Posted by SheilaSJCA on 2/18/08 12:35pm
Msg #235831

Speaking of profiles

As suggested by a previous post, I read through some of the premier and basic profiles in the zip code that was mentioned. Many of them are barely readable! All the words run together, all caps, no caps, etc... Maybe Harry should institute a mandatory tutorial like they have on the numbers site, to ensure that people think about what they are putting in their profile. I am embarrased for all the clueless members out there.

Reply by ZeeCA on 2/18/08 12:43pm
Msg #235832

why? it just means in an over crowded market overrun with notaries that I have a better shot....

JMO

Reply by Ernest__CT on 2/18/08 2:14pm
Msg #235839

I'm with ZeeCA on this one.

If the Profiles of my competition look as if they were written in crayon by a broup of semi-literate fourth-graders who were too lazy to use a spell checker, that's fine by me.

Reply by Becca_FL on 2/18/08 2:28pm
Msg #235840

Re: I'm with ZeeCA on this one.

I think you guys are missing the big picture here. I have heard from a SS owner I know that has pretty much discontinued using NotRot because it's filled with profiles of notaries that are no longer in business. Well guess what? The SSs & TCs want to use a listing site that is accurate, up-to-date and provides good information about a closer. If Harry can not provide a premier listing site to those that hire mobile notaries, they will go else where and now, there are certainly plenty of else where's to go to.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 2/18/08 2:30pm
Msg #235841

We're talking apples and oranges here, Becca_FL.

Weed out the people who are not maintaining their Profiles. They're clearly out of business.

Leave the Profiles of the unprofessionals. They make the rest of us look good.

Reply by jba/fl on 2/18/08 2:57pm
Msg #235852

Re: We're talking apples and oranges here, Becca_FL.

'Leave the Profiles of the unprofessionals. They make the rest of us look good.'

No, they don't! All thoughts sink to the lowest common denominator.

Reply by Calnotary on 2/18/08 2:33pm
Msg #235842

Re: I'm with ZeeCA on this one.

2 yeas ago one of my best clients made a comment about how Harry should get rid of so many notaries that were not longer in business. Hey! that was 2 years ago, imagine how it should be right now!!

In my area if you look for a Spanish Speaking notary it will show my name and some other nonpaying basic members. That is not fair for me that I am paying for membership and other that are not paying a penny still showing and maybe getting jobs without paying a cent.

I think basic member should not appear on the "find a notary" button. It will serve the SS,title, escrow, etc but not me the paying member.

Reply by PeterRado/FL on 2/18/08 2:44pm
Msg #235846

What on earth is a broup??? n/m

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 2/18/08 2:56pm
Msg #235850

Re: What on earth is a broup???

I am laughing! Just for fun I put broup in a Google search! Surprising how many sites have "broup" instead of "group". Guess it is because the B and G are close on the keyboard

Reply by Ernest__CT on 2/18/08 2:57pm
Msg #235853

A broup is a binary group, just as a bit is a binard digit. n/m

Reply by Barbara A Demonte on 2/18/08 2:47pm
Msg #235847

Re: I'm with ZeeCA on this one.

I thought that all of the premium members had a gold box next to their name, I don't see one by yours, so I guess you are planning to upgrade to premium membership if Harry cuts the basic members from the notary search. If I am mistaken on what the "gold box" indicates, I apologize for thinking that you are a basic member.

I really wasn't aware that the basic members were viewed in such low regard until today, so I will leave all of you premium members to fend for yourselves and not irritate you with my presence on this board any longer. Have a wonderful day and I hope business improves for everyone this year.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 2/18/08 2:51pm
Msg #235849

Barbara.....why so offended?

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and I don't see anyone viewing you in "low-regard".
It sounds like you are in a bad mood...if so, take a day off not rot, and shake it off.
No one here is against you.

Reply by jba/fl on 2/18/08 2:50pm
Msg #235848

There are many profiles that should just be eliminated. A while back Harry said that if one did not maintain their profile, it would be deleted. That was an emply threat that was not followed through.

I realize that premier members have paid to list, and if they want to present themselves as kindergarten or less in their profiles, there is not much that can be done about it. What should be dealt with are the basic memberships that have not updated their profiles for a reasonable period of time; the basic memberships that have no information as to what they do, who they are marketing to, bad phone numbers, all caps, etc. If someone gets deleted that does not want to be deleted, then they can go through the process again of reinstating themselves at which time they will be inputting correct, up to date information. Then, perhaps, everyone will look more professional thus making NotRot a premier site that SS's & TC's will visit because it warrants the attention.

If a house is not maintained, the neighborhood suffers; this analogy stands here in this instance.

