a lot of business out there right now. The market is very bad for all of us from Lenders, to TC, to SS and right on down to us, as notaries. Where at this time last year I was doing at least 3 a day, I am now doing more like 1 every other day. Once in a while 2 in 1 day come in but not very often. It is horrible out here right now.

With that said, I can tell you that I personally have had to do a lot of marketing in order to get my name out there. I use directories to advertise (I pay a lot to use the directories.) I created a website in order to advertise, and I have signed up with every company I could find an email and/ or address for. In a nutshell it is a ton of work to get your name out there. Business cards help too. I have information to get started on my website, which is linked to my profile. Just keep in mind it takes a lot of time and effort to get started and once the calls start coming in you must prove to your clients you know what your doing in order to keep it coming in.

Best of luck to you!

Reply by Elaine Sedlock on 4/4/08 2:47pm
Msg #242213

FLdocrunner is right

Hi Bethany,

When I got started doing this the phone started ringing right after I became listed on Signing Central and work was pretty steady for a little while. But it ebbs and flows a lot and certainly isn't something to count on if you need steady income. Your location (area competition) will make a big difference; but things are slow across the board. I have invested a lot of money and haven't gotten out of the red yet (and that's w/o purchasing many items which would be useful such as GPS, wireless anywhere service, and a couple other helpful tools of the trade). Overhead is expensive, signing services are offering absurd fees which don't even come close to making it worth taking assignments a lot of the time, many are not even paying SAs until over 90 days after the signings (some never pay what they owe), and marketing also costs lots of $ and takes a lot of time. Not trying to discourage you, just to let you know to proceed w/caution! This forum has tons of information that can help you if you search (orange button) and many very kind and resourceful folks to learn from (just use search feature before posting).
Good luck!

Reply by Bethany Van on 4/4/08 4:55pm
Msg #242234

Re: FLdocrunner is right

Thank-you for all your help.

Reply by Bethany Van on 4/4/08 4:56pm
Msg #242235

Re: You're probably a nice person, so do you think

Thank-you for all your help.

Reply by Bethany Van on 4/4/08 4:57pm
Msg #242236

Re: You're probably a nice person, so do you think

Thank-you for your help. I work a full time job in social work.

Reply by Maggie Ostergard on 4/4/08 4:16pm
Msg #242225

Not the best time to start since so many are leaving- companies are dropping their prices again but do like the rest of us and just start marketing yourself

Reply by Bethany Van on 4/4/08 4:54pm
Msg #242233

Thank-you for your help.