Reply by ZeeCA on 2/18/08 3:05pm
Msg #235854

why some of the basics have no info... IMO they signed up

make a post and nothing else ???

Reply by ericashaw on 2/18/08 3:19pm
Msg #235856

Why not just do what a certain other site does

the one involving numbers and make everyone update their profile every 90 days and those that don't are taken out? That seems like the easiest way to me

Reply by Ernest__CT on 2/18/08 3:21pm
Msg #235858

Not a bad idea!

It is sometimes a PITA to remember, but it certainly is motivating!

Reply by ZeeCA on 2/18/08 3:54pm
Msg #235869

Re: Why not just do what a certain other site does

if you pay for a premium you should not be deleted until it expires regardless if you update ... you paid for the year.

BUT, IMO, if you are a basic member and do not update than yes!

Reply by Linda Spanski on 2/18/08 3:26pm
Msg #235859

Would you rather be listed among professionals

or kindergartners? Old saying: "We are judged by the company we keep." How many threads have dealt with the low esteem in which we notaries are held among those who hire us?

If I compare my profile to others with misspellings, inappropriate photos, part-timers looking for "pin money", etc., I can get a cheap ego-boost. But in the bigger picture, those seeking to hire a notary will be holding their nose while selecting the least-bad (like some voters!)

Instead, I'd like my profile to stand on its own merit next to other professional mobile closers. By raising the bar, I think we all benefit. Time to purge empty profiles and anything that hasn't been updated in the past year, IMO.

Reply by PeterRado/FL on 2/18/08 5:52pm
Msg #235882

Re: Would you rather be listed among professionals

Bravo, bravo. But are guys serious about that broup thing or are just making it up.LOL

Reply by Ernest__CT on 2/18/08 7:19pm
Msg #235903

Broup: Aww, you caught me with tongue in cheek. n/m

Reply by Susan Fischer on 2/18/08 9:54pm
Msg #235925

5 star post, Linda. Couldn't each profile have a 'timer'?

After 90 days, it would send a reminder to the email address of the profiler, and if not updated within a reasonable time, pfft! Automatic.

Fully agree that raising the bar benefits everyone.

Reply by ALL SONOMA MOBILE NOTARY - Judith Neeley on 2/18/08 10:52pm
Msg #235932

I disagree because ...

people need more than one email warning before being purged. Come on... maybe someone just had an unexpected medical emergency in their family, or were out of town for a while, or their power/phone service was out and they never got the email? There are a gazillion reasons why someone may not BE ABLE to respond to an initial request to update their profile. I just went to mine, and there wasn't anything to change or update. Same address, same phone, etc. Nothin' new to add or change. I live in the country, no cell or high speed internet here, and power is on and off. Emails get lost, no doubt about it. I just had unexpected surgery and have not been able to even get on a computer for two weeks let alone stay up with my emails. That doesn't mean I am not longer working as a Notary.

It's rather interesting to watch society and see how it is evolving with our technology changes. I attended a seminar at the Convention Center in Phoenix in September, and when I went looking for a pay phone there were none to be found! They just assumed everyone carries a cell phone, I guess. Not everyone does or will. I don't because there is zero reception in this area. (I emailed the mayor of Phoenix about this glaring deficiency because I desperately needed to make a call from there at night after dark, and could not. I copied this email to supervisors, the convention center, etc., so if they've since installed at least one, I would love to know!)

The same goes for assuming everyone is glued to their emails or being online. Folks need more than one email and a set time before getting zapped. Why can't they simply reply to the email that includes a few basic questions? Making them have to come on and "update" is an extra, unnecessary step. Just let them hit the reply button after answering a couple of basic questions. You'll have to send this questionnaire out more than once. Make it quick and easy and you'll get more responses. Delete those that request to be deleted. Asking anyone to do so more than once a year is too much, in my opinion.

Not everyone is gunning for loan doc business. Some of us are here to mainly take care of the needs of our community members in their day to day dealings - as a service more than anything else. We may not have the volume of business city folks experience, nor the income, so paying to be listed on these sites is usually more than the business they generate. I still find the site valuable even though I may not get here that often.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 2/18/08 11:03pm
Msg #235937

You're in the wrong business.

Medical / family emergency I could understand. Otherwise if you're out of contact via email and phone for days then you are _not_ in business, you're a hobbyist.

Reply by Linda Juenger on 2/19/08 11:22am
Msg #235985

I agree No hi speed internet or cell phone????? n/m

Reply by Susan Fischer on 2/18/08 11:09pm
Msg #235938

"Nothin' new to add or change." Easy update. n/